Rooted in Connection: Where Relationship Moves us Forward

In this episode, Erin sits down with physical therapist and craniosacral practitioner Joanna Ferreri to explore what it really means to listen to the body.Together, they unpack the relationship between pain, safety, and somatic awareness—shifting away from viewing pain as something to fix, and toward understanding it as a meaningful signal. Joanna shares her journey from traditional physical therapy into more holistic, relationship-based approaches, and how this shift transformed the way she understands both the body and healing.This conversation weaves through pain neuroscience, trauma, and the role of attunement, especially when working with children and individuals who may not communicate through words. Erin and Joanna reflect on the importance of consent, safe touch, and honoring the body’s cues, while also challenging some of the limitations of traditional clinical models.Joanna Ferrer Bio Joanna Ferreri, DPT, is a physical therapist working with children by day and with adults as a holistic bodywork practitioner by night. Over her 12 years of experience working in a variety of physical therapy settings ranging the full human experience quite literally from birth to death, she began to notice something missing: despite all the clinical training and experience, there was little space for the deeper internal, intuitive, and often unacknowledged forces that truly guide recovery. She founded a bodywork practice to bridge that gap. By integrating spiritual traditions with scientific understanding, she offers a holistic approach to chronic pain and chronic stress treatment. Utilizing connection through touch, she facilitates body-led wellness, where the client learns to trust their own inner wisdom to guide their own healing from an empowered lens.Instagram @rootsunboundbodyworks

In this episode of Rooted in Connection, Erin Forward sits down with Dr. Gillian Boudreau to explore how relationships quite literally shape the brain, and why safety is the foundation for regulation, learning, and resilience.Together, they unpack what it means to create true emotional safety for children and the caregivers supporting them. This conversation moves beyond strategies, highlighting how connection, non-judgment, and authenticity are what actually support growth and healing.Erin and Jillian also vulnerably share their own experiences as children who weren’t always easily understood, and how those moments shaped the way they now show up in relationships, both personally and professionally. From the idea that “a safe brain is a smart brain” to the reminder that “adults are basically tall children,” this episode weaves together lived experience and clinical insight in a deeply human way.This is a conversation about being seen, about repairing what wasn’t always held with care, and about the power of relationships to change the trajectory of a child and an adult.In this episode, we cover:How relationships shape the brain and influence developmentWhy safety is the foundation for regulation and learningSupporting caregivers as a pathway to supporting childrenThe impact of non-judgment, authenticity, and presenceReparenting, emotional growth, and relational healingHow our own childhood experiences shape the way we show upResources Gillian Boudreau (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist in practice in Portland,Oregon with a focus on children families adults and couples at the intersection of autism, adhd anxiety and trauma. Dr. Boudreau's work is about understanding and addressing our human need for attachment, connection, and effective communication in such a way that can help individuals, family systems, school systems, and larger organizations to support all brains and hearts. She is a national speaker on topics including psychological safety and emotional intelligence, offers many courses and trainings on fear in institutional systems, trauma, neurodiversity and mindfulness, and provides ongoing consultation for multiple school districts and organizations. Dr. Boudreau co-hosts two podcasts: "I Hate You. What's For Dinner?" With a focus on parenting and being parented, as well as "Stance of Curiosity" with a focus on school psychology. Dr. Boudreau offers content and resources related to emotional safety and connection on instagram at @clearconnectionpsychology

In this heartfelt conversation, Erin Forward sits down with speech therapist and mother Marlee Brandon to talk about navigating her son’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis at just 12 months old. Marlee shares the emotional realities of receiving a life-changing diagnosis, learning to manage insulin and food with a toddler, and the unexpected ways the experience reshaped her perspective as both a parent and clinician.Together, they explore how trauma-informed communication, connection, and including children as part of the care team can build confidence and self-advocacy, even in the face of chronic illness. Marlee also discusses how sharing her family’s journey on social media has helped educate others, challenge misconceptions about Type 1 diabetes, and build community for families navigating similar experiences.This conversation is an honest look at parenting through uncertainty, the power of advocacy, and the resilience that can grow when children are invited to be active participants in their own care.

