Dr. Paul O'Malley is a Los Angeles-based dentist who's redefining what it means to care for your teeth—and your whole body. With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. O'Malley specializes in biomimetic and holistic dentistry, which basically means he works with your body, not against it. His focus is on preserving your natural tooth structure, using biocompatible materials, and avoiding the "drill and fill" mindset that leaves so many people anxious about the dentist's chair.

He earned his DDS from Creighton University and completed a residency at Baylor University, but what really sets him apart is his philosophy: dentistry should heal and protect, not just patch things up. Over the years, he's trained with some of the top names in cosmetic and restorative dentistry and has become a fellow of both the International Academy of Dentofacial Esthetics and the Academy of Biomimetic Dentistry.

At his practice in Encino, California, Dr. O'Malley helps patients restore confidence, comfort, and long-term oral health—often with procedures that are far less invasive than traditional methods. He's also the founder of Great Oral Health, a line of probiotic-based products designed to support a healthy mouth microbiome and overall wellness.

We all know sugar messes with our health — but did you know it's one of the biggest culprits behind tooth decay, gum disease, and even inflammation throughout your body? 😬

💥 It's not just how much sugar you eat — it's how often!
Every sip or bite keeps your teeth bathing in acid and your enamel under attack.
🦠 Your mouth has a microbiome too — good bacteria that protect you!
Constant sugar, grazing, or even "healthy" acidic drinks (like lemon water or sugar-free soda) can throw that balance off.

💧 The fix is simple and kind:
✨ Eat in meals, not all day.
✨ Rinse with water after coffee, tea, or lemon water.
✨ Wait 20 minutes before brushing to protect enamel.
✨ Floss daily (it breaks up the "bug party" that causes decay).
✨ Use a soft brush and gentle angle — your gums aren't a kitchen floor!
✨ Try hydroxyapatite toothpaste (it helps re-harden enamel naturally).

❤️ Your mouth is part of your body — not separate from it.
Bleeding gums, bad breath, or constant sensitivity are not normal signs of "aging."
They're little SOS signals asking for care.

💬 And for parents: kids copy what we do, not what we say. Brushing and rinsing together is a tiny daily act of prevention and connection.
Let's make "self-care" include our smiles. Because a healthy mouth = a healthier body.

LINKS:

https://www.greatoralhealth.com/ https://www.drpaulomalley.com/  

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Molly and Clarissa get real about the spoken and unspoken "rules" we inherit—from family, culture, religion, peers, and recovery spaces—and how those rules can quietly run our lives. They explore when structure is protective (especially early recovery) and when rigidity shrinks our world. The invitation: notice the rule, name whose voice it is, examine its intention, and rewrite it as a flexible, values-aligned boundary (a loving guardrail) that serves your recovery today.

What we cover

Invisible operating systems: How covert rules ("Don't cry in public," "Finish your plate," "Don't upset Dad," "Work before rest") get encoded as truth and shape choices, identity, and self-worth.

Where rules come from: Family modeling, culture/diet/purity narratives, religion & tradition, media comparison loops, and past painful moments that birthed survival strategies.

When rules help vs. harm: The cast-to-brace metaphor—early structure can be lifesaving; never taking the brace off becomes its own injury.

Food-recovery example: "The kitchen is closed after dinner." Helpful as temporary scaffolding; harmful if it overrides true hunger, fuels all-or-nothing thinking, or becomes punishment.

Language that frees: Swap "I can't" for "I choose not to (right now)." Replace rules with loving guardrails anchored in values, not fear.

Meeting the Rebel: How the inner rebel shows up when we feel controlled, and how flexibility + permission reduces backlash and binge risk.

Compassion over condemnation: Seeing the origin story of a rule reveals it was protective, not defective—which softens shame and opens space to change.

Support matters: Borrowing a "prosthetic prefrontal cortex" from trusted people (group, therapist, friend) to reality-check and practice flexibility safely.

Try this: a simple Rule Audit

Spot it: What's one rule you notice yourself following today?

Name the voice: Whose rule is it (family, program, culture, scared younger you)?

Intention check: What safety or benefit was it trying to create? Does that need still exist?

Cost check: How does it limit you now (shame, rigidity, disconnection from body needs)?

Rewrite it: Old: "I can't eat after dinner."
New: "I stop after dinner unless I'm truly hungry—then I have a planned, recovery-friendly snack without shame."

Make it safer: Pre-plan options, text a support person, add a brief grounding before eating, pre-portion, and debrief after.

Nuggets & reframes

"Rules kept me safe then; values-based guardrails grow me now."

"Different doesn't equal dangerous. It's okay if new feels wobbly."

"Recovery should make life bigger, not smaller."

"Permission reduces rebellion."

"Thank you, old rule, for what you protected. I'm choosing something kinder now."

Reflection questions for listeners

Which rule in your life feels most rigid right now? What would a kinder, values-aligned version look like?

If you replaced one "I can't" with "I choose not to—for now," what changes in your body and nervous system?

Who are your go-to people to borrow perspective from when your threat system is loud?

 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Meet Sunnie, whose name fits her perfectly; she is truly a ray of sunshine. With warmth and openness, she shares her personal journey with food addiction in a way that brings hope and healing to others. Sunnie has the rare gift of championing everyone, celebrating victories both big and small, and reminding us that every step forward matters. Her honesty and courage light the path for those still struggling, and her kindness uplifts all who know her. She is an inspiration, a bright soul, and I feel so blessed to call her my friend. I just absolutely love her!

Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough."

If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com 

Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com 

If you find inspiration in recovery narratives, you won't want to miss the Food Junkies Podcast. Check it out at https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com/.

Dr. Jen Unwin, PsyD, FBPSs co-founder of Food Addiction Solutions (FAS)

Jen is a Clinical Psychologist who worked for over 30 years in the NHS in the UK. She specialised in the role of hope in quality of life and was chair of the UK Association for Solution-Focused Therapy. After a lifetime of addiction to sugar and carbohydrates, she finally understood that the solution was abstinence and trained in Holistic Addiction Medicine with Heidi. They have been working together to devise and evaluate successful treatment approaches to food addiction and to raise awareness of the condition internationally. Jen's best hopes are that treatment will be more available and that the condition of food addiction will be formally recognised.

Heidi Giaever, Founder of The Collaborative Health Community, CFK and co-founder of Food Addiction Solutions (FAS)

Heidi's original degree was in chemical engineering. She subsequently retrained in Nutrition, Lifestyle Medicine and Hollistic Addicition Medicine (HAM), following her declining cognitive and mental health during her late 30s, found to have been caused by her poor diet and struggle with sweet-foods addiction. Heidi's mission is to provide suitable platforms and further, collaborate with her partners to raise awareness of food addiction and develop creative community-based initiatives to work preventatively with children and young families.

Molly Painschab, LCPC, LAC, Sweet Sobriety Co-Founder

Molly is a dual-licensed mental health and addiction counsellor specializing in behavioural change using Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Molly is passionate about empowering individuals with self-determination on their healing journey. Her best hope is to continue advocating for marginalized individuals to receive the services required to overcome disordered eating and addiction.

Clarissa Kennedy, RSW, Sweet Sobriety Co-Founder

Clarissa possesses expertise and practical experience across multiple therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Interventions, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) tailored for Eating Disorders, and Motivational Interviewing. Having navigated her own journey of recovery from food addiction, she aims to raise awareness about this disorder, help distinguish it from eating disorders, and highlight how addressing it can help support recovery from other substance use disorders.

In this episode:

How we got here

What the consensus process consists of

What we are most excited about

How the Consensus work ties into the Food Addiction Recovery Clinical Study

Next steps

The International Food Addiction Consensus Conference

 

YOU'RE INVITED to the International Food Addiction Consensus Conference

Friday May 17, 2024, in London, UK

This informative and engaging gathering will build awareness for the growing problem of Food Addiction, not only for us adults but also for children and future generations.

Speakers include:

Chris Van Tulleken

Robert Lustig

Michael Moss

Vera Tarman

Adrian SotoMota

Erica LaFata

David Wiss (Video)

Timothy Brewerton (Video Link)

Anna Lembke (Video Link)

Nicole Avena

Susan Peirce Thompson

 

Why attend?

•Gain valuable insights from international researchers, physicians, clinicians, and metabolic experts.

•Network with professionals and like-minded individuals.

•Learn about Food Addiction, and how ultra-processed foods impact the brain.

•See the latest scientific research on the addictive nature of certain foods and the clinical research in this area.

•Support our international program to get Food Addiction recognized as a disorder, listed in the ICD-11, to improve the food environment for future generations.

We hope you will join us for a full day of education, connection, and hope! 

 

TICKET SALES END MAY 12, 2024!

