In Part 2 of Care Beyond the Cart, Erin and pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Jordan Whatley move beyond relationship-building to explore what it means to remain attuned when feeding care is emotionally heavy and outcomes are uncertain.

This conversation centers on humility in medicine and therapy, the power of saying “I don’t know,” acknowledging when feeding is genuinely hard, and resisting the urge to fix or reassure prematurely. Dr. Whatley reflects on supporting families navigating medical complexity, feeding tubes, and long-term care, and how honesty and presence can foster trust more deeply than answers alone.

Together, they discuss how emotional safety, collaboration, and shared humanity shape pediatric GI and feeding relationships, particularly during moments of grief, overwhelm, or decision fatigue. This episode invites clinicians to consider how sitting with discomfort, naming hard truths, and staying connected can be just as meaningful as clinical expertise.

In this first part of a two-part conversation, Erin Forward sits down with pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Jordan Whatley . Not just as a colleague, but as a trusted collaborator and friend.

This episode is rooted in shared values: humility, curiosity, and the belief that healthcare works best when it is relational. Jordan speaks openly about his journey through medicine and podcasting, offering honest reflections on learning, making mistakes, and the responsibility providers carry when families place their trust in us. Together, Erin and Jordan explore what it means to be approachable in medical spaces, especially when families are navigating fear, uncertainty, and complex feeding and GI concerns. We hope this episode opens the door of more approachable and collaborative conversations between clinicians. providers, and caregivers.

What stands out most in this conversation is Jordan’s willingness to be vulnerable, to name the emotional weight of pediatric care, the limits of any one discipline, and the power of interdisciplinary collaboration when providers truly listen to one another and to families. This episode honors the reality that parents are experts on their children, that dignity and respect matter, and that simple moments of affirmation — “we’re here with you” — can profoundly shape a family’s experience of care.

Part 1 lays the foundation for a deeper exploration of collaboration and relationship-building in pediatric GI and feeding therapy, reminding us that before treatment plans and protocols, there is always a human relationship , and that relationship is where care begins.

In this episode of Rooted in Connection, host Erin Forward, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, is joined by her oldest friend, Julie, an emergency medicine physician assistant, for an honest conversation about connection in high-stress healthcare environments. They explore emergency medicine, caregiver burnout, anxiety in healthcare professionals, the importance of listening to patients, and the role of self-care in sustaining compassionate care.

This episode offers insight for healthcare providers, caregivers, therapists, and anyone navigating emotionally demanding work. Through personal stories and reflection, Erin and Julie discuss how relationships, communication, and human connection remain essential—even in moments of crisis.

Topics include:
• Emergency medicine and emotional resilience
• Anxiety and mental health in healthcare
• Compassion fatigue and burnout
• The importance of listening and communication
• Friendship, self-care, and staying human in high-pressure roles

In this episode of Rooting Connection, host Erin Forward explores the foundational role of relationships in therapy and why true healing requires more than techniques. It requires authenticity, vulnerability, and attuned connection. Erin discusses how trauma shapes the therapeutic process, how family dynamics influence behavior, and why recognizing individual differences is essential for meaningful care.

She also dives into the realities many caregivers and therapists face behind the scenes, including secondary trauma, emotional overwhelm, and burnout in healthcare. Erin shares practical reflections on navigating rupture and repair in therapeutic relationships, maintaining boundaries, and advocating for yourself in professional environments that don’t always support emotional well-being.

Whether you’re a therapist, caregiver, healthcare provider, or someone curious about the relational side of healing, this episode offers grounded guidance, compassion, and insight. It sets the foundation for future conversations about connection, co-regulation, resilience, and the heart-centered work of supporting others.

In this introductory episode, host Erin Forward, relationship-based speech and feeding therapist, CLC, and educator, shares why Rooted in Connection was created and why relationships sit at the center of everything we do.

Erin reflects on how the most meaningful learning comes through people, stories, and connection. She explores how our clients, colleagues, caregivers, and communities shape us — and how this podcast will be a safe space to learn from each other and about ourselves.

This episode sets the tone for honest, relational conversations about feeding, communication, child development, neurodiversity-affirming care, and the human experiences that connect us all.