The world of myofunctional therapy is currently seeing a surge in "preformed appliances"—ready-made mouthpieces designed to guide dental growth and improve breathing. But are they a silver bullet or a systemic shortcut?

In this episode, Hallie Bulkin is joined by the legendary Autumn Henning to pull back the curtain on these tools. From hygiene concerns like mold growth to the physiological risks of "cookie-cutter" treatment, this conversation is a must-listen for any therapist or parent considering an appliance-based approach.

They dive deep into why a multidisciplinary team and a holistic view of the "Integrated System" are the only ways to achieve lasting functional outcomes.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• The "Cookie-Cutter" Limitation: Why a one-size-fits-all appliance can lead to compensation rather than correction.
• The Hygiene Factor: A frank discussion on mold growth, dyes, and sensitivities in pediatric appliances.
• Airway First, Always: Why comprehensive imaging and evaluation must precede any device being placed in a child's mouth.
• The Multidisciplinary Team: Understanding the roles of SLPs, myofunctional therapists, and airway-aware dentists in a successful "Integrated System."
• Financial Reality: Assessing the cost, durability, and true clinical value of these devices versus functional therapy.

Key Soundbites

"Kids can bite through these appliances in 24 hours. We have to look at the durability and the 'why' behind that force."

"We can't treat in silos; the system is integrated. If you move the jaw without looking at the airway, you're missing the big picture."

"Don't dismiss treatment based on a diagnosis alone. Early intervention and the right team can change a child's entire facial development trajectory."

Timestamped Chapters

• 00:00 – Introduction and Guest Credibility
• 01:54 – How Preformed Appliances Work vs. Case Selection
• 06:16 – The Hidden Issues: Mold Growth and Appliance Hygiene
• 10:01 – The Necessity of Comprehensive Evaluation and Imaging
• 16:34 – Building a Multidisciplinary Team for Holistic Success
• 27:20 – Sleep Disordered Breathing and Neurodevelopmental Impacts
• 41:26 – Autumn Henning’s Program Updates: TOTS Gold & Feed the Peds

WORTH A LISTEN: CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY

• Why We Can’t Ignore the Airway in Pediatric Feeding Therapy
• Episode 309: 5 Airway Health Tips for Children with Hallie Bulkin

STAY CONNECTED & GROW YOUR PRACTICE

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The foundation of health isn't just how we move or eat—it’s how we breathe.

In this milestone episode, Hallie Bulkin is joined by certified practitioner Kaitlyn Shrum to pull back the curtain on the Buteyko Method. While many view breathing as a passive act, this deep dive reveals how functional breathing is the literal bedrock of speech, feeding, and cognitive development.

From addressing the root causes of sleep apnea to navigating the "Physiological Pyramid," Hallie and Kaitlyn discuss why speech pathologists and myofunctional therapists must look beyond the mouth and into the airway to achieve lasting clinical results.

• The Buteyko Blueprint: Understanding the science behind Dr. Konstantin Buteyko’s method and how it recalibrates the body’s breathing patterns.
• The Physiological Pyramid: Why airway and breathing form the base of the pyramid, supporting sleep, feeding, and—finally—speech at the very top.
• Beyond the Mask: How breathwork addresses physiological triggers like pharyngeal critical closing and arousal thresholds that CPAPs or surgery alone might miss.
• The "Stalled" Patient: Why children often plateau in traditional speech therapy when an underlying airway or tongue-tie issue remains unaddressed.
• A Holistic Shift: Moving from treating symptoms to managing the "Root Cause" of speech and developmental disorders.

• "Breathing is the foundation. If the base of the pyramid is crumbling, everything above it—sleep, feeding, speech—is at risk."
• "We have to stop treating the mouth in isolation and start treating the human being as a respiratory system."
• "Proper airway management is the difference between a child struggling for years and a child finally finding their voice."

WORTH A LISTEN: CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY

• Why We Can’t Ignore the Airway in Pediatric Feeding Therapy
• Airway First: The Pediatric Dentist's Essential Role in Treating Tongue Ties and Growth Issues

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⭐ Help us celebrate 365 episodes!!! 

If this show has impacted your clinical practice, please leave a review. Your support helps us reach the therapists and families who need these answers most!

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Hallie Bulkin dives deep into one of the most misunderstood areas of airway health: the intricate relationship between sleep, airway dysfunction, and ADHD-like behaviors.

Hallie shares her personal journey with ADHD, revealing how unrecognized sleep disorders can severely impact neurocognitive function in both children and adults. 

This episode highlights why "quiet breathing" is the gold standard for health, why we must stop normalizing snoring, and how proper evaluation of breathing patterns can lead to life-changing results that move beyond simply treating behavioral symptoms.

Key Takeaways

• The Silent Standard: Breathing should be quiet; if you can hear it, there is likely an underlying dysfunction.
• Mouth Breathing vs. Airway Health: Recognizing mouth breathing as a primary red flag for systemic airway issues.
• The ADHD Mimic: How sleep deprivation and disordered breathing can produce symptoms that are nearly identical to ADHD.
• The Research Link: A look at how sleep disorders are scientifically linked to lower executive function and memory in developing minds.
• A Holistic Path Forward: The importance of comprehensive evaluations and interdisciplinary treatment options for patients of all ages.

Key Soundbites

• "Breathing should be quiet."
• "Don't ignore the snore!"
• "Snoring is not normal—it is a cry for help from the airway."

WORTH A LISTEN: CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY

• EP 348: Tongue Ties, Sleep Apnea & More: The Patient-Centered Approach to Airway Dentistry
• Ep 363: Tongue Ties, Oral Habits & the Future of Airway Health (with Dr. Casey Jones)

STAY CONNECTED & GROW YOUR PRACTICE

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⭐ If this episode shifted your perspective, please Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

Your feedback helps us reach more therapists and families who need these answers!

Want to learn more about the Myo Method? Check it out here

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In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the world of airway-focused dentistry with Dr. Casey Jones. Moving beyond the traditional dental drill, Dr. Jones shares her transformative journey into sleep disorders and the "wellness collaborative" model. 

We explore why breath is the ultimate foundation for health, the critical role of myofunctional therapy in addressing tongue ties, and why the future of healthcare relies on interdisciplinary collaboration rather than individual silos.

Key Takeaways

• The Foundation of Breath: Why breath is the most fundamental element of systemic health and how it starts in the mouth.
• The Screening Shift: Why dental practices are the frontline for screening sleep disorders and oral cancer.
• Function Over Form: Understanding the impact of tongue ties and oral habits on long-term wellness.
• Coaching vs. Instruction: Why "Oral Hygiene Coaching" creates lasting patient results compared to traditional dental advice.
• The Power of Community: How establishing a wellness collaborative removes professional egos and prioritizes the patient’s journey.

Key Soundbites

• "Breath is at the heart of it all."
• "We need to talk about this earlier—prevention starts with screening."
• "It's about collaboration, not ego; the patient should define what success looks like."

WORTH A LISTEN: CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY

• EP 348: Tongue Ties, Sleep Apnea & More: The Patient-Centered Approach to Airway Dentistry
• Ep 347: Airway First: The Pediatric Dentist's Essential Role in Treating Tongue Ties and Growth Issues

STAY CONNECTED & GROW YOUR PRACTICE

💬 Join the Conversation: Catch behind-the-scenes insights and daily clinical tips on 

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⭐ If this episode shifted your perspective, please Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

Your feedback helps us reach more therapists and families who need these answers!

Want to learn more about the Myo Method? Check it out here

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In this episode of The Untethered Podcast, Hallie Bulkin tackles a question many feeding specialists quietly wrestle with:

Why can two therapists treat the same child — and achieve completely different outcomes?

The answer isn’t more techniques. It’s clinical reasoning.

Hallie dives into the complexity of pediatric feeding therapy, unpacking why progress often stalls when clinicians focus on surface-level feeding skills instead of identifying the primary systems driving a child’s feeding patterns. She challenges therapists to move beyond siloed thinking and into an integrated, systems-based approach that transforms therapy outcomes.

This conversation marks a powerful shift — from simply treating feeding challenges to stepping into clinical leadership.

If you’ve ever wondered why some cases feel stuck… or why therapy timelines stretch longer than expected… this episode will sharpen your lens and elevate your practice.

 WHAT YOU’LL UNCOVER

🧠 Why two therapists can produce completely different results with the same child

🔍 How a lack of structured clinical reasoning impacts therapy outcomes

🧩 Why identifying primary systems matters more than targeting isolated skills

🚫 The danger of siloed treatment approaches in pediatric feeding programs

📈 How mentorship accelerates clinical growth

🎓 Why leadership — not just intervention — defines advanced feeding specialists

KEY SOUND BITES

“Find your feeding people.”

