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Root Cause Conversations

Root Cause Conversations

著者： Amanda Mavrakos MS CCC-SLP
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10月19日まで。※適用条件あり

Root Cause Conversations is the podcast for curious people who want to look beyond the obvious, ask better questions, and better understand the many pieces that shape our health, families, and our lives.


I'm Amanda Mavrakos, MS, CCC-SLP, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, myofunctional therapist, and owner of Salt & Light Speech-Language Resources.

My professional background gives me one lens for looking at whole-person health, but I certainly don't have all the answers. And honestly, that's part of why this podcast exists.


Because when I talk about "root causes", I don't mean there's always one hidden thing responsible for every symptom or struggle. I think of our health more like a puzzle. There are so many pieces that can intersect in ways we may not immediately recognize. That's why you'll hear conversations with people from various backgrounds. We're gonna sit down with healthcare providers and therapist, but also educators, parents, faith voices, and other people who can help us look at these questions from a different perspective. The goal isn't to have one person with all the answers. It's to bring different voices to the table, learn from one another, and help you feel better equipped to ask questions, advocate for yourself and your family, and build a collaborative team when you need one.


My Christian faith is an important part of who I am and how I view whole person wellness, so you'll hear conversations about faith, scripture, and spiritual health here too. But you don't have to share my faith to join us. I believe we all have something we can learn from one another.


And I want this to be more than a podcast you simply listen to. I want us to build a community around these conversations. I want to hear from you what questions you're asking and what topics you want us to explore. That's an important part of this.


We're not here to chase perfect health or pretend we have it all figured out. The heart behind this is to stay curious, ask better questions, and have deeper conversations around things that matter to us.


So pull up a seat. The conversation starts here.

© 2026 Root Cause Conversations 代替医療・補完医療 衛生・健康的な生活
エピソード
  • Beyond Behavior: Sensory Processing, Pediatric OT & Aging in Place with Amy Marchant

    Beyond Behavior: Sensory Processing, Pediatric OT & Aging in Place with Amy Marchant
    2026/10/15
    What if your child's behavior is actually telling you something? Or what if a few simple changes to your home today could help you stay independent for years to come?This week, I'm sitting down with my friend Amy Marchant, occupational therapist and owner of Equipt Kids and LiveEquipt, to talk about how occupational therapy can make everyday life a little easier, whether you're raising a young child or planning for the years ahead.We start with pediatric occupational therapy and take a closer look at sensory processing, emotional regulation, motor planning, and why some of the behaviors we see in children may have more going on beneath the surface.Then we switch gears and talk about aging in place, home accessibility, and how thoughtful home modifications can help adults and individuals with disabilities maintain their independence. And no, your home doesn't have to look like a hospital!Here's what we're talking about:Sensory processing and regulation: What it means when a child is overresponsive or underresponsive to sensory input, and how that might show up in everyday life.Looking beyond behavior: Why difficulty getting dressed, avoiding certain activities, or struggling to sit still may involve more than simply refusing to cooperate.Motor planning and coordination: How challenges with balance, movement, and sequencing can affect a child's daily routines.Play-based occupational therapy: What a pediatric OT evaluation looks like and why play is such an important part of the process.Aging in place and home modifications: Practical ways to make a home safer, more accessible, and easier to navigate without sacrificing comfort or style.Planning ahead: Why it's worth thinking about accessibility before an injury, fall, or major health change makes modifications necessary.Equipment, insurance, and financial considerations: How an occupational therapist can help families navigate adaptive equipment, documentation, and available resources.Amy also shares the unexpected career change that led her to build her businesses and how her faith played a meaningful role in that journey.One thing I hope you'll take away from this conversation is that independence looks different for everyone, and sometimes the smallest changes can make a big difference.Whether you're a parent wondering if your child might benefit from occupational therapy, an adult thinking about your future, or someone caring for an aging loved one, I think you'll find something helpful in this conversation.So pull up a seat, and let's get into it!Resources mentioned in this episode:Amy's free pediatric occupational therapy checklist: https://hellolivequipt.myflodesk.com/e75r7te09tEquipped Kids: https://www.livequipt.comLiveEquipped: https://www.livequipt.comConnect with Amy: https://www.instagram.com/livequipt/If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the podcast and share it with someone who might find it helpful!Connect with AmandaA Little Something Extra for Our Listeners!We've created a FREE interactive Root Cause Resource Library to help you make sense of some of the things we talk about here on the podcast. Inside, you'll find practical checklists and resources covering topics like sleep, oral habits, and more—all organized in one easy-to-use place.https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/rootcauseguideStay connected with Root Cause Conversations!Still curious? Good. We like curious people around here. Join the Root Cause Conversations email community for the things we can’t always fit into an episode.Pull up a chair & join us → https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/phhol2p41iWebsite: https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/Navigating Tongue Ties e-book: https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/tonguetieebookThe RCC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therootcauseco/Salt & Light Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltandlightspeechtherapy/
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    36 分
  • When Breastfeeding Suddenly Gets Hard: Milk Supply, Tongue Ties & the 3-Month Shift with Tabitha Baker, RN, BSN, IBCLC

    When Breastfeeding Suddenly Gets Hard: Milk Supply, Tongue Ties & the 3-Month Shift with Tabitha Baker, RN, BSN, IBCLC
    2026/10/01

    Breastfeeding may be natural, but that doesn’t mean it always comes naturally and when something isn’t working, there’s usually more to the story.

