

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

Jun 20, 2024 • 1h 3min
Episode 182: Claire Sehinson - Neurodivergence and Disordered Eating Behaviours
Claire Sehinson, is an educator, researcher with a functional medicine and nutritional therapy clinical practice. She brings to her work her passion and lived experience of being multiply neurodivergent and diagnosed with Autism, dyslexia and ADHD as an adult, whilst navigating her own recovery from ME/CFS and dealing with many mental health issues throughout her lifetime. Claire has over a decade of specialist clinical experience working with complex illness, trauma, CFS, Fibromyalgia and chronic infections. Claire is the Head of Research at the Optimum Health Clinic (an integrative body-mind clinic) where she researches and trains practitioners on cutting-edge protocols to support complexly ill clients. She created the IHCAN award winning Therapeutic Nutrition course- a 6 month post-graduate practitioner training program supporting patients with CFS/ME and complex illness. Claire continues to advocate for marginalized groups to raise awareness and share knowledge of intersectionality in healthcare. Her research focus is the overlap of Neurodivergence, hypermobility spectrum disorders and chronic complex illness. Today we cover: Her personal story with Neurodiversity and WHY it was important to her to pursue this career? Some of the myths about what people think ADHD is and what it actually is The unique challenges faced by those with ADHD The relationship between ADHD and eating disorders, and how the symptoms of each condition may exacerbate the other? We talk about interoception and how this affects individuals with ADHD when it comes to feeding and eating The sensory processing and differences that ADHD people experience? What are some helpful tips for practitioners working with diet & nutrition plans in ADHD? How do ADHD symptoms intersect with substance use disorders? What are some common coping mechanisms or self-medicating behaviors that individuals with ADHD may adopt, leading to potential addiction issues? How does impulsivity, a hallmark trait of ADHD, contribute to addictive behaviors or disordered eating patterns, and what strategies can be employed to mitigate these impulses? Just forwarding my contact details: Instagram handle: https://www.instagram.com/nutritionforneurodiversity/ The-Creative-Well is my functional medicine practice https://www.the-creative-well.com/services/#anchor-3 Claire's Blog: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog?author=65bb37c2c08d0b7ec949620c Claire's training program in CFS/ME (for practitioners!) https://www.therapeuticnutrition.com/ The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcareprovider'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.

Jun 13, 2024 • 44min
Episode 181: Dr. Paramsothy - Auto-brewery Syndrome (ABS)
Dr. Jananthan Paramsothy got his internal medicine training at Richmond University Medial Center in Staten Island New York. Additionally, he has worked as an anesthesiologist and critical care physician in Sri Lanka. He has published a number of peer reviewed articles, one on a study of auto brewery syndrome. He is also a student in the Executive MPH program at Yale School of Public Health. We have heard alot about the microbiome and its possible role in food addiction. We at Food Junkies are interested to know what role gut fermentation syndrome might be contributing to our food addiction, as a result of the ultra processed foods that so many of us are eating. The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcareprovider'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.

Jun 10, 2024 • 54min
FJ Recovery Stories Episode 11: Pamela Little
On today’s episode, CJ has the honor of interviewing Pamela Little. Pamela’s quiet moments hold deep introspection; she constantly seeks growth through self-reflection. But beneath the thoughtful exterior lies a fire. Pamela's faith is her anchor, a source of strength that fuels her fight for what's right. Don't be fooled by her gentle voice- if faced with injustice, she'll be the first to stand up, a fierce advocate for herself and anyone needing a voice. Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." 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 If you find inspiration in recovery narratives, you won't want to miss the Food Junkies Podcast. Check it out at https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com/.

Jun 6, 2024 • 52min
Episode 180: Dr. Kirby Reutter
Meet Dr. Kirby Reutter, a bilingual clinical psychologist and leading trauma specialist. Dr. Reuttercurrently contracts with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to providetreatment services for individuals seeking political asylum. He is also the author of three books, including“The DBT Skills Workbook for PTSD.” In this episode, we cover: Dr. Kirby Reutter educates us on what PTSD is How Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can treat PTSD We talk about addiction, trauma, and DBT How mindfulness can be a very important piece to treating trauma Our signature question and so much more We are definitely having Dr. Reutter back! Follow Dr. Reutter: Website: https://www.drkirbyreutter.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drkirbyreutter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirbyreutter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drreutter/ In the media: https://www.drkirbyreutter.com/in-the-media The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcareprovider'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.

