The Livin'Sky Podcast

Lena Livinsky

Welcome to The Livin’Sky Podcast, where whole-child wellness meets real-life parenting. I'm Lena Livinsky, pediatric speech-language pathologist, holistic feeding specialist, and mom. I help you understand what your child's body, behavior, and development are really telling you. Because whether it shows up as picky eating, meltdowns, sleep struggles, or something that just feels "off"... your child isn't the problem. Their body is communicating. When you learn how to listen, everything starts to shift. Each episode goes beyond surface-level advice to look at the full picture: biology-informed feeding, nervous system regulation, gut health, oral motor development, and the small shifts at home that create real change. This podcast is for the mom who is done with quick fixes and ready for real answers. ✨ Let’s Livin’Sky together.

  1. May 25

    Complex Picky Eating: What Parents Are Missing with Shandy Watters

    Send us Fan Mail If you have ever wondered why your child is obsessed with crackers, bread, pasta, and that one specific brand of chicken nugget and absolutely nothing else, this episode is going to change how you see that. I sat down with Shandy Watters, an integrative speech language pathologist, functional nutrition therapy practitioner, and founder of Speaking of Health and Wellness. Shandy works with parents of children with complex picky eating, including kids with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, Down syndrome, PANS, PANDAS, and more. And her framework for understanding what is actually driving picky eating is one of the most thorough and practical I have ever heard. We talked about the difference between developmentally appropriate picky eating and complex picky eating. We talked about the opioid excess theory and why some children are biochemically driven to certain foods in a way that looks like preference but is actually much deeper than that. We talked about zinc deficiency, gut health, blood sugar regulation, leaky gut, and why the most commonly missed root causes of picky eating are the biochemical and nutritional ones. We also talked about what parents can do tonight to shift the energy at mealtimes without any pressure, any bribing, or any one bite rules. This one is for every overwhelmed mom who has tried everything and still cannot figure out why nothing is working. What You'll Learn in This Episode What complex picky eating actually is and how it is different from developmentally appropriate picky eatingThe five root cause domains of complex picky eating inside Shandy's frameworkWhat the opioid excess theory is and why some children are biochemically driven to gluten and dairy in a way that looks like obsession but is actually a gut issueHow zinc deficiency distorts taste and smell and drives food refusal in ways that have nothing to do with behaviorWhy low stomach acid makes protein feel heavy and uncomfortable and why your child may be refusing meat for a reasonHow candida overgrowth creates extreme sugar cravings that no amount of willpower or strategy can overrideWhy leaky gut allows undigested food particles into the bloodstream and what that has to do with picky eatingWhat blood sugar dysregulation looks like in a grazing child who never wants to sit for a mealThe one mindset shift that will change the energy at your next mealtime tonightWhy outsourcing to a feeding therapist once a week is not enough and what parents can do at home that makes the biggest differenceWhat Shandy wishes every overwhelmed mom understood about her own power in this processKey Takeaways 1. Complex picky eating is not the same as typical picky eating. If your child eats fewer than 20 foods, if changing a brand causes a meltdown, if mealtimes are consistently creating anxiety and quality of life issues for your whole family, that is complex picky eating. It needs a different approach than standard picky eating advice. 2. The most missed root causes are biochemical and nutritional. Zinc deficiency, gut dysbiosis, low stomach acid, candida overgrowth, leaky gut, blood sugar dysregulation, and food sensitivities are driving picky eating in ways that no behavioral strategy will ever fix. You have to get to the body. 3. The opioid excess theory is real and it changes everything. Some children are not just preferring gluten and dairy. They are biochemically driven to them because of an opioid-like response triggered by improperly broken down food particles crossing a compromised gut lining. This is not a willpower problem or a preference problem. It is a gut problem. 4. Zinc deficiency distorts taste and smell. A child who refuses food because it tastes wrong or smells wrong may not be exaggerating. Zinc deficiency, which is extremely common in complex picky eaters, can genuinely distort sensory perception of food, making eating feel unreliable and unsafe. 5. Pressure makes picky eating worse, always. If you force a bite and it works, you have not won. You have created a negative association with that food that makes it less likely your child will choose it independently ever again. The goal is a long term healthy relationship with food, not obedient consumption at this meal. 6. You hold more power than you think. Your energy, your regulation, and your presence at mealtimes matter more than any strategy. When you are calm and connected, your child has the opportunity to co-regulate with you. That is the foundation everything else is built on. Resources:  Shandy's website: speakingofhealthandwellness.com Grab Shandy’s free guide The Dos and Don’ts for Parents of Complex Picky Eaters: https://www.speakingofhealthandwellness.com/freebies podcast: https://www.speakingofhealthandwellness.com/podcast Instagram Lena's Website: https://lenalivinsky.com/ Grab your Bon Charge gear here, code LenaL for 15% off your purchase  Grab your SIGNALS shake at 10% off with code Lena10 Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.

