Episode 014

Title: Voices of Hope: Untangling OCD and Anorexia (with Kyle King)

This episode is part of our Voices of Hope series. In these conversations, you'll hear from individuals who have walked through an eating disorder and come out on the other side. Our intention is to highlight that recovery is possible, relationships can survive, and even during the most challenging moments, hope is real.

In this episode, Jenni Gaines and Laura Cohen sit down with Kyle King, a second-year medical student at Yale and mental health advocate with lived experience of both OCD and anorexia nervosa. Kyle shares his journey from an OCD diagnosis at 12 to an eating disorder at 17, the ways anorexia drove him to lie to the people closest to him, what it was like to relapse in college and hide it from his parents, and how family-based treatment ultimately saved his life. He also offers a rare inside look at how OCD and eating disorders interact, why being male shaped his experience, and why he now dedicates his advocacy work to supporting caregivers.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

01:22 Guest Introduction: Kyle King

02:34 Kyle's Lived Experience: From OCD to Anorexia

05:47 When ERP Didn't Work: The Limits of OCD-Only Treatment

07:15 Family-Based Treatment and Starting to Recover

08:06 The Lying Piece: What Parents Need to Know

09:30 Relapse in College: Fabricating Weights and Hiding

13:13 How Being Male Impacted the Eating Disorder Experience

17:09 Lying to Therapists and the Role of Pride

19:31 Why Kyle Fabricated His Weight: It Wasn't for Himself

21:05 How OCD and an Eating Disorder Interact

24:26 Should OCD and Eating Disorders Be Classified Differently?

28:06 Temperament, Brain Circuitry, and Environment

29:15 What Parents Did That Helped Most

32:40 How an Eating Disorder Affects the Whole Family

37:02 OCD Unfiltered: A Program Built for Parents

41:08 Why Kyle Shifted His Focus to Caregivers

44:06 The Power of Parental Vulnerability

46:51 From Lived Experience to Psychiatry

49:41 Hopes for the Future of Eating Disorder Treatment

SUPPORT & RESOURCES

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FEAST website:

https://feast-ed.org/

FEAST flyer:

https://feast-ed.org/programs-and-services/

Guest Bio:

Kyle King is a second-year medical student at Yale School of Medicine. More central to his identity, however, Kyle is a mental health advocate with lived experience of OCD and anorexia nervosa. He serves as a National Advocate with the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), is the founder and co-leader of the IOCDF's Young Adult Special Interest Group, and hosts the IOCDF Research Roundtable. In addition, Kyle works as a research assistant in the Yale OCD Clinic and is a frequent speaker at OCD conferences across the country. His primary interests include investigating novel treatments for psychiatric conditions, addressing inequities in access to mental health care, and exploring the complex overlaps between OCD and related conditions such as eating disorders.

Episode 013

Title: Voices of Hope: A Mother and Daughter Reflect on Their Eating Disorder Journey (with Alexa Cohen)

This episode is part of our Voices of Hope series. In these conversations, you’ll hear from individuals who have walked through an eating disorder and come out on the other side. Our intention is to highlight that recovery is possible, relationships can survive, and even during the most challenging moments, hope is real.

In this episode, Laura Cohen sits down with her daughter, Alexa Cohen, to talk openly about Alexa's eating disorder diagnosis at 16, the hard road through family-based treatment and higher levels of care, and what their relationship looks like on the other side. Alexa, now 22 and working in inpatient eating disorder care, shares her perspective from both sides of recovery.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

01:02 Guest Introduction: Alexa Cohen

04:06 Life Before the Diagnosis: Ages 13–16

06:49 The Role of Lockdown, Social Media, and the ED Voice

10:02 How Laura First Learned Something Was Wrong

11:44 Starting FBT: Refeeding at Home During COVID

16:17 What FBT Felt Like from Alexa's Perspective

19:11 Why Giving In Was Never an Option

20:44 Finding the Right Treatment Team (and How Long It Took)

25:26 Deciding to Pursue a Higher Level of Care

32:00 College, Contracts, and Choosing Recovery

37:18 Alexa's Work in Eating Disorder Care Today

40:12 Advice for Caregivers Whose Kids Are in Treatment

45:49 What Alexa Would Tell Her 13-Year-Old Self

47:26 Advice to Caregivers: It Won't Ruin the Relationship

SUPPORT & RESOURCES

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FEAST website:

https://feast-ed.org/

FEAST flyer:

https://feast-ed.org/programs-and-services/

In this episode, Jenni Gaines and Laura Cohen sit down with Nathalia Trees, a certified eating disorder Registered Dietitian, to unpack ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), a diagnosis that often gets mistaken for simple picky eating. Nathalia breaks down the three presentations of ARFID, explains why a malnourished brain makes food trials nearly impossible without nutritional rehabilitation first, and offers a realistic picture of what success actually looks like in treatment. Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of when to raise a red flag with their pediatrician, who should be on their child's treatment team, and how to manage the anxiety and fatigue that come with supporting a loved one through recovery.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

01:11 Guest Introduction: Nathalia Trees

03:20 What Is ARFID? The Three Presentations

05:20 How ARFID Differs from Anorexia, Bulimia, and Anxiety Disorders

07:30 Motivation vs. Anxiety in ARFID Treatment

09:10 Picky Eating vs. ARFID: Where's the Line?

