Have you ever noticed how your child picks up on your emotions, reactions, and even the little things you don’t say? In this episode, we explore how kids naturally mirror their parents—not as a reason to feel pressure, but as an opportunity for growth. I’ll walk you through simple, empowering ways to reflect on your own mindset, ease mealtime stress, and create a positive ripple effect that helps your child feel more confident and open to new foods. When we shift our approach, our kids follow—sometimes in ways we never expected!

In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Lessard, a naturopathic practitioner and detox specialist. We discuss Jennifer's journey into holistic health, triggered by her own health struggles and her daughter's health issues. Lessard emphasizes the importance of gut health and detoxing, noting that many health problems stem from gut issues and inflammation. She advocates for gut testing and notes how the conventional medical system for often treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating conflicting health information, the prevalence of toxins in everyday life, and the importance of educating oneself about health. You can work with Jennifer by contacting her through 

https://excellhealing.com/

[email protected]

Or book directly with her here: https://calendly.com/excellhealing/first-meeting

Does your child eat for their feeding therapist but refuse to eat at home? Or maybe they eat for one parent but not the other? This episode dives into why kids behave differently with different people at mealtimes and what you can do to bridge that gap. Christine Miroddi Yoder breaks down the key factors—trust, pressure, history, and environment—that influence a child’s eating behavior. She also shares strategies to shift mealtime dynamics at home so your child can make progress where it matters most.

Listen now to learn how to turn mealtimes into a low-pressure, positive experience—just like a great therapist does!

In this episode, Christine Miroddi Yoder shares her evolving perspective on feeding and how trust and connection have been the biggest game-changers in helping children feel safe and open to new foods. She explains the brain science behind this, including how anxiety and pressure activate the amygdala, making it harder for kids to engage with food, while oxytocin—the bonding hormone—helps them feel secure and curious. Christine encourages parents to spend uninterrupted, quality time with their children outside of mealtimes, emphasizing that even just 10-15 minutes of one-on-one connection each day can create a strong foundation of trust that translates to easier mealtimes. She offers practical suggestions, like playing games, reading books, or simply being fully present, and challenges parents to try it for a week. This episode is a powerful reminder that small, intentional moments of connection can have a lasting impact on a child’s willingness to eat and their overall emotional well-being.

In this episode, Christine Miroddi Yoder explains why the order in which you approach feeding challenges matters. Many parents try different strategies without success, often because they’re starting at the wrong point. Christine shares an example of a child with oral motor difficulties whose primary issue was actually fear of putting anything in his mouth. Addressing oral motor skills first wouldn’t have worked because the child needed a mindset shift before anything else. She emphasizes that foundational issues—whether sensory sensitivities, gut health, or past negative experiences—must be tackled in the right sequence to see progress. If therapy isn’t working, it may be because it's targeting skills that are too advanced for the child’s current level. Christine likens this to learning to ski—starting on a difficult slope can be overwhelming, while beginning on an easier one builds confidence and success. The Unlocking Mealtimes program helps parents identify the right starting point for their child and provides a clear, step-by-step approach to making real progress.

In this episode, Christine Miroddi Yoder dives into an important yet often overlooked reality: sometimes, feeding progress naturally takes a backseat. Whether it’s due to a major life transition, illness, or medical challenges, there are times when pushing forward with feeding goals just isn’t practical—or productive. Christine shares real-life examples, including a child weaning off a ventilator, and explains why focusing on other areas first can actually support long-term progress.

You'll learn:
✔️ Why feeding might stall or regress during big life changes
✔️ How to navigate illnesses or medical setbacks without stress
✔️ Why maintaining skills (even without progress) is still a win
✔️ Simple ways to support your child’s feeding journey without pressure

Life happens, and mealtimes don’t have to be perfect every day. Tune in to gain reassurance, practical tips, and a fresh perspective on when to step back and when to reset.

Listen now! 🎧

In this episode, we focus on the connection between feeling safe and trying new foods is deeply rooted in a child’s nervous system response. Safety, in this context, goes beyond the physical environment to include the body’s perception of safety, often influenced by past traumas or negative sensory experiences. For severely picky eaters, these fears can manifest in a reliance on "safe foods" and avoidance of others perceived as threatening. Programs like the Safe and Sound Protocol use specialized music therapy to target the nervous system, promoting calmness and feelings of safety. This, combined with strategies like gradual exposure to new foods, understanding sensory sensitivities, and fostering parent-child connection, helps children overcome their fears. As they feel more secure, they not only explore new foods but also gain confidence in other areas of life. Unlocking Meal Times integrates these approaches, guiding parents step-by-step to help their children build positive experiences with food while nurturing emotional resilience.

In this episode of How to Unpicky Your Picky Eater, Christine Miroddi Yoder shares insights on what drives rapid progress in feeding therapy, emphasizing the pivotal role of parent involvement. She debunks the myth that a child’s severity or duration of challenges solely dictates progress, highlighting that parents who consistently engage with the strategies and materials see transformative changes in a short time. Christine discusses the importance of daily implementation, setting realistic expectations, and creating consistent routines to support success. She also reflects on her own experience with early intervention, stressing the value of parent coaching to foster mindset shifts, equip parents with practical strategies, and build sustainable habits for long-term progress.

In this eye-opening episode, Christine Miroddi Yoder explores the future of feeding therapy and how it reflects broader shifts in how we support and teach children. She discusses the challenges of traditional therapy models, where progress can be slow and disconnected from daily life, and introduces a transformative parent-focused coaching approach.

Christine shares her vision for a more effective and empowering method that positions parents as active participants in their child’s progress, helping them build confidence and foster meaningful change at home. This episode dives into the societal factors contributing to parental overwhelm, the limitations of outsourcing care, and the benefits of creating a stronger parent-child connection through therapy.

Join Christine for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation about what’s next in therapy, how these changes can help families thrive, and how you can be part of this exciting new direction.

Tune in and share your thoughts—Christine wants to hear from you!

In this season opener, Christine Miroddi Yoder dives into the vital role parents play in their child’s feeding journey. Highlighting two contrasting family stories, she demonstrates how parent involvement can dramatically accelerate progress—or create roadblocks. Discover why therapy isn't about dropping your child off and expecting the therapist to work miracles. Instead, it's about empowering parents to implement consistent, daily steps toward change. Christine shares insights into overcoming fears, past failures, and mindset blocks that hold parents—and their children—back. If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure about how to help your picky eater, this episode will inspire you to take the lead in your child’s feeding transformation. Listen in and learn how connecting with your child and changing your approach can create lasting success at the table.