    55 min
  2. May 18

    Beyond Autism Labels: Toxins, Testing, Nutrition & Whole-Child Healing with Greer McGuinness

    Send us Fan Mail If you have ever been told your child's autism, ADHD, or picky eating is just genetic, just behavioral, or just how they are, this episode is going to change how you see everything. I sat down with Greer McGuinness, registered dietician, functional medicine practitioner, and founder of Biomedical Healing for Kids. Greer has spent years helping families look beyond surface level symptoms and understand what is actually happening inside their child's body. And she knows this world not just as a clinician, but as a mom whose son regressed into autism at 19 months. We talked about the wild west of social media health advice and how to spot who is actually qualified to help your child. We talked about why autism is no longer accurately described as just a genetic diagnosis. We talked about Miralax, GI mapping, gluten, heavy metals, ARFID, and what it actually looks like to work on a child from the inside out. This conversation is honest, direct, and packed with things nobody else is saying out loud. You are going to want to take notes. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why Greer's son regressed into autism at 19 months and what happened when she stopped following conventional adviceHow to spot unqualified practitioners online who are selling one-size-fits-all programs to desperate parentsWhy autism is now understood as a medical diagnosis, not purely a genetic one, and what that means for your childHow heavy metals, oxidative stress, and gut dysfunction show up differently in kids with autism and ADHDWhy Miralax is not the answer to constipation and what to look for insteadWhat the GI MAP test shows that other stool tests miss, and why that mattersWhether gluten free and casein free diets are necessary for every child on the spectrumHow Greer's son went from a VB MAPS score of 56 to a 6 in less than a year using biomedical interventionsWhat ARFID actually looks like in a child whose sensory system is off, and how taste perception can be completely distortedWhy nutrition is the most overlooked piece of the whole child puzzleKey Takeaways 1. Autism is a medical diagnosis, not just a genetic one. The rates of autism are rising too fast and too unevenly across geography and demographics to be explained by genetics alone. Research has found higher levels of heavy metals, lower glutathione, and significant biochemical differences in kids with autism. Treating the body matters. 2. Constipation is a signal, not a condition to manage. There is no such thing as a Miralax deficiency. When a child is constipated, something is happening on the inside. Stool testing, dietary changes, and gut support get to the root. Miralax just keeps the drain open while the clog stays in place. 3. Taste and sensory perception can be genuinely distorted. A child who says food tastes wrong, or who cannot explain why they refuse something, may not be exaggerating. Their sensory system may be giving them completely inaccurate information. This is a body issue, not a willpower issue. 4. Labs are not all created equal. The GI MAP shows both the bad and the good in the gut. Many tests only show pathogens, which means you can kill beneficial bacteria without ever knowing it was low to begin with. Who you test with and what you test for matters enormously. 5. Vet your practitioners. Google their name. Ask in Facebook groups. Check their actual credentials. Anyone can call themselves a practitioner. A licensed professional went through regulated education, sat for board exams, and has their reputation on the line with every recommendation they make. 6. One thing at a time. For overwhelmed families, trying to change everything at once causes shutdown. Greer starts with the highest impact basics: filtered water, cleaner food, supplements. Then layers from there. "There is no such thing as a Miralax deficiency." - Greer McGuinness Resources Mentioned Greer McGuinness:  Website: BiomedicalHealingForKids.com  Instagram: Biomedical Healing for Kids  Facebook Group: Biomedical Healing for Kids  Free eBook: Beyond the Basics Tests Referenced: GI MAP (stool testing) Wheat Zoomer and Dairy Zoomer (blood testing) Organic Acids Testing Toxin and Heavy Metal Testing Programs Referenced: Duke University Stem Cell Treatment Trial (IMPACT Study), TruDose Platelet Therapy, Brain Balance If this episode connected some dots for you around your child’s picky eating, selective eating, constipation, sensory challenges, or mealtime struggles, I want you to know this: Picky eating is rarely just about the food. There is often a deeper story underneath the behaviors, and you do not have to figure it out alone. If you are tired of guessing, overwhelmed by conflicting advice, or feeling stuck trying to help your child eat better, book a free Clarity Call with me We will talk through what is happening with your child, what may be getting missed, and what your next best steps could look like from a whole-child perspective. There are answers. And there is a calmer way forward. Grab your Bon Charge gear here, code LenaL for 15% off your purchase  Grab your SIGNALS shake at 10% off with code Lena10 Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.

