Feeding Does Matter

In this episode of Feeding Does Matter, host Jaclyn Pederson and guest Courtney Bliss, a Pediatric Registered Dietitian, discuss the challenges families with children who have feeding differences face during holiday gatherings. Courtney shares practical strategies for managing food anxiety, communicating needs with family members, and creating a supportive environment for children during these eve...

In this episode hosts Jaclyn Pederson and Hayley Estrem talk with Rhonda Anderson, a distinguished nursing leader and healthcare advocate. They discuss the evolution of care for children with feeding disorders, moving from awareness to action through a lifespan and family-centered approach, the power of listening to families, and how technology and interprofessional collaboration are transforming...

In this episode of Feeding Does Matter, host Jaclyn Pederson speaks with Denise Hoffman, a mother and occupational therapist, about her personal journey with feeding challenges faced by her son, who was born premature and is now 24 years old. They discuss the impact of personal experience on professional practice, supporting a young adult navigating  the complexities of feeding disorders and menta...

In this special one-year anniversary episode of Feeding Matters, hosts Jaclyn Pederson and Hayley Estrem celebrate one year of impactful conversations centered around patient and family-centered care in the context of feeding differences and disorders. They are joined by leaders from the Family-Centered PFD Research Consortium to discuss the consortium's formation, the importance of lived experien...

Host Jaclyn Pederson speaks with Dr. Lisa Bienstock, a pediatric dentist and event chair for Feeding Matters' upcoming Feed the Cause signature event and fundraiser. They discuss the importance of positive dental experiences for children, especially those with feeding differences. Dr. Bienstock shares her journey into pediatric dentistry, emphasizing the need for early dental visits and collaborat...

In this episode, guest Talia Laughter has a heartfelt conversation about her family's journey with feeding challenges, particularly focusing on her daughter who was born with Down syndrome. Talia recounts the struggles they faced, including hospitalizations, feeding therapy, and the importance of advocacy and community support.

Guest Dr. Amy Delaney shares insights on texture analysis and the development of a texture framework to standardize feeding assessment practices. Dr. Delaney also discusses the importance of research in understanding feeding development, the need for normative data in the field, and the significance of guidelines for caregivers and pediatricians.

Dr. Jeanne Marshall, a speech pathologist and researcher specializing in pediatric feeding disorders, discusses her journey into the field, her work at the Tucker Box Feeding Research Lab, and the various research projects aimed at improving preventative care and diagnostics in pediatric feeding disorders. The discussion also highlights the importance of family-centered research, the challenges of...

Hosts Jaclyn Pederson and Hayley Estrem reflect on the live event for the Feeding & Eating Psychology Summit, discussing key takeaways such as, the need for individualized care, and the significance of language in treatment. They emphasize breaking down silos between different fields and fostering community engagement to improve research and support for families. The discussion also touches on...

2025 Psych Summit Session: Reduction in Feeding Problems Following a 12-Week Interdisciplinary Group Feeding Intervention presented by Olivia Hsin, PhD; Ayala Ben-Tall, PhD. During this Psych Summit Session Sneak Peek episode of Feeding Does Matter, Olivia Hsin and Ayala Ben-Tall discuss feeding psychology and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches. On August 22, the Feeding + Eating Psych...

2025 Psych Summit Session: Food Allergy and ARFID: An underrecognized clinical complication and conceptual treatment framework presented by Kaitlin B. Proctor, PhD, ABPP. During this Psych Summit Session Sneak Peek episode of Feeding Does Matter, Kaitlin Proctor discusses the complexities of feeding issues, particularly in relation to ARFID and food allergies. On August 22, the Feeding + Eating Ps...

2025 Psych Summit Micro Keynotes: Preparing for NICU Discharge presented by Vincent C. Smith, MD, MPH, and First Things First in Feeding Therapy: Prioritizing Curiosity and Safety presented by Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd FAOTA. During this Psych Summit Session Sneak Peak episode of Feeding Does Matter, Vincent C. Smith and Marsh Dunn Klein discuss the importance of NICU discharge preparation and...

2025 Psych Summit Session: Responsive Feeding Therapy for Children with Paediatric Feeding Disorder: Research Insights and Clinical Applications presented by Valerie Gent, BSpPath, MMedRes, PhD candidate and Dr. Jeanne Marshall, BSpPath, PhD During this Psych Summit Session Sneak Peek episode of Feeding Does Matter, Valerie Gent and Jeanne Marshall explore the role of responsive feeding therapy in...

2025 Psych Summit Session Sneak Peek: Formulation-Driven Treatment Planning for ARFID: A Collaborative, Individualized Framework presented by Amy Talbot, DClinPsy, MSc. During this Psych Summit Session Sneak Peek episode of Feeding Does Matter, Amy Talbot discusses the need for a formulation-driven approach that respects individual differences and fosters collaboration among various disciplines to...

2025 Psych Summit Session: Building the Foundation: A Holistic, Interdisciplinary Approach to Infant Feeding presented by Natalie Berriz PhD, BCBA and Melissa Andersen, PhD. During this Psych Summit Session Sneak Peak episode of Feeding Does Matter, Natalie Berriz and Melissa Andersen discuss the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration in pediatric feeding, the importance of recognizing f...

2025 Psych Summit Session: Occupational Therapy Supports and Interventions for ARFID presented by Krystin Turner,  OTR/L, DHS, SCEFS and Madelyn Duzyk,  OTR/L, OTD During this Psych Summit Session Sneak Peak episode of Feeding Does Matter, Krystin Turner   and Madelyn Duzyk explore how lived experience informs clinical practice, why multidisciplinary collaboration is essential, and how occupationa...

ICYMI: In this episode of Feeding Does Matter, hosts Jaclyn Pederson and Dr. Hayley Estrem provide a deep dive into the histories of Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment. From the impact of terminology on family experiences to the critical role of early identification and int...

Our guest this episode, Emnet Assefa, discusses her journey raising a child with multiple medical and feeding complexities. She speaks candidly about the emotional toll, delayed diagnoses, and how the G-tube became a turning point for her family.

In this episode, Garrett Barnes shares his family's journey with his daughter Lucy's challenges with eating. He discusses the emotional toll of navigating feeding tubes, the importance of support from organizations like Feeding Matters, and the transition from tube feeding to oral eating.

Dr. Kathleen Knafl, a pioneering researcher and educator, shares her journey into family-centered research and what she’s learned from listening to families. Along with Hayley and Jaclyn, she talks about why the words we use like “burden” or “impact” can make a big difference, how families often see things more hopefully than doctors expect, why the parents voice matters in shaping care, and what...

In this episode of Feeding Does Matter we talk with David Schnitzler, a father of two children with feeding difficulties. We explore the emotional, medical, and day-to-day realities families face when feeding challenges intersect with food allergies. David shares how each child’s feeding experience is unique, why reducing mealtime pressure can support progress, and how feeding therapy demands pati...

In this episode we explore how grassroots efforts can make a big impact. Feeding Matters Community Council leaders, Emily Adams (Ohio), and Stacy Payne (California) discuss how engaging families, healthcare providers, and local leaders can break down stigma, promote early identification, and create real change, one relationship at a time.

Hosts Jaclyn and Hayley are joined by Praveen Goday, MD and Richard Noel, MD discussing the urgent need for awareness, education, and advocacy in Pediatric Feeding Disorder and ARFID. From lack of education across the medical field to community-driven solutions, this episode is a call to action. Change happens when we get loud together.

Rachel Conrad, M.A. CCC-SLP and Feeding Matters Consortium Chair, shares her personal journey with pediatric feeding disorder, transitioning from a patient to a professional in the field with lived experience with both PFD and ARFID. She discusses the importance of vulnerability in therapy, trauma-informed care, and the need for patient-centered approaches. Rachel emphasizes the vital role parents...

In this episode, pediatrician Ron Serbin, MD shares his expertise on the early identification of pediatric feeding disorders. Dr. Serbin explores the critical role of effective screening as well as barriers; advocacy in early identification, highlighting how diagnostic codes can improve access to care; and the need for educating both pediatricians and families to enhance awareness and understandin...