Peace Meal

Episode description:

Coming home for the holidays when an eating disorder is in the mix can be deeply complicated—for the person navigating it, and for the people who love them.

In this episode of Between Bites, Dr. Jillian Lampert reflects on her own experience returning home from college while struggling with an eating disorder, and offers clear, compassionate guidance for young adults facing similar homecomings. Whether the eating disorder is known, hidden, or somewhere in between, Jillian shares tangible strategies to help make this season feel more manageable. With deep care, she holds space for anyone who might be quietly struggling—and for those who want to help, or say something, but aren’t sure how.

We cover:

What the holiday season can feel like when you’re living with an eating disorder

How to prepare for coming home when your loved ones know about it

How to navigate the holidays when no one knows what you’re going through

How loved ones can show up with care

About Dr. Jillian Lampert:

Dr. Lampert (she/her), PhD, MPH, RD, LD, FAED, is the Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for The Emily Program. She completed her doctorate degree in Nutrition and Epidemiology and Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition at the University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. She has an expansive range of policy, clinical, research, education, teaching, and program development experience in the area of eating disorders.

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

Have a topic on your mind?

We want Between Bites to speak to what matters most to you. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode, let us know! Your questions and ideas help shape the conversation. Email [email protected] or send us a message on social.

About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

Between Bites is a Peace Meal series of short, focused episodes hosted by Dr. Jillian Lampert and designed to offer quick insights and meaningful support for eating disorder recovery.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. You can also watch the podcast on YouTube. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

In this episode of Peace Meal, we’re joined by two North Carolina-based Emily Program clinicians, Mem Wood and Elysse Thebner Miller, to talk all things Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, or ARFID.

Mem and Elysse unpack what makes ARFID different from ordinary food preferences, why it can emerge at any age, and how symptoms may affect nutrition, growth, medical stability, and daily life. They describe the three ARFID subtypes, share what treatment actually looks like, and highlight signs that often indicate it’s time to seek support.

This episode also introduces The Emily Program’s new specialized residential and inpatient programming for adults with ARFID in the Raleigh–Durham area—the only dedicated adult program of its kind nationwide.

About Mem & Elysse:

Mem Wood (she/her) is the Regional Clinical Director, North Carolina at The Emily Program. She holds an MS in clinical mental health counseling from Florida International University. Mem trained and worked at the Renfrew Center of South Florida before joining The Emily Program, where she has served in various roles for nearly eight years.

Elysse Thebner Miller (she/her) is the Regional Nutrition Manager at The Emily Program’s North Carolina centers. She holds a BS in health sciences from Ithaca College and an MPH in nutrition from UNC-Chapel Hill. Elysse previously worked at the UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders as both a clinician and research dietitian, supporting clients across all levels of care.

We cover:

How ARFID develops and why it’s often misunderstood as “picky eating”

Key differences among the three ARFID subtypes

What ARFID looks like in real life—at school, in college, at home, and in social settings

How food avoidance can intensify and narrow someone’s world

What renourishment, exposure-based food discovery, and body-awareness skills look like in treatment

How clinicians determine the appropriate level of care for ARFID

Practical signs that it may be time to seek help for a child, teen, or adult

In Mem & Elysse's words:

On how ARFID can shrink a person’s world: “Often by the time folks come into our care, they're eating a really limited number of foods…They might have only four or five foods that they're eating at all, or they might have such a high degree of brand specificity. I think that degree of avoidance and limitation is sometimes what brings folks in. They're like, my world has gotten smaller and smaller. I can't really function anymore.”

On the importance of taking ARFID concerns seriously: “If there is a suspicion that there’s something going on, it's worth investigating…especially if you've known somebody maybe at a point where their relationship with food was more normative, and now things feel like they're different and [you] can't quite pinpoint why…Getting early care and early treatment [offer] a way to change course and help somebody get back on track.”

On how to support a loved one in seeking help for ARFID: “If it feels like something's going on for your loved one, you know you're probably right… expressing concern calmly and not judgmentally is helpful, and then doing whatever you can to support them in taking the next step. If we're talking about a young adult, it's really helpful to sit with them and look at a website or make that initial call to a provider… because we know how hard it can be to take that first step to getting help.”

Additional Resources:

Mem and Elysse welcome questions about eating disorders from individuals, families, and providers. They can be reached at [email protected] and [email protected].

If you or someone you love may be experiencing ARFID and The Emily Program isn’t in your area, the following organizations offer valuable support:

The National Alliance for Eating Disorders: A national nonprofit offering a therapist-staffed helpline, free virtual support groups, and personalized referrals to eating disorder treatment providers.

iaedp Foundation: Provides education, training, and a directory of eating disorder–informed providers, including therapists and dietitians who work with ARFID.

About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

In this episode of Between Bites, Dr. Jillian Lampert explores Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)—an eating disorder characterized by limited food intake in terms of total volume, variety, or both. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID isn't driven by concerns about weight or body image.

Jillian breaks down the three main ways ARFID can present: lack of interest in eating, fear-based avoidance (often after choking or vomiting), and sensory sensitivities that make certain foods feel impossible to approach.

She also discusses how restricted intake affects physical health, growth, and participation in everyday life—and how life transitions like starting school or moving away to college often bring these challenges to the surface. You'll hear how ARFID is treated, what makes that treatment different from other eating disorder care, and why specialized support can make recovery possible.

We cover:

How to tell if it’s ARFID and not just “picky eating”

Why ARFID rarely resolves on its own

What to expect from ARFID treatment

About Dr. Jillian Lampert:

Dr. Lampert (she/her), PhD, MPH, RD, LD, FAED, is the Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for The Emily Program. She completed her doctorate degree in Nutrition and Epidemiology and Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition at the University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. She has an expansive range of policy, clinical, research, education, teaching, and program development experience in the area of eating disorders.

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

Have a topic on your mind?

We want Between Bites to speak to what matters most to you. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode, let us know! Your questions and ideas help shape the conversation. Email [email protected] or send us a message on social.

About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

Between Bites is a Peace Meal series of short, focused episodes hosted by Dr. Jillian Lampert and designed to offer quick insights and meaningful support for eating disorder recovery.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. You can also watch the podcast on YouTube. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

**Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide. Please use your discretion when listening and connect with your support system as needed. If you're experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available. Text or call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Episode description:

When their daughter Grace developed an eating disorder, John and Kathy experienced the heartbreak and confusion familiar to many parents. In this episode of Peace Meal, they speak with raw honesty about the helplessness of those early years, the shock of seeing Grace’s personality shift under the illness, and the mix of fear and relief that came with entrusting her to treatment.

When Grace turned 18, she left treatment, and John and Kathy lost the ability to make decisions for her care. She struggled through a college relapse that felt devastating at the time. John and Kathy talk about learning to support Grace through those years—finding community with parents who truly understood, separating their daughter from the illness even when it felt impossible, and accepting that recovery had to be something Grace wanted for herself.

John and Kathy share their story because they remember desperately needing to hear from parents further along. Grace eventually chose recovery for herself, and their family reached a place that once felt impossible. Their hope in speaking publicly is that other families navigating the same fears will know that recovery remains possible.

We cover:

Why finding community with other parents matters

How eating disorders can temporarily change behavior and personality

The complexity of supporting an adult child through treatment

Why brain healing continues long after weight restoration

Why setbacks during recovery don't mean failure

In John and Kathy's words:

On the isolation families can face: "One of the biggest benefits was to have a community of people that understood what we were going through. Even though we have good friends and family that supported us, I don't think they really understood the magnitude of what was going on. These [other parents in treatment] were parents that we felt—OK, they're not judging us. They're great parents. They have great kids. They just have this disease."

On what recovery has meant for their family: "We've had a lot of joy around dining room tables for years, gone for years…having [Grace] attend a meal was like walking on eggshells. And it took a wonderful holiday or a family event and turned it into kind of a stressful event. Not, not that she did it, but the illness did. You have to really separate those two things because they're two very different things. And now for at least the last two or three years, family gatherings are truly what they should be. They're family gatherings. And I don't even really think about it."

On John rebuilding his relationship with Grace: "After so many years of this illness, I figured that the relationship that I had with her was going to be beyond damaged... Now she and I talk at least once or twice a week. She calls me for counsel. She calls to say hello. And to be perfectly honest with you, it’s really the reason that we reached out to share the story…and I want parents to have hope that that can be their story too."

For families seeking support: Explore our Resources for Families or call The Emily Program at 1-888-364-5977.

About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

Halloween kicks off months of food-focused holidays, and for people with eating disorders, the candy-centered celebration can create significant stress. In this Between Bites episode, Dr. Jillian Lampert discusses how to approach Halloween, whether you're supporting the kids in your life or navigating your own recovery. She explains why limiting kids' access to candy can intensify their desire for it, offers specific ways to plan for a challenging day, and suggests treating Halloween as practice for the upcoming holiday season—with an emphasis on open communication and asking for the support you need.

We cover:

Why forbidding Halloween candy often backfires (for kids and adults)

Why sharing your Halloween plan with others can help (and what to tell them)

How to make the holiday season different this year

About Dr. Jillian Lampert:

Dr. Lampert (she/her), PhD, MPH, RD, LD, FAED, is the Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for The Emily Program. She completed her doctorate degree in Nutrition and Epidemiology and Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition at the University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. She has an expansive range of policy, clinical, research, education, teaching, and program development experience in the area of eating disorders.

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

Have a topic on your mind?

We want Between Bites to speak to what matters most to you. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode, let us know! Your questions and ideas help shape the conversation. Email [email protected] or send us a message on social.

About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

Between Bites is a Peace Meal series of short, focused episodes hosted by Dr. Jillian Lampert and designed to offer quick insights and meaningful support for eating disorder recovery.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. You can also watch the podcast on YouTube. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

In this episode of Peace Meal, Abby Kurszewski reflects on how years of weight-related comments from family and doctors shaped her relationship with food and body image. She explains that these experiences—along with a ninth-grade calorie-tracking assignment—were among the factors that fueled disordered eating during her teenage years. Abby recalls the painful disconnect of being praised for weight loss while suffering inside.

She also speaks candidly about weight bias in healthcare, where providers dismissed her concerns because she lived in a larger body—barriers that delayed access to the care she needed. In 2022, Abby entered The Emily Program’s intensive day treatment and finally felt seen. With support from her treatment team and her dad—her “rock” throughout recovery—Abby began to reclaim herself: “It gave me part of my spark back.”

About Abby:

Abby Kurszewski is a mental health advocate and clinical mental health graduate student from Wisconsin. If given the opportunity, she won’t hesitate to show you pictures of her senior chihuahua, Hugh, and talk your ear off about Taylor Swift. As an advocate, Abby is passionate about sharing her story of being in recovery from mental health issues, including OCD, an eating disorder, complex trauma, depression, and anxiety. When she’s not in class, studying, or working, you can probably find her watching reality TV (most likely Survivor or RuPaul’s Drag Race), trying out local coffee shops, or at the barricade to see her favorite band.

We cover:

How OCD and depression can intersect with eating disorder treatment

Why celebrating weight loss can be harmful (even when well-intended)

How stereotypes about eating disorders can create barriers to care

The importance of finding weight-neutral healthcare providers

How loved ones can help enforce recovery boundaries

The critical need for eating disorder care in rural and underserved areas

What it means to reclaim joy with food (including Tater Tot poutine at a Taylor Swift concert)

In her words:

On the confusion of being praised while unwell: "I knew I was struggling with depression, especially, and anxiety. So I knew people were trying to be helpful when they were complimenting me and saying things like 'you look so good’...But it just reinforced the eating disorder when I was already mentally unwell."

On the power of comprehensive treatment: "All sides were great—the medical aspect, the therapeutic support, the dietitians…The meal support and all that, it was so helpful and so beneficial. Quite honestly, that treatment program told me, 'Hey, maybe you don't have to live your life hating yourself."

On her dad’s unwavering support: "Throughout my entire recovery journey, by far my biggest support has been my dad... He has always had this mentality of, 'I'm here to support you with whatever you need.' And he's not afraid to own up to mistakes or if he says the wrong thing... He just wants [my sister and me] to be happy and healthy."

On why recovery is possible for everyone: "In the same way that eating disorders don't discriminate, recovery doesn't discriminate either... Respectfully, you're not the exception. It is possible."

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977.

About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

In this episode of Between Bites, Dr. Jillian Lampert explores the topic of weight stigma and its harmful effects on health and healthcare. She defines weight stigma as judgment or discrimination based on body size, shape, or appearance—and explains how it shows up in everyday life, from jokes in the media to treatment in the doctor’s office.

Dr. Lampert highlights how weight stigma in healthcare can lead to serious consequences, including patients avoiding care altogether. She underscores the importance of separating weight from health and focusing on holistic well-being instead. With Weight Stigma Awareness Week approaching, she shares opportunities to learn more, take action, and create change through kindness, education, and advocacy.

About Dr. Jillian Lampert:

Dr. Lampert (she/her), PhD, MPH, RD, LD, FAED, is the Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for The Emily Program. She completed her doctorate degree in Nutrition and Epidemiology and Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition at the University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. She has an expansive range of policy, clinical, research, education, teaching, and program development experience in the area of eating disorders.

We cover:

What weight stigma is and how it shows up in our society

Why weight stigma is especially harmful in healthcare settings

How weight stigma prevents people from receiving needed care

The importance of separating weight from health

Small and large ways we can address and reduce weight stigma

Resources and opportunities available during Weight Stigma Awareness Week

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

Have a topic on your mind?

We want Between Bites to speak to what matters most to you. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode, let us know! Your questions and ideas help shape the conversation. Email [email protected] or send us a message on social.

About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

Between Bites is a Peace Meal series of short, focused episodes hosted by Dr. Jillian Lampert and designed to offer quick insights and meaningful support for eating disorder recovery.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. You can also watch the podcast on YouTube. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

In this episode of Peace Meal, we hear from Jami Schadler, a mom of four and passionate eating disorder advocate from Dyersville, Iowa. Jami opens up about her 25-year struggle with an eating disorder, how unresolved childhood trauma played a role, and the turning point that sparked her recovery.

Now in recovery, Jami is dedicated to helping others find hope and healing. She shares how her advocacy began with a single social media post and grew into something much larger: facilitating a support group with NAMI Dubuque, working as an Ambassador with the Eating Disorders Coalition, and even spearheading a proclamation to recognize National Eating Disorders Awareness Week in her community.

Throughout the conversation, Jami emphasizes the importance of education, connection, and advocacy in breaking down stigma. She offers heartfelt advice to families, encouragement for those who feel isolated, and reflections on what recovery has brought to her life and her children’s lives.

We cover:

Jami’s journey from unresolved trauma to recovery

Why eating disorders thrive in isolation—and how to break free from it

The role of grace, patience, and support in healing

Misconceptions about who can develop an eating disorder

Jami’s advocacy work in Iowa and beyond

Her hopes for others navigating recovery today

In her words:

On the turning point in recovery: “I was tired of continuously relying on that toxic friend, which was my eating disorder… This time was different because I was a mother of four kids and they needed me.”

On stigma: “I’ve been told before through my journey, 'Why can’t you just eat?' I wish it was that easy.”

On advocacy: “I’ll continue to advocate for eating disorder awareness because when I was going through my eating disorder, my voice hadn’t been heard yet. And those who struggle with an eating disorder are still waiting for their voice to be heard.”

On advice for those struggling: “Don’t isolate… recovery is possible. It’s hard work and I’m a testimony of that.”

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977.

About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Introducing Between Bites:

The Peace Meal podcast is launching Between Bites, a new series of short, focused episodes hosted by Dr. Jillian Lampert. Designed to offer quick insights and meaningful support for eating disorder recovery, these bite-sized conversations will explore practical topics in a more accessible format.

Episode description:

In this inaugural episode of Between Bites, Dr. Jillian Lampert explores the common concern of how eating disorder treatment fits into school life. She highlights that recovery and academics are not mutually exclusive, and delaying care for school can have lasting consequences. The episode addresses questions parents and students often ask—from middle school through college—about balancing coursework, treatment schedules, and future goals. Dr. Lampert emphasizes that prioritizing health is the best way to ensure long-term academic success and a fulfilling recovery journey.

About Dr. Jillian Lampert:

Dr. Lampert (she/her) is the Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for The Emily Program. She completed her doctorate degree in Nutrition and Epidemiology and Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition at the University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. She has an expansive range of policy, clinical, research, education, teaching, and program development experience in the area of eating disorders.

We cover:

Why families often wonder how eating disorder treatment will affect school

How eating disorder recovery and academic progress can happen at the same time

What parents and students should consider when balancing treatment with school demands

Common concerns for middle school, high school, and college students in treatment

The importance of prioritizing health and recovery over delaying care for school

How The Emily Program supports students in continuing education while receiving treatment

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

Have a topic on your mind?

We want Between Bites to speak to what matters most to you. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode, let us know! Your questions and ideas help shape the conversation. Email [email protected] or send us a message on social.

About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. You can also watch the podcast on YouTube. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.

Episode description:

In this episode of Peace Meal, we sit down with Mallary Tenore Tarpley, journalist, professor, and author of the forthcoming book Slip. Mallary opens up about her personal journey with anorexia, her path to treatment, and her concept of the “middle place” in recovery—a space between acute illness and full recovery that is rarely discussed but widely experienced.

Mallary shares how her early experiences with grief, media influences, and cultural messages about food and bodies contributed to the development of her eating disorder. She also talks about the power of persistence, small steps toward healing, and the importance of support and community along the recovery journey.

About Mallary:

Mallary Tenore Tarpley is a journalism and writing professor at the University of Texas at Austin's Moody College of Communications and McCombs School of Business. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and other publications. She graduated from Providence College and has an MFA in nonfiction writing from Goucher College. Mallary lives outside of Austin, TX, with her husband and two children.

We cover:

How Mallary’s mother’s death and suppressed grief contributed to the onset of her eating disorder

Her treatment experiences, including a 17-month stay in residential care

The concept of the “middle place” and why she wants to destigmatize slips in recovery

The five pillars of recovery that guided her healing journey

Why persistence, small victories, and community support are essential

How Slip blends personal narrative with research and the voices of others

In Mallary’s words:

On why she titled her book Slip: “Sometimes we think that slips equal failure. And that is the reason I titled the book Slip... I want to destigmatize slips in the recovery process and recognize that slips can be opportunities for growth rather than grounds for failure.”

On the “middle place” in recovery: “For a long time I thought that I was the only one in this space, because I never heard anyone else talk about it... when I began to interview people for the book, I realized that this space is quite populous, and yet it's not talked about very often.”

On persistence and progress: “Sometimes the idea of trying to attain full recovery can feel a bit daunting and insurmountable... I like to think a lot about ‘more recovery.’ Maybe that's a half [of] a percent one day, maybe it's ten percent another day. Those very tiny steps can accumulate over time.”

Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. 

Mallary’s book, Slip, comes out on August 5, but you can preorder it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at your local bookstore today. You can connect with Mallary, learn more about her, and follow her newsletter on her website, mallarytenoretarpley.com. You can also follow her on Instagram (@mallarytenoretarpley) and LinkedIn.

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About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.