    51 min
  3. May 11

    Autism, Hope, and the Tools That Actually Worked: A Father's Honest Story with Paul Voss

    Send us Fan Mail If you are a parent navigating an autism diagnosis, an ADHD diagnosis, or simply watching your child struggle in ways the medical system cannot explain, this episode is your permission slip to question everything you have been told. I sat down with Paul Voss, a father of eight and the author of Autism Sucks, Finding Hope in the Chaos. His youngest daughter was diagnosed with autism three and a half years ago, post-COVID. What followed was sleepless nights, a pediatrician who fired the family for asking about vaccines, a school that rejected their medical exemption, and a relentless search for answers no one was offering them. Paul does not sugarcoat the hard parts. But he also does not stay there. He walks us through the interventions that produced immediate, observable change — a grounding mat that gave his non-speaking daughter six hours of sleep on night one, CBD oil that helped her start walking on her own again, screen removal that dropped her frustration dramatically, and nicotine patches that stopped a years-long biting habit. And the part I cannot stop thinking about: the same dietary changes they made for their autistic daughter completely reversed their 13-year-old son's ADHD symptoms. He is now an honor student with no accommodations. One diet, two transformations. This episode is for any parent in the early, exhausting fog of a new diagnosis who needs to hear that there are real, practical tools and that hope is not naive. It is hard-earned. What you'll learn: The first ASD signs Paul and his wife noticed after their family had COVIDHow an MTHFR mutation reframed everything that went into their daughter's bodyWhy a $50 grounding mat produced six hours of sleep on night oneThe CBD oil turnaround that helped a child who insisted on being carried start walking on her ownWhat nicotine patches did for chronic bitingWhy they said no to ABA from day oneThe same diet that supported their autistic daughter reversed their son's ADHDPaul's picky eating playbookThe one piece of advice he gives every parent at the start of the journeyConnect with Paul Voss: Instagram: @paulvoss055 Book: Autism Sucks, Finding Hope in the Chaos (Amazon) Take the Picky Eating Root Cause Quiz: [link] Grab your Bon Charge gear here, code LenaL for 15% off your purchase  Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.

    36 min
  4. May 4

    Why Your Child Can't Heal: The Drainage Funnel & Gut Health with Dr. Joshua Sharp

