
A message to all our lovely listeners: We would like to let everyone know that this will be our last episode for the 'Understanding Body Matters Podcast' for now. We are forever grateful and honoured to have had such amazing guests speak on the podcast. We thank each and every person involved in the podcast including our current host Jessica Bakon and our previous host Maddison Pribula for all the amazing work that they have done. It's time for us to focus on all the other amazing projects we are currently working on but please feel free to go back and visit any of our incredible episodes! We may see you all again but for now, please enjoy our last episode and lovely guest!On this week’s episode we are super excited to be introducing you to this week’s guest PACFA Registered Clinical Psychotherapist, a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Eating Disorder Practitioner, Jodie Gale. Jodie has a bachelor’s in social work from the University of Sydney, Foundations of Modern Psychology from the University of London and a Masters in Psychotherapy from the UK with over 20 years’ experience working in the field. She also has a small private practice on the Northern Beaches of Sydney and Online. Jodie has previously been a Consultant for the Byron Private Holistic Treatment Centre in the Disordered Eating Program, has been a former Assistant Clinical Director at a Sydney eating disorder outpatient treatment centre and preferred service provider for the South Pacific private Rehab. She has experience working at Riverglen Psychiatry & Mental Health Unit as a volunteer for the Eating Disorder Foundation of NSW (now the Butterfly Foundation) and psychiatry field education in the eating disorder and Feeding Unit at one of the world's leading children’s hospitals Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London. Jodie has also been featured across the media such as in MammaMia, The Manly Daily, ABC & 2U Radio and PsychCentral. She is also a PACFA Accredited Clinical Supervisor and runs low-cost supervision groups for eating disorders, food, weight and body image concerns.On today’s episode Jodie will share her own story with food, body, early childhood trauma, drug use and Bulimia. Jodie will also talk about some of the work that she has been doing over the years in the eating disorder space. Please welcome our next special guest, Jodie! Podcast Summary 1. Eating disorders impacting different areas of life2. The healthy self is your authentic holistic self3. Showing up for yourself 4. Early childhood experiences & environmental influences5. Spirituality Instagram: @jodie.galeWebsite: https://www.jodiegale.comPodcast: Soul Sessions with Jodie Gale Link to supervision group wait list: https://jodiegale.myflodesk.com/hb9zk6f08pFacebook: https://www.traumawarriors.online/Body Feelings Mind Meditation: https://www.traumawarriors.online/soul-sessions-2-body-feelings-mind-and-soul-guided-visualization/Links from the episode and to BodyMatters: BodyMatters Australasia Clinic Website: https://bodymatters.com.au/BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersauButterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email
Aug 19, 2025
45 min

On this week’s episode I am super excited to be introducing you to food nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett. Emma is a registered nutritionist at The Nutrition Society, Professional Member of The Australian Institute for Food Science & Technology and is a member of the International Society for Nutrigenetics/ Nutrigenomics. She is currently an Adjunct Senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Innovation. She was also a Senior lecturer at the University of Newcastle for 15 years. She has won numerous awards for her research and is a part of numerous committees and services such as the NHMRC Research Quality Steering Committee. Emma Beckett is the author of the book ‘You are more than what you eat’ and has written a variety of works on nutrition science such as for the BBC, The Conversation, ABC online and The Newcastle Herald. She has appeared on the ABC radio and ABC Central Coast Radio Breakfasts with Scott Levi in her weekly “Food for Thought” segment since 2017. Emma has appeared on morning news television as well as voiced an animated kangaroo on ABC for kids. Emma also speaks in schools and for non- for-profit organisations. On today’s episode Emma will be going through some of the research, misconceptions and misinformation out there about food as a nutrition scientist. So, let's get into it! Podcast Summary: 1. The research and evidence on nutrition is always changing 2. Deciphering misinformation 3. How to respond to people pushing diet information 4. Perfectly imperfect eating 5. Everybody’s body is different Website: https://www.dremmabeckett-foodnutritionscientist.comInstagram: dremmabeckettBook: You are more than what you eat Links from the episode and to BodyMatters: BodyMatters Australasia Clinic Website: https://bodymatters.com.au/BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersauButterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email
Aug 5, 2025
45 min