If you are unable to attend or view the livestream and still want to support this work, you can:

Attend the Conference or Purchase a Livestream Ticket: http://bit.ly/3ROJSCE

Donate a Ticket: Pay for another attendee, and we will ensure it goes to a healthcare professional, student or public member who wouldn't otherwise be able to attend – use the link in the show notes.

Spread the Word: Share our cause with your friends, family, and colleagues. The more people know about our mission, the greater our reach. You can use social media, email, or good old-fashioned word of mouth to help us raise awareness.

Donate: Every dollar, pound or any other currency you contribute goes directly towards making this conference possible and supports our work to get food addiction recognized by The World Health Organization (WHO). Check show notes for the link!  https://bit.ly/4bIwKa3

 

 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

With a twinkle in her eye and a warm welcoming smile, please give a warm welcome to Linda Witnov. Years ago, she chose a path of self-discovery, leaving a past defined by addiction behind. Years of self-discovery have revealed a genuine spirit that radiates outward.  Linda isn't afraid to share her truth, offering a hand up and a genuine smile to anyone who needs it.

Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough."

If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com 

Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com 

If you find inspiration in recovery narratives, you won't want to miss the Food Junkies Podcast. Check it out at https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com/.

Today we speak to Dr Paul Kolodzik is a medical doctor specializing in metabolic health and weight loss. He completed his medical training at the  Wright State University School of Medicine and has served as Assistant Clinical professor at this site since 1989.  He is board certified in preventative and emergency medicine and has over 20 years of experience working in emergency medicine. He is also  board certified in Addiction Medicine and has treated people with food addiction, as well as weight loss and metabolic disease over the last five years.

In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Kolodzik is the author of "The Continuous Glucose Monitor Revolution," which provides a comprehensive guide on using CGMs for improved health and weight management. His passion lies in educating people about the benefits of continuous glucose monitoring and helping them achieve their weight loss goals using  low-carb diets and other lifestyle changes. We are food junkies podcast are wondering if these devices can help us in food addiction recovery. 

In todays Episode:

What is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and how does it work?
The connection between blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, and weight gain?

What are some of the key advantages of using a CGM for weight loss and improving metabolic health?
How does a CGM provide insights that other methods versus other means of tracking like a regular glucomenter or a fitness tracker? 

What are the steps to getting started? 
How can someone interpret and make sense of their CGM data? 
What are the key patterns to look for to show good  or poor metabolic health? 
How would you use these to make adjustment to your diet?
Should you work  with a health care provider using these?
Besides diet, what other lifestyle factors can influence CGM readings?

How can CGMs help food addicts better understand their triggers and cravings?
How can these be used to help create a food addiction recovery food plan?
Or your patients with food addiction any different than other patients - do you have special / different advice to give us? 
What resources or support are available for non-diabetics looking to use CGMs?

Follow Dr. Kolodzik:

https://www.metabolicmds.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Dr. Kelly is the Elizabeth R. Spallin Professor of Psychiatry in Addiction Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is the Director of the Recovery Research Institute at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), the Associate Director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at MGH, and the Program Director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service. Dr. Kelly is a former President of the American Psychological Association's (APA) Society of Addiction Psychology, and is a Fellow of the APA and a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology.

He has served as a consultant to U.S. federal agencies and non-federal institutions, as well as foreign governments and the United Nations. Dr. Kelly has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and books in the field of addiction medicine. His work has focused on addiction treatment and the recovery process, mechanisms of behavior change, and reducing stigma and discrimination among individuals suffering from addiction.

In this Episode:

What initially sparked his interest in studying Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-step programs?
What were the the key findings of the Cochrane review regarding the efficacy of AA and 12-step approaches?
How effective is AA compared to professionally-delivered addiction treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy?
Why does AA work for some people but not others?
How well does AA work for diverse populations?
Are there certain groups for whom it works better or worse?
Could these findings be applied to other recovery communities? i.e. Sweet Sobriety, Smart Recovery, LifeRing?
What role can AA play within a modern system of clinical addiction treatment and recovery support?
His thoughts on harm reduction
Why he thinks that sometimes in the addiction field it's either a harm reduction model OR an abstinence model instead of both offered.
The research on average recovery trajectories (ie 4 – 5 years before they decide to stop even though the use is very problematic due to stigma or fear and trying moderation, then 7 or 8 years and multiple treatment interventions before they get one full year of abstinence, then 5 years of continuous remission before people are no longer at an elevated risk versus the normal population)
People with addiction ned to be given permission to practice recovery instead of just being expected to just stop immediately 
Does he believe in Food Addiction ?
His thoughts on what our next steps should be to get Food Addiction Recognized  

Follow John Kelly and the Recovery Research Institute:

https://www.recoveryanswers.org

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Today, CJ has the pleasure of interviewing a wonderful friend, Charity Silva. Charity is a beacon of warmth and kindness. Her eyes hold a quiet wisdom, reflecting a deep connection to something larger than herself. Spirituality infuses her every word, a constant search for meaning and beauty. But it's her boundless love that truly shines. A gentle word, a helping hand. Charity makes everyone feel seen and cherished, leaving a trail of light wherever she goes. You will truly enjoy getting to know Charity on this week's episode.

Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/?mibextid=oMANbw

If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com.

Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com.

Dr. Debbie Danowski is an expert on media literacy and food addiction. She holds a Ph.D. in Media Education from Capella University and is an associate professor at Sacred Heart University, where she has researched and taught for over 25 years on the intersection of media, advertising, and problematic eating behaviors.   Dr. Danowski's research and publications focus on the role of advertising and media in enabling food addiction and disordered eating patterns. She is the author of several peer-reviewed journal articles and, most recently, her 2023 book 'Happy Eating' and Food Addiction in American Advertising.   Dr. Danowski also served on the board of directors of the Food Addiction Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about food addiction and providing pathways to recovery. Through her research, writing, speaking engagements, and public health advocacy, Dr. Danowski aims to spread understanding of how media and advertising can enable food addiction, reduce stigma around this disease, and highlight evidence-based treatment approaches.   Happy Eating  

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Dr. Georgia Ede is an internationally recognized expert in nutritional and metabolic psychiatry. Her twenty-five years of clinical experience include twelve years at Smith College and Harvard University Health Services, where she was the first to offer students nutrition-based approaches as an alternative to psychiatric medication.

Dr. Ede co-authored the first inpatient study of the ketogenic diet for treatment-resistant mental illness, developed the first medically accredited course in ketogenic diets for mental health practitioners, and was honored to be named a recipient of the Baszucki Brain Research Fund's first annual Metabolic Mind Award. Her new book Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind was released on January 30, 2024. 

Follow: https://www.diagnosisdiet.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Jason Tetro or the "The Germ Guy", is an Author and renown media personality in science communication and marketing. For nearly a decade, he has been working to increase public awareness of microbes and health. Most of his efforts are in the form of columns and blogs. He has a weekly blog column with Huffington Post Canada, and is featured on various radio and television stations in Canada and worldwide, notably the CBC Radio One and Sirius XM.  He also authored The Germ Code, which was shortlisted for Book of the Year by the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada and The Germ Files, which was acclaimed both in Canada and around the world, and appeared on the Globe and Mail national bestseller list. 

Jason started out in the field of Biochemistry but eventually gravitated towards Microbiology and Immunology. He has a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry/Microbiology from the University of Guelph. He has worked in several fields including bloodborne, food and water pathogens, environmental microbiology, disinfection and antisepsis, and emerging pathogens.

Jason is a Knowledge User on the grant. He will act as an Independent Contributor where he will facilitate knowledge translation to public and media, develop social media strategies to increase awareness and reach, provide support for researchers on science communication, and assist with fundraising/network longevity planning.

Follow Jason:

Website: https://jasontetro.com/index2.html

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

I'm super excited to introduce one of my favorite people on our show today. Get ready to meet Katy May. Not only is she my sister in recovery but also my sister in real life. Katy is a firecracker with a heart of gold! Her whit will have you doubled over, but her genuine warmth shines even brighter. Life has thrown her some curveballs, but Katy laughs, adjusts her grip, and hits it out of the park. You'll be charmed by their wit and inspired by her unwavering spirit.

Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/?mibextid=oMANbw

If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com.

Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com.

Jason Tetro or the "The Germ Guy", is an Author and renown media personality in science communication and marketing. For nearly a decade, he has been working to increase public awareness of microbes and health. Most of his efforts are in the form of columns and blogs. He has a weekly blog column with Huffington Post Canada, and is featured on various radio and television stations in Canada and worldwide, notably the CBC Radio One and Sirius XM.  He also authored The Germ Code, which was shortlisted for Book of the Year by the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada and The Germ Files, which was acclaimed both in Canada and around the world, and appeared on the Globe and Mail national bestseller list. 

