You Can’t Do It All: Motherhood, Self-Care & Pediatric Airway Health with Dr. Piya Gandhi

In this episode of The Airway Edit, Brittny Murphy sits down with pediatric dentist and educator Dr. Piya Gandhi for an honest conversation about motherhood, entrepreneurship, self-care, and the experiences that transformed her approach to pediatric airway health.Dr. Gandhi shares how her daughter’s sleep apnea diagnosis led her beyond traditional pediatric dentistry and into a deeper understanding of breathing, sleep, oral function, tongue ties, and collaborative airway care.They discuss the signs parents shouldn’t ignore, including mouth breathing, snoring, disrupted sleep, and behavioral changes and what families should look for when choosing an airway-focused provider.But this conversation goes far beyond dentistry. Dr. Gandhi opens up about building a business while raising children, learning to say no, setting boundaries, and rejecting the idea that being a good mother means putting yourself last. Her reminder is powerful: making time for yourself can help you show up better as a parent, partner, clinician, and leader.It’s a candid conversation about health, ambition, motherhood, leadership, and creating a life that reflects what matters most.

In the very first episode of The Airway Edit, host Brittny Murphy opens up about the experiences that reshaped not only her career, but the way she sees motherhood, success, grief, and personal growth.Brittany shares her deeply personal journey through multiple pregnancy losses, the search for answers that eventually led her to reproductive immunology, and the hope that ultimately brought her twin girls into her life. She also reflects on losing her father just six days before learning she was pregnant a season that taught her grief and gratitude can exist at the same time.From a difficult C-section and navigating motherhood, marriage, entrepreneurship, and a career she still deeply loves, Brittny explores what it means to build a beautiful life that doesn’t always look balanced.This episode also introduces the bigger vision behind The Airway Edit: conversations about breathing, sleep, oral function, airway health, leadership, business, parenthood, and the small “edits” that can create powerful ripple effects throughout our lives.

In this episode, Brittny sits down with the incredible team from Ashburn Children’s Dentistry, a pioneering pediatric dental practice known for its whole-body, airway-centered approach to oral health.Together, we explore what true prevention looks like—starting as early as pregnancy and infancy. From supporting expectant moms and evaluating infant feeding patterns, to guiding toddlers and young children through healthy oral development, this conversation connects the dots between airway, function, and long-term wellness.You’ll learn how early oral habits shape craniofacial growth, why airway and myofunctional screenings belong in every pediatric exam, and how collaboration between hygienists, dentists, and therapists is changing the future of children’s health.This is a must-listen for parents, providers, and anyone passionate about redefining “kids’ dentistry” through the lens of growth, function, and whole-body balance.Tune in to hear:How airway-centered care begins before birthSigns of oral dysfunction in infants and toddlersThe dentist–therapist collaboration that’s transforming carePractical advice for parents and clinicians alikeWebsite:https://www.kidzsmile.com/IG: @ashburnchildrensdentistry

From living with orofacial pain to becoming a leading voice in TMJ and complex pain therapy, Vita Zhylyak’s journey is as inspiring as it is transformative. In this episode, we dive deep into:-Vita’s personal story and the spark behind her “Unlocking Jaw Secrets” course-Her clinical philosophy for navigating intricate diagnoses like TMJD, Eagle Syndrome, Trigeminal Neuralgia, POTS, and MCAS, -Key insights into assessing chronic facial pain—and spotting what others often miss-The vital role of posture, breathwork, and nervous system regulation in effective TMJ care-How she customizes therapy far beyond the typical “exercise protocol”-Clinical pearls for working with post-surgical patients and collaborative care boundariesIf you’re a myofunctional therapist, dental professional, or simply fascinated by the complexities of orofacial pain, this episode is packed with knowledge, compassion, and practical strategies. Tune in and discover how deeper understanding and whole-body integration can transform patient outcomes—and your clinical practice.Shownotes:CES Ultra: Helps with TMD, Vagus Nerve stimulant, Tinnitus etc.https://www.cesultra.comBook how to read faces and on Chinese Medicine: WTF? Why the face. Dr Todd Fisher:https://wtfwhytheface.com/product/wtf-why-the-face-a-practical-guide-to-understanding-health-and-personality-through-facial-diagnosis/Doterra oils:https://link.doterra.com/TrvWpR