On this week’s episode I am super excited to be introducing you to this week’s guest Psychologist and Psychotherapist, Dr Aimee Maxwell. Aimee completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at Griffith University with her thesis examining addictive eating behaviours in children. Aimee has worked most notably as a group therapist in the Eating Disorders Program at Robina Private Hospital where she has been for 6 years however, also has worked in private practice at InMind 4 Health for 4 years. Currently Aimee has just had her first baby so is busy on maternity leave learning all the things that come alongside motherhood! On today’s episode Aimee will be speaking about the role of social networks, relationships, support systems, groups and how to recognise healthy relationships. As the research shows that peer comparisons, bullying, social media, lack of support, loneliness and disconnection can all impact food, body or the worsening of mental health such as eating disorders. The research also shows that emotional support, modelling healthy behaviours, professional support networks and connectedness is a major tool able to build resilience in people. Better able to support someone fighting an eating disorder or disordered eating. So, let’s get into it!Podcast Summary: 1. Secure relationships for our development and wellbeing 2. Recognising healthy & unhealthy relationships 3. Support systems & groups4. Friendships, self-worth and identity5. Pro social behaviours Instagram: dr.aimeemaxwell.psychologist Website: inmind4health.com.auLinks from the episode and to BodyMatters: BodyMatters Australasia Clinic Website: https://bodymatters.com.au/BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersauButterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email
Jul 22, 2025
1 hr 1 min

On this week’s episode I am excited to be introducing you to this week’s guest Dietitian, Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP practitioner, Life and Success Coach Bonnie Killip. Bonnie has a Bachelor of Science, a Double Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and a Diploma of Modern Psychology. She is a member of Dieticians Australia (DA), The Society for Australian Independent Dietician Nutritionists, the Australian Hypnotherapist Association (AHA), The Australian Society of Clinical Hypnotherapists (ASHS, the Hypnotherapists Council of Australia and Is an ANZAED Eating Disorder Credentialed Dietician. She has also become a Master of Clinical Hypnotherapy, Neurolinguistic Programming and is a certified Life and Success Coach. On today’s episode Bonnie will be sharing her story with Anorexia Nervosa, living with an eating disorder for 15 years. Throughout these years Bonnie was hospitalised, in and out of treatment and losing all forms of hope. It was here that Bonnie through many blessings found clinical hypnotherapy. It was here that Bonnie was truly able to address her deep subconscious pain and process her trauma alongside a few other supports such as a recovery coach. Through a combination of things Bonnie found the power and value of clinical hypnotherapy going into further study of it herself after she very much started off as a sceptic herself. However, through all odds found her passion and purpose in life supporting people with clinical hypnotherapy alongside Deictics as well as Life and Success coaching. So please, welcome our next special guest, Bonnie! Podcast Summary: 1. Feeling stuck with an eating disorder 2. The body holds onto lived experiences 3. Triggers from the subconscious 4. The conscious and subconscious work5. Hope Links to BonnieWebsite: fuellingsuccess.comInstagram: @fuelling_successBook: Ready, Now: Your Guide to Doing Recovery from Anorexia Different this TimeLinks from the episode and to BodyMatters: BodyMatters Australasia Clinic Website: https://bodymatters.com.au/BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersauButterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email
Jul 8, 2025
54 min

On this week’s episode I am excited to be introducing you to our next special guest. 19-year-old Molly a young entrepreneur from Melbourne who currently runs her own Acai business, Be Bowld. Molly was a high school student during the Covid- 19 lockdown where, like many kids found herself drawing more towards the world of social media and Tik Tok. In this powerful episode Molly opens up about how lockdown, the pressures of social media and peer expectations shaped her own perception of herself and her body. All the while, contributing to Mollys silent battle with Anorexia Nervosa that ended her up in hospital during this time. On today’s episode Molly opens up about her own story trying to navigate the pandemic during high school. Shedding some light on some of the experiences and influences impacting young school age kids in this modern technology world. Molly discusses how the online world can blur the lines between self- worth and appearance for so many people. However, it also talks about the important role of self- awareness, developing resilience and the slow but empowering path towards recovery. Her story highlights the often-overlooked intersection between mental health, adolescence and online culture to offer hope to those who may also be silently facing the same battle. So please, welcome our next special guest, Molly! Podcast Summary: 1. Wanting to change an insecurity 2. Being in survival mode with Anorexia Nervosa 3. Physical Health implications with Anorexia Nervosa 4. The school environment5. Freeing yourself from an eating disorder to really thriveInstagram: bebowldLinks from the episode and to BodyMatters: BodyMatters Australasia Website: https://bodymatters.com.au/BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersauButterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email
Jun 24, 2025
51 min

