In this episode, I sit down with Mari Hodges—pain specialist, Alexander Technique teacher, and founder of the PainSavvy Walk &Talk program—to explore how subtle body awareness, nervous system regulation, and the power of the pause can help us shift chronic pain, reconnect with our bodies, and reclaim agency over our lives.

Here’s what we cover in the episode:

• Why chronic pain is more than a physical issue—and how perception, stress, and emotion shape the experience of pain

• What the Alexander Technique really is (hint: it’s not about “sitting up straight”) and how it cultivates embodied mindfulness

• How the pause can help disrupt compulsive patterns like binge eating and perfectionism

• The science of body schema—and how to clarify your brain’s mental map of your body for lasting relief

• Somatic strategies to increase flexibility, awareness, and choice—especially for those healing from disconnection, trauma, or burnout

Mari brings clinical expertise, somatic depth, and grounded compassion to this conversation, making it essential for anyone navigating chronic pain, supporting others in recovery, or seeking a deeper relationship with their body.

00:00 – Intro

00:58 – Who is Mari Hodges?

02:12 – What is the Alexander Technique?

04:35 – Muscle tone, posture, and the “Goldilocks” balance

06:26 – Subtle movements and whole-body awareness

07:25 – Emotional and postural interconnection

10:02 – Letting go of “posturing” and exploring habitual patterns

12:51 – How Alexander Technique helps those disconnected from their bodies

14:04 – The power of the pause and building agency through awareness

18:24 – Enjoying the pause instead of suffering through it

20:09 – Returning to inner balance through attention and presence

22:05 – Mini guided Alexander Technique session begins

30:55 – Reflections on the practice and tension awareness

33:37 – Why awareness must come before self-regulation

36:03 – How Alexander Technique helps with chronic pain

37:05 – Body maps and the importance of body schema clarity

39:00 – Pain perception, naming sensations, and reducing distress

40:35 – Chronic stress, pain loops, and habitual protective responses

42:16 – Rediscovering safety in the body through movement

44:46 – Examples of body schema improvement through back movement exploration

47:20 – Curiosity and mindful body exploration as alternatives to compulsive behavior

49:09 – Where to find and follow Mari Hodges

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🗣️Follow and connect with Mari Hodges:

https://discoverease.how

https://www.facebook.com/mari.hodges.7

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mari-hodges-9aa4a534/

https://www.instagram.com/mari_hodges/

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Follow Beyond Binge Eating

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Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com

Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/

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Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

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Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

Have you ever finished a meal, only to find yourself back in the kitchen searching for snacks on autopilot? If you eat when you're not physically hungry, you're not alone—and it's not a lack of willpower.

In this video, I break down the hidden emotional drivers and automatic habits that trigger binge eating, even when your stomach is full. Understanding these triggers is the first crucial step to breaking the cycle and building a healthier, more peaceful relationship with food.

What You’ll Learn in This Video:

The Brain Chemistry of Comfort Food: How sugary, fatty foods temporarily lower stress and boost dopamine, making them a powerful (but short-lived) fix for overwhelming emotions.

Numbing vs. Nourishing: Why binge eating is often a coping mechanism to avoid feeling difficult emotions like loneliness, sadness, or shame.

Breaking Habit Loops: How your brain wires certain situations (like watching TV or feeling bored) to automatically trigger cravings, regardless of actual hunger.

This isn't about being weak or broken—it's about your brain trying to cope. Once you understand what's really going on, you can start to reclaim control.

If you're ready to break free from binge eating and finally feel in control around food, make sure to subscribe for more weekly insights and strategies on recovery.

0:00 - Intro

0:49 - Emotional Trigger #1

1:32 - Emotional Trigger #2

2:05 - Emotional Trigger #3

2:31 - Quick Recap

2:49 - It’s Not Your Fault

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Follow Beyond Binge Eating

Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/

Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com

Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/

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Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

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Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

Evening cravings aren’t just about “weak willpower.” For many people struggling with binge eating, nights feel like the hardest time to stay in control—and there are real reasons why.

In today’s video, I’ll break down the 3 main reasons binge eating is harder to control at night and share what you can start doing differently to break the cycle.

What You’ll Learn in This Video:

• Why decision fatigue and willpower depletion make evenings a “danger zone” for binge eating

• How restricting food during the day can backfire at night

• The role of emotional stress and environmental cues in evening binges

If you’ve ever felt like you “do fine” all day but lose control at night, this video is for you.

Please like, subscribe, and share this video with anyone who might benefit from it. Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter for more insights and support on your recovery journey!