11:20 First Steps for Caregivers: Advocating with Your Pediatrician

15:06 What Does ARFID Treatment Look Like?

16:20 Why Nutrition Rehabilitation Comes Before Food Trials

18:15 Weight Gain Goals and Growth Curve Realities

19:55 The Malnourished Brain: Why Food Trials Can't Come First

23:26 What Does Success Actually Look Like?

25:45 Tracking Progress and Celebrating Small Wins

26:00 Common Setbacks: Travel, Illness, and Food Fatigue

29:40 Building Your Treatment Team: Who Does What

33:15 Caregiver Anxiety and Distress Tolerance at the Table

36:01 Is There a Timeline for ARFID Recovery?

38:08 When to Consider a Higher Level of Care

SUPPORT & RESOURCES

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FEAST website:

https://feast-ed.org/

FEAST flyer:

https://feast-ed.org/programs-and-services/

FEAST Webinar - Feeding Without Fear: Navigating Nutrition in ARFID

Feeding Without Fear: Navigating Nutrition in ARFID - YouTube

FEAST Family Guide - Beyond Picky Eating: Strategies for Navigating ARFID and Supporting Your Loved One (with Nathalia Trees)

https://feast-ed.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FamilyGuide_BeyondPickyEating_2026_v1.2.pdf

Guest Bio:

Nathalia Trees is a certified eating disorder Registered Dietitian and consultant specializing in the treatment of adults and adolescents with eating disorders. She was granted a Bachelor of Science from the University of Colorado and a Master of Science in clinical nutrition from Tufts University. She completed her dietetics internship at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA.

Nathalia’s experience spans over 13 years in medical nutrition therapy, nutrition education, public speaking, and eating disorder related research. Her passion is advocacy, training, and education for current and future dietitians and helping individuals rebuild their relationship with food. Nathalia’s approach focuses on non-diet centered, weight inclusive, and compassionate care. Nathalia’s leadership style focuses on community, connection, and striving for clinical excellence in the field of eating disorders.

Episode 011

Title: Stronger Together: How Caregiver Alignment Supports Recovery

In this episode, Jenni Gaines and Laura Cohen dive into the vital but often overlooked topic of caregiver alignment. They discuss how eating disorders can exploit "cracks" in relationships and the profound impact—both positive and negative—that caregiver unity has on a child’s recovery trajectory. Listeners will gain practical tools for managing disagreements, setting non-negotiable boundaries, and balancing the heavy lifting of treatment with the need to protect their own relationships.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

01:02 Defining Caregiver Alignment

03:09 Why Alignment is Critical for Recovery

07:46 The Consequences of Misalignment

09:10 Common Conflict Areas: Meals, Consequences, and Parenting Styles

11:02 Balancing the Workload: Resentment vs. Appreciating Strengths

16:53 External Alignment: Grandparents, Teachers, and Coaches

20:25 Navigating Co-Parenting and Divorce

24:59 Practical Strategies: Education and the Family Recovery Plan

30:34 Managing Disagreements in Front of Your Loved One

40:03 The Power of the 10-Minute Check-In

42:16 Trusting Yourself When Alignment Isn’t Possible

SUPPORT & RESOURCES

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FEAST website:

https://feast-ed.org/

FEAST flyer:

https://feast-ed.org/programs-and-services/

The Other Side of the Plate podcast episode:

The Importance of Male Caregivers in ED Recovery (with Kevin Dunn)

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/19f1d2bb-799e-4111-823d-e0db02f3e6c5

(FEAST Blog Post-Abby Sarrett-Cooper)

Parental Alignment in FBT

(FEAST Blog Post-Judy Krasna)

Parenting and Partnership

(FEAST Blog Post-Sarah)

Not on Board But Weathering the Same Storm

Host Bios

Jenni Gaines and Laura Cohen are caregivers with lived experience who have supported their loved ones through eating disorder treatment. Together, they serve the FEAST community by sharing personal insights and connecting parents with the professional resources necessary to navigate recovery.

Episode 010

A Personal Recovery Journey: Insights for Caregivers (with Hannah Hickinbotham)

In this episode, Jenni speaks with Hannah Hickenbotham, founder of the UK-based "Full of Beans" podcast about eating disorder awareness. Hannah shares her personal journey through atypical anorexia, body dysmorphia, and the late ADHD diagnosis (after 14 years of struggling) that finally unlocked her path to recovery. This conversation offers caregivers rare insight into what recovery looks like from the inside: why resistance happens, what support actually helps, and how to find "glimmers" of hope even in the darkest moments.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

06:19 What Caregivers Can Learn from Lived Experience

10:03 Hannah's Journey: Diet Culture and Feeling Different

15:53 Atypical Anorexia: The Pain of "Not Quite There"

17:22 Eating Disorders as Emotional Regulation

26:33 Advice for Parents: What Helped and What Didn't

34:21 Understanding Resistance: "Facing Your Worst Nightmare"

