The Other Side of the Plate is brought to you by FEAST (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders). This podcast is for moms, dads, and caregivers searching for answers that can feel so hard to find when your loved one has an eating disorder.
Hosts Jenni and Laura are caregivers with lived experience supporting their own loved ones to full recovery. They share personal insights, discuss interactions with professionals, and point you toward helpful resources. Each episode is designed to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate this complex journey. Topics covered include how to recognize the signs of an eating disorder, take effective action, advocate for your child, provide crucial support at home, and many other important topics caregivers face on the path to recovery.
As we say at FEAST: "We're here because we've been there."
Subscribe now to join a community that truly understands.
Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Données mises à jour le 14/07/2026
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013 - Voices of Hope: A Mother and Daughter Reflect on Their Eating Disorder Journey (with Alexa Cohen)
Épisode 13
jeudi 5 mars 2026 • Durée 50:22
Episode 013
Title: Voices of Hope: A Mother and Daughter Reflect on Their Eating Disorder Journey (with Alexa Cohen)
This episode is part of our Voices of Hope series. In these conversations, you’ll hear from individuals who have walked through an eating disorder and come out on the other side. Our intention is to highlight that recovery is possible, relationships can survive, and even during the most challenging moments, hope is real.
In this episode, Laura Cohen sits down with her daughter, Alexa Cohen, to talk openly about Alexa's eating disorder diagnosis at 16, the hard road through family-based treatment and higher levels of care, and what their relationship looks like on the other side. Alexa, now 22 and working in inpatient eating disorder care, shares her perspective from both sides of recovery.
00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer
01:02 Guest Introduction: Alexa Cohen
04:06 Life Before the Diagnosis: Ages 13–16
06:49 The Role of Lockdown, Social Media, and the ED Voice
10:02 How Laura First Learned Something Was Wrong
11:44 Starting FBT: Refeeding at Home During COVID
16:17 What FBT Felt Like from Alexa's Perspective
19:11 Why Giving In Was Never an Option
20:44 Finding the Right Treatment Team (and How Long It Took)
25:26 Deciding to Pursue a Higher Level of Care
32:00 College, Contracts, and Choosing Recovery
37:18 Alexa's Work in Eating Disorder Care Today
40:12 Advice for Caregivers Whose Kids Are in Treatment
45:49 What Alexa Would Tell Her 13-Year-Old Self
47:26 Advice to Caregivers: It Won't Ruin the Relationship
012 - What Caregivers Need to Know About ARFID (with Nathalia Trees)
Épisode 12
mercredi 25 février 2026 • Durée 43:22
In this episode, Jenni Gaines and Laura Cohen sit down with Nathalia Trees, a certified eating disorder Registered Dietitian, to unpack ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), a diagnosis that often gets mistaken for simple picky eating. Nathalia breaks down the three presentations of ARFID, explains why a malnourished brain makes food trials nearly impossible without nutritional rehabilitation first, and offers a realistic picture of what success actually looks like in treatment. Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of when to raise a red flag with their pediatrician, who should be on their child's treatment team, and how to manage the anxiety and fatigue that come with supporting a loved one through recovery.
00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer
01:11 Guest Introduction: Nathalia Trees
03:20 What Is ARFID? The Three Presentations
05:20 How ARFID Differs from Anorexia, Bulimia, and Anxiety Disorders
07:30 Motivation vs. Anxiety in ARFID Treatment
09:10 Picky Eating vs. ARFID: Where's the Line?
11:20 First Steps for Caregivers: Advocating with Your Pediatrician
15:06 What Does ARFID Treatment Look Like?
16:20 Why Nutrition Rehabilitation Comes Before Food Trials
18:15 Weight Gain Goals and Growth Curve Realities
19:55 The Malnourished Brain: Why Food Trials Can't Come First
23:26 What Does Success Actually Look Like?
25:45 Tracking Progress and Celebrating Small Wins
26:00 Common Setbacks: Travel, Illness, and Food Fatigue
29:40 Building Your Treatment Team: Who Does What
33:15 Caregiver Anxiety and Distress Tolerance at the Table
36:01 Is There a Timeline for ARFID Recovery?
011 - Stronger Together: How Caregiver Alignment Supports Recovery
Épisode 11
mercredi 4 février 2026 • Durée 48:09
Episode 011
Title: Stronger Together: How Caregiver Alignment Supports Recovery
In this episode, Jenni Gaines and Laura Cohen dive into the vital but often overlooked topic of caregiver alignment. They discuss how eating disorders can exploit "cracks" in relationships and the profound impact—both positive and negative—that caregiver unity has on a child’s recovery trajectory. Listeners will gain practical tools for managing disagreements, setting non-negotiable boundaries, and balancing the heavy lifting of treatment with the need to protect their own relationships.
00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer
01:02 Defining Caregiver Alignment
03:09 Why Alignment is Critical for Recovery
07:46 The Consequences of Misalignment
09:10 Common Conflict Areas: Meals, Consequences, and Parenting Styles
11:02 Balancing the Workload: Resentment vs. Appreciating Strengths
16:53 External Alignment: Grandparents, Teachers, and Coaches
20:25 Navigating Co-Parenting and Divorce
24:59 Practical Strategies: Education and the Family Recovery Plan
30:34 Managing Disagreements in Front of Your Loved One
40:03 The Power of the 10-Minute Check-In
42:16 Trusting Yourself When Alignment Isn’t Possible
010 - A Personal Recovery Journey: Insights for Caregivers (with Hannah Hickinbotham)
Épisode 10
mercredi 21 janvier 2026 • Durée 58:00
Episode 010
A Personal Recovery Journey: Insights for Caregivers (with Hannah Hickinbotham)
In this episode, Jenni speaks with Hannah Hickenbotham, founder of the UK-based "Full of Beans" podcast about eating disorder awareness. Hannah shares her personal journey through atypical anorexia, body dysmorphia, and the late ADHD diagnosis (after 14 years of struggling) that finally unlocked her path to recovery. This conversation offers caregivers rare insight into what recovery looks like from the inside: why resistance happens, what support actually helps, and how to find "glimmers" of hope even in the darkest moments.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
06:19 What Caregivers Can Learn from Lived Experience
10:03 Hannah's Journey: Diet Culture and Feeling Different
15:53 Atypical Anorexia: The Pain of "Not Quite There"
17:22 Eating Disorders as Emotional Regulation
26:33 Advice for Parents: What Helped and What Didn't
34:21 Understanding Resistance: "Facing Your Worst Nightmare"
44:46 Thanking and Releasing the Eating Disorder (EMDR)
47:32 Supporters Who Made a Difference
54:41 Finding Daily Glimmers: Advice for Struggling Families
009 - Navigating Family Based Treatment (with Dr. Amy Boyers)
Épisode 9
mercredi 7 janvier 2026 • Durée 59:24
Episode 009
Navigating Family Based Treatment (with Dr. Amy Boyers)
In this episode of The Other Side of the Plate, hosts Laura and Jenni welcome Dr. Amy Boyers, co-founder and president of Galen Hope and a clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience treating eating disorders. Laura and Amy's friendship stretches back to childhood in Miami, making for a warm and candid conversation about family-based treatment (FBT). Dr. Boyers traces the evolution of eating disorder treatment from the "parentectomy" era of the eighties and nineties through the emergence of FBT, explaining the three phases of the manualized protocol while advocating for what she calls "FBT with a twist": adding meal support coaches, dietitians, respite from grandparents, and regular therapy sessions for burnt-out caregivers. She addresses common reasons families stall (inconsistent monitoring, "clean eating" that can't achieve caloric density, reluctance to enforce meaningful consequences) and offers a memorable reframe: when one part of a family system changes, the other parts engage in "change back behaviors" to restore the status quo. Dr. Boyers emphasizes that FBT is only the "gold standard" if it works for your family, and encourages parents to develop a Plan B before they need it.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
01:03 Meet Dr. Amy Boyers: From Childhood Friends to Eating Disorder Expert
06:42 What Is FBT? From Maudsley to Lock and Le Grange
13:25 When FBT Isn't the Right Fit: Recognizing Family Dynamics
21:52 Common Reasons Families Stall: "Change Back Behaviors"
27:07 Caloric Density and the "Two Entire Birds" Problem
29:25 Consequences That Signal Commitment
37:00 FBT with a Twist: Adding Coaches, Dietitians, and Therapy
45:02 When to Transition Away from FBT
51:35 The Future of FBT and Treatment
53:57 Advice for Families Starting Their FBT Journey
008 - Body Image and Eating Disorders (with Dr. Anita Federici)
Épisode 8
mercredi 17 décembre 2025 • Durée 52:15
Episode 008
Body Image and Eating Disorders (with Dr. Anita Federici)
In this episode of The Other Side of the Plate, hosts Jenni and Laura welcome Dr. Anita Federici, a clinical psychologist and globally respected expert on eating disorders and DBT. Dr. Federici challenges the common assumption that body image naturally improves after weight restoration, explaining that for many people, body disturbance isn't a "lag" but a core neurobiological feature of eating disorders rooted in sensory and perceptual differences. The conversation explores the distinction between body dysmorphia and negative body image, the power of validation as a "safety signal," and practical communication strategies for caregivers—including Dr. Federici's four-step framework: validate what makes sense, reinforce adaptive behavior, invite rather than impose help, and offer sensory-based coping tools. Drawing parallels to how clinicians treat psychosis and dementia, Dr. Federici makes a compelling case for believing patients' lived experiences rather than dismissing them. This episode offers caregivers both scientific grounding and practical hope for supporting loved ones through the often-misunderstood struggles of living in their "earth suit."
