Psychiatric medication is often one of the most misunderstood and emotionally charged aspects of mental health treatment, particularly when it involves children, adolescents, and eating disorders. In this insightful episode, host Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Dr. Peyman Tashkandi, a double board-certified psychiatrist, to demystify the role of medication in the recovery process. Dr. Tashkandi explains his human-centered approach to psychiatry, moving beyond "one-size-fits-all" prescriptions to look at the complex biosocial factors that influence a patient's health. Whether you are a parent fearful of the long-term effects of medication on a developing brain or an individual struggling with the medical complexities of an eating disorder, this conversation provides a grounded, expert perspective on why treatment must be comprehensive, collaborative, and deeply compassionate.

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In this enlightening episode of Behind the Bite, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes back therapist and author Alli Spotts-De Lazzer to explore the often-misunderstood concepts of self-esteem and confidence. Many people spend years trying to "fix" themselves or chase higher self-esteem, only to find that their sense of worth remains a moving target. Alli introduces "self-acceptance" as the missing link and the necessary anchor that keeps us steady when shame, fear, or judgment arise. By shifting the focus from objective "improvement" to compassionate curiosity, Alli and Dr. Castagnini discuss how to navigate recovery, body neutrality, and the clinical realities of how nourishment affects our ability to think logically. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck in the cycle of self-improvement who is looking for a more stable path toward healing.

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In this powerful episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Eric Pothen to shine a light on the often-invisible struggle of eating disorders in men. For too long, societal stigmas and the "wellness" industry have allowed disordered behaviors in men to slip through the cracks, masked as fitness goals or masculine ideals. Eric shares his personal journey from struggling with an eating disorder to becoming a recovery coach, offering professional insight into the dangerous normalization of compulsive exercise and the "lean muscular ideal." Whether you are a man questioning your relationship with fitness or a loved one seeking to understand these complex dynamics, this conversation provides the validation and tools needed to challenge the "sick enough" myth and embrace a life of authentic recovery.

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In this powerful episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes back former U.S. Olympian and elite professional boxer Danny O’Connor to discuss the dangerous intersection of weight-class sports and eating disorders. Danny pulls back the curtain on his 15-year career, revealing how extreme weight cutting and binge eating became a normalized, secret struggle that eventually landed him in the ICU on the brink of a world championship fight. By sharing his journey from his 2013 "epiphany" to his current role as an advocate and author of Weight Class, Danny challenges the stigma surrounding male eating disorders. He explores the psychological shift from "discipline" to a total loss of control and offers a roadmap for recovery that emphasizes honest awareness, multifaceted professional support, and finding the "footholds" necessary to stay the course toward healing.

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In this powerful episode of Behind the Bite, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with trauma-informed, neurodivergent dietitian Chrissy Overstreet to discuss what happens when an eating disorder hides behind the mask of high achievement and a "normal" appearance. Chrissy opens up about how childhood bullying, generational diet talk, and the intense, grueling environment of the culinary industry perfectly camouflaged her restrictive eating and severe body image struggles for years. Together, they explore the difficult realization that your relationship with food isn't just "healthy living" but a true disorder, and how therapy, understanding neurodivergence, and decoupling self-worth from productivity can lead to true healing. If you've ever felt like your struggles weren't "bad enough" to deserve help, this episode will validate your experience and show you that a life free from food obsession is possible.

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In this poignant and eye-opening episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with author and mental health advocate Johanna Scoglio to discuss the often-overlooked realities of living with and healing from a long-term eating disorder. Johanna bravely shares how profound grief and family transitions at age 15 triggered her decades-long struggle with food restriction and compulsive exercise—a compulsion that was masked by her identity as a dedicated collegiate athlete. Together, they explore the devastating gaps in the medical system that leave patients discharged without referrals, the shame associated with non-linear recovery, and the life-changing power of a harm-reduction approach. If you’ve ever felt unseen by the system, trapped by the rigid "rules" of recovery, or struggled to separate joyful movement from punishment, Johanna’s story offers a deeply compassionate and empowering new perspective on what it means to truly heal.

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In this episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Alana Van Der Sluys to discuss the often-overlooked struggle of undiagnosed eating disorders. Alana shares her personal battle with orthorexia, binge eating disorder, and atypical anorexia—conditions that were exacerbated by the "not sick enough" narrative and societal weight stigma. Together, they explore the dangerous cycle of weekday restriction and weekend bingeing, the flawed logic of the eating disorder brain, and the crucial importance of validating one’s struggle even without a formal diagnosis. This conversation offers hope and practical insights for anyone feeling trapped in food rules or questioning if their suffering is valid enough to seek professional help.

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In this deeply moving episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with author Alle C. Hall to explore the complex intersection of childhood trauma and eating disorders. Alle shares her candid 30-year journey of healing, discussing how creativity served as a lifeline when the weight of abuse felt insurmountable. They delve into the often-unspoken realities of relapse during major life transitions like postpartum depression and perimenopause, the nuances of navigating 12-step programs with a feminist perspective, and why recovery is rarely a straight line. This conversation offers hope and validation to anyone feeling like their healing journey is "messy" or taking longer than expected, reminding us that struggling does not erase the work we have already done.

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