In this heartfelt conversation on I Am Refocused Radio, we sit down with Samantha Taylor, Speech Language Pathologist, owner of Olive Speech Therapy, PLLC, and founder of the Empowered Parent Network. What started as every parent’s worst fear — her son’s diagnosis of bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss — became the catalyst that completely redirected Samantha’s life. A former journalism student with dreams of becoming a reporter, Samantha made the courageous leap into speech-language pathology after realizing she wanted to walk alongside families facing the same challenges she once did. Samantha opens up about:
- The emotional and spiritual journey of becoming a mother of a Deaf child and how it reshaped her identity and purpose
- Why she left school-based therapy to build a private practice rooted in connection, advocacy, and safe spaces
- The power of meeting families as a human being first — not just a clinician
- How she created the Empowered Parent Network to give parents the support, coaching, and advocacy tools they desperately need
- Balancing motherhood, business ownership, and self-care without burning out
- What it really looks like to turn personal pain into lasting impact for other families If you’re a parent navigating speech delays, hearing loss, autism, or special needs — or if you’re a therapist or leader looking to build something meaningful from your own story — this episode will encourage you to see your challenges as the very thing that can qualify you to help others. Connect with Samantha:
🌐 Olive Speech Therapy: https://www.olivespeechtherapy.org/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olive_speech_language_therapy/
🌐 Empowered Parent Network: https://www.empoweredparentnetwork.org/

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