Episode 218: Nick Norwitz (Part 2) Navigating Metabolism, Carnivore Diet, and Food Myths
Release Date: 02/27/2025
Episode 236: Clinicans Corner - Post Event Collapse
Food Junkies Podcast
In this compassionate and insightful episode, Clarissa and Molly dive into the phenomenon of post-event collapse—the physical, emotional, and psychological crash that can follow highly stimulating or meaningful experiences. Whether it’s a vacation, a major life event, a group share, or even just navigating a family gathering, many in food addiction recovery find themselves disoriented and vulnerable in the days that follow. They unpack the biology (hello dopamine crash), psychology (emotional contrast effects), and the nervous system’s role (freeze/dorsal vagal responses), and they offer...
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Episode 235: Dr. Diana Hill - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Food Junkies Podcast
Dr. Diana Hill, PhD is a clinical psychologist and internationally recognized expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and compassion-based approaches to well-being. She is the host of the Wise Effort podcast and author of The Self-Compassion Daily Journal, ACT Daily Journal, and the forthcoming Wise Effort. Diana teaches individuals and organizations how to build psychological flexibility so they can live more aligned, courageous, and meaningful lives. I first discovered Diana and the transformative power of ACT through her course on using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for eating...
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Episode 234: Ashka Naik - What’s in a Name and Why Does it Matter What We Call It?
Food Junkies Podcast
In this deeply insightful episode, we welcome Ashka Naik, PhD candidate and Director of Research and Policy at Corporate Accountability, a global human rights and social justice NGO. Ashka joins Vera and Molly to explore how food systems have been colonized by powerful industry players, and why the words we use to describe what we eat matter more than ever. We unpack the political, historical, and spiritual dimensions of what Ashka calls “violent processing”—a system that has robbed us of biodiversity, cultural wisdom, ancestral practices, and even language itself. Drawing connections...
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Epsiode 233: Dr. David Kessler - Diet, Drugs and Dopamine
Food Junkies Podcast
Dr. David Kessler is a renowned pediatrician, lawyer, public health advocate, and former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A graduate of Amherst College, the University of Chicago Law School, and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Kessler has spent his career at the intersection of science, policy, and consumer protection. He served as Dean of the Yale School of Medicine and the University of California, San Francisco Medical School, and most recently held the role of Chief Science Officer for the White House COVID-19 Response Team. Dr. Kessler is the acclaimed author of...
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Episode 232: Clinicians Corner - The Hidden Challenges of PAWS in Food Addiction Recovery
Food Junkies Podcast
In this insightful and compassionate episode, Clarissa and Molly take a deep dive into post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)—an often overlooked but critical phase in ultra-processed food addiction recovery. While well-known in substance use disorder recovery, PAWS is rarely discussed in the context of food addiction, yet it shows up in significant ways. Clarissa and Molly break down what PAWS is, why it happens, and how it can show up months or even years into recovery. They share real client experiences, neurobiological explanations, and clinical insights—plus, they normalize what can...
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Episode 231: Dr. Filippa Juul "Ultra-Processed Food: The Hidden Crisis"
Food Junkies Podcast
In this illuminating episode we speak with Dr. Filippa Juul. An epidemiologist and leading researcher on the impact of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on human health. Together, we unpack what ultra-processed really means, why it's not just about calories or macros, and how these foods are stealthily contributing to the global rise in obesity, chronic illness, and food addiction. Dr. Juul is Assistant professor at the School of Public Health at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. She earned her PhD in Epidemiology from NYU GPH in 2020, following a MSc in Public Health Nutrition from...
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Episode 230: Dr. Cynthia Bulik
Food Junkies Podcast
Dr. Cynthia Bulik is a clinical psychologist and one of the world's leading experts on eating disorders. She is the Founding Director of the University of North Carolina Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders and also the founder director of the Centre for Eating Disorders Innovation at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr. Bulik is Distinguished Professor of Eating Disorders in the Department of Psychiatry at UNC, Professor of Nutrition in the Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Professor of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Karolinska Institute. Dr Bulik...
