Many people are waking up to the fact that diets don't work, but if we're not dieting, now what? How are we supposed to find balance with food and reach intuitive eating? Join Sarah and Stef, a psychotherapist and a health coach, as they talk about all things related to disordered eating, bad body image and creating a life that's free from food and body obsession. The hosts draw on their own eating struggles and openly share the highs and lows of pursuing food freedom over weight loss.
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Two women serve up the very serious issues of eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and the culture that spoon-feeds these destructive conditions to us with a dash of irreverence.
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In this guest episode, Stef's former client Melissa shares her story of leaving Overeaters Anonymous after twenty years to heal her "inner munchie." Melissa, a therapist from Michigan who also has ADHD, explains how her disordered relationship with food began at a young age when she couldn't "control" her sweet cravings and inherited shame about th…
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189. But is Food Freedom Eating Whatever I Want?
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38:38In this episode, Sarah and Stef dive into the topic of food permission, addressing the intriguing question: “Can you really eat whatever you want whenever you want?” They share personal insights and client experiences to unpack the concept of intuitive eating, discussing the common misunderstandings and the nuanced approach necessary for true food …
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188. Acceptance vs Defeat; Toastmasters and speed-puzzling; therapeutic techniques for resistance; being in a larger body on an airplane; body allowance vs body acceptance
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40:03In this episode, Sarah and Stef explore how body acceptance might feel like defeat for many who have struggled to change their bodies and feel oppressed by their circumstances. They dissect how acceptance is a proactive practice that differs from the feeling of defeat, which is reactionary and involves a perceived loss against external forces. Stef…
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187. Never Binge Again by Glenn Livingstone: A Book Review
45:54
45:54
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45:54In Episode 187, we dive headfirst into the popular yet contentious world of diet psychology with our review of “Never Binge Again” by Glenn Livingstone, PhD. This episode is for anyone interested in behavioral psychology, eating disorder recovery, or just looking for a candid conversation that challenges traditional expert opinion. Join Sarah and S…
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186. But what about GLP-1 and Weight Loss Medications for People with Disordered Eating?
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41:45Welcome to Episode 186 of "Life After Diets," where Stef and Sarah dive into a topic we've surprisingly not tackled before—GLP-1 medications and their implications. GLP-1, commonly known from brands like Ozempic, has been generating buzz for its use in weight management. In this episode, Stef and Sarah unpack the complexities of this tender subject…
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This episode delves into topic of body checking—when individuals habitually monitor their body size or shape. Sarah and Stef share personal experiences, discussing their different relationships with body checking. Stef candidly describes how body checking was a way to manage her anxiety and provides insights into her journey towards recovery, detai…
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184. But Do You Plan Your Binges? (Live Episode)
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41:04In this insightful episode of Life After Diets, hosts Stef and Sarah delve into the topic of planned versus unplanned binges. They explore the complexities behind both types of binge eating, including personal anecdotes and psychological insights. The discussion covers how factors like anxiety, stress, and emotional triggers contribute to these beh…
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183. The Mother Wound – How Our Mothers Screwed Us Up
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44:54In this episode, Stef and Sarah delve into the emotional topic of the mother wound. The discussion begins with light-hearted banter but quickly deepens into a profound conversation about the impact mothers have on their children. They explore insights from books like "Mother Hunger" by Kelly McDaniel and "Discovering the Inner Mother" by Bethany We…
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182. But What About 12-Step Programs (like OA) for Binge Eating Recovery?
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51:50
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51:50In this episode, a therapist and a certified coach delve into the intricacies of 12-step programs, focusing on Overeaters Anonymous (OA) and its newer counterpart, Food Addicts Anonymous (FA). They discuss the challenges and potential benefits of these programs for those struggling with food issues, citing personal experiences and client stories. K…
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181. But it's 2025! Choosing a "Word for the Year"
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42:27
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42:27If you're tired of "new year, new you" energy, tune into this lower-pressure episode where Sarah and Stef meet the new year with gentle intentions and "words for the year." We'll give you the space to have goals for yourself without the pressure of "pass/fail" or completely reinventing yourself overnight. Stefanie's Somatic Experiencing and Nervous…
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This episode was supposed to be about self-care during the holidays...and it turned into a ramble between Stef and Sarah about Christmases past and present, how to cope during the week between Christmas and New Years, and...productivity? We're just here to keep you company this week. So settle in with your cup of hot chocolate and join us for this …
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179. Exploring the Emotion of Sadness in a Healthy Relationship with Food
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45:37In this insightful episode, Sarah and Stef delve into the complex interplay of emotions like sadness, anger, and disconnection. They explore how sadness is often a front for deeper emotional experiences and how it contrasts with the energizing force of anger. Stef shares her struggles with collapsing into sadness and explains how food was a coping …
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178. But How Does Alcohol Affect My Eating?
