

Unspoken Words: A Selective Mutism Podcast by Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
SMart Center
Selective Mutism is a social communication anxiety disorder that can be incredibly difficult to navigate and often misunderstood. Fortunately, your host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum DO, has over 30 years of experience in understanding and treating Selective Mutism. This podcast serves to educate those who are struggling (or those who may know someone who is struggling) and to allow their words to be heard. Listen along for tips, strategies, and everything and anything selective mutism.
For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org
For all podcast inquiries please contact Dakota Hornak at dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 2, 2024 • 36min
EP41 (Ask Dr E): pushing your child to go to school, changing psychologists, rewarding "talking" without bringing too much attention to it & more
EP41 of the Unspoken Words podcast features our latest installment of our Ask Dr. E series.
In the episode, we answer five questions, including how hard to push your child to go to school, what to do when your child’s psychologist isn’t helping, ways to reward talking without bringing too much attention to it, and more.
-
Chapters:
(3:18) What is Snoezelen and do you recommend it? (9:13) Should I keep pushing my teenager to go to school? (16:42) What to do when my daughter’s teachers are not cooperating (21:44) How to handle a psychologist who isn’t helping (28:36) Rewarding “talking” but not over-doing it
-
Ask Dr. E a question of your own!
Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
Explore our SMart Center success stories!
Get started at the SMart Center
Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here.
For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube
Learn more about C&A, our General Mental health Counseling & Assessments division
-
For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org
--
This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)

Nov 18, 2024 • 50min
EP40: Live Chat w/ Parents @ CommuniCamp™ – Holiday Prep
EP40 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a live chat with parents at CommuniCamp, focusing on preparing for the upcoming holiday season.
In the episode, Dr. E and three participating parents discuss parenting strategies to focus on this upcoming holiday season, how to help children overcome social anxiety during holiday events, understanding silence when dealing with children with selective mutism, and much more.
--
This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)
-
Chapters:
(4:09) PARENTING STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING HOLIDAY ANXIETY(13:38) HOW TO OVERCOME SOCIAL ANXIETY DURING HOLIDAY EVENTS(23:26) HOW TO COMFORT CHILDREN w/ SELECTIVE MUTISM DURING HOLIDAYS(34:09) UNDERSTANDING SILENCE WHEN PARENTING CHILDREN WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM(40:01) BREAKING DOWN THE JOURNEY FROM MUTE TO VERBAL
-
Ask Dr. E a question of your own!
Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
Explore our SMart Center success stories!
Get started at the SMart Center
Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here.
For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube
Learn more about C&A, our General Mental health Counseling & Assessments division
-
For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org

Nov 11, 2024 • 48min
EP39: Understanding Sleep & Anxiety w/ Dr. Jodi Mindell
EP39 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr E. and Dr. Jodi Mindell, a Professor of Psychology at Saint Joseph’s University, on sleep and anxiety.
In this episode, Dr. E and Dr. Mindell discuss the role of sensory issues in sleep, navigating parent-child sleep dynamics, the overall importance of sleep and much, much more.
Chapters:
(3:13) NAVIGATING SLEEP CHALLENGES IN AN ANXIOUS (13:37) DR. MINDELL’S CONTROVERSIAL OPINION ON DEVICE USE BEFORE BED (23:48) HOW PARENTS CAN MASTER BEDTIME (29:39) FLEXIBILITY IS KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL NIGHT’S SLEEP (38:41) FOOD AND CAFFEINE’S IMPACT ON GOOD SLEEP
--
This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.com)
-
Ask Dr. E a question of your own!
Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
Explore our SMart Center success stories!
Get started at the SMart Center
Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here.
For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube
Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program
-
For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org

Oct 21, 2024 • 50min
EP38: How Shining Star, Emily, Overcame Selective Mutism
EP38 features the latest installment of our Shining Stars series, where we sit down with former SMart Center patients – or their parents – and discuss how they overcame Selective Mutism. This episode, we meet Jenny, mom to Shining Star Emily.
In this episode, Dr. E and Emily’s mom, Jenny, to discuss Emily’s SM journey, the importance of parental involvement, embracing our children’s unique gifts, and much, much more.
This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)
-
Chapters:
(2:35) (8:51) (15:47) (24:23) (33:26)
-
Ask Dr. E a question of your own!
Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
Explore our SMart Center success stories!
Get started at the SMart Center
Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here.
For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube
Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program
-
For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org

Oct 7, 2024 • 32min
EP37: Ways Parents & Caregivers Can Better Manage Stress w/ Kati Morton
EP37 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a discussion between Dr E and Kati Morton, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, author and media personality – on how parents and caregivers can better manage the stress often associated with raising an individual with Selective Mutism.
In this episode, Dr. E and Kati Morton discuss parent and caregiver stress, the importance of self-care for parents and caregivers, why modeling healthy behaviors to your children is so important and more.
--
This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)
-
Chapters:
(3:47) Strategies & Solutions to Navigate Caregiver Stress (9:32) Tools for Everyday Wellness
(16:24) Importance of Showing Your Children Positive Self-Care Routines (22:20) Understanding Your Emotional Triggers (27:59) Simple Tools for Navigating Your Emotions
-
Ask Dr. E a question of your own!
Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
Explore our SMart Center success stories!
Get started at the SMart Center
Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here.
For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube
Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program
-
For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org

