Recovery Bites

In this episode, Karin welcomes Don Blackwell father, author, speaker, advocate, and a quiet encourager of those battling and in recovery from eating disorders, to the show for the newest episode of Recovery Bites, “Unconditional Support”

Join Karin and Don for a conversation on the intimacy of the father daughter relationship, turning fear to empathy, beliefs of un-lovability, the harm of a loved one becoming the “identified patient,” the healing essence of letter writing, a father’s vulnerability, Don’s impact on the eating disorder recovery community, and much more.

Don Blackwell is a trial lawyer, whose daughter, Ashley, fought and overcame an eating disorder. Don’s resulting journey to greater self-awareness led to the publication of a book entitled, “Dear Ashley: A Father's Reflections and Letters to His Daughter on Life, Love and Hope.”

Don has written and spoken extensively on a variety of eating disorder topics, including dads and daughters. In January 2020, Don organized and hosted the Legacy of Hope Summit, a weekend conference of more than 20 of the country’s most respected eating disorder aimed at coming up with a consensus-based series of recommendations designed to move the eating disorder field forward on critical issues.

In this episode, Karin welcomes Bérénice Mertens, RYT, certified yoga & meditation teacher and yoga therapist specializing in eating disorders, to the show for the newest episode of Recovery Bites, “Stepping Out of Silence”

Join Karin and Bérénice for a conversation on oscillating between different eating disorder behaviors, rediscovering yourself on the yoga mat, letting go of beliefs that no longer suit you, surrendering rather than waiting to “hit rock bottom,” the marriage of talk therapy and yoga therapy, and much more.

After a decade of suffering in silence, both mentally and physically, Bérénice Mertens, RYT discovered yoga and embarked on her healing journey. As challenging as yoga was, it led Berenice to meditate, calm down, to develop awareness, more self compassion, and allowed her to begin to build a relationship with spirituality as well. For Berenice, yoga is a stepping stone in her recovery from anxiety, PTSD and eating disorders.

In her yoga practice, Bérénice shares holistic tools to help women overcome their eating disorder. When not sharing resources and empowering others in her private virtual group for overcoming disordered eating, you can find Berenice on the yoga mat delivering yoga therapy sessions. Learn about her private Facebook group here.

In this episode, Karin welcomes Sara Gottfried, LCSW, school Social Worker and author, to the show for the newest episode of Recovery Bites, “Full of ED”

Join Karin and Sara for a conversation on missed when children express a desire to diet, the “daze” that diet culture has put society in, treating the whole person instead of only their symptoms, person first treatment, Sara’s experience writing “Full: A Memoir of Overcoming an Eating Disorder,” and much more.

Sara Gottfried, LCSW, graduated from Bridgewater State University with a Bachelor of Science and went on to complete the Advanced Standing Social Work program at Boston University, obtaining her Masters of Social Work. Currently, she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Massachusetts and works as a School Social Worker and outpatient therapist.

“Full: A Memoir of Overcoming an Eating Disorder,” is Sara's powerful and utterly raw story of her battle with anorexia and learning to share her story. Filled with humor, wisdom, and inspiration, readers will feel empowered to overcome their own battle with disordered eating.

You can learn more about Sara by visiting her online. You can also follow Sara on Instagram at @Sara_elleng.

In this episode, Karin welcomes Jacqueline Adan, influencer, self love and mental health advocate to the show for the newest episode of Recovery Bites, “Diet’s Don’t Work.”

Join Karin and Jacqueline for a conversation on the dangers of dieting, especially regarding children, uncovering the deeper issues before fixing behaviors, the harm of weight-loss praise, fighting for fair medical treatment in a larger body, utilizing the “little moments” for full recovery, the problem with societal norms, and much more.

Jacqueline Adan is a self love and mental health advocate who encourages everyone to believe in themselves, their dreams, and to live life as their most authentic self. Jacqueline has always struggled with her weight, body image, and her relationship with food. After major weight loss, resulting in national media attention, Jacqueline learned that her journey with eating and weight was far from over. With an eating disorder diagnosis, Jacqueline began recovery for the thing she had been so widely praised for. Sharing the her victories and defeats, Jacqueline hopes that by sharing her experiences, she can help other people who are going through similar situations. You can learn about Jacqueline’s journey www.jacquelineadan.com and by following @jacquelineadan44

In this episode, Karin welcomes Tiffany North, RN, CIEC, RN, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and creator of the Food Attachment Model™, to the show for the newest episode of Recovery Bites, “Secured Attachment With Food and Self”

Join Karin and Tiffany for a conversation on Tiffany’s Food Attachment Model™ and the four attachment styles, steps to healing one’s relationship with food and body, the importance of mindfulness and intentional living, “ruptured attachment,” the intersection of eating disorders, substance, and alcohol abuse, setting barometers for success in recovery, and much more.

Tiffany North is an RN, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and creator of the Food Attachment Model™, helping people with disordered eating finally find freedom, balance, and satisfaction. She helps clients to stop the binge/shame/restrict cycle. Her coaching focuses on secure attachment with self, body respect, through a HAES informed lens. With 22 years of sobriety, Tiffany feels that recovery has informed all areas of her life, especially her work as a nurse and a coach. Follow Tiffany on Instagram at @coachtiffanyrn and view her offerings.

In this episode, Karin welcomes Tara Whitney, published author, podcaster, speaker and coach, to the show for the newest episode of Recovery Bites, “The Price of a Muted Life”

Join Karin and Tara for a conversation on body trust, intuitive eating, diet message’s impact on children, moving from external to internal validation, food neutrality, the importance of slowing down and tuning into your body, weight stigma and the medical community, and more.

Tara Whitney is a published author, podcaster, speaker and coach. She’s leading a revolution of women who are listening to their own internal wisdom, respecting and nourishing their bodies and ultimately trusting themselves in every area of their lives. Her latest book, “Hungry: Trust Your Body and Free Your Mind around Food,” offers a fresh perspective on why women have struggled with food and gives them a path to set themselves free.

Tara is also the host of the Hungry: Trust Your Body. Free Your Mind podcast where she interviews some amazing guests who’ve transformed their own relationship with food. They share what their life is like now that their minds are free and they trust their bodies. Follow Tara on Instagram at @tarawhitney and view her offerings.

In this episode, Karin welcomes Ken Capobianco, music critic, and recovered author to the show for the newest episode of Recovery Bites, “The Ballad of a Thin Man.”

Join Karin and Ken for a conversation on shame and detail for men with eating disorders, the harm of specific gender focused treatment, the challenges of treating all genders, how food and sexuality intertwine, the medical complications of an eating disorder, the misperception of “scaring people straight,” the liberation of sharing one’s story of recovery, and much more.

Ken Capobianco is a music critic who has written about pop music and the arts for over thirty years after receiving his M.A. in Literature from Tufts University. His award-winning work has appeared in numerous publications, including The Boston Globe, Billboard, The New York Times, The Cape Cod Times, and The Journal of Modern Literature. After recovering from acute anorexia, which spanned three decades, resulting in a stroke at the age of 45 years old, Ken wrote, “Call Me Anorexic: The Ballad of a Thin Man.” Ken is also a former instructor of writing and literature at Northeastern University and instructor of journalism at Emerson College. Follow Ken @kcapo45_writer

In this episode, Karin welcomes back Jennifer Kreatsoulas, PhD, author, international speaker, and certified yoga therapist specializing in eating disorders and body image, to the show for the newest episode of Recovery Bites, “The Recovery Long Haul.”

Join Karin and Jennifer for a conversation on Jennifer’s battle with Long-haul COVID/post-COVID-19 syndrome, recognizing and abstaining from eating disorder behaviors despite long-term illness, the similarities and differences of eating disorders and invisible illness, the healing that accompanies feeling “seen and heard,” how an invisible illness can “look” to others, honoring the grief that accompanies living with a long-term illness, holding gratitude during the hardest times, the importance of connection, and much more.

Jennifer Kreatsoulas, PhD, is a certified yoga therapist specializing in eating disorders and body image. She is a sought-after international speaker and former host of Real Body Talk, founder of Yoga for Eating Disorders, and author of "Body Mindful Yoga" and "The Courageous Path to Healing." Her writing has been featured widely in print, broadcast, and online media. Get to know Jennifer and follow her on Instagram and contact her directly at [email protected].

In this episode, Karin welcomes Rebecca Eyre, LMHC (she/her), CEO of Project HEAL, to the show for, “Equity Isn’t Exclusive.”

Learn about Project HEAL's mission for equitable access to care, examining treatment resistance, internal vs systemic barriers for care, the disproportionate ratio of eating disorder providers to individuals suffering, denormalizing the notion of being “sick enough,” the confines to care if outside of society’s stereotype, Project HEAL's Treatment Access program, and more!

Rebecca Eyre is the CEO of Project HEAL, the leading eating disorder nonprofit in the US creating equitable access to care through offering direct services to eating disorder sufferers who are unable to access treatment, in addition to their research, advocacy, and community education.

Rebecca is a licensed therapist who has treated individuals with eating disorders since 2011, during which time she has gained expertise on the many systemic, healthcare, and financial barriers that millions in the US face when seeking eating disorder care. She is a vocal advocate at the intersection of eating disorders and social justice, and believes that the key to transforming the eating disorder landscape into an accessible, affirming, and healing space for everyone is expansion.

Follow @projectheal on Instagram and donate here.

In this episode, Karin welcomes Paula Scatoloni, MSW, embodiment educator, sound therapist, and workshop facilitator, to the show for, “Somatic Experiencing.”

Join Karin and Paula for a conversation on somatic experiencing, safe ways to tune into your body, how the nervous system influences the mind-body system, Embodied Recovery, restoring health through sound and vibration, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), body detachment, “showing up” for recovery, and more!

Paula Scatoloni, MSW is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Certified Safe and Sound Protocol Provider in Durham, NC, with more than two decades practicing in the field of eating disorders. Paula has been involved in the field of embodiment for three decades and has training in innovative approaches that bridge neuroscience, physiology, interpersonal neurobiology, transpersonal psychology, and the creative arts with non-Western models of health and healing.

Paula has taught extensively on the etiology and treatment of eating disorders through workshops, professional trainings, and conferences for over a decade. Click here to learn more about Paula and her offerings.