Best Sugarfree Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 256: Dr. Erica LaFata - Diagnosing Ultra-Processed Food Addiction with FASI 54:54

Play Pause

15h ago54:54

54:54

On this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, we welcome back Dr. Erica LaFata to dive into her groundbreaking work developing the Food Addiction Severity Interview (FASI) — a clinician-administered diagnostic tool modeled after the SCID alcohol use disorder module and adapted for ultra-processed foods. Building on self-report tools like the Yale Fo…

1
Episode 255: Challenging the Naysayers with Dr. Nicole Avena 55:27

1d ago55:27

55:27

In this powerful episode, Dr. Vera Tarman and Clarissa Kennedy welcome back Dr. Nicole Avena, one of the first researchers to scientifically validate the concept of food addiction. Together, they unpack the latest critiques of food addiction and explore why this diagnosis is still being challenged – and why the science strongly supports it. 🔍 Key Q…

1
Food Junkies Recovery Stories Episode 30: Ashley Elizabeth 42:28

5h ago42:28

42:28

C J shares a moving conversation with Ashley Elizabeth, a woman whose honesty and courage shine through her recovery journey. Ashley is remarkably open about her experience with food addiction and the lifelong impact of being put on a diet at a very young age. Like so many, she spent years trapped in the cycle of obsession, shame, and the constant …

1
Episode 254: Dr. Paul O'Malley 54:17

8d ago54:17

54:17

Dr. Paul O'Malley is a Los Angeles-based dentist who's redefining what it means to care for your teeth—and your whole body. With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. O'Malley specializes in biomimetic and holistic dentistry, which basically means he works with your body, not against it. His focus is on preserving your natural tooth structure, usin…

1
Episode 253: Clinician's Corner - From Rules to Guardrails: Rewriting the Manual for Recovery 44:17

20d ago44:17

44:17

Molly and Clarissa get real about the spoken and unspoken "rules" we inherit—from family, culture, religion, peers, and recovery spaces—and how those rules can quietly run our lives. They explore when structure is protective (especially early recovery) and when rigidity shrinks our world. The invitation: notice the rule, name whose voice it is, exa…

1
Episode 252: Dr. Cate Shanahan - Are Seed Oils as Bad as Sugar? 48:38

27d ago48:38

48:38

Dr. Vera Tarman sits down with Dr. Cate Shanahan, family physician, nutrition consultant, and author of Deep Nutrition and Dark Calories, to discuss her case against industrial seed oils, how they may influence metabolic and mental health, and why she believes they can intensify sugar cravings and insulin resistance. We explore mechanisms she propo…

1
Episode 251: Daniel Trevor - Unholy Trinity: How Carbs, Sugars, and Oils Make Us Fat, Sick, and Addicted, and How to Escape Their Grip 50:54

23d ago50:54

50:54

Host Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with Daniel Trevor—entrepreneur-turned "citizen scientist" and author of Unholy Trinity: How Carbs, Sugars, and Oils Make Us Fat, Sick, and Addicted, and How to Escape Their Grip. After a near-fatal heart attack, Daniel dove into medical literature, clinician interviews, and self-tracking. He shares the arguments behind …

1
Episode 250: Ellen Bennett, RD, PhD (Candidate) 52:39

1M ago52:39

52:39

Ellen Bennett is a Registered Dietitian, researcher, and leading voice in the emerging field of Ultra-Processed Food Addiction (UPFA). As Operations Manager for Liberate, delivered in partnership with the Public Health Collaboration (PHC), she leads educational programmes designed to support both individuals and clinicians in understanding and navi…

1
Food Junkies Recovery Stories Episode 29: Kat 47:07

1M ago47:07

47:07

CJ welcomes Kat to the podcast! Kat's story is one of courage, honesty, and deep resilience. Having carried the heavy weight of trauma and the challenges of living with morbid obesity, she brings with her a fighter's spirit and a bubbly energy that shines through every word. Kat is refreshingly open about her struggles, and her willingness to share…

1
Episode 249: Clinician's Corner - Understanding the Fawn Response 42:59

1M ago42:59

42:59

In this episode, Molly Painschab and Clarissa Kennedy reconnect after three transformative weeks together—first in London for the International Food Addiction and Comorbidities Conference, then exploring the magic of Scotland. From castles and waterfalls to ancient standing stones, they share the joy of work, play, and community in recovery. But th…

1
Episode 248: Dr Guillaume de Lartigue - Memory and Food Cravings 44:17

2M ago44:17

44:17

Have you ever wondered why cravings for junk food can return weeks—or even months—after you've stopped eating it? Neuroscience has an answer. In this fascinating episode, Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with Dr. Guillaume de Lartigue, Associate Professor at the Monell Chemical Senses Center and the University of Pennsylvania. His groundbreaking research rev…

1
Episode 247: Dr. Anna Barbieri on Hormones, Appetite, and Women's Health 51:47

2M ago51:47

51:47

In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman welcomes Dr. Anna Barbieri, a board-certified gynecologist and integrative medicine physician who specializes in menopause, perimenopause, PCOS, and PMS. Dr. Barbieri is also a certified menopause practitioner and co-founder of Electra Health, where she blends conventional medicine with h…

1
Episode 246: Dr. Bart Kay - Quit the Carbs or Quit the Fat? Sorting Strategy from Science 53:09

2M ago53:09

53:09

Dr. Vera Tarman sits down with Dr. Bart Kay—former professor of health sciences turned "nutrition science watchdog"—to unpack a big, practical question for people in recovery from ultra-processed food use: If sugar needs to go, what about other carbs? And where does dietary fat fit in? We explore Dr. Kay's perspective on the Randle (Randall) cycle,…

1
FJ Recovery Stories Episode 28: Sunnie Meadows 56:29

2M ago56:29

56:29

Meet Sunnie, whose name fits her perfectly; she is truly a ray of sunshine. With warmth and openness, she shares her personal journey with food addiction in a way that brings hope and healing to others. Sunnie has the rare gift of championing everyone, celebrating victories both big and small, and reminding us that every step forward matters. Her h…

1
Episode 245: Renae Norton, PhD - Bulimorexia 54:07

3M ago54:07

54:07

In this episode, Vera and Renae explore bulimorexia—a term used for people who oscillate between restriction and binge/purge behaviors—and how this mixed pattern might help explain stubborn relapse rates across eating disorders and food addiction. Dr. Norton shares her clinical lens on risks (medical and psychological), why some traditional program…

1
Episode 244: Dr. Michael Greger 29:27

3M ago29:27

29:27

We've all heard the buzz about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic—are they a miracle cure or a cause for concern? In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with renowned physician, researcher, and bestselling author Dr. Michael Greger about the risks, benefits, and natural alternatives to GLP-1 drugs. Dr. Greger breaks down wh…

1
Episode 243: Bonnie Newlin, RDN - Lipedema, Food Addiction & the Power of Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition 56:10

3M ago56:10

56:10

In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with Bonnie Newlin, registered dietitian nutritionist, Certified LEAP Therapist, founder of Crave Nourishment, and member of the Lipedema Education Group. Bonnie specializes in the nutritional management of lipedema and chronic inflammation. Lipedema is a progressive adipose and co…

1
Episode 242: Dr. Nicole Avena on GLP-1s 52:25

3M ago52:25

52:25

In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman and Clarissa Kennedy welcome back Dr. Nicole Avena — neuroscientist, researcher, and author — to discuss her team's latest paper exploring a provocative question: Could GLP-1 receptor agonists, while reducing food cravings, also negatively impact dopamine regulation, mood, and addiction r…

1
Food Junkies Recovery Stories Episode 27: Christine Trimpe 51:35

3M ago51:35

51:35

Christine Trimpe is a transformative wellness leader dedicated to empowering professional Christian women to reclaim their health and vitality through her faith-based, holistic approach to weight loss. As the founder of The SugarFreed Me Method and a certified SUGAR® Licensed Practitioner, Christine helps clients achieve lifelong healing from sugar…

1
Episode 241: Dr. Tro Kalayjian - TOWARD Health 54:40

3M ago54:40

54:40

Dr. Tro Kalayjian is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine, and the founder of Toward Health, a virtual metabolic health clinic helping people break free from food addiction and chronic metabolic disease. He's also a founding member of the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners and an international speaker on meta…

