Food Junkies Podcast

• Episode 224: Dr. Eike Buabang - Breaking the Habit Loop: How Our Brains Build—and Battle—Behavior Patterns

  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 [email protected] 🚨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.  

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• Episode 223: Clinicians Corner - From Survival to Self-Compassion: Understanding Our Protective Behaviors

  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.   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.”   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: [email protected]   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.  

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• Episode 222: Dr. David Wiss - Food Addiction or Eating Disorder? Rethinking the Divide

  In this powerful and deeply nuanced episode, Dr. Vera Tarman and Molly Painschab welcome back Dr. David Wiss to explore one of the most important—and often misunderstood—topics in the field: the intersection of food addiction and eating disorders. With his unique background in both nutrition and public health, Dr. Wiss walks us through the historical divide between the food addiction and eating disorder communities, the philosophical and clinical tensions between rigidity and flexibility, and how trauma, ACEs, and access to food complicate both diagnosis and treatment. Whether you're a clinician confused about how to distinguish between binge eating, bulimia, and food addiction, or someone in recovery navigating your own lived experience, this episode is a must-listen. 👥 Topics Covered: Is it an eating disorder, food addiction—or both? Historical roots of the FA vs. ED divide Why rigidity is seen as both the problem and the solution The role of trauma, ACEs, and structural inequality How clinicians can use timelines and clinical intuition in treatment Why a continuum model offers more inclusive care Ethical considerations in individualized vs. cookie-cutter treatment The Wise Mind Nutrition app is a middle-ground tool for healing 💬 Key Quotes: “Everyone has a different neuropsychiatric profile… There isn’t a manual that’s going to work for all people.” – Dr. David Wiss “We’re not just dealing with food. We’re dealing with trauma, access, systems, and stories.” – Molly Painschab “Both food addiction and eating disorders have valid truths—and both need a seat at the table.” – Dr. Vera Tarman 🧠 About Our Guest: Dr. David Wiss Dr. David Wiss is a registered dietitian nutritionist and mental health researcher who has worked with more than 1,000 patients over the past 12 years. He is the founder of Nutrition in Recovery, and a global leader in the field of nutrition for addiction recovery and disordered eating. Dr. Wiss holds a PhD in public health from UCLA, and his work bridges the gap between neurological, psychological, behavioral, and nutritional sciences. He has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed papers, contributed six book chapters, and continues to challenge outdated approaches to mental health and nutrition. Dr. Wiss is also the creator of the Wise Mind Nutrition app—an innovative platform that provides education, food logging, reflection tools, and clinician interaction for individuals working on their mental wellness through nutrition. He is passionate about social justice, the gut-brain connection, and empowering people to heal themselves through informed, compassionate, and personalized care. 📍 Learn more: https://wisemindnutrition.com 📲 Resources Mentioned: Wise Mind Nutrition App From Evolution to Revolution: Food Addiction in Context (Frontiers in Psychiatry) The D-FANG Model: Disordered Eating and Food Addiction Nutrition Guide “Separating the Signal from the Noise” – David Wiss’s trauma-informed research 📣 Connect with Us: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Send your questions, reflections, or topic suggestions—let's keep the conversation going!   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.

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• Episode 221: Dr. Lindsey Parnarouskis - Food Insecurity and Food Addiction

  In this powerful episode of Food Junkies, we dive deep into the intersection of food insecurity and food addiction with special guest Dr. Lindsey Parnarouskis. Dr. Parnarouskis, a researcher specializing in food addiction and public health, shares groundbreaking insights on how socioeconomic factors and access to food impact addiction-like eating behaviors. From her research at the Food and Addiction Science and Treatment Lab to her latest studies on the role of stress, intermittent access to food, and ultra-processed food consumption, Dr. Parnarouskis sheds light on the social justice implications of food addiction. Together, we explore the barriers faced by food-insecure individuals, how stress amplifies cravings, and what clinicians, policymakers, and society can do to create lasting change. 🔑 Key Topics Discussed: Dr. Parnarouskis' journey into food addiction research The strong link between food insecurity and food addiction (people experiencing food insecurity are almost four times more likely to struggle with food addiction) How stress, financial fear, and limited access to whole foods reinforce addiction-like eating patterns The withdrawal experience in food-insecure populations and how it mirrors other addictive substances Why policy-level interventions—like expanding SNAP benefits, increasing access to whole foods, and regulating the food industry—are critical for preventing and addressing food addiction The importance of harm reduction and meeting individuals where they are in recovery How clinicians can screen for food insecurity and adjust interventions to be more compassionate and effective 🌍 Why This Conversation Matters: Food insecurity is not just about hunger—it’s about the quality of food available, the stress of not knowing where your next meal comes from, and the long-term effects of relying on ultra-processed foods. Dr. Parnarouskis emphasizes that food addiction is not just a personal responsibility issue—it’s a systemic issue that demands policy changes, social support, and a more compassionate approach to treatment. 📚 About Dr. Lindsey Parnarouskis Dr. Lindsey Parnarouskis is a clinical psychologist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Drexel University Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science. She completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan and her predoctoral internship at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Parnarouskis’ research seeks to understand the role of economic marginalization in developing and treating overeating concerns, to inform novel clinical and policy interventions. 📩 Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts on social media using #FoodJunkiesPodcast please email us: [email protected] Thank you for listening! If you found this episode valuable, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help us spread the message of food addiction recovery. 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.    

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• Food Junkies Recovery Stories Episode 25: Sharon Gregg

  In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Food Junkies, CJ sits down with her friend and colleague, Sharon Gregg, to explore Sharon’s deeply personal story of food addiction and recovery. From childhood dreams of streets paved with chocolate to decades of yo-yo dieting and the relentless voice of sugar calling her name, Sharon’s story is one many will find achingly familiar. Sharon opens up about her early experiences with dieting, the cultural messages around food and body image she absorbed, and how her battle with sugar addiction intensified during menopause. Listen as Sharon shares how a life-changing retreat helped her uncover the role of ultra-processed foods in her health struggles—and how understanding the science of addiction gave her the key to breaking free from the sugar cycle. CJ and Sharon also dive into: The challenges of overcoming sugar addiction in a world where moderation is idolized. How menopause became a turning point in Sharon’s search for wellness. The hidden emotional patterns behind food cravings, stress eating, and weekend “white-knuckling.” The grief and freedom of letting go of "drug foods" and the unexpected joys of recovery. Plus, Sharon shares her practical recovery tools—from mindful movement and community support to her love for throwing pots (yes, pottery!). Whether you’re struggling with food yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation is a candid look at how food addiction impacts the mind, body, and spirit—and how healing is absolutely possible with the right support and self-compassion. Feel free to join our supportive community on Facebook: Sugar-Free for Life Support Group - where we believe "I'm Sweet Enough." If you're considering personalized assistance, CJ, a Certified Addiction Professional specializing in Food Addiction, is here for one-on-one coaching. Reach out to CJ at [email protected]  Interested in sharing your recovery story on our show? We'd love to hear from you! Please email [email protected]  If you find inspiration in recovery narratives, you won't want to miss the Food Junkies Podcast. Check it out at https://www.foodjunkiespodcast.com/.    

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