In this insightful conversation, Hallie Bulkin sits down with Emily Hussey, M.S., CCC-SLP/L, CLC, founder of Eats and Speaks, to explore the dynamic world of pediatric feeding therapy. Emily shares her journey from speech-language pathology to pediatric feeding, highlighting the importance of early oral health, parent education, and individualized care for every child.

They unpack the realities of working with families, the need for collaboration among professionals, and how early intervention can shape lifelong health outcomes. Emily also discusses the challenges of running a private practice, from navigating insurance complexities to building a supportive, mission-driven team.

Throughout the episode, Hallie and Emily emphasize that feeding therapy is about more than just food - it’s about connection, confidence, and care.

 ✔️ Why Emily pivoted from speech therapy to pediatric feeding therapy.

✔️ The role of early intervention in preventing long-term feeding issues.

✔️ How parent education supports children’s feeding and oral development.

✔️ Why every child requires an individualized, flexible care approach.

✔️ The impact of “all-or-nothing” thinking on therapeutic outcomes.

✔️ How teamwork enhances care in feeding and myofunctional therapy.

✔️ What it takes to build and sustain a successful private practice.

✔️ How insurance challenges affect accessibility to therapy services.

✔️ Why community and peer support are vital for therapists and families alike.

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Episode 299: Breathing, Bites, and Breakthroughs with Dr. Nora Ghodousi-Zaghi DDS
• Ep 335: The #1 Way to Transform Your Pediatric Feeding Evaluations

OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT & LEARN

💬 Let’s hang out on social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

⭐ Love the show? Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

• Learn more about Emily’s work: https://www.eatsandspeaks.com/

🍼 Ready to deep-dive into tethered oral tissues? Check out Tongue Tie Bootcamp

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP 342: The MARPE Experience – Bodywork, Diet, and the Mind-Body Connection in Orthodontics

In this engaging conversation, Hallie Bulkin and Jeannie Nelson discuss their upcoming Marpe procedures, sharing their personal experiences, expectations, and the challenges they anticipate. They delve into the intricacies of the Marpe process, the importance of bodywork and therapy, dietary considerations post-procedure, and the psychological aspects of pain management. 

The discussion also touches on the impact of hormonal changes on pain perception, the significance of airway health, and the aesthetic changes they hope to achieve. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the journey of orthodontics as a holistic process that goes beyond just physical changes, highlighting the interconnectedness of body, mind, and health.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️Both hosts are undergoing Marpe procedures within 24 hours of each other.

✔️The Marpe procedure involves local anesthesia and is not a surgical procedure.

✔️Personal goals for the procedure include improved airway health and aesthetics.

✔️Orthodontics is more than just straightening teeth; it involves overall health.

✔️Bodywork and therapy play a crucial role in the orthodontic journey.

✔️Dietary changes will be necessary post-procedure to accommodate healing.

✔️Pain management strategies are important for both hosts as they prepare for their procedures.

✔️The journey of orthodontics is a holistic process that requires patience and understanding. 

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Ep 331: Inside My MARPE Journey with Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, CMT®, CPFT™
• Ep 333: Transforming airway health & smiles with MARPE featuring Dr. Svitlana Koval, DMD, MSc, BDS

OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT & LEARN

Visit : https://www.breatheeatsleeptalk.com/

💬 Let’s hang out on social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

⭐ Love the show? Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

• Become a Certified Myofunctional Therapist™ (CMT®): https://www.themyomethod.com

• “Turn on your myo eyes” free webinar: https://www.feedthepeds.com/myo-webinar

• Free F.A.S.T. Myo Screening Packet: https://FastMyoScreening.com

• Find a myofunctional therapist: https://www.themyodirectory.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging conversation, Hallie Bulkin and Ashley Dorado explore Ashley's journey from dental hygiene to becoming a myofunctional therapy advocate. They discuss the importance of nutrition, the challenges of private practice, and the significance of building a collaborative care team.