May 30, 2024 • 49min
Episode 179: Dr. Carl Erik Fisher
Carl Erik Fisher, M.D., is an addiction psychiatrist, bioethics scholar, author, and person in recovery. He is an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University, where he studies and teaches law, ethics, and policy relating to psychiatry and neuroscience, especially issues related to substance use disorders and other addictive behaviors. He also maintains a private clinical practice focused on complementary and integrative approaches to addiction and recovery. He is the author of the nonfiction book The Urge: Our History of Addiction, named one of the best books of the year by The New Yorker and The Boston Globe. The Urge is an intellectual and cultural history of addiction, interwoven with his own experiences as an addiction psychiatrist at Columbia and as someone in recovery himself. His other writing for the general public has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Slate, Scientific American MIND, and elsewhere. He is also the host of the podcast Flourishing After Addiction, an interview series focused on addiction and recovery. Carl’s scholarly work addresses the role of neuroscience and psychiatry in society, primarily as reflected in ethics, law, and policy. His academic writing has been published in JAMA; The American Journal of Bioethics; The Journal of Medical Ethics; and The Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics, among others. He is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and he is an appointed member of the American Psychiatric Association’s Council on Psychiatry and Law. In this episode: Shares his personal and professional journey Why it was important for him that his book focus on the history of addiction Can and should personal recovery inform professional treatment? Why he believes if you can do so safely, you should recover out loud Why he wrote the book The Urge: Our History of Addiction What are his thoughts on models of addiction? Is there a false dichotomy between harm reduction and abstinence-based treatment? He addresses some common misconceptions about addiction Dr. Fisher turns the tables and walks Vera & I through an exercise to see how our treatment are more aligned than different What he would say to his younger self about addiction Follow Carl: Twitter: @DrCarlErik Instagram: @drcarlerik His Podcast: Flourishing After Addiction Website: https://www.carlerikfisher.com

May 27, 2024 • 56min
FJ Recovery Stories Episode 10: Shirley Smith
Today CJ has the privilege of interviewing Shirley, a soul with a quiet depth. Her introspective nature allows her to see beneath the surface, offering insights that resonate with a quiet wisdom. Unlike a booming voice, Shirley's observations hold a gentle power, leaving you with a deeper understanding long after the words are spoken. Her presence exudes a calming energy, inviting reflection and thoughtful conversation. Today’s episode will leave you wanting to know more about this amazing person. Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." 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 If you find inspiration in recovery narratives, you won't want to miss the Food Junkies Podcast. Check it out at https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com/.

May 22, 2024 • 43min
Episode 178: Dr. Anita Federici, PhD CPsych FAED Part 2
Dr. Anita Federici is a Clinical Psychologist and the Owner of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation. She serves an Adjunct Faculty position at York University and is a distinguished Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED). From 2019 - 2022, Anita served as the elected Co-Chair for the Suicide and DBT Special Interest Group (SIG) for the AED and currently sits on the SIG Oversight Committee. Anita has had a considerable impact on the field through her leadership, advocacy work, and expertise. To date, she has provided more than 375 lectures, workshops, and invited talks on eating disorders, MED-DBT, compassionate care for complex needs, and developing differential care pathways that integrate biotemperament-based approaches, experts-by-experience, and ethical care. She has developed a robust training program, a wide network of allied health professionals, and a treatment centre in an underserved and rural region of Ontario. Her passion for inspiring and invigorating hope for clients and clinicians is at the heart of her work. Known for her engaging and authentic style of training, Anita has become a highly sought-after consultant. She works extensively with hospitals and community organizations nationally and internationally offering team training, implementation support, and program development with a special focus on creating differential care pathways for clients who do not respond to traditional treatment approaches. Her work has been presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals and invited book chapters. Follow Anita: https://www.psychology-emotionregulation.ca 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.

May 16, 2024 • 42min
Episode 177: Dr. Anita Federici, PhD CPsych FAED Part 1
Dr. Anita Federici is a Clinical Psychologist and the Owner of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation. She serves an Adjunct Faculty position at York University and is a distinguished Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED). From 2019 - 2022, Anita served as the elected Co-Chair for the Suicide and DBT Special Interest Group (SIG) for the AED and currently sits on the SIG Oversight Committee. Anita has had a considerable impact on the field through her leadership, advocacy work, and expertise. To date, she has provided more than 375 lectures, workshops, and invited talks on eating disorders, MED-DBT, compassionate care for complex needs, and developing differential care pathways that integrate biotemperament-based approaches, experts-by-experience, and ethical care. She has developed a robust training program, a wide network of allied health professionals, and a treatment centre in an underserved and rural region of Ontario. Her passion for inspiring and invigorating hope for clients and clinicians is at the heart of her work. Known for her engaging and authentic style of training, Anita has become a highly sought-after consultant. She works extensively with hospitals and community organizations nationally and internationally offering team training, implementation support, and program development with a special focus on creating differential care pathways for clients who do not respond to traditional treatment approaches. Her work has been presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals and invited book chapters. Follow Anita: https://www.psychology-emotionregulation.ca 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.

