The Jots of Becoming with Lucie Waldman

Join Karin alongside Lucie Waldman, author of “The Jots of Becoming: A Journey of Hope and Recovery,” where she offers readers narratives and insights after fully recovering from Anorexia Nervosa. Lucie includes recovery pieces that intersect with the Jewish holidays and considers herself a Jewish recovery advocate. She is passionate about being part of the change of the recovery community and hopes to inspire others that full recovery is possible.

Together, Karin and Lucie talk about sharing your recovery experience, the harm in labeling clients, finding ways to recover “differently,” dietary restrictions in Judaism, the medical dangers in relapse and recovery, recovery communities, how Lucie uses her Instagram platform to create a supportive and healing environment, and much more!

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Nourishing Your Relationship with Food with Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S, Fiaedp, FADA, FAND

Join Karin alongside Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S, Fiaedp, FAND. Elyse is nationally known for her work in helping patients break free from diet culture through the Intuitive Eating process and she is the co-author of “Intuitive Eating,” a revolutionary book and movement now in its fourth edition.

Together, we talk about the Intuitive Eating Principles, changing the narrative of how we relate to food and body, diet culture’s oppressive messages, the harm of weight stigma, and instinct and emotional states compared to our belief systems (and much more).

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Two Queer Perspectives on Eating Disorder Recovery with thirdwheelED

Join Karin alongside thirdwheelED co-creators Jamie (OJ) Bushell and Jamie Dannenberg, MS, RDN, LDN as they share their insights and perspectives into eating disorder treatment and recovery within the LGBTQIA+ community.

thirdwheelED is a social media advocacy platform that strives to increase the visibility of how eating disorders and other mental illnesses disproportionately impact LGBTQIA+ communities as well as raise awareness of nontraditional caregivers who support folks in ED recovery.

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[Repost] Wasted and the Phenomenon of the Trainwreck Girl with Marya Hornbacher

As we get closer to end of our first season of Recovery Bites, we decided to share a previous episode that listeners may have missed. It is an honor to announce the re-release our twenty third episode, “Wasted and the Phenomenon of the Trainwreck Girl with Marya Hornbacher."

Join us as Marya candidly reveals the motives and controversy behind the raw, graphic nature of "Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia." In addition, Marya and I discuss the invasiveness and unintentional/intentional “glamorization” of eating disorders in the media, the line between being “triggered” and being an educated consumer, how recovery is “messy,” the roles of self in the process of healing, how Marya incorporates the Twelve Step model in her recovery and current life, and much more. This is a must-listen!

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Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life with Tabitha Farrar

I am so excited to welcome Tabitha Farrar to the show for “Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life,” our newest episode of Recovery Bites. Join us as we discuss addressing the recovery obstacle of processing through the “scary stuff,” underestimating eating disorders and the people who have them, finding hope for someone else’s recovery, residential treatment as a starting point and necessary part of the recovery process, the small steps one needs to take to make bigger strides, common eating disorder misconceptions, and much more!

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The Body Is Not an Apology with Sonya Renee Taylor

In all of my years of being recovered, no one had ever uttered the words that I truly felt in my eating disorder until, Sonya Renee Taylor. Upon reading the title of her book, “The Body Is Not an Apology” my experience of suffering had become encapsulated in a way I didn’t think existed. Recording this episode with Sonya was (and is) one of the greatest gifts I’ve received as being a recovered person, and I am so proud to share her voice and wisdom, and so grateful that I no longer have to apologize for being me.

In celebration of our fiftieth episode of Recovery Bites, I am absolutely honored to welcome author, poet, and teacher, Sonya Renee Taylor, to the show for “The Body is Not an Apology”. Join us as we discuss the unique paths to liberation, our innate relationship with our body (and the bodies of others), living/existing/surviving/thriving in a society that profits from body-mind disconnect, internalizing radical self-love, dismantling the systems within ourselves, oppressive messages of “better” bodies, the Body-Shame Profit Complex, advocating and rebalancing oppressive systems through community building, and much more!

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The Language of Recovery with Carmen Cool, MA, LPC

 
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Episode 46 -
The Language of Recovery with Carmen Cool, MA, LPC

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

This week, I am joined by Carmen Cool, MA, LPC, a politicized therapist, educator, speaker, and activist helping people heal their relationships with food and their bodies. For the past 20 years, Carmen has been working to dismantle diet culture, support the next generation of body liberation leaders, and shift the psychotherapy profession toward justice. She has also started and run a nonprofit, created youth programs, and speaks internationally on Health At Every Size ®, feminism and eating disorders, and weight stigma.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Owning and respecting oneself despite what other people think.

  • Recovering from an eating disorder vs recovering from weight stigma.

  • How personal views can change over time.

  • Doing “whatever it takes” to heal from an eating disorder.

  • Who decides what “recovered” looks like?

  • There is no “one-size-fits-all” eating disorder or recovery and the paths are unique to the individual.