Today on Rooted in Connection, Erin Forward sits down with friend and trailblazer in the trauma-informed space, Rachel Archambault, to talk about what trauma-informed care actually means in practice.Awareness of trauma-informed care is growing, which is needed, but it’s also so much more than a buzzword. Rachel and Erin vulnerably explore their therapeutic use of self, how they show up in sessions, and the small shifts clinicians, caregivers, and humans can make to help children feel truly safe.In this conversation we talk about recognizing our own triggers as providers, how language can unintentionally create or reduce safety, removing compliance-based or harmful phrasing, supporting regulation in the moment, and why trust is built through relationship rather than technique. We also discuss cultural humility, community responsibility, and the role systems and policies play in trauma-informed care.This conversation matters deeply to both of us, and we hope you enter it with an open mind, curiosity, and plenty of grace for yourself.

In this episode of Rooted in Connection, Erin Forward sits down with Brooke Nutting to explore a relationship-based approach to advocacy for children with disabilities, especially within the IEP process.Brooke shares her journey from mental health professional to caregiver advocate and reflects on how relationships, vulnerability, and collaboration shape meaningful change. Together, they unpack why advocacy is not about conflict or perfection, but about connection: with educators, clinicians, caregivers, and communities.This conversation dives into navigating IEP meetings with clarity and confidence, understanding evidence-based practices, and building partnerships that truly support children’s individual needs. Erin and Brooke also discuss the emotional weight caregivers carry, the challenges within education systems, and how empowerment begins when caregivers feel seen, informed, and supported.Whether you’re a caregiver, clinician, or educator, this episode offers practical insights and grounding reminders that advocacy works best when it’s rooted in trust, communication, and human connection. Topics include:Navigating IEPs through relationship-based advocacyBuilding collaborative relationships with educatorsThe role of vulnerability in effective advocacyEmpowering caregivers and children to use their voicesCommunity resources and systems-level changeBecause advocacy isn’t a battle. It’s a relationship.

In Part 2 of Care Beyond the Cart, Erin and pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Jordan Whatley move beyond relationship-building to explore what it means to remain attuned when feeding care is emotionally heavy and outcomes are uncertain.This conversation centers on humility in medicine and therapy, the power of saying “I don’t know,” acknowledging when feeding is genuinely hard, and resisting the urge to fix or reassure prematurely. Dr. Whatley reflects on supporting families navigating medical complexity, feeding tubes, and long-term care, and how honesty and presence can foster trust more deeply than answers alone.Together, they discuss how emotional safety, collaboration, and shared humanity shape pediatric GI and feeding relationships, particularly during moments of grief, overwhelm, or decision fatigue. This episode invites clinicians to consider how sitting with discomfort, naming hard truths, and staying connected can be just as meaningful as clinical expertise.

In this episode of Rooted in Connection, host Erin Forward, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, is joined by her oldest friend, Julie, an emergency medicine physician assistant, for an honest conversation about connection in high-stress healthcare environments. They explore emergency medicine, caregiver burnout, anxiety in healthcare professionals, the importance of listening to patients, and the role of self-care in sustaining compassionate care.This episode offers insight for healthcare providers, caregivers, therapists, and anyone navigating emotionally demanding work. Through personal stories and reflection, Erin and Julie discuss how relationships, communication, and human connection remain essential—even in moments of crisis.Topics include:• Emergency medicine and emotional resilience• Anxiety and mental health in healthcare• Compassion fatigue and burnout• The importance of listening and communication• Friendship, self-care, and staying human in high-pressure roles

In this introductory episode, host Erin Forward, relationship-based speech and feeding therapist, CLC, and educator, shares why Rooted in Connection was created and why relationships sit at the center of everything we do.Erin reflects on how the most meaningful learning comes through people, stories, and connection. She explores how our clients, colleagues, caregivers, and communities shape us — and how this podcast will be a safe space to learn from each other and about ourselves.This episode sets the tone for honest, relational conversations about feeding, communication, child development, neurodiversity-affirming care, and the human experiences that connect us all.