The Body Grievers® Club

In this episode of The Body Grievers® Club, Bri joins therapist/social worker Monica Freudenreich to discuss eating disorders versus disordered eating, emphasizing that most people with eating disorders often go unrecognized or dismissed by providers who lack specialized training and may be influenced by diet culture trends. They describe how diagnostic labels can shift, how insurance and treatment systems affect care, and why focusing on functioning and quality of life matters more than whether someone meets a specific DSM threshold. They critique applying abstinence-based addiction models to food, highlight how "health" is often reduced to weight, and explore the roles of rest, connection, joy, and reducing shame in healing. They also preview an upcoming master class for providers and individuals on assessment, blind spots, body image, and practical strategies. 04:18 Recognizing Disordered Eating 06:58 Monica's ED Work Journey 09:55 Bri's ED Center Reality 12:41 Provider Dissonance Dieting 18:57 Labels Don't Matter 25:42 Healing Inside Diet Culture 35:36 Rest as Radical Health 37:25 Rethinking Addiction and Connection 38:54 Comfort Coping Without Shame 47:55 Rejecting Diet Culture 50:18 About the Masterclass EPISODE RESOURCES: Join our upcoming masterclass: Eating Disorder vs. Disordered Eating Johann Hari: Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY9DcIMGxMs Episode 37: Rest Feels Unsafe Get on the waitlist for Body Image Bootcamp for providers at https://bodyimagewithbri.mykajabi.com/bootcamp-waitlist-2025 WANT MORE OF MONICA FREUDENREICH? https://www.monicafreudenreich.com/ WANT MORE OF BRI? *Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri *Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/ *Bri's Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/seven-steps

In this episode of The Body Grievers Club, Bri sits down with Registered Dietitian and Intuitive Eating Counselor Jenna Talleda. They talk about what it really looks like to advocate for yourself at the doctor's office. Together, they unpack the realities of weight stigma in healthcare, the pressure to shrink as a provider in a larger body, and the emotional labor of holding boundaries when your care is on the line. Bri and Jenna name the hidden agendas behind routine weigh-ins, the harm of ignoring eating disorder histories, and the frustration of being gaslit by providers who reduce complex health concerns to a number on the scale. This conversation isn't just about weight. It's about agency, self-advocacy, and refusing to co-sign harmful narratives about your body. They also explore the people-pleasing tendencies that make "no" so hard to say, why fawning is a trauma response, and how anger can sometimes be the most protective force in recovery. If you've ever left a doctor's office feeling dismissed, shamed, or unheard, this episode will remind you: you're not alone, and your boundaries matter. TIMESTAMPS: 02:05 What weight stigma looks like in healthcare 05:20 Correlation vs. causation in weight + health 08:40 The pressure of being a provider in a larger body 12:10 Imposter syndrome + perfectionism in the work 15:45 Saying no at the doctor's office: Jenna's story 20:25 People-pleasing, fawning, and boundary holding 24:10 Anger as protection + why your boundaries matter 27:00 Advice for advocating for yourself at appointments RESOURCES: Other episodes mentioned: Ep 29: Healing the Medical Narrative Ep 36: Advocating For Yourself at the Doctor Bri's Free Resource: 7-Step Guide to Shift Body Grief to Radical Body Acceptance Get in Touch with Jenna HERE! WANT MORE OF BRI? Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/ Join the Body Grievers VAULT: https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/the-vault Use the coupon code BODYGRIEVERSCLUB for $50 off your purchase.

In this episode of the Body Grievers Club, Bri is joined by Toni Davis, an LPC and registered play therapist supervisor from Texas. Together, they discuss how play therapy can help children process emotions and develop a healthy body image. Toni emphasizes how important it is to involve parents in the therapeutic process and offers insights into talking about body image issues. They suggest various books and strategies for parents to teach body positivity and self-acceptance in children. The episode also covers the challenges clinicians face, including dealing with parents resistant to anti-fatness and how to address children's comments on body size. TIMESTAMPS 01:19 Body Image and Play Therapy 05:00 Addressing Food Rules and Fat Phobia 07:24 The Impact of Body Image on Children 16:28 Parental Influence on Body Image 20:32 Attachment Styles and Eating Disorders 24:12 Body Positive Books for Kids 26:25 Books for Parents on Body Positivity 32:13 Addressing Anti-Fatness in Parenting 37:35 Developing a Child's Sense of Self 44:51 Handling Comments on Body Size Books Referenced: Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings The Body Image Sourcebook by Carolyn Koston Want more of Bri? Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/ Join the Body Grievers VAULT: https://www.bodyimagewithbri.com/the-vault Use the coupon code BODYGRIEVERSCLUB for $50 off your purchase. Want more of Toni? Website: https://www.sapphirecovecounseling.com/

