The Full Plate Podcast with Abbie Attwood, MS

• "There Is More to Life Than Hunger" + Exposing Diet Culture Through Fiction with Author Paulette Stout

  In this week’s episode, I’m joined by author Paulette Stout, who opens up about her own healing journey — one that moved her from self-judgement and secrecy to self-compassion and rebellion.Her act of radical defiance this year? Buying clothes that fit now. Not in May. Not “once she shrinks.” But in the body she has today. That shift alone says: I deserve to take up space. Right here, right now.Paulette’s new novel centers a character healing from an eating disorder, but it’s not just about the food — it’s about rejoining life.In our conversation, we talk about the deep loneliness that often accompanies body shame and disordered eating — the eating in the dark, the secrecy, the fear of being “found out.” We also talk about the sacred power of story: how fiction can be a mirror, a soft place to land, and a spark for change.Tune in to hear more about:- Paulette's journey with body image and dieting- How diet culture creates a constant pressure to conform to societal standards- Food as a source of joy, not shame- Writing as a powerful tool for advocacy and change- How cultural backgrounds shape perceptions of food and body image- Isolation that accompanies disordered eating- How to stand up against diet culture in everyday life- Her saying: “It's a them problem, not a me problem.”- Navigating social situations while recovering from an eating disorder- Whether to “educate” others about anti-fat bias- Self-acceptance as a journey- Setting boundaries after healing from diet culture- Using literature and story telling to challenge cultural norms- Why Paulette wrote this book and this storyAbout Paulette Stout:Read in 43 countries, Paulette Stout is the 17-time award-winning author of fast paced contemporary women’s fiction that tackles social issues often ignored. Fans call her work “Brave”, “Spicy”, and a “Mesmerizing tapestry of realism.” Her stories feature brave characters finding their voices and transforming into their best selves, while finding love along the way. Paulette is also the co-host of The Best of Book Marketing Podcast and works by day as the Director of Brand & Content Strategy at a global software company. Her fourth novel, What We Give Away, released in February.Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribeGroup program:Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coachingGroup membership:Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media:Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcastFind Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

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• Making Body Image "Less Gross" + Processing Overwhelming Feelings with Deb Schachter, Body Image Therapist

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.comThe first part of this episode is free, the second part is for paid subscribers. Upgrade to paid on Substack right hereCan we ever get enough support with our body image? Probably not. So, Abbie welcomes Deb Schachter, an incredible therapist who specializes in body image, for a deeper dive into the messy, multi-dimensional nature of body image. This conversation touches on analogies and helpful reframes that we haven't yet talked about on the pod -- full of lightbulb moments -- so it's an episode you won't want to miss.In the episode, we explore:-How societal pressures shape how we feel in our bodies-The role of humor and vulnerability in body image work-How to move through painful comparison-Whether self-acceptance can make our relationships safer-What it really means to “improve” your body image (hint: it’s not what we’ve been sold)Plus, behind the paywall on Substack, we get even more personal and talk about:-How sex and intimacy are impacted by body image-Why body image is so difficult in perimenopause-How to navigate the fear that your partner isn’t attracted to you-Some truly tangible ways to cope in bad body image momentsIf you’ve ever wished for a body image conversation that held more depth, more truth, more permission to be human — this is the one. I hope you enjoy it!Upgrade to paid on Substack right here to listen to the full episode.Deb Schachter is nationally recognized as a leading clinician in the areas of body image and eating disorder recovery. She has dedicated her 30-year career to helping people unpack their body’s story and the wisdom it has to offer. She brings authenticity, curiosity and compassion to her work and emphasizes the profound power that connection has in the healing process. She integrates playfulness and mindfulness into her workshops, individual and group work and is inspired by how unique the growth process is for each of us. She believes wholeheartedly that we all have the ability to find our inner alignment and has seen how her confidence in her clients translates into change. Blending together her East Coast sensibility and her West Coast spirit, Deb has developed a language and an approach that is accessible to all. Deb is the co-author of Body Image Inside Out: A Revolutionary Approach to Body Image Healing which was published in October, 2024 and she and her co-author, Whitney Otto, offer workshops for both clients and clinicians to become more skillful and connected to their body image work.

