Perfection says you should already be there. Your body, your plate, your life—graded against a shifting standard that never names who is moving the goalposts. I invited therapist Stephanie Hulls to help us untangle that trap and replace it with tools that actually help to rebuild our relationships with food.

We start by drawing a clean line between high standards and perfectionism. High standards align with values and allow growth; perfectionism is rigid, unforgiving, and fueled by "shoulds". When that mindset collides with diet culture’s changing rules—low carb, keto, high protein, “clean”—self-trust takes the hit. Together we examine the double standard many of us live by: kindness for others, criticism for ourselves. Stephanie shows how a trauma-informed lens reframes these patterns as once-useful strategies for safety, connection, and control. They worked then; they may be hurting now.

From there, we get practical. Stephanie breaks down CBT to map the loop between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and shares how small cognitive shifts can open space for different choices at the table. Then we explore EMDR as a way to process “stuck” memories that keep the present fused to the past—like a childhood humiliation that still shapes what you order at dinner. We also rethink “emotional eating,” swap I am for I feel to soften harsh self-talk, practice finding gray in a black-and-white mind, and redefine success as movement toward values, not a pass-fail grade. Expect dropped-spaghetti progress, not a straight line.

If you’re tired of the all-or-nothing script and ready for flexible, compassionate change, this conversation offers reframes you can use today. Listen, try one small shift, and tell us what moved you one inch closer to trust. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs gentler language around food, and leave a review to help more listeners find this work.

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Grab the free Hunger & Fullness Cues Guide: behindtheplate.ca/hunger-fullness-cues

Explore The Empowered Eating Journey: behindtheplate.ca/empowered-eating-journey

PCOS can feel like a maze: irregular cycles, relentless fatigue, cravings that don’t make sense, and advice that’s loud but rarely helpful. We invited Registered Dietitian and Nest and Nurture founder Trista Chan to map the terrain with clear science, practical nutrition, and a lot of compassion.

We start by decoding what PCOS actually is and how it’s diagnosed through the Rotterdam criteria—then we get honest about why care can feel inconsistent. Trista explains the nuance behind insulin resistance, why insulin isn’t the enemy, and how gentle, real-world strategies like timing your carbs and pairing them with protein and fats can steady energy and support hormones. We talk inflammation without fear, focusing on addition over restriction: more plants, more omega-3s, more variety that fits your life.

From there, we tackle the big myths: you don’t need to cut gluten or dairy unless you have a true intolerance; “hormone balance” isn’t a fixed state because healthy hormones naturally fluctuate; and carbs are not the villain—they’re your body’s primary fuel, especially if you’re active. We also zoom out to the bigger picture: genetics, stress, and the built environment shape symptoms, and acknowledging those forces helps you find your real locus of control. Expect practical starting points: which labs to request, how to track symptoms with purpose, and how to build a supportive care team that sees you as a whole person.

If you’re tired of rigid rules and ready for sustainable tools, this conversation will help you choose clarity over confusion and addition over restriction. Subscribe, share with someone who needs a kinder approach to PCOS, and leave a review to tell us which myth you want us to bust next.

Learn more at behindtheplate.ca

Grab the free Hunger & Fullness Cues Guide: behindtheplate.ca/hunger-fullness-cues

Explore The Empowered Eating Journey: behindtheplate.ca/empowered-eating-journey

Cravings can feel like a tidal wave—loud, urgent, and impossible to ignore—yet they’re far from random. We dig into what a craving actually is, how it differs from hunger, and why your brain can fixate on sweetness or crunch even when you “should” be fine. As a registered dietitian and certified intuitive eating counselor, I break down the science in plain language and show how biology, mindset, and environment combine to create that intense pull toward specific foods.

We start with the body’s signals: how undereating lowers blood sugar and flips on a survival response, why cutting carbs makes your reward circuits hypersensitive to sugar, and how hormones like ghrelin and leptin change with dieting, stress, and poor sleep. Then we look at psychology—the scarcity effect that turns “off-limits” into irresistible, the hidden power of mental restriction and food labels, and the all-or-nothing patterns that fuel the binge–restrict cycle. You’ll also hear how environmental cues, social media, and habitual routines (Netflix snacks, anyone?) train cravings even when you’re not hungry.

Most importantly, we lay out practical, sustainable steps. You’ll learn how regular meals and snacks stabilize energy and mood, why adding carbohydrates back into meals often quiets the sweet tooth, and how to loosen rigid rules without abandoning nutrition. We’ll practice mindful pauses to identify whether you’re hungry, seeking comfort, or responding to a cue—and how to honor each scenario with care. The goal isn’t perfect control; it’s trust. When you treat cravings as information, not evidence of failure, they lose their edge and you gain freedom with food.

If this resonates, hit follow, share with a friend who’s stuck in the craving–restriction loop, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Your stories and questions shape future episodes—what cue triggers your cravings most?

Learn more at behindtheplate.ca

Grab the free Hunger & Fullness Cues Guide: behindtheplate.ca/hunger-fullness-cues

Explore The Empowered Eating Journey: behindtheplate.ca/empowered-eating-journey