In this episode of the Body Grievers Club, Bri is joined by Dr. Lisa Folden, a licensed physical therapist based in Charlotte, North Carolina, who specializes in trauma and eating disorder-informed care. Their discussion dives into the concept of 'grieving movement,' how people can find joy in movement, and break free from toxic diet culture. Dr. Folden also shares her insight on embracing weight neutral practices, intuitive movement, and the importance of addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of body healing. TIME STAMPS: 02:11 Personal Experiences with Body Grief 06:35 Debunking Myths About Movement 09:51 Intuitive Movement and Flexibility 17:24 Movement Snacks and Practical Tips 22:40 Finding Joy in Movement 24:08 The Importance of Consistency 27:04 Grieving Movement and Abilities 31:48 Acceptance and Compassion PODCAST RESOURCES: Dr. Lisa Folden on Instagram: @healthyphit Dr. Lisa Folden website: https://www.healthyphit.com/ Podcast with PT Danny Shapiro: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6LPXeNoMEOZoh2BLWVh4Zl Body Scapegoating podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7gGWTgTLYoPNMP9YClp09s Want more of Bri? Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

In this episode of the Body Grievers Club, hosts Bri and Jana welcome Margaret Doherty, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to discuss her experiences with pregnancy as a person in a larger body. Margaret shares her journey toward body acceptance, the challenges she faced with medical professionals, and the lack of representation and support for plus-size pregnant women. They also discuss the importance of advocating for oneself in medical settings and the societal pressure on pregnancy. Despite the hardships, Margaret expresses the joy and fulfillment she feels as a new mother and emphasizes that every pregnancy experience is valid, regardless of body size. TIME STAMPS: 01:41 Margaret's Journey to Body Acceptance 03:42 Pregnancy Fears and Realities 04:43 Navigating Doctor's Appointments 10:49 The Fear of Gestational Diabetes 20:20 Navigating High-Risk Pregnancy Concerns 21:10 The Changing Relationship of Body Image and Pregnancy 23:21 Grief and Expectations of the Body During Pregnancy 26:18 Challenges with Plus-Size Maternity Clothing 28:38 Hospital Experiences and Systemic Issues 35:38 Advocating for Yourself in Healthcare Want more of Margaret? Instagram: @margaretd_lmft Want more of Bri? Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

In episode 71 of the Body Grievers Club, hosts Bri and Jana are joined by Hannah (they/them), a neurodiverse and gender-queer fitness professional. The group chats about Hannah's experiences with ADHD and potential autism, the challenges of body image, navigating diet culture, and how movement plays a vital role in managing stress and mental health. Additionally, Hannah highlights their community, the Body Liberation Playground, which fosters an inclusive and non-judgmental space for diverse abilities. Listeners are encouraged to embrace a trauma-informed approach to movement as well as to prioritize mental and emotional well-being over societal expectations when integrating exercise/movement into their lives. 01:39 Hannah's Journey Through Struggles with Diet Culture and Fitness 14:01 Reclaiming Body Autonomy through movement and self-compassion 18:35 Empowering Movement and Self-Compassion **reword 23:00 Practical Steps for Body Liberation 26:27 Movement as a Self-Awareness Tool 27:40 Trauma-Informed and Enjoyable Movement 32:39 Fitness Myths and Realities 37:03 Reclaiming Movement and Enoughness 41:17 Ways to Integrate Movement with Accomodations Want more of Hannah? Instagram: @hannahhusband Get a special discount for the Body Liberation Playground HERE: https://www.hannahhusband.com/bodyliberationplayground-bri Want more of Bri? Instagram: @bodyimagewithbri Website: https://bodyimagewithbri.com/

In episode 69 of the Body Grievers® Club podcast, guest Jay Salazar (he/him), a TikTok educator known for his comedic and political content, discusses his experiences with bariatric surgery and then subsequent journey in finding food freedom This episode includes: Challenges faced post-surgery, including criticism from the bariatric community Transitioning to intuitive eating post bariatric surgery Navigating towards body positivity The pressures of existing in both the awareness of anti-diet and the lingering desire for weight loss 00:00 Trigger Warning and Introduction 02:33 Jay's Bariatric Surgery Journey 05:48 Post-Surgery Realizations and Food Freedom 11:40 Navigating Social Media and Criticism + Health Care 14:53 Navigating Healthcare Challenges 19:44 Facing Criticism and Finding Peace 22:14 Reflections on Body Image 24:24 The Ongoing Journey of Self-Acceptance To Find Jay's funny + insightful content, follow him: Instagram: @thejaysalazar_ TikTok: thejaysalazar WORK WITH BRI: Click here for the most up to date ways to work with Bri!

WELCOME to Ep. 67 of the podcast! In this special episode of the Body Grievers Club, host Bri hot seat coaches herself on an IG LIVE where she addresses a significant body image hurdle following a trip from Costa Rica. She recounts her experience of refusing a wheelchair at the Miami airport despite needing one. This IG live turned podcast episode demonstrates the use of the very same CORE BELIEF framework that she uses with clients toexplore her own body image hurdle. Here's what to expect in this episode: 01:08 Exploring Core Beliefs and Internalized Ableism 10:08 Facing the fears of losing mobility ( PS *crying starts here*) 13:18 Bri's movement story 16:14 Understanding the Head to Heart Disconnect And so much more! REGISTER FOR A FREE Webinar: UnavoidableBody Grief: Register Here