  • Challenging and embracing anger

  • How meeting societal expectations/misconceptions can be an achievement when one is in their eating disorder.

  • The diagnostic criteria used by insurance companies as a contributing factor to weight stigma.

  • Believing in the healing and preventative strength of activism.

  • Looking at how outside influences affect one’s relationship to their body.


ABOUT CARMEN COOL:

Carmen Cool, MA, LPC is a politicized therapist, educator, speaker, & activist helping people heal their relationships with food and their bodies. For the past 20 years, Carmen has been working to dismantle diet culture, support the next generation of body liberation leaders, and shift the psychotherapy profession toward justice. She has also started and run a nonprofit, created youth programs, and speaks internationally on Health At Every Size ®, feminism and eating disorders, and weight stigma. Carmen served as the Board President of the Association for Size Diversity and Health, was named “Most Inspiring Individual” in Boulder, Colorado, and was the recipient of the Excellence in Eating Disorder Advocacy Award in Washington, DC.


CONNECT WITH CARMEN COOL:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Bodies Aren't a Trend with Christina Grasso

 
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Episode 44 - Bodies Aren't a Trend with Christina Grasso

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

This week we welcome Christina Grasso, also known by the nickname ‘The Pouf,” writer, digital creator, eating disorder advocate, and bad-ass woman. In addition to her professional roles, Christina is also the co-founder of the non-profit peer support network, The Chain. The Chain is aimed at women in the fashion and entertainment industry struggling with eating disorders and was partially inspired by Christina’s own recovery journey from anorexia, which she has dealt with for nearly 20 years.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • The heightened challenges faced for those struggling with an eating disorder in the fashion and entertainment industry.

  • The fear that an eating disorder is necessary to succeed and stay relevant within the industry.

  • How The Chain is responsibly addressing the heightened triggers that come with being in the fashion industry.

  • Answering the question of how to not let an eating disorder strip you of a fulfilling career.

  • Body diversity and the importance of young consumers seeing bodies that look like their own.

  • How recovery success rates increase when treatment is sought sooner rather than later.

  • The ways in which the notion of not being "sick enough" can transform into unhealthy eating disorder “goals.”

  • Challenging the barriers to recovery due to loss of structure and connection during the pandemic.

ABOUT CHRISTINA GRASSO :

Christina Grasso is a writer, digital creator, and eating disorder advocate. Over the past decade, she has worked with top fashion and beauty brands including Chanel, Cynthia Rowley, Dermstore, Oscar de la Renta, Reebok, Yves Saint Laurent, and more, and is currently represented by Wilhelmina Models’ influencer board.

In addition to her professional work, Christina is the co-founder of The Chain, a 501c3 non-profit peer-support network for women in fashion and entertainment coping with eating disorders. The Chain was partially inspired by her own recovery from anorexia, which she has dealt with for nearly 20 years.

Christina graduated in 2011 from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN, with concentrations in Communication and Italian. She lives in Manhattan with her cat, Stevie Nicks.

CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA GRASSO:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

KEEP LISTENING BELOW

LISTEN TO OUR OTHER EPISODES
BIPoC Eating Disorders Conference 2023 with Whitney Trotter and Angela Goens

This week, Karin welcomes Whitney Trotter and Angela Goens, in, "BIPoC Eating Disorders Conference 2023."

“Black, Brown, and Indigenous People of Color have often been excluded from eating disorder treatment, employment, advocacy, and research. If treatment is able to be accessed it often leaves out the intersection of one’s identity, culture and trauma.”

Designed to disrupt and dismantle the status quo for eating disorder care, Whitney Trotter and Angela Goens will be hosting the second BIPoC Virtual Eating Disorder Conference July 19th through July 22, 2023, for Black, Indigenous, and any Person of Color (PoC).

Register here and follow @bipoc.eatingdisorders for updates.

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Acting Towards Our Values with Kaitlin Shimer, MSW, LCSW

This week, Karin welcomes Kaitlin Shimer, MSW, LCSW, eating disorder therapist at KLEDC, to the show for, "Acting Towards Our Values."

Join us as we explore the false belief that multiple treatment stays are an indicator of helplessness, the intersection of eating disorders, ADHD, and substance abuse, peer-to-peer healing, the complexities of eating disorder recovery and food allergies, the function of avoidance, “symptom swapping,” the benefit of Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT), and much more.

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The Space Between with Kate Kendall

This week, Karin welcomes Kate Kendall, one of Australia’s most well-respected yoga teachers, to the show for, "The Space Between."

Join us for a discussion on the ways eating disorders weave through one’s life, little T trauma vs big T trauma, how shame can leave one imprisoned, the healing that comes with sharing shame, the difference between being “well” and being “healthy,” the innate need for support and connection, and much more.

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Words to Eat By with Karen R Koenig, LCSW, MEd

This week, Karin welcomes Karen R. Koenig, LCSW, MEd, psychotherapist, international, award-winning 8-book author, and popular blogger, to the show for, "Words to Eat By."

Join us for a discussion on courage and perseverance in recovery, external motivators and internal motivators, the notion of “wanting” and the challenges it can pose for those with eating disorders, the concepts of “reality” and “recall,” the importance of finding a sense of self in recovery, self-care vs self-caring and much more!

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Dropping Into Your Body with Jessica Grosman, MS, RD, LDN, RYT-500

This week, Karin welcomes Jessica Grosman, MS, RD, LDN, RYT-500, Registered Dietitian, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and Yoga Teacher, to the show for, "Dropping Into Your Body."

Tune in for a discussion on the shift from disordered eating to an eating disorder, the challenges that arise when disengaging from dieting, identifying disordered eating in a diet-focused culture, how yoga is more than a physical practice, the importance of self-compassion, the BYB model, and more!

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The Art of Untangling with Emma Moody

This week, Karin welcomes Emma Moody, eating disorder recovery coach, to the show for, "The Art of Untangling."

Tune in for a discussion on choices rooted in self-hatred and limitations versus choices rooted in healing, disambiguating your illness from yourself, self-empowerment goals, sifting through the messiness in recovery, how body standards create mistrust in ourselves, the entertainment industry’s body standards, acting and art in recovery, and more!

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Joyful Movement with Courtney Gioia

This week, Karin welcomes Courtney Gioia, mindset and body image coach, to the show for, "Joyful Movement."

Tune in to learn the meaning of Loyobo, taking off the pressure of fitness, the ways poor body image messages are relayed to children, exercise as “punishment,” the notion that being smaller makes one desirable, defining body positivity, how movement is not “one size fits all,” and more.

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Skin Hunger with Melissa A. Fabello, PhD

This week, Karin welcomes Melissa A. Fabello, PhD, board-certified life coach specializing in sex and relationships, to the show for, ”Skin Hunger.”

Tune in for a discussion on the intersection of eating disorders and sexuality, how a woman’s sexuality is “stolen” from them, restricting sexuality, understanding the full-scope of sexuality in client work, the Five Circles of sexuality, touch at all ages, the concept of Skin Hunger, political values, and more!

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The Intuitive Eating Mama with Jennifer DAmato

This week, Karin welcomes Jennifer DAmato, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and coach, to the show for, ”The Intuitive Eating Mama.”

Tune in for a discussion on how diet culture imprisons society, the dangers of marketing healing as “health and wellness”, eating disorders and sex drive, raising intuitive eating children, the implications of the “clean your plate” method, allowing unconditional permission to eat, removing food and diet talk, especially around children, and much more.

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A Recipe for Loving Yourself with Rachel Harvest, MS, RDN, CDN

This week, Karin welcomes Rachel Harvest, MS, RDN, CDN, registered dietitian, behavioral health specialist, personal coach, and pilates apparatus instructor, to the show for, ”A Recipe for Loving Yourself”

Listen to a discussion on the four pillars of “self” that comprise The Harvest Method, the role of connecting to and understanding self on the healing journey, shifting from “not/either” to “both/and” to achieve balanced living, self-empowering through “I don’t know,” Project: Love, Me, one mindedness versus multitasking, growing up in ballet and the culture that comes with, and much more.

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Eating Disorder Hope with Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC

This week, Karin welcomes Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC, president, founder, and licensed therapist, to the show for, ”Eating Disorder Hope”

Listen for a discussion on finding meaning in suffering, what happens when one’s external image does not align with their internal sense of self, ways to feel “whole” even when others do not acknowledge it, treating eating disorders and substance abuse simultaneously, the changing family dynamic, how to recognize strides towards recovery, and more!

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You Have the Right to Remain Fat with Virgie Tovar

This week, Karin welcomes Virgie Tovar, author, lecturer, and leading expert on weight-based discrimination and body positivity, to the show for, ”You Have the Right to Remain Fat.”

Tune in for a discussion on fat discrimination and oppression from diet culture, dissecting the meaning of fat phobia, weight discrimination facts, the ways body size shapes gender roles and stigma, self-hatred as a barrier to finding self-love, recovering from fat phobia in a culture steeped in stigma, keeping hope of recovery in the face the limitations of society, behind-the-scenes of her 2018 TedX talk, and more!

Begin your healing journey with Karin and her team now!

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Harm-Reduction Education Isn't Optional with Gloria Lucas

This week, Karin welcomes Gloria Lucas, eating disorder awareness activist and founder of Nalgona Positivity Pride, to the show for our newest episode, ”Harm-reduction Education Isn't Optional”

Tune in to for a discussion on how the BIPOC community is left out of ED treatment and access, the strategies of harm-reduction aimed to reduce negative consequences, how harm-reduction offers safety, challenging the realities of one’s political and values system, harm-reduction as a tool for radical love for and from the community, reducing the stigma of harm-reduction through medical literacy and advocacy, the Eating Disorder Harm-Reduction Course, and more!

Begin your healing journey with Karin and her team now!

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Recovery Bite No. 4 & Release Update

This week, join Karin for Bite No. 4 where she speaks to listeners about New Year’s Resolutions.

Resolve, relapse, repeat, continue.
Sounds like an eating disorder, doesn’t it?

We also wanted listeners to know that we will be taking a break from new releases during the month of January. We will be returning with new episodes, great guests, more bites, beginning Monday, February 06, 2023.

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Person-Centered Recovery with Andy Williams, LMFT, MBA

This week, Karin sits down with Andy Williams, LMFT, MBA in our newest episode, ”Person-Centered Recovery.”

Tune in to for a discussion on receiving care from a provider without lived-experience, the influence of a male provider, harnessing one’s inner power, finding balance in recovery, and human first, therapist second therapy practice.

Begin your healing journey with Karin and her team now!

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Relational Ramblings with CALM Counseling

This week, Karin sits down with Vanessa Scaringi, PhD, CEDS and Kathryn Garland, LCSW-S, co-owners of CALM Counseling, Austin, in our newest episode (and first sprinkle), ”Relational Ramblings.”

Visit keepcalmatx.com and follow @calmcounselingatx on Instagram for more.

Begin your healing journey with Karin and her team now!

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Empowered Recovery with Imogen Barnes

This week, Karin welcomes Imogen Barnes, social work student and advocate, to the show for our newest episode, “Empowered Recovery.”

Tune in to learn about the OCD and eating disorder “perfect storm,” social media triggers, the fat phobic messages regarding weight and medication use, ways to be an active participant in your recovery, finding wholeness outside of the vessel of an eating disorder, overcoming weight biases from a treatment provider, and much more!

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Peeling Back the Layers of Suffering with Jules Xenakis

This week, Karin welcomes Jules Xenakis, transformational recovery coach, to the show for our newest episode, “Peeling Back the Layers of Suffering.”

Tune in to learn about how suffering can be a launch pad for personal growth, finding meaning in suffering, pressures to “grow up” in a competitive environment, allowing space and time to process difficult emotions, the use of psychedelics for healing and creating new neuropathways, and the importance of trust between clients and treatment providers.

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Healing Journey(s) with Tamie Gangloff, MA, MFT

This week, Karin welcomes Tamie Gangloff, MA, MFT, marriage and family therapist and recovery coach specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, addiction and trauma, to the show in our newest episode, “Healing Journey(s).”

Tune in to learn about the intersection of eating disorders, trauma, chronic pain, and substance abuse, the freedom that can come with a diagnosis, sobriety’s role in eating disorder recovery, the importance of safe space to work through trauma, the difference between “body image” and “body image disturbance,” and more!

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Behind the Recovery Bite No. 3

This week, join Karin for Bite No. 3 of her new Q&A series, “Behind the Recovery Bite,” where she addresses listener questions about recovery fatigue and long-term recovery.

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Reclaiming Your Inner Rebel with Lizzy Cangro, MSc, MA, PGCE, ANutr

This week, Karin welcomes Lizzy Cangro MA, MSc, PGCE, ANutr, author, nutritionist, and wellness coach to the show in our newest episode of Recovery Bites, “Reclaiming Your Inner Rebel.”

Tune in to learn about the effects of categorizing food as good or bad, promoting “healthy eating” in school systems, how self-love allows freedom to express emotions, how abstaining from behaviors plays into recovery, osteoporosis, the importance of community in recovery, Lizzy’s book, “Reclaim the Rebel: 12 Rebellious Acts to Achieve Unconditional Love for Your Body,” and more!

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A Journey of Purpose with Melanie C. Klein, M.A.

This week, we welcome Melanie C. Klein, M.A., empowerment coach, respected thought leader and influencer in the areas of body confidence, authentic empowerment, and visibility to the show for, “A Journey of Purpose.”

Tune in to learn about the role of societal power, what it means to have agency, autonomy, and sovereignty of one’s body, yoga and empowerment, body image resilience, media literacy, diversifying media’s narrative, making room for ageism and ableism, and more.

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Do Better with M Reim Ifrach, REAT, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC (they/them)

This week we welcome M Reim Ifrach, REAT, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC (they/them), queer, trans, non-binary, fat, disabled Art Therapist to the show our newest episode, “Do Better.”

Tune in to learn why trans and non-binary people are at a higher risk for developing an eating disorder, the harm caused from traditional treatment centers, the importance of one’s “chosen family,” treatment equity and access, the differences between gender dysphoria and body image distress, why interviewing a provider is an important first step, ways to ensure a protected, safe space for healing, the role of art therapy, and more!

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Behind the Recovery Bite No. 2

This week, join Karin for Bite No. 2 of her new Q&A series, “Behind the Recovery Bite,” where speaks about parenting after recovery and the therapeutic work that starts when behaviors stop.