Jason started out in the field of Biochemistry but eventually gravitated towards Microbiology and Immunology. He has a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry/Microbiology from the University of Guelph. He has worked in several fields including bloodborne, food and water pathogens, environmental microbiology, disinfection and antisepsis, and emerging pathogens.

Jason is a Knowledge User on the grant. He will act as an Independent Contributor where he will facilitate knowledge translation to public and media, develop social media strategies to increase awareness and reach, provide support for researchers on science communication, and assist with fundraising/network longevity planning.

Follow Jason:

Website: https://jasontetro.com/index2.html

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

In this episode, Vera and Renae explore bulimorexia—a term used for people who oscillate between restriction and binge/purge behaviors—and how this mixed pattern might help explain stubborn relapse rates across eating disorders and food addiction. Dr. Norton shares her clinical lens on risks (medical and psychological), why some traditional programs may miss the mark, and what a holistic, skills-based, harm-reduction treatment can look like (family involvement, gentle re-feeding, DBT/EMDR, food quality, and relapse prevention).

Note: Some views expressed are the guest's opinions and experience. This episode is educational and not medical advice. Please consult your care team.

What we cover

Defining "bulimorexia": alternating restriction with binge/purge; how it differs from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa; why it's easier to hide than classic anorexia.

Continuum vs. categories: where binge eating disorder fits; overlap with food addiction.

Why relapse is common: risks of aggressive refeeding; short-stay residential models; lack of individualized care; missing family systems support.

Medical risks (high-level): cardiac arrhythmias and hypotension, esophageal tears/GERD, laxative misuse and constipation, electrolyte disturbance, kidney strain, dental/enamel erosion, parotid swelling, menstrual disruption and fertility concerns.

Psychological load: anxiety/OCD traits, depression, social avoidance; the "addiction to restricting" and the short-term 'high' of hunger.

Treatment principles Dr. Norton uses:

Gentle, stepwise re-feeding (small, frequent meals; stabilize blood sugar; avoid triggering extremes).

Skills over meal plans (shop, prep, and eat whole foods; mindful interoception).

DBT for arousal regulation, plus EMDR and trauma work as indicated.

Family-based involvement (Maudsley-style boundaries and support).

Movement re-entry: slow, safe progression; curbing compulsive exercise.

Relapse prevention: strong parent/caregiver alignment, food routines, anxiety skills, and ongoing monitoring.

Contested terrain: ultra-processed food, additives, and differing regulations by region; the guest's emphasis on "clean/organic" sourcing.

Intermittent fasting cautions: for restrict-prone folks, it can mask restriction; prefer regular, structured eating.

What recovery can look like: decreased self-hatred, restored relationships, school/work re-engagement, and more flexible functioning.

Resources from the guest: forthcoming book Below the Radar: What They're Not Telling You About Your Food; wellness tools she finds helpful.

Suggested chapter markers

00:00 Welcome & guest intro

02:20 What is "bulimorexia"? How it differs from AN/BN

10:55 Why relapse stays high; critique of standard programs

18:30 Medical complications: heart, GI, dental, endocrine

28:15 Psychological patterns: anxiety, OCD traits, depression

34:40 Treatment pillars: re-feeding, DBT/EMDR, family work

45:05 Food quality and UPFs: guest's perspective & debate

53:10 Intermittent fasting cautions; safe movement

58:20 Relapse prevention & outcomes

1:04:10 Advice to clinicians, families, and society

1:08:00 What's next for Dr. Norton & closing

Key takeaways (listener-friendly)

Mixed patterns (restricting and binge/purge) may be under-recognized and can carry high medical risk.

Slow, individualized re-feeding plus emotion-regulation skills (DBT) and family involvement improve safety and engagement.

If you're prone to restriction, consistent meals beat fasting.

Recovery gains include less self-hatred, more connection, and functional life goals—progress over perfection.

Sensitive content note

This episode discusses eating-disorder behaviors (restriction, purging, laxatives, insulin manipulation) and medical complications. Please use discretion and support.

Links & mentions

Dr. Renae Norton — Norton Wellness Institute / Mind, Weight & Wellness Pro

Book (forthcoming): Below the Radar: What They're Not Telling You About Your Food

Maudsley/Family-Based Treatment (FBT) overview

DBT skills resources (distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness)

If you need help now: NEDA (US), BEAT (UK), local crisis lines, or your clinician.

For clinicians

Screen for mixed presentations (restrict + purge), including non-vomit purging (laxatives, insulin manipulation).

Prioritize medical monitoring (vitals, electrolytes) during re-feeding; avoid one-size-fits-all calorie jumps.

Integrate DBT skills, caregiver coaching, and regular eating structure; track arousal and urge patterns.

 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcareprovider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Dr. Kari Anderson has positioned herself as a respected clinician and leader in the field of eating disorders. Her career spans over three decades of leading treatment teams in all levels of care, Kari has developed several treatment models, most recently for the treatment of binge eating.

Kari earned her Doctor of Behavioral Health with her research project, The Mindful Eating Cycle: Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder, at Arizona State University in 2012. Co-creator of the Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating for Binge Eating Program, Kari also co-authored the acclaimed book Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat for Binge Eating: A Mindful Eating Program for Healing Your Relationship with Food and Your Body. Her memoir, Food, Body, and Love: but the Greatest of These Love, was released in 2021. This work digs deeper into the science behind effective treatment and includes research on food addiction and issues faced in obesity medicine.

She is an adjunct faculty for the University of New Hampshire, and trains graduate students in treatment methods for eating disorders.

As a licensed therapist in three states and certified eating disorder specialist and supervisor (CEDS-S), Kari maintains a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Today, Clarissa and I talked with Kari about the following:

Her Personal and Professional Journey

All about Binge Eating Disorder

Polyvagal theory and the role of vagal circuitry in food and eating behavior

Using a harm reduction model when treating binge and loss of control eating

Kari shares about the Safe and Sound Protocol

We ask her about food addiction!

Kari shares about her book and workbook

She answers our signature question

Follow Dr. Anderson:

Website: myeatingdoctor.com

Books: https://myeatingdoctor.com/books/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myEatingDoctor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MyEatingDoctor/

 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

On our episode today CJ interviews Joan Bjornsgaard. Joan's interview is one of the most down-to-earth conversations.  She relays her kind, considerate, and genuine ability to relate to people who are struggling with food addiction. She gives very practical and level-headed solutions to everyday struggles. You can count on a warm and inviting conversation. This is a very insightful episode.

Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/?mibextid=oMANbw

If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com.

Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com.

Dr. Michael Cowl Gordon is a family physician and addiction specialist, who practiced in Wisconsin and Georgia for over 50 years, until he retired last year. 

He completed medical training at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1967 As well as he received his board certification in Addiction Medicine in 1986. Inspired by his own recovery journey, as well as those of his patients, Dr. Gordon has dedicated much of his career to understanding and treating addiction.

He is author of  "The 12-Step Pathway: A Heroic Journey of Recovery", which is a collection of individual stories,  demonstrating how people struggling with addiction can embark on a transformative journey of recovery using the 12 step program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. By utilizing the metaphor of the hero's journey, as conceptualized by Joseph Cambell, he convincingly explains why the 12-step program holds the key to overcoming addiction. Although the 12 step program is almost 90 years old, it still offers a journey of recovery that is motivating and inspiring, for all addictions, including the newer food addiction.

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Ann Saffi Biasetti, PhD, LCSWR, CEDS, CIAYT, is a practicing clinician for over 34 years. She is a Transpersonal Psychologist specializing in somatic psychotherapy, eating disorders, and trauma recovery. She is the originator of the Befriending Your Body Program, a program of somatic self-compassion for disordered eating recovery and the Embodied Life training center for yoga therapeutics. She is a certified mindfulness teacher, Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) teacher, and Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT).

Dr. Biasetti specializes in integrating somatic self-compassion into disordered eating recovery. She consults and lectures extensively on the topics of somatic psychotherapy, embodiment, polyvagal theory in recovery and interoceptive awareness, and eating disorder recovery and is an instructor at the Center for Mindful Body Awareness. She has featured CE webinars and workshops through PESI and trains professionals in the Befriending Your Body (BFYB) certification program for eating disorder recovery.

