Food, chronic disease, and not dieting

Oona Hanson, educator and parent coach who supports families navigating diet culture and eating disorders, joins the pod to talk about midlife body challenges as well as the pressures teens are facing around food and weight. Specifically, we get into what it's like to be navigating perimenopause while your kids are hitting puberty.Tune in for more on:* The overlap between perimenopause and puberty, and what it means for family dynamics* How diet culture sneaks into every corner of parenting and self-worth* Practical ways to support teens and college students around food and body image* Reparenting ourselves so we can show up with more patience, compassion, and curiosity* How even small attempts to restrict or control food can become slippery slopes toward disordered eating* Why creating a home that feels like a safe haven from diet culture is one of the most powerful gifts you can give your kids.Oona Hanson is a nationally recognized writer, educator, and parent coach who supports families navigating diet culture and eating disorders. In addition to her private practice as a parent coach, Oona has also worked as a Family Mentor at Equip Health, where she was part of multidisciplinary care teams treating children with eating disorders.Find Oona on Substack: https://oonahanson.substack.com/Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please consider supporting the show on Substack as a paid subscriber for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribeAbbie’s Group Membership:If you've been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning, you can apply for Abbie's membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-groupSocial media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.comRagen Chastain is back to continue our conversation about weight, health, and diet culture — this time answering listener questions about the GLP-1s you’ve been hearing so much about: Wegovy, Ozempic, and other weight-loss drugs.Following up on last week’s episode, Ragen helps us separate hype from reality. We dive into how these drugs actually work — and don’t — their risks and side effects, and the broader context around the pharmaceutical industry and public discourse on weight.In this episode, we cover:What GLP-1s actually are and how they function in the bodyThe side effects and potential health risks of these drugsHow effective they really are for long-term weight managementWhat happens when weight loss plateaus while taking themThe impact of pharma companies, marketing, and the weight-loss industryThe shortages affecting diabetics who rely on GLP-1s for medical reasonsTune in to get a clear, evidence-based perspective on the weight-loss drug craze, and to continue unpacking the bigger conversation about weight, health, and stigma.Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE.

We’ve all heard it: fatness automatically equals poor health. It’s treated like an unquestionable fact, reinforced by headlines, medical guidelines, and cultural narratives. But is it really true? And what does the research actually say about weight and health outcomes?In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Ragen Chastain — researcher, writer, speaker, and thought leader in weight science and weight stigma. Together, we unpack one of the biggest myths upholding diet culture and anti-fat bias: “Isn’t being fat bad for your health?”We explore the origins of the so-called “obesity epidemic,” the flaws in research connecting weight and health, and how stigma, medical education, and the weight-loss industry continue to shape public perception. Along the way, Ragen shares her personal story, her experience in dance and sports culture, and how she navigates a world obsessed with size and shape.About Ragen Chastain:Ragen Chastain is a speaker, writer, researcher, Board Certified Patient Advocate, multi-certified health and fitness professional, and thought leader in weight science, weight stigma, and health. She is the author of Fat: The Owner’s Manual, editor of The Politics of Size, the author of the Weight and Healthcare newsletter, and co-author of the HAES Health Sheets. She’s also a national dance champion, triathlete, marathoner, and Guinness World Record holder for Heaviest Woman to Complete a Marathon.Ragen's Substack: https://weightandhealthcare.substack.com/Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

When we talk about eating disorder recovery, we tend to imagine two extremes: acutely ill or completely healed. You’re either in crisis or you’re “all better.”But what about the space in between?The messy, unglamorous, everyday middle place.That’s where journalist and author Mallary Tenore Tarpley found herself — and it’s what her new book is about. She writes about living in that liminal space: no longer in “danger” the way she once was, but not walking around with a tidy “fully recovered” bow tied on top either.We talk about:- Why the “middle place” matters, and why so many people feel shame about being there.- How grief and trauma can play into disordered eating.- The role of perfectionism and control in shaping recovery.- Navigating the challenges of motherhood while protecting her kids from body shame and diet culture.- Why self-compassion and vulnerability are essential on this journey (and what the hell that actually means).This episode challenges the binary of sick vs. recovered and makes space for a more honest, human version of recovery — one that allows for complexity, setbacks, and resilience."Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-groupSocial media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE.Mallary Tenore Tarpley is a journalism professor at The University of Texas at Austin's School of Journalism and Media and McCombs School of Business, where she teaches writing and reporting courses for undergraduate and graduate students. Mallary's articles and essays have been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Dallas Morning News, The Tampa Bay Times, Teen Vogue, Harvard University’s Nieman Storyboard and more. She also maintains a weekly newsletter, Write at the Edge, where she shares writing tips and best practices. Mallary’s debut nonfiction book, “SLIP: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery,” blends immersive reporting, emerging science and social history around eating disorders alongside Mallary’s own harrowing journey from a childhood with anorexia to her present-day reality as a mother in recovery.Mallary's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mallarytenoretarpley/Mallary's website: mallarytenoretarpley.comMallary's newsletter: mallary.substack.comFind her book here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.comSandi James — a registered psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach — joins Abbie to talk about her lived experience with both eating disorders and substance abuse, and how her own healing has profoundly shaped her work.Listen in for a compassionate conversation on:- The overlap between substance use and eating disorders as coping strategies- Sandi’s early experiences with hush-hush, shame-based treatment in Australia- The impact of COVID, loneliness, and financial stress on relapse- Harm in treatment: rigid meal plans, punishment, coercion, and being labeled “non-compliant”- The contrast of supportive care that treats people like humans- Why one-size-fits-all treatment approaches often fail- The promise of harm reduction and meeting clients in their “window of tolerance”- Using challenge meals over telehealth as a collaborative, supportive toolThis episode is for anyone who’s felt let down by treatment, struggled with co-occurring challenges, or wondered if there’s a gentler, more human way forward in recovery.Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please consider supporting the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-groupSocial media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellnessAbout Sandi: Sandi James is a registered Psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach with more than 15 years working in mental health, eating disorder, and addiction treatment. She is a lived experience clinician and dedicates her career to working with clients who feel let down by current systems of care and treatment approaches. Her primary focus includes mental health and trauma recovery, with a particular emphasis on co-occurring presentations including substance use or food and compulsive exercise-related difficulties. Sandi has extensive experience working with individuals and families to heal and recover from trauma, addictions, eating disorders, and mental health conditions. She is dedicated to working with clients and families from an inclusive and person-centred approach to improve quality of life from a harm reduction perspective. She is a passionate and committed clinician, working alongside and guiding clients in the recovery process. Sandi is building a practice integrating joyful movement and somatic healing approaches to treatment as well as working towards her PhD, conducting qualitative research looking at experiences of eating disorder treatment: identifying, responding to, and addressing harm experienced throughout the treatment process.Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE.

MAHA, diet culture, and toxic fitness ideals...this is the second half of my conversation with Ilya Parker. We go deeper into the toxic roots of mainstream fitness culture and explore how ableism, conformity, and control are built into the system. Ilya draws SO many incredible connections in this episode...between patriarchy, body ideals, the current political climate, and the goals of mainstream fitness culture. They ultimately challenge us to reimagine what movement can look like when it’s rooted in compassion, accessibility, and community care.You don't want to miss this one. I promise.About Ilya: Ilya (he/they) is a Black, non-binary, fat, movement practitioner and founder of Decolonizing Fitness. They are also a Physical Therapist Assistant and an ACE certified Medical Exercise Specialist. Ilya is deeply invested in creating more access for queer, trans and gender expansive people to engage in intentional movement. While drawing wisdom from community-led solutions that are rooted in body liberation and involve the revitalization of Black and Indigenous ancestral approaches.Support Ilya on Patreon here.Find Ilya’s bookshop here.Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