On this week’s episode I am super excited to be introducing you to this week’s guest, Manager of Butterfly Body Bright at the Butterfly Foundation and Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Psychology and Public Health at La Trobe University, Dr Stephanie Damiano. Stephanie is an early childhood body image expert and current manager of the Butterfly Foundations primary school body image program. This program has been implemented as a way to fostering a healthy attitude for children around food, body and physical activity helping to develop a positive body image for children. Stephanie has dedicated her research to the prevention and treatment of body dissatisfaction and clinical eating disorders in youth populations. Leading the Achieving Body Confidence for Children (ABC-4-YC) research program which is a school-based body image program aimed at reducing weight bias, body dissatisfaction and appearance-based teasing in 5 to 8 years olds across Victoria. Stephanie has also collaborated on the Child Body Image Development Study and Confident Body, Confident Child Study. Investigating other risk factors for the development of body image and eating disorders in children aged 3-9 years.On today’s episode Stephanie will dive further into the research around children and body image and how it can be linked to the development of eating disorders later in life. So, let’s get into it!Podcast Summary: 1. Body image starting to form at the age of four2. Body insecurities typically starting in primary school3. Diet messages in children’s media or tv shows4. Media stereotypes impacting appearance-based bullying5. Being a positive role model for children Links to the Butterfly Foundation: Butterfly Body Bright: https://www.butterflybodybright.org.au/about-the-program-familiesButterfly Foundation website: https://butterfly.org.auButterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or emailButterfly Foundation Instagram: @thebutterflyfoundationLinks from the episode and to BodyMatters: BodyMatters Australasia Website: https://bodymatters.com.au/BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersau
Jun 10, 2025
41 min

On this week’s episode I am super excited to be introducing you to this week’s guest, Senior lecturer, Researcher and Occupational Therapist, Dr Elysa Roberts. Elysa has a PhD in Occupational Therapy from Nova Southern University and a Master of Science from Florida International University in the USA. Elysa has held many leadership roles such as being an assistant Professor at Nova Southeastern University, Florida and an Assistant Director & Assistant at Barry University, Florida. Elysa was also the Graduate program Director at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Utah for the Post- Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program United States. She currently works as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle in the Occupational Therapy Program. Elysa moved to Australia in 2013 from the United States of America (USA) , a unique opportunity to join an active team of educators and researchers in the field of occupational therapy. Elysa’s research focuses on lived experience of recovery from eating disorders, experiences of sensory sensitivity for individuals with eating disorders, responding to instances of occupational injustice, transformative learning experiences among emerging health professionals & reflections as a teaching/learning activity. Currently Elysa is not working in a clinical OT role, however, works in leadership roles involving advocacy for mental health services, eating disorder recovery and mentorship of new graduate OT’s and students. On today’s episode Elysa will be sharing her own story with Bulimia & Anorexia Nervosa. Offering a rare perspective on the influences of certain generations on eating disorder development. So let's get into it!Podcast Summary: 1. Diet culture in the home & in society2. The impact of family’s approval 3. Lived experience in the research4. Diet cycling and its links to eating disorders 5. Body dissatisfaction as a norm over the different generations Links to Dr Elysa Roberts Website: elysaroberts.comLinked in: Elysa Roberts Instagram: elysarobertsphd Links from the episode and to BodyMatters: BodyMatters Australasia Website: https://bodymatters.com.au/BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersauButterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email
May 27, 2025
1 hr

