

Food Junkies Podcast
Clarissa Kennedy
Welcome to the "Food Junkies" podcast! Here we aim to provide you with the experience, strength and hope of professionals actively working on the front lines in the field of Food Addiciton. The purpose of our show is to educate YOU the listener and increase overall awareness about Food Addiction as a recognized disorder. Here we discuss all things recovery, exploring the many pathways people take towards abstinence in order to achieve a health forward lifestyle. Most importantly how to THRIVE rather than just survive. So stay positive, make a change for yourself, tell others about your change, and hopefully the message will spread.
The content on our show does not supplement or supersede the professional relationship and direction of your healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder or mental health concern.
The content on our show does not supplement or supersede the professional relationship and direction of your healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder or mental health concern.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 14, 2024 • 56min
Episode 168: Dr. Kari Anderson
Dr. Kari Anderson has positioned herself as a respected clinician and leader in the field of eating disorders. Her career spans over three decades of leading treatment teams in all levels of care, Kari has developed several treatment models, most recently for the treatment of binge eating. Kari earned her Doctor of Behavioral Health with her research project, The Mindful Eating Cycle: Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder, at Arizona State University in 2012. Co-creator of the Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating for Binge Eating Program, Kari also co-authored the acclaimed book Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat for Binge Eating: A Mindful Eating Program for Healing Your Relationship with Food and Your Body. Her memoir, Food, Body, and Love: but the Greatest of These Love, was released in 2021. This work digs deeper into the science behind effective treatment and includes research on food addiction and issues faced in obesity medicine. She is an adjunct faculty for the University of New Hampshire, and trains graduate students in treatment methods for eating disorders. As a licensed therapist in three states and certified eating disorder specialist and supervisor (CEDS-S), Kari maintains a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. Today, Clarissa and I talked with Kari about the following: Her Personal and Professional Journey All about Binge Eating Disorder Polyvagal theory and the role of vagal circuitry in food and eating behavior Using a harm reduction model when treating binge and loss of control eating Kari shares about the Safe and Sound Protocol We ask her about food addiction! Kari shares about her book and workbook She answers our signature question Follow Dr. Anderson: Website: myeatingdoctor.com Books: https://myeatingdoctor.com/books/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myEatingDoctor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MyEatingDoctor/ The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Mar 11, 2024 • 45min
FJ Recovery Stories Episode 5: Joan Bjornsgaard
On our episode today CJ interviews Joan Bjornsgaard. Joan’s interview is one of the most down-to-earth conversations. She relays her kind, considerate, and genuine ability to relate to people who are struggling with food addiction. She gives very practical and level-headed solutions to everyday struggles. You can count on a warm and inviting conversation. This is a very insightful episode. Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/?mibextid=oMANbw If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com. Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com.

