In this episode of Trigger Proof with Mikki Bey: An Emotional Regulation Podcast, Mikki sits down with Emma Justice, pediatric speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist, for a deeply moving and eye-opening conversation about why a parent’s nervous system is the foundation of a child’s emotional, physical, and developmental wellbeing.

Emma opens up about her work with infants, toddlers, and medically complex children and the often invisible emotional load parents carry when they’re trying to stay strong for their kids while silently falling apart. She shares how emotional regulation, co-regulation, and nervous system safety shape feeding, communication, development, and the parent–child bond.

Through the lens of both science and lived experience, Mikki and Emma explore:

• What happens to a child’s nervous system when a parent is stressed, overwhelmed, or dysregulated

• How co-regulation becomes the most powerful tool in parenting, especially during feeding challenges or medical stress

• Why regulated parents raise regulated children — and what “regulation” truly means

• The emotional impact of navigating diagnoses, therapies, and medical uncertainty as a parent

• How to stay grounded when caregiving feels heavy, unpredictable, or consuming

• The difference between emotional suppression and emotional safety

• Why parents need support, not shame, when their child is struggling

• Practical emotional regulation tools for parents, caregivers, and clinicians supporting children under stress

This episode is a must-listen for parents, caregivers, therapists, educators, SLPs, pediatric professionals, and anyone who loves a child with big emotions, feeding challenges, anxiety, sensory needs, or medical complexities.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, misunderstood, or alone on your parenting journey, this conversation is a reminder that you’re not broken, your child isn’t broken, and there is a path toward peace, presence, and connection.

Whether you’re navigating early childhood, supporting a child through therapy, or learning to regulate yourself so you can better support those you love, this episode will help you stay calm, confident, and truly trigger proof.

Connect with Emma Justice:

Website: ⁠https://linktr.ee/emmajustice⁠

IG: Justice4infantfeeding

FB: Justiceforinfantfeedingtherapyandlactation 

Connect with Mikki Bey:

Learn more about emotional regulation and download Mikki’s Free Emotional Regulation Bundle (eBook, workbook, and masterclass): Grab My FreebieFollow Mikki on Instagram: @getmikkibey

Visit her website: ⁠www.themikkibeygroup.com⁠

Subscribe on YouTube: @GetMikkiBey