For our final episode of 2024, we had envisioned something festive and cheerful to set the tone for a fun Christmas season.

However, life had other plans. On November 18, 2024, our host, Rachel Chappell, was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer, and those plans have taken a backseat—for now.

In this deeply personal episode, Rachel sits down with co-host Sarah to share her journey so far, the shock of her diagnosis, and what lies ahead.

This conversation was recorded just one day before Rachel underwent surgery—a lumpectomy and axillary clearance.

You can continue to follow Rachel's Breast Cancer Journey on Instagram

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This week, we’re diving into speech and language development with the incredible Jules Tushuizen, an experienced Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist.

Jules shares her wealth of experience to help parents navigate their child's exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking journey through communication milestones. From first words to forming sentences, we cover it all—plus what to do if your little one seems a bit behind.

In this episode, Jules shares:

• Key speech milestones to watch for at different ages.
• Practical tips to support your child’s speech and language skills at home.
• Knowing when to seek professional support—and why early intervention matters.
• Where to get help
• The common language development myths (and why they may not be accurate!).
• Practical ‘do’s and don’t’s’ for parents
• What to do if you think your child may be developmentally delayed or autistic.

This conversation is packed with insights to empower you in supporting your child’s communication journey. Tune in for a lively and informative chat that will leave you feeling informed and inspired!

Jules Tushizien – Speech Pathologist, Grow & Tell

With 16 years of professional experience, Jules Tushizien is a dedicated speech pathologist passionate about empowering families to understand and support their children's communication journey. Holding a Master of Speech and Language Pathology, a Master of Inclusive Education in Autism, and a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics, English, and Sociology, Jules combines academic knowledge with hands-on expertise.

Jules is the Founder of Grow & Tell Speech and OT, a thriving clinic in Rhodes established in 2019. Her career spans diverse roles, including positions at the OAC Head Office in St Leonards, SDN Head Office in Crows Nest, and the Portland Women and Children’s Hospital in London. She has also contributed to the NHS in London and began her career at Blacktown Speech Pathology in 2008.

Driven by a mission to help parents navigate early childhood communication challenges, Jules aims to ensure that families recognise and address speech and language delays early while continuing to cherish the joy of parenting during the foundational years.

Ice Cream Hunt: A Fun, One-of-a-Kind Speech Sound Tracker for Kids 4–6 Years by Jules Tushuizen

Ice Cream Hunt: A Fun, One-of-a-Kind Speech Sound Tracker for Kids 4–6 Years by Jules Tushuizen, combines a charming storybook with a practical tool for tracking speech sound development. Featuring fun rhymes, engaging illustrations, and a photocopiable checklist, it simplifies identifying milestones for parents and educators using research from the 2018 McLeod and Crowe study. Designed for ages 4–6, it’s an empowering, easy-to-use resource that makes speech development fun for kids and stress-free for adults.
Get yours here for only $14.99

Grow & Tell Speech and Occupational Therapy

• Phone: 1300 848 795
• Email: info@Growandtelltherapy.com.au
• Website: www.growandtelltherapy.com.au
• Follow: Facebook or Instagram

Handy Links
📌 Get your child assessed for FREE at RNSH Community Health Centre
📌 Download Speech & Language Milestones Checklist
📌 NDIS

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So many mums are stressed with juggling kids, work and the bulk of the domestic load. The creep can be gradual and suddenly it seems like we’re ‘doing everything’. This can lead to feelings of bitterness and resentment – and now we’re bickering or testing each other, to see if the other one notices or really cares. The resentment also impacts our desire to be intimate.

So how can we negotiate the mental load and take shared responsibility for family jobs? What do realistic expectations look like and how do we get back to a place of team-work and gratitude?

In this episode, we’re joined by a special guest, Cherie Marriott, from The Good Relationship Practice, to help us unpack this topic.

About Cherie Marriott

Cherie Marriott is a Couple and Family Therapist at The Good Relationship Practice in McMahon’s Point.

Cherie says she’s passionate about relationships and family life – and has an endless fascination with how humans interact and the stories we tell ourselves. She began her working career as a journalist – writing mostly about the banking and finance sector for 20 years, and living as an expat in London, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

When her children hit primary school, she went back to University to study a Master's in Counselling and Psychotherapy. She first worked in the Women’s Health Centre Network with trauma in adults and children and then moved into private practice.

Cherie has two daughters in their early 20s, a highly entertaining, slightly crazy artist/photographer husband, and 19 nieces and nephews! She and her husband were foster parents for five years, and Cherie also teaches part-time in the counselling program at Western Sydney University.

Two years ago, she joined four like-minded therapists to form The Good Relationship Practice in McMahon’s Point on Sydney’s lower north shore. From their beautiful rooms, overlooking the cafés and the florist shop below, they see individuals, couples, and families to help them with their relationship issues.

THE GOOD RELATIONSHIP PRACTICE

• Address: Level 1, 131 Blues Point Road, McMahons Point
• Phone: 0421 33 99 11
• Email: info@goodrelationship.com.au
• Website: www.goodrelationship.com.au

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