1
Episode 240: Clinician's Corner - Chronic Invalidation 50:40

3M ago50:40

50:40

In today's insightful Clinician's Corner episode, Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab delve into chronic invalidation as a trauma response, exploring its origins, impacts, and practical healing strategies. This episode offers clinicians compassionate insights and actionable tools for supporting clients on their healing journeys. Key Highlights: Un…

1
Episode 239: Dr. Claire Wilcox - Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain: Fight Cravings and Break Free from a High-Sugar, Ultra-Processed Diet Using Neuroscience 1:01:55

4M ago1:01:55

1:01:55

We're honored to welcome back Dr. Claire Wilcox, a trailblazer in the field of food addiction. Claire is an addiction psychiatrist, former internist, and associate professor of translational neuroscience at the Mind Research Network. She's worked in everything from eating disorder treatment centers to general psychiatry and is on the frontlines of …

1
Episode 238: Dr. Raphael E. Cuomo, Ph.D. - Addiction, Cancer & the Biology of Compulsion 48:50

4M ago48:50

48:50

In today's episode, we explore the groundbreaking intersection of addiction, biology, and cancer with internationally recognized scientist Dr. Rafael Cuomo. Drawing on insights from his book Crave, Dr. Cuomo reveals how addiction is not simply a behavioral or psychological issue—it's a biological condition that reshapes the terrain of our health an…

1
Episode 237: Dr. Hillary McBride - Reclaiming Embodiment After Spiritual Trauma 53:10

4M ago53:10

53:10

Dr. Hillary McBride is a therapist, researcher, speaker, and author dedicated to helping people grow, heal, and reconnect with their wholeness. With a PhD in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia, she specializes in trauma, embodiment, eating disorders, perinatal mental health, and psychedelic integration. Known for making …

1
Episode 236: Clinicans Corner - Post Event Collapse 39:06

4M ago39:06

39:06

In this compassionate and insightful episode, Clarissa and Molly dive into the phenomenon of post-event collapse—the physical, emotional, and psychological crash that can follow highly stimulating or meaningful experiences. Whether it's a vacation, a major life event, a group share, or even just navigating a family gathering, many in food addiction…

1
Episode 235: Dr. Diana Hill - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 54:27

4M ago54:27

54:27

Dr. Diana Hill, PhD is a clinical psychologist and internationally recognized expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and compassion-based approaches to well-being. She is the host of the Wise Effort podcast and author of The Self-Compassion Daily Journal, ACT Daily Journal, and the forthcoming Wise Effort. Diana teaches individuals and o…

1
Episode 234: Ashka Naik - What's in a Name and Why Does it Matter What We Call It? 52:01

5M ago52:01

52:01

In this deeply insightful episode, we welcome Ashka Naik, PhD candidate and Director of Research and Policy at Corporate Accountability, a global human rights and social justice NGO. Ashka joins Vera and Molly to explore how food systems have been colonized by powerful industry players, and why the words we use to describe what we eat matter more t…

1
Epsiode 233: Dr. David Kessler - Diet, Drugs and Dopamine 47:55

5M ago47:55

47:55

Dr. David Kessler is a renowned pediatrician, lawyer, public health advocate, and former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A graduate of Amherst College, the University of Chicago Law School, and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Kessler has spent his career at the intersection of science, policy, and consumer protection. He se…

1
Episode 232: Clinicians Corner - The Hidden Challenges of PAWS in Food Addiction Recovery 40:16

6M ago40:16

40:16

In this insightful and compassionate episode, Clarissa and Molly take a deep dive into post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)—an often overlooked but critical phase in ultra-processed food addiction recovery. While well-known in substance use disorder recovery, PAWS is rarely discussed in the context of food addiction, yet it shows up in significant…

1
Episode 231: Dr. Filippa Juul "Ultra-Processed Food: The Hidden Crisis" 49:19

6M ago49:19

49:19

In this illuminating episode we speak with Dr. Filippa Juul. An epidemiologist and leading researcher on the impact of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on human health. Together, we unpack what ultra-processed really means, why it's not just about calories or macros, and how these foods are stealthily contributing to the global rise in obesity, chronic…

1
Episode 230: Dr. Cynthia Bulik 53:11

6M ago53:11

53:11

Dr. Cynthia Bulik is a clinical psychologist and one of the world's leading experts on eating disorders. She is the Founding Director of the University of North Carolina Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders and also the founder director of the Centre for Eating Disorders Innovation at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. Dr. Bulik is Di…

