About this episode

This episode discusses the importance of competence over motivation in food addiction recovery, emphasizing the psychological needs outlined in Self-Determination Theory.

Are you exhausted from chasing motivation that never lasts? In this Clinician's Corner episode, Molly Painschab and Clarissa Kennedy break down why motivation is actually an outcome , not a starting point — and what truly drives sustainable recovery from ultra-processed food use disorder. Using the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) , they unpack the three psychological needs every person in recovery must have met: autonomy, relatedness, and competence — the often-overlooked key that separates short-term compliance from lasting change. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE: Why "just get motivated" is the wrong advice — and what to focus on instead The three pillars of Self-Determination Theory and how they apply to food addiction recovery Why external pressure (shame, fear, "I should") can actually increase relapse risk The difference between a stick-and-carrot and real motivation What competence actually mea ns How the Foundations Program (81+ skills and tools!) was built around these principles Why recovery is a learning process, not a decision W hat the research now says about forced compliance Small, practical ways to start building self-trust today 🛠️ WHAT'S IN THE FOUNDATIONS PROGRAM…

People in this episode

Host: Clarissa Kennedy

Guest: Molly Painschab

Topics covered

• motivation
• food addiction recovery
• Self-Determination Theory
• psychological needs
• sustainable recovery
• competence

Keywords

• motivation
• food addiction
• recovery
• Self-Determination Theory
• psychological needs
• competence
• relapse risk
• self-trust

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Self-Determination Theory

More episodes of Food Junkies Podcast

• Food Junkies Recovery Stories Episode 33: Heather Miller · April 28, 2026 · 48 min
• Episode 278: Dr. John Kelly | The Science of Recovery – What the Research Really Says · April 23, 2026 · 46 min
• Episode 277: Dr. Rachel Herz | The Science of Disgust, Smell, and Why You Eat What You Eat · April 16, 2026 · 56 min
• Episode 276: Esther Kane, MSW | Highly Sensitive People · April 9, 2026 · 47 min
• Episode 275: Clinician's Corner | Recovery in Unsettled Times · April 2, 2026 · 53 min
• Episode 274: Chérie St. Arnauld | Grassroots Mobilization — How We Push the Message of Food Addiction Forward · March 26, 2026 · 48 min

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