Peace Meal

Episode description: In this episode of Peace Meal, Rawnaq Albathigi joins us to share her experience with an eating disorder, and how it’s shaped the perspective she's bringing to the field as an emerging dietitian. Drawing on a recovery journey she describes as anything but linear, Rawnaq makes the case for a more individualized understanding of healing from an eating disorder, and for treatment that's far more accessible than it currently is, especially for people whose culture and faith fall outside the Western framework much of it is built around. About Rawnaq: Rawnaq Albathigi (she/her) is a senior at the University of Arizona, where she is majoring in dietetics and pursuing a weight-inclusive certificate. Drawing on her own experience with an eating disorder, she hopes to become a dietitian and to make eating disorder care more accessible and culturally responsive. We cover: How Rawnaq's eating disorder took hold, and the purpose it served for her What it means to make recovery progress without it being all-or-nothing Why intuitive eating isn't the universal goal it's often made out to be The cultural and religious realities that Western-centric treatment can miss The barriers to eating disorder care, and who most frequently gets left out How she stopped seeing her own recovery as separate from the work she wants to do In Rawnaq’s words: On trying to force a recovery timeline: "When I decided to go into nutrition around 17, I chose my major feeling like a fraud. I always thought: ‘how am I going to help others when I can't even help myself?’...I thought I was running out of time and needed to really be in recovery by the time I graduate. Not because I wanted to, but because I thought I had to if I ever wanted to be in the nutrition field…but putting that pressure on myself did not really serve me." On the false binary of recovery: "Real recovery is rarely binary, and treating it that way, it can do more harm than good. So eating disorder recovery isn't like flipping a switch. It's much closer to a spectrum…Someone [might] eat regularly but still has eating disorder thoughts. Or they have a tough day and slip into an old behavior, but stop sooner than before. That doesn't mean they're suddenly in relapse. They're in the ‘messy middle’, what I like to call it, which is actually where most recovery happens." On the expansiveness of recovery: "If recovery, as it's been presented to you, doesn't feel possible, I'd really encourage you to ask: is it recovery itself that feels impossible, or the version of recovery you have been given? Because those are two different things, and people deserve a version of healing that actually fits them, their culture, their experiences, their values, their reality." Connect with Rawnaq on Instagram (@rawnaq_albathigi) and LinkedIn. About the podcast: Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking. You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends! Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.com for more information.

Episode description: In this episode of Between Bites, Dr. Jillian Lampert explores Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)—an eating disorder characterized by limited food intake in terms of total volume, variety, or both. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID isn't driven by concerns about weight or body image. Jillian breaks down the three main ways ARFID can present: lack of interest in eating, fear-based avoidance (often after choking or vomiting), and sensory sensitivities that make certain foods feel impossible to approach. She also discusses how restricted intake affects physical health, growth, and participation in everyday life—and how life transitions like starting school or moving away to college often bring these challenges to the surface. You'll hear how ARFID is treated, what makes that treatment different from other eating disorder care, and why specialized support can make recovery possible. We cover: How to tell if it’s ARFID and not just “picky eating” Why ARFID rarely resolves on its own What to expect from ARFID treatment About Dr. Jillian Lampert: Dr. Lampert (she/her), PhD, MPH, RD, LD, FAED, is the Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for The Emily Program. She completed her doctorate degree in Nutrition and Epidemiology and Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition at the University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. She has an expansive range of policy, clinical, research, education, teaching, and program development experience in the area of eating disorders. Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. Have a topic on your mind? We want Between Bites to speak to what matters most to you. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode, let us know! Your questions and ideas help shape the conversation. Email podcast@emilyprogram.com or send us a message on social. About the podcast: Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking. Between Bites is a Peace Meal series of short, focused episodes hosted by Dr. Jillian Lampert and designed to offer quick insights and meaningful support for eating disorder recovery. You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. You can also watch the podcast on YouTube. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends! Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.com for more information.