    Send us Fan Mail If your child has chronic constipation, skin rashes, bedwetting, brain fog, or sensory issues that nobody can explain, this episode might be the missing piece. I sat down with Dr. Joshua Sharp, chiropractor and founder of Discover Health, and we went deep on one of the most overlooked frameworks in holistic health: the body's drainage funnel. This is the system that determines whether your child's body can actually detox, heal, and function at its best. We also connected the dots to picky eating, because when a child's gut is clogged, inflamed, or riddled with parasites, their appetite, food preferences, and mealtime behavior all shift in ways that look behavioral on the surface but are actually biological. This one is a must-listen for any parent whose child is stuck, whether they're a picky eater, a chronically constipated toddler, or a kid with skin symptoms that keep coming back. Key Takeaways from This Episode 1. Start at the bottom of the funnel. The colon is the easiest place to get clogged and often the highest-impact place to start. If your child is not having one to two bowel movements per day, that is not a variation of normal. Start there. 2. Everyone has parasites. Lab tests are unreliable. The real question is whether your child's terrain is healthy enough to keep them in check. Improving gut health, drainage, and diet shifts the terrain. Jumping straight to a parasite cleanse without opening drainage pathways first will likely make things worse. 3. The light in your home is affecting your hormones and health more than you think. LED and fluorescent lights suppress melatonin production significantly. Poor sleep disrupts healing, detoxification, and appetite regulation. Changing the light in your bedroom is a high-impact, low-cost intervention. 4. Clutter is a stressor. Piles of stuff are piles of unmade decisions. Every time your nervous system registers them, cortisol goes up. Start with one surface in your bedroom. Set a timer for five minutes. That is enough. 5. Healing the gut takes months or years. There is no supplement that fixes this overnight. Dr. Sharp walks through a layered process: open drainage, bind toxins, address parasites, detoxify chemical elements. Be patient and consistent. 6. Go outside. Morning sunlight on your eyes and skin sets your hormonal clock for the whole day. Bare feet on the ground gives your body information from the earth's electrons. This is free and available right now. Resources Mentioned Dr. Joshua Sharp Website: discoverhealthfm.comInstagram: @discoverhealthfmYouTube: Joshua Sharp Discover HealthPodcast: The Discover Health PodcastProgram: Gut Rescue OdysseyPractitioners Referenced Dr. Todd Watts (The Parasite Guy)Mandy Allercon (Health Coach, Decluttering)Dr. Alexis Cowan (Light and POMC research)If this episode connected the dots for you around your child's gut health, constipation, or food refusal, here are your next steps: Download Lena's free 10 Simple Daily Habits to Reverse Picky Eating GuideBook a free Clarity Call with Lena  Grab your Bon Charge gear here, code LenaL for 15% off your purchase  Grab your SIGNALS shake at 10% off with code Lena10 Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.

    1 hr
  5. Apr 27

    Why Your Child Only Eats Carbs and Refuses Protein (It’s Not Just Picky Eating)

    Send us Fan Mail If your child lives on pasta, crackers, fruit, and snacks and refuses meat, eggs, or protein… this episode is for you. This is one of the most common patterns I see as a pediatric feeding specialist and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, I break down why picky eating is not just a phase or a behavior problem, but a signal that something deeper is going on in your child’s body. We walk through the real root causes behind carb-heavy eating patterns and why pushing, bribing, or forcing protein often backfires. You’ll learn how oral motor skills, sensory sensitivities, nervous system regulation, and gut health all play a role in what your child is willing to eat and how to support them in a way that actually leads to progress. If you’re a natural-minded mom who wants a more holistic, whole-child approach to picky eating, this episode will give you clarity and practical next steps. If you’re tired of guessing what’s causing your child’s picky eating, take my Picky Eating Root Cause Quiz linked below. And if you want real support, join my next live workshop where I walk you step-by-step through what to do next. 🎯 Take the Picky Eating Root Cause Quiz: [link] 🎥 Join my upcoming workshop: LenaLivinsky.com/workshop In this episode, we cover: Why picky eating is a signal, not a diagnosisThe real reason kids prefer carbs over proteinOral motor challenges and how they affect eatingSensory sensitivities and food texturesNervous system dysregulation and food choicesGut health, blood sugar, and cravingsWhy pressure at the table backfiresWhat to do instead (practical steps)Key Takeaways Picky eating is not just behavior, it’s biologyCarbs feel safe, predictable, and easy for many kidsProtein requires more skill, coordination, and regulationYou cannot force a regulated eaterSafety at the table always comes first Grab your Bon Charge gear here, code LenaL for 15% off your purchase  Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.

