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© Federal Trademark: Reg No. 6,817,206 Registered August 16, 2022 by the US Patent and Trademark Office
Description
Where a real doctor - who really recovered from an eating disorder - talks about your real struggles with food, body image, and weight.
Straight talk from the professional and personal perspective...
Straight talk from the professional and personal perspective...
277 Episodes
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In this episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Alana Van Der Sluys to discuss the often-overlooked struggle of undiagnosed eating disorders. Alana shares her personal battle with orthorexia, binge eating disorder, and atypical anorexia—conditions that were exacerbated by the "not sick enough" narrative and societal weight stigma. Together, they explore the dangerous cycle of weekday restriction and weekend bingeing, the flawed logic of the eating disorder brain, and the crucial importance of validating one’s struggle even without a formal diagnosis. This conversation offers hope and practical insights for anyone feeling trapped in food rules or questioning if their suffering is valid enough to seek professional help.
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In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with author Alle C. Hall to explore the complex intersection of childhood trauma and eating disorders. Alle shares her candid 30-year journey of healing, discussing how creativity served as a lifeline when the weight of abuse felt insurmountable. They delve into the often-unspoken realities of relapse during major life transitions like postpartum depression and perimenopause, the nuances of navigating 12-step programs with a feminist perspective, and why recovery is rarely a straight line. This conversation offers hope and validation to anyone feeling like their healing journey is "messy" or taking longer than expected, reminding us that struggling does not erase the work we have already done.
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In this episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Binge Eating Recovery Coach Stefanie Michele to discuss the alarming parallels between modern "wellness" food guidelines and eating disorder behaviors. They dismantle the fear-mongering around carbohydrates, the elitism of "clean eating," and the dangers of new inverted food pyramid trends that demonize essential macronutrients. Stefanie shares her personal 25-year battle with eating disorders and how she finally found recovery at age 40. Together, they explore the dangerous intersection of GLP-1 medications and restrictive diet culture, offering a compassionate perspective on why you might feel stressed about food and how to find your way back to balance.
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In this poignant episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with oncology nurse educator Robby Wallace to discuss the often-overlooked physical and emotional toll of cancer treatment. While medical teams focus on eradicating the disease, patients are frequently left to navigate profound shifts in their body image, identity, and daily functionality on their own. Robby sheds light on the gaps in the current healthcare system, explaining why patients often feel lost in medical jargon and why having a patient advocate is crucial. From the trauma of hair loss to the complexities of fertility and intimacy, this conversation offers a compassionate look at what it truly means to heal the person, not just the patient.
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In this episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Virginia Newman, known as "The Radical Dietitian," to expose the dangerous line between wellness culture and Orthorexia. They discuss how the pursuit of "clean eating" and dietary purity can spiral into a debilitating eating disorder that shrinks your life while masquerading as health. Virginia shares her personal journey from a back injury that triggered a food obsession to finding true freedom through Body Trust. Together, they dismantle the myths of anti-fatness, explore the brutality of recovery in a diet-obsessed world, and explain why your body was never the problem to be solved.
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In this episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Alana Cahoon to tackle the pervasive issue of stress and anxiety in our modern, fast-paced world. Together, they explore the cultural pressure to "live to work" rather than "work to live," and how this mindset contributes to burnout and disconnection. Alana shares practical, accessible tools to help listeners stop spiraling into future worries or past regrets, offering a path to reclaim peace and presence in the everyday through grounding techniques and a shift in perspective.
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If January feels heavy — not motivating, not inspiring, not like a fresh start — this episode is for you.
In this solo episode, I explore why so many people are quietly opting out of New Year’s resolutions and resonating with the idea of a “Soft January.” Not because they don’t care about growth — but because years of trying to do things the “right” way have left them feeling like failures when those plans inevitably didn’t stick.
We talk about how January pressure mirrors diet culture, perfectionism, and people-pleasing — especially for those who’ve spent years believing they weren’t disciplined or consistent enough. I unpack why the problem was never you, but the systems that set you up to internalize failure.
This episode isn’t anti-goals or anti-change.
It’s about separating growth from self-worth — and learning how “good enough” can be a powerful corrective experience.