In this episode, I’m joined by airway-centered dentist and Toothpillow co-founder Dr. Kalli Hale to unpack one of the biggest misconceptions in pediatric airway care:➡️ That a guidance appliance alone can "fix" the problem.We dive into the truth about the Toothpillow model—what it is, what it’s not, and why true, lasting growth requires more than just passive tools.Dr. Hale shares:-Why myofunctional therapy is an essential part of guided growth-The difference between muscle-based shaping and true skeletal expansion-How early intervention can support natural development—when done the right way-What parents and providers often misunderstand about the role of appliances-How the Toothpillow team integrates therapy, appliance support, and provider collaboration to get real resultsWhether you’re confused about guidance appliances, skeptical about virtual care, or simply curious how myo and dental work can come together before problems arise—this episode will give you clarity.🎧 Listen now and learn more at toothpillow.com

From Burnout to Balance: Nervous System Tools Every Hygienist NeedsStress is more than just part of the job—it’s living in our bodies, shaping our breath, and impacting our well-being far beyond the operatory. In this episode, I sit down with a fellow dental hygienist, Heather DeJonge who’s turned her personal stress journey into a passion for nervous system regulation.We dive into what stress really looks like in clinical care, how to recognize the signs of dysregulation, and what tools you can start using—right now—to shift from survival mode to a state of calm, focus, and presence. From breathwork to somatic movement and cognitive reframes, this episode is packed with practical strategies that actually fit into your day.If you’ve ever ended a hygiene day with tight shoulders, a clenched jaw, or a sense of emotional exhaustion… this conversation is for you.https://www.instagram.com/the_relaxed_hygienist/

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant and bold Katrina Sanders, RDH, BSDH, M.Ed, RF, to talk about the power of airway awareness from the hygiene chair—even when you’re not a myofunctional therapist.Katrina shares how hygienists can recognize early signs of airway dysfunction, confidently start the conversation with patients, and become a powerful part of the collaborative care team without stepping outside their scope.We explore:•What airway screening looks like in real-time clinical practice•How to refer out when myo or sleep support is needed•How to overcome pushback from providers or patients•Why every hygienist should be the first line of defense in identifying airway dysfunctionIf you’ve been feeling the pull toward airway health—but aren’t sure where you fit in—this conversation will leave you feeling empowered, informed, and inspired to take action right from the op.

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Stanley Liu, a dentist and a physician, trained as an oral & maxillofacial surgeon and ENT sleep surgeon to discuss a critical (yet often overlooked) part of airway surgery: the muscles that surround—and make up—the airway.We dive into why jaw surgery isn’t just about skeletal correction or airway volume. It’s about functional muscle rehabilitation. Dr. Liu shares why collaboration with myofunctional therapists before and after surgery is vital for long-term stability, smoother orthodontic care, and patient comfort.You’ll learn:-Why focusing only on airway space is a mistake-How pre-surgical myo can reduce post-op complications-What happens when we ignore muscle rehab-And how to build stronger provider collaboration for better outcomesIf you work with surgical cases, airway patients, or post-op relapse concerns—this is the conversation you didn’t know you needed.

In this heartwarming and insightful episode, I’m joined by Tricia Rogers, CCC-SLP—founder of Miss Tongue & Friends—to explore how storytelling can transform therapy.We dive into how creative tools like character-based education, visuals, and playful narratives can help make complex myofunctional and speech concepts click for both kids and their families.Tricia shares:Why personifying the tongue and muscles makes therapy more relatableHow storytelling supports myo goalsWhat therapists can do to make sessions fun, functional, and memorableTips for helping parents understand therapy goals through charactersWhether you're a myofunctional therapist, SLP, or parent navigating oral function therapy—this episode will leave you inspired to lean into play, story, and imagination to bring therapy to life.🎧 Listen now and meet Miss Tongue for yourself at www.misstongueandfriends.com

In this eye-opening episode with Elizabeth Dooher-Anthony, RDH, OMT, we dive deep into how undiagnosed airway issues can lead to difficult patient interactions—and what dental professionals can do about it. Our guest shares their journey into the world of airway-focused dentistry and why this knowledge is critical for anyone working chairside.You’ll learn how to spot both obvious and subtle red flags in patients, hear real-life case examples, and understand how airway dysfunction can manifest as anxiety, gag reflexes, and behavioral challenges during treatment. We also explore how airway health ties into bruxism, TMJ disorders, and other common dental conditions. Whether you’re looking to improve patient outcomes or reduce stress in the operatory, this episode will give you actionable insights and resources to start making a difference—one breath at a time.