The Full of Beans Podcast

• From Eating Disorder Patient to Peer Researcher with Anna Carnegie

  In this week's episode, Hannah is joined by Anna Carnegie. Anna is a Research Fellow at KCL, where she coordinates the Eating Disorders Clinical Research Network (or "EDCRN") and lends support to the UK Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (or "EDGI UK"). Alongside her academic role, Anna brings her own lived experience of OCD, anorexia, and long-term recovery. She now uses that experience to shape research, advocate for better funding, and push for eating disorder studies that truly centre the people they’re supposed to help.This week, we discuss:The huge funding gap in eating disorder research and why it mattersWhat EDCRN and EDGI UK are, and how they’re trying to answer basic questions about “what works”Genetics, metabolism, and why there is no single “eating disorder gene”The emotional burden and boundaries of working as a peer researcherAnna’s journey through OCD, anorexia, and treatment in Ireland and the UKHow lived experience can shape research design, language, and prioritiesThe life-changing impact of an NHS admission that focused on life goals, not just weightWhy one-size-fits-all treatment doesn’t work and the need for truly individualised careTimestamps:00:00 – Introducing Anna and her roles at King’s, EDCRN & EDGI UK04:00 – The reality of underfunding in eating disorder research08:30 – Lived experience, stigma, and language in research settings14:00 – Peer research, boundaries, and “naming the elephant in the room”20:00 – Anna’s story: OCD in childhood, anorexia in adolescence, and treatment in Dublin37:00 – What EDCRN does and why standardised outcome data is so important42:00 – Genetics, vulnerability, the “jar” analogy, and prevention46:00 – One-size-fits-all treatment, neurodiversity, and hopes for the future of ED careResources & LinksConnect with Anna on X (@Anna_Carnegie)Connect with Anna on Blue Sky (@annacarnegie.bsky.social)Find out more about EDCRNFind out more about EDGI UK or email [email protected] with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website here⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders and OCD. Please take care when listening.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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• Veganism, Pregnancy and the Pursuit of “Health”: The Reality Behind Orthorexia with Zoë Harwood

  In this week's episode of Full of Beans, Han is joined by Zoë Harwood. Zoë is the founder of Light Minds Collective, a compassionate and soul-centred coaching space dedicated to helping individuals heal from low self-confidence, eating disorders, and poor body image.With over 20 years of experience in mindset coaching within the dance industry and beyond, Zoë combines holistic and creative approaches to guide clients towards living with confidence, integrity, and purpose.Drawing on her own lived experience of orthorexia, which complicated her pregnancy and led to hyperemesis and a difficult delivery, Zoë now uses her journey to raise awareness of eating disorders in pregnancy and beyond, and to empower others to find food freedom and authentic self-worth.This week, we discuss:How the pursuit of “health” can mask deep fear and anxietyThe overlap between orthorexia and OCD behavioursThe role of veganism and “clean eating” in fuelling obsessive food rulesZoë's experience of hyperemesis and pregnancy while living with orthorexiaHow shame, guilt, and self-blame show up in motherhood and recoveryThe importance of curiosity and compassion when “healthy habits” become harmfulTimestamps:00:00 – Zoë's background in dance and early relationship with food04:00 – The fear of illness that fuelled her obsession with “health”08:00 – When veganism and clean eating became orthorexia12:00 – Understanding orthorexia as a form of OCD17:00 – Pregnancy, hyperemesis, and refusing medical treatment24:00 – Shame, guilt and the impact on motherhood31:00 – Finding recovery and redefining “healthy”38:00 – Advice for those struggling during pregnancy or with orthorexiaResources & LinksConnect with Zoë on Instagram @lightmindcollectiveVisit Zoë's website Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website here⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders, orthorexia, pregnancy complications, and medical trauma. Please take care when listening.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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• The Importance of Shared Care for Type 1 Diabetes and Disordered Eating with Dr Tomos Williams