“Trust your gut.”

“Growth isn’t about more techniques — it’s about refining how you think.”

“Applications are currently open.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Variability in outcomes often reflects clinician reasoning — not child ability

• Complex feeding cases require structured clinical frameworks

• Extended treatment timelines may indicate a systems issue

• True growth comes from refining decision-making, not stacking certifications

• Mentorship and community are critical for effective pediatric feeding therapy

• The Certified Pediatric Feeding Therapist pathway supports clinicians in leading integrated feeding programs

WORTH A LISTEN: CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY

• Ep 338: The Missing Link in Pediatric Feeding: Critical Skills Grad Programs Skip
• What Helps Pediatric Feeding Therapists Gain Confidence in Practice

If you’re a practicing SLP, OT, or PT looking to strengthen your assessment skills, clinical reasoning, and treatment approach in pediatric feeding, check out CPFT™.

The Certified Pediatric Feeding Therapist™ program was built to help clinicians deepen their expertise and feel more confident navigating the complexity of feeding cases.

Learn more and see whether CPFT™ is the right next step for you.

STAY CONNECTED & GROW YOUR PRACTICE

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⭐ If this episode shifted your perspective, please Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

Your feedback helps us reach more therapists and families who need these answers!

Ready to advance your clinical skills?  Learn more here 

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In this episode of The Untethered Podcast, Hallie Bulkin sits down with Beth R Poe, MA, CCC-SLP , a certified pediatric feeding therapist and the founder of Way to Grow Therapy. Beth shares her inspiring transition from clinical certification to the launch of her own private practice, proving that with the right foundation, you can turn a clinical passion into a thriving business.

The conversation goes beyond just "starting a business." Beth and Hallie pull back the curtain on the realities of working with medically complex infants, specifically those navigating Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). They discuss why feeding therapy for these "heart warriors" requires a specialized lens, the vital role of natural environments in therapy, and why your network of fellow therapists is your greatest clinical asset. Whether you are dreaming of opening your own doors or looking to sharpen your skills with complex cases, this episode is your roadmap for growth.

• 🚀 The "Leap" to Private Practice: Beth’s journey of launching Way to Grow Therapy and the mindset shift required to move from therapist to owner.
• ❤️ The CHD Connection: Why Congenital Heart Disease is a game-changer in pediatric feeding and how to adapt your approach for medically complex infants.
• 🤝 Power of the Pivot: The role of networking and mentorship in avoiding burnout and solving "impossible" cases.
• 🏡 The Natural Setting Advantage: Why the most effective feeding breakthroughs often happen at the family kitchen table rather than a sterile clinic.
• 📣 Advocacy in Action: Challenging the status quo to ensure medically complex children receive accurate diagnoses and timely intervention.
• 📈 Growth & Marketing: Practical insights on how to market a specialized practice while maintaining a focus on high-quality, evidence-based care.

• "I launched Way to Grow Therapy because I knew these families needed a different kind of support—and if you dream it, you can do it!"
• "Don’t be afraid to ask questions. In the world of medical complexity, your curiosity is a clinical tool."
• "Networking isn’t just about business; it’s about building a safety net for your patients and your own professional growth."

• EP 343: Inside a Mission-Driven Pediatric Feeding Practice
• Why We Can’t Ignore the AirwaWhy We Can’t Ignore the Airway in Pediatric Feeding Therapy

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⭐ If this episode shifted your perspective, please Leave a quick review — it means the world to me!

Your feedback helps us reach more therapists and families who need these answers!

Ready to advance your clinical skills?  Learn more here 

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

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

In this episode of The Untethered Podcast, Hallie Bulkin is joined by Melanie Peacock Shell to explore the deep shift from being a “therapist” to becoming a Certified Pediatric Feeding Therapist (CPFT). Melanie pulls back the curtain on the "hidden gem" of the Pediatric Feeding Hub, sharing how advanced mentorship and a community of experts can turn clinical overwhelm into streamlined, interdisciplinary success.