She is the author of Befriending Your Body: A Self-Compassionate Approach to Freeing Yourself from Disordered Eating and The Awakening Self-Compassion Card Deck: 52 Practices for Self-Care, Healing and Growth. Dr. Biasetti maintains a private practice in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Follow Dr. Biasetti:
Facebook: An Embodied Life with Ann Saffi Biasetti
Website: https://www.anembodiedlife.com
Website: https://www.befriendingyourbodyprogram.com
Lunchtime Learning Series: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/february-lunchtime-lecture-series-tickets-817133196387?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwAR0Os883Rz-itTLP_8kuPVEA78Ae9gUtlm5SxhsJMLakwd3kdGqpj5q87uY
 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

 

Today, CJ has the pleasure of interviewing a dear friend, Debbie Mattatall. Debbie is one of the warmest, kind, and compassionate people you will ever meet.  She is always willing to lend a helping hand, especially to those friends in recovery. Debbie is a staple in our recovery community where she shares thoughtful insights and practical tools to help the next person recover. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/?mibextid=oMANbw

If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com.

Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com.

David Wolfe, co-author of The Fix for Cravings, and cofounder of SUGARx Global. 
 
Once an artisan bread maker and Registered Dietician, David left those careers and is now a  Food Addiction Counsellor and food  addiction Coach, as well as a Certified High Performance coach. David received his Master's in Clinical Nutrition from Ohio State University in  2012 and worked as a registered dietitian for ten years in Critical Care, Bariatric Surgery and elderly care. He was also the dietician who designed the abstinent food plan for the food addiction residential program at Renascent preCovid. 

While a dietician, David received his food addiction training at INFACT  (International Food Addiction and Counselling Training) in 2017 and since that time, has been the under study to Bitten Jonsson; he is currently a faculty member for  her Holistic Medicine for Addiction program. Of special interest to us, David had his own battles with sugar and grain, and like many of us, has identified other struggles, namely coffee, screens, alcohol and more. 
 
David is coauthor of the groundbreaking book 'The Fix for Cravings',  along with Cynthia Myers Morison. He is a vocal advocate for understanding Addiction Interaction Disorder, championing the idea that addiction is a singular beast with many masks. His favourite analogy is " Switching outlets is like  switching  seats on the Titanic: the ship is still sinking!' Thus his treatment is focused on changing the dynamic of addiction itself. As visionary cofounder of SUGARx Global, David offers an online food addiction recovery platform, using his holistic blueprint of CARE: Connection, Action, Recovery Protection and Education. 

The Craving Crusher Checklist: 3 Steps To Crushing Your Craving:
https://www.sugarxglobal.com/your3simplesteps

FREE 15 Minute Breakthrough Your Cravings: Sessions: https://calendly.com/sugarxglobal/breakthrough

Our website: Sugarxglobal.com 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

 

 

Dr Sandy Van. Dr Van is a medical specialist in obesity medicine. She is a staff physician at MEDCAM and runs a virtual Weight Management Program in downtown Toronto.  She is not your standard bariatric physician; she has a unique focus on treating not only the physical and pharmaceutical aspects of obesity but also the psychological and behavioral dimensions.

We interviewed Sandy two years ago, exploring how she used her understanding of food addiction and eating disorders with her weight loss patients. Today, we want to focus on the medications, particularly the GLP1s, that are so popular. How has the widespread use of these meds changed her practice, if at all?

 

Dr. Sandy Van is a licensed medical doctor in Family Medicine and diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the founder and medical director of Haven Weight Management, a virtual medical clinic focused on obesity care. Additionally, she co-founded 3 Sails, a social learning program for mental resiliency in weight management, and is a staff physician at MEDCAN, an Executive Health Clinic. She dedicates her practice to helping individuals achieve sustainable weight loss through psychotherapy tools and medical management.

 Dr. Van offers a unique voice for the medical community regarding behavioral obesity treatment. Her professional initiatives have included speaking engagements regarding applying psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for weight loss and providing consultation to healthcare practitioners. She is also a frequently invited media guest on national television and radio. Her mission is to evolve the field of behavioral weight management and effect lasting change in the many individuals who struggle with weight.

Dr. Van received her Doctorate of Medicine, followed by the completion of a residency in Family Medicine at the University of Toronto.

 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

 

 

On today's podcast episode of Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction Stories, CJ Nguy is joined by Molly Painschab. Molly is a thoughtful and authentic person who speaks from her heart and is passionate about Food Addiction Recovery. She has a wealth of experience in the area of Food Addiction and is known for their ability to connect with audiences on a personal level. I'm confident that you'll enjoy and learn from Molly's story today.

Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/?mibextid=oMANbw

If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com.

Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com.

Jamie Morgan Reno is a lifelong, severe processed food addict cursed with a slow metabolism, who, in 2008, lost over 200 lbs without surgery or pills. Jamie speaks to and works with communities of recovering processed food addicts to share her lessons, tools and resources on how to navigate recovery while living in this disease-promoting, processed food-filled world.

Jamie and her recovery partner, Paige Alexander, created their podcast, Real Food Recovery, in 2023, which explores how this devastating condition affects every aspect of our lives, bodies, psyches and spirits. 

They dive deep into the realities of addiction and how to recover from it, finding abstinence from sugar, flour and processed carbohydrates along the way. In September 2023, the RFR podcast turned into a virtual, action-oriented recovery community that offers connection, growth, and belonging for those struggling with cravings, food obsession, and compulsive behaviors around processed food.

Follow Jamie, Real Food Recovery and the Podcast here:

https://www.realfoodrecovery4u.com

 

Dr. Brad Reedy has a degree in in Family Science and a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. He has served on the board of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs and the Utah Department of Child and Family Services.
 
After years as a parent educator having broadcast over 1,000 webinars on parent and family issues, Dr. Reedy released the book, The Journey of the Heroic Parent: Your Child's Struggle and the Road Home. Using his personal story and stories from thousands of clients, he shares wisdom on how to think about parenting. Parents are asked to shift from relying on experts for advice to learning how to think about parenting questions by truly understanding themselves and doing their own work.
 
In The Audacity to Be You: Learning to Love Your Horrible, Rotten Self, Brad talks about how all our relationships are connected to the relationship we have with ourselves. He shows how the foundation for intimacy with partners, our ability to parent effectively, and the meaningfulness of our lives can be tied to how well we have unraveled our unique childhood history. The book is a simple but bold exploration into what makes us human and why happiness and connection are elusive for so many. Dr. Reedy's work is counter-intuitive, but the reader will often have the experience of being found and understood as they make their way through his work. Many readers say that reading his work is like hearing something for the first time that you already knew but just didn't have the words for.
 
Dr. Reedy is the Executive Clinical Director of Evoke Therapy Programs, an experience based therapy program for adolescents, young-adults, and families. Brad's research and clinical experience includes parenting issues, attachment, adults/adolescents with substance abuse issues, developmental psychology, and children suffering with grief and loss. His podcast Finding You: An Evoke Therapy Podcast is a recommended listen for all parents AND all human beings with any issues at all.

Brad's Books and Website: https://drbradreedy.com
Evoke therapy Programs: https://evoketherapy.com
Finding You Podcast: https://evoketherapy.com/resources/podcast/

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

We've all heard the buzz about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic—are they a miracle cure or a cause for concern? In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with renowned physician, researcher, and bestselling author Dr. Michael Greger about the risks, benefits, and natural alternatives to GLP-1 drugs.

Dr. Greger breaks down what the science really says: how these medications work, their long-term implications, and why many people stop using them. He also highlights how diet, exercise, and fiber-rich foods can naturally boost GLP-1, reduce cravings, and support lasting weight loss without the downsides.

Together, they explore:

The risks and side effects of GLP-1 medications

Why weight loss plateaus on these drugs and what that means long-term

The concerning issue of muscle and bone loss during rapid weight reduction

Natural GLP-1 boosters like turmeric, cinnamon, vinegar, whole grains, legumes, and leafy greens

Why fiber may be the single most important missing nutrient in our diets

The role of food addiction, cravings, and our evolutionary biology

How to maximize appetite regulation naturally through the "ileal break" phenomenon

Dr. Greger makes the case for using whole food, plant-based nutrition to achieve the benefits of GLP-1 drugs—without the risks.

💌 Email us at foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com

THERE IS STILL TIME TO JOIN US for IFACC 2025! In-Person AND Livestream tickets are STILL AVAILABLE!

🔗 The International Food Addiction & Comorbidity Conference (IFACC) 2025:
Donate for the chance to win a virtual ticket!!

Purchase your IFACC 2025 ticket!!

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

 

Today, CJ is joined by Clarissa Kennedy, who generously shares insights into her journey of recovery and provides a glimpse into the fulfilling life she embraces today. Her story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the tenacity to keep going. On the other side of addiction was the life she was waiting for. Additionally, Clarissa opens up about her latest revelations – yet another exquisite blessing that emerges from the ongoing process of recovery and the commitment to self-improvement.