Ashley shares her personal experiences and insights on addressing oral habits, the role of family in therapy, and the necessity of listening to patients. The conversation highlights the ongoing need for education and collaboration in the field of myofunctional therapy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️Myofunctional therapy provides a bridge between dental hygiene, airway health, and overall well-being.

✔️Nutrition plays a critical role in supporting successful myofunctional outcomes.

✔️Private practice offers unique challenges but also opportunities for growth and independence.

✔️Collaboration across disciplines—dentists, SLPs, ENTs, and nutritionists—creates stronger patient results.

✔️Oral habits must be addressed at their root cause, not just treated symptomatically.

✔️Family involvement is essential, especially when working with children in therapy.

✔️Patient-centered care requires active listening and adapting therapy to individual needs.

✔️Professional development and continuing education are vital to staying effective in the field.

✔️Advocacy for myofunctional therapy can expand awareness and accessibility to more families.

✔️A holistic approach—combining airway, nutrition, oral function, and emotional support—leads to lasting change.

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Ep 327: Understanding Holistic Dentistry & Myofunctional Therapy
• Ep 330: Empowering Children’s Oral Health featuring ‘Ms. Tongue and Friends’ with Tricia Rogers, MS, CCC-SLP

OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT & LEARN

💬 Let’s hang out on social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

⭐ Love the show? Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

• Become a Certified Myofunctional Therapist™ (CMT®): https://www.themyomethod.com

• “Turn on your myo eyes”  free webinar: https://www.feedthepeds.com/myo-webinar

• Free F.A.S.T. Myo Screening Packet: https://FastMyoScreening.com

• Find a myofunctional therapist: https://www.themyodirectory.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation, Hallie Bulkin and Robyn Merkel Walsh discuss the resurgence of evidence-based practice (EBP) in myofunctional therapy, addressing the challenges faced in research acceptance and the misconceptions surrounding pseudoscience. 

They emphasize the importance of clinical insight, the role of therapy tools, and the need to address compensations in therapy. The discussion highlights the art and science of myofunctional therapy and concludes with a call to action for clinicians to focus on functional outcomes for their patients.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️There is a resurgence in evidence-based practice discussions in myofunctional therapy.

✔️Misunderstandings about evidence-based practice can lead to misinformation.

✔️Research acceptance in the field is often slow and complicated.

✔️Pseudoscience is frequently misapplied to myofunctional therapy.

✔️Clinical experience and patient outcomes are crucial components of evidence-based practice.

✔️Tools in therapy can enhance learning and understanding for patients.

✔️Compensations in therapy can lead to long-term issues if not addressed.

✔️The conversation around myofunctional therapy is evolving, influenced by social media.

✔️Understanding the nuances of therapy practices is essential for effective treatment.

✔️The ultimate goal is to restore function for patients, not just treat symptoms.

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Ep 327: Understanding Holistic Dentistry & Myofunctional Therapy
• Ep 334: Bye-Bye Thumb! Myo & Airway Strategies to Break the Habit - for Good

OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT & LEARN

Connect with Robyn on her website: https://www.robynmerkelwalsh.com/ 

💬 Let’s hang out on social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

⭐ Love the show? Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Untethered Podcast, Hallie Bulkin discusses the complexities of pediatric feeding, focusing on lip ties, latch issues, and the misconceptions surrounding 'lazy bottles.' 

She emphasizes the importance of functional assessments over labels, advocating for a comprehensive approach to feeding therapy. Hallie provides practical takeaways for clinicians and introduces the Pediatric Feeding Hub as a resource for support and mentorship in the field.

In this episode, you’ll learn”

✔️Babies inherently need to feed to survive.

✔️Labels like 'lazy' are dismissive and unhelpful.

✔️Functional assessment is crucial in feeding therapy.

✔️Not all lip ties require surgical intervention.

✔️Therapy should be prioritized before referrals.

✔️Latch issues involve more than just the mouth.

