Part 2 of a 3 part series: "The Menopause Series"  Episode 2: Menopause + Work — Opal's Nutrition Director and Co-Founder, Julie Church, RDN speaks with Janie Stuart, PhD, about the intersection of menopause and workplace experiences. Drawing from her research in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Janie describes how menopause often occurs during pivotal career years and how workplace norms—like "work-first" cultures, ageism, and gender expectations—can shape how symptoms and transitions are perceived. Building on our previous conversation about the biological aspects of menopause, this episode explores the social and psychological dimensions of the transition. Julie and Janie also discuss practical ways individuals, leaders, and organizations can foster more inclusive workplaces that support employees through menopause and other major life transitions.   Connect with Janie:   LinkedIn.com/in/stuartjanie   Janie is a consultant at Re-center Consulting   Menopause Resources: National Menopause Foundation                                       Menopause at Work    Connect with Opal:  www.opalfoodandbody.com @opalfoodandbody @Opal.Movement   Thank you to our team... Editing by David Bazzi Music by Aaron Davidson: https://soundcloud.com/diet75/ Sound engineering by Ayesha Ubayatilaka at Jack Straw Studios  

When injury sidelines an athlete—or performance outcomes fall short—it has a way of revealing growth edges within us.  Tune in to The Appetite as Opal Co-Founder and Director of the Exercise + Sport Program, Kara Bazzi, LMFT, sits down with high school distance runner and podcaster Nicholas Macha. In this powerful conversation, Nicholas shares how his injuries and performance disappointments led him to a deeper exploration of identity, relationships, faith, and the constant balancing act between sports, school, and social life. His honesty and insight as a young male athlete offer a refreshing and inspiring look at navigating challenges while maintaining a perspective of growth, clarity and hope.  Macha's podcast:  Opening Up About 2026 & What t… - The Sunday Shakeout - Apple Podcasts @thesundayshakeout Connect with Opal:  www.opalfoodandbody.com @opalfoodandbody @Opal.Movement   Thank you to our team... Editing by David Bazzi Music by Aaron Davidson: https://soundcloud.com/diet75/ Sound engineering by Ayesha Ubayatilaka at Jack Straw Studios

Part 1 of 3 part series: "The Menopause Series" --- Episode 1: Menopause + Eating Disorders — In this episode, Opal's Nutrition Director, Julie Church, RDN, speaks with Naomi Busch, MD, about menopause through the lens of an eating disorder physician. Together they explore the biological changes of peri-menopause and menopause, common symptoms, and current treatment approaches. The conversation also highlights parallels between menopause care and eating disorder treatment—particularly around body changes, medical support, and navigating vulnerability during major life transitions. Dr. Busch shares insights especially those with a history of eating disorders, as well as guidance for loved ones who want to offer meaningful support. This reflective conversation invites listeners to better understand menopause and approach it with compassion, curiosity, and informed care. 🎙️ Find Naomi @seattlemenopausedoc  and  Seattle Menopause Medicine Other links: SWAN– Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Study   Connect with Opal:  www.opalfoodandbody.com @opalfoodandbody @Opal.Movement   Thank you to our team... Editing by David Bazzi Music by Aaron Davidson: https://soundcloud.com/diet75/ Sound engineering by Ayesha Ubayatilaka at Jack Straw Studios

Does better education around period health, proper fueling, and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport actually lead to healthier behaviors in female athletes?  In this episode, Opal's Director of Exercise + Sport, Kara Bazzi, LMFT, sits down with seasoned provider Heather Caplan, RDN to share what they're seeing firsthand in their clinical work. Together, they unpack the systemic pressures that push teen and young adult athletes to prioritize performance over long-term health. Heather also shares how she supports young athletes in restoring their period health—and speaks candidly about what still needs to change in our culture to truly protect and empower them in today's increasingly intense, professionalized youth sports environment.  Coaches, parents, athletes—this conversation is for you. Links:  Lane 9 project Lane 9 Project - Clinician Directory  Heather's website Heather Caplan | Weight-Inclusive Dietitian  Stanford FASTR Stanford FASTR Program  Link to article I read: Built for Someone Else: Why Female Athletes Are Still Pushing Through Systems That Don't Support Them - JRN | The World's Leading Rowing Platform    Connect with Opal:  www.opalfoodandbody.com @opalfoodandbody @Opal.Movement   Thank you to our team... Editing by David Bazzi Music by Aaron Davidson: https://soundcloud.com/diet75/ Sound engineering by Ayesha Ubayatilaka at Jack Straw Studios

In this episode, Gabe and Hank courageously open up about vulnerable moments through a process of group self-inquiry. Gabe explores the bitterness that arises from receiving positive affirmations after dance performances, while Hank examines the feelings of stupidity and pointlessness that surfaced when anger was physically expressed. Together with Opal Co-Founders Lexi Giblin, PhD, and Kara Bazzi, LMFT, Gabe and Hank offer each other the gift of provocative questions that elicit new learning. You are invited to kick back, notice what questions you might have asked and what questions hit something spicy for your own growth. To learn more about Self Inquiry listen to : Self Inquiry Overview episode   Connect with Opal:  www.opalfoodandbody.com @opalfoodandbody @Opal.Movement   Thank you to our team... Editing by David Bazzi Music by Aaron Davidson: https://soundcloud.com/diet75/ Sound engineering by Ayesha Ubayatilaka at Jack Straw Studios

