What happens when your child is battling a serious, potentially life-threatening illness, but instead of being empowered to help, you are told to stand back, stay quiet, and stay out of the way? In this deeply compassionate episode of Behind the Bite, Dr. Cristina Castagnini is joined by Cherie Monarch and Nancy Clarkson, two incredible advocates and mothers who lived through the terrifying reality of navigating their daughters' eating disorders in an era of intense parental blame. Together, they discuss the immense fear, isolation, and guilt that caregivers face, and they shed light on "Mom2Mom"—an online support community they lead to educate and arm mothers with the resources they so desperately need. Reframing eating disorders as serious, brain-based biological illnesses rather than behavioral choices, Cherie and Nancy explain why recovery often requires counterintuitive decisions, why prioritizing long-term wellness over short-term happiness is vital, and how families can access a network of support to ensure they never have to walk this road alone.

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In this powerful episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Toni Curtis, the founder of Birthwise, to explore the profound loneliness and frustration that comes with being dismissed by the medical establishment. After suffering the tragic loss of her brother to a medical error and facing nearly two decades of "unexplained" infertility and chronic health struggles, Toni refused to accept the verdict that her body was a problem to be solved. Together, they discuss the transition from viewing the body as a collection of clinical parts to understanding it as a whole system requiring patience, curiosity, and somatic care. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt "small" in a doctor’s office and is seeking a path toward reclaiming their autonomy and trusting their body’s inherent wisdom.

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In this episode of Behind the Bite, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with therapist, educator, and author Tamie Gangloff to explore the profound intersection of chronic illness, eating disorders, and substance use. After being diagnosed with scoliosis as a child and struggling with the shame of being told she had a "deformity," Tamie developed a deeply distorted relationship with her body and food, eventually turning to alcohol as a way to cope with severe self-consciousness. Through an open and honest conversation about her non-linear journey—which involved medical trauma, multiple spinal surgeries, and navigating inadequate insurance coverage—Tamie shares how identifying her underlying medical PTSD was the key to unlocking true recovery. This episode serves as an insightful resource for anyone seeking to understand how physical ailments shape identity and why professional, trauma-informed support is essential on the path to healing.

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In this powerful episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Olivia Soha, the founder of Uncovery, to discuss the often-invisible line between "wellness culture" and a life-threatening eating disorder. Olivia shares her harrowing journey from an early childhood struggle with ARFID to a medical crisis in her twenties that resulted in a near-death experience and a spiritual vision that changed her life forever. They explore the dangerous way society praises disordered behaviors as "healthy discipline" and the vital role that recovery coaching plays in bridging the gap between clinical treatment and reclaiming a real, lived life. Whether you are struggling yourself or supporting a loved one, Olivia’s story offers a profound map of resilience and the unwavering hope that full recovery is truly possible.

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In this powerful episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Jenna Doak, the founder of Body Positive Fitness, to dismantle the dangerous myth that a "perfect" body equals a perfect life. Jenna spent years as the "ideal" personal trainer—thin, disciplined, and praised by society—while secretly struggling with exhaustion, under-fueling, and an obsessive relationship with exercise. Jenna reveals the dark side of fitness culture where disordered behaviors are often celebrated as dedication, and restriction is rebranded as "wellness." Together, they discuss the reality behind the images we see on social media and what happens when you finally stop trying to shrink yourself. This conversation is a vital reset for anyone who has ever felt like their health is defined by a number on the scale rather than the peace in their soul.

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In this deeply insightful episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Rachel Frost, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and eating disorder recovery coach who shares her powerful 17-year journey through an eating disorder and substance use. Rachel opens up about the "holding pattern" many individuals face when battling co-occurring disorders, where substance use masks the underlying shame of an eating disorder and vice versa. They navigate the complex modern landscape of "food noise," GLP-1 medications, and the pitfalls of using stimulants like Vyvanse as a "band-aid" for binge eating without addressing the root causes of trauma and self-worth. This conversation serves as a vital reminder that true healing requires more than just stopping a behavior—it requires choosing to inhabit a "big life" rather than a "small body."

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In this enlightening episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Dr. Jenny Talbert to explore the pervasive issue of weight stigma within the healthcare system. Dr. Talbert shares her deeply personal journey of battling atypical anorexia and orthorexia while navigating the demands of medical training, revealing how the industry meant to heal can often cause profound harm. Together, they discuss the systemic barriers larger-bodied patients face—such as being denied necessary surgeries based on BMI—and offer a critical look at the current GLP-1 medication craze. Whether you are a patient who has felt dismissed by a doctor or a provider looking to offer more compassionate care, this conversation provides a roadmap for returning to body trust and authentic health.

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In this moving episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Michelle Rogers, the creator behind the popular Instagram account @bodyposipower, to explore her transformative journey from an anonymous blogger to a prominent body acceptance advocate. Michelle candidly shares the challenges of navigating an eating disorder while living in a larger body, highlighting the systemic harm of weight stigma and the "not sick enough" myth that often prevents individuals from receiving the care they deserve. From traumatic medical encounters to finding healing through a global online community, Michelle and Dr. Castagnini discuss how sharing one's truth can break down barriers of shame and pave the way for a recovery that celebrates all bodies.

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In this inspiring episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Alli Bollinger, a former Radio City Rockette who turned her struggle with an eating disorder into a platform for healing. Alli shares how her lifelong identity as "the dancer" became a double-edged sword during her collegiate BFA program, where innocent health goals spiraled into a restrictive and isolating illness. After a life-altering intervention by her professors and a necessary environmental reset during the pandemic, Alli achieved the ultimate full-circle moment: performing on the world’s most famous stage while fully recovered. Now an eating disorder recovery coach, Alli explains the mental shifts required to reach elite professional heights and why she believes the hardest chapters of our lives often prepare us for our greatest triumphs.

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In this enlightening episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Registered Dietitian Colleen Christensen to unpack the confusing landscape of "food freedom." Many individuals escaping the clutches of diet culture find themselves swinging from rigid restriction to a state of rebellion where they feel out of control with food. Colleen explains why this "pendulum swing" is a normal part of the process and introduces the solution: finding a sustainable middle ground. By marrying the principles of intuitive eating with the foundational science of nutrition, Colleen and Dr. Cristina discuss how to transition from a "no rules" rebellion into a life where food is no longer the center of your world, but rather a tool for nourishment and joy.

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