Food Junkies Podcast

In this powerful and deeply nuanced episode, Dr. Vera Tarman and Molly Painschab welcome back Dr. David Wiss to explore one of the most important—and often misunderstood—topics in the field: the intersection of food addiction and eating disorders. With his unique background in both nutrition and public health, Dr. Wiss walks us through the historical divide between the food addiction and eating di...

In this powerful episode of Food Junkies , we dive deep into the intersection of food insecurity and food addiction with special guest Dr. Lindsey Parnarouskis . Dr. Parnarouskis, a researcher specializing in food addiction and public health, shares groundbreaking insights on how socioeconomic factors and access to food impact addiction-like eating behaviors. From her research at the Food and Addi...

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Food Junkies, CJ sits down with her friend and colleague, Sharon Gregg, to explore Sharon's deeply personal story of food addiction and recovery. From childhood dreams of streets paved with chocolate to decades of yo-yo dieting and the relentless voice of sugar calling her name, Sharon's story is one many will find achingly familiar. Sharon opens up abo...

In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast , Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with Dr. Donald Weaver, a world-renowned expert on Alzheimer's disease, its causes, and its treatment. Dr. Weaver, a Canadian neurologist, chemist, and researcher at the University of Toronto, has made significant contributions to our understanding of cognitive diseases, particularly Alzheimer's. His groundbreaking work suggests...

Hosts Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab explore the critical theme of belonging in recovery. They discuss the concept of "othering"—feeling unseen, unheard, or misunderstood—and its deep impact on individuals in their healing journeys. The episode is framed around a powerful quote from George Orwell about the loneliness of being misunderstood, setting the stage for a rich discussion on attachme...

In this episode, we welcome back Nick Norwitz for Part 2 of our deep dive into metabolism, food addiction, and dietary nuances. We cover everything from broken metabolisms to the role of hormones in weight regulation, the impact of glycemic load, and the ongoing debate about fruit, dairy, olive oil, and the carnivore diet. If you've ever wondered about food science versus food fear-mongering, this...

In this compelling episode of Food Junkies , we welcome Dr. Nick Norwitz , a researcher, educator, and metabolic health advocate whose mission is to "Make Metabolic Health Mainstream." Dr. Norwitz, a  valedictorian from Dartmouth , PhD in Metabolism from  Oxford , and  an MD candidate at Harvard Medical School , shares his journey with severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This  struggle led him to d...

In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast , Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with Dr. Jon Davis, a principal investigator on the study  Changes in Alcohol Use After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery . Dr. Davis is a principal scientist at Nova Nordisk, where he researches how gut-brain signaling mechanisms regulate appetite and metabolic disorders. His work explores the neurobiological connections between o...

In this episode, we dive into a hot topic in the world of Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) Use Disorder — Harm Reduction. This concept, widely recognized in substance use recovery, has been largely undefined or misunderstood in the food addiction space. Today, we explore: What is harm reduction? How does it work in food addiction recovery? Who might benefit from harm reduction strategies? Practical ways...

Dr. Kim Dennis returns to the Food Junkies Podcast to discuss the evolving understanding of Ultra-Processed Food Use Disorder (UPFUD) and its intersection with clinical psychiatry, eating disorders, trauma, and harm reduction approaches. With mounting research pointing to the undeniable effects of ultra-processed foods on mental and physical health, Dr. Dennis provides insight into how treatment f...

In this compelling episode of the Food Junkies Podcast , we welcome Michael Prager, author of Fat Boy, Thin Man and Sustainable You . Michael shares his transformative journey from struggling with food addiction and obesity to becoming an accomplished author, journalist, and advocate for food addiction recognition. With over 30 years of journalistic experience, including 14 years at the Boston Glo...

Today, we are thrilled to have Dr. Marty Lerner return to the podcast. Dr. Lerner is the Executive Director of the Milestones in Recovery Eating Disorders Program and a licensed, board-certified clinical psychologist. He has been a pioneering voice in understanding the complex overlap between eating disorders, food addiction, and the emerging use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. His insights have been...

Today, we have the honor of welcoming Adele to the podcast—a truly remarkable individual with a unique talent for exploring the contours of her inner world. Adele's gift for deep self-reflection allows her to navigate her emotions and motivations with a gentle, curious approach, inspiring creativity and uncovering possibilities that many of us might overlook. What makes Adele's story even more com...

In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast , Dr. Vera Tarman sits down with Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett, a Stanford-trained neurologist and migraine expert with over 30 years of experience. Dr. Barrett shares her professional insights and personal journey with migraines, exploring their genetic basis, root causes, and treatment options. This comprehensive conversation covers everything from diet and...

Episode Highlights: Happy New Year from Molly and Clarissa! 🎉 A discussion on their focus words for 2025: Flourishing (Clarissa) and  Emanation (Molly). Reflections on how these guiding concepts shape their personal and professional goals for the new year. Main Topic: Slips vs. Recurrence in Recovery Clarifying terminology: Slip, lapse, recurrence, and relapse—what they mean and why language matt...

In this episode, CJ sits down with Sarah Hood, a Community Nurse from England, to explore her journey into the field of Ultra-Processed Food Addiction. With over 25 years of medical experience across England, Italy, Belgium, Kuwait, and Dubai, Sarah has witnessed countless patients struggling with food-related behaviors while also battling her own challenges with sugar dependency. Sarah shares the...

Building on the foundation laid in Part 1, Dr. Padda explains how understanding and addressing meta-inflammation can unlock new pathways for treatment and recovery. Dr. Padda is a board-certified expert in anesthesiology, interventional pain, addiction, obesity, chronic pain, and metabolic health. His comprehensive knowledge bridges cutting-edge science and practical solutions for food addiction r...

In this insightful episode, Dr. Vera Tarman and Molly Painschab sit down with Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda to explore the fascinating concept of meta-inflammation and its role in chronic pain, obesity, and addiction. Dr. Padda shares his unique journey and extensive expertise in addressing metabolic dysfunction and inflammation through a sound nutritional approach. Episode Highlights Understanding Met...

In this heartfelt and enlightening conversation, we sit down with Dr. Rhona Epstein, a licensed psychologist, food addiction counselor, and author, to explore the intricacies of food addiction recovery. Dr. Rhona shares her personal journey from battling bulimia and food addiction as a teenager to finding recovery and dedicating her life to helping others overcome similar struggles. With deep vuln...

In this powerful episode of the Food Junkies podcast, host CJ Nguy sits down with Samantha Wendt, a Certified Master Herbalist and Certified Food Addiction Mentor, to discuss her incredible journey of recovery. Samantha opens up about her struggles with bullying, trauma, and sugar addiction and how these challenges impacted her health and well-being. Through holistic healing, spiritual growth, and...

This week on Clinicians Corner, Molly and Clarissa are diving into one of the most challenging times of the year for anyone in food addiction recovery: the holidays. With family pressures, social obligations, travel stress, and tempting food everywhere, it can feel overwhelming. But don't worry, we've got strategies to help you thrive this season!   🎧 Catch Key Takeaways: • Boundary Scripts: Lear...

Dr. Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC, is an adjunct professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). He has led numerous research studies investigating the effects of diet on diabetes, body weight, and chronic pain, including a groundbreaking study of dietary interventions in type 2 diabetes, funded by...

In this epsiode CJ interviews Alicea about her journey in food addiction and recovery. Alecia is a free spirit with an authentic and infectious energy. Her genuine nature draws people in, and her unwavering support makes them an invaluable mentor. Alecia's unique perspective and creative approach to life inspire those around them to embrace their true selves. With a heart full of compassion and a...

Shelly-Anne McKay Shelly-Anne McKay is a Master Certified Coach and Food Addiction Specialist with over 30 years of experience in coaching and recovery. After overcoming addictions to substances and ultra-processed foods, she founded Soul Sisters United, a global recovery platform, and developed a certification program for food addiction coaches. Passionate about empowering individuals and trainin...

Dr. Olivardia is a clinical psychologist, lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Clinical Associate at McLean Hospital. He maintains a private practice in Lexington, MA, where he specializes in the treatment of ADHD, executive functioning issues, and issues that face students with learning differences. He is a recognized expert in the treatment of body dysmorphic di...