All Bodies. All Foods.

In this Part 2 episode on ARFID, we dive deeper into the crucial aspects of treatment and support. Special guest Jaclyn Macchione, MOT, OTR/L shares expert insights on the various levels of care, the multidisciplinary treatment team, as well as the common co-occurring disorders often diagnosed alongside ARFID. For parents and partners, Jaclyn provides valuable dos and don'ts to navigate the journe...

In this powerful deep dive into ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), we explore the pivotal role of occupational therapy in treating this complex eating disorder. Join us as we sit down with Jaclyn Macchione, MOT, OTR/L, Renfrew's seasoned occupational therapist and leader in the development of our ARFID programming. Jaclyn gives us a sneak peek into her work, including how her highl...

 On this episode of All Bodies. All Foods., Ashley and Sam welcome guest Patrilie Hernandez to explore the eating disorder risk factor of food insecurity. According to the USDA, 13.5% of U.S. households reported experiencing food insecurity in 2023—a rise from 12.8% in 2022. Because food insecurity can contribute to the development of eating disorders, we felt it was essential to better understand...

Join Ashley and Sam as they welcome guest Jaimie Weisberg, aka Your Unapologetic Body Bestie, on this week’s episode. Jaimie is a lifestyle, beauty, and fashion creator based in Toronto. Four years ago, she started her platform not knowing where it would lead—she simply wanted to make people feel less alone than she did growing up and inspire them to embrace their true selves. What began as a pass...

How can we reduce the elevated risk of suicidality for those struggling with an eating disorder? Join us as we explore the critical connection between eating disorders, suicidality, and the malnourished brain with Dr. James Greenblatt MD, a distinguished expert, best-selling author, and nationally recognized leader in the field of Functional and Integrative Psychiatry. With over three decades of e...

Join us as therapist Sara Earl, MS, NCC, R-DMT, reveals the healing power of Dance/Movement therapy in eating disorder treatment. Sara explains what Dance/Movement Therapy is, how it differs from exercise, and why it’s such a powerful intervention for those in recovery. Discover what it’s like to attend one of her Dance/Movement groups at The Renfrew Center and learn how she co-creates a safe spac...

 In this episode, we dive into the science of eating disorders and their genetic origins with Dr. Michael Lutter MD, PhD, psychiatrist, a physician-scientist, and author of GIFTED: Genetic Information for Treating Eating Disorders. Join us as we uncover the fascinating world of genetic research and its implications for eating disorder care. Dr. Lutter breaks down how mutations in our DNA can impac...

As providers and support persons, our learning never stops. Supporting others can be both fulfilling and exhausting, requiring patience and resilience. At times, it may feel like we're caught in an endless cycle. In this episode, Jessie Huebner, LMHC, LPC, CEDS-C, QS—owner and therapist at Restored Purpose Counseling in Jacksonville, Florida—joins Ashley and Sam to continue the conversation on the...

Feeling uncomfortable in your own skin? You’re not alone—and this episode is here to help. Dr. Charlotte Markey, PhD, a leading body image scientist and author of Adultish: The Body Image Book for Life, shares her wisdom on building a healthier relationship with your body. Drawing on nearly three decades of research into body image and eating behaviors, Dr. Markey offers practical tips for navigat...

Sam and Ashley are back with Season 7, tackling an essential yet often overlooked topic: managing chronic health conditions alongside an eating disorder. From autoimmune issues and celiac disease to food allergies, these challenges are tough enough on their own—but when paired with an active eating disorder, navigating food can become even more complex. Conflicting messages about nutrition may lea...

In this week’s episode, Ashley and Sam speak with Renfrew alum, farmer, and chef Kate Spurlock. Kate’s journey to recovery may feel familiar to those who have experienced bumps in the road. However, her unique healing process began when she joined a farming community one summer, gaining a fresh perspective on her relationship with food. In this episode, you’ll encounter a mixture of sadness, despe...

It is estimated that nearly 80% of individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Kate Funk (she/her), a licensed marriage and family therapist, joins Ashley and Sam in this episode to discuss her journey of navigating both her eating disorder and trauma. She also shares insights from her years of dedicated and targeted work as a ther...

On this episode of All Bodies. All Foods., Ashley and Sam sit down with Laura Maalouf, a multifaceted individual who had previously battled Atypical Anorexia and recently published a self-help journal Not Sick Enough: Atypical Anorexia. Laura’s story is one of frustration, resilience, and continued growth; her struggles were minimized, misunderstood, and misdiagnosed every time she reached out for...

Anxiety. Have you heard of it? This tricky little emotion can often precede an eating disorder and follow it into recovery. In the world of eating disorders, anxiety can show up in so many instances including food choices, body image and appearance, social connections, esteem, and so much more. Our guest today is Francesca Emma, a Specialist and Therapist based in New York, who has spent her entir...

Can a simple folktale help heal our relationship with food? Can an ancient legend change how we approach our emotions? Can a story help us access our intuition? The wise and wonderful Dr. Anita Johnston, Ph. D., a pioneer in the field of eating psychology and author of Eating in the Light of the Moon, answers these questions for us in this illuminating episode. Dr. Johnston teaches us how to see r...

Ivy Felicia, The Body Relationship® Coach, joins Ashley and Sam on this week’s episode for an inspiring conversation about unlearning harmful body image messages and creating space for peace. A Certified Holistic Wellness Coach and Body Image Expert, Ivy shares her personal journey through body awareness, body sadness, body acceptance, and body peace. Her story will resonate with anyone curious ab...

If you have a child who is battling an eating disorder, you know how challenging the road to recovery can be. Many parents wrestle with their own emotions and may feel lost and alone throughout the process. Our guest today, Jane Reagan, RDN, CEDS-C, MEd knows firsthand the panic a parent can feel when their child is diagnosed with an eating disorder. She developed a comprehensive online program ti...

As we approach the Renfrew Center Foundation’s 34th conference, Sam, Ashley, and featured guest Dr. Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C reflect on what they’ve learned and how they’ve grown after years of attending this amazing event. Find out whose talk moved Dr. Smith to tears, get a glimpse of her on-demand workshop, and a take a sneak peek into this year’s highly anticipated keynote speakers.   ...

Ashley and Sam are back for Season 6 of All Bodies. All Foods.! This season will explore various recovery stories, starting with Renfrew Alum and ANAD mentor, Alexiss Audrey. In this episode, Alexiss opens up about navigating relationships and dating during her recovery journey. She shares how becoming an ANAD mentor has supported her own healing process, highlighting the vulnerability required to...

In this follow-up episode, Ashley, Sam, and Angela continue their discussion about recovering from eating disorders during the postpartum period. They talk about body image issues, the pressure to "bounce back," and the importance of family support. We want birthing individuals and their partners to know that we see you, we hear you, and we are here to support you. Be sure to check out Part 1 for...

Romantic relationships can be a vital source of support, connection, and healing in eating disorder recovery. Often, significant others are invited into therapy to learn how to support their loved ones, communicate with compassion, and validate their emotions. But what actually happens in these joint sessions? What skills and tools do therapists provide to help partners strengthen their bond and n...

Author of the groundbreaking memoir, “Not All Black Girls Know How to Eat: A Story of Bulimia”, Stephanie Covington Armstrong joins Sam and Ashley to share her inspiring recovery story. A survivor of childhood trauma, poverty, foster care, and food insecurity, Stephanie developed symptoms of bulimia to escape the unbearable pain buried in her past. By leaning into the hard emotional work, facing s...

We are excited to present this episode featuring Angela Kaloudis, LMHC, PMH-C, Clinical Training Specialist at The Renfrew Center. Angela delves into the connection between the postpartum period and eating disorder recovery. In this episode, we explore the perinatal and postpartum stages for birthing individuals. Angela also explains various postpartum diagnoses, including Postpartum Anxiety and P...

Eating disorders rarely travel alone. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder also known as OCD is a common co-occurring diagnosis that can make eating disorder recovery and treatment both challenging and complex. Why do these disorders tend to co-exist and how do we treat both at the same time? Join us for this educational discussion with Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C (she/her) where she challenges ster...

Radically Open – Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) has been highly praised for its ability to support and educate individuals with over-control personality traits. This can include those experiencing social isolation, poor interpersonal functioning, and mental health issues such as anorexia nervosa, autism spectrum disorders, chronic depression, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. I...