We've come a long way from the relentless diet culture that shoved weight loss down our throats. But here’s the thing: swinging to the extreme of intuitive eating without a solid plan can feel just as chaotic.

Ever wondered why some dreams stick around while others vanish like morning mist? Jennifer shares that dreams we remember are like neon signs from our unconscious, emphasizing an underlying conflict. It turns out, that the more significant the conflict, the greater the unconscious's push to deliver the message through vivid dreams.

While diagnostic criteria, such as those outlined in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), exist for binge eating disorders, it's crucial to prioritize the individual's subjective experience. There is a limitation when it comes to these medicalized classifications and it’s important to recognize the subjective nature of these issues.

There is no doubt that I disagree with diet culture. But recently I’ve been noticing that a lot of these things that frustrate me with this culture are starting to show up in the anti-diet culture as well. Between the judging, the internal shaming, and the “cult behaviors”, the lines are starting to blur and the cycle we were trying to break has begun to repeat itself.

Feeling stuck isn't exclusive to one area of life; it can strike at any moment. Whether you're battling with your career, your relationships, or, as is often the case, your relationship with food, that suffocating feeling can be all too familiar. If you've ever grappled with issues related to your relationship with food or have felt trapped in various aspects of life, this discussion is going to be a game-changer for you.

This first question revolves around the decision-making process regarding various levels of care for eating disorder treatment. Many individuals with eating disorders receive outpatient treatment, but some may consider stepping up to higher levels of care like intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, or even residential treatment. The challenge is figuring out which level of care is best for them. The answer is not one-size-fits-all.

In our journey to understand the distinction between CBT and psychodynamic therapy, it's essential to understand the intricacies underlying the medical model and its limitations when applied to mental health. Unlike physical ailments, mental health conditions aren't as straightforward to diagnose, with no blood tests or scans to conclusively pinpoint their existence.

In a world where intuitive eating has become a buzzword, it's crucial to sift through the chatter and truly understand what it means. We're not here to entertain misconceptions or misinterpretations of intuitive eating—those are a whole different story. Instead, we're bringing you a discussion that revolves around the insightful critiques of intuitive eating from individuals who genuinely respect and comprehend its principles.

This conversation is all about research. Alright, it may sound boring. But trust me, you’ll learn things that you haven’t heard before (come back and thank me later). Sitting with us today is Molly Fennig, an author and clinical psychology student dedicated to eating disorder research. Her book entitled Starvation has received multiple recognition and has inspired many. Molly is always one step ahead in impacting the world by using quantitative and qualitative strategies to back up her interest in eating disorder treatments. She’s now pursuing her Ph.D. at Washington University in St. Louis. and has been a part of multiple studies in the eating disorder field. 

Learn what does evidence-based research mean, fact-checking studies, interpreting subjective research, and the fundamentals of how we become better critical thinkers when we hear the famous term “research shows.” Tune in to this episode and discover more.