Explore every episode of the podcast Bodywhys Podcast

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet continue with the mini-series on self-harm and eating disorders. They discuss how using the cycle of change can help carers to support their loved one and encourage open conversations, as well as some helpful animal metaphors to use.

Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/

Jenny's shop: Shop - newmaudsleycarers-kent

Bodywhys website: ⁠https://www.bodywhys.ie/

In the first of this 4 part series on self-harm and eating disorders, Jenny and Harriet introduce the topic and begin thinking through how the New Maudsley Carer Skills can help carers to support their loved one when they are self-harming.​​

Notes:

• Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
• Bodywhys website: https://www.bodywhys.ie/

Jenny and Harriet are joined by another special guest in this episode - Veronica Kamerling, a mother, carer, and someone who’s spent over 23 years supporting families affected by eating disorders and mental illness.

Veronica supported both her daughters when they developed an eating disorder. She founded Eating Disorders & Carers, a space for families who, like hers, were doing their best in the dark of mental health recovery.

Veronica talks to Harriet and Jenny about the value of the Maudsley carer skills for supporting your loved one with an eating disorder.

Notes:

• Veronica's website: Eating Disorders & Carers

• Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
• Bodywhys website: https://www.bodywhys.ie/

Welcome back to the New Maudsley Carer Skills podcast - we are kicking off our third season with a very special guest - Prof. Janet Treasure OBE. Janet joins Harriet and Jenny to talk about supporting carers.

Notes

• Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
• Bodywhys website: https://www.bodywhys.ie/

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet discuss the topic of the teenage brain and eating disorders, one of the topical sessions that Jenny runs regularly. We'll be thinking through the biology of the brain and how understanding it can help us better understand a teen's eating disorder, and most importantly how understanding the teen brain can help us support a teen with an eating disorder better.

Notes

• Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
• Bodywhys website: https://www.bodywhys.ie/

In this episode Jenny and Harriet are joined by Hannah Hickinbotham. Hannah was diagnosed with Atypical Anorexia aged 14, and she talks about the twists and turns of her recovery journey, finding a therapy that worked and how she has dealt with a more recent ADHD diagnosis as well.

Notes

• Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/

• Bodywhys website: https://www.bodywhys.ie/
• Hannah's podcast - The Full of Beans Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RcJRo9tyIP4RzeZr2kSNO

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet discuss the role of perfectionism in eating disorders, and how the New Maudsley Carer Skills can be used by carers to support their loved one to identify perfectionism and move away from the tyranny of perfectionism. 

Notes

• Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/

• Bodywhys website: https://www.bodywhys.ie/

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet talk about the role of exercise and compulsive exercise in eating disorders. How do we know if a person is exercising to an extreme and how can we support a person as they change their relationship with exercise.

Notes

• Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
• Jenny is running a session for those supporting a person with an eating disorder titled 'Compulsive exercise and eating disorders and return to healthy sport' on: Monday, October 13th, 2025 from 1.30pm to 4pm. Email: jenny@newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk to register your interest
• Bodywhys website: https://www.bodywhys.ie/

Resources mentioned in the podcast:

• CET : Compulsive exercise test
• REDS : relative energy deficit in sports
• SEES : safe exercise at every stage
• LEAP (CBT programme from Loughborough university)
• LEAP (finding areas of agreement – LEAP institute)
• Nottingham University – guidance for sports professionals, PE teachers, Personal Trainers, gym staff and others.
• Peace pathway – autism and compulsive exercise
• The Exercise Clinic : Specialist Eating Disorder & Compulsive Exercise Treatment

In this episode, Barry speaks with clinical psychologist, Dr Agnes Ringer, about paradoxes in eating disorder recovery. We explore the role of workshops, the analytical questions, ambivalence, mechanical eating and agency.

Notes

Troublesome Bodies: How Bodies Come to Matter and Intrude in Eating Disorder Recovery | Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry

Anorexia as Parody: Postmodern Feminism and the Paradoxes of Anorexia

In this episode, Barry speaks with Bridgette Becker about her MA thesis. They talk about the role of historical trauma in women's experiences of eating disorders and the role of the patriarchy.

Notes

Tending the Roots: Implications for Historical Trauma and Its Manifestations in Women's Eating Disorders - ProQuest

In this episode, Barry talks to Dr Laura Chapman, Senior Research Associate, University of Bristol, about the experiences and support needs of mothers with eating disorders. We explore previous research, and key themes, such as parenting as a double-edged sword and potential clinical implications of Laura's work. Laura also talks about her personal connection to eating disorders.

Notes

“I think it is woven through me, and sadly that means it is woven through our family life”: the experiences and support needs of mothers with eating disorders | Journal of Eating Disorders

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet discuss body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and body image distortion in eating disorder recovery. Although these are not the same thing, the terms are often interchanged. Jenny and Harriet talk about both, and how they may intersect when an eating disorder is in the picture.

Notes

• Jenny's website
• Bodywhys.ie
• International OCD Foundation | Eating Disorders are Not the Same as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (And Why It Matters)

In this episode, Barry talks to Dr Elisa Lewis, London South Bank University. We explore hegemonic masculinity and its relationship to body image, appearance investment, male gender norms and key themes from Elisa's research.

Notes

“Awful Skinny Boys” – Male Musical Theatre Performers’ Experiences of Body Image: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis - Maria E. Carr, Elisa G. Lewis, 2025

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet talk through the difficult topic of NG feeding and how the Maudsley skills can be used to help tolerate the distress that goes with this.

Notes

Bodywhys website

Jenny's website

In this episode, Barry talks to Catholic moral theologian, Dr Megan Heeder, University of Scranton. We explore moral judgements about food, temperance, prudence, connatural knowledge and the work of the late Beth Haile.

Notes

Aquinas's Unity Thesis and Grace: Ingredients for Developing

A Good Appetite in a Contemporary AgeThe Beauty of a Good Appetite in a Social Media Age

In this episode, Barry speaks with Jinxu Li, Texas A&M University, about why people share their experiences of eating disorders on social media. Jinxu's episode focuses on research participants from China. We also discuss self-determination theory.

Notes

“I Want to Hold an Umbrella Over You Because I Have Been in the Rain”: Exploring Patient Influencers’ Motivations to Share Eating Disorders Experiences from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective: Health Communication

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet are joined again by Livia Sara. This time they talk about the fear of weight gain for autistic people in eating disorder recovery.

Notes

Here are the links to Livia's podcasts mentioned in the episode.

Part One Fear of Weight Gain in Autism and Anorexia[Part 1]

Part Two Autism, Anorexia, and Fear of Gaining Weight[Part 2]

Part Three Accepting Weight Gain in Anorexia Recovery (Asan Autistic Person)

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet talk through the third subtype of ARFID - fear of aversive consequences. Using real life examples, Jenny discusses the menu of Maudsley skills that can help carers supporting a person with this type of ARFID.

Notes

Bodywhys website

Jenny's website

In this episode, Barry speaks with Dr Veya Seekis, Griffith University, about social media detox strategies, body image and well-being. We explore some of the appearance-related content people may encounter when they spend time on social media.

Notes

To detox or not to detox? The impact of different approaches to social media detox strategies on body image and wellbeing - ScienceDirect

Growing skincare use by children is dangerous, say dermatologists

In this episode, Barry speaks with Cato Benschop, Utrecht University, about the life project account of eating disorders. We explore what this alternative framework offers for understanding people's experiences.

Notes

The life project account of eating disorders: agency in the pursuit of dietary goals

Cato's website

In this episode, Barry talks to Dr Madeleine Tatham, Norfolk Community Eating Disorders Service, about the impact of a podcast-based pre-treatment psychoeducation intervention. Dr Tatham also describes working with adults affected by eating disorders.

Notes

Enhancing assessment for eating disorders: the impact of a podcast-based pre-treatment psychoeducation intervention

Keeping Safe Programme | CPFT NHS Trust

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet are joined by Livia Sara, a well-established autistic advocate, recovery coach and eating disorder (ED) survivor. Livia is passionate about supporting families to learn how to support their loved one to use their autistic and ADHD traits to their advantage in ED recovery through a combination of science and lived experience. Livia has created a vast treasure trove of books, videos and podcasts. In this episode, Livia tells us her story, how she has come to reframe her experience to help her discover who she is without her ED, and how recovery for Livia, is not about overcoming fear, but rather understanding that what we fear most, is precisely what we most want to do.

Notes

Liv Label Free | Neurodiversity-Affirming Eating Disorder Recovery

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet continue talking about binge eating, this time within the context of a person experiencing extreme hunger in recovery. They discuss hypermetabolism and coping with the difficulties this throws up for the person recovering and their carer.

Notes:

Bodywhys website

Jenny's website

Eating Disorder Recovery for Adults by Tabitha Farrar

Livia Sara: Liv Label Free | Neurodiversity-Affirming Eating Disorder Recovery

In this episode, Barry speaks with Dr Andrea Goldschmidt, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, about FBT in the home. We explore the practicalities of how this works and potential benefits and some case studies.

Notes

Adapting family-based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa delivered in the home: A novel approach for improving access to care and generalizability of skill acquisition | Journal of Eating Disorders

In this episode Jenny and Harriet explore binge eating within the context of adhd and autism. What drives binge eating behaviour? What carer skills can support a person struggling with binge eating?

Kent New Maudsley website

Bodywhys website

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet talk about the difficult situation of supporting a person (autistic or not) who is not ready to acknowledge they have a problem. They provide lots of suggestions for how to manage and approach this situation, and how as a supporter to not get totally exhausted when in this situation.

Bodywhys website

Jenny's website

In this episode, Barry speaks with Hanna Christian, Clinical Research Coordinator, University of Pennsylvania, about challenges with diagnostic crossover.

Notes: “You’re Just Looking at One Piece of the Puzzle… My Weight”: A Phenomenological Examination of Diagnostic Crossover in Eating Disorders

In this episode, Harriet and Jenny talk about supporting adults with ARFID.

Bodywhys website https://www.bodywhys.ie/

Jenny's website. https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/

In this episode, Barry speaks with Dr Ann Haynos about the challenges of getting eating disorders research published.

Not niche: eating disorders as an example in the dangers of overspecialisation | The British Journal of Psychiatry | Cambridge Core

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet continue to discuss ARFID, this time in children. Harriet and Jenny talk about treatment, how the Maudsley skills can be used, and lots of resources and books that are helpful.

• ARFID Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A Guide for Parents and Carers - By Rachel Bryant-Waugh
• PEACE pathway: https://www.peacepathway.org/
• Child and Adolescent PEACE pathway: https://peacepathwaybob.org/
• FBT for ARFID
• CBT for ARFID
• Food Chaining: The Proven 6-Step Plan to Stop Picky Eating, Solve Feeding Problems, and Expand Your Child's Diet: By Cheri Fraker 
• Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating in Children, including those with Autism Spectrum Conditions: A Practical Guide for Parents and Professionals: By Gillian Harris and Elizabeth Shea
• Jenny's ARFID/Autism capsule - Please email info@bodywhys.ie or jenny@newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk to request this
• Jenny's website (Expert ED dietitians): https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/expert-eating-disorder-dietitians/
• Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
• Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie

In the first episode of our mini-series on ARFID, Jenny and Harriet outline what ARFID is and how the New Maudsley Carer Skills can be helpful when supporting a person with ARFID. 

Notes

Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/

Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie

In this episode, Barry speaks with Hannah Kuhn about her personal experience of an eating disorder.

Notes:

Hannah's thesis: "Pretty Girls Don't Eat Pizza: How an Eating Disorder Taught Me I Am En" by Hannah Kuhn (liberty.edu)

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet talk about the decisional balance technique when supporting an autistic person with an eating disorder.

*Please note: This episode was accidentally skipped in season 2, it follows on from NMCS S2E5 'Adapting the ALVS technique when supporting an autistic person with an eating disorder'

Notes

Bodywhys.ie

Jenny's website

In this episode, Jenny talks Harriet through the adaptations to the ALVS (Attend, Label, Validate, Soothe) technique when supporting an autistic person with an eating disorder. Using examples from carers Jenny has worked with, she explains the technique and how adaptations can be really helpful to establish connection with the person with an eating disorder.

Notes:

Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/

Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie

In this episode, Barry speaks with Dr. Bryony Davies, University of Plymouth, about microinterventions for body image.

Notes:

It helps to be funny or compassionate: An exploration of user experiences and evaluation of social media micro-intervention designs for protecting body image - ScienceDirect

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet continue to explore adaptations of the New Maudsley Carer Skills when supporting an autistic / neurodivergent person with an eating disorder. Learn how we can adapt OARS (Open questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening and Summarising), the communication skills at the heart of the Maudsley model.

Notes

Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/

Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie

In this episode, Jenny introduces Harriet to the purple balloon. The episode begins with a recap of the red and blue balloon and then Jenny describes, using lots of examples, how the purple balloon can help us support autistic / neurodivergent people with an eating disorder.

Notes:

• Jenny's website: ⁠https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/⁠
• Bodywhys website: ⁠⁠www.bodywhys.ie

In this episode, Jenny and Harriet outline the adaptations and developments of the New Maudsley Carer Skills model when applied to supporting an autistic or neurodivergent person with an eating disorder.

Notes: 

• PEACE Pathway: https://www.peacepathway.org/
• PEACE BOB: https://peacepathwaybob.org/autism-and-eating-disorders/
• Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
• Bodywhys website: ⁠www.bodywhys.ie

Harriet and Jenny are back with a new season of the New Maudsley Carer Skills (NMCS) podcast series. In this episode, they discuss what they've been up to and what they plan to talk about in the upcoming season.

Find out more:

Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk

Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie

In this episode, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys speaks with Emily Colton, Monash University, about neurocognitive factors and binge eating.

Notes:

• Dysfunctional decision-making in binge-eating disorder: A meta-analysis and systematic review - ScienceDirect
• New Research: Revealing the True Duration of Binge-Eating Disorder (psychiatrictimes.com)

In this episode, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys speaks with Dr Gemma Sharp, Monash University, about artificial intelligence and ethics in relation to eating disorders.

Notes

• Journal of Medical Internet Research - Ethical Challenges in AI Approaches to Eating Disorders (jmir.org)
• CoRe-ED

In support of Pride Month 2024, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys speaks with Dr Philip Joy, Mount Saint Vincent University, about compassion, recovery and LGBTQ experiences.

Notes

• Wicked Bodies
•  “It’s beautiful and it’s messy and it’s tragic”: exploring the role of compassion in the eating disorder recovery processes of 2S/LGBTQ + Canadians | Journal of Eating Disorders
•  New research report highlights stark deterioration in mental health of LGBTQI+ people since 2016  - Belong To - LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland

In this episode, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys speaks with Dr Amanda Raffoul, University of Toronto, about auditing social media algorithms.

Notes:

• Social Media Algorithm Auditing | STRIPED | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

In this episode, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys speaks with Dr. Jennifer Hamer about sports coaches & relative energy deficiency in sport (REDS).

Notes:

• A review exploring coach knowledge, attitudes/beliefs and behaviours towards low energy availability in athletes - Jennifer Hamer, Ben Desbrow, Chris Irwin, 2023 (sagepub.com)
• Are Coaches of Female Athletes Informed of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport? A Scoping Review in: Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal Volume 29 Issue 1 (2021) (humankinetics.com)
• 2023 International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) consensus statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) | British Journal of Sports Medicine (bmj.com)

In this episode, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys, speaks with Cat Papastavrou Brooks (Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) & Dave Chawner (Lived Experience) about co-producing principles to guide health research.

Notes:

• Co-producing principles to guide health research: an illustrative case study from an eating disorder research clinic - PMC (nih.gov)

In this episode, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys, speaks with Dr Blair Burnette of Michigan State University about the ignored role of disadvantage in eating disorders.

Notes

• The ignored role of disadvantage in eating disorders: Trends in Molecular Medicine (cell.com)
• A systematic review of sociodemographic reporting and representation in eating disorder psychotherapy treatment trials in the United States - Burnette - 2022 - International Journal of Eating Disorders

This webinar was recorded as part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2024. Our thanks to Emmy, Johnny, Laura, Chris and Bláithín for sharing their experiences.

See the YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGtEMErXEic

In this episode, Barry Murphy, our Research and Policy Officer speaks with Dr Jennifer Harriger, Pepperdine University, about social media and body image.

Notes:

• TikTok, TikTok, the time is now: Future directions in social media and body image - ScienceDirect
• Research for CULT Committee - The influence of social media on the development of children and young people | Think Tank | European Parliament (europa.eu)

In this episode, Barry, our Research and Policy Officer speaks with Akansha Naraindas (UCD) about interoceptive sensibility and body image.

• Body image disturbance, interoceptive sensibility and the body schema across female adulthood: a pre-registered study

In this episode, Harriet speaks with Michelle Kickham about living with a severe and enduring, or long standing eating disorder (SEED/L-ED).