Episode description: Halloween kicks off months of food-focused holidays, and for people with eating disorders, the candy-centered celebration can create significant stress. In this Between Bites episode, Dr. Jillian Lampert discusses how to approach Halloween, whether you're supporting the kids in your life or navigating your own recovery. She explains why limiting kids' access to candy can intensify their desire for it, offers specific ways to plan for a challenging day, and suggests treating Halloween as practice for the upcoming holiday season—with an emphasis on open communication and asking for the support you need. We cover: Why forbidding Halloween candy often backfires (for kids and adults) Why sharing your Halloween plan with others can help (and what to tell them) How to make the holiday season different this year About Dr. Jillian Lampert: Dr. Lampert (she/her), PhD, MPH, RD, LD, FAED, is the Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for The Emily Program. She completed her doctorate degree in Nutrition and Epidemiology and Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition at the University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. She has an expansive range of policy, clinical, research, education, teaching, and program development experience in the area of eating disorders. Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. Have a topic on your mind? We want Between Bites to speak to what matters most to you. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode, let us know! Your questions and ideas help shape the conversation. Email podcast@emilyprogram.com or send us a message on social. About the podcast: Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking. Between Bites is a Peace Meal series of short, focused episodes hosted by Dr. Jillian Lampert and designed to offer quick insights and meaningful support for eating disorder recovery. You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. You can also watch the podcast on YouTube. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends! Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.com for more information.

Episode description: In this episode of Between Bites, Dr. Jillian Lampert explores the topic of weight stigma and its harmful effects on health and healthcare. She defines weight stigma as judgment or discrimination based on body size, shape, or appearance—and explains how it shows up in everyday life, from jokes in the media to treatment in the doctor’s office. Dr. Lampert highlights how weight stigma in healthcare can lead to serious consequences, including patients avoiding care altogether. She underscores the importance of separating weight from health and focusing on holistic well-being instead. With Weight Stigma Awareness Week approaching, she shares opportunities to learn more, take action, and create change through kindness, education, and advocacy. About Dr. Jillian Lampert: Dr. Lampert (she/her), PhD, MPH, RD, LD, FAED, is the Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for The Emily Program. She completed her doctorate degree in Nutrition and Epidemiology and Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition at the University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. She has an expansive range of policy, clinical, research, education, teaching, and program development experience in the area of eating disorders. We cover: What weight stigma is and how it shows up in our society Why weight stigma is especially harmful in healthcare settings How weight stigma prevents people from receiving needed care The importance of separating weight from health Small and large ways we can address and reduce weight stigma Resources and opportunities available during Weight Stigma Awareness Week Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. Have a topic on your mind? We want Between Bites to speak to what matters most to you. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode, let us know! Your questions and ideas help shape the conversation. Email podcast@emilyprogram.com or send us a message on social. About the podcast: Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking. Between Bites is a Peace Meal series of short, focused episodes hosted by Dr. Jillian Lampert and designed to offer quick insights and meaningful support for eating disorder recovery. You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. You can also watch the podcast on YouTube. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends! Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.com for more information.

Introducing Between Bites: The Peace Meal podcast is launching Between Bites, a new series of short, focused episodes hosted by Dr. Jillian Lampert. Designed to offer quick insights and meaningful support for eating disorder recovery, these bite-sized conversations will explore practical topics in a more accessible format. Episode description: In this inaugural episode of Between Bites, Dr. Jillian Lampert explores the common concern of how eating disorder treatment fits into school life. She highlights that recovery and academics are not mutually exclusive, and delaying care for school can have lasting consequences. The episode addresses questions parents and students often ask—from middle school through college—about balancing coursework, treatment schedules, and future goals. Dr. Lampert emphasizes that prioritizing health is the best way to ensure long-term academic success and a fulfilling recovery journey. About Dr. Jillian Lampert: Dr. Lampert (she/her) is the Vice President of Strategy and Public Affairs for The Emily Program. She completed her doctorate degree in Nutrition and Epidemiology and Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Minnesota. She earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition at the University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics. She has an expansive range of policy, clinical, research, education, teaching, and program development experience in the area of eating disorders. We cover: Why families often wonder how eating disorder treatment will affect school How eating disorder recovery and academic progress can happen at the same time What parents and students should consider when balancing treatment with school demands Common concerns for middle school, high school, and college students in treatment The importance of prioritizing health and recovery over delaying care for school How The Emily Program supports students in continuing education while receiving treatment Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. Have a topic on your mind? We want Between Bites to speak to what matters most to you. If there’s a topic you’d like us to cover in a future episode, let us know! Your questions and ideas help shape the conversation. Email podcast@emilyprogram.com or send us a message on social. About the podcast: Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking. You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. You can also watch the podcast on YouTube. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends! Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.com for more information.