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36:53In this episode, the hosts delve into the complex relationship between alcohol and eating disorders, particularly binge eating. They start the discussion by sharing personal anecdotes about how alcohol influences their social interactions and how different cultures toast and drink. The conversation then shifts to how alcohol can trigger binge eatin…
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177. Trauma Informed Exercise and Binge Eating Recovery with Laura Khoudari
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45:17
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45:17In this week’s episode, Sarah and Stef welcome Laura Khoudari, a trauma-informed personal trainer, writer, and the author of "Lifting Heavy Things." Laura shares her unique approach to strength training, which prioritizes the nervous system and emotional well-being over traditional fitness goals. Throughout the interview, Laura opens up about her p…
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176. But Getting Sick Increases My Appetite!
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36:09In Episode 176 of our podcast, titled "Sickness and Appetite," hosts Stef and Sarah delve into the intricate relationship between illness and appetite. They share personal stories and theories on how sickness affects hunger, exploring varied reactions ranging from increased appetite to the desire for comfort food. Stef discusses a potential connect…
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175. But I Can't Stop Snacking After Dinner
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38:49In this episode, we dove deep into the topic of evening snacking (and how complicated it can be). We explored various reasons why people might snack at night, from emotional triggers (like seeking comfort or reward) to biological factors (like needing a full stomach to sleep better). We also talked about personal experiences with nighttime eating h…
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In this episode, Sarah and Stef dive into the complex relationship between stress and eating habits. They share personal anecdotes (starting with Sarah's recent Domino's Pizza ordering experience) about how stress impacts their food choices and delve into the psychological and physiological reasons behind these patterns. Topics discussed include th…
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173. But Is It All-In Recovery or All-Or-Nothing Thinking?
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44:28In this live episode, hosts Sarah and Stef explain the concepts of "All-In Recovery" versus "All or Nothing Thinking," particularly in the context of the nondiet approach to overeating and restriction cycles. Stef explains that "All-In Recovery" involves abandoning restrictive eating behaviors entirely, which actually IS a quite all-or-nothing expe…
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172. But How Do I Deal with Being Triggered?
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45:51
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45:51In this episode, we delve into the concept of "triggers" and how they affect our emotions and behaviors (including how they impact binge eating and restricting and body image). Our hosts, Sarah and Stef, share personal anecdotes about feedback on social media (like when people make comments about our clothes or teeth or how we are only in this for …
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171. But How Do I Navigate Motherhood and Pregnancy?
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38:55
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38:55In this heartfelt episode, we dive deep into the complexities of motherhood, pregnancy, and recovery. Join Stef and Sarah as they discuss personal experiences and answer listener questions surrounding motherhood, disordered eating, and the challenges of recovery. From confronting body image issues during pregnancy to navigating the hurdles of paren…
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In this episode of our podcast, join Sarah and Stef as they delve into the complexities of eating out. From the anxieties and guilt associated with ordering and calorie counting to the social pressures of dining with others, they discuss the various challenges people face. The conversation also touches on topics like intuitive eating, practical tip…
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In this lively and unique episode, Sarah and Stef delve into the concept of joy. They share their personal experiences and struggles with finding joy, reflecting on moments that brought them happiness and the impact those moments had on their mental states. From a sunny drive to Brighton listening to summer reggae (Sarah) to a rollercoaster ride wi…
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168. Not Dieting in Peri-menopause and Menopause: An Interview with Dr. Jenn Salib Huber, RD ND
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50:21This week, we are talking to Dr. Jenn (@menopause.nutritionist), an Intuitive Eating dietician and naturopathic doctor, who is a medical expert in Functional and Intuitive Nutrition for Women in Midlife. Because how the heck do we stop dieting and stay sane when we're dealing with menopause symptoms?? We'll cover: Jenn's story The difference betwee…
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167. A Book Review of Ultra-Processed People
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52:59In this episode, we dive into a thoughtful and nuanced review of the book 'Ultra Processed People' by Chris Van Tulleken. They explore the book's themes around ultra processed foods, their potential impact on our health, and the broader societal implications. The conversation navigates through personal anecdotes, scientific claims, and the complica…
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166. Autism and Eating Disorder Recovery with Livia Sara
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45:00This episode features Livia Sara, known as @LivLabelFree, who shares her journey and expertise in disordered eating recovery through the lens of autism. We'll discuss: Liv's Background: how Livia started helping others with neurodivergent eating disorder recovery Autistic Traits vs. Eating Disorder Behaviors: The conversation delves into distinguis…
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In this episode, hosts Stefanie and Sarah dive into the complexities surrounding overeating, especially in the context of recovery from binge eating. They discuss the difference between binge eating and overeating, and explore how habits, stress, and emotional regulation play into our eating behaviors. Using real-life anecdotes and client experienc…