Other podcasts Clarissa has shared her story on:

Episode 110: Unsweetened Sio ~ Siobhan Harris
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/unsweetened-sio/id1450215841?i=1000536268664

Compassionate Conversations ~ Esther Kane
https://youtu.be/6_sGEubvmcg?si=M_JZ9ssk9aHNVOPg

Episode 114: Life After Sugar ~ Netta Gorman
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/114-i-was-addicted-to-sugar-are-you-clarissa/id1546092478?i=1000604819379

Episode 103: What you are Craving ~ Molly Carmel
https://mollycarmel.com/how-to-break-the-cycle-of-food-addiction/

Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/?mibextid=oMANbw

If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com.

Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com.

 

Dr Naim Khan is Professor of Physiology (Exceptional Class) at Burgundy University, Dijon (France). He is Head of a research team on Nutritional Physiology & Toxicology, affiliated to Inserm Research Center (UMR1231). He is principal (co)authors of more than 250 research peer-reviewed articles. He is the Editor of Nutrients, PlosOne and J Clin Med. He has been visiting professor at U Chiba, Japan and U Cagliari, Italy. He is Fellow of Royal Society of Biology, UK. He has been Innolec laureate at Masaryk University, Czech Republic; awarded the Robert Naqué Prize by the Société de Physiologie (France); Nutrition & Food Excellence Prize by National Academy of Medicine (France) and nominated as Ambassador for Research by the Burgundy State (France). He founded a start-up "Ektah" that obtained the iLab Prize (France).

Dr Khan has been Secretary General and is acting as Secretary for International Affairs at the Société de Physiologie (France). He is founding member of the African Society of Physiology and Physiopathology, Senegal. He is expert-member in different commissions like ATRBSA Algeria; National ANR France; InnovIris Belgium; National Agency for Food Security (Anses) France. He has been collaborating on obesity physiology with India, Morocco, Tunisia, Benin, Senegal and Ivory Coast. We at Food Junkies are especially interested in his review of the literature of fat addiction.

For those who had difficulty understanding Dr. Khan the transcript of the episode is available on our website at:

https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com/episodes/episode-161-dr-naim-akhtar-khan

 The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Molly Carmel, LCSW is a leading addiction and eating disorder
therapist and founder of Beacon by MC - and which offers individual
and group solutions to help people break free from their destructive
relationships with food and dieting. Known for her irreverent,
"straight talk, no chaser" attitude, she's also the author of the
innovative book, Breaking Up with Sugar: A Plan to Divorce the Diets,
Drop the Pounds, and Live Your Best Life and the host of the podcast,
What You're Craving.

Molly is fiercely devoted to helping people break free of their
destructive relationship with food, dieting, and negative body image
to create the big beautiful lives they deserve. After battling an
eating disorder for over 20 years and finding no solution in available
treatment, she began to trailblaze her professional path, obsessed
with helping people find real and sustainable healing. She's never
looked back.

Molly has extensive training in Substance Use, Eating Disorders and is
intensively in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Recognizing that it's
not all about the food and the limitations of a "brain-only" approach
in treating complex issues like addiction and eating disorders, she is
also a trained Shaman, Reiki healer, a certified Tibetan bowl singing
practitioner, certified in BREATHE breathwork, a dedicated devotee of
daily meditation, and a certified intenSati instructor

Molly graduated with a Bachelor's in Social Work from Cornell
University and a master's in Social work from Columbia University. Her
work has been featured on The Today Show, The Dr. Oz Show, Dateline
NBC, Anderson Cooper 360, and Extreme Makeover as well as in People
Magazine, the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times. She's been a
guest on The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast, Keeping it Real
with Jillian Michaels, and Ever Forward Radio with Chase Chewning.

Molly's Fired Up 2024 Online Retreat is happening on Sunday, Jan 21,
2024 from 11-5 EST - it's an amazing opportunity to find your inner
spark and get into a space of POWER for the new year. Learn more at
https://mollycarmel.com/fired-up/ - and use the code MOLLY10 to get 10%
off!

Links and Social Media Handles:

Website: mollycarmel.com

IG: @mollycarmel

YouTube: Molly Carmel

Tiktok: @realmollycarmel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mollycarmel.buws

 

Today, I have the pleasure of hosting Dr. Vera Tarman as our special guest. Her personal journey towards recovery is not only authentic but also incredibly inspiring. Our conversation delves into various aspects of recovery, exploring how her own path led to the creation of her book, "Food Junkies."

Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/?mibextid=oMANbw

If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com.

Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com.

If you find inspiration in recovery narratives, you won't want to miss the Food Junkies Podcast. Check it out at https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com

 

J. Hannah is a food coach and practitioner of RTT®. She received her degree in Cultural Studies and Business Administration in University of Passau, Germany and completed her RTT® training in March 2023. Now she helps women around the globe resolve their relationship with food permanently and holistically so that they can effortlessly develop a loving and natural relationship with food and themselves.
 
Rapid Transformational Therapy® is a unique approach, drawn from NLP, CBT, hypnotherapy and mindfulness. This blend promises a personalized approach to help clients reframe negative (self-)beliefs, hidden in the subconscious mind, towards a more positive addiction-free mindset. 

Learn more about J. Hannah:

Website:
www.beyondfoodfeelings.com
www.beyondfoodfeelings.com/sugarfree-start
 
Email:
info@beyondfoodfeelings.com
 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

 

Julie Clark specializes in carbohydrate addiction diagnosis and treatment for individuals who've had bariatric surgery (or are considering having it). In addition, she helps clients determine whether post-op nutritional malabsorption is a problem for them. If so, she guides them in restoring proper nutrition, thereby reducing addictive cravings and improving mental and physical health.
 
Julie herself is maintaining a 200+lb weight loss at her ideal weight, gratefully in remission from addiction. She is an INFACT-Certified Food Addiction Professional (CFAP), Certified in Holistic Medicine for Addiction® (HMA®), Licensed and Certified to provide SUGAR® Food/Carb Addiction Assessments, and is trained in Ketogenic Eating for Mental Health.
 
Through her Signature Coaching Program at BariatricBreakthrough.Com, Julie provides a structured recovery process, helping clients achieve stable addiction recovery with improved health and wellbeing.

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Ohhh Food Junkies listeners do we have a super special episode and surprise for you today! In 2024 you are going to get MORE episodes of the food junkies podcast all based on personal recovery stories to motivate and inspire you. Today we are going to introduce you to your new co host of what we are calling Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction Stories with CJ Nguy. 

When CJ approached us with this idea to share personal stories of recovery from our listener base or from Vera's Sugar free for Life: I'm Sweet Enough Facebook group we loved the idea. What a beautiful way for people in our communities to share what they are doing and help spread the message that Recovery Is Possible.

Food Junkies listeners will now get 2 bonus episodes a month of personal recovery stories and Spoiler Alert CJ will be interviewing each one of us first. In fact today she is taking a crack at it! Stay tuned. If you are interested in being a guest on this upcoming series please reach out to CJ at FJRecoveryStories@gmail.com and she will send you a link to the podcast guest form. So excited to support you more in 2024. Enjoy the show.

 

Dr. Chris Van Tulleken is an infectious disease doctor, academic researcher, and popular television presenter best known for hosting science programs, such as  on the BBC and Channel 4. Born in the UK in 1978, Van Tulleken studied medicine at the University of Oxford before completing a PhD in molecular virology at University College London. He went on to work as a doctor with 'Doctors Without Borders', in locations such as rural Africa.

Dr. Van Tulleken hosted acclaimed science documentaries such as: Medicine Men Go Wild, Trust Me I'm a Doctor, The Doctor Who Gave up Drugs, and What Are We Feeding Our Children?  Through his broadcasting work, Van Tulleken became increasingly concerned about the impacts of processed and ultra-processed foods on human health. This prompted him to write his first book, 'Ultra-Processed People: How Modern Food is Killing Us and What We Can Do About It.' Published in 2022, his book examines the science linking ultra-processed foods to problems like obesity, addiction, and depression. It also explores the environmental impact of industrial food processing and offers solutions to help people and policymakers make healthier choices. 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Dr. Nicole Avena was one of our first guests on the podcast 3 years ago, you can check out her in episode 15. She is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, and a Visiting Professor of Health Psychology at Princeton University. 

She is a research neuroscientist and expert in the fields of nutrition, diet and addiction, with a special focus on nutrition during early life and pregnancy, and women's health. She has done groundbreaking work developing models to characterize food addiction and the dangers of excess sugar intake. Her research achievements have been honored by awards from several groups including the New York Academy of Sciences, the American Psychological Association, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. 

In addition to over 100 peer-reviewed scholarly publications, Dr. Avena has written several popular books, including Why Diets Fail: Because You're Addicted to Sugar, What to Eat When You're Pregnant, What to Feed Your Baby and Toddler and What to Eat When You Want to Get Pregnant. She frequently appears as a science expert in the media, including regular appearances on Good Day NY, The Doctors, and the former Dr. Oz Show as well as many news programs. Her work has been featured in Time Magazine, Bloomberg Business Week, The New York Times, and many other periodicals.

She has the #2 most watched TED-ED Health talk, How Sugar Affects Your Brain, with over 17 million views and counting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEXBxijQREo Every time I do a presentation for the public on food addiction I include this incredible 5 minute video. If you haven't seen it, it's worth watching and sharing.

Today we are chatting with Nicole about her latest book, Sugar-less, coming out next week on December 19th  2024. This book covers the latest science on sugar addiction and how to overcome it. It is available for pre-order now and you will hear a little bit about what it covers today. Thanks for listening and enjoy the show. 

Follow Social Media: 
Instagram: @drnicoleavena
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNicoleAvena/
LinkedIn: Dr. Nicole Avena

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

 

Dr. Andrew Newberg is a renowned neuroscientist and researcher at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He is a pioneer in the field of neurotheology, the study of how the brain and spirituality intersect. Dr. Newberg has dedicated his career to exploring the effects of religious and spiritual practices on the brain, using neuroimaging techniques to understand the neural basis of religious experiences.

Dr. Newberg co-authors several critically acclaimed books, including "How God Changes the Brain" and "Neurotheology: How Science Can Enlighten Us About Spirituality". Dr. Newberg's work has garnered international recognition and has provided valuable insights into the relationship between the brain, consciousness, and religious experiences.

As a leading expert in his field, Dr. Newberg has been featured in various media outlets, including CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. He has presented his research at numerous conferences and universities around the world.  Dr. Newberg's goal is to bridge the gap between science and spirituality, offering a unique perspective on the nature of the human mind and its connection to something greater than ourselves.

In this episode:

Neurotheology

The Science

Addiction/Food Addiction

The Not Spiritual/Not Religious

Neurotheology and the Impact of Drugs

And more!!

Follow Dr. Andrew Newberg:

Website: http://www.andrewnewberg.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.andrewnewberg/

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with Bonnie Newlin, registered dietitian nutritionist, Certified LEAP Therapist, founder of Crave Nourishment, and member of the Lipedema Education Group. Bonnie specializes in the nutritional management of lipedema and chronic inflammation.

Lipedema is a progressive adipose and connective tissue disorder that primarily impacts women, often misdiagnosed as obesity. Bonnie shares her own story of living with lipedema—including a 170-pound weight loss, delayed diagnosis, and eventual lipidema reduction surgery—and how food addiction and weight cycling complicate early recognition of the condition.

Together, Dr. Tarman and Bonnie explore:

• What lipedema is and how it differs from obesity and lymphedema

• Early signs, symptoms, and barriers to diagnosis

• The role of hormonal changes in progression

• Why ultra-processed foods and sodium worsen lipedema symptoms

• The connection between lipedema, food addiction, and binge/restrict cycles

• How anti-inflammatory nutrition and lifestyle strategies can reduce pain, swelling, and disease progression

• Emerging treatments, including compression therapy, lymphatic drainage, vibration therapy, and lipedema reduction surgery

• Myths about lipedema and why it's often misunderstood in medical settings

• Bonnie's vision for DNA-guided nutrition research to better serve this population

This episode sheds light on a condition that may affect up to 11% of women yet remains underdiagnosed and misunderstood. If you or someone you know struggles with chronic swelling, painful fat, or unexplained weight changes—especially alongside food addiction—this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and hope.

👉 Learn more about Bonnie's work at Crave Nourishment

💌 Email us at foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com

🔗 The International Food Addiction & Comorbidity Conference (IFACC) 2025:

• Donate for the chance to win a virtual ticket!!

• Purchase your IFACC 2025 ticket!!

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

 

Our guest today is Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett. Lisa is among the top 0.1% most cited scientists in the world for her revolutionary research in psychology and neuroscience. She is a University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University. She also holds appointments at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she is Chief Science Officer for the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior.

In addition to the books Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain and How Emotions are Made, Dr. Barrett has published over 275 peer-reviewed, scientific papers appearing in Science, Nature Neuroscience, and other top journals in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, as well as six academic volumes published by Guilford Press. She writes regularly about science in the popular press, including The New York Times, The Guardian, Scientific American, BBC Science Focus, Time magazine and more.

She also has a popular TED talk, which we have linked in her bio, that has been viewed over 6.5 million times.

Dr. Barrett received a National Institutes of Health Director's Pioneer Award for her revolutionary research on emotion in the brain. These highly competitive, multimillion dollar awards are given to scientists of exceptional creativity who are expected to transform biomedical and behavioral research. 

Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Barrett has testified before Congress, presented her research to the FBI, consulted to the National Cancer Institute, and been a featured guest on public television and podcast and radio programs worldwide. She recently did a 2 hour podcast with Andrew Huberman which is definitely worth checking out!

She was president of the Association for Psychological Science in 2019–2020 and co-founded the Society for Affective Science. She is also an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada.

Todays Topics:
Her personal/professional story. 
How she became THE person who would teach the world how emotions are REALLY made.
How emotions are made (they aren't simply triggered reactions).
She walks us through an instance of emotion (sadness, anxiety). 
Her thoughts on adverse childhood experiences/trauma and disordered eating
How metabolic functioning effects everything and why we need to be aware when we are doing things that are metabolically expensive (uncertainty, neural processing).
How people predict and experience pain
It's not our thoughts that create feelings but feelings that create our thoughts. 
How our brain writes a story that makes predictions about what will happen and this becomes our reality. 
Can we teach our brains to make different predictions?
How emotion concepts are taught to us by our parents
Actionable tools listeners can use to manage their body budget. 
What is next for her?
If she could tell a younger version of yourself something about emotions, what she would tell herself?

Follow Lisa:
Ted Talk: https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com/multimedia/
Books: https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com/books/
Website: https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com

 

 

Dr. David L. Katz is a specialist in Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine/Public Health, and Lifestyle Medicine, with expertise in nutrition.

The recipient of numerous awards for teaching, writing, and contributions to public health, Dr. Katz was a 2019 James Beard Foundation Award nominee in health journalism, has been a widely supported nominee for the position of U.S. Surgeon General, and has received three honorary doctorates.  He is a 2023 recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Doctors' World Gala.

He holds multiple US patents, has over 200 peer-reviewed publications, has published many hundreds of online and newspaper columns; and has authored/co-authored 19 books to date, including multiple editions of leading textbooks in nutrition, preventive medicine, and epidemiology. His most recent book for a general audience, How to Eat, co-authored with Mark Bittman, was a 2021 IACP Awards finalist.

His career-long focus has been translating science into action for adding years to life, life to years, and on the confluence of human and planetary health.

In this episode:

Dr. Katz explains how addiction is possible and why it exists

We discuss how food could fit into meeting criteria for addiction

Dr. Katz shares his opinion on labeling food addiction and obesity as diseases

We discuss culinary medicine and tastebud rehab

Dr. Katz explains why emphasis on whole foods remains a steady recommendation despite new fad diets

We get some of Dr. Katz's book recommendations, and he answers our signature question

Follow Dr. Katz:

Website: https://davidkatzmd.com/

Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-L.-Katz-MD/author/B001IXPPG2?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDavidKatz/

 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

 

 

On todays podcast registered social workers and dual licensed mental health and addiction counsellor Molly, Bethany and Clarissa discuss what to look for in a counsellor and some questions to ask them before you start working with them. Here is a helpful guide we created for you as well!

Questions to ask a Food Addiction Professional Before Working with them

Education / Training / Certifications:
What is their educational background? 
Where did they receive their degree/training in counseling/psychology/food addiction/coaching? 
How long have they been practicing? 
What licenses and certifications do they have? Which professional organizations do they belong to? 

Confidentiality: 
What is their policy regarding privacy and confidentiality? 
Do they adhere to professional ethical standards and keep client information secure? 

Professional Standards: 
Are they in therapy themselves? How recently? How regularly? 
Do they seek peer consultation? 
Do they participate in supervision?

Treatment Style: 
How many clients have they had with similar circumstances to yours? 
When was the last time they worked with someone similar to you? 
Have them describe their ideal client. 
What are their strengths and limitations are as a Food Addiction professional? 
What is their general philosophy and approach to helping? 
Are they more directive or more guiding? 
What does a typical session look like? 
How long are the sessions? 
What kind of homework/reading do they give their clients? 
How do you prepare for your first session? 
What therapeutic approach or modalities does the Food Addiction professional utilize? 
Are they trained in specific methods: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Somatic Practices or Mindfulness-Based approaches? 
How do they tailor their approach to meet your individual needs?

