Connectopod‪™‬ Betsy Foldes Meiman

In this episode, host, Melissa Peruch, interviews Kevin Olmsted, a father who experienced an eating disorder through a caregiver's perspective. Kevin opens up about his story, reflects on his experience, touches on some of the myths about eating disorders, and shares what drove his book publication. Thank you so much for joining us!
Transcript Available for restrictED Episode 02 (link)
Guest: Kevin Olmsted 
Phone Number: (415) 312-2393
Email: Kevin.olmsted@gmail.com
Website/Book: https://www.scareddadfeeding.com/ 
 
Eating Disorder Definitions:
Beat Eating Disorders: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/types/ 
Healthline Nutrition: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-eating-disorders#other-types 
 
Key Definitions: 
Family and Medical Leave Act- the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 is a United States labor law requiring covered employers to provide employees with job-protected, unpaid leave for qualified medical and family reasons.
Family Based Treatment (FBT)- Family-Based Treatment, or FBT, is a type of psychological treatment to treat eating disorders. It is offered by therapists who are trained in the method and follow the FBT treatment manuals. FBT is a type of family therapy, where the patient and the family visit the therapist together. FBT differs from most family therapy approaches for eating disorders:
FBT is “agnostic” about the cause of eating disorders, and does not try to find underlying issues or causes.
Parents are asked to take over decisions about food for the first part of treatment.
Siblings are included.
Therapists coach parents in finding their own solutions to challenges during treatment.
Food is medicine.
There is a “family meal” session early in treatment where patients are asked to resist, and parents are coached on how to overcome resistance.
Orthosatic- a decrease in blood pressure that happens soon after standing or sitting up. 
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)- PHP patients have individual therapy twice weekly and meet with their dieticians once weekly to establish a meal plan and discuss nutritional guidelines. They are also evaluated weekly, monitored medically, and complete lab work and other necessary testing by a nurse practitioner. 
Residential Programs- residential treatment is conducted in a home-like environment. The patient will stay in a bedroom and share a living space with other program participants. The focus of a residential program is treating the psychological and emotional aspects of an eating disorder, but the patient will still have 24-hour access to medical staff to ensure they are provided the best care possible.
 
Resources for Support:
Books:

"Life Without Ed" by Jenni Schaefer
"Hunger for Life" by Andy Marr
"Good Girls: A Story & Study of Anorexia" by Hadley Freeman
“Brave Girl Eating: A Family’s Struggle With Anorexia” by Harriet Brown

Podcasts: 

"Unrestrict-ED" (https://open.spotify.com/show/0XOxPP7kAWRC9CZLlH5U1m?si=12dff0b16f0a49d7")
"The Eating Disorder Diaries" (https://open.spotify.com/show/7iVxO2jieeKqsno3YVeFUe?si=ba14e7adfa414243)
"Psychology Unplugged" (https://open.spotify.com/show/7wkYuqWC8z51nfetiZCTbT?si=166381c8df0142f0)
"Therapy Thoughts" (https://open.spotify.com/show/4298EkFJWEK6VAxKARB7bS?si=47983d98f9374d9e)

Youtube Channels:

Ro Mitchell (https://www.youtube.com/@RoMitchell)
Linda Sun (https://www.youtube.com/@lindasunyt)
Sierra Ann (https://www.youtube.com/@SierraAnn)

Resources:

National Associated of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders- ANAD (https://anad.org/)
F.E.A.S.T. (https://www.feast-ed.org/)
Eating Disorder Hope (https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/)
Project HEAL (https://www.theprojectheal.org/)
Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation (https://bddfoundation.org/)
Teen Line (https://www.teenline.org/)
The Tribe (https://support.therapytribe.com/)
Samaritans (https://samaritanshope.org/)

Contacts:

ANAD Helpline- 1 (888) 375-7767
National

Join Malia Mahelona-Janilkarn, Caleb Leong, Michelle Chiu, and Ryan, dedicated members of the Teen Council at the Los Angeles Public Library-Chinatown branch, as they delve into the heart of their community's concerns. In this episode, they sit down with John Yi, Candidate for District 54 California State Assembly, to explore the pivotal role of local governance and its impact on Chinatown.
As they navigate the responsibilities and powers of the State Assembly, listeners gain insight into how legislative decisions directly affect the fabric of Chinatown. John Yi, a passionate advocate for seniors' rights and quality of