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Welcome back to another episode, everyone! In today's chat, we are explaining Stef's concept of "anchor meals", their psychological and physiological impacts, and how they fit into our daily routines. We start off with entertaining personal stories—from recording mishaps to culinary adventures in Spain—that segue into a discussion on why knowing wh…
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163. But Sometimes I Feel Despair About Recovery
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37:05
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37:05In this episode, we're talking about the challenging and often unspoken topic of hopelessness and despair in relation to recovery from eating disorders. We offer personal experiences of the complex emotions intertwined with despair, such as fear, sadness, and anger. We also discuss what mindfulness, connection, and individuality might have to do wi…
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162. Anger in Recovery: Toxic or Empowering?
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46:28
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46:28In this episode, we explore the complex emotion of anger. We discuss how anger can be a suppressed emotion (and create conditions for bingeing and restricting) because sometimes, it's an emotion we are afraid to feel. On the other hand, it can be a high-energy emotion that just takes a lot of wrangling to keep regulated! For the first time ever on …
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In this episode, we explore the complex role guilt plays in our lives, particularly around topics like eating, self-care, and productivity. We start things off with some chit-chat about recording while standing up -- Stef has a moment of body image angst, revisted at the end of the episode. We discuss how guilt can stem from societal expectations a…
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In this engaging episode of their podcast, Stef and Sarah dive deep into the topic of mindful eating. Stef shares some insightful anecdotes about how clients often come to her with a preconceived notion of how they "should" be eating. Sarah chimes in with practical advice from her workshops, suggesting that eating mindfully isn't about being perfec…
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159. Blood Sugar, Diabetes, and Binge Eating Recovery
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52:13This episode features a conversation with Danielle Bublitz, a registered dietitian from Southern California who has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 20 years. Danielle shares insights on the stigma surrounding type 2 diabetes, what it means to have prediabetes, and the tendency of wellness culture to pathologize blood sugar spikes in people with…
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In this episode of the "WTH Effect" podcast, hosts Stef and Sarah dive deep into the "What the Hell Effect," discussing personal experiences, psychological factors, and actionable strategies to cope with this common eating phenomenon. They explore the intersection of binge eating, restriction, and emotional regulation, providing valuable insights i…
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157. But I'm Trying To Recover from Disordered Eating with Depression
37:41
37:41
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37:41In this episode of the "Life After Diets" podcast, we explore the journey of coping with depression in eating disorder recovery. Join us as we discuss personal stories, coping strategies, and nervous system theory with our hosts, Sarah Dosanjh, psychotherapist and author of I Can't Stop Eating, and Stefanie Michele, Certified Intuitive Eating Coach…
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156. But How Do I Handle Insensitive Comments?
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46:42
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46:42You know what's hard in a life after diets? When people comment on your body or your food choices. How are we supposed to respond? It is a tough balance between setting boundaries, managing conflict, and not feeling triggered. The conversation starts out with a reflection of Stef's conversation the previous day with her Mom, but moves through diffe…
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155. But I Don't Trust Myself with Food (Live Episode)
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40:12
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40:12If we're not dieting, won't we just be completely out of control with food? That's the risk when we feel like we can't trust ourselves. In this episode, we talk about what self-trust is -- including how we thought about it before recovery and how we think about it now. And maybe most importantly, how we developed more of it! This episode was livest…
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How do other people make decisions about what to eat? Have you ever been interested in understanding what makes a person choose the breakfast or lunch or snack that they choose? Sarah and Stef offer their personal decision making processes of the meals they ate the day of recording this podcast. From there, the conversation branches off into topics…
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153. Let's Talk About PCOS with Sam Abbott RD
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44:16
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44:16This week we are talking to Sam Abbott, RD about PCOS! Many of our listeners have been diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian sydrome) and medical recommendations to manage symptoms are usually geared towards weight loss and food restrictions. How does someone with PCOS balance this condition within a nondiet value system? We'll look at: What exac…
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This episode is all about relapse in the context of eating disorder recovery. We cover topics such as shame, self-awareness, boundaries, dopamine regulation, catastrophization, and the impact of life circumstances on relapse. Relapses can be very distressing; it's tempting to think we've failed or that we'll "never really get better." In the second…
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151. But What Do Attachment Styles Have to Do With Food Boundaries?