May 12, 2024 • 51min
FJ Recovery Stories Episode 9: Daryl Crosswell
Meet Daryl, a captivating mind with a heart of gold. Her journey of self-discovery has honed an insightful perspective, allowing her to see potential and beauty in every situation. But Daryl isn't just about introspection – she's a fierce cheerleader for her peers. She is also a single mother who is working on breaking generational trauma cycles. What sets Daryl apart is her unwavering commitment to honesty, even when it's uncomfortable. She doesn't sugarcoat her experiences or try to hide behind a facade of strength. Instead, she courageously shares the raw reality of her struggles, exposing the depths of her vulnerabilities. This truly inspires others to share deeply and vulnerably! You will not want to miss her story! Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." 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 If you find inspiration in recovery narratives, you won't want to miss the Food Junkies Podcast. Check it out at https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com/.

May 9, 2024 • 49min
Episode 176: Vera Tarman, MD, MSc, FCFP, ABAM
Dr. Vera Tarman is the Medical Director of Renascent and a senior staff physician at Salvation Army. Dr Tarman has a special interest in the clinical syndrome of food addiction. She has presented at international public forums and media platforms to educate and advocate on this subject. She is author of "Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction", and is cohost of the popular Food Junkies Podcast. She is also the founder and moderator of the free Facebook group, called “I’m Sweet Enough: Sugar Free for Life”. Check out her You tube videos at veratarman md. Today we speak with her about her newly published paper "One size does not fit all: Understanding the five stages of ultra-processed food addiction" and the topic she is presenting on at our International Food Addiction Consensus Conference May 17, 2024 London, UK. If you can’t join us we hope you watch the live stream to support us. It is not to be missed as the latest cutting edge dicussons around food addiction will be happening that day! In this Episode: What are the five proposed stages of food addiction, and how do they progress from mild to severe? Why is it important to recognize the stages of food addiction for diagnosis and treatment? The neurobiological and hormonal factors involved in the progression of food addiction How does distinguishing between food addiction and eating disorders impact treatment approaches? In the early stages of food addiction, what interventions are effective in promoting inhibitory control and addressing hormonal imbalances? How do we reach people in this early stage before the progression occurs? What role does mindful eating play in food addiction treatment? What are some potential medical treatments and interventions for severe stages of food addiction, and how do they address neurobiological imbalances? Why is it important to tailor food addiction management to address the specific phase of the syndrome that an individual is experiencing? What challenges exist in implementing stage-based interventions for food addiction, and how can they be addressed? What is Vera speaking about at the IFACC Conference next week? Follow Vera: Website: https://addictionsunplugged.com Instagram: dr_vera_tarman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SugarFreeForLife/ YOU’RE INVITED to the International Food Addiction Consensus Conference Friday May 17, 2024, in London, UK This informative and engaging gathering will build awareness for the growing problem of Food Addiction, not only for us adults but also for children and future generations. Speakers include: Chris Van Tulleken Robert Lustig Michael Moss Vera Tarman Adrian SotoMota Erica LaFata David Wiss (Video) Timothy Brewerton (Video Link) Anna Lembke (Video Link) Nicole Avena Susan Peirce Thompson Why attend? •Gain valuable insights from international researchers, physicians, clinicians, and metabolic experts. •Network with professionals and like-minded individuals. •Learn about Food Addiction, and how ultra-processed foods impact the brain. •See the latest scientific research on the addictive nature of certain foods and the clinical research in this area. •Support our international program to get Food Addiction recognized as a disorder, listed in the ICD-11, to improve the food environment for future generations. We hope you will join us for a full day of education, connection, and hope! TICKET SALES END MAY 12, 2024! If you are unable to attend or view the livestream and still want to support this work, you can: Attend the Conference or Purchase a Livestream Ticket: http://bit.ly/3ROJSCE Donate a Ticket: Pay for another attendee, and we will ensure it goes to a healthcare professional, student or public member who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend – use the link in the show notes. Spread the Word: Share our cause with your friends, family, and colleagues. The more people know about our mission, the greater our reach. You can use social media, email, or good old-fashioned word of mouth to help us raise awareness. Donate: Every dollar, pound or any other currency you contribute goes directly towards making this conference possible and supports our work to get food addiction recognized by The World Health Organization (WHO). Check show notes for the link! https://bit.ly/4bIwKa3 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.