Episode description: In this episode of Peace Meal, we hear from Jenny Beck and Sarah Bergen, two passionate leaders at The Emily Program’s Ohio treatment centers. Jenny, the Site Director, and Sarah, the Regional Medical Director, offer personal and professional insight into eating disorder recovery—what they love about their work, what makes it challenging, and what they wish more people knew about treatment. Reflecting on the rewarding but often difficult journey of supporting people with eating disorders, while drawing from years of experience—and in Sarah’s case, a personal history with anorexia—they discuss: What happens behind the scenes in treatment The misconceptions they frequently encounter The deep hope they hold for their clients Together, they emphasize that while recovery is never easy, it is always worth it. About Jenny and Sarah: Jenny Beck, LPCC-S, is the Site Director of The Emily Program’s Residential and Outpatient Treatment Centers in Columbus, Ohio. As Site Director, Jenny oversees all clinical services provided for children, adolescents, and adults at the outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and residential levels of care. Jenny has worked as a therapist since 2006 and has specialized in eating disorder care since 2014. A high point in Jenny’s professional journey was overseeing the launch of the Columbus Residential treatment center in January 2022. Sarah Bergen, RN, MS, PMHNP-BC, is the Regional Medical Director of The Emily Program’s Ohio locations, working closely with the Site Director, Senior Regional Director, and medical lead to ensure the best quality care for clients, and provide support to the amazing medical and psychiatry staff. Sarah has been with The Emily Program since 2016, first as the psychiatric provider in Spokane, Washington, covering partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient programming before she moved back home to Ohio. Sarah was in Columbus as The Emily Program opened its second Ohio location in 2020. She worked with clients in residential care for two years before her transition to Medical Director. We cover: How Jenny and Sarah each found their way into eating disorder care The most rewarding and the most difficult parts of their work Common barriers to seeking treatment and how to overcome them Why treatment can feel worse before it feels better—and why that’s okay What they want families, friends, and communities to understand about eating disorders Hopes for the future of eating disorder treatment and awareness in Ohio and beyond In their words: Jenny on what makes recovery worth it: “It probably will feel worse before it feels better. But please don’t give up during the worst… If you give up during the worst, you don’t get the better.” Jenny on the invisible nature of eating disorder treatment: “People can't see the toll it takes to get well. It's easy to assume it's not that hard. It’s so hard.” Sarah on barriers to care: “Eating disorders do such a good job telling folks that they are not ‘ill enough.’” Jenny on holding hope: “There’s always a reason to say no... But what if it does [work]?... The future is a beautiful thing, terrifying and beautiful... It equally holds the possibility of goodness as it does hard things.” Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. - About the podcast: Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking. You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends! Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.com for more information.

Episode description: In this episode, Dr. Dev Seacrest returns to Peace Meal to reflect on how his evolving understanding of gender, body image, and disability has shaped his recovery from both anorexia and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Since first joining us in 2020, Dev has gained deeper clarity on how gender dysphoria influenced his relationship with food and body image. He talks about embracing fatness as a trans man, finding support in a men’s body image group, and receiving a revised diagnosis that helped explain his chronic pain and changing mobility needs. Through these experiences, Dev shares what it means to recover on his own terms—honoring gender identity, disability, and fat embodiment, and building a more peaceful relationship with his body along the way. About Dev: Dr. Dev Seacrest (he/him) is a transmasculine professor who uses his lived experience to identify areas for growth among individuals and communities. He has found that advocating for people with eating disorders, disabilities, chronic illness, and/or who are in larger bodies has been effective and rewarding. It has also helped him to better understand and accept himself as a member of all of these groups. We cover: How gender dysphoria and weight stigma shaped Dev’s eating disorder How evolving language helped him make sense of his body and identity The relief and clarity of receiving accurate chronic illness diagnoses How chronic illness complicates food access, hunger cues, and body trust What affirming, weight-neutral, and trauma-informed care can look like How advocacy has helped Dev find greater self-acceptance and community In Dev's words: On embracing his identity: “One thing that was really hard for me since the beginning was the idea of being a fat woman. And there's nothing wrong with being a fat woman, but I finally realized that the part that I was afraid of wasn't the fat part; it was the woman part. Being a fat man is something that I can accept and embrace…I needed to have the gender concept down before I could start adding to it.” On rejecting healthism and reclaiming rest: “I’ve come a long way [with] healthism…I don’t have to earn respect or earn food or earn rest. Fat people deserve rest, too.” On the importance of affirming, compassionate care: “One of the things that really helped was being diagnosed and having doctors say, ‘I see that you're in pain,’ ‘I see that you're having issues’—so many people don't get that. It’s so important to have doctors and providers who believe you." On defining his body on his own terms: “My body is a man's body. And is that because of various surgeries or anything like that, or the clothes that I wear? No, it's because it's my body, so it's a man's body.” Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977. – About the podcast: Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking. You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends! Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.com for more information.