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43:28
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43:28This week we are talking about attachment styles. The psychological concepts of anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, and disorganized attachment have been used to understand our relationship dynamics with other people, but can it also be used to understand our relationship dynamics with food? For example, anxious attachment in relationships loo…
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150. But Is It Self-Care or Self-Indulgence?
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46:33
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46:33The world talks a lot about self-care, but many people in this community feel selfish taking care of themselves. It can be seen as indulgent to take the time to tend to our own needs, especially as mothers -- check out the second half of the podcast where Stef addresses this from her perspective as a parent (her take might surprise you). So what's …
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149. Review of The Hunger Habit by Judson Brewer
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39:52
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39:52This episode is a review of "The Hunger Habit" by Judson Brewer, MD, PhD. Is this a book that can help people who struggle with binge eating and disordered eating? Will Sarah and Stef come to the same conclusions about the book? Most importantly, will Stef remember her note-to-self about making her points of contention calmly? I guess you'll have t…
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148. A Recovery Story: But What If No One Is Attracted to My Body? with community member Louise
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43:50
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43:50We are back with another recovery story -- this time from Louise, a member of our community (which you can join here, by the way!) Louise explains her story of disordered eating and restriction starting in adolescence, eventually leading her to give up dieting to lean into an anti-diet approach. Like so many others in ED recovery, Louise had to dea…
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BONUS Ep. w/Marcus Kain – Exercise After Dieting
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24:16Join us live on Monday 20th May 2024 in Brighton: https://www.lifeafterdietspodcast.com/evening-in-brighton/ And on Thursday 23rd May 2024 in Bournemouth: https://www.lifeafterdietspodcast.com/day-retreat-on-the-beach/ Join our growing support community. This community is for you if you want to improve your relationship with food and become more co…
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147. But Is It Possible to Pursue Weight Loss After Giving Up Dieting?
44:19
44:19
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44:19This episode was a toughie, not gonna lie. It's really, really hard to have this discussion without potentially triggering some folks -- and we only know that because at one time, it triggered us, too. But this podcast is valuable because it does explore nuances, including the things less talked about in the anti-diet world. At the end of the day, …
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In this episode, the hosts really get into how scarcity affects us, especially when it comes to food. They start by breaking down what scarcity truly means—it's not just about running out of something, but feeling like you never have enough of what you need. This feeling can lead to behaviors like hoarding or binge-eating, not just with food, but i…
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145. But Is Body Neutrality Really Possible?
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46:27
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46:27This body image centered episode delves into the distinctions between body positivity and body neutrality, offering a nuanced exploration of how individuals can relate to their bodies beyond conventional narratives of self-love. The conversation begins by distinguishing body positivity from body neutrality. Originally, body positivity emerged from …
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In this podcast episode, we explore the concept of Gentle Nutrition, explained as combining basic nutritional knowledge with body attunement. This 10th principle of Intuitive Eating is about recognizing how different foods affect one’s body while maintaining a non-restrictive approach to eating. We also touch on personal experiences with nutritiona…
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This conversation discusses the challenges of confronting the aging process, with Sarah sharing a recent moment of seeing photographs of herself and thinking she looked...well, older. This introspection is mirrored by a conversation about Stef's Wednesday Weekly email, which talked about the "emergency" feeling of noticing differences in sagging sk…
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142. But What If Food Gets Me Through the Day?
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42:05In this podcast episode, the hosts explore the complex relationship between food and emotional needs. The conversation begins with a reflection on Stef's Instagram post suggesting that food serves as a portal to solitude, comfort, pleasure, and escape, making the idea of changing one’s relationship with food seem like a sacrifice of essential copin…
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