They dive into the "gut-brain-plate" connection, discussing how gut health, sensory processing, and even sleep are the quiet drivers behind feeding challenges. If you’ve ever felt humbled by a complex case, this episode will show you how to lean into your community and use a holistic lens to finally see the results your families deserve.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

• ✔️ The CPFT Edge: How advanced certification shifts your clinical perspective and improves patient outcomes.
• ✔️ The Gut-Brain Connection: Why understanding a child’s gut health is non-negotiable for solving "sensory" feeding issues.
• ✔️ Power in Numbers: The role of the Pediatric Feeding Hub in providing the mentorship and collaboration needed to survive private practice.
• ✔️ The Holistic Evaluation: Integrating nutrition, sleep, and family dynamics into your therapy plan rather than just focusing on the "bite."
• ✔️ Navigating Referrals: How to build an interdisciplinary "dream team" to support a child’s developmental needs simultaneously.
• ✔️ Overcoming the "Humble" Phase: Dealing with the realization that there is always more to learn—and why that makes you a better therapist.

KEY TAKEAWAYS & SOUND BITES

"This thing humbled me big time. Pursuing advanced certification isn't about knowing it all; it's about having the tools to figure out the 'why' behind the 'what'."

"It all starts with nutrition. If the gut isn't happy and the child isn't sleeping, we are just spinning our wheels at the table."

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Episode 251: You’re Worth The Time and Investment with Melanie Peacock Shell, MEd, CCC-SLP
• Why Feeding Therapy Needs a Whole-Body Lens

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!

Ready to step into certification? Learn more here

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In this episode of The Untethered Podcast, Hallie Bulkin dives deep into the non-negotiable link between how a child breathes and how they eat. This conversation provides the essential clinical "missing link" for pediatric therapy: The Airway.

Hallie challenges the idea that mouth breathing is "just a habit," reframing it as a structural adaptation that can stall even the best feeding therapy plans. If you’ve ever had a patient hit a plateau or show signs of "feeding fatigue," this episode will show you why you must look at the nose and the airway before you can fix the plate.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

• ✔️ The Adaptation Myth: Why mouth breathing is a physiological survival mechanism, not a behavioral choice.
• ✔️ Structural Consequences: How chronic open-mouth posture alters dentofacial development and maxillofacial growth over time.
• ✔️ The "Airway Trumps Everything" Rule: Why the body will always prioritize breathing over eating, and how this creates "feeding fatigue."
• ✔️ The Airway Lens: How to integrate airway and sleep screenings into your standard feeding evaluations.
• ✔️ Beyond the Plate: Recognizing when feeding therapy alone isn't enough and when to refer out for airway obstruction.
• ✔️ Efficiency vs. Effort: How open mouth posture impacts a child's ability to coordinate the suck-swallow-breathe sequence.

KEY TAKEAWAYS & SOUND BITES

"Mouth breathing is not just a habit. It is an adaptation. We have to ask: What is blocking nasal breathing?"

"Airway trumps everything. If the body is fighting for air, it will never prioritize the complex mechanics of feeding."

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Ep 337: Unlocking Pediatric Feeding: Expert Strategies with Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, CMT®, CPFT™
• How Pediatric Feeding Changed in 2025—and What It Means for Clinicians

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!

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In this episode of The Untethered Podcast, Hallie Bulkin sits down with Kelly Wenger to explore the evolution of a pediatric feeding clinician. Kelly shares her raw and relatable journey—from the initial overwhelm of entering private practice as a new mother to finding her voice as a confident feeding specialist.

The conversation dives deep into the "confidence gap" many clinicians face when dealing with complex feeding cases. Kelly discusses how shifting to an integrative approach and moving therapy into the home environment has not only improved patient outcomes but has also allowed for a more profound connection with parents. Whether you are a clinician looking to level up your skills or a business owner wanting to build a stronger referral network, this episode offers a roadmap for professional and personal growth.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:

✔️ The Confidence Catalyst: How specialized training like Feed the Peds transforms clinical uncertainty into expert action. 

✔️ The In-Home Advantage: Why the home environment is the "secret sauce" for the generalization of feeding skills. 

✔️ Integrative Thinking: How to look at a child holistically to address multiple developmental needs simultaneously. 

✔️ Building Your Network: Strategies for creating a robust referral circle that supports your practice growth. 

✔️ Empowering Parents: Navigating the shift in parental awareness and how to effectively educate caregivers on their child’s needs. 

✔️ The Ripple Effect: Understanding how one clinician’s education creates a wave of positive impact across an entire community.

Join me for this free 3-day training, where I’ll show you how to screen feeding cases clearly, confidently, and with intention — so you know exactly what to do next.

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE

• Episode 314: Navigating Motherhood and Feeding Challenges with Aerica Walsh M.S, CCC-SLP
• When Imposter Syndrome Shows Up in Pediatric Feeding Therapy (and What to Do Next)

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!

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