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Episode 229: Dr. Alexandra Sowa, MD The Ozempic Revolution
Food Junkies Podcast
Dr. Alexandra Sowa, MD is a board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine and obesity medicine. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, NYU School of Medicine, and Yale University, Dr. Sowa combines top-tier medical training with a deeply compassionate, evidence-based approach to metabolic health. She is the founder and CEO of SoWell Health, a telehealth and clinical service dedicated to treating metabolic dysfunction with personalized nutrition, lifestyle interventions, and medication when appropriate—including the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic. Dr. Sowa is the...
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Episode 228: Dr. Thomas Seyfried - Cancer as a Metabolic Disorder
Food Junkies Podcast
In this compelling episode, Dr. Vera Tarman interviews Dr. Thomas Seyfried, a pioneer in the field of cancer metabolism. Dr. Seyfried challenges the mainstream view of cancer as a genetic disease and presents strong evidence that cancer is fundamentally a mitochondrial metabolic disorder. Dr. Thomas N. Seyfried is a distinguished American biologist and professor at Boston College, renowned for his pioneering work in cancer metabolism. With a Ph.D. in Genetics and Biochemistry from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and postdoctoral training in neurochemistry at Yale University School of...
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Food Junkies Recovery Stories Episode 26: Joy M
Food Junkies Podcast
In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the Food Junkies Recovery Stories CJ sits down with Joy M, who shares her courageous story of unraveling the illusion of the “perfect life” to find true recovery and emotional freedom. From childhood trauma and food obsession to substance use, codependency, and the sneaky nature of sugar addiction, Joy takes us through the winding—and at times wild—path she walked to reclaim her health and voice. Tune in to hear how one Easter basket sparked a lifetime pattern, how trauma flipped the switch, and how Joy finally broke free through community,...
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In this episode, we welcome back Nick Norwitz for Part 2 of our deep dive into metabolism, food addiction, and dietary nuances. We cover everything from broken metabolisms to the role of hormones in weight regulation, the impact of glycemic load, and the ongoing debate about fruit, dairy, olive oil, and the carnivore diet. If you've ever wondered about food science versus food fear-mongering, this is the episode for you!
Key Topics Discussed:
1. Understanding “Broken Metabolism”
The difference between metabolic dysfunction and metabolic perception.
The role of insulin and other hormones in fat storage and hunger regulation.
Why glycemic load matters more than calorie counting in weight loss.
The importance of patience in metabolic healing, especially after years of processed food consumption.
2. Why Weight Loss Can Plateau
Metabolic adaptation and how fat cells retain memory.
How food labels can be misleading and the importance of tracking glycemic response.
The role of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in fine-tuning nutrition choices.
3. Fruit and the Fear of Fructose
Debunking the myth that all fructose is bad.
How the small intestine processes fructose before it reaches the liver.
The importance of context: different fruits have different effects on blood sugar.
Recommendations for lower-glycemic fruits, such as berries, for those with insulin resistance.
4. Olive Oil and Muscle Health
The role of oleuropein in mitochondrial function and aging muscles.
How olive leaf extract might help improve muscle metabolism.
The importance of choosing high-quality olive oil for maximum benefit.
5. Dairy and Cardiovascular Health
New research showing that cheese may actually reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Why saturated fat in dairy is not necessarily harmful.
The importance of individual tolerance—some people thrive on dairy, while others find it triggering.
6. The Carnivore Diet: Is It Right for You?
Carnivore as an elimination diet rather than a meat-only ideology.
How some people experience relief from autoimmune and gut health issues by eliminating plant foods.
Why sustainability and long-term adherence matter more than short-term results.
Key Takeaways:
Metabolic health is adaptable: Your body can heal, but patience and consistency are key.
Fruit isn’t the enemy: Choose fruits wisely based on your metabolic health and glycemic response.
Whole foods matter: The effects of food go beyond macros—consider nutrient density and processing.
Individualization is key: Whether it’s carnivore, keto, or Mediterranean, the best diet is the one that works for you.
Resources Mentioned:
Nick Norwitz’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nicknorwitzPhD
Website: https://www.nicknorwitz.com
Scientific Papers Discussed:
Adipose Tissue Retains an Epigenetic Memory of Obesity After Weight Loss (Nature, 2024)
The Small Intestine Converts Dietary Fructose into Glucose and Organic Acids (Cell Metabolism)
Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake and Skeletal Muscle Performance (Cell Metabolism)
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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.