0:00 – Intro

0:39 – Reason #1 — Decision fatigue & willpower depletion

1:31 – Reason #2 — Daytime restriction (under-eating sets you up)

2:24 – Reason #3 — Emotional & environmental triggers

3:12 – why evenings become the “perfect storm” for binges

3:28 – What to change

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Follow Beyond Binge Eating

Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/

Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com

Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/

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Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

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Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

In this episode, I sit down with Karen Carnabucci—licensed clinical social worker, experiential therapist, and author of Healing Eating Disorders with Psychodrama—to explore how action-based, experiential methods can create profound transformation in eating disorder recovery.

Here’s what we cover in the episode:

• What psychodrama actually is—and why it’s so powerful for people with eating disorders

• The role of embodiment in disrupting disordered patterns and supporting real behavioral change

• How action methods like “the empty chair” and “walking the clock” help clients see their habits, choices, and stories from new angles

• Why practicing recovery roles (like abstinence, nourishment, or self-compassion) in the body is often more effective than simply talking about them

• How therapists can warm up clients to experiential work without pushing them out of their comfort zone

• Simple psychodramatic tools anyone can try—even on their own—to access insight, strength, and clarity

Karen’s approach is creative, compassionate, and deeply rooted in both clinical wisdom and real-world healing. Whether you’re a clinician, a person in recovery, or simply curious about how deeper change happens—this conversation is a must-listen.

00:00 – Intro

02:50 – How Kristina found out about Psychodrama

4:23 – What is psychodrama?

6:53 – The role of embodiment in healing disordered eating

10:02 – Practicing recovery patterns in the body, not just in theory

11:04 – The disconnect in disordered eating and how the body drives automatic behaviors

11:58 – Karen’s path from journalist to psychodrama therapist

13:24 – What are some surprising insights clients might gain from psychodrama versus talk therapy?

15:20 – A client’s breakthrough moment with lemon meringue pie

16:35 – Common psychodrama techniques for eating disorder clients

17:23 – Walking around the clock structure

24:42 – Empty Chair exercise

27:14 – How to help clients feel safe and "warm up" when trying something unfamiliar

35:05 – Solo psychodrama: Can it be done at home?

35:10 – Journaling, role reversal, empty chair, embodying strength and wisdom,

41:30 – Karen’s experiential trainings, retreats & upcoming workshops

45:00 – Books she’s writing: Tarot in psychotherapy, Sandtray, and ancestral healing

49:00 – Where to learn more & stay connected with Karen

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🗣️Follow and connect with Karen Carnabucci:

https://www.youtube.com/@realtruekaren

https://www.instagram.com/realtruekaren/

https://www.facebook.com/realtruekaren

https://www.realtruekaren.com

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Follow Beyond Binge Eating

Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/

Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com

Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/

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Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

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Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

Whether it’s stress, anxiety, boredom, or loneliness—binging can feel like the fastest way to feel better. But that relief is short-lived... and often followed by shame, regret, and physical discomfort.

In today’s video I will share with you science-backed, body-based tools to change your state quickly—without regret, shame, or a blood sugar crash.

What You’ll Learn:

Why food provides instant relief—and why it never lasts.

5 Fast, Body-Based Tools to Change Your State: Cold exposure, movement, breathwork, environment shifts, and sound—all rooted in nervous system science.

Why Discomfort ≠ Danger: How building tolerance for emotional discomfort helps prevent binges and builds resilience.

If you’re frustrated by binge eating even when you're not hungry—this episode offers a compassionate, actionable alternative.

This isn’t about suppressing your feelings—it’s about regulating your nervous system so you can actually process them.

Please like, subscribe, and share this video with anyone who might benefit from it. Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter for more insights and support on your recovery journey!

Follow Beyond Binge Eating

Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/#

Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com

Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/

Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

0:00 – Intro

0:33 – Why You Want to Change Fast – And What’s Really Happening

1:24 – Shift Fast — With These Physiological State-Changers

1:39 – Tool #1: Cold Exposure

2:01 – Tool #2: Movement

2:16 – Tool #3: Environment Shift

2:24 – Tool #4: Deep Breathing

2:40 – Tool #5: Music & Sound

3:08 - Address The Culprit

4:02 – When It Feels Like It’s Not Working

4:47 – Practice Makes Power

#FoodAddictionRecovery #FoodAddiction #BingeEatingRecovery

In this episode, I sit down with Tracey McBeath—health and life coach, author, mentor, and lecturer with the Nutrition Network—to explore the powerful connection between metabolic health, mindset, and self-trust, and how these pieces come together to create lasting freedom from food and alcohol struggles.

Here’s what we cover in the episode:

• Tracey’s personal journey from fatty liver, pre-diabetes, and dependency struggles to thriving health and coaching others

• Why willpower alone doesn’t work—and how awareness can disrupt automatic habits

• The two biggest lightbulb moments that changed Tracey’s life: metabolic health and the power of thought patterns

• Her OWL framework and how it helps create lasting transformation

• How to rebuild self-trust when you feel stuck in cycles of self-sabotage

• Why nutrition and mindset must work together for sustainable healing and recovery

Tracey blends personal experience, science, and compassionate coaching to show that lasting change is not about perfection—it’s about curiosity, awareness, and reconnecting to the wisdom within.