✔️Collaboration with other professionals is essential.

✔️Assess the whole baby, including posture and tone.

✔️Feeding is a complex skill that requires support.

✔️The Pediatric Feeding Hub offers valuable resources for therapists.

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Episode 318: Feed The Peds®: The Mission with Hallie Bulkin, MA CCC-SLP, CMT®, CPFT™
• Ep 337: Unlocking Pediatric Feeding: Expert Strategies with Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, CMT®, CPFT™

✨DOORS ARE OPEN to PEDIATRIC FEEDING HUB™

A mentorship-driven membership for pediatric SLPs, OTs & PTs who want to grow,clinically & confidently. Get weekly office hours, on-demand replays, a private members-only Facebook community, and Ask HallieAI your on-demand clinical guide. 

👉 Join Now: http://www.pediatricfeedinghub.com/

Mentor team highlights: Cheryl Pelletier, Melanie Peacock Shell, Christina Wetzler, Courtney Lewis, and Sadera Braid—experienced clinicians supporting you each week.

OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT & LEARN

💬 Let’s hang out on social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

⭐ Love the show? Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 338: The Missing Link in Pediatric Feeding: Critical Skills Grad Programs Skip

In this episode, Hallie Bulkin discusses the critical gaps in pediatric feeding education that graduate programs often overlook. She emphasizes the importance of understanding messy eating behaviors and tethered oral tissues, and how these insights can enhance therapy outcomes. 

Hallie introduces her course, Feed the Peds, which aims to equip therapists with the necessary skills and confidence to address these challenges effectively. The episode serves as a call to action for professionals in the field to enroll before the course closes, highlighting the unique structure and benefits of the program.

In this episode, you’ll learn

✔️Grad school did not prepare us for pediatric feeding.

✔️Many programs focus on broader pediatric topics, neglecting feeding.

✔️Therapists often feel unprepared and seek more information.

✔️Feed the Peds offers unique insights not found elsewhere.

✔️Understanding messy eating can lead to faster therapy outcomes.

✔️Competence in therapy builds confidence for clinicians.

✔️The course includes mentorship and a comprehensive roadmap.

✔️Participants report feeling more equipped after the course.

✔️The course is structured to foster critical thinking in therapy.

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Episode 316: Navigating The World of Pediatric Feeding Therapy with Brittnee Tollison, M.Ed, CCC-SLP, CBC, CPFT™
• Episode 318: Feed The Peds®: The Mission with Hallie Bulkin, MA CCC-SLP, CMT®, CPFT™
• 
  

✨ FREE TRAINING ALERT – HAPPENING SEPTEMBER 8–10!

If you’re an SLP, OT, or student… you need to join me for the FREE 3-Day Pediatric Feeding Screening Training. Over 34,000 of your colleagues have done it — now it’s your turn!

Here’s what you’ll get when you sign up:

• 4 hours on a certificate of completion (perfect for your renewal hours)
• My complete pediatric feeding screening packet — development chart, 50-symptom checklist, findings chart & referral form
• A chance to win a full scholarship to the 12-week Feed The Peds® course

Grab your spot here → www.feedthepeds.com/training

OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT & LEARN

• 📅 Doors to Feed The Peds® open Sept 15–19 | join the waitlist
• 🍼 Ready to deep-dive into tethered oral tissues? Check out Tongue Tie Bootcamp
• 💬 Let’s hang out on social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

⭐ Love the show? Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 337: Unlocking Pediatric Feeding: Expert Strategies with Hallie Bulkin

In this episode of the Untethered Podcast™, Hallie discusses the intricacies of pediatric feeding assessments and treatments. She emphasizes the importance of thorough assessments that include parent interviews, oral motor examinations, and understanding airway issues. 

Hallie also highlights the significance of parent coaching and creating functional treatment plans that involve parents in the process. Additionally, she introduces her course, Feed the Peds®, designed to equip therapists with the necessary skills and confidence to effectively address pediatric feeding challenges.