Ilya Parker, founder of Decolonizing Fitness, joins Abbie to share how gender transition, weight stigma, and ableism shaped their path into fitness and ultimately inspired a new vision for movement. They unpack the toxic culture of mainstream fitness and imagine a world where wellness means compassion, accessibility, and bodily autonomy.This episode is for anyone who’s felt alienated by gyms, group classes, or wellness spaces—and anyone who’s curious about how fitness can transform when it’s rooted in care, inclusion, and liberation.Because every minute of this conversation felt sacred, we’re airing it in two parts. This is the first half, and next week we’ll release the second half.About Ilya: Ilya (he/they) is a Black, non-binary, fat, movement practitioner and founder of Decolonizing Fitness. They are also a Physical Therapist Assistant and an ACE certified Medical Exercise Specialist. Ilya is deeply invested in creating more access for queer, trans and gender expansive people to engage in intentional movement. While drawing wisdom from community-led solutions that are rooted in body liberation and involve the revitalization of Black and Indigenous ancestral approaches.Support Ilya on Patreon here.Find Ilya’s bookshop here. Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

In this week’s episode, I sat down with Julie Dillon, an RD who has spent years supporting folks at the intersection of PCOS and disordered eating. And we explore a different path. One that’s rooted in the truth that your body is not broken—and that real care doesn't require body control, food stress, or fear.Tune in for more on:* What PCOS really is (fun fact: it starts in the brain)* Why it is misunderstood and so often mistreated* How diet culture sneaks into PCOS care and what it costs us* What it looks like to manage symptoms without restriction or weight loss goals* The grief, anger, and healing that come with letting go of shame* Julie’s favorite “first steps” to take with food when it comes to PCOS* What true support can feel like, especially when you're still figuring it outIf you’ve ever felt like food became the enemy in your attempt to feel better, this conversation is for you.About Julie: Julie Duffy Dillon is a Registered Dietitian and Host of Find Your Food Voice®, a popular long running nutrition podcast. Through speaking and writing, she helps people with a complicated relationship with food strategize how to remove the shame and blame dumped on them from the diet industry. Her work has been featured on TLC and in the New York Times, Outside Magazine, Shape and other outlets. She is the author of the book, Find Your Food Voice (Hachette, March 2025.) Learn more about Julie at JulieDuffyDillon.comSupport the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.comThis might be my favorite conversation we’ve had on this podcast. It's a conversation I had with Edie Stark (an ED therapist) and Sharon Maxwell (a fat activist and weight-inclusive consultant), and we’re answering a very important – very hard – listener question.The essence of it is: “I believe in body liberation and anti-diet culture. But what if I’m just uncomfortable being fat?”Tune in for:* How and why Sharon relates to this listener, and moments where she's worked through this thought* How Ozempic culture impacts the desire for weight loss* What it means to practice self-compassion while living within systemic anti-fatness* Whether changing your body can change discomfort* Times when eating disorder thoughts creep in the most* Discomfort as a signal of something deeper* The role of mental and emotional pain on physical symptoms* Navigating the medical system when it blames body size for everything * SO much more!Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-groupAbout Edie: Edie Stark, MSc, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker and the owner of Stark Therapy Group, a psychotherapy group practice specializing in eating disorders, trauma, and anxiety from a humanistic, fat-positive, and inclusive lens. She believes in the value of lived experience being met with clinical knowledge to create a collaborative therapeutic experience for all of the clients. Edie is passionate about Trader Joe's snacks– we talk a little bit about that–dismantling the US healthcare system, and the complete and total takedown of diet culture in no particular order.Learn more at https://starktherapygroup.com/About Sharon:Sharon Maxwell (She/Her) is a mental health advocate and fat activist. She works as a weight inclusive consultant, providing education to treatment centers and healthcare providers on the immense harms of weight stigma. Due to her lived experience facing weight stigma, Sharon provides unique insight and offers practical tools to make treatment centers and healthcare settings safe and accessible for fat folks. Sharon is passionate about breaking down the stigma around eating disorders and working to eradicate societal anti-fat bias. When she’s not studying or engaged in her activism work, Sharon can be found exploring San Diego with her dog and her best friend.Read "You Don't Look Anorexic" in New York Times MagazineConnect with Sharon on IG: @heysharonmaxwellLearn more about Sharon: https://www.heysharonmaxwell.com/Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroyPodcast Editing by Brian WaltersThis podcast is ad-free and support comes from your support on Substack. Subscribe HERE.