    26 min
  6. Apr 13

    Picky Eating, ARFID, and Food Anxiety in Kids with Jessica Setnick MS,RD, CEDRD-S

    Send us Fan Mail When a child struggles with food, parents are often told one of two things: “They’ll grow out of it” or “you need to push harder.” But what if neither of those is actually helpful? In this episode of The Livin’Sky Podcast, I sit down with eating disorder expert, educator, and speaker Jessica Setnick to talk about what’s really happening beneath picky eating, food anxiety, and eating challenges in children. We talk about how to recognize red flags without panicking, why ARFID is often misunderstood, how stress and family dynamics shape a child’s relationship with food, and why parents’ own food histories matter more than they may realize. This conversation is compassionate, practical, and incredibly freeing for parents who want to raise healthy, resilient eaters without pressure, shame, or control. In This Episode, We Talk About Why Jessica prefers the term “problem eating behaviors” over eating disorders in childrenThe difference between normal selective eating and something more concerningEarly red flags parents should watch forWhy a sudden change in eating is often more important than a labelStress, trauma, and how they can affect a child’s eatingWhy children should not be put on restrictive diets for weight lossWhat ARFID actually is and why it is often misunderstoodWho should be part of a feeding support teamThe role anxiety plays in food strugglesSmall, practical ways parents can reduce food stress at homeWhy food exposure does not always mean taking a biteHow shame around food developsHow adults’ own childhood food experiences shape family feeding patternsWhy kids need safety, autonomy, and trust around foodWhat it really means to raise resilient eatersKey Takeaways Picky eating is often more normal than parents thinkA child can be healthy without eating a huge variety of foodsRed flags are often about change, growth, stress, and functionARFID is a descriptive diagnosis, not a root causeFood anxiety can be supported without pressure or forceFamily food patterns often go back generationsKids need safety and autonomy, not shame, around foodResources Mentioned Jessica Setnick: https://jessicasetnick.comHealing Your Inner Eater: https://healingyourinnereater.comDiscount code from Jessica: podcastConnect with Lena Website: https://lenalivinsky.com/Podcast: The Livin’Sky PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lena.livinsky/Workshop: Beyond Picky Eating  Grab your Bon Charge gear here, code LenaL for 15% off your purchase  Grab your SIGNALS shake at 10% off with code Lena10 Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.

    49 min
  7. Apr 6

    Apraxia of Speech Explained + What Most Therapies Are Missing with Dhana Cohen

    Send us Fan Mail Most conversations around childhood apraxia of speech focus on one thing: speech. But what if we’re missing the bigger picture? In this episode, I sit down with Dhana Cohen, executive director of Apraxia Voice, to talk about a different approach, one that looks beyond speech alone and considers the whole child. We talk about what apraxia really is, why so many families feel lost after a diagnosis, and how factors like nervous system regulation, nutrition, movement, and overall health may play a role in supporting better outcomes. This conversation is especially important for parents who feel like they’ve been told to “just do more therapy” without being given a bigger plan. We also dive into: What childhood apraxia of speech actually means in simple termsWhy early diagnosis and awareness still need improvementThe gap between traditional therapy and whole-child supportHow nutrition, gut health, and environment may impact developmentThe role of connection, regulation, and daily habitsA new functional health program designed to support families in a more accessible wayIf you’ve ever felt like there has to be more you can do to support your child, this episode will give you a new lens to look through. Connect with Dhana & Apraxia Voice: Website: https://apraxiavoice.orgEmail: info@apraxiavoice.org🎧 Listen to more episodes: The Livin’ Sky Podcast ✨ Join my upcoming FREE workshop: Beyond Picky Eating – April 9, 2026 6pm EST https://lenalivinsky.com/workshop 📞 Work with me: Book a free Strategy Call Grab your Bon Charge gear here, code LenaL for 15% off your purchase  Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes.

    32 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Livin’Sky Podcast, where whole-child wellness meets real-life parenting. I'm Lena Livinsky, pediatric speech-language pathologist, holistic feeding specialist, and mom. I help you understand what your child's body, behavior, and development are really telling you. Because whether it shows up as picky eating, meltdowns, sleep struggles, or something that just feels "off"... your child isn't the problem. Their body is communicating. When you learn how to listen, everything starts to shift. Each episode goes beyond surface-level advice to look at the full picture: biology-informed feeding, nervous system regulation, gut health, oral motor development, and the small shifts at home that create real change. This podcast is for the mom who is done with quick fixes and ready for real answers. ✨ Let’s Livin’Sky together.