If this episode has resonated with you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening, post it to your Instagram Stories, and tag Hallie @halliebulkin 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️The doors to Feed the Peds® are officially open.

✔️A feeding assessment just means watching and documenting.

✔️Parent interviews are gold.

✔️We need to connect the dots between airway and feeding.

✔️If parents don't know what to do at home, we have failed them.

✔️Treatment has to be functional.

✔️Postural stability is the foundation for progress.

✔️Food play needs to be intentional, not just exposure.

✔️You need clarity, strategy, support, and repetition.

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Episode 318: Feed The Peds®: The Mission with Hallie Bulkin, MA CCC-SLP, CMT®, CPFT™
• Ep 335: The #1 Way to Transform Your Pediatric Feeding Evaluations

✨DOORS ARE OPEN!

Join Hallie, Karen & Cheryl in Feed The Peds® and learn to critically assess, treat the whole child, and transform lives.

✨ Over 2,607+ SLPs & OTs have graduated—now it’s your turn.

⚡️ Enrollment is open until 9/18 at midnight ET. Don’t miss out >> feedthepeds.com

💡 Students, CFs & Active Duty Military (spouses too) get a partial scholarship. Email [email protected] before enrolling.

Grab your spot here → www.feedthepeds.com

OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT & LEARN

• 📅 Doors to Feed The Peds® open Sept 15–19 |ENROLL NOW
• 🍼 Ready to deep-dive into tethered oral tissues? Check out Tongue Tie Bootcamp
• 💬 Let’s hang out on social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

⭐ Love the show? Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 336: Feeding Therapy in Schools: Safety, Culture, and Collaboration with Karen Howarth

In this episode, Hallie Bulkin interviews Karen Howarth, a pediatric occupational therapist with 25 years of experience — and our new resident OT mentor inside Feed The Peds®.

They dive into Karen’s work in feeding therapy within school settings, including the development of the MEALS screening tool, the unique challenges of providing feeding therapy in schools, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

Karen also highlights the need for cultural sensitivity in feeding practices, shares strategies for supporting parents through feelings of guilt, and discusses how feeding challenges can impact a child’s educational experience. She explains how collaboration with school staff ensures children’s safety and access to nutrition during the school day.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️The MEALS screening tool addresses mealtime challenges in schools.

✔️Engagement in mealtime is as important as physical feeding skills.

✔️School-based feeding therapy requires a multidisciplinary approach.

✔️Cultural sensitivity is crucial in addressing feeding practices.

✔️Parents often experience guilt regarding their child's feeding difficulties.

✔️Educational impact is a key consideration in IEPs.

✔️Collaboration with school staff is essential for effective feeding interventions

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Episode 286: It’s Not Your Fault with Hallie Bulkin, MA CCC-SLP, CMT®, CPFT™  
• Episode 318: Feed The Peds®: The Mission with Hallie Bulkin, MA CCC-SLP, CMT®, CPFT™

✨ FREE TRAINING ALERT – HAPPENING SEPTEMBER 8–10!

If you’re an SLP, OT, or student… you need to join me for the FREE 3-Day Pediatric Feeding Screening Training. Over 34,000 of your colleagues have done it — now it’s your turn!

Here’s what you’ll get when you sign up:

• 4 hours on a certificate of completion (perfect for your renewal hours)
• My complete pediatric feeding screening packet — development chart, 50-symptom checklist, findings chart & referral form
• A chance to win a full scholarship to the 12-week Feed The Peds® course

Grab your spot here → www.feedthepeds.com/training

OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT & LEARN

• 📅 Doors to Feed The Peds® open Sept 15–19 | join the waitlist
• 🍼 Ready to deep-dive into tethered oral tissues? Check out Tongue Tie Bootcamp
• 💬 Let’s hang out on social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

⭐ Love the show? Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 335: The #1 Way to Transform Your Pediatric Feeding Evaluations

In this episode of The Untethered Podcast, Hallie Bulkin reveals why a truly effective pediatric feeding evaluation starts long before the child walks into the room. She shares how well-designed intake forms with targeted, specific questions unlock critical insights into a child’s feeding behaviors and highlight red flags that might otherwise be missed.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ Why the best feeding evaluations actually start before the child arrives, using detailed intake forms.