44:46 Thanking and Releasing the Eating Disorder (EMDR)

47:32 Supporters Who Made a Difference

54:41 Finding Daily Glimmers: Advice for Struggling Families

SUPPORT & RESOURCES

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FEAST website:

https://feast-ed.org/

FEAST flyer:

https://feast-ed.org/programs-and-services/

Hannah’s website:

https://www.wearefullofbeans.com/

Listen to Hannah’s podcast on your favorite app: The Full of Beans Podcast

Guest Bio

Hannah Hickinbotham is the founder of Full of Beans, an eating disorder awareness podcast all about reducing stigma and amplifying lived experience. Through inspiring conversations with people with lived experience of an eating disorder, alongside clinicians and researchers, Hannah creates a space where listeners can feel understood, validated, and a little less alone.

Hannah has lived experience of atypical anorexia, body dysmorphia, and ADHD, and found her path to recovery after finally receiving an ADHD diagnosis 14 years later. Passionate about widening the conversation beyond stereotypes, she reminds people that recovery is possible, even when it doesn’t look how you expected.

Episode 008

Body Image and Eating Disorders (with Dr. Anita Federici)

In this episode of The Other Side of the Plate, hosts Jenni and Laura welcome Dr. Anita Federici, a clinical psychologist and globally respected expert on eating disorders and DBT. Dr. Federici challenges the common assumption that body image naturally improves after weight restoration, explaining that for many people, body disturbance isn't a "lag" but a core neurobiological feature of eating disorders rooted in sensory and perceptual differences. The conversation explores the distinction between body dysmorphia and negative body image, the power of validation as a "safety signal," and practical communication strategies for caregivers—including Dr. Federici's four-step framework: validate what makes sense, reinforce adaptive behavior, invite rather than impose help, and offer sensory-based coping tools. Drawing parallels to how clinicians treat psychosis and dementia, Dr. Federici makes a compelling case for believing patients' lived experiences rather than dismissing them. This episode offers caregivers both scientific grounding and practical hope for supporting loved ones through the often-misunderstood struggles of living in their "earth suit."

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:02 Meet Dr. Anita Federici: 25 Years in the Eating Disorders Field

06:30 The Body Image "Lag": Why It May Not Be a Lag at All

14:36 Validation as a Safety Signal

17:39 Body Dysmorphia vs. Negative Body Image: The "Earth Suit"

24:27 Normal Body Dissatisfaction vs. Warning Signs

30:35 What to Say: The "You Make Sense" Conversation

41:33 Hair on Fire: Sensory Tools During Acute Treatment

44:47 Lessons from Treating Psychosis and Dementia

50:01 A Message of Hope: Start Where You Are

SUPPORT & RESOURCES

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FEAST website:

https://feast-ed.org/

FEAST flyer:

https://feast-ed.org/programs-and-services/

FEAST Weekend Workshops - F.E.A.S.T.

Workshop 8 (Sunday – December 21, 2025)

What To Say When You Don’t Know What To Say

Led by Dr. Anita Federici

Bio:

Dr. Anita Federici is a Clinical Psychologist and Owner of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation, specializing in evidence-based treatment for eating disorders, emotion regulation challenges, and trauma. A sought-after international trainer, consultant, and researcher, she is also co-author of Treating Eating Disorders with DBT: The MED-DBT Protocol (Guilford Press, 2024) https://www.guilford.com/books/Treating-Eating-Disorders-with-DBT/Federici-Wisniewski/9781462558483?srsltid=AfmBOooqJiiIH63_128Czz7N-n3W5tZvzP_8I5o5mOPsw0JhVuQN5PAZ

Episode 007

The Importance of Male Caregivers in Eating Disorder Recovery (with Kevin Dunn)

In this episode of The Other Side of the Plate, hosts Jenni and Laura discuss the often overlooked role of male caregivers in eating disorder recovery with special guest Kevin Dunn. Kevin, a seasoned volunteer and the Director of Family Mentorship at Equip, shares insights from his eight-year journey supporting his daughter through an eating disorder. The conversation covers the emotional challenges men face, the importance of humility, validation, distress tolerance, and the transformative power of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Kevin emphasizes the need for male caregivers to be present, practice active listening, and collaborate openly with other caregivers. This episode aims to shed light on how inclusive caregiving can enhance recovery outcomes and the unique strengths men bring to the table.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:02 Meet Kevin Dunn: From Caregiver to Men of FEAST Founder

04:01 Kevin's Personal Story: A Daughter's Diagnosis at Age 8

10:55 The Birth of Men of FEAST

14:56 Creating a Safe Space for Male Caregivers

18:16 Why Male Voices Matter in Recovery

22:26 Getting Aligned as a Team: "Same Bookstore, Not Same Page"

27:29 Essential Skills: Humility, Acceptance, and Validation

42:58 Baby Steps for Dads: Be Present, Be Available, Listen

51:18 Silver Linings and a Message of Hope

SUPPORT & RESOURCES

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FEAST website:

https://feast-ed.org/

Men of FEAST:

https://feast-ed.org/men-of-feast/

FEAST flyer:

https://feast-ed.org/programs-and-services/