Food Junkies

Media by Us

The Food Junkies Podcast evolved from the book. Each week, Vera Tarman, Clarrissa Kennedy, and Molly Painschab connect with scientists, Food Addiction clinicians, authors, and recovering Food Addicts to share fresh insights and tackle emerging debates.

Based in Toronto, the Food Junkies podcast is the creation of Dr. Vera Tarman, Clarissa Kennedy, and Molly Painschab, and features interviews with figures in Food Addiction and topic discussions on issues in the field.

Food Junkies Podcast: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Food Addiction, with Diana Hill

Dr. Diana Hill, PhD is a clinical psychologist and internationally recognized expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and compassion-based approaches to well-being. She is the host of the Wise ...Effort podcast and author of The Self-Compassion Daily Journal, ACT Daily Journal, and the forthcoming Wise Effort.

Diana teaches individuals and organizations how to build psychological flexibility so they can live more aligned, courageous, and meaningful lives. I first discovered Diana and the transformative power of ACT through her course on using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for eating and body image concerns. Her work opened a new doorway in my own recovery and professional practice, helping me integrate compassion, values, and embodiment into the healing process. Blending over twenty years of yoga and meditation practice with cutting-edge psychology, Diana brings a unique and deeply personal approach to well-being that is both science-based and spiritually grounded.

Her insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Woman’s Day, Real Simple, and Mindful.org, and she’s a regular contributor to Insight Timer and Psychology Today. When she's not walking and talking with therapy clients, Diana is likely tending to her garden, caring for her bees, or swimming in the ocean at sunrise with her two boys.

Key Takeaways:
1. Movement ≠ Punishment
• Diana shares how our relationship with movement is often shaped by shame, rules, and diet culture.
• ACT invites us to reconnect with intrinsic values—like joy, connection, or vitality—rather than "shoulds."

2. From Motivation to Meaning
• Dr. Hill outlines the three types of motivation:
• Pleasure-seeking
• Pain-avoidance
• Values-based
• Relying only on feeling “motivated” often backfires. Lasting behavior change is values-driven, not vibe-dependent.

3. Urge Surfing 101
• Urges feel like waves—we think they’ll pull us under, but they always pass.
• Practicing presence, noticing without acting, and riding the wave can build powerful inner trust over time.

4. Body Shame Needs Light + Air
• Shame tells us to hide. ACT helps us bring curiosity and compassion to the parts we feel we “can’t show.”
• The antidote to shame is not “fixing” the body—it’s learning to see it differently.

5. Phones, Dopamine & Distraction
• Screen scrolling can become both a dopamine hit and an escape from discomfort.
• Awareness + micro-boundaries with tech can gently shift us back toward the life we actually want to live.

6. Values Are Felt, Not Just Picked
• Instead of just selecting values off a worksheet, ask:
• When did I feel most alive yesterday?
• When did I feel regret?
These moments hold the clues to your deepest values.

7. Recovery is a Process of Discovery
• Movement and food freedom are journeys of returning to self—not performance.
• Progress is nonlinear and personalized. Flexibility, not perfection, is the goal.

🔧 Tools & Practices Mentioned:
• Urge Surfing – a mindfulness tool to ride out cravings without reacting.
• Rick Hanson’s Savoring Practice – linger in positive moments to rewire the brain.
• "Wise Effort" – a Buddhist and ACT-informed lens on energy expenditure and sustainable change.
• Body Image Flexibility – showing up in life with your body, even when discomfort is present.

📚 Featured Resources:
• 🧘‍♀️ Book: I Know I Should Exercise But... by Diana Hill & Katy Bowman
• 📘 Upcoming: Wise Effort (Fall Release 2025)
• 🎧 Podcast: Wise Effort with Dr. Diana Hill
• 📩 Newsletter & Trainings: drdianahill.com

💬 Favorite Quote:
“You don’t have to like your body or love your body—but you can bring it with you. Let in some light, some air, and over time, maybe even appreciation.” – Dr. Diana Hill

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Food Addiction, with Diana Hill

Dr. Diana Hill, PhD is a clinical psychologist and internationally ...

Food Junkies Podcast: What's in a Name? UltraProcessed Food or Food Product with Ashka Naik, 2025

Ultraprocessed food or ultraprocessed food product? What is in a name, ...

Ultraprocessed food or ultraprocessed food product? What is in a name, and does it matter what we call it?

Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. My name is Dr Vera Tarman ...and I am cohost today, along with Molly Painschab, speaking with Ashka Naik.

Ashka Naik leads the Research and Policy department at Corporate Accountability, a global human rights and social justice NGO. Ashka focuses on food systems, nutrition, and public health, while highlighting the food industry's influence on food security policies and food justice issues. She’s a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, studying the relationships between public policy, women's rights and food security. At Food Junkies, we have discussed how the food industry deliberately makes foods addictive, but how does Big Food manipulate consumer perceptions so that we buy this food over healthier foods?

🔍 Topics Covered:
The colonial and corporate roots of ultra-processed food systems
Food as power: how what we eat reflects who holds control
The extinction of food knowledge and the myth of “choice”
From peaceful to violent processing: what got lost in the name of convenience
Feminism, kitchen culture, and reclaiming traditional food prep as empowerment
Why we must stop calling ultra-processed products “food”
Grassroots vs. systemic change: what can individuals and communities do?
Rethinking the language of “food addiction” through a justice framework
Lessons from the tobacco wars: how public pressure can drive industry accountability
The sacredness of nourishment — and how to teach our children to reclaim it
🌱 Resources & References:
Corporate Accountability
“Not Food: Time to Call Ultra-Processed Food Products by Their True Name” – Co-authored article by Ashka Naik, Dr. Prescott, and Dr. Logan
📣 Final Message from Ashka:

“Do not let anyone or anything make you believe that you can compromise on your relationship with what nourishes you.”

💡Learn more about Ashka
💌Email us at foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Dr. David Kessler talking about Diet Drugs and Dopamine, 2025

David Kessler, Author of the End of Overeating,- is here to talk to us ...

David Kessler, Author of the End of Overeating,- is here to talk to us about his new book: Diet Drugs and Dopamine.

Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. ...My name is Dr Vera Tarman, and I am your cohost today, along with Clarissa Kennedy. Today we speak with the noted author, Dr. David Kessler.

Dr David. A. Kessler is a pediatrician and has been the dean of the medical schools at Yale and the University of California. He is a graduate of Amherst College, the University of Chicago Law School, and Harvard Medical School. Most recently he served as chief science officer of the White House COVID-19 Response Team and previously served as commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller The End of Overeating and as well as other books: Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs and Food or Fiction.

Of particular interest to us at Food Junkies Podcast is his most recent book: Diet, Drugs and Dopamine : the New Science on Achieving a Healthy Weight

🗝️ Key Takeaways
🔥 Addiction, Not Just Overeating
In The End of Overeating (2009), Kessler avoided the term "addiction." Now, in Diet, Drugs & Dopamine, he boldly names it. Cue-induced wanting, craving, and relapse are the neurobiological hallmarks of addiction—and they're present in our relationships with ultra-processed food.

⚖️ GLP-1 Medications: One Tool, Not a Cure
GLP-1s (like Ozempic, Wegovy) tamp down cravings by delaying gastric emptying and triggering aversive circuits (feelings of fullness, even nausea).
They work only while you’re on them—and can change your relationship with food—but they are not a magic bullet. The real value? These drugs prove this is biology, not a moral failing or lack of willpower.

💥 Addiction Is in the Brain—And It’s Working Too Well
Food addiction isn't a sign of dysfunction—it’s our reward circuits doing exactly what they were designed to do in a world of hyper-palatable foods.
The issue lies in environmental mismatch—evolution designed us for scarcity, but we now live in abundance.

🧬 It’s Not About Weight—It’s About Health
Kessler emphasizes toxic visceral fat as the real danger, not body size.
This fat is metabolically active and causal in diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative conditions.

🔄 Weight Regain = Relapse
Most people regain lost weight not because of laziness, but due to metabolic adaptations and craving relapse. Recovery must focus on sustainable behavior change and addressing addictive circuits.

🤝 Bridging the Gap Between Food Addiction & Eating Disorder Communities
Kessler supports the inclusion of Ultra-Processed Food Use Disorder in the DSM and ICD.
Compassion and shared understanding are key to breaking down stigma and offering effective, united treatment approaches.

🧰 Lifestyle Management & Long-Term Tools
GLP-1s may be a biological bridge, but long-term success requires:
Nutrition education
Emotional regulation and distress tolerance
Culinary skills and food sovereignty
Community, support, and behavior change strategies

💡 Final Wisdom from Dr. Kessler
“Once you lose the weight, that’s when the real work begins.”
“There’s no shame in using the tools that work. But we need to use them wisely, and not in isolation.”

Follow Dr. Kessler: Twitter @DavidAKesslerMD

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Health Outcome and the Processed Food Industry, with Dr. Filippa Juul, 2025.

We are told by the processed food industry that “a calorie is a ...

We are told by the processed food industry that “a calorie is a calorie.” But is that really true?

Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. my name is Dr Vera ...Tarman and I am your cohost today along with Clarissa Kennedy. Today we speak with Dr Filippa Juul, a researcher in the field of nutrition and public health, with a focus on the impact of ultra-processed foods on health outcomes.

Dr. Filippa Juul earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Spain, a Master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and her PhD in Epidemiology from the New York University School of Global Public Health (NYU GPH) in New York, USA

She is affiliated with the School of Public Health at State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate. Dr. Juul has contributed to several important studies examining the relationship between dietary patterns, particularly UPFs, and chronic diseases such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular conditions. Her work often uses the NOVA food classification system to analyze dietary data and inform public health recommendations.

We at Food Junkies are particularly interested in her views on the obesogenic and addictive nature of UPS; what is it about these foods that are such a problem? And why we are still eating them ?

Key Takeaways
🧠 It's About the Processing
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are engineered for convenience and hyper-palatability—not nourishment. Processing changes how the body absorbs and responds to food, often leading to overeating and poor metabolic health.

📚 NOVA System in a Nutshell
Group 1: Whole/minimally processed (e.g., fruit, eggs, plain yogurt)
Group 2: Cooking ingredients (e.g., oil, sugar, salt)
Group 3: Processed foods (e.g., canned veggies, artisanal cheese)
Group 4: Ultra-processed (e.g., nuggets, soda, protein bars)

🍟 Why We Overeat UPFs
Soft, fast-eating textures bypass satiety signals
High energy density = more calories, less fullness
Hyper-palatable combos (fat + sugar/salt) trigger cravings
Rapid absorption causes blood sugar spikes and crashes

🧬 Health Risks & Mechanisms
Linked to inflammation, gut imbalance, and poor glycemic control
Some additives may be harmful or addictive
Genetic factors may influence vulnerability to UPF addiction

🚸 Policy & Public Health
UPFs make up 60–70% of the modern diet
Strong links to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and poor mental health
Regulation on marketing, school meals, and additives is critical
Teaching cooking skills and nutrition literacy is essential

❤️ Rethinking Nourishment
Nourishment means satisfying, whole-food meals—not restriction
True recovery is about reclaiming joy, not giving up pleasure

💬 Quotes:
“We regulate food by volume, not calories—and UPFs pack a punch.”
“Nourishment is key to living a healthy, happy life.”
“UPFs don’t just harm—they replace what heals: real food and connection.”

📣 To Policymakers:
The obesity crisis is urgent. Make whole, nourishing foods affordable and accessible. Regulate what’s sold and marketed—especially to children.

Follow Dr. Juuls Research: https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Filippa-Juul-2070176684/publications/3[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Eating Disorders - Food Addiction, What IS the Difference? w Dr Cynthia Bulik

Eating Disorders? Food Addiction? What is the difference? Welcome to ...

Eating Disorders? Food Addiction? What is the difference?
Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. My name is Dr Vera Tarman and I am your cohost ...today, along with Clarrisa Kennedy. Today we are speaking with Dr Cynthia Bulik, who presents a radical view of eating disorders - one that might give us common ground to work together.
Dr. Cynthia Bulik is a clinical psychologist and one of the world's leading experts on eating disorders. She is the Founding Director of the University of North Carolina Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders and also the founder director of the Centre for Eating Disorders Innovation at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr. Bulik is Distinguished Professor of Eating Disorders in the Department of Psychiatry at UNC, Professor of Nutrition in the Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Professor of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet.
Dr Bulik has received numerous awards for her pioneering work, including Lifetime Achievement Awards from the National Eating Disorders Association, the Academy for Eating Disorders, and the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics. such as the Eating Disorders Coalition Research Award, the Academy for Eating Disorders Leadership Award for Research, and the National Eating Disorders Association Lifetime Achievement Award. She has written over 600- 750 scientific papers, and several books aimed at educating the public about eating disorders.
Currently, Dr. Bulik's focus is in the reconceptualization of eating disorders as being a psycho-metabolic metabo-psychiatric diseases. Food Junkies is keen to explore this interest in how metabolic disease plays a role in disordered eating: can this construct be the common ground to start to understand the muddy waters between eating disorders and food addiction?

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
💡 The Myth of Choice: Why anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating are not willful acts, but biologically driven conditions with strong genetic roots.
🧬 The Metabo-Psychiatric Model: Dr. Bulik's innovative framework showing how genetic and metabolic pathways interact to shape eating disorder vulnerability.
⚖️ The Energy Balance Switch: Why people with anorexia feel better in a state of starvation—and how this paradox rewrites what we thought we knew.
📈 New Genetic Discoveries: How genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are uncovering shared and distinct risk factors for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder—and possibly food addiction.
🔄 The Overlap with Addiction: Where eating disorders and food addiction intersect—and why treatment needs to consider both psychological and nutritional healing.
🧠 Recovery Isn’t Just Psychological: Why intuitive eating and one-size-fits-all treatment plans may not work for everyone—and what truly individualized care could look like.
🧭 Hope Through Science: How understanding the biology behind disordered eating can reduce shame, validate lived experience, and open new doors for healing.

🔗 Topics Touched:
Why abstinence-based recovery may be life-saving for some—and harmful for others
The risk of relapse tied to negative energy balance and undernourishment
What we can learn from addiction recovery in developing dual-diagnosis programs
The danger of renourishing with ultra-processed foods
ARFID, orthorexia, and the need for diagnostic nuance
The promise of personalized treatment using genetic risk profiles

💬 A Quote to Remember:
“Recovery from an eating disorder is an uphill battle against your biology. It’s not a lack of willpower—it’s a metabolic and psychiatric legacy that deserves compassion and understanding.”

Be a part of Cynthia's Research: https://edgi2.org/
Follow Cynthia: https://www.cynthiabulik.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: The Ozempic Revolution and Food Addiction, with Dr Alexandra Sowa, 2025

Did you know that more than 60% of people stop taking GLP1s after one ...

Food Junkies Podcast: Does Sugar Feed Cancer? UPF and Cancer with Dr Thomas Seyfried, 2025

What about cancer and UPF? Is cancer a metabolic disease that can be ...

Food Junkies Podcast: Clinician's Corner - Recovery is a Lifestyle, not a Lifeboat, 2025

In this episode of Clinician’s Corner, Molly and Clarissa explore the ...

In this episode of Clinician’s Corner, Molly and Clarissa explore the often-overlooked realities of long-term recovery. While many recovery programs focus on the acute phases and early abstinence, sustainable recovery ...demands much more—it asks us to renovate our lives.
Drawing from the latest research—including insights from Harvard’s Recovery Research Institute and their own published study on food addiction outcomes—they break down the average 17-year journey toward stable remission and emphasize that recovery is a process, not a finish line.

🧠 Topics include:
The 3 stages of long-term recovery and why it takes time
What “discovery” looks like after recovery stabilizes
The role of coping skills, daily structure, and stress management
Why routine = safety for the recovering brain
The neuroscience behind mindfulness and relapse prevention
How community support, peer connection, and giving back drive lasting change
Permission to grow, evolve, and let go of what no longer serves your recoveryMolly and Clarissa also share personal reflections and client experiences that bring the research to life—reminding us all that recovery isn’t just about what we stop doing, but about what we start creating.

🔄 Whether you're early in recovery or navigating the path of long-term healing, this episode will offer validation, insight, and hope.

🧭 Key Links:
• 🎟 Register for IFACC 2025
• 📄 Read the Delphi Consensus Paper
• 📄 Read the 12-Month Outcome Study on Food Addiction Recovery

🔗 Sweet Sobriety Foundations Course

💌Please email questions, concerns, and topics to foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Food Addiction Research Updates with Dr Jen Unwin, 2025

In this episode of Food Junkies Podcast, Molly and Clarissa sit down ...

In this episode of Food Junkies Podcast, Molly and Clarissa sit down with clinical psychologist, researcher, and international food addiction advocate Dr. Jen Unwin to unpack a trifecta of groundbreaking ...developments in the field of Ultra-Processed Food Use Disorder (UPFUD). If you’ve been craving science-backed insight, real recovery stories, and practical hope for the future, this conversation delivers.

Together, we explore:
🧠 Two Major Research Milestones
• The Delphi Consensus Paper, which brings together 40 global experts to define and validate Ultra-Processed Food Addiction as a diagnostic concept
• The 12-Month Outcome Study, which demonstrates remarkable long-term improvements in food addiction symptoms and mental wellbeing across diverse international recovery programs

🌍 The Upcoming International Food Addiction & Comorbidities Conference (IFACC 2025)

Hosted in London this September, this two-day event will bring together clinicians, researchers, and the recovery community to spotlight UPFA’s role in mental health, metabolic illness, trauma, and more.

🗓 This Saturday’s Live Virtual Event – April 26
Don’t miss the Food Relationship Fix hosted by Dr. Tro Kalayjian and team—including talks from Dr. Jen, Dr. Rob Cywes, and more. All proceeds go directly toward supporting IFACC 2025 and furthering food addiction advocacy.

Whether you're a clinician, a coach, someone in recovery, or simply food-addiction-curious, this episode is packed with inspiration, cutting-edge data, and an invitation to step into hope. Dr. Jen’s message is clear: Recovery is not just possible—it’s probable.

🧭 Key Links:
• 🎟 Register for IFACC 2025
• 🎥 Join the Food Relationship Fix virtual event this Saturday (April 26)
• 📄 Read the abstract of the provisionally accepted Delphi Consensus Paper (coming soon!)
• 📄 Read the 12-Month Outcome Study on Food Addiction Recovery

💌Please email questions, concerns, and topics to foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Bitten Jonsson and Vera Tarman on the history of food addiction services, 2025

What to hear our stories? Vera Tarman and Bitten Jonsson tell all! ...

What to hear our stories? Vera Tarman and Bitten Jonsson tell all!
Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. My name is Dr Vera Tarman, and I am your host for today, ...interviewing myself and Bitten Jonsson about our history with food addiction and recovery - a walk down the memory lane of food addiction
Bitten Jonsson is a Swedish pioneer in food addiction treatment with nearly 40 years of experience in addiction medicine. She is a registered nurse, addiction specialist, creator ond trainer for the Holistic Medicine Program and the SUGAR® diagnostic tool, which assesses pathological use of sugar, flour, and processed foods. She is also the author of Sugar Bomb and Sugar Bomb Cookbook, as well is the creator of the Facebook group: Sugarbomb in Your Brain.
Though I have been food addicted since my 20s, I identified as a food addict for the last seventeen years. I have working in addiction medicine for twenty years. My book Food Junkies is soon to enter its third edition, I have a Sugar and Food Addiction course that runs annual at Adapt Your Life, and I have a facebook group called Im Sweet Enough: sugar Free or Life. You can also find me on you tube at VeratarmanMD channel

💡 What You’ll Hear In This Episode:
When and how Vera and Bitten each first realized they had a problem with food
Bitten’s early days applying addiction models to sugar use in Sweden
Vera’s turning point from bulimia and obsession to scientific clarity
The evolution of treatment approaches—from restrictive diets to holistic care
Why the addiction model matters—and how it still faces resistance
Stories of frustration, discovery, and determination
The roots of their pioneering programs, books, and diagnostic tools
What’s next for food addiction science and how professionals can catch up
And yes, the dogs that helped heal their hearts 🐶

🧠 Key Takeaways:
“Food addiction” is too broad—refined sugar and flour are the real psychoactive substances
Early recovery often mimicked diet culture—freedom came through connection and knowledge
Recovery is not just physical or behavioral—it’s metabolic, neurological, psychological, and spiritual
Both Vera and Bitten believe we’re at a turning point: a renaissance in food addiction awareness and professional training

🌍 Where Do We Go From Here?
Vera and Bitten envision a future where every doctor, nurse, therapist, and policymaker is trained in recognizing and treating food addiction. They call for compassion, clarity, and connection in how we talk about—and treat—this misunderstood condition.

🐾 And yes, there are dogs. Because sometimes, unconditional love and a wagging tail really can help us stay the course.

🎧 Listen now and share with someone who needs to hear they’re not alone.
Let’s end the shame—and start the healing.

💌 Email us at foodjunkiespodcast.com

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: What is a Habit? Tips for the Food Addict, with Dr Eike Buabang, 2025

In this powerful and timely conversation, we welcome Dr. Eike Buabang, ...

In this powerful and timely conversation, we welcome Dr. Eike Buabang, cognitive neuroscientist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Trinity College Dublin, to explore one of the most fundamental yet overlooked ...topics in recovery: habits.

Dr. Buabang studies the brain mechanisms behind habit formation—why we repeat behaviors even when they no longer serve us, and how stress, repetition, and environment shape our choices. Drawing from both neuroscience and real-world applications, he offers practical insights into how we can intentionally disrupt compulsive patterns and support lasting behavior change.

Whether you’re navigating ultra-processed food recovery, supporting clients in early abstinence, or trying to create new routines that align with your values, this conversation will give you tools, understanding, and encouragement to work with—not against—your brain.

🔍 In this episode, we cover:

What is a habit? (and why they’re not just “bad choices”)
The brain’s habit vs. goal-directed systems: how they interact and conflict
Why habits persist even after behavior changes
The impact of stress and how it shifts control from intentional actions to automatic ones
Why willpower is helpful—but not the whole picture
Habit stacking and implementation intentions for creating new routines
How environment and social context influence behavior (for better or worse)
Personal values, identity, and long-term habit sustainability
Applications for recovery from addiction, OCD, and UPF use disorder
How neuroscience can support harm reduction, self-compassion, and individualized care
👤 Guest Bio:
Dr. Eike Buabang is a cognitive neuroscientist at Trinity College Dublin. As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, he investigates how habits form, persist, and influence behavior—especially in contexts like addiction, decision-making, and mental health. His research uses experimental paradigms and EEG to explore the underlying neural mechanisms of habits and how they interact with our goals, environment, and emotional states.

