Advertise on podcast: Conversations with Olwen

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So many people are struggling. Children and parents too, are struggling with increased Mental Health challenges. On this podcast, founder of BackChat Speech Pathology, Olwen Forker talks to a range of experts – including Mums – to discuss causal factors for this. Olwen will share her own experience raising three boys during the last two decades, through some of the biggest changes in society. This podcast will be open, vulnerable, and very real. It is going to ruffle feathers, as the experts – Mums - and Olwen, explore these societal changes and how they’ve affected our parenting and our children. Especially when parenting children with additional needs. Conversations with Olwen is here for every parent – especially our Mums – to take something away to apply, to our own parenting experience.

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Check latest episodes from Conversations with Olwen podcast

Kristie's Journey with her daughter

2026/10/08

With more children being diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum, Olwen discusses with Kristie - a Mum from The BackChat Clinic - her daughter's journey. Two and a half years ago Kristie's daughter was really struggling. She was not communicating, and as a single Mum, Kristie was really struggling. Fast forward to now, and her daughter has made remarkable gains. Olwen and Kristie discuss her progress and journey. Recorded and produced at ⁠The Podcast Boss⁠ ⁠podcast studio in Brisbane

Olwen interviews another Paediatric Speech Pathologist

2026/10/01

In this episode of Conversations with Olwen, she speaks with one of her close colleagues - and another equally highly experienced Speech Pathologist Kath - to discuss the changes in children (yes, children) since they both started practising almost 27 years ago. A great listen for every Teacher, Therapist and Parent.

BackChat Bites #5S2. The story of Miss A

2026/07/02

This is a wonderful story detailing one little one's journey at the BackChat Clinic. Brain development takes time, and early intervention is a journey. In some cases, a very long one. Miss A has worked incredibly hard to be where she is now. Where she was always meant to be. As has her Mum. It is a team effort. A beautiful story from one little BackChatter; it's a story of grit, determination and insight into her own story and how far she has come. Recorded and produced at ⁠The Podcast Boss⁠ ⁠podcast studio in Brisbane

BackChat Bites #4S2. Speech Pathology needs to change: BIG NDIS clinics, Research, University Course

2026/07/02

BIG clinics. I'm not happy with them. Because it's all about KPIs and money. It's not about the outcomes for children or for the families. And more and more young Therapists are speaking out. And they are not happy. They don't have quality of life. And it's about EXPERIENCE. They are just not being equipped to work with the little ones presenting in their clinics. But it goes deeper than that. It goes back to our Universities and what they are teaching. The experience of the Lecturers teaching our students; have they worked clinically? Have they been in a Day Care or a School lately? Another thought-provoking bite from Olwen. Recorded and produced at ⁠The Podcast Boss⁠ ⁠podcast studio in Brisbane

The Icelandic Solution

2026/07/01

Olwen starts to discuss solutions in this episode, and discusses the ‘Icelandic Solution’ implemented in the 1970’s. Backed by the latest neuroscience, this solution is genius as it encompasses the ‘whole’ brain and the ‘whole’ child; something Olwen is passionate about. Her clinical work is not ‘just’ about speech therapy, but about gaining better outcomes through connection, relationships, changing mindsets and helping children to see they can succeed and are a learner. And for our boys especially that really struggle – building empathy through repeated activities – that directly stimulate now identified neural pathways. Recorded and produced at ⁠The Podcast Boss⁠ ⁠podcast studio in Brisbane

We need to do hard things and build FUNCTION

2026/07/01

Olwen delves deeper into the neuroscience behind our little one’s development and how modern society including screen time and the cost-of-living crisis, is directly affecting their brain function. Especially for our little boys. And how the NDIS has monetised children’s outcomes in this country, making it better ‘not’ to build function. Olwen also reflects on day to day activities – the movies children watch and the books they read – linking these to the FAST dopamine state of today’s modern society. And one solution for battling families that’s come straight from The BackChat Clinic. Rewarding battling families by giving them a little hope. Another thought-provoking episode on Conversations with Olwen. Recorded and produced at ⁠The Podcast Boss⁠ ⁠podcast studio in Brisbane

BackChat Bites #3S2. Our Little Boys...

2026/07/01

Working with little boys is 95% of Olwen's clinical work and in this bite she describes a day in her life. She describes her unique 'twist' in therapy sessions, and how she uses the latest neuroscience research clinically, to focus on that 'whole' brain and 'whole' child in her approach. Recorded and produced at ⁠The Podcast Boss⁠ ⁠podcast studio in Brisbane

BackChat Bites #2S2. A Weather Dilemma

2026/07/01

Olwen shares an interesting story from her own house, as her 10 year old son summed up perfectly, the issues with our sedentary school day here in Australia. Especially IF it's a "wet weather day". Its impact on busy little people and how they feel, should not be underestimated. Recorded and produced at ⁠The Podcast Boss⁠ ⁠podcast studio in Brisbane

BackChat Bites #1S2. Level 1 Autism - a step on the spectrum

2026/07/01

It's a very tricky part of the spectrum. Often misdiagnosed as ADHD but experienced Therapists and Teachers really 'get' these little ones. Here on the first BackChat Bite for Series 2, Olwen discusses this profile of little ones, in depth. Recorded and produced at ⁠The Podcast Boss⁠ ⁠podcast studio in Brisbane

BackChat #1 Season 2

2026/06/28

Olwen is a well-known Speech Pathologist and Mum of three boys. She has 27 years clinical experience in the paediatric field and Olwen is a huge advocate for improving outcomes for children in Australia. This episode revisits earlier concepts introduced but also adds new information - layering new facts and research – while consolidating Series One. And Olwen’s insights and reflections go a step deeper this time. Using recent neuroscientific research and real-world data, she dives deeply into factors impacting on not just Reading, Language and Speech development - but on childhood brain development - and whole of life outcomes. Including her mantra of We do HARD things.

If I was Premier…

2024/06/06

In this episode, Olwen shares her TOP 8 tips for what she would do NOW here in Queensland, to address the rising levels of disadvantage, illiteracy levels and behavioural issues in schools. And her answer is not more Speech Pathologists.

School Curriculum

2024/06/06

“A mile wide” is a phrase Olwen hears often about the school curriculum. She takes it one step further in this BackChat Bite, to discuss how a Cost of Living crisis - with both parents now working - has impacted on our children, especially disadvantaged little ones, to such a degree that it is causing huge illiteracy and other learning delays.

Backchat Bites 11. Carly's Journey

2024/05/29

Another wonderful Mum from the BackChat Village – Carly, shares her story – about her little guy and his struggles. Diagnosed initially with a Global Developmental Delay, this Mum and Teacher knew in her gut that something else was going on! Produced by The Podcast Boss

Backchat Bites 10. A Teacher’s Story

2024/05/23

Teachers are the backbone of our society. They care for our children daily, and the expectations placed upon them, are becoming more complex and excessive with every year. In this bite, Olwen tackles this issue head-on with a highly experienced Teacher. Produced by The Podcast Boss

Backchat Bites 09. NDIS Therapists

2024/05/23

The universal healthcare system in Australia aka NDIS, has provided many families with loads of funds to access Therapy and Therapists. But a system is only as strong as the clinical experience of the people working within it. Produced by The Podcast Boss