What if "full recovery" from an eating disorder is an unrealistic ideal? In this powerful episode of Every Soul Has a Story, host Dara Levan has an unfiltered conversation with Mallary Tenore Tarpley, author of the reported memoir "Slip." Mallory bravely shares her journey from the traumatic loss of her mother at age 11 to a decades-long struggle with anorexia, binge-restrict cycles, and the often-overlooked "middle place" of recovery. Discover three key takeaways: why we need to redefine recovery as "better, not all better," how grief and perfectionism can manifest as disordered eating, and the surprising warning signs of eating disorders in both women and men. This episode is a must-listen for anyone touched by eating disorders, body image issues, grief, or the quest for self-acceptance.
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro
0:25 - Welcoming Mallary Tenore Tarpley
2:02 - Disordered Eating vs. Eating Disorder
3:09 - Mallory's Mother's Cancer Battle
4:12 - Writing Her Mother's Eulogy
4:33 - The Harmful Health Class
7:18 - The Pressure of Perfect Recovery
8:22 - Defining the "Middle Place"
11:31 - Involving Her Father in the Memoir
16:00 - Realistic Expectations for Recovery
25:12 - Postpartum OCD and Pumping
27:04 - Eating Disorders in Men
32:51 - How to Approach a Loved One
39:11 - Parenting and Body Image
44:26 - Outro
RESOURCES:
Mallary's Book: Slip by Mallary Tenore Tarpley (Available wherever books are sold)
Mallary's Newsletter: Mallary's Substack
Mallary's Instagram: @mallarytenoretarpley
Host Dara Levan's Website: daralevan.com
Host Dara Levan's Instagram: @daralevan