00:00 – Intro

02:05 – Tracey’s personal journey

03:16 – How her health crisis became the wake-up call to re-examine nutrition and lifestyle

05:05 – The hidden struggle with alcohol and sugar—and why she couldn’t just “stop”

08:20 – Lightbulb moment #1: Metabolic health and why low-fat, high-carb guidelines fail many people

12:50 – Lightbulb moment #2: How thoughts and habitual thinking drive behavior

17:58 – The OWL framework for change

20:10 – Why willingness matters more than intention when creating change

22:38 – Lasting change isn’t a 6-week diet

25:15 – How to rebuild self-trust when you feel stuck in self-sabotage

26:39 – Why our food environment is designed to keep us hooked

30:09 – Daily practices for self-connection: morning sunlight, movement, and gratitude

33:35 – Compassion, awareness, and understanding as the foundation for change

34:30 – Where to find Tracey’s work and resources

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🗣️Follow and connect with Tracey McBeath:

https://traceymcbeath.com.au/

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Follow Beyond Binge Eating

Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/

Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com

Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/

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Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

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Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Claire Wilcox—board-certified psychiatrist, addiction specialist, and author of Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain—to explore the neuroscience of food addiction and how to break free from cravings and compulsive eating patterns with compassion and clarity.

Here’s what we cover in the episode:

• Why food addiction isn’t just about sugar—and how even unpalatable foods can create addictive patterns

• The neurobiology of volume addiction and what happens in the brain when we eat large quantities of food

• How perfectionism, people-pleasing, and social pressure can sabotage sustainable recovery

• The role of harm reduction, and why abstinence from trigger foods doesn’t have to mean “all or nothing”

• Practical, science-based strategies for managing cravings and rebuilding a healthy relationship with food

Claire combines cutting-edge neuroscience with real-world insight, making this a must-watch for anyone navigating recovery, supporting others, or seeking a deeper understanding of food addiction.

00:00 – Intro

01:59 – Why Claire wrote Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain

03:16 – Collaborating with the Food Junkies podcast team

05:22 – Recovery goals beyond weight loss

07:23 – How recovery reduces anxiety, cravings, and emotional instability

08:57 – What is volume addiction? The science behind it

11:56 – "Harm reduction with an end goal of abstinence" - what does this mean?

16:51 – Perfectionism in food addiction and recovery

17:56 – Flexibility, forgiveness, and slips without shame

19:33 – Understanding cravings through cue reactivity, emotion regulation, and impulse control

22:16 – Practical prevention strategies to reduce cravings

24:51 – Honoring your own bio-rhythms

26:43 – Social pressure, people-pleasing, and protecting your recovery

28:18 – Where to find Dr. Claire Wilcox and her book

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🗣️Follow and connect with Claire Wilcox:

https://www.wilcoxmd.com

https://www.instagram.com/wilcox.claire/

Get her new book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/dEPU3qp

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Follow Beyond Binge Eating

Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/

Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com

Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/

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Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

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Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

In this video, we explore a revolutionary shift in how we understand and treat eating disorders—through the lens of metabolic psychiatry.

What if binge eating, food addiction, or even anorexia aren’t just psychological issues... but rooted in blood sugar instability, neuroinflammation, and metabolic dysfunction?

This isn’t theory—it’s emerging science that’s already transforming lives.

What You’ll Learn in this video:

• Metabolic Psychiatry 101 – Why conditions like binge eating disorder and anorexia may stem from disrupted insulin, glucose, and neurochemistry—not just trauma or emotion.

• The Ultra-Processed Food Trap – How modern foods activate the same reward pathways as addictive drugs—and how that rewires hunger, mood, and behavior.

• An Impressive Ketogenic Case Study – Why a 2023 study found long-term remission in severe anorexia using a high-fat, low-carb animal-based diet—and what that could mean for future treatment.

• Biochemical Repair or Willpower – Why recovery might depend less on psychology and more on nourishing the brain with the right fuel.

If “all foods fit” left you stuck or made things worse, this video offers a bold, science-backed alternative. This is not about restriction—it’s about restoring balance from the inside out.

Please like, subscribe, and share this video with anyone who might benefit from it. Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter for more insights and support on your recovery journey!

Follow Beyond Binge Eating

Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/#

Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com

Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/

Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

00:00 – Intro

00:36 – The problem with traditional binge eating recovery methods

01:05 – What is Metabolic Psychiatry?