In this episode, Johanna Kandel, founder of the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, joins Julie Church, RDN, Co-Founder of Opal: Food+Body Wisdom, for an honest and inspiring conversation. Johanna shares how her own eating disorder recovery led her to create a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to care, support, and education in the eating disorder field. Listeners will hear more about the Alliance's impactful support groups, recent policy shifts shaping treatment access, and ways to get involved in advocacy (see links below).  Johanna's grounded presence and humble passion bring recovery to life in a conversation filled with hope, insight, and practical ways to support healing for yourself and others.  Find Johanna: The Alliance for Eating Disorders: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/team/ Here book:  https://www.harpercollins.com/products/life-beyond-your-eating-disorder-johanna-s-kandel?variant=39308848562210   Advocate with your local lawmakers for The Nutrition CARE Act and/or Kids Online Safety Act: https://eatingdisorderscoalition.org/email-your-legislators/   Register for Eating Disorder Coalition Advocacy Day on April 15, 2026 (virtual or in person in Washington DC): https://secure.everyaction.com/KEt8EKlzMUq5DoFK-CouzQ2   Connect with Opal:  www.opalfoodandbody.com @opalfoodandbody @Opal.Movement   Thank you to our team... Editing by David Bazzi Music by Aaron Davidson: https://soundcloud.com/diet75/ Sound engineering by Ayesha Ubayatilaka at Jack Straw Studios  

GLP-1 medications are everywhere in the conversation about weight—but how much do we really understand? In this episode, Dr. Lexi Giblin, Executive Director of Opal, sits down with Meredith Blumenthal, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in private practice, to unpack the most common misconceptions surrounding GLP-1s and body weight. Together, they explore what these medications actually do, what they don't do, and how changes in nutrition, metabolism, and food relationship occur for those taking GLP-1s.   Whether you're a clinician, patient, or just curious, this episode offers a thoughtful, evidence-based look beyond the headlines.   Connect with Meredith:  Nutrition with Meredith @nutritionwithmeredith   Connect with Opal:  www.opalfoodandbody.com @opalfoodandbody @Opal.Movement   Thank you to our team... Editing by David Bazzi Music by Aaron Davidson: https://soundcloud.com/diet75/ Sound engineering by Ayesha Ubayatilaka at Jack Straw Studios    

Listen in to this one-of-a-kind episode of The Appetite as Opal's co-founders, Lexi Giblin, PhD, and Kara Bazzi, LMFT, sit down with Opal client Koa to explore her experience receiving in-person care at Opal. With honesty and vulnerability, Koa shares how her relationships with fellow clients and Opal staff became a pivotal part of her recovery, ultimately leading to profound and transformative change. Whether you're considering a higher level of care, currently in treatment, or hoping to better understand a loved one on their recovery journey, this episode offers meaningful insight and connection. Koa bravely invites listeners into an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at what in-person, intensive treatment can offer someone who is truly suffering.   Connect with Opal:  www.opalfoodandbody.com @opalfoodandbody @Opal.Movement   Thank you to our team... Editing by David Bazzi Music by Aaron Davidson: https://soundcloud.com/diet75/ Sound engineering by Ayesha Ubayatilaka at Jack Straw Studios

How does your story with food from childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood impact your current relationship with food?  Opal Co-Founder, Julie Church, RDN interviews Jessica Setnick, RDN the creator of the "Healing Your Inner Eater" workshop and workbook which invites individuals to look back in order to move forward in one's relationship with food.  Listen in to Jessica's passionate story telling to learn about the three parts of your inner eater and how learning about your eating legacy could help heal your current eating concerns. This episode is like a buffet– there is something in it for everyone! Connect with Jessica: www.jessicasetnick.com Healing the Inner Eater Workbook – coupon code  "podcast"   Connect with Opal:  www.opalfoodandbody.com @opalfoodandbody @Opal.Movement   Thank you to our team... Editing by David Bazzi Music by Aaron Davidson: https://soundcloud.com/diet75/ Sound engineering by Ayesha Ubayatilaka at Jack Straw Studios

Want to hear a secret? In this episode, Opal Co-Founders Julie Church, RDN, and Lexi Giblin, PhD, reveal Opal's unique approach to therapeutic meal support. Tune in to learn how the Opal team stepped beyond traditional meal support methods and embraced radically open dialectical behavior therapy (RODBT) to guide their work. This innovative approach has helped create a supportive community where eating becomes an experience of connection, curiosity, and courage—less about rigid rules and more about trust, play, and the belief that recovery is possible. To learn more about RODBT go here. or listen to some of our self-inquiry series podcasts, like:  The Appetite episode 134 or The Appetite episode 124   Connect with Opal:  www.opalfoodandbody.com @opalfoodandbody @Opal.Movement   Thank you to our team... Editing by David Bazzi Music by Aaron Davidson: https://soundcloud.com/diet75/ Sound engineering by Ayesha Ubayatilaka at Jack Straw Studios