Sep 25, 2024 • 57min
EP36: How to Become an Authoritative Parent w/ Dr. Jenna Blum
EP36 of the Unspoken Words Podcast features a detailed discussion between Dr E and Dr. Jenna on Authoritative Parenting.
In this episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna discuss the importance of authoritative parenting, why authoritative parenting is the most ideal type of parenting style during treatment, ways to become an authoritative parent and more.
--
This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)
-
Ask Dr. E a question of your own!
Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
Explore our SMart Center success stories!
Get started at the SMart Center
Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here.
For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube
Learn more about CommuniCamp, our 3+ day intensive group treatment and ALL DAY parent training & support program
-
For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org

Sep 9, 2024 • 38min
EP35 (Ask Dr E): Ways to help a home-schooled child make friends, how to deal with SM as an adult, the concept of “parental expectations” & more
EP35 of the Unspoken Words podcast features our latest installment of our Ask Dr. E series.
In the episode, we answer five listener questions, including ways to help a home-schooled child make friends, how to deal with SM as an adult, the concept of “parental expectations” and more.
--
This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)
-
Chapters:
(3:06) Bilingualism and Selective Mutism
(8:13) Helping a Homeschooled Child Make Friends
(14:42) Dealing with SM as an Adult
(21:09) When Exposures Aren't Working
(30:12) Parental Expectations and Community Camp
(37:06) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
-
Ask Dr. E a question of your own!
Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
Explore our SMart Center success stories!
Get started at the SMart Center
Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here.
For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube
Learn more about C&A, our General Mental health Counseling & Assessments division
-
For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org

Aug 26, 2024 • 51min
EP34: Live Chat w/ Parents @ CommuniCamp™ (Back to School)
EP34 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a live chat with parents at CommuniCamp™, focusing on preparing children with Selective Mutism for the back-to-school transition.
In the episode, Dr. E and four participating parents discuss unlearning old parenting habits, tips for acclimating to a new school year, balancing structure and flexibility as a parent and much, much more.
--
This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)
-
Chapters:
(2:49) INTROS
(2:52) UNLEARNING OLD HABITS AS PARENTS
(10:10) ACCLIMATING TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR
(18:00) BALANCING STRUCTURE & FLEXIBILITY IN PARENTING
(25:43) TACKLING PRE-SCHOOL SEPARATION ANXIETY
(35:49) TOILETING TIPS FOR ANXIOUS CHILDREN
(45:03) HOW TO HELP YOUR SOCIALLY ANXIETY CHILD MAKE FRIENDS
-
Ask Dr. E a question of your own!
Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
Explore our SMart Center success stories!
Get started at the SMart Center
Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here.
For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube
Learn more about CommuniCamp™, our 3+ Day CommuniCamp™ is an Intensive Group Treatment and ALL DAY Parent Training & Support Program.
-
For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org

Aug 12, 2024 • 49min
EP33: The Four Different Parenting Styles w/ Dr. Jenna Blum
EP33 of the Unspoken Words podcast features a detailed discussion between Dr. E and Dr. Jenna on the critical role parenting plays in the treatment of Selective Mutism.
In the episode, Dr. E and Dr. Jenna dive into the four main parenting styles – permissive, authoritarian, uninvolved and authoritative – highlighting their characteristics and impact on treatment.
--
This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)
-
Chapters:
(4:58) UNDERSTANDING PARENTING STYLES & THEIR IMPACT
(9:37) FINDING THE RIGHT PARENTING APPROACH
(18:03) HOW PARENTING STYLES AFFECT OUR CHILDEN & TEENS
(28:49) EXPLAINING THE 'UNINVOLVED PARENT'
(38:40) THE IMPACT OF AUTHORITARIAN PARENTING
(42:20) THE AUTHORITATIVE PARENTING APPROACH
-
Ask Dr. E a question of your own!
Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
Explore our SMart Center success stories!
Get started at the SMart Center
Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here.
For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube
Learn more about C&A, our General Mental health Counseling & Assessments division
-
For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org

Jul 29, 2024 • 51min
EP32: Live Chat w/ Parents @ CommuniCamp (Summer Activities)
This episode of the Unspoken Words podcast features a live chat with five parents at CommuniCamp.
Dr. E discusses with the participating parents their experiences and concerns, particularly how their children become non-verbal in certain social situations such as meeting school peers. Strategies discussed include using bridging techniques, diligent parental involvement, the importance of school-based accommodations, and specific strategies used at CommuniCamp to help children gradually overcome their mutism.
--
This podcast was produced by New Edition Consulting (neweditionconsulting.co)
-
Chapters:
(3:12) PARENT INTROS
(4:34) MANAGING ANXIETY IN SOCIAL SETTINGS
(13:49) HELPING CHILDREN TRANSITION TO NEW SCHOOLS
(22:06) TIPS FOR ENGAGING NON-VERBAL CHILDREN
(32:50) HELPING YOUR CHILD AT SOCIAL EVENTS
(43:19) HOW COMMUNICAMP HELPS PARENTS UNDERSTNAD THEIR ROLE IN TREATMENT
-
Ask Dr. E a question of your own!
Learn more about the host, Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum
Explore our SMart Center success stories!
Get started at the SMart Center
Listen to other Unspoken Words episodes here.
For the best clips from every episode, follow the podcast on Instagram & YouTube
Learn more about C&A, our General Mental health Counseling & Assessments division
-
For all podcast inquiries, please contact Dakota Hornak at dhornak@selectivemutismcenter.org