💬 Quotes to Remember:

“Small consistent actions matter far more than bursts of motivation.” – Dr. Eike Buabang
“The habits remain even when the behavior stops. That’s why managing the cue-response system is so critical.”
“We don’t erase old patterns—we build new ones that can eventually override them.”

IMPORTANT INFO:

🌟 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on your favorite podcast app! It helps others find the support and science they need to heal.

💌 Email your questions and suggestions to foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com

🚨Interested in the Transform Within Workshop in May 2025 with Vanessa Kreddler? Learn more HERE.

🍥Interested in the 2025 International Food Addiction and Comorbidities Conference? Learn more HERE.

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.[+] Show More

Food Junkies Podcast: Self Sabotage and FA - Clinician's Corner with Molly P and Clarissa K, 2025

In this thought-provoking Clinician’s Corner episode, Clarissa Kennedy ...

In this thought-provoking Clinician’s Corner episode, Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab dive deep into the ever-popular term “self-sabotage” — and why they believe it’s not only inaccurate but potentially harmful ...in the context of food addiction recovery.

Together, they explore how behaviors often labeled as self-sabotage are actually maladaptive coping strategies, formed through years of survival. These are not signs of brokenness, but evidence of brilliance in navigating pain, trauma, and unmet needs. The duo discusses how using shame-based language like “chronic relapser” or “self-sabotage” can derail healing, and instead, offer curiosity, compassion, and nervous system awareness as more empowering alternatives.

This episode is packed with insight, real client stories, and powerful reframes that will resonate with anyone navigating food addiction, emotional eating, or recovery setbacks.

We Want to Hear From You!
What landed for you in this episode? Do you resonate with the term self-sabotage — or are you ready to retire it too? Send your feedback, topic suggestions, or stories to: foodjunkiespodcast@gmail.com

Transform Within Workshop: https://sweetsobriety.newzenler.com/courses/transform-within

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.

Key Takeaways:
• 🔁 “Self-sabotage” often reflects nervous system dysregulation, not moral failure — these behaviors were once adaptive strategies that worked to protect you.
• 🧠 Your brain prioritizes the familiar over the functional — even if the familiar thing hurts, it still feels safer than the unknown.
• ⛔ Terms like “chronic relapser” can shut down curiosity and growth — replacing them with language like “chronic ambivalence” invites exploration and self-kindness.
• 🌪️ Recovery often feels like pressing the gas and the brake at the same time — you want to grow, but fear, beliefs, or unprocessed grief can hold you back.
• 🛠️ Even "maladaptive" behaviors are skills — they were practiced over time. With intention and compassion, new habits can be learned the same way.
• 🔍 Behaviors like bingeing after a win, or striving for perfection, are clues — not failures. Ask, “What is this trying to tell me?”
• 👥 Connection is key — community and co-regulation help us see progress we can’t always witness in ourselves.

Clinician Gems:
• “There’s no such thing as self-sabotage — only unmet needs and unprocessed fear.”
• “Recovery takes courage, not perfection.”
• “We don’t erase progress with a slip. Practice doesn’t disappear.”
• “The goal isn’t a perfect streak — it’s the pattern of returning.”[+] Show More

Media by Us

Food Junkies

The Food Junkies Podcast evolved from the book. Each week, Vera Tarman, Clarrissa Kennedy, and Molly Painschab connect with scientists, Food Addiction clinicians, authors, and recovering Food Addicts to share fresh insights and tackle emerging debates.

Based in Toronto, the Food Junkies podcast is the creation of Dr. Vera Tarman, Clarissa Kennedy, and Molly Painschab, and features interviews with figures in Food Addiction and topic discussions on issues in the field.

Food Junkies Podcast: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Food Addiction, with Diana Hill

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