Treatment Goals and Progress: 
How do they collaborate with their clients to establish treatment goals? 
How often do they assess progress? 
What strategies do they use to monitor and adjust the treatment plan? 
How do they set up counseling goals? What are they like? 
Tell them what you define as success for you.

Availability and Scheduling: 
What are their working hours and availability? 

How far in advance do they typically schedule appointments? 
Are there any options for remote or online sessions? 
Is it all 1:1 or are there group sessions? 
How often would they anticipate seeing you? For how long?

Costs: 
What are the fees for each session? 
What are their sliding-scale options? 
Are there any additional charges/expenses to consider: assessments or paperwork fees? 
Do they accept insurance, and if so, which providers? 
Do they offer a contract where all this info is stated? 

Refund Policy: 
What is the cancellation or no-show policy? 
Are there any provisions for refunds if sessions are missed or terminated prematurely?

Follow Clarissa, Molly and Bethany:

https://www.sweetsobriety.ca

Thank you so much Food Junkies listeners! We have reached episode 150 and we could not think of a better guest to celebrate it with than one of our favourite, mind blowing leaders in the field Dr. David Wiss. Dr. Wiss became a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) in 2013 and founded Nutrition in Recovery, a group practice of RDNs specializing in treating eating and substance use disorders. He earned his Ph.D. in Public Health with a minor in Health Psychology from UCLA. Dr. Wiss is a scientific author with over 20 peer-reviewed publications, a nutrition and health consultant, functional medicine practitioner, recovery coach, and passionate educator.

Today we are going to learn ALL about his revolutionary new Wise Mind Nutrition app which focuses on the intersection of nutrition and mental health. Dr. Wiss also speaks to us about his recent article "How the Nutrition Field Became Toxic and What We Can Do About It." His thoughts on 12 step food programs, AND what he has learned in 17 years in recovery. Thank you for listening and enjoy this episode!

Todays Topics:

The Wise Mind Nutrition app and who it is for
His article "How the Nutrition Field Became Toxic and What We Can Do About It." 
The food industry is paying 'influencer' dietitians to shape our eating habits
How to to discern whether the nutritional advice is credible or not
His thoughts on 12 step food programs
What he has learned in his 17 years of being in recovery  "I had to be rigid to get free, but I didn't get free to spend the rest of my life being rigid. I want to be more like water and less like rocks."
What is next for him

Follow David:
Nutrition in Recovery: https://www.nutritioninrecovery.com
20 Peer-Reviewed Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=qTHIYQEAAAAJ&hl=en
Wise Mind Nutrition: https://wisemindnutrition.com

Vincent Santiago is a Ph.D. student in clinical psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in Toronto, Canada. His research interests include eating disorders, food addiction, body image, bariatric surgery, health psychology, anxiety disorders, LGBTQ+ health, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing.  
In this episode, Vincent describes his doctoral dissertation project, a randomized controlled trial that explored the use of an intervention for food addiction (the concept that individuals can be addicted to foods, particularly highly processed foods). This intervention combined Adapted Motivational Interviewing, a person-centered counseling approach, and CBT skills for eating-related issues, with a focus on harm reduction and moderation.
Vincent's master's thesis explored psychosocial factors, such as attachment style and emotion regulation, related to cigarette smoking following bariatric surgery. For his undergraduate thesis, he studied the influence of video messages on healthier eating among students who engaged in restrained and unrestrained eating.

Clinical Interests

Vincent's clinical interests include the assessment and treatment of various mental health issues, including eating disorders, anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety disorder), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He is particularly interested in using approaches from CBT, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

Vincent completed his predoctoral internship at the London Clinical Psychology Residency Consortium in London, Ontario, and practicum placements at: (1) the Psychology Training Clinic within the Department of Family and Community Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital; (2) the Intensive Residential and Day Treatment Program for OCD at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; and (3) the Eating Disorders Program at Toronto General Hospital, where he currently works as a Mental Health Clinician. Vincent was also involved as a study therapist at TMU in clinical trials providing CBT related to post-bariatric surgery issues, as well as social anxiety disorder, substance use, and HIV sexual risk behavior.

Professional and Community Involvement

Vincent is committed to fostering the growth of psychology and those interested in the field. He is involved in mentorship programs with undergraduates, graduate students, and early career psychologists as part of the TMU Psychology Graduate Students' Association, the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), and the American Psychological Association (APA). He served a 2-year term as a Student Representative in the Psychologists in Hospitals and Health Centres section of the CPA.

Vincent co-organized the inaugural "Diversifying Psychology Recruitment Event" at TMU in 2020. The goal of this event was to provide more information about applying to graduate school for students from traditionally underrepresented groups, particularly students identifying as Black, Indigenous, and a Person of Colour. Vincent previously volunteered in LGBTQ+ organizations that offer peer support, workshops, and social activities in the community.

 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Nina Teicholz is a science journalist and author of the New York Times bestseller, The Big Fat Surprise, which upended the conventional wisdom on dietary fat–especially saturated fat—and spurred a new conversation about whether these fats in fact cause heart disease. 

Teicholz's work on nutrition, policy, and health has been published in the BMJ, PNAS Nexus (a journal of the National Academies of Sciences), the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Financial Times, The Atlantic, among many other national publications. She now writes a Substack column called "Unsettled Science." Teicholz has appeared on numerous podcasts and TV shows including ABC's Nightline, Good Morning America, CBC Radio, NPR shows, MSNBC, the Joe Rogan Show and more. Her book was named a "must read" by the BMJ and The Lancet, as well as one of the year's *Best Books* by the Economist, Wall Street Journal and Mother Jones; It continues to be called a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the amazing story of how we came to believe fat is bad for health—and what a better diet might look like.

Nina is also the founder of the Nutrition Coalition, a non-profit working to ensure that nutrition policies are based on the best and most rigorous science—work for which she was asked to testify before the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Senate. Teicholz is a graduate of Stanford and Oxford Universities and previously served as associate director of the Center for Globalization and Sustainable Development at Columbia University. 

Teicholz attended Yale and Stanford where she studied biology and majored in American Studies. She has a master's degree from Oxford University and served as associate director of the Center for Globalization and Sustainable Development at Columbia University.

A former vegetarian of 25+ years, from Berkeley, CA, Teicholz now lives in New York city with her husband and two sons.

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

On todays podcast Molly and I interview Bonnie J Kaplan, PhD. Bonnie is Professor Emeritus in the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. She has published widely on the biological basis of developmental disorders and mental health – particularly, the contribution of nutrition to mental health.

Her efforts to educate about the role of nutrition in brain health resulted in her selection in 2017 as one of 150 Canadian Difference Makers in Mental Health, in honour of Canada's 150th birthday. In 2019 she was honoured with the Dr. Rogers Prize for Excellence in Integrative, complementary medicine. In 2021 she was chosen as one of the top "7 Over 70" in Calgary, partly for her book The Better Brain, written with Professor Julia Rucklidge and published by Harper Collins, as well as her two charitable funds supporting research by junior colleagues who study nutrition and mental health (over $1 million CAD distributed). Her primary goal is to bring nutrition education and treatment to the forefront of mental health care.

The best news is Dr. Kaplan is coming to my hometown Parry Sound on November 2nd to present at the Stockey Centre on the topic of "The Importance of Nutrition for Brain Health and Resilience." This event was going to be hosted at the Parry Sound Hospital but there was pushback from a doctor there who her work was not based in science. I found this so hard to believe since Bonnie has spent so much of her life in the field of research, and has 142 peer reviewed publications to prove it. So as a community of passionate people about how our food choices can be an incredible tool to enhance mental health we found a way to host it here anyways and make it FREE for the general public. So ALL OUR WELCOME to attend this event which will be held from 1pm – 3pm, November 2nd at the Stockey Center in Parry Sound. All donations are going to two local programs to provide fresh food for their participants at The Drop supporting local youth and Hope Pregnancy Center supporting local pregnant moms. Thanks to Home Depot and Sweet Sobriety for sponsoring this event.

Todays Topics:
•     Her personal story and AHA moments
•     How food/nutrition impact our mental health?
•     Does she think the current mental health crisis has anything to do with our food system?
•     Is a whole food diet sufficient for everyone?
•     What are micronutrients?
•     Is there is a micronutrient formula for addiction?
•     Research on micronutrients for ADHD and Depression
•     Research on micronutrients and resilience through environmental traumas
•     The pushback she receives on her work from the medical field

Follow Bonnie:
Website: https://bonniejkaplan.com
Book: TheBetterBrainbook.com
5 min video on what micronutrients do in the brain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWIBf5ALLj4&t=4s

Recent essay in Psychiatric Times: https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/nutritional-treatments-the-next-frontier-in-psychiatry
A Conversation.com piece I wrote: https://theconversation.com/junk-food-and-the-brain-how-modern-diets-lacking-in-micronutrients-may-contribute-to-angry-rhetoric-170863

And finally, the two charitable funds she manages:
In Canada, it is held by the Calgary Foundation. https://calgaryfoundation.org/. Click on DONATE, then enter the word nutrition into the search field and you will find the Nutrition and Mental Health Fund.
In the USA, it is held by FJC.org — Click on DONATE, and enter Nutrition and Mental Health Fund into the appropriate field.