    In this episode, I’m sitting down with Tabitha Baker, pediatric nurse and lactation consultant with Birmingham Breastfeeding, to talk about some of the reasons breastfeeding can become difficult, even when it seems like you’re doing everything “right.”

    One of my favorite parts of our conversation is what can happen around the 3- to 4-month mark. Feeding may have seemed to be going well and then suddenly there are concerns with milk supply, weight gain, latch, or feeding efficiency. Tabitha explains why this transition can sometimes reveal an underlying issue that wasn’t as obvious in those early weeks.

    In this episode, you’ll hear about:

    • Possible causes of low milk supply and why it isn’t always as simple as “make more milk”
    • The 3- to 4-month breastfeeding shift and why feeding difficulties can suddenly appear
    • Tongue ties, oral function, and what really matters when deciding whether intervention is needed
    • How latch, positioning, body tension, and milk transfer can affect breastfeeding
    • Preparing for breastfeeding before your baby arrives
    • When it may be time to reach out to a lactation consultant
    • What to consider when choosing a breast pump and preparing to return to work

    If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, pumping, or wondering why feeding suddenly feels harder than it used to, this conversation will give you practical information to help you ask better questions and look a little deeper.

    Because sometimes the question isn’t simply, “Do I have enough milk?”

    It might be, “What’s making it difficult for my baby to get it?”


    Connect with Tabitha & Birmingham Breastfeeding

    Website: https://www.birminghambreastfeeding.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birminghambreastfeeding/

    Connect with Amanda

    Grab my Free Parent Guide: Could These Signs Be Connected? The Free Parent Guide to Mouth Breathing, Sleep, Speech, Feeding & Oral Habits : https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/rootcauseguide

    Website: https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/

    Navigating Tongue Ties e-book: https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/tonguetieebook

    The Root Cause Co. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therootcauseco/

    Salt & Light Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltandlightspeechtherapy/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltandlight.slp
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    34 分
  • Pelvic Floor Therapy Isn’t Just for Postpartum: Pain, Constipation, Leakage & More with Dr. Stephanie Perez

    Pelvic Floor Therapy Isn’t Just for Postpartum: Pain, Constipation, Leakage & More with Dr. Stephanie Perez
    2026/09/17

    Pelvic floor therapy isn’t just for pregnancy or postpartum recovery and a tight pelvic floor doesn’t necessarily mean a strong one.

    In this episode of Root Cause Conversations, Amanda sits down with Dr. Stephanie Perez, physical therapist and owner of Empowered Wellness in Pelham, Alabama, to talk about what the pelvic floor actually does and the symptoms that may signal pelvic floor dysfunction.

    From urinary leakage and painful intercourse to constipation, bedwetting, hip pain, and low back pain, Stephanie explains why symptoms that seem unrelated may have a pelvic floor component, and why simply doing more Kegels isn’t always the answer.

    Amanda and Stephanie also discuss pelvic floor health during perimenopause, why young athletes can experience pelvic floor dysfunction, the connection between constipation and bedwetting in children, and why men may benefit from pelvic floor therapy before and after prostate procedures.

    In this episode, you’ll hear about:

    • What the pelvic floor is and how it functions as part of the core
    • Why a tight pelvic floor is not necessarily a strong pelvic floor
    • Signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction
    • Urinary leakage, constipation, and healthy bathroom habits
    • The connection between constipation and bedwetting in children
    • Painful intercourse and pelvic floor changes during perimenopause
    • Why pelvic floor therapy isn’t only for women who have given birth
    • Pelvic floor concerns in athletes and younger women
    • Pelvic floor therapy for men and prostate health
    • What happens during a pelvic floor therapy evaluation
    • Why individualized treatment and home programs matter

    One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation? You don’t have to wait until symptoms become severe—or assume that pain, leakage, constipation, or discomfort is simply something you have to live with.

    Understanding your body and asking better questions can be the first step toward finding the right support.

    ABOUT OUR GUEST

    Dr. Stephanie Perez is a physical therapist and owner of Empowered Wellness in Pelham, Alabama. Her team provides pelvic floor physical therapy and whole-person care designed to help patients better understand their bodies, address the underlying contributors to their symptoms, and feel more confident in their health.

    RESOURCES

    Follow Dr. Stephanie Perez and Empowered Wellness:
    https://www.instagram.com/pelvicptmama/

    Learn more about Empowered Wellness:
    https://empoweredwellnesspt.com/

    Download Dr. Stephanie's Free C-Section Recovery Guide:
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/16-gAmssdVGo6JSod5yo6yZVJ4GIUGtUC/view?usp=sharing

    ABOUT ROOT CAUSE CONVERSATIONS

    Root Cause Conversations explores the connections between the way our bodies function, the way we live, and our overall health and wellness. Host Amanda Mavrakos, MS, CCC-SLP, sits down with professionals across healthcare and wellness to ask better questions, connect the dots, and help listeners become more informed advocates for themselves and their families.

    Root Cause Conversations
    Whole Person Health, Grounded in Truth.

    Connect with Amanda

    Grab my Free Parent Guide: Could These Signs Be Connected? The Free Parent Guide to Mouth Breathing, Sleep, Speech, Feeding & Oral Habits : https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/rootcauseguide

    Website: https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/

    Navigating Tongue Ties e-book: https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/tonguetieebook

    The Root Cause Co. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therootcauseco/

    Salt & Light Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltandlightspeechtherapy/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltandlight.slp
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    41 分
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