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More Than a Number with Sierra Bloodgood and Chris Harris of ClearStep

In this episode, Karin welcomes Sierra Bloodgood and Dr. Chris Harris to the show for, “More Than a Number.”

Join Karin, Sierra, and Chris for a conversation on blind vs open weights, accessible alternatives to care, shame as a silencing mechanism, the benefits of virtual treatment, the rise of food insecurity, Sierra’s recovery journey, the ClearStep numberless scale, and more!

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It Was Never About the Cake with Teresa Schmitz, ACC

In this episode, Karin welcomes Teresa Schmitz, ACC, coach, blogger, and author to the show for, “It Was Never About the Cake.”

Join Karin and Teresa for a conversation on societal misconceptions of those living in a larger body, the role of internal and external validation, the harm of feeling like one “failed” a diet, why BMI is not an accurate health measurement, simultaneously moving through recovery and menopause, shifting one’s mindset away from traditional eating disorder diagnosis and stereotypes, Teresa’s motivation and process of publishing her first book, “It Was Never About the Cake,” and more!

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On the Outside Lookin' In with Abby Anderson

In this episode, Karin welcomes back multi-genre, singer-songwriter Abby Anderson to the show for, “On the Outside Lookin' In.”

Join Karin and Abby for a conversation on Abby’s self-growth gained through journal and lyric writing, the ways readiness for recovery presented for Abby, shifting anger to include empathy, the freedom found in feeling emotions, internalizing when something feels right rather than convincing yourself that it is, how accountability can break the suffering of an eating disorder, “Sugar Spice," and more!

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Behind the Recovery Bite No. 1

This week, Karin launches a new addition to the podcast with her first solo episode, “Behind the Recovery Bite.”

Join Karin as she speaks about fasting during and after recovery, religious obligation, trial and error, incorporating our listeners, and how you can be a part of the next Behind the Recovery Bite.

Stay tuned for more interviews with recovered individuals and more “Bites.”

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Limiting Beliefs with Dr. Moreen Rubin

This week, Karin welcomes back Dr. Moreen Rubin (also known as “Dr. Mo”), licensed clinical therapist, eating disorder and trauma specialist to the show for the newest episode of Recovery Bites, “Limiting Beliefs”

Join Karin and Dr. Mo for a conversation on how thoughts can create your identity, where our thoughts derive, creating new thought patterns, the difference between thoughts and beliefs, upgrading our core beliefs, values as an emotional state of being, finding meaning in our values, maladaptive coping strategies, how an eating disorder can “feel” like an identity, and much more.

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Recovering For Our Lives with Megsy Recovery

In this episode, Karin welcomes Meg of Megsy Recovery, eating disorder recovery advocate, YouTuber, and mother, to the show in, “Recovering For Our Lives.”

Join Karin and Meg for a conversation on the focus of CBT-E vs. CBT therapeutic models, pushing past physical discomfort, Meg’s use of mantras to quiet the ED voice, mindfulness practice for slowing impulsivity, facing grief and suffering during the recovery journey, navigating body changes during pregnancy, the importance of understanding body diversity, and much more.

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One Size Does Not Fit All with Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D.

 
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Episode 41 - One Size Does Not Fit All with Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D.

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Associate at McLean Hospital, and Lecturer at Harvard Medical School. His research and clinical focus on eating disorders and body image in males spans over 25 years. He co-authored The Adonis Complex, the first book of its kind detailing various manifestations of body image problems in males. Roberto also specializes in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). He has spoken on numerous podcasts and webinars and presents at many talks and conferences around the country.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • What behaviors and high-risk medical complications look like in males with eating disorders.

  • How the shame attached to the stigma of males with eating disorders often acts as a barrier to receiving support.

  • The difference in timeline and prognosis for males with eating disorders compared to those of females.

  • The drastic, different, and mixed messages males receive from society and the media.

  • How advertising has shifted to extend its reach and messages to the male population.

  • The complexity of ADHD and eating disorders.

  • The lack of (and need for) research dedicated to males with eating disorders.

ABOUT ROBERTO OLIVARDIA:

Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Associate at McLean Hospital, and Lecturer at Harvard Medical School. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he specializes in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), executive functioning issues, and issues that face students with learning differences. Roberto also specializes in the treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and in the treatment of eating disorders in boys and men.

Roberto is co-author of The Adonis Complex, a book that details the various manifestations of body image problems in men. He has appeared in publications such as Time, GQ, and Rolling Stone, and he has been featured on Good Morning America, CNN, and VH1. He has spoken on numerous radio shows, podcasts, and webinars and presents at many talks and conferences around the country.

Roberto currently sits on the Scientific Advisory Board for ADDitude and serves on the Professional Advisory Boards for CHADD, Attention Deficit Disorder Association and the National Association for Males with Eating Disorders. He is a featured expert on Understood and an active member of Decoding Dyslexia–Massachusetts. He is a member of the International OCD Foundation, International Dyslexia Association, Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association, and the American Association of Suicidology.


