If you’ve ever felt “out of control” around food—whether it’s binge eating and/ or constantly feeling guilty when you eat—this episode will help you release any residual shame you might be carrying. Mary sits down with therapist + nutritionist Ryann Nicole to unpack why binge eating recovery is less about food and more about how we relate to it.

You will learn...

- a mantra for releasing food guilt

- why binge eating is not really about the food itself

- how to handle fear foods

- how to recover from disordered eating if you’re living with someone else and their foods can potentially trigger you

You’ll also walk away with hope and encouragement for wherever you are in your eating disorder recovery journey.

Ryann Nicole is a licensed therapist, certified nutritionist, and recovered binge eater. She’s known for revolutionizing how people heal their relationship with food—not with more rules or rigidity, but with simplicity, self-trust, and a massive perspective shift. Her signature mantra, “You don’t have to make it mean so much,” has become a lifeline for those learning to let go of shame, release perfectionism, and get back into living their life. Using her binge eating recovery story as the heart of her message and her clinical expertise as the backbone of her work, Ryann brings a refreshing, relatable voice to the wellness space, here to redefine what it means to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Follow Ryann on Instagram: @itsryannnicole

Check out Ryann’s courses and programs for binge eating recovery: https://itsryannnicole.com/coaching

And if you enjoyed this episode, screenshot it and share it on social media! Make sure to tag @maryspodcast and @itsryannnicole

Mentioned In This Episode...

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Video of Ryann’s toddler walking

If you want to stop binge eating or recover from bulimia, then we must address the deeper emotional roots of disordered eating. Mary sits down for a Part 2 with eating disorder psychologist, Dr. Anita Johnston, author of Eating in the Light of the Moon. In Part 1, we talked about the spiritual side of eating disorder recovery. Now in part 2, we zoom into the emotional layer beneath bulimia and binge eating.

Dr. Johnston sheds light on the deeper emotional roots of disordered eating, especially the often-overlooked role of repressed anger and how learning to process it can be the key to lasting recovery.

You will learn about...
- common personality traits of those who struggle with disordered eating
- the role of ANGER in eating disorder recovery
- the ONE skill you need to effectively process anger
- how storytelling and metaphors can help us heal from an eating disorder
- how to address emotional patterns that lie beneath bulimia and binge eating

Dr. Johnston also shares how her very first psychology professor—THE Viktor Frankl, the author of Man’s Search for Meaning—inspired her approach to eating disorder recovery.

Remember: Eating disorders are not about food. So to recover, we must explore the deeper layers of our struggle.

Get Dr. Anita’s free Food Metaphor Guide here.

Anita Johnston, Ph.D., is a Depth Psychologist, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, and author of Eating in the Light of the Moon: How Women Can Transform Their Relationships with Food Through Myth, Metaphor, and Storytelling, which has been published in seven languages. A pioneer in the field, Dr. Johnston has been treating eating difficulties and body image distress for over 35 years. She has developed eating disorder programs nationally and internationally and currently serves as Founder & Executive Director of ‘Ai Pono Hawaii Eating Disorders Programs which has a Residential Program in Maui. She is the co-creator of the Light of the Moon Café, an online resource with interactive and self- study courses for women around the world.

As a recognized international workshop presenter, Dr. Johnston lectures globally to professional organizations, conferences, universities, medical institutions, and the community at large and provides virtual consultations. She is best known for integrating metaphor and storytelling into her training as a clinical psychologist to explain the complex issues that underlie disordered eating behavior and other struggles with eating and body image. You can find Dr. Anita at https://dranitajohnston.com/ and follow Dr. Anita on Instagram: @dranitajohnston

This episode is my honest reflection on a breakup that happened 7 years ago—long before I met my husband. It was a relationship that was equal parts toxic and transformative for my self-love journey. It ended up breaking my heart and somehow healing it, too. I’ve shared bits and pieces over the years, but today I’m telling you my full breakup story—not just for the sake of storytelling, but to offer you insights into what healing really looks like, especially after a hard breakup. Tune in for a vulnerable chat + breakup advice.

You will learn how to...
- reclaim your identity after a toxic or codependent relationship
- navigate the grey areas in relationships: where healing and hurt coexist
- find strength in letting go of relationships that no longer serve you
- embrace self-love through the pain of a breakup

Remember: Healing is not about erasing the past—it’s about choosing how to carry it forward.

And—hint hint—this episode gives you a big clue about the location of my next self-love retreat… Join the retreat priority list to get early access to all the details!

Follow Mary on IG: @maryscupofteaa and @maryspodcast

Mentioned In This Episode...
Martha Beck on The Mel Robbins Podcast