Mar 7, 2024 • 44min
Episode 167: Michael Cowl Gordon MD
Dr. Michael Cowl Gordon is a family physician and addiction specialist, who practiced in Wisconsin and Georgia for over 50 years, until he retired last year. He completed medical training at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1967 As well as he received his board certification in Addiction Medicine in 1986. Inspired by his own recovery journey, as well as those of his patients, Dr. Gordon has dedicated much of his career to understanding and treating addiction. He is author of "The 12-Step Pathway: A Heroic Journey of Recovery”, which is a collection of individual stories, demonstrating how people struggling with addiction can embark on a transformative journey of recovery using the 12 step program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. By utilizing the metaphor of the hero's journey, as conceptualized by Joseph Cambell, he convincingly explains why the 12-step program holds the key to overcoming addiction. Although the 12 step program is almost 90 years old, it still offers a journey of recovery that is motivating and inspiring, for all addictions, including the newer food addiction. The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Feb 28, 2024 • 56min
Episode 166: Ann Saffi Biasetti, PhD, LCSWR, CEDS, CIAYT
Ann Saffi Biasetti, PhD, LCSWR, CEDS, CIAYT, is a practicing clinician for over 34 years. She is a Transpersonal Psychologist specializing in somatic psychotherapy, eating disorders, and trauma recovery. She is the originator of the Befriending Your Body Program, a program of somatic self-compassion for disordered eating recovery and the Embodied Life training center for yoga therapeutics. She is a certified mindfulness teacher, Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) teacher, and Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT). Dr. Biasetti specializes in integrating somatic self-compassion into disordered eating recovery. She consults and lectures extensively on the topics of somatic psychotherapy, embodiment, polyvagal theory in recovery and interoceptive awareness, and eating disorder recovery and is an instructor at the Center for Mindful Body Awareness. She has featured CE webinars and workshops through PESI and trains professionals in the Befriending Your Body (BFYB) certification program for eating disorder recovery. She is the author of Befriending Your Body: A Self-Compassionate Approach to Freeing Yourself from Disordered Eating and The Awakening Self-Compassion Card Deck: 52 Practices for Self-Care, Healing and Growth. Dr. Biasetti maintains a private practice in Saratoga Springs, NY. Follow Dr. Biasetti: Facebook: An Embodied Life with Ann Saffi Biasetti Website: https://www.anembodiedlife.com Website: https://www.befriendingyourbodyprogram.com Lunchtime Learning Series: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/february-lunchtime-lecture-series-tickets-817133196387?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwAR0Os883Rz-itTLP_8kuPVEA78Ae9gUtlm5SxhsJMLakwd3kdGqpj5q87uY The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Feb 23, 2024 • 54min
FJ Recovery Stories Episode 4: Debbie Mattatall
Today, CJ has the pleasure of interviewing a dear friend, Debbie Mattatall. Debbie is one of the warmest, kind, and compassionate people you will ever meet. She is always willing to lend a helping hand, especially to those friends in recovery. Debbie is a staple in our recovery community where she shares thoughtful insights and practical tools to help the next person recover. This is an episode you won’t want to miss! Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/?mibextid=oMANbw If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com. Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com.

Feb 22, 2024 • 47min
Episode 165: David Wolfe
David Wolfe, co-author of The Fix for Cravings, and cofounder of SUGARx Global. Once an artisan bread maker and Registered Dietician, David left those careers and is now a Food Addiction Counsellor and food addiction Coach, as well as a Certified High Performance coach. David received his Master’s in Clinical Nutrition from Ohio State University in 2012 and worked as a registered dietitian for ten years in Critical Care, Bariatric Surgery and elderly care. He was also the dietician who designed the abstinent food plan for the food addiction residential program at Renascent preCovid. While a dietician, David received his food addiction training at INFACT (International Food Addiction and Counselling Training) in 2017 and since that time, has been the under study to Bitten Jonsson; he is currently a faculty member for her Holistic Medicine for Addiction program. Of special interest to us, David had his own battles with sugar and grain, and like many of us, has identified other struggles, namely coffee, screens, alcohol and more. David is coauthor of the groundbreaking book 'The Fix for Cravings', along with Cynthia Myers Morison. He is a vocal advocate for understanding Addiction Interaction Disorder, championing the idea that addiction is a singular beast with many masks. His favourite analogy is “ Switching outlets is like switching seats on the Titanic: the ship is still sinking!’ Thus his treatment is focused on changing the dynamic of addiction itself. As visionary cofounder of SUGARx Global, David offers an online food addiction recovery platform, using his holistic blueprint of CARE: Connection, Action, Recovery Protection and Education. The Craving Crusher Checklist: 3 Steps To Crushing Your Craving: https://www.sugarxglobal.com/your3simplesteps FREE 15 Minute Breakthrough Your Cravings: Sessions: https://calendly.com/sugarxglobal/breakthrough Our website: Sugarxglobal.com The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Feb 14, 2024 • 53min
Episode 164: Dr. Sandy Van
Dr Sandy Van. Dr Van is a medical specialist in obesity medicine. She is a staff physician at MEDCAM and runs a virtual Weight Management Program in downtown Toronto. She is not your standard bariatric physician; she has a unique focus on treating not only the physical and pharmaceutical aspects of obesity but also the psychological and behavioral dimensions. We interviewed Sandy two years ago, exploring how she used her understanding of food addiction and eating disorders with her weight loss patients. Today, we want to focus on the medications, particularly the GLP1s, that are so popular. How has the widespread use of these meds changed her practice, if at all? Dr. Sandy Van is a licensed medical doctor in Family Medicine and diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the founder and medical director of Haven Weight Management, a virtual medical clinic focused on obesity care. Additionally, she co-founded 3 Sails, a social learning program for mental resiliency in weight management, and is a staff physician at MEDCAN, an Executive Health Clinic. She dedicates her practice to helping individuals achieve sustainable weight loss through psychotherapy tools and medical management. Dr. Van offers a unique voice for the medical community regarding behavioral obesity treatment. Her professional initiatives have included speaking engagements regarding applying psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for weight loss and providing consultation to healthcare practitioners. She is also a frequently invited media guest on national television and radio. Her mission is to evolve the field of behavioral weight management and effect lasting change in the many individuals who struggle with weight. Dr. Van received her Doctorate of Medicine, followed by the completion of a residency in Family Medicine at the University of Toronto. The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Feb 12, 2024 • 58min
FJ Recovery Stories Episode 03: Molly Painschab
On today's podcast episode of Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction Stories, CJ Nguy is joined by Molly Painschab. Molly is a thoughtful and authentic person who speaks from her heart and is passionate about Food Addiction Recovery. She has a wealth of experience in the area of Food Addiction and is known for their ability to connect with audiences on a personal level. I'm confident that you'll enjoy and learn from Molly’s story today. Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/?mibextid=oMANbw If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at cjnguy@myfoodaddictioncoach.com. Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email FJRecoverystories@gmail.com.

Feb 7, 2024 • 50min
Episode 163: Jamie Morgan Reno
Jamie Morgan Reno is a lifelong, severe processed food addict cursed with a slow metabolism, who, in 2008, lost over 200 lbs without surgery or pills. Jamie speaks to and works with communities of recovering processed food addicts to share her lessons, tools and resources on how to navigate recovery while living in this disease-promoting, processed food-filled world. Jamie and her recovery partner, Paige Alexander, created their podcast, Real Food Recovery, in 2023, which explores how this devastating condition affects every aspect of our lives, bodies, psyches and spirits. They dive deep into the realities of addiction and how to recover from it, finding abstinence from sugar, flour and processed carbohydrates along the way. In September 2023, the RFR podcast turned into a virtual, action-oriented recovery community that offers connection, growth, and belonging for those struggling with cravings, food obsession, and compulsive behaviors around processed food. Follow Jamie, Real Food Recovery and the Podcast here: https://www.realfoodrecovery4u.com

Feb 1, 2024 • 1h 1min
Episode 162: Brad Reedy, Ph.D
Dr. Brad Reedy has a degree in in Family Science and a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. He has served on the board of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs and the Utah Department of Child and Family Services. After years as a parent educator having broadcast over 1,000 webinars on parent and family issues, Dr. Reedy released the book, The Journey of the Heroic Parent: Your Child's Struggle and the Road Home. Using his personal story and stories from thousands of clients, he shares wisdom on how to think about parenting. Parents are asked to shift from relying on experts for advice to learning how to think about parenting questions by truly understanding themselves and doing their own work. In The Audacity to Be You: Learning to Love Your Horrible, Rotten Self, Brad talks about how all our relationships are connected to the relationship we have with ourselves. He shows how the foundation for intimacy with partners, our ability to parent effectively, and the meaningfulness of our lives can be tied to how well we have unraveled our unique childhood history. The book is a simple but bold exploration into what makes us human and why happiness and connection are elusive for so many. Dr. Reedy's work is counter-intuitive, but the reader will often have the experience of being found and understood as they make their way through his work. Many readers say that reading his work is like hearing something for the first time that you already knew but just didn't have the words for. Dr. Reedy is the Executive Clinical Director of Evoke Therapy Programs, an experience based therapy program for adolescents, young-adults, and families. Brad’s research and clinical experience includes parenting issues, attachment, adults/adolescents with substance abuse issues, developmental psychology, and children suffering with grief and loss. His podcast Finding You: An Evoke Therapy Podcast is a recommended listen for all parents AND all human beings with any issues at all. Brad’s Books and Website: https://drbradreedy.com Evoke therapy Programs: https://evoketherapy.com Finding You Podcast: https://evoketherapy.com/resources/podcast/ The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.