The Full of Beans Podcast

by Hannah Hickinbotham

The Full of Beans podcast, hosted by Han (your favourite crazy bean) is on a mission to reduce eating disorder stigma and increase ED awareness. Join Han weekly to hear the inspiring conversations she establishes with a range of individuals including those with personal experience and their loved ones as well as researchers, clinicians and charities who are all working to increase the understanding of eating disorders. Using ... 

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Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • An Expert Deep Dive in to Body Dysmorphic Disorder with Dr Amita Jassi

    An Expert Deep Dive in to Body Dysmorphic Disorder with Dr Amita Jassi

    In this week's episode, Han is joined by Dr Amita Jassi. Amita is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the National and Specialist OCD, BDD, and Related Disorder Service for Children and Young People at South London and Maudsley (SLAM) NHS Trust. Amita is the lead for the BDD service and Research Lead for the clinic. In addition, she holds the role of Equality and Diversity Lead for National Specialist CAMHS and serves as a trustee for the BDD Foundation charity. This week, we discuss: What is body dysmorphia, including the signs, symptoms and causes of BDD. The psychology behind BDD and the research that is required. Treatment options available for those with BDD. Where BDD falls in the diagnostic criteria and how the variety of presentations affects this. Important considerations when exploring body-altering surgeries and the importance of screening ahead of surgeries. Stigmas associated with BDD and how we can support individuals to understand more about BDD. How non-specialist services can get involved to support their patients with BDD. To find out more about Amita, you can follow her on Instagram (@dr.amita.jassi), Twitter (@Dr_Amita_Jassi) or find out about Amita's work at SLAM here. Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

  • The Intersection Between Anorexia, Romantic Relationships & Race with Dr Lauren Duncan

    The Intersection Between Anorexia, Romantic Relationships & Race with Dr Lauren Duncan

    In this week’s podcast, Han is joined by Dr Lauren Duncan. Lauren is a black woman of dual heritage and has personal experience of anorexia. Lauren has just finished her PhD where she was researching the role of racism and relationships in the development of eating disorders in black women. This week, we discuss: The drive for Lauren's PhD, including the lack of research on minority ethnic groups, particularly black women. The impact of low self-esteem due to stigmas against their race and ethnicity, and how that impacted their eating disorder. The paradox of engaging with an eating disorder to feel connection, opposed to the reality of disconnection. The vulnerability an eating disorder puts on individuals and how this impacts relationships. The impact of stereotypes towards black women and the importance of religion, and how this influenced the development of anorexia. The role of boundaries in relationships and how an eating disorder can be used to excuse negative behaviours. The ambivalence black women felt towards romantic relationships and their eating disorders. The participant's relationship with sex, and the impact of anorexia. The participant's hopes and dreams for the future in regards to their race, relationships and eating disorders. To find out more about Lauren and her research, you can connect with her on LinkedIn. Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

  • Ditching Diets & Breaking Free From Bingeing with Harriet Curry

    Ditching Diets & Breaking Free From Bingeing with Harriet Curry

    In this week's episode, Han is joined by Harriet Curry. Harriet is a qualified therapist and eating disorder practitioner, with a special interest in binge eating. Using an integrative psychological approach, Harriet provides therapeutic coaching to women globally, helping them regain control, understand and navigate their thoughts and feelings, and achieve freedom with food. This week, we discuss: Harriet's relationship with food and how her experience of binge eating disorder inspired her training as a therapist and eating disorder practitioner. The normalisation of binge eating behaviours in society. The hierarchy of eating disorders and shame associated with binge eating disorder. The impact a disordered relationship with food can have and the joy food freedom can bring. Harriet's work with clients including her pillars: foundations, nutrition, triggers, body image and maintaining post-recovery. To find out more about Harriet and her work, you can follow her on Instagram @harrietcurry_ , TikTok @_harrietcurry or visit her website. Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

  • Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2024: Understanding ARFID with Laura Bourne

    Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2024: Understanding ARFID with Laura Bourne

    In this week's episode, Han is joined by Laura Bourne. Laura is a final year PhD student in the Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology at UCL. Laura is interested in selective eating behaviours and complex patterns of food refusal and in particular, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Laura is keen to spread awareness and increase understanding of ARFID, and through her research, hopes to contribute to the ARFID evidence-base to work towards effectively treating this disorder.  Eating disorder awareness week is focusing on ARFID, and with that in mind, this week's episode focuses on: Laura's research and interest in ARFID. The diagnostic criteria, subtypes and consequences of ARFID. The difference between ARFID and anorexia. The difference between ARFID and fussy eating. ARFID presentations in children, young people and adults. The association of autism and ARFID. The treatment available for ARFID and how to access support. To find out more about Laura and her research, check out her UCL page here: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/68620-laura-bourne/publications. Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

  • Campaigning for Empathetic & Effective Treatment with Hope Virgo & Suzanne Samaka

    Campaigning for Empathetic & Effective Treatment with Hope Virgo & Suzanne Samaka

    In this week's episode, Han is joined by Hope Virgo & Suzanne Samaka. Hope Virgo is an award-winning mental health campaigner and has been involved in several campaigns and projects to improve the support eating disorder patients receive. Suzanne Samaka is a mental health campaigner and the founder of the Honesty About Editing Campaign which supports youth mental health against the challenges of low self-esteem and negative body image caused by edited content on social media. This week, we discuss: The reason eating disorder campaigning is so important to Hope and Suzanne. The state of eating disorder treatment, palliative care and the ways we are failing eating disorder patients. The goals of the campaigning which Hope and Suzanne are involved in, and the difficulties they are facing. How long we should provide treatment to eating disorder patients and if this should have a maximum duration. How you can get involved in the eating disorder campaigning, and specifically the march on 27th April 2024 at 10:30am! You can find more information about Hope and Suzanne and their work by following them on Instagram @hopevirgo_ / @protectyouthmentalhealth, Twitter @hopevirgo / @SuzanneSamaka or find more about their campaigns #DumpTheScales Change.org / HonestyAboutEditing Change.org. To find out more information regarding the march on 27th April 2024, reach out to Hope on Instagram @hopevirgo_. Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.