1
Episode 229: Dr. Alexandra Sowa, MD The Ozempic Revolution 55:03

6M ago55:03

55:03

Dr. Alexandra Sowa, MD is a board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine and obesity medicine. A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, NYU School of Medicine, and Yale University, Dr. Sowa combines top-tier medical training with a deeply compassionate, evidence-based approach to metabolic health. She is the founder and CEO of SoWell …

1
Episode 228: Dr. Thomas Seyfried - Cancer as a Metabolic Disorder 56:19

7M ago56:19

56:19

In this compelling episode, Dr. Vera Tarman interviews Dr. Thomas Seyfried, a pioneer in the field of cancer metabolism. Dr. Seyfried challenges the mainstream view of cancer as a genetic disease and presents strong evidence that cancer is fundamentally a mitochondrial metabolic disorder. Dr. Thomas N. Seyfried is a distinguished American biologist…

1
Food Junkies Recovery Stories Episode 26: Joy M 41:17

7M ago41:17

41:17

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the Food Junkies Recovery Stories CJ sits down with Joy M, who shares her courageous story of unraveling the illusion of the "perfect life" to find true recovery and emotional freedom. From childhood trauma and food obsession to substance use, codependency, and the sneaky nature of sugar addiction, Joy take…

1
Episode 227: Clinician's Corner - Recovery Is a Lifestyle, Not a Lifeboat – Maintaining Long-Term Recovery 38:43

7M ago38:43

38:43

In this episode of Clinician's Corner, Molly and Clarissa explore the often-overlooked realities of long-term recovery. While many recovery programs focus on the acute phases and early abstinence, sustainable recovery demands much more—it asks us to renovate our lives. Drawing from the latest research—including insights from Harvard's Recovery Rese…

1
Episode 226: Dr. Jen Unwin on Consensus, Recovery Outcomes, and the Future of Food Addiction Treatment 47:14

7M ago47:14

47:14

In this episode of Food Junkies Podcast, Molly and Clarissa sit down with clinical psychologist, researcher, and international food addiction advocate Dr. Jen Unwin to unpack a trifecta of groundbreaking developments in the field of Ultra-Processed Food Use Disorder (UPFUD). If you've been craving science-backed insight, real recovery stories, and …

1
Episode 225: Dr. Vera Tarman & Bitten Jonsson Reflect on Food Addiction Recovery 1:04:14

7M ago1:04:14

1:04:14

In this extraordinary episode, Food Junkies host Dr. Vera Tarman turns the mic on herself—joined by Swedish trailblazer Bitten Jonsson—for a deeply personal, no-holds-barred conversation on their parallel journeys through food addiction, recovery, and advocacy. With over 60 years of combined experience in addiction medicine, Vera and Bitten walk us…

1
Episode 224: Dr. Eike Buabang - Breaking the Habit Loop: How Our Brains Build—and Battle—Behavior Patterns 54:00

8M ago54:00

54:00

In this powerful and timely conversation, we welcome Dr. Eike Buabang, cognitive neuroscientist and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Trinity College Dublin, to explore one of the most fundamental yet overlooked topics in recovery: habits. Dr. Buabang studies the brain mechanisms behind habit formation—why we repeat behaviors even when they no longer…

1
Episode 223: Clinicians Corner - From Survival to Self-Compassion: Understanding Our Protective Behaviors 45:00

8M ago45:00

45:00

In this thought-provoking Clinician's Corner episode, Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab dive deep into the ever-popular term "self-sabotage" — and why they believe it's not only inaccurate but potentially harmful in the context of food addiction recovery. Together, they explore how behaviors often labeled as self-sabotage are actually maladaptiv…

1
Episode 222: Dr. David Wiss - Food Addiction or Eating Disorder? Rethinking the Divide 53:37

8M ago53:37

53:37

In this powerful and deeply nuanced episode, Dr. Vera Tarman and Molly Painschab welcome back Dr. David Wiss to explore one of the most important—and often misunderstood—topics in the field: the intersection of food addiction and eating disorders. With his unique background in both nutrition and public health, Dr. Wiss walks us through the historic…