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• Are We Anti-Protein, Anti-Health, and Anti-Vegetable Now?

  Is anti-diet anti-health? Anti-nutrition? Anti-weight loss? What is this all actually about, and is it getting "extreme"?If you’ve been wondering if giving yourself permission to eat freely means giving up on your health and experiencing a “free-for-all” with food, this one is for you. It’s also for you if you’re struggling to articulate a definition of diet culture to friends and family members, or are feeling conflicted about your own desire for weight loss. In this episode, Abbie explores the myths surrounding the anti-diet movement, addressing misconceptions about how the approach handles health, nutrition, weight, and body image. Tune in for more on…A definition of diet cultureWhy myths about anti-diet persistHow anti-diet approaches healthHow anti-diet approaches nutrition scienceHow anti-diet approaches weight-lossHow anti-diet approaches weight-gainWhether this just a “free-for-all” with foodThe critique that this is just a trendWhy Abbie emphasizes a compassionate approach to healthSupport the show by becoming a paid subscriber on Substack. Your support means everything, and helps to keep the lights on around here! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

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• Cutting Carbs Is Not a Diabetes Treatment Plan with Dietitian & Diabetes Specialist Janice Dada

  This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.comRegistered dietitian and diabetes care specialist Janice Dada joins the show this week to explore diabetes management from a non-diet, weight-inclusive lens.Tune in to unpack the myths that dominate diabetes care — from the demonization of rice and bread, to fears about processed foods, to the idea that weight loss is a solution, to the panic that surro…

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• #163: The Wisdom in Dissociation: When Leaving Your Body Is a Form of Protection with Monika Ostroff, LICSW, CEDS-S

  "Eating disorders are dissociative by nature. It's very difficult to be connected to your feelings while you're engaging in eating disorder behaviors. So it makes a lot of sense that people develop eating disorders as a way of keeping themselves as “safe” as possible." In this special episode, Abbie is joined by the incredible Monica Ostroff, a therapist and eating disorders specialist, to explore Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and its overlooked intersection with eating disorders. They also have a deeper conversation about the relationship between trauma and disordered eating. Monika shares her personal journey, detailing her experiences with anorexia and trauma, and how these experiences shaped her professional path in the field of eating disorders.  Listen to hear more about: The misconceptions surrounding DID  Trauma-related origins of both DID and eating disorders Taking a strengths-based perspective in recovery Trauma-informed approaches to treatment The complex relationship between trauma, eating disorders, and self-compassion Understanding our internal voices Using inner world tools for healing  The protective nature of eating disorders What it means to be gentle in recovery Addressing the challenges of worthlessness Coping with societal pressures surrounding body image Why healing is really about connection How we can show up for ourselves with kindness and understanding So much more! About Monika: Monika Ostroff, LICSW, CEDS-S is the Executive Director of the Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association, Inc (MEDA). Prior to leading MEDA, she directed several residential, partial hospital and intensive outpatient eating disorder programs in addition to having owned a thriving private practice.  Monika is the co-author of Anorexia Nervosa: A Guide to Recovery and a contributing author to Self-Harm Behavior and Eating Disorders. With more than 25 years of experience in the field of eating disorders, Monika has presented at many national conferences, taught at the university level, and appeared on many media broadcasts, publications & podcasts.  Practicing from a trauma informed, social justice and staunchly HAES® aligned lens, Monika is a dedicated ally and strong advocate working to ensure access to equitable, compassionate, and affirming care for all. Her passion for treating eating disorders and mentoring other professionals was borne out of her own struggle with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa and life experiences. Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate   Group program: Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching   Group membership: Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group   Social media: Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness   Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast   Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy Podcast Editing by Brian Walters This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe

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