Episode 266: Dr. Ann Saffi Biasetti, PhD - Why Your Body Never Meant You Any Harm
Food Junkies Podcast
In this episode, Molly and Clarissa welcome back Dr. Ann Saffi Biasetti for a rich, grounded conversation on body forgiveness and why it can be a turning point in embodied healing. Drawing on her clinical work, research, and lived experience, Ann shares that “forgiving your body” isn’t a mental exercise or forced positivity—it’s a felt shift that helps move people from control and correction toward listening, trust, and reconciliation with the body as an ally. Ann also introduces themes from her upcoming book, Your Body Never Meant You Any Harm: A Somatic Guide to...
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Episode 265: Prof. Dr. Ferdinand von Meyenn - Why Fat Cells Remember Obesity
Food Junkies Podcast
Why is it so hard to lose weight—and even harder to keep it off? In this episode, we explore groundbreaking research showing that fat cells can retain an epigenetic “memory” of obesity, even after significant weight loss. This emerging science helps explain why weight regain is so common and why willpower alone is not the issue. We’re joined by Ferdinand von Meyenn, Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, where he leads research on nutrition and metabolic epigenetics. Prof. von Meyenn has published over 60 peer-reviewed papers, with work featured in top scientific journals including Nature...
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Episode 264: Dr. Adrienne Sprouse - Why Some Foods “Work”… Until They Don’t
Food Junkies Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Vera Tarman spoke with Adrienne Sprouse, MD, a Columbia-trained physician with extensive experience in emergency medicine, toxicology, and environmental medicine, as well as more than four decades of stable food recovery. Adrienne reflected on how growing up in an alcoholic family system shaped her early coping strategies and how food became a primary source of comfort and regulation. Over time, she began to notice that certain foods didn’t simply soothe emotional distress but instead triggered a predictable cycle of cravings, symptoms, and relapse. This realization led...
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Episode 263: Dr. Ignacio Cuaranta - Sleep, Light, and Ultra-Processed Foods in Mental Health
Food Junkies Podcast
What if the biggest breakthroughs in mental health didn’t start with more effort—but with better timing? In this deeply grounding and wide-ranging conversation, we’re joined by Ignacio Cuaranta, a board-certified psychiatrist whose work sits at the intersection of psychiatry, chronobiology, metabolic health, and lifestyle medicine. Trained in Argentina and working internationally, Dr. Cuaranta brings a refreshingly non-dogmatic, biology-forward lens to mental health—one that prioritizes rhythm, regulation, and compassion over blame or biohacking extremes. Together, we explore why sleep...
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Episode 262: Clinician's Corner - Beyond “Volume Addiction”
Food Junkies Podcast
In this reflective, clinically rich conversation, Molly and Clarissa begin by looking back on the words that shaped their last year—and naming the ones guiding them forward. From emanate and flourishing to safety and permission, they explore how intention-setting collides with real life, nervous systems, social context, and recovery work. From there, the episode moves into a nuanced and often uncomfortable topic: “volume addiction.” Is overeating whole foods after removing ultra-processed foods simply binge eating disorder in disguise? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. And sometimes it’s...
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Food Junkies Recovery Stories Episode 31: Emalyn W.
Food Junkies Podcast
On today’s episode, CJ sits down with the incredibly genuine and courageous Emalyn. Emalyn opens up about her journey with honesty and heart, from sneaking food and hiding her struggle from her husband to realizing that he had always offered unwavering support. She shares what led her to seek treatment in Minnesota and how that experience helped her finally release the shame and guilt she had carried for years. Emalyn’s story is one of deep self-discovery, compassion, and freedom; a reminder that addiction isn’t a moral failing but a condition we can understand,...
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Episode 260: Healing Trauma, Shame, and Food Addiction through the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model with Jan Winhall
Food Junkies Podcast
Jan Winhall is a psychotherapist, author, educator, and the developer of the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model (FSPM), a groundbreaking framework that integrates trauma therapy, polyvagal theory, and embodied focusing to understand and treat addiction and trauma. Over more than four decades of clinical work, Jan has specialized in supporting survivors of sexual violence, complex trauma, and addiction with a deeply de-pathologizing, feminist, and body-based lens. She is the founder of the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model Institute, teaches internationally, and collaborates closely with leaders in the...
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Episode 259: Dr. Carrie Wilkens, PhD on Rethinking Addiction Without Shame
Food Junkies Podcast
In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Clarissa and Molly sit down with psychologist Dr. Carrie Wilkens to unpack what it really means to help people change without shame, stigma, or power struggles. Drawing from decades of work in substance use, eating disorders, trauma, and family systems, Carrie invites us to rethink “denial,” “relapse,” “codependency,” and even the disease model itself, while still honoring the seriousness of addiction and the depth of people’s pain. Together, we explore how self-compassion, curiosity, and values-based behavior change can transform not...
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Episode 258: Clinician’s Corner – Holidays Edition: Boundaries, Nervous Systems & the Hella-Days
Food Junkies Podcast
In this Clinician’s Corner episode, Clarissa and Molly dive into what they lovingly (and accurately) call the “Hella-Days”—that stretch from early fall through New Year’s where routines disappear, food is everywhere, emotions are high, and nervous systems are fried. Together, they unpack why this season is so activating for people with food addiction and nervous system sensitivity, and how to navigate it with values, boundaries, and a whole lot of self-compassion—whether you’re surrounded by family or spending the holidays on your own. In This Episode Clarissa & Molly...
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Episode 257: Dr. Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO - Cancer, UPFs, and Metabolic Healing
Food Junkies Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with integrative oncologist and metabolic health pioneer Dr. Nasha Winters (who insists we call her Nasha) to explore the powerful intersection of cancer, ultra-processed foods, metabolism, and sovereignty. Nasha shares her astonishing personal story: years of dismissed symptoms, normalized suffering, and relentless gaslighting that culminated in a diagnosis of end-stage ovarian cancer at age 19—and being sent home to die. Thirty-four years later, she’s very much alive and leading a global movement to rethink cancer as a metabolic, terrain-driven disease rather...
info_outlineIn 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.