1
Episode 221: Dr. Lindsey Parnarouskis - Food Insecurity and Food Addiction 53:55

8M ago53:55

53:55

In this powerful episode of Food Junkies, we dive deep into the intersection of food insecurity and food addiction with special guest Dr. Lindsey Parnarouskis. Dr. Parnarouskis, a researcher specializing in food addiction and public health, shares groundbreaking insights on how socioeconomic factors and access to food impact addiction-like eating b…

1
Food Junkies Recovery Stories Episode 25: Sharon Gregg 46:36

8M ago46:36

46:36

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Food Junkies, CJ sits down with her friend and colleague, Sharon Gregg, to explore Sharon's deeply personal story of food addiction and recovery. From childhood dreams of streets paved with chocolate to decades of yo-yo dieting and the relentless voice of sugar calling her name, Sharon's story is one man…

1
Episode 220: Dr. Weaver (The Link Between Ultra-Processed Food and Alzheimer's) 47:05

8M ago47:05

47:05

In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with Dr. Donald Weaver, a world-renowned expert on Alzheimer's disease, its causes, and its treatment. Dr. Weaver, a Canadian neurologist, chemist, and researcher at the University of Toronto, has made significant contributions to our understanding of cognitive diseases, particular…

1
Episode 219: Clinicians Corner - The Importance of Belonging in Recovery 43:34

9M ago43:34

43:34

Hosts Clarissa Kennedy and Molly Painschab explore the critical theme of belonging in recovery. They discuss the concept of "othering"—feeling unseen, unheard, or misunderstood—and its deep impact on individuals in their healing journeys. The episode is framed around a powerful quote from George Orwell about the loneliness of being misunderstood, s…

1
Episode 218: Nick Norwitz (Part 2) Navigating Metabolism, Carnivore Diet, and Food Myths 1:08:57

9M ago1:08:57

1:08:57

In this episode, we welcome back Nick Norwitz for Part 2 of our deep dive into metabolism, food addiction, and dietary nuances. We cover everything from broken metabolisms to the role of hormones in weight regulation, the impact of glycemic load, and the ongoing debate about fruit, dairy, olive oil, and the carnivore diet. If you've ever wondered a…

1
Episode 217: Nick Norwitz (Part 1) 48:35

9M ago48:35

48:35

In this compelling episode of Food Junkies, we welcome Dr. Nick Norwitz, a researcher, educator, and metabolic health advocate whose mission is to "Make Metabolic Health Mainstream." Dr. Norwitz, a valedictorian from Dartmouth, PhD in Metabolism from Oxford, and an MD candidate at Harvard Medical School, shares his journey with severe Inflammatory …

1
Episode 216: Dr. Jon Davis 49:26

9M ago49:26

49:26

In this episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, Dr. Vera Tarman speaks with Dr. Jon Davis, a principal investigator on the study Changes in Alcohol Use After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Davis is a principal scientist at Nova Nordisk, where he researches how gut-brain signaling mechanisms regulate appetite and metabolic disorders. His work exp…

1
Episode 215: Clinician's Corner - Exploring Harm Reduction in Ultra-Processed Food Use Disorder 53:01

10M ago53:01

53:01

In this episode, we dive into a hot topic in the world of Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) Use Disorder—Harm Reduction. This concept, widely recognized in substance use recovery, has been largely undefined or misunderstood in the food addiction space. Today, we explore: What is harm reduction? How does it work in food addiction recovery? Who might benefi…

1
Episode 214: Dr. Kim Dennis - The Future of Ultra-Processed Food Use Disorder & Eating Disorder Treatment 52:56

10M ago52:56

52:56

Dr. Kim Dennis returns to the Food Junkies Podcast to discuss the evolving understanding of Ultra-Processed Food Use Disorder (UPFUD) and its intersection with clinical psychiatry, eating disorders, trauma, and harm reduction approaches. With mounting research pointing to the undeniable effects of ultra-processed foods on mental and physical health…

1
Episode 213: Michael Prager 46:32

10M ago46:32

46:32

In this compelling episode of the Food Junkies Podcast, we welcome Michael Prager, author of Fat Boy, Thin Man and Sustainable You. Michael shares his transformative journey from struggling with food addiction and obesity to becoming an accomplished author, journalist, and advocate for food addiction recognition. With over 30 years of journalistic …