✔️ Three simple questions that uncover posture problems, long meal times, and noisy eating — all key red flags.

✔️ How hip alignment connects to oral motor function (“What we see on the hips, we see on the lips”).

✔️ Why feeding challenges rarely exist in isolation and are often tied to sensory and developmental factors.

✔️ How to spot red flags and conduct an effective screening even without watching a child eat.

✔️ How to join Hallie’s free 3-day live training for deeper, practical evaluation tools.

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Episode 319: Elevate Your Practice with the Pediatric Feeding Hub, Hallie Bulkin, MA CCC-SLP, CMT®, CPFT™ 
• Ep 309: 5 Airway Health Tips for Children with Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, CMT

✨ FREE TRAINING ALERT – HAPPENING SEPTEMBER 8–10!

If you’re an SLP, OT, or student… you need to join me for the FREE 3-Day Pediatric Feeding Screening Training. Over 34,000 of your colleagues have done it — now it’s your turn!

Here’s what you’ll get when you sign up:

• 4 hours on a certificate of completion (perfect for your renewal hours)
• My complete pediatric feeding screening packet — development chart, 50-symptom checklist, findings chart & referral form
• A chance to win a full scholarship to the 12-week Feed The Peds® course

Grab your spot here → www.feedthepeds.com/training

OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT & LEARN

• 📅 Doors to Feed The Peds® open Sept 15–19 | join the waitlist
• 🍼 Ready to deep-dive into tethered oral tissues? Check out Tongue Tie Bootcamp
• 💬 Let’s hang out on social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

⭐ Love the show? Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 334: Bye-Bye Thumb! Myo & Airway Strategies to Break the Habit - for Good

In this episode of The Untethered Podcast™, Hallie Bulkin explores the complexities of thumb sucking in children, emphasizing that it is often a symptom of deeper issues such as airway obstruction and oral dysfunction. She discusses the importance of understanding the underlying causes of thumb sucking, the role of airway health, and the need for holistic approaches to treatment. 

Hallie provides insights into effective strategies for addressing thumb sucking, including the use of therapeutic tools and the significance of early intervention. The conversation highlights the necessity of treating the whole child rather than just the symptom, advocating for a comprehensive understanding of pediatric health.

If this episode resonates with you, snap a screenshot of you listening and share it on your Instagram Stories! Tag Hallie @halliebulkin to spread the word.

✔️ Understanding Thumb Sucking: A Deeper Look

✔️ Addressing Airway Issues: The Root Cause

✔️ Strategies for Healthy Self-Regulation

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Episode 320: Understanding the Impact of Oral Restrictions on Growth and Development with Dr. Annie Babb, DDS
• Ep 309: 5 Airway Health Tips for Children with Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, CMT

✨ FREE TRAINING ALERT – HAPPENING SEPTEMBER 8–10!

If you’re an SLP, OT, or student… you need to join me for the FREE 3-Day Pediatric Feeding Screening Training. Over 34,000 of your colleagues have done it — now it’s your turn!

Here’s what you’ll get when you sign up:

• 4 hours on a certificate of completion (perfect for your renewal hours)
• My complete pediatric feeding screening packet — development chart, 50-symptom checklist, findings chart & referral form
• A chance to win one of FOUR full scholarships to the 12-week Feed The Peds® course

Grab your spot here → www.feedthepeds.com/training

OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT & LEARN

📅 Doors to Feed The Peds® open Sept 15–19 | join the waitlist

🍼 Ready to deep-dive into tethered oral tissues? Check out Tongue Tie Bootcamp

💬 Let’s hang out on social: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

⭐ Love the show? Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.