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
01:02 Meet Dr. Anita Federici: 25 Years in the Eating Disorders Field
06:30 The Body Image "Lag": Why It May Not Be a Lag at All
14:36 Validation as a Safety Signal
17:39 Body Dysmorphia vs. Negative Body Image: The "Earth Suit"
24:27 Normal Body Dissatisfaction vs. Warning Signs
30:35 What to Say: The "You Make Sense" Conversation
41:33 Hair on Fire: Sensory Tools During Acute Treatment
44:47 Lessons from Treating Psychosis and Dementia
50:01 A Message of Hope: Start Where You Are
007 - The Importance of Male Caregivers in Eating Disorder Recovery (with Kevin Dunn)
Épisode 7
mercredi 3 décembre 2025 • Durée 56:09
Episode 007
The Importance of Male Caregivers in Eating Disorder Recovery (with Kevin Dunn)
In this episode of The Other Side of the Plate, hosts Jenni and Laura discuss the often overlooked role of male caregivers in eating disorder recovery with special guest Kevin Dunn. Kevin, a seasoned volunteer and the Director of Family Mentorship at Equip, shares insights from his eight-year journey supporting his daughter through an eating disorder. The conversation covers the emotional challenges men face, the importance of humility, validation, distress tolerance, and the transformative power of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Kevin emphasizes the need for male caregivers to be present, practice active listening, and collaborate openly with other caregivers. This episode aims to shed light on how inclusive caregiving can enhance recovery outcomes and the unique strengths men bring to the table.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
01:02 Meet Kevin Dunn: From Caregiver to Men of FEAST Founder
04:01 Kevin's Personal Story: A Daughter's Diagnosis at Age 8
10:55 The Birth of Men of FEAST
14:56 Creating a Safe Space for Male Caregivers
18:16 Why Male Voices Matter in Recovery
22:26 Getting Aligned as a Team: "Same Bookstore, Not Same Page"
27:29 Essential Skills: Humility, Acceptance, and Validation
42:58 Baby Steps for Dads: Be Present, Be Available, Listen
006 - Handling the Holidays with a Loved One in Eating Disorder Recovery
Épisode 6
mercredi 19 novembre 2025 • Durée 34:52
Episode 006
Handling the Holidays with a Loved One in Eating Disorder Recovery
In this episode of The Other Side of the Plate, hosts Laura Cohen and Jenny Gaines discuss managing the holidays when a loved one is not in residential or in-patient treatment and is able to be with their family at home (or able to travel with family for the holidays). They share strategies for caregivers to support their loved ones and the importance of self-care for caregivers, and the episode concludes with a look ahead to their next guest, Kevin Dunn, who will discuss the role of male caregivers in eating disorder recovery.
Also, the upcoming Weekend Workshop on November 22 will include discussion about handling the holidays when your loved one is in the hospital or in a residential treatment center and unable to be home.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
01:14 The Emotional Complexity of Holidays with an Eating Disorder
04:13 Personal Stories: Spending Holidays Differently
05:01 Preparing Ahead: Planning Meals, Routines, and Responses
08:52 Navigating Challenging Family Conversations
15:30 Setting Boundaries and Creating "Escape Plans"
19:35 Religious Considerations and Creating New Traditions
25:45 Giving Yourself Permission: This Is Temporary
30:12 Practical Tips: Holiday Outfits and Being Flexible
005 - The Heart of FEAST: A Conversation with Judy Krasna
Épisode 5
mercredi 5 novembre 2025 • Durée 36:55
Episode 005
The Heart of FEAST: A Conversation with Judy Krasna
In this episode of The Other Side of the Plate, hosts Jenni and Laura sit down with a very special guest: Judy Krasna, the Executive Director of FEAST. Judy shares her powerful personal journey from finding FEAST as a parent in Israel to leading FEAST as a global organization. She discusses the core mission of FEAST—parents helping parents—and what makes its community so unique.
The episode covers the vital role of volunteers, key resources for new families like 'FEAST 30 Days' and the 'Caregiver Skills Toolkit,' and a message of hope that recovery is possible and parents are not to blame.
00:10 Introduction to the Podcast
01:02 Welcoming Judy Krasna, Executive Director of FEAST
01:41 Judy's Personal Journey: From Parent to Executive Director
03:42 The Mission and Values of FEAST: Parents Helping Parents
05:23 What Makes the FEAST Community Special?
07:05 Clarifying Misconceptions about FEAST: All Ages and Treatment Types
08:53 The Heart and Soul of FEAST: The Volunteers
11:10 Where to Start: FEAST 30 Days & The Caregiver Skills Toolkit
15:07 Judy's Biggest Hope for Families: Feeling Less Alone
16:44 Key Advice for New Parents: A Marathon, Not a Sprint
19:13 Common Threads: The Universal Caregiver Experience
22:34 The Reality of Caregiver Self-Care
25:25 The Future of FEAST: Opportunities and Challenges
28:31 How Listeners Can Support FEAST's Mission
30:44 A Personal Story Illustrating the Heart of the Community
004 - A Roadmap to Key FEAST Resources
Épisode 4
mardi 14 octobre 2025 • Durée 24:49
Episode 004
A Roadmap to Key F.E.A.S.T. Resources
In this episode of 'The Other Side of the Plate,' host Jenni Gaines provides an in-depth look at crucial resources offered by FEAST, an organization dedicated to supporting families dealing with eating disorders. The episode covers educational programs such as the 'FEAST 30 Days' program, the 'FEAST Caregiver Skills Toolkit,' and the 'Family Guide series,' which provide vital information on managing eating disorders. Jenni also highlights peer support options like caregiver and sibling support groups as well as the 'Men of FEASTt' community for male caregivers. The episode aims to offer caregivers actionable insights, emotional support, and a sense of community, emphasizing that they are not alone in their journey.
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Nathalia Trees is a certified eating disorder Registered Dietitian and consultant specializing in the treatment of adults and adolescents with eating disorders. She was granted a Bachelor of Science from the University of Colorado and a Master of Science in clinical nutrition from Tufts University. She completed her dietetics internship at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA.
Nathalia’s experience spans over 13 years in medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education, public speaking, and eating disorder related research. Her passion is advocacy, training, and education for current and future dietitians and helping individuals rebuild their relationship with food. Nathalia’s approach focuses on non-diet centered, weight inclusive, and compassionate care. Nathalia’s leadership style focuses on community, connection, and striving for clinical excellence in the field of eating disorders.
Jenni Gaines and Laura Cohen are caregivers with lived experience who have supported their loved ones through eating disorder treatment. Together, they serve the FEAST community by sharing personal insights and connecting parents with the professional resources necessary to navigate recovery.
Listen to Hannah’s podcast on your favorite app: The Full of Beans Podcast
Guest Bio
Hannah Hickinbotham is the founder of Full of Beans, an eating disorder awareness podcast all about reducing stigma and amplifying lived experience. Through inspiring conversations with people with lived experience of an eating disorder, alongside clinicians and researchers, Hannah creates a space where listeners can feel understood, validated, and a little less alone.
Hannah has lived experience of atypical anorexia, body dysmorphia, and ADHD, and found her path to recovery after finally receiving an ADHD diagnosis 14 years later. Passionate about widening the conversation beyond stereotypes, she reminds people that recovery is possible, even when it doesn’t look how you expected.
Dr. Amy Boyers is the co-founder and president of Galen Hope, which is a physician-led program providing eating disorder and mental health treatment for adolescents and adults across a wide range of diagnoses. Galen Hope emphasizes community integration, family support, and fostering a sense of connection and belonging as essential to healing.
She has been in private practice in Miami since 2001, where she provides therapy to adolescents and adults, with a focus on women’s health, eating disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, and behavioral medicine.
After graduating with honors from the University of Pennsylvania, she was awarded a prestigious U.S. Department of Defense psychological research fellowship at the University of Miami, where she completed her masters and doctoral degrees.
Dr. Boyers is adjunct faculty at the University of Miami Counseling Center and has spoken locally and nationally on the topics of eating disorders, stress, trauma, and adolescent development. She has also co-authored several articles in professional journals. She was the founding president of the Miami Chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) and served on the national board.
33:35 Final Message: Hope, Recovery, and You Are Not to Blame
35:53 Conclusion and How to Get Involved
BIO - JUDY KRASNA
Judy Krasna has been involved in the eating disorders space as a parent advocate and an expert by experience for over 15 years. She was an active volunteer in the Academy for Eating Disorders and is a staunch advocate for incorporating lived experience into research and treatment. After serving on the F.E.A.S.T. Board of Directors and taking on multiple volunteer roles within the organization, Judy stepped into the position of F.E.A.S.T. Executive Director in early 2021. Judy is passionate about helping families of people with eating disorders, especially after her daughter Gavriella took her own life after a fierce and prolonged battle with anorexia.