If you’ve ever walked away from a resolution, a reset, or a new start feeling like you were the failure, this episode is for you.
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In this critical and timely episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini is joined by Melainie Rogers, Founder and CEO of BALANCE Eating Disorder Treatment Center, to navigate the chaotic "wild west" of the current weight loss landscape. As GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy saturate the market, Melainie pulls back the curtain on the alarming side effects that are often swept under the rug—from significant muscle atrophy to "medically induced anorexia." This conversation challenges the pervasive myth that thinness equals health, exposing how the lack of informed consent and the rise of med-spa prescriptions are setting the stage for a future of metabolic damage and disordered eating.
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In this episode, Dr. Cristina sits down with James Cappola, a seasoned fitness trainer and co-founder of Zero Shortcuts Training, to dismantle the toxic "no pain, no gain" mentality that plagues the fitness industry. James opens up about his own history with exercise bulimia and body dysmorphia, revealing how he appeared to be the picture of health—sporting a six-pack and muscles—while secretly battling a debilitating eating disorder and substance abuse. Together, they discuss the dangerous misconception that aesthetics equal health, the double standards in how society views bodies, and how to shift your relationship with movement from one of punishment to one of self-respect and sustainability.
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In this insightful episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Holly Toscanini, a former weight loss expert turned intuitive living coach, to dismantle the "someday" myth. Holly shares her powerful pivot from running medical weight loss programs to realizing that chasing a number on the scale was actually shrinking her life, not expanding it. Together, they pull back the curtain on the toxic business model of the diet industry, discuss why waiting to be "thin enough" is actually a form of self-abandonment, and how women can reclaim their confidence through self-trust and intuitive eating—especially while navigating the changes of midlife and menopause.
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Visit the website: www.behindthebitepodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this powerful episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Wednesdae Reim Ifrach to dismantle the toxic "New Year, New You" narrative and explore the deep intersections between eating disorders, gender identity, and medical trauma. Wednesdae shares their harrowing story of being "prescribed" an eating disorder by a pediatrician at age 10 and how the pursuit of thinness masked a deeper struggle with gender dysphoria. Together, they discuss the current landscape of GLP-1 agonists, the dangers of bariatric surgery, and why healing isn't about fixing yourself—it's about finally being allowed to exist as you are. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling the pressure to shrink themselves to fit into a system that wasn't built for them.
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Visit the website: www.behindthebitepodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Zoe Harwood to dismantle the dangerous myths surrounding the BMI and the concept of "clean eating." Zoe shares her personal journey from a professional dancer praised for her "discipline" to a woman battling severe Orthorexia—a condition often hidden behind a mask of health and wellness. They discuss how the medical community frequently overlooks eating disorders in individuals who sit within a "healthy" weight range, the toxic grip of social media algorithms, and the frightening reality of navigating pregnancy while fearing medical intervention. This conversation challenges the definition of health, proving that well-being is about far more than a number on a scale or the "purity" of the food on your plate.
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This impactful episode features Debra Benfield sharing her expertise and personal journey through diet culture, ageism, and self-acceptance. The conversation, hosted by Dr. Cristina Castagnini, delves into the pervasive cultural pressures surrounding aging, food, and body image. Debra explains how undernourishment is often disguised as discipline, urges listeners to question “anti-aging” marketing, and offers guidance to reclaim trust and compassion for their changing bodies.
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For nearly a decade, Greta was told by doctors, coaches, and the sports culture around her that losing her period as an athlete was just part of the game—a sign of dedication and discipline. It wasn't until after college, when she discovered research on relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S), that she realized her body had been screaming for help all along.
Through her personal recovery and professional training, Greta learned that underfueling is one of the most overlooked issues in athletics—and that what looks like peak performance on the outside can mask serious health consequences on the inside. Together, Dr. Castagnini and Greta explore the dangerous normalization of disordered eating in sports, the signs coaches and athletes need to watch for, and how to create a culture that prioritizes long-term health over short-term performance.
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In this powerful and deeply vulnerable episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes Nikki DuBose, a model, author, advocate, and PsyD student, who shares her courageous journey from childhood trauma and eating disorders to a thriving modeling career that masked deep internal struggles, and ultimately to full recovery and healing.
