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On today’s episode of The Ripple Effect, host Jen McNerney sits down with board-certified orthodontist and airway-focused provider Dr. Renee Moran, founder of Foundations Orthodontics. Together, they explore the powerful connection between jaw development, nasal breathing, sleep quality, and whole-body health—and why early airway screening can change everything for kids and adults.

In This Episode, We Cover

• Why orthodontics should be whole-health care (not just straight teeth)
• Dr. Moran’s personal jaw surgery story + the moment she realized she could finally breathe
• Signs of airway restriction in kids vs adults (and why “tired” can look like hyperactive)
• Common red flags: allergic shiners, bedwetting, scalloped tongue, gummy smile, long/narrow facial growth
• How early to screen kids (and why the growth window matters by around age 8)
• How CBCT/3D imaging helps assess airway + skeletal structure (“teeth can lie”)
• Why a team approach matters: myofunctional therapy + bodywork during expansion
• MARPE/SARPE + the shift toward slower, more comfortable expansion protocols
• The benefits of custom 3D-planned braces (precision, predictability, fewer visits)
• Tooth extractions: when they’re helpful vs when they’re a red flag
• Tonsils/adenoids: why Dr. Moran often recommends expansion first, ENT second
• Genetics vs environment: what actually shapes airway and jaw development
• Adults + airway treatment: how options have evolved and may be less invasive than you expect

Guest Bio

Dr. Renee Moran is a board-certified orthodontist and airway-focused provider, and the founder of Foundations Orthodontics. She trained at the University of Colorado on an Air Force scholarship, served as a military dentist, completed her orthodontic residency with a master’s degree, and was named Resident of the Year. Dr. Moran’s approach prioritizes airway, function, and long-term stability—helping patients breathe, sleep, and thrive.

Connect with Dr. Renee Moran / Foundations Orthodontics

Website: foundations-orthodontics.com
(There is also a “Foundations Orthodontics” in Georgia—be sure you’re on the Colorado site with the dash!)

Find your host, Jen McNerney:

https://jenmcnerney.com/
https://linktr.ee/heartrootedhealing
https://www.facebook.com/jenslpNET
https://www.instagram.com/heartrootedhealing/
https://www.tiktok.com/@heart.rooted.jen

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Jen welcomes Lena Livinsky—holistic feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist (SLP)—back from a short podcast break for a conversation that weaves together motherhood, healing, and a root-cause approach to picky eating.

Lena shares how she spent 13+ years as an SLP with a traditionally behavioral training background, but always felt most drawn to feeding because of its “medical” connection and the real-life importance of nourishment. The turning point came after she became a mom: her son was a picky eater, and none of the conventional feeding strategies she had been taught (or used professionally) worked at home. In a powerful moment at her kitchen island, she saw fear and tension flood her son’s body when food was placed in front of him—an experience that cracked open a new lens: picky eating isn’t simply behavior, it’s biology, nervous system safety, oral-motor readiness, and gut-brain communication.

At the same time, Lena was navigating her own health challenges—psoriasis since childhood, severe mold sensitivity, brain fog, and difficulty losing weight after a miscarriage and postpartum. Her personal healing journey (including rebuilding nutrients after veganism and exploring root-cause health) became the bridge to understanding her child’s feeding struggles more holistically.

Lena explains that today she primarily works virtually through parent coaching rather than traditional “child-only” therapy, because picky eating is a symptom—not a diagnosis—and real change happens through the home environment, the daily rhythm, and parent-led support. She introduces her BLOOM framework (Balanced health, oral-motor skills, microbiome, open exploration, and boundaries), emphasizing small realistic shifts—not perfection or overwhelm.

The conversation also explores modern contributors to rising rates of chronic illness and true feeding challenges in kids: toxic load, indoor lifestyles, light environment/circadian rhythm disruption, and how nervous system dysregulation can show up as restrictive eating. Lena shares practical examples of “boundaries with support,” including family meals, “tapas-style” serving, and gentle food chaining (e.g., moving from ultra-processed nuggets/fish sticks toward higher-quality proteins in doable steps).

Jen and Lena bond over the shared experience of being SLPs who felt the holistic dimension was “diluted” in the profession—and how reclaiming all parts of their identity is where the magic and alignment happens. The episode closes with how listeners can connect with Lena through her website, a free strategy call, her coaching program, and Instagram.

✨ Connect with Lena Livinsky

Lena Livinsky is a holistic feeding specialist and speech-language pathologist who supports families through a root-cause, nervous-system-informed approach to picky eating.

🌿 Website: https://lenalivinsky.com
Explore her work, learn about her Picky Eating Reset coaching program, and book a free 30-minute strategy call to see if it’s the right fit for your family.

📱 Instagram: @lena.livinsky
https://www.instagram.com/lena.livinsky?igsh=MTM4amNya2xwNDFyeQ==
Follow Lena for practical tips, education, and reas

Find your host, Jen McNerney:

https://jenmcnerney.com/
https://linktr.ee/heartrootedhealing
https://www.facebook.com/jenslpNET
https://www.instagram.com/heartrootedhealing/
https://www.tiktok.com/@heart.rooted.jen

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In this episode of the Ripple Effect, host Jen McNerney welcomes physical therapist Kelly Knott, who recently launched her private practice, Elevate Wellness and Physical Therapy, in Woodland Park. The discussion revolves around the often-overlooked topic of pelvic health, especially in the context of menopause and women's health. Kelly shares her journey into physical therapy, driven by her own sports injuries and later, personal experiences with pelvic health postpartum. The conversation tackles common misconceptions about pelvic muscle exercises like Kegels, the impact of lifestyle factors like diet on bladder health, and how pelvic floor therapy can be simple yet profoundly effective. Kelly also highlights the significance of addressing emotional traumas that manifest as physical symptoms. Along with her insights, she shares details about her practice offerings, including in-person and telehealth visits, and emphasizes the importance of investing in one’s health beyond the limitations of insurance. This episode aims to enlighten listeners about the crucial, yet often stigmatized, aspects of women’s health and encourages a more open dialogue around these issues.

Please find Kelly Knott with Elevate Wellness and Physical Therapy via her website and on socials:

https://www.kellyelevatewellnesspt.com/

Facebook & Instagram

00:00 Introduction and Host's Welcome

00:38 Guest Introduction: Kelly Knott

01:49 Kelly's Journey to Physical Therapy

02:42 Pelvic Floor Health and Personal Experiences

04:43 Common Misconceptions and Simple Solutions

09:02 Behavioral Modifications and Emotional Connections

12:10 Trauma, Emotions, and Physical Therapy

15:38 Alternative Therapies and Techniques

17:09 Hypermobility and Related Conditions

18:09 The Hypermobile EDS Population and Autoimmune Observations

19:36 Telehealth and Private Practice Offerings

21:00 Orthopedics and Home Office Benefits

22:39 Insurance and Treating the Whole Person

24:42 Entrepreneurial Journey and Community Impact

29:12 The Importance of Vaginal Estrogen Cream

33:45 Conclusion and Contact Information

Find your host, Jen McNerney:

https://jenmcnerney.com/
https://linktr.ee/heartrootedhealing
https://www.facebook.com/jenslpNET
https://www.instagram.com/heartrootedhealing/
https://www.tiktok.com/@heart.rooted.jen