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Vanessa Sperandio is a professor at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in both the departments of microbiology and biochemistry. She joined the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health as the chair of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology in spring 2022.

Sperandio's research focuses on the signaling mechanisms between mammalian hosts, their beneficial microbiota, and bacterial pathogens.

Sperandio was a 1997 fellow of the Pew Charitable Trust and was elected to the American Academy of Microbiology in 2013.[3] She is also a Kavli Frontiers of Science Fellow by the National Academy of Sciences and selected as a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigator in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases.

 

In this episode:

Personal/Professional Journey

Our relationship with Bacteria

Neurotransmitters

Microbiome Imbalance

Nutritional Therapy Interventions

Processed Foods and our gut

How to eat for our gut microbiome

Supplements and Probiotics

Psychedelics, Microbiome, and Addiction

 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

 

Today we speak with scientist Dr. Caroline Davis. Dr. Davis is a pioneer in the academic study of food addiction. Researching in the 1990s, when most people were studying aberrant eating from purely an eating disorder model. Dr Davis was connecting the dots of addiction from within her eating disorder research. 

Dr. Davis is an established academic with a strong track record in the areas of psychobiological risk factors for obesity and disordered eating, as seen by her numerous publications in high quality journals and her many conferences presentations at international meetings. Her psychogenetic work has examined the role of brain reward mechanisms in the regulation of appetite and overeating. She also has a strong interest in biologically-based personality traits that moderate food consumption and interface with environmental risk factors. 

She was one of the first to examine the role of brain reward mechanisms in the regulation of appetite and overeating. Dr. Davis is professor emeritus in the department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at York University, and was also cross-appointed to the Psychology Program at York University. In addition, she had an Affiliate Scientist position at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and in the Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, both in Toronto.

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Dr. Tabri is the Director of the Mental Health and Addictions Laboratory and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

Dr. Tabri's research explores how different transdiagnostic factors (e.g., overvalued ideation, perfectionism, and impulsivity) may function together to proliferate and maintain engagement in various health-compromising behaviors (e.g., disordered eating and gambling). The ultimate aim of this line of research is to enhance the prevention, assessment, and treatment protocols of various mental health disorders.

Dr. Tabri also researches the mental health and well-being implications of group membership. This research integrates social identity theory with theories from clinical and health psychology to understand how group-related factors (e.g., perceived intergroup threat, group-based emotions, and social identification) affect the mental health and well-being of group members. The goal is to develop an integrative framework of how group membership may affect our mental health and well-being.

In this interview, we cover:

Nassim Tabri's Personal and Professional Journey and Current Research

The Nexus Between Eating Disorders and Gambling Problems

Orthorexia Nervosa and Transdiagnostic Mechanisms in Eating Disorders

Transdiagnostic Factors in Disordered Eating and Gambling

Common Factors in Disordered Eating and Gambling

Recovery and Community Building

Changing Your Life for Recovery

Appearance Focused Self Concept and Disordered Eating

The Impact of Cultural Messaging on Eating Disorders and Appearance Standards

Discussion on Mental Health and Research Collaboration

 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman and Clarissa Kennedy welcome back Dr. Nicole Avena — neuroscientist, researcher, and author — to discuss her team's latest paper exploring a provocative question: Could GLP-1 receptor agonists, while reducing food cravings, also negatively impact dopamine regulation, mood, and addiction risk?

Dr. Avena breaks down the science behind GLP-1 drugs, their effects on the brain's reward pathways, and why these mechanisms might lead to unintended consequences such as anhedonia, apathy, and depressive symptoms. Together, they examine potential tolerance and rebound effects, the role of GABAergic neurons, and the paradox of eliminating "food noise" while risking a hypodopaminergic state. The conversation also covers dose-dependence, the importance of holistic support and mindful eating skills, and ethical considerations for use in vulnerable populations — especially those with a history of addiction or mental health challenges.

Listeners will gain nuanced insight into:

• How GLP-1s work in the brain's reward and motivation systems

• Why side effects may be tied to dosing, individual sensitivity, and muscle loss

• The risk of emotional flattening and its impact on recovery and quality of life

• Strategies to use these medications responsibly, including lower-dose approaches and lifestyle integration

• Broader implications for the food industry, public health, and prevention — including concerns about pediatric use

Dr. Avena also shares a preview of her upcoming talk at the International Food Addiction & Comorbidities Conference in September 2025, where she'll address GLP-1 research, early-life risk factors for ultra-processed food addiction, and prevention strategies.

If you've ever wondered about the long-term story behind the GLP-1 craze — especially for those navigating food addiction recovery — this in-depth discussion is a must-listen.

Get your IN-PERSON or LIVESTREAM ticket(s) HERE! Use code SSO for a 40% discount!

 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Dr. Amy Recihelt is a neuroscientist, researcher, speaker, consultant and author. She's passionate about uncovering how lifestyle, diet and novel pharmacotherapies can enhance brain health and mental wellbeing. She places health and mental wellness at the core of my personal and professional identity.

Amy has a PhD in Neuroscience, a BSc with Honours in Psychology, and an Advanced Diploma in Nutrition. She is also a pharmaceutical professional, leading clinical development in psychedelic drugs. She is a Certified Health & Nutrition Practitioner and has have completed training courses in Yoga (200h YTT, yoga nidra, yin yoga), Mental Health First Aid, Meditation and Mindfulness.

Her work as a PhD-trained neuroscientist over the past decade has been transformational in demonstrating the influence of nutrition to optimise mental health and cognition. Through her private nutrition practice at Cognition Nutrition, she connects people with the knowledge and tools change their behaviours around health and wellness.

She is a recognised leader in the field of neuroscience, health, and medicine – authoring over 50 peer-reviewed scientific articles in eminent journals including The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, Nature Communications, Journal of Neuroscience and Trends in Neuroscience. From her research, she developed scientific expertise in cognition, brain development, the gut microbiome, behaviour control, and neurodegenerative disease.

Beyond her academic credentials – She is an approachable, down-to-earth person who loves food, running, painting, yoga, laughing at British comedies, and hiking in the great Canadian outdoors with her partner Ben and our dogs Frank and Otto.

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Today, CJ, Will, and Katy share their personal stories of addiction and recovery, and discuss their struggles with food addiction, substance abuse, and diabetes. They talked about the challenges they faced in seeking recovery and the tools they used to achieve abstinence, including joining twelve-step programs and participating in Sweet Sobriety's audit program. They also shared how their recovery has changed over time and the importance of modeling good behavior for their families.

In this episode:

Personal Stories of Recovery and Healing

Struggles with Addiction and Recovery

Siblings in Recovery

Daily Routines for Maintaining Recovery

Signature Question: Words of Wisdom for the Younger Self

 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Col. Philip Blair, MD, is a board certified Family Physician licensed in Washington State . He graduated from West Point in 1972 and attended University of Miami School of Medicine and trained as a family physician. He had assignments in Georgia, Louisiana, Washington, Oklahoma, Texas, Hawaii, Kansas, Italy, Korea, Germany, and the Gulf War. After retiring from the Army in 1996 he managed workers injuries and provided primary care above the Arctic Circle in Alaska. He also provided services in Kodiac Island and Newfoundland, Canada.

In 2000 he became Vice President for Disease Management at AWAC, Inc., an medical management company, where he co-developed a highly successful interventional approach to chronic kidney disease. In 2011 he formed his own company consulting for employer based health insurers and providing a revolutionary style of chronic disease management achieving success in over 75% of patients with diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease and metabolic syndrome. "Our program is truly focused on patients and helping them navigate through our complicated health care system," emphasizes Dr. Blair. Much of the program is about empowering individual patients to make lifestyle changes and coaching them through the difficult transitions until they realize success. And, then helping them maintain their positive outcomes for life.

Dr. Blair continues to explore new therapeutic approaches to chronic problems supported by medical evidence and clinical results including whole body vibration, low dose naltrexone and cannabidiol. These new areas show exceptional promise and success with little or no adverse effects. 

In this episode:

His personal story

CBD

The endocannabinoid system and appetite

CB1 & CB2 receptors

Beta karyophyllene

His product (buyer beware Food Junkies does not endorse any products by our guests)

Follow Dr. Blair:

http://www.drphilipblair.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.