For years, Nikki lived the life everyone envied—gracing magazine covers, walking runways, and embodying what society calls "perfection." But behind the flawless images was a young woman falling apart inside, battling an eating disorder that began at age eight and a relentless pursuit of external validation that could never fill the void within.
Through therapy, spirituality, and profound self-discovery, Nikki learned that the most beautiful transformation doesn't happen on the outside—it happens when you finally come home to yourself. Together, Dr. Castagnini and Nikki explore the reality behind the glamorous facade, the pressures of the modeling industry, and what it truly means to find peace from the inside out.
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Visit the website: www.behindthebitepodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this heartfelt and deeply relatable episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes Heidi Dueweke, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Personal Trainer, who shares her powerful journey from years of self-criticism and rigid food rules to true healing and self-acceptance.
For much of her life, Heidi believed discipline, control, and self-denial would finally bring her peace. Instead, those beliefs led her down a path of perfectionism, food obsession, and shame. Through therapy, education, and self-discovery, she came to understand that you can’t hate your body into healing—and that real change begins when we shift from control to compassion.
Together, Dr. Castagnini and Heidi explore the cultural pressures that normalize disordered eating, the hidden links between anxiety, ADHD, and food behaviors, and the freedom that comes from redefining “healthy” on your own terms. This episode offers hope for anyone stuck in the cycle of self-doubt, restriction, or comparison.
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Visit the website: www.behindthebitepodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes Dr. Erin Harrop (they/them) — a licensed medical social worker, assistant professor at the University of Denver, and leading researcher on eating disorders, weight stigma, and inclusive healthcare.
Dr. Harrop brings both professional expertise and personal lived experience to the discussion, shedding light on how systemic biases and cultural myths about body size shape who receives care — and who gets ignored.
Together, they explore the harmful message that some people are “not sick enough” for treatment and the devastating effects of weight stigma in the medical system. Through compelling real-life examples and research insights, Dr. Harrop helps listeners understand how eating disorders present across diverse bodies, why atypical anorexia remains misunderstood, and what needs to change in healthcare.
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Visit the website: www.behindthebitepodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this enlightening episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes Dr. Jillian Lampert, one of the nation’s leading experts in eating disorder treatment and policy. Together, they unpack the complexities of navigating eating disorder care—from identifying the right level of treatment to understanding how virtual care has reshaped access in the modern era.
Dr. Lampert blends three decades of professional expertise with her personal journey of recovery, offering both compassion and clarity for anyone facing the confusion and stigma that often surround eating disorders. Listeners will gain valuable insights into what “the right level of care” means, why weight bias continues to impact diagnosis, and how hybrid and virtual treatment options are improving accessibility nationwide.
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Visit the website: www.behindthebitepodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this insightful and deeply personal episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Asher M. Seruya, a psychotherapist whose lived experience with eating disorders, neurodivergence, and Jewish identity informs their clinical practice and advocacy work.
Together, they unpack the complex intersections of culture, family, identity, and neurodiversity that shape how we experience food and body image. Asher shares their powerful story of struggling with restriction, bingeing, and perfectionism—alongside the deep healing that came from understanding how trauma, cultural messaging, and ADHD influenced their relationship with food.
This episode explores how shame and self-judgment evolve through family systems, religious traditions, and social pressures, and how recovery means learning to exist more fully and compassionately in one’s own body.
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Visit the website: www.behindthebitepodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this deeply compassionate and informative episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini speaks with Jane Reagan, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, counselor, and creator of The Eating Disorder Recovery Roadmap for Parents.
Jane shares both her professional expertise and her personal journey of supporting her own daughter through anorexia. Together, Cristina and Jane shed light on the challenges parents face when navigating their child’s eating disorder—dispelling myths, addressing guilt, and highlighting the powerful role parents can play as allies in recovery.
The discussion covers practical strategies for supporting children at home, fostering open communication, managing family dynamics, and understanding that recovery is not just about food—it’s about healing what lies beneath. This episode is an essential listen for any parent who feels overwhelmed, unsure, or fearful while walking alongside their child’s recovery path.
SHOW NOTES: Click here
Follow me on Instagram @behind_the_bite_podcast
Visit the website: www.behindthebitepodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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