CONNECT WITH ROBERTO OLIVARDIA:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

MeaningFull Life with Alli Spotts-de Lazzer, LMFT, LPCC, CEDS

 
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Episode 40 - MeaningFull Life with Alli Spotts-de Lazzer, LMFT, LPCC, CEDS

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Alli Spotts-De Lazzer, LMFT, LPCC, CEDS, and a person on the other side of her own decades-long struggle with food battles and body dislike. Alli created #ShakeIt for Self-Acceptance! - a series of public events sparking conversations about body, soul, and self-acceptance through fun, inspiration, and flash mob dance. She is also the author of MeaningFULL: 23 Life-Changing Stories of Conquering Dieting, Weight, & Body Image. Throughout the years, Alli has witnessed firsthand that stories of humanness, joy, inspiration, and hope increase people’s receptivity to both considering change and opening up to education. That motivated her to write MeaningFULL.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Going “within” to find the barriers to self-acceptance.

  • How self-acceptance can be taught through fun.

  • The struggles and triumphs that connect us.

  • The difference between “not fitting in” and holding different values.

  • Recovery is not linear, can take a long time (or not), and relies on consistency.

  • The notion that people crave to be heard, seen, and connected.

  • How anger can be a catalyst for healing.

ABOUT ALLI SPOTTS-DE LAZZER:

After having dealt with her own 20+ years of eating and body issues ranging from mild frustrations to serious eating disorders, Alli Spotts-De Lazzer became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor specializing in eating and body image issues. Eventually, she became a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist—the only nationally recognized designation indicating a specialty in eating disorders.

Alli has been a featured speaker at public events; presented workshops at national and international conferences, graduate schools, clinical training facilities, and hospitals; published articles in trade magazines, online information hubs, and academic journals; and appeared as an eating disorders expert on local news. She has also co-chaired committees for the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp™) and the Academy for Eating Disorders. In 2017, she received the iaedp Member of the Year award.

As far as public activism and advocacy, in 2014, Alli created #ShakeIt for Self-Acceptance! - a series of public events sparking conversations about body, soul, and self-acceptance through fun, inspiration, and flash mob dance. This movement has appeared across America. Highlights include appearing on Capitol Hill and at the Los Angeles Staples Center. July 13, 2017 was recognized as “#ShakeIt for Self-Acceptance! Day” in the City of Los Angeles by Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Throughout the years, Alli has witnessed firsthand that stories of humanness, joy, inspiration, and hope increase people’s receptivity to both considering change and opening up to education. That motivated her to create MeaningFULL.


CONNECT WITH ALLI SPOTTS-DE LAZZER:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Grow Through What You Go Through with Monika Ostroff, LICSW, CEDS-S

 
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Episode 39 - Grow Through What You Go Through with Monika Ostroff, LICSW, CEDS-S

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Monika Ostroff, LICSW, CEDS-S, and Executive Director of Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association Inc (MEDA). Nationally recognized for her 25+ years of experience and contributions to the field of eating disorders, Monika has directed several successful residential, partial hospital, and intensive outpatient eating disorder programs in addition to having owned a thriving private practice. Monika’s passion for treating eating disorders and mentoring other professionals was borne out of her own struggle and full recovery from what today is known as Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • How the recovery journey looks different for everyone.

  • Recovering when professionals label you as “chronic.”

  • How compassion, respect, and empowerment can elicit change.

  • Connecting back to one’s innate, inner wisdom.

  • The need for inclusivity, access, and equality within healthcare.

  • Being seen as a human, not a diagnosis.

  • Finding your voice is your key to recovery.

  • How eating disorders can serve as a “resource” when no other “resources” aren’t available.

ABOUT MONIKA OSTROFF:

Monika Ostroff, MSW, LICSW, CEDS-S is the Executive Director of MEDA, a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to healing, educating, and empowering the community in the fight against eating disorders.

Monika is a therapist, author, and consultant specializing in the fields of eating disorders and substance use disorders. She is nationally recognized for her contributions to the field of eating disorders and their treatment. With expertise in individual, group, and family therapy in both outpatient and hospital settings, Monika has 25 years of experience in the field of eating disorders. Her passion for treating eating disorders and mentoring other professionals was borne out of her own struggle and full recovery from what today is known as Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa.

Prior to joining MEDA, Monika was the Manager of Outpatient Behavioral Health Services at HCA’s Parkland Medical Center where she provided leadership for Reflections Eating Disorders Treatment Center at Parkland Medical Center in Salem, NH; Parkland’s Center for Emotional Wellness Adult Partial Hospital Program and the Behavioral Health Unit’s inpatient Social Work Department. She also assisted in launching the Cambridge Eating Disorder Center of New Hampshire, where she served as their Director. She served as the Clinical Director for R.O.A.D. To A Better Life's nine addiction treatment centers in the state of New Hampshire as well as the Program Director for Hampstead Hospital's Eating Disorder Treatment Center. Additionally, she owned a thriving private practice specializing in eating disorders for many years.

Among her credits, Monika is the co-author of Anorexia Nervosa: A Guide to Recovery, 1999; and a contributing author to both Self-Harm Behavior and Eating Disorders., 2004 and The Thinking Mom's Revolution: Autism Beyond the Spectrum, 2012. She has also authored several well-received essays on the topics of anorexia, bulimia, trauma, and healing. Monika has appeared on several radio and television broadcasts including NPR’s Public Affair and Boston’s WGBH Arts and Ideas. Monika has extensive experience speaking publicly and presenting workshops on eating disorders. She continues to lecture and present at conferences and universities across the country.

Monika strongly believes in providing compassionate care that combines alternative healing with evidence-based modalities. In addition to using meditation, yoga, and essential oils, she is certified in several alternative modalities and has recently teamed up with Dr. Patrick Porter to create an eating disorders recovery support series for the revolutionary BrainTap.

Monika received her BA from Wellesley College and her MSW from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work.


CONNECT WITH MONIKA OSTROFF:

  • Learn more about MEDA’s eating disorder support and recovery services

  • Donate directly and view other ways to support MEDA

  • Follow MEDA on Facebook and Instagram

  • Sign-up for MEDA’s weekly support group and view other events here

  • Tune into MEDA’s IGTV channel on Instagram to view their weekly support series and live recovery chats/interviews.

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Do No Harm, Take No Sh*t with Hannah Chase, MS, LPC

 
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Episode 38 - Do No harm, take no sH*t with Hannah Chase, MS, LPC

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Hannah Chase, MS, LPC, and Be Body Positive Licensed Facilitator. Hannah is a clinician with over two decades of personal experience with eating disorders and mental health. Hannah has conquered several obstacles in her life from sexual assault, domestic violence, family loss, to surviving and recovering from an eating disorder. Recently licensed, Hannah works for a PHP/IOP program for eating disorders located in Wisconsin. Her motivation rests on her personal journey, the treatment soul sisters that she has gained, and by continuing to educate and help those suffering in memory of her treatment peers and friends that she has lost to mental health, addiction and suicide.


SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Genuine connection as a catalyst for authenticity.

  • Breaking down the toxic messages received from the medical community, family, and the media.

  • The harm of using Body Mass Index (BMI) as a tool for diagnosing eating disorders.

  • The importance of being an educated consumer of social media.

  • How eating disorders serve as a protective mechanism for underlying trauma.

  • The long-term health consequences of an eating disorder, even after recovery.

  • The paradigm of health insurance dictating treatment length based on anecdotal, antiquated, and harmful practices.

  • Freeing oneself from the confines of comparison, people-pleasing, fears of rejection, and other underlying barriers to authenticity.

ABOUT HANNAH CHASE:

Hannah has been a longtime advocate for eating disorder awareness and has a unique approach blending both a personal experience and professional insight to recovery. She has participated in several eating disorder walks and community outreach/awareness events in the Upper Peninsula.

Hannah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona in 2013. Thereafter, Hannah graduated with her Master’s degree in counseling from Grand Canyon University in 2018.

Hannah received her LPC-IT in 2018 through the State of Wisconsin. She is currently working towards earning her certification as an eating disorder specialist. Hannah has a wide variety of experience from working with youth involved in the juvenile justice system, group home populations, long term support children and families, those who struggle with mental health concerns, trauma-informed care, and community outreach.

Hannah is passionate about creating a safe space where therapeutic rapport can be developed. She uses an individualized approach when treating eating disorders and incorporates the unique wants and needs that a client desires into the treatment. Hannah knows that recovery is possible, but acknowledges the strength and determination that it takes to reach this milestone.

Hannah is originally from Marquette, MI, enjoys spending time with her children, cycling, watching live music shows, and swimming in Lake Superior.


CONNECT WITH HANNAH CHASE:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Just Tell Her to Stop with Becky Henry, CPCC

 
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Episode 35 - Just Tell Her to Stop with Becky Henry, CPCC

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Becky Henry, an Eating Disorder Parent Coach, Speaker, National Award-Winning Author and Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC). Becky founded Hope Network, LLC in 2003 to change the way parents are supported when caregiving. As a mom & coach who has walked this journey since 2000, she saw a huge gap in supporting families and decided to be the change. Becky's mission is to change the way caregivers are supported and change the standard of care for eating disorders treatment to include caregiver support. Becky is also the author of Just Tell Her To Stop; Family Stories of Eating Disorders.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Changing the standard of care for caregivers and supports.

  • The disservice that caregivers and supports are the "forgotten ones."

  • How supporting someone with an eating disorder can lead to an overwhelming vacuum of emotions.

  • The value of holding a safe space for caregivers to express their emotions.

  • The coexistence of joy and sorrow.

  • The financial impact of eating disorder treatment.

  • How maintaining boundaries keep loved ones safe.

  • The support options available for caregivers with loved ones in need of higher levels of care including interventions.


ABOUT BECKY HENRY:

Becky Henry is an Eating Disorder Parent Coach, Speaker, National Award-Winning Author and Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC). A National Award-Winning Author, Henry first published, Just Tell Her To Stop; Family Stories of Eating Disorders in 2011 to reduce caregiver isolation, expose the reality of eating disorders, and reduce stigma. The Revised Second Edition will be available in ebook and physical format soon.

Becky uses her lived experiences and skills as a Certified, Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) to coach families to let go of fear and panic, tolerate a loved one’s distress, set effective boundaries, and become effective supporters for their loved one in eating disorder recovery.

Becky founded Hope Network, LLC in 2003 to change the way parents are supported when caregiving. As a mom & coach who has walked this journey since 2000, she saw a huge gap in supporting families and decided to be the change. Becky's mission is to change the way caregivers are supported and change the standard of care for eating disorders treatment to include caregiver support.


CONNECT WITH BECKY HENRY:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following @karinlewisedc on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Dismantling Fatphobia with Ragen Chastain

 
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Episode 33 - DISMANTLING FATPHOBIA WITH Ragen Chastain

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode, I am joined by Ragen Chastain. Ragen is a speaker, writer, and thought leader in the fields of Body Image, Health at Every Size, Weight Stigma, and Corporate Wellness. Ragen's depth and breadth of knowledge come from a combination of her personal story of overcoming an eating disorder, her experience as a national dance champion and marathoner, and her training as an ACE Certified Health Coach, Functional Training Specialist, and researcher. Author of the blog danceswithfat.org, the book Fat: The Owner's Manual, and editor of the anthology The Politics of Size, Ragen is frequently featured as an expert in print, radio, television, and documentary film. Her ability to combine humor with hard facts in ways that educate, motivate, and entertain have makes her a sought-after speaker on the collegiate, conference, and corporate circuits.

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • Ragen’s background including some of the weight stigma she has experienced in her life.

  • Navigating in a society designed to exclude, shame, and oppress people on the basis of shared characteristics or identities.

  • Medical weight stigma in regards to diagnosis, care, and treatment options.

  • Nurturing the parts of self that question authority and challenge the narrative.

  • The ways in which diet culture, dieting, and fatphobia perpetuate eating disorders and can make full recovery feel impossible.

  • The value and need for trust between client and provider.

  • How Ragen’s activism aims to dismantle diet culture and fatphobia in the community so that people of every size have equal opportunity to fully recover.

  • Strategies one can use to stand up for themself and advocate for equal healthcare and how Ragen has educated health practitioners.

  • The dangers of weight-loss interventions and weight loss surgery.

  • Challenging the beliefs that add to the oppression of fat people and moving into thoughts and actions that support body liberation for those of all sizes.

ABOUT RAGEN CHASTAIN:

Ragen Chastain is a Certified Health Coach, trained researcher, three-time National Champion dancer, and two-time marathoner who holds the Guinness World Record for Heaviest Woman to Complete a Marathon. She writes and speaks full-time about Body Image, Health at Every Size, Fitness, Corporate Wellness, and Weight Stigma - including with healthcare and eating disorders community. Ragen is the author of the blogs danceswithfat.org and IronFat, and the book Fat: The Owner's Manual. She has been featured as an expert in media including the Associated Press, the New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, FITNESS, Women's Running, and the Chicago Tribune. She is the editor of the two-volume anthology The Politics of Size - Perspectives from the Fat Acceptance Movement, and a former Editorial Board Member of the Fat Studies Journal.

A leading activist and thought leader in the Health at Every Size and Size Acceptance movements, Ragen is an internationally sought after speaker, having brought her captivating combination of humor and hard facts to stages including CalTech, Dartmouth, Amherst, Google Headquarters, the Multi-Service Eating Disorders (MEDA) National Conference, and a European Speaking Tour. She co-founded (with fellow activist Jeanette DePatie) the Fat Activism Conference, and the Fit Fatties Forum - an online community for people of all sizes who want to discuss fitness from a weight-neutral perspective, that currently has over 4,500 members. She led the campaign that raised over $20,000 in 8 days and put up 6 billboards and 10 bus shelter ads in Atlanta to counter a billboard campaign that fat-shamed children, and the Skinny Minnie petition which garnered over 140,000 signatures and resulted in substantial changes to a promotion by Barney's and Disney.

Ragen currently lives in Los Angeles with her partner and their two adorable dogs and is training for her first (and only!) Iron-distance triathlon.


CONNECT WITH RAGEN CHASTAIN:

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following @karinlewisedc on Facebook and Instagram.