On this week’s episode, I am super excited to be introducing you to this week’s special guest Founding Director of the registered charity, the international Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders also known as (CoRe-ED) as well as Professor and Senior Clinical Psychologist at Monash University, Professor Gemma Sharp. She established in 2018 and has the Body Image and Eating Disorders Research Program and is an NHMRC Emerging Leadership 2 Investigator Fellow. She also leads her own private psychology practice and is a nationally credentialed eating disorder clinician. Gemma currently serves on the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) Right Care Place Advisory Group and serves on a number of different groups within NEDC and beyond.Gemma’s research has received extensive recognition and coverage in the media such as she was named as one of ABC Radio National’s Top 5 under 40 Scientists in 2017 and was also invited to deliver a TED talk in Brisbane in 2017. Gemma’s research career in both Medical Science and Mental Health has seen her both study and work in Australia, Japan and the UK.On today’s episode we will be speaking about eating disorders or body image images among older adults. Breaking down some of the misconceptions or stigma surrounding older adults and eating disorders. Discussing some of the research, discriminations and societal influences impacting people of all ages or genders. So let’s get into it!Podcast Summary: 1. Life transitions, body changes, hormonal changes body image 2. Media representations of men and women across the ages3. Appearance ideals are costing women4. Pregnancy, Puberty and Perimenopause 5. Research in the field Links to Professor Gemma Sharp from the episode: Monash University Profile: https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/gemma-sharpLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-sharp-6a29392a9/X account: https://x.com/gemmasharp11Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders: https://core-ed.com.au/ Menopause and Eating Disorders Resource: https://learn.eatingdisorders.org.au/courses/menopause-and-eating-disorders Links from the episode and to BodyMatters: BodyMatters Australasia Website: https://bodymatters.com.au/BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersauButterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email
May 13, 2025
49 min

On this week’s episode I am super excited to be introducing you to this week’s guest, Dietitian, Hypnotherapist, Founder of Oh Well Co and Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor, Nadia Maxwell. Nadia is an Accredited- Practicing Dietitian (APD) and Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor who obtained her Master of Dietetics at Deakin University, in Melbourne. Nadia Founded Nadia Maxwell Nutrition which provides support for an array of concerns with a special interest in women health such as in PCOS, hypothalamic amenorrhoea, endometriosis, hormonal health, reproductive health and menopause. Nadia also is passionate about supporting people with eating disorders, body image, digestive health and supports a non- diet approach as well as a Health at Every Size approach (HAES).On today’s episode Nadia shares her own story with restrictive eating, gut health, hypothalamic amenorrhea, the pelvic floor, her relationship with her body and overexercising. Nadia also shares some of the amazing work she has been doing in the hypnotherapy space as a way to help people better manage their health symptoms. Podcast Summary: 1. The issues with having a morality around food2. Gut symptoms and restrictive eating 3. Stress and gut health 4. Management of symptoms5. The mind body connection6. Hypnotherapy Website: ohwellco.com.auInstagram: @nadiamaxwellnutritionEmail: [email protected] from the episode and to BodyMatters: BodyMatters Australasia Website: https://bodymatters.com.au/BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersauButterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email
Apr 29, 2025
39 min

On this week’s episode I am super excited to introduce you to this week’s guest, counsellor from the Butterfly Foundation, Petria Nagel. Tria was trained at Headspace a well known youth organisation in her undergraduate degree before she obtained a graduate role as a helpline counsellor at the Butterfly Foundation. Tria now works at the butterfly foundation where she has been for nearly two years and is currently completing a Masters degree in Counselling at the University of New England. For anyone that hasn’t heard of the Butterfly Foundation it is Australia’s national leading eating disorder service which offers free support for people for eating disorders and body image concerns. Butterfly is a national charity that offers a range of services for people with lived experience of eating disorders, families, friends, and communities. On today's episode we will be speaking about the Butterfly Foundation helpline, Butterfly’s services and some of the presentations that are coming through the national helpline. So please welcome our next special guest Tria!Podcast Summary: 1. Access to trained eating disorder professionals 2. The stages of change model 3. Body dissatisfaction statistics and young people4. Boys and men with help seeking5. Taking small steps towards recovery6. Every person is worthy or deserving of support The Butterfly foundation Website: butterfly.org.auInstagram: @thebutterflyfoundationPodcast: Butterfly: Lets TalkButterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email Headspace website: headspace.org.auLinks from the episode and to BodyMatters: BodyMatters Australasia Website: https://bodymatters.com.au/BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersau
Apr 15, 2025
42 min
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