Episode 113: Emily August

Emily August is an Associate Professor of Literature at Stockton University. She holds a PhD in English from Vanderbilt University, and an MFA in creative writing from University of Minnesota. As a longtime body liberation proponent, she focuses on the human body in her research and writing. Her scholarly work examines representations of the body in 19th-century literature, art, and scientific discourse. She seeks to understand how a very narrow, specific version of the body became the authoritative medical standard defined as healthy and normative—and how this standard continues to impact clinical practice and societal power relations.

In addition to her scholarly work, her forthcoming debut poetry collection, entitled The Punishments Must Be a School, treats themes of intergenerational trauma and intimate partner violence. Since embarking on her recovery journey in 2017, she has passionately advocated to destigmatize abstinence. She practices a body-neutral, body-inclusive approach to abstinence-based food addiction recovery. She divides her time between Lake Superior’s North Shore and the Atlantic Ocean’s Jersey Shore.

Today we get deep. Molly and I left this interview feeling so empowered in our recovery choices and we know you will too.

In this episode:

How can we move towards a more weight neutral conversation in food addiction recovery

How to try and help our recovery community break free from diet culture

How to address the issue of comparison in recovery 

How we can get to that place of neutrality

How to make that crucial shift towards accepting and committing to abstinence

Bringing social justice tools to abstinence

The importance of gaining tolerance to the diet culture and knowing that most people are just wounded and in the process of healing

Determining how to have a conversation that bridges the gap between food addiction and eating disorders

Addiction as a Health Management Condition

How there is no heroism in a thinner body 

Fat Liberation, Fat Acceptance, Ableism

Addiciton as a Chronic Health Problem

Chronic health conditions aren’t curable, they aren’t shameful, and we don’t have to problematize them as something to be fixed or solved.

Follow Emily:

Twitter: @emily_allan_poe

Instagram: 

You WILL probably have to listen to this episode twice, mabye three times…we actually talk about the inherent power of repeated messages. Whatever you do, don’t miss the message by comparing yourself to what Emily speaks to. Recovery is about connection not comparison.

Special Announcement From Sweet Sobriety

Sweet Sobriety is excited to announce our next monthly workshop topic Emotional Eating that will be hosted by the one and only Molly Painschab!

Emotional Eating is incredibly common – IN FACT research shows that 75% of our eating is emotionally driven. We know that emotional eating also plays a role in Food Addiction and Disordered Eating so we have some incredible new tools to teach you to help with emotional intelligence and emotional regulation when it comes to working on the behaviour of using food to soothe.

Do you:
Eat to suppress or sooth emotions, fatigue, or health problems
Eat to manage major life events or the hassles of daily life
Eat in response to relationship conflicts, work stressors, or financial pressures
Have you been concerned that emotional eating is keeping you from living your best life?

Molly Painschab, LCPC, LAC, co-host of the Food Junkies Podcast and co-founder of Sweet Sobriety is excited to offer you a comprehensive workshop on how to recover from Emotional Eating.

Over 4 weeks you will:
Learn the difference between physical and emotional hunger
Identify what type of Emotional Eater you are
Increase your emotional agility
Master self-care and self-compassion skills
Improve your relationship with yourself using The Four Agreements

What you get:
Hours of pre-recorded videos (no expiration)
Downloadable resources and suggested at home practices (no expiration)
Four 1-hr live support sessions (one per week) with Replay (no expiration)

$50USD
Wednesdays March 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th at 2pm EST 

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.