Wine with Wita

Hey everyone,
This week, I am joined by Michael Sawan, host of The Comeback Blueprint Podcast, for a powerful conversation about survival, resilience, and rebuilding your life after everything changes.
​
At just 25, Michael was fit, active, and living what he believed was a healthy lifestyle, until subtle warning signs led to the discovery of a life-threatening heart condition.
​
What followed was urgent open-heart surgery, cardiac arrest, a stroke, months of rehabilitation, memory loss, and relearning everyday tasks many of us take for granted.
​
Michael shares the physical and emotional toll of recovery, the role his family played during crisis, and how this experience reshaped his identity, priorities, and outlook on life.
​
Together, this episode goes far beyond a medical diagnosis.
​
It is about family, faith, perspective, purpose, and the messy, deeply human reality of coming back from life’s hardest moments.
​
We talk about:
💫 The subtle signs Michael almost brushed off
💫 Discovering a life-threatening heart condition at just 25
💫 The reality of open-heart surgery, cardiac arrest, and stroke
💫 Relearning everyday tasks during recovery
💫 The role of family, faith, and support
💫 Why comebacks are slow, messy, and deeply human
​
A beautiful reminder that life can change in an instant, but resilience can be rebuilt one small step at a time.Listen to Michael's podcast ⁠here!⁠Lots of love,
Rita
​
P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.
​
​
Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development.

Hey everyone,
This week’s episode is a very special one… because Wine with Wita has officially reached 100 episodes. 🥹🤍
​
And for this milestone, I am doing something a little different.

Instead of being the one asking the questions, my beautiful best friend Voula sits down to interview me.
​
In this episode, we talk about where Wine with Wita began, why I started sharing family stories and how this podcast has become so much more than I ever imagined.
​
We also reflect on the power of community, advocacy, vulnerability and connection, especially for parents who are navigating such big emotions, long waiting lists, therapy appointments, guilt, uncertainty and the feeling of being alone.
​
Because Wine with Wita has always been about giving families a voice.
​
We talk about:
💫 Why family stories have shaped the heart of Wine with Wita
💫 How the very first episode changed the direction of the podcast
💫 Why parents need compassion, not more guilt
💫 The importance of finding your community
💫 How conversations can help families feel less alone
💫 What 100 episodes has taught me as a mother, speech pathologist and human
💫 Where I hope Wine with Wita will go next
​
This episode is a heartfelt reflection on the last 100 conversations, the families who have trusted me with their stories, and the beautiful reminder that connection can change everything.
​
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Lots of love,
Rita
​
P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.
​
​
​Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development.

Hey everyone,
This week’s episode is inspired by something I use often in the therapy room… a simple reminder that communication is more than words.
​
We so often focus on what children say… but not always on what they are showing us.
​
In this episode, I unpack how much meaning is carried through tone, gestures, and facial expression, and how these can completely change the way a child understands and communicates.
​
Because for many children, especially those with communication difficulties, words alone are not enough.
​
I talk about:
💫 Why communication is about what we show, not just what we say
💫 How tone of voice can completely change meaning
💫 The power of pointing and gestures in building understanding
💫 How facial expressions help children interpret emotions and messages
💫 Simple, practical ways you can support your child’s communication every day
💫 Why these small shifts can create stronger connection and confidence
​
This episode is a gentle reminder that communication is a shared experience. And sometimes, the smallest changes in how we show up can make the biggest difference.
Lots of love,
Rita
​
P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.
​
​
​Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development.

Hey everyone,
This week, I am joined by Carol and Karen for a deeply powerful and perspective-shifting conversation about what it truly means to create a full life for individuals with disabilities.
​
Carol shares her lived experience raising her daughter Maddie, who has Down syndrome, and the intentional decisions that shaped her independence, confidence, and outlook on life.
​
From the very beginning, Carol made one thing clear… she would never focus on what Maddie couldn’t do, only what she could.
​
Now 32, Maddie’s life is a reflection of that belief.
​
Karen, CEO of Greenacres Disability Services, brings another layer to this conversation, sharing how meaningful employment, community, and opportunity can completely transform outcomes for individuals and families.

Together, this episode goes far beyond a diagnosis.
​
It is about identity, independence, and what becomes possible when we raise expectations and truly support individuals to thrive.
​
We talk about:
💫 The power of focusing on ability over disability
💫 How one belief helped Maddie learn she can do hard things
💫 The difference between having a job and having a life
💫 How Greenacres creates real opportunities, purpose, and community
💫 Why independence, even when it feels uncomfortable, matters so much
💫 The importance of raising expectations to create possibility
​
A beautiful reminder that when we believe in what someone can do, and give them the right environment to grow… the outcomes can be far greater than we ever imagined.

Follow along with Greenacres Disability Services &
​IMAGINE Homewares & Hampers or visit their website here to learn more!
​
Lots of love,
Rita
​
P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.
Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development.

Hey everyone,
This week, I share a heartfelt solo episode on a phrase I hear so often in the therapy room… “This is not what I expected for my child.”
​
We unpack the emotional weight behind this and the reality so many parents face after a diagnosis. The grief of unmet expectations, the uncertainty, and the quiet moments where everything feels overwhelming.
​
Because often, it is not just the diagnosis that is hard. It is the shift in the future you once imagined.
​
I talk about:
💫 The impact of expectations and how they can lead to disappointment
💫 The emotional reality parents experience after a diagnosis
💫 Why early support and understanding can change everything
💫 The importance of letting go of the child you expected and embracing the child in front of you
💫 How children with additional needs teach families a deeper level of compassion and connection
💫 Why celebrating small moments and strengths creates a more empowering path forward
​
This episode is a gentle reminder that while the journey may look different, it is still filled with meaning, growth, and moments of joy you may not have expected.
Lots of love,
Rita
​
P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.
​
​
​Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development.