
Bodywhys Podcast
By Bodywhys - The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland


Episode 56: Male musical theatre performers' experiences of body image
In this episode, Barry talks to Dr Elisa Lewis, London South Bank University. We explore hegemonic masculinity and its relationship to body image, appearance investment, male gender norms and key themes from Elisa's research.
Notes
“Awful Skinny Boys” – Male Musical Theatre Performers’ Experiences of Body Image: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis - Maria E. Carr, Elisa G. Lewis, 2025


Episode 55: Thomistic virtue ethics and a "good" appetite
In this episode, Barry talks to Catholic moral theologian, Dr Megan Heeder, University of Scranton. We explore moral judgements about food, temperance, prudence, connatural knowledge and the work of the late Beth Haile.
Notes
Aquinas's Unity Thesis and Grace: Ingredients for Developing
A Good Appetite in a Contemporary AgeThe Beauty of a Good Appetite in a Social Media Age

Episode 54: “I want to hold an umbrella over you because I have been in the rain”
In this episode, Barry speaks with Jinxu Li, Texas A&M University, about why people share their experiences of eating disorders on social media. Jinxu's episode focuses on research participants from China. We also discuss self-determination theory.
Notes
“I Want to Hold an Umbrella Over You Because I Have Been in the Rain”: Exploring Patient Influencers’ Motivations to Share Eating Disorders Experiences from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective: Health Communication

NMCS S2E14: In conversation with Livia Sara, part 2
In this episode, Jenny and Harriet are joined again by Livia Sara. This time they talk about the fear of weight gain for autistic people in eating disorder recovery.
Notes
Here are the links to Livia's podcasts mentioned in the episode.
Part One Fear of Weight Gain in Autism and Anorexia[Part 1]
Part Two Autism, Anorexia, and Fear of Gaining Weight[Part 2]
Part Three Accepting Weight Gain in Anorexia Recovery (Asan Autistic Person)


Episode 53: Social media detox strategies, body image and well-being
In this episode, Barry speaks with Dr Veya Seekis, Griffith University, about social media detox strategies, body image and well-being. We explore some of the appearance-related content people may encounter when they spend time on social media.
Notes
To detox or not to detox? The impact of different approaches to social media detox strategies on body image and wellbeing - ScienceDirect
Growing skincare use by children is dangerous, say dermatologists

Episode 52: The role of agency: The life project account of eating disorders
In this episode, Barry speaks with Cato Benschop, Utrecht University, about the life project account of eating disorders. We explore what this alternative framework offers for understanding people's experiences.
Notes
The life project account of eating disorders: agency in the pursuit of dietary goals

Episode 51: Pre-treatment intervention: Keeping Safe
In this episode, Barry talks to Dr Madeleine Tatham, Norfolk Community Eating Disorders Service, about the impact of a podcast-based pre-treatment psychoeducation intervention. Dr Tatham also describes working with adults affected by eating disorders.
Notes
Enhancing assessment for eating disorders: the impact of a podcast-based pre-treatment psychoeducation intervention

NMCS S2 E12: In conversation with autistic advocate and recovery coach Livia Sara
In this episode, Jenny and Harriet are joined by Livia Sara, a well-established autistic advocate, recovery coach and eating disorder (ED) survivor. Livia is passionate about supporting families to learn how to support their loved one to use their autistic and ADHD traits to their advantage in ED recovery through a combination of science and lived experience. Livia has created a vast treasure trove of books, videos and podcasts. In this episode, Livia tells us her story, how she has come to reframe her experience to help her discover who she is without her ED, and how recovery for Livia, is not about overcoming fear, but rather understanding that what we fear most, is precisely what we most want to do.
Notes
Liv Label Free | Neurodiversity-Affirming Eating Disorder Recovery

NMCS S2 E11: Understanding extreme hunger when recovering from an eating disorder
In this episode, Jenny and Harriet continue talking about binge eating, this time within the context of a person experiencing extreme hunger in recovery. They discuss hypermetabolism and coping with the difficulties this throws up for the person recovering and their carer.
Notes:
Eating Disorder Recovery for Adults by Tabitha Farrar
Livia Sara: Liv Label Free | Neurodiversity-Affirming Eating Disorder Recovery

Episode 50: Family based treatment (FBT) delivered in the home
In this episode, Barry speaks with Dr Andrea Goldschmidt, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, about FBT in the home. We explore the practicalities of how this works and potential benefits and some case studies.
Notes
Adapting family-based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa delivered in the home: A novel approach for improving access to care and generalizability of skill acquisition | Journal of Eating Disorders


NMCS S2 E9: ARFID: What do to do when your loved one is stuck (Mini-series part 4)




NMCS S2 E7: ARFID - Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in children (Mini series - Part 2)
In this episode, Jenny and Harriet continue to discuss ARFID, this time in children. Harriet and Jenny talk about treatment, how the Maudsley skills can be used, and lots of resources and books that are helpful.
- ARFID Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A Guide for Parents and Carers - By Rachel Bryant-Waugh
- PEACE pathway: https://www.peacepathway.org/
- Child and Adolescent PEACE pathway: https://peacepathwaybob.org/
- FBT for ARFID
- CBT for ARFID
- Food Chaining: The Proven 6-Step Plan to Stop Picky Eating, Solve Feeding Problems, and Expand Your Child's Diet: By Cheri Fraker
- Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating in Children, including those with Autism Spectrum Conditions: A Practical Guide for Parents and Professionals: By Gillian Harris and Elizabeth Shea
- Jenny's ARFID/Autism capsule - Please email info@bodywhys.ie or jenny@newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk to request this
- Jenny's website (Expert ED dietitians): https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/expert-eating-disorder-dietitians/
- Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
- Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie

NMCS S2 E6: ARFID - Avoidant/ restrictive food intake disorder (Mini series - Part 1)
In the first episode of our mini-series on ARFID, Jenny and Harriet outline what ARFID is and how the New Maudsley Carer Skills can be helpful when supporting a person with ARFID.
Notes
Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie


NMCS S2E5.5 Decisional balance when supporting an autistic person with an eating disorder

NMCS S2 E5: Adapting the ALVS technique when supporting an autistic person with an eating disorder
In this episode, Jenny talks Harriet through the adaptations to the ALVS (Attend, Label, Validate, Soothe) technique when supporting an autistic person with an eating disorder. Using examples from carers Jenny has worked with, she explains the technique and how adaptations can be really helpful to establish connection with the person with an eating disorder.
Notes:
Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie


NMCS S2 E4: Adapting OARS when supporting an autistic / neurodivergent person with an eating disorder
In this episode, Jenny and Harriet continue to explore adaptations of the New Maudsley Carer Skills when supporting an autistic / neurodivergent person with an eating disorder. Learn how we can adapt OARS (Open questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening and Summarising), the communication skills at the heart of the Maudsley model.
Notes
Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie

NMCS Podcast S2 E3: The Purple Balloon
In this episode, Jenny introduces Harriet to the purple balloon. The episode begins with a recap of the red and blue balloon and then Jenny describes, using lots of examples, how the purple balloon can help us support autistic / neurodivergent people with an eating disorder.
Notes:
- Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
- Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie

NMCS Podcast S2 E2: Intro to the NMCS model when supporting an autistic or neurodivergent person with an eating disorder
In this episode, Jenny and Harriet outline the adaptations and developments of the New Maudsley Carer Skills model when applied to supporting an autistic or neurodivergent person with an eating disorder.
Notes:
- PEACE Pathway: https://www.peacepathway.org/
- PEACE BOB: https://peacepathwaybob.org/autism-and-eating-disorders/
- Jenny's website: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/
- Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie

NMCS Podcast S2 E1: Welcome back to Season 2 of the New Maudsley Carer Skills Podcast Series

Episode 45: Binge eating and decision making
In this episode, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys speaks with Emily Colton, Monash University, about neurocognitive factors and binge eating.
Notes:
- Dysfunctional decision-making in binge-eating disorder: A meta-analysis and systematic review - ScienceDirect
- New Research: Revealing the True Duration of Binge-Eating Disorder (psychiatrictimes.com)

Episode 44: Artificial intelligence and ethics
In this episode, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys speaks with Dr Gemma Sharp, Monash University, about artificial intelligence and ethics in relation to eating disorders.
Notes
- Journal of Medical Internet Research - Ethical Challenges in AI Approaches to Eating Disorders (jmir.org)
- CoRe-ED

Episode 43: LGBTQ experiences: A compassionate perspective
In support of Pride Month 2024, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys speaks with Dr Philip Joy, Mount Saint Vincent University, about compassion, recovery and LGBTQ experiences.
Notes
- Wicked Bodies
- “It’s beautiful and it’s messy and it’s tragic”: exploring the role of compassion in the eating disorder recovery processes of 2S/LGBTQ + Canadians | Journal of Eating Disorders
- New research report highlights stark deterioration in mental health of LGBTQI+ people since 2016 - Belong To - LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland


Episode 41: Sports coaches & relative energy deficiency in sport (REDS)
In this episode, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys speaks with Dr. Jennifer Hamer about sports coaches & relative energy deficiency in sport (REDS).
Notes:
- A review exploring coach knowledge, attitudes/beliefs and behaviours towards low energy availability in athletes - Jennifer Hamer, Ben Desbrow, Chris Irwin, 2023 (sagepub.com)
- Are Coaches of Female Athletes Informed of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport? A Scoping Review in: Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal Volume 29 Issue 1 (2021) (humankinetics.com)
- 2023 International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) consensus statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) | British Journal of Sports Medicine (bmj.com)

Episode 40: Co-producing principles to guide health research
In this episode, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys, speaks with Cat Papastavrou Brooks (Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) & Dave Chawner (Lived Experience) about co-producing principles to guide health research.
Notes:
- Co-producing principles to guide health research: an illustrative case study from an eating disorder research clinic - PMC (nih.gov)

Episode 39: The ignored role of disadvantage
In this episode, Barry Murphy, Research and Policy Officer at Bodywhys, speaks with Dr Blair Burnette of Michigan State University about the ignored role of disadvantage in eating disorders.
Notes
- The ignored role of disadvantage in eating disorders: Trends in Molecular Medicine (cell.com)
- A systematic review of sociodemographic reporting and representation in eating disorder psychotherapy treatment trials in the United States - Burnette - 2022 - International Journal of Eating Disorders

Episode 38: Eating Disorders - Experiences of Recovery - Stories from the Bodywhys Media Panel
This webinar was recorded as part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2024. Our thanks to Emmy, Johnny, Laura, Chris and Bláithín for sharing their experiences.
See the YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGtEMErXEic

Episode 37: Social media and body image: Addressing knowledge gaps


Episode 35: Voices of Lived Experience - Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders (SEED)
In this episode, Harriet speaks with Michelle Kickham about living with a severe and enduring, or long standing eating disorder (SEED/L-ED).

Episode 34: Voices of Lived Experience - Christmas and New Years
In this episode we speak with Michelle Mc Carthy, Bodywhys Media Panel member and volunteer, about her experience with an eating disorder during Christmas and New Years.
Notes:
Find our 'Coping with Christmas' resources here: https://www.bodywhys.ie/free-coping-at-christmas-resources/

Episode 33: Coping with Christmas and New Year
In this podcast we share a our 2023 'Coping with Christmas' webinar with Harriet Parsons, Psychotherapist and Training & Development Manager with Bodywhys.
Notes: Find our 'Coping with Christmas' resources here: https://www.bodywhys.ie/free-coping-at-christmas-resources/
Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie

Episode 32: Causal discovery analysis & precision medicine
In this episode, Barry Murphy, our Research and Policy Officer, speaks with Dr Lisa Anderson and Dr Erich Kummerfeld, of University of Minnesota, about causal discovery analysis & precision medicine.
Notes
- Causal discovery analysis: A promising tool in advancing precision medicine for eating disorders - Anderson - 2023 - International Journal of Eating Disorders
- Applying Causal Discovery to Intensive Longitudinal Data - PMC (nih.gov)

Episode 31: Conceptualising early intervention
In this episode, Barry Murphy, our Research and Policy Officer, speaks with Dr Karina Allen, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, about conceptualising early intervention for eating disorders.
Notes

Episode 30: Improving the adult inpatient experience
In this episode, Barry Murphy, our Research and Policy Officer, speaks with Catherine Armour of Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia, Canada) about improving the adult inpatient experience.
Notes
- Improving Adult Inpatient Eating Disorder Treatment: Perspectives of Canadians with Lived Experience (dal.ca)
- Wicked Bodies
- Adult hospital admissions for eating disorders at highest level in a decade – The Irish Times

Episode 29: An ecological framework for recovery
In this episode, Barry Murphy, our Research and Policy Officer, speaks with Therese Kenny of the University of Guelph about an ecological framework for recovery.
We share this episode as part of World Mental Health Day 2023 #WMHD23
Notes
- More than an outcome: a person-centered, ecological framework for eating disorder recovery | Journal of Eating Disorders

Episode 28: Longstanding anorexia nervosa - Time for a rethink

Episode 28: The New Maudsley Carer Skills Podcast. Jenny and Harriet talk to Gillian Todd.
Gillian Todd worked with Prof Janet Treasure on the Adult eating disorder ward at the Maudsley Hospital in London for 17 years. During this time, the New Maudsley Carer Skills was developed.
In this episode Jenny and Harriet discuss the development of the Maudsley Carer Skills with Gill, as well as thinking through how to support adults with EDs, and what recovery, or ‘discovery’ can look like for people with a severe and enduring eating disorder. With stories of recovery, this episode is enlightening and interesting for all carers of people with eating disorders.
You can find Jenny's website here: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk
Bodywhys website: www.bodywhys.ie

Episode 27: ARFID - Listening to and learning from families
In this episode, Barry Murphy, our Research and Policy Officer, speaks with Dr Andrea LaMarre & Dr Kathryn McGuigan of Massey University about families experiences with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
Notes
- Listening, learning, caring: exploring assemblages of, ethics of and pathways to care for avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) | Medical Humanities (bmj.com)

Episode 27: The New Maudsley Carer Skills Podcast, with Harriet Parsons and Jenny Langley. Back to school.
This time of year is dominated for many by 'Back to school'. It can be a challenging time for anyone and especially for a person with an eating disorder and their family. In this episode, Jenny and Harriet discuss many scenarios of going back to school and which New Maudsley skills are helpful to use over the next couple of weeks.
Notes:
Click here to download Jenny's Back to School capsule

Episode 26: Body image interventions
In this episode, Barry Murphy, our Research and Policy Officer, speaks with Dr Ella Guest of the Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) about body image interventions.
Notes
- The effectiveness of interventions aiming to promote positive body image in adults: A systematic review
- A systematic review of interventions aiming to promote positive body image in children and adolescents
- Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) - Research centres and groups | UWE Bristol

Episode 26: The New Maudsley Carer Skills Podcast, with Harriet Parsons and Jenny Langley. Preparing for college / university
In this episode, Harriet and Jenny think about preparing for college/university. Whether the person living with an eating disorder will be staying at home or moving away, this huge change in a person’s life can bring up unique challenges and new responsibilities. This episode explores these challenges, from different perspectives, and thinks through ways to support someone during this transition.
You can find Jenny's website here.
Bodywhys support:
Resources mentioned: