In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Jessica Lee — an integrative ENT who trained in a conventional, surgery-focused medical system and realised that looking only at tonsils and adenoids wasn’t enough.

She now approaches airway health through a broader lens — considering breathing patterns, growth curves, inflammation, immune health, gut health and collaboration across disciplines.

We discuss sleep-disordered breathing as a spectrum, why children don’t go from “fine” to severe obstructive sleep apnea overnight, and the two questions that may predict airway concerns early — including why daytime mouth breathing matters.

We also explore:

• When tonsil and adenoid surgery is appropriate
• Why surgery isn’t a failure — but isn’t always the whole answer
• What a true multidisciplinary airway model looks like
• The gut–airway connection and environmental factors
• How parents can advocate without operating from fear

This episode isn’t about pushing surgery.

It’s about widening the lens, removing shame from the decision-making process, and helping parents feel more informed and less dismissed.

If you’ve ever been told “snoring is normal” but something didn’t sit right, this conversation will give you context.