Welcome back to The Trauma Safe Lab! In this episode, host Jennifer Nanda welcomes Dr. Ronda Holman, Air Force veteran, dental professional, and author of Breathe Better. Together, they dive headfirst into a topic often overlooked: airway health and how dysfunctional breathing impacts our overall wellbeing, especially while we sleep.

Dr. Holman shares her deeply personal journey, from childhood struggles with constant illness, crowded teeth, and a “floppy tongue,” to discovering the world of sleep-disordered breathing after decades of searching for answers. She unravels how mouth breathing and undiagnosed airway issues can quietly sabotage everything from cognitive function to mood, memory, and, crucially, our trauma recovery.

In this candid conversation, Dr. Holman sheds light on the often-misunderstood world of sleep apnea, the limitations of conventional treatments like CPAPs, and the critical role behavior and airway muscle health play in healing. You’ll learn why snoring isn’t funny, how modern lifestyles have set us up for dysfunctional breathing, and discover practical, accessible strategies, from tongue exercises to wearables and innovative tools, to reclaim restorative, trauma-safe sleep.

Whether you’re struggling with sleep, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about how breathing patterns can shape physical and mental health, this episode promises actionable insights, hope, and a refreshing new perspective. It’s time to take control of your airway health - starting tonight.

Timestamps:

00:00 Sleep Apnea Solutions in Dentistry

04:50 Types and Treatments of Sleep Apnea

08:51 Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

11:18 Unexpected Competition and Trust Realization

14:43 "Empowerment Beyond Diagnosis"

17:27 "Disordered Breathing: No Solutions"

21:15 Unspoken Sleep Disorder Awareness

24:14 "Pillow App for Sleep Metrics"

27:03 Breathing Impacts Sleep Quality

31:15 Upper Airway Workout Tools

33:01 Mouth Tools for Better Breathing

35:11 Tongue Health and Mouth Breathing

41:06 Airway Dentistry Awareness Rises

42:06 Dentists Detecting Sleep Apnea

47:25 "Regain Health: Improve Sleep Breathing"

50:17 "Airway Health Advocate Online"

51:36 "Revisiting Maslow's Hierarchy"

Show Website - https://traumasafelab.com/

Jennifer Nanda - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evansjen/

Media Partner - TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/