01:55 – Ultra-Processed Food as an Addictive Substance

02:15 – Eating Disorders through the metabolic lens

02:48 – Game-Changing Study: The Norwitz et al ketogenic anorexia case series

04:05 – Testimonial #1: How carnivore reduced anxiety and improved weight gain

04:18 – Testimonial #2: A 30-year battle with anorexia ended with keto

05:00 – Could addiction be the real underlying issue?

05:13 – How ketosis might support mental health

05:45 – Biochemical Repair vs. Restriction: Fueling the brain for real recovery

05:55 – The full toolkit for biochemical healing (sleep, light, electrolytes...)

06:28 – The Future of Treatment

07:25 – Your Thoughts? Please like and subscribe

#FoodAddictionRecovery #FoodAddiction #BingeEatingRecovery #Sugaraddiction #metabolichealth #metabolicpsychiatry

In this episode, I am joined with my guest co-host Vanessa Kredler. We sit down with Dr. Owen Flanagan—renowned philosopher at Duke University and author of What Is It Like to Be an Addict—to explore the complex, lived experience of addiction and why the description of addiction as just a brain disease can fall short.

Here’s what we cover in the episode:

• Why addiction is more than just a brain disease—and how neuroscience can oversimplify a deeply human struggle

• What craving actually feels like from the inside—and why it’s not just about “willpower”

• How lifestyle, trauma, and culture shape addiction in ways medication alone can’t touch

• The parallels between substance addiction and food addiction—especially around compulsions and loss of control

• Why different people respond differently to the same substance—and what that means for treatment

• What philosophy can teach us about shame, identity, and the desire to live well

Owen’s perspective blends science, story, and philosophy into a compassionate, thought-provoking conversation. Whether you’ve experienced addiction firsthand, work with people in recovery, or are simply trying to understand it better—this episode will leave you with insights you won’t forget.

00:00 – Intro

02:36 – How Do You Understand Craving as a Felt Experience?

03:05 – Owen’s Personal Experience With Addiction

06:01 – Where Craving Happens: Before, During, and After Use

08:08 – Craving vs Compulsion

09:10 – Conscious and Unconscious Desires

10:41 – The Complexity of Food Addiction vs Substance Addiction

13:22 – Binge Drinking and the DSM: What's Missing?

14:41 – Why One-Size-Fits-All Addiction Treatment Doesn’t Work

16:45 – Critique of “Addiction is a Brain Disease” Model

21:03 – How Brain Science Can Help—or Limit—Understanding

24:43 – Co-morbidity in Addiction (Schizophrenia, Bipolar, ADHD)

27:56 – Medications and Craving Reduction

30:02 – Behavioral Addictions

34:19 – Why Some People Get Addicted and Others Don’t

36:41 – Can You Be Born With Addiction?

42:14 – Closing Thoughts

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🗣️Follow and connect with Owen Flanagan:

https://x.com/owenflanagan

Get his new book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/dmKoy9d

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Follow Beyond Binge Eating

Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/

Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com

Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/

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Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

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Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

In this video, we challenge a core principle of traditional binge eating recovery—the idea that all foods fit with moderation.

For many, this approach backfires, leaving them trapped in cycles of cravings, blood sugar swings, and loss of control.

What You’ll Learn:

The Science of Reward Dysregulation: How sugar, refined flour, and even "healthy" sweeteners (like stevia or monk fruit) hijack brain chemistry, mimicking addiction pathways.

Metabolic Psychiatry’s Perspective: The role of insulin resistance, dopamine spikes, and neuroinflammation in binge urges—why the drive to overeat isn’t just emotional, but biochemical.

Strategic Abstinence vs. Restriction: The critical difference between depriving yourself and removing triggers to restore metabolic and neurological balance.

Real-World Results: How eliminating hyper-palatable foods can stabilize energy, reduce cravings, and create a foundation for true healing—both physically and psychologically.

If you’ve tried "intuitive eating" or moderation but still feel powerless around certain foods, this evidence-based approach could be your missing link. Spoiler: It’s not about willpower or weight loss—it’s about rewiring your biology.

Please like, subscribe, and share this video with anyone who might benefit from it. Also, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter for more insights and support on your recovery journey!

Follow Beyond Binge Eating

Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/#

Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com

Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/

Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/

0:00 - Introduction

0:33 - Why “All Foods Fit” Doesn’t Fit Everyone

1:07 - Reward Dysfunction and Hyperpalatable Foods

1:30 - Why We Don’t Do “Keto Treats” or Almond Flour Substitutes

1:51 - Metabolic Psychiatry Perspective

2:31 - But Isn’t This Just Another Diet?

3:07 - An Invitation to Explore

3:44 - Share your experience in the comments!

#FoodAddictionRecovery #FoodAddiction #BingeEatingRecovery #Sugaraddiction