Understanding Disordered Eating: For anyone whose relationship with food feels harder than it should

If you've ever talked about eating disorders for more than five seconds, someone always drops the classic line: "It's not about the food; it's about control." Boom. Case closed, right? Well, not exactly. Because what does that even mean? Control over what? Your body? Your feelings? Your life? And why does control even matter so much? That's where things get interesting. So today, we're getting int...

Alright, let's talk about self-esteem. Have you ever felt like you're just one awkward social interaction away from a full-blown identity crisis? Like, one unanswered text, one awkward pause in a conversation, or one unliked Instagram post, and suddenly you're spiraling into, "Does anyone even like me?" Well, welcome to the club—it's a big one. In this episode, I'm talking about self-esteem: what...

Have you ever felt that tiny bit of excitement about breaking a "food rule?" Like finally getting your hands on the "forbidden" chocolate cake, only to inhale half of it and immediately promise yourself you'll "be good" tomorrow? Yeah, we've all been there. But what if that intense food drama could just… disappear? No guilt, no shame, no last-supper mentality—just food, doing what food is supposed...

Many often question whether they're "sick enough" or feel like their struggles don't fit into a neat little box. So let's talk about it. This week, we're diving into why eating disorders are way more complex than the labels we slap on them—and why real recovery requires thinking outside the diagnosis. Tweetable Quotes "It is impossible to focus on just symptom reduction and not the bigger picture...

In this episode, we're diving headfirst into practical tools to deal with dissociation —the kind of techniques that are handy to have when you feel like your brain and body feel like they're speaking two different languages. Tweetable Quotes "Dissociation is just sort of like what it sounds like: dissociated from whatever's going on." - Rachelle Heinemann "Our bodies hold everything in that is imp...

The media often portrays eating disorders as affecting ultra-thin, hospital-bed-bound college girls. While this happens, it's not the majority of what we mean when we say someone struggles with an "eating disorder." In this episode, I'm talking about how the media's (and beyond) portrayal is not only wildly inaccurate but also dangerously misleading. That "sick enough" myth? It's real. And let's b...

Picture this: you're 18, your body is one way. Then you blink, and suddenly you're navigating a new shape, new rules, and oh, a closet that betrays you every step of the way. What gives? Hormones give, my friend. And they're running the show. Today's episode is the reality check you might be looking for.  In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Esther Rollhous, She's a reproductive psychiatrist who's h...

Welcome to 2025, where we're leaving behind unrealistic New Year's resolutions and that tired idea that confidence is about power poses and pretending to have your life together - cause it's not. We're throwing out the idea that confidence is some sort of performance art and instead diving into the real deal: confidence as resilience.  Tweetable Quotes "Confidence itself is not showy. It is feelin...

In this episode, I'm diving into what actually builds confidence: relationships. Real ones. Consistent, validating, non-judgy, "I-got-you" type of relationship. The kind that reminds you you're worthy, even when you're sporting your least flattering sweatpants. Confidence isn't flashy or loud. Sometimes, the most confident person in the room is the quiet one. (Let that one marinate.) Tweetable Quo...

You know that feeling when a conversation veers off the rails, but you can't look away because the train wreck is oddly fascinating? Yeah, we're about to do that—but in a way that will make you think, "Wait, why aren't more people talking about this?" In this episode, I'm joined by Jenna Hollenstein. Together, we're talking about what's happening in the field, how we navigate division, and what it...

What happens when "just eat" isn't the solution, and the stakes are literally life or death? Picture this: you're at the dinner table. Your teenager is glaring at you like you've personally served up their worst nightmare—maybe broccoli, maybe a slice of pizza, who knows? They shout, "You're ruining my life!" Meanwhile, you're just trying to figure out if this counts as "parenting" or if you're st...

Body image is one of the most overused but essential topics in mental health. So why does poor body image seem to be the last clingy guest at the recovery party, the one who refuses to take a hint and just leave? Sure, changing your body might give you a short-term confidence boost, but once that "ideal" inevitably slips away, so does that fragile confidence. Turns out, there's no quick fix here....

Body size does NOT equal health status. Let's be real: there's a lot of confusion surrounding weight, health, and chronic illnesses like diabetes and PCOS. And if you're like me, you're probably tired of hearing the same old, tired advice. There are so many mixed messages when it comes to health and body size. Especially this myth that being in a larger body means you're unhealthy.  Tweetable Quot...

Tweetable Quotes "It's pretty rare to find a doctor who practices from a weight-inclusive perspective." - Rachelle Heinemann   "Obesity stigma is extremely common in healthcare settings. People with larger bodies like consistently in research study after research study say, that healthcare settings are some of the most stigmatizing places that they go." - Dr. Mara Gordon   "Even the American Medic...

If you've ever stood on the brink of a party, heart racing, contemplating whether to take the plunge into a sea of social awkwardness, you're in good company. I mean, who doesn't love the thrill of risking utter humiliation over finger foods and small talk, right? Spoiler alert: I don't. In this episode, I'm unpacking the intricacies of anxiety around social situations, recovery, and all those del...

Whether you are active on social media or not, it's probably had an impact on your life in one way or another. Let's be honest—most of us have a love-hate relationship with it, and it's the same story when it comes to how it impacts our relationship with food and body image. But, hey, why delete Instagram when you can just add more stress to your life, right? In this episode, I'm joined by Lily Th...

Stop caring what others think about you. Now that I've got your attention, let me back up. We've all been there—so consumed by "what will they think?" that we lose sight of what we think. But if there is one thing I've learned, it's that trying to please everyone just makes you boring.  Tweetable Quotes "It's not necessarily about caring less because there's no magic in that. It's how do we care j...

ADHD + a complicated relationship with food = a recipe for disaster. Am I right? If you've ever found yourself forgetting key ingredients at the grocery store or using snacks to calm your brain from its chaotic circus act. If you're nodding along and thinking, "Yep, that's me," then listen up. In this episode, I'm joined by Brittany Modell, a registered dietitian and certified intuitive eating cou...

Flashback to your teenage years. What a blissful, uncomplicated time... said no one ever. Adolescence can be a confusing time—so confusing, in fact, that most of us can't even make sense of our own teenage years even as adults. Prevention happens during these years, and because of that they are complicated. But here's the thing: preventing eating disorders, or at least minimizing the chances, is m...

Calling moms everywhere: if you have ever found yourself standing in front of the fridge, starving but too tired to decide between a sandwich or just grabbing the entire pint of ice cream, then stick with me, because I'm talking to you. Mom life is amazing (read: exhausting). But let's be real, it's all about balancing both motherhood and a healthy relationship with food. Spoiler alert: it's not a...

Are eating disorders actually a type of addiction? It's easy to think of eating disorders as, well, a disorder. But when we start to really dive into the nitty gritty, are they actually considered an addiction? In today's episode, I am joined by Iris Epstein. Since 2004, Iris Epstein RD, CDCES, CEDS-S, CAI has focused her career on eating disorder awareness, treatment, family coaching, and interve...

How do we challenge cultural norms when society has a strong perception of how things "should" be? Cultural and environmental factors undeniably influence our understanding and experience of our relationship with food and our bodies. But, let's reconsider them. This is an opportunity to examine how our personal, professional, and political actions can drive meaningful change. This exploration blen...

The idea of eating disorder treatment can feel very overwhelming. If you aren't sure where to start, then this episode is for you. Think of it as your crash course—because who doesn't love a good cliff notes version? When it comes to eating disorder treatment, building an outpatient team (if we've excluded higher level of care for now) is probably the most important factor; the indispensable trio...

How many old wives' tales have you heard about nutrition and fertility? More importantly, how often have doctors told you that intentional weight loss will miraculously improve your IVF outcomes? If you're even slightly "overweight" and experiencing fertility issues, it's common for doctors to subtly (or not so subtly) suggest you "lose a little weight" as a solution. In this episode, I'm joined b...

Have you ever noticed how sometimes substance use and eating disorders are intertwined? It turns out, these issues like to hang out together more often than not, complicating treatment and recovery. So, why do we keep these so separate in our conversations? There's this illusion that some people can juggle their substance use with such precision. Spoiler alert: it's not as glamorous as it sounds....