  In this week's episode of the Full of Beans podcast, Han is joined by Dr Tomos Williams. Tom has worked in the CWP Eating Disorder Service since May 2022. He works across community and specialist inpatient settings. He is the Psychiatric lead in the regional Type 1 Diabetes and Disordered Eating Clinic, the local MEED lead, and also works with patients with complex presentations, acting as a link person for local acute trusts. He is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatry Eating Disorder Faculty Executive Committee.This week, we discuss:What T1DE is, and why “diabulimia” is an outdated termThe life-threatening risks of insulin omissionHow eating disorders and diabetes treatment often conflictWhy T1DE clinics are essential, but underfundedThe role of eating disorder and diabetes professionalsWhat joined-up, trauma-informed care looks likeThe outcomes and success of T1DE pilotsThe urgent need for political support to save these servicesTimestamps:01:30 – What is Type 1 Diabetes and Disordered Eating (T1DE)04:00 – Medical risks associated with insulin omission08:50 – Building the T1DE clinic & lack of national funding13:10 – The power of a multi-disciplinary team18:40 – Early signs of T1DE and what clinicians should look for22:10 – Impact of trauma & perfectionism in diabetes25:00 – Outcomes & HbA1c improvements29:00 – Barriers to insulin pump access33:20 – Can you recover from EDs while managing diabetes?Resources & Links:The Compassion Project (Wessex & London T1DE Pilot)Parliamentary Inquiry into T1DE (2023)Diabetes UK on T1DEWant to help save T1DE services?Write to your local MP and demand continued funding. Mention the NHS England pilot outcomes and the need for integrated care for patients with type 1 diabetes and eating disorders.Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website here⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses lived experiences of eating disorders, restrictive behaviours, and mentions of specific foods. Please take care when listening.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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• Is "Late Onset Eating Disorder" the Right Term? with Logan Strouther

  In this week's episode of Full of Beans, Han is joined by Logan Strather, integrative psychotherapist, clinical lead at an eating disorder charity in Nottinghamshire, and co-founder of Garden Room Therapy.Logan first explored late-onset eating disorders (LOED) during his undergraduate research and now works directly with clients experiencing these challenges first-hand.In this episode, we discuss:Is “late-onset eating disorder” the right term?What the research (or lack thereof) tells us about age and onsetHormonal and neurological factors (e.g., menopause, oestrogen, impulse control)How medical weight stigma contributes to missed diagnosesEating disorders in care homes and older adultsThe emotional toll of shame, grief, and moral incongruenceGendered assumptions and the underrepresentation of menWhat needs to change in treatment models for older adultsTimestamps:01:30 – What does “late-onset ED” actually mean?05:00 – Hormones, menopause & appetite regulation08:00 – Weight stigma in healthcare12:00 – Life transitions & ED vulnerability in older age25:00 – Men and late-onset eating disorders30:00 – Neurodivergence and late diagnosis34:00 – Adapting treatment for older adults40:00 – What needs to change in research & services⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions around eating disorder behaviours, weight stigma, menopause and grief, and care homes. Please take care when listening.Resources & Links:@gardenroomtherapy on InstagramFreed Recovery (Nottinghamshire charity service) – rebranding soon!Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website hereIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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• The Role of Intention in Recovery with Eric Pothen

  In this week's episode of Full of Beans, Han is joined by Eric Pothen. Eric is a Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach and an eating disorder advocate who serves on the Peer Council for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and the Community Engagement Committee for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). After struggling with an eating disorder for several years, Eric now uses his lived experience to raise awareness and support others on their recovery journeys, particularly around eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image, with a special focus on men.Eric is currently pursuing a degree in Counselling at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, to become an eating disorder therapist, specialising in working with men and the LGBTQ+ community.In this week's episode, we discuss:Navigating shame, identity, and the onset of an eating disorderWhy recovery can feel messyReframing exercise and “food is fuel” in recoveryRecovery perfectionism vs. authentic recoverySupporting individuals as people first, not by gender stereotypesThe hidden and under-discussed behaviour of chewing and spittingThe importance of intention and reframing in long-term recoveryUnderstanding the intersectionality of identity in ED supportTimestamps:03:00 – Eating disorder onset: identity, stress & sadness08:00 – Shame & internalised stigma for men12:00 – People pleasing and external validation18:00 – Compulsive exercise & social reinforcement22:00 – Recovery as rewiring: food, movement & intention27:00 – The messiness of recovery & doing it solo30:00 – Alcohol, chewing/spitting & hidden behaviours34:00 – Marathon training: helpful or harmful?40:00 – Intersectionality and seeing the person, not the gender⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of eating disorder behaviours including anorexia, compulsive exercise, chewing and spitting, and alcohol use. Please take care whlist listening. Resources & Links:Instagram: @ericpothanNEDA Peer Council: nationaleatingdisorders.orgConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website hereIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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