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Jen welcomes Lena Levinsky—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 Levinsky

Lena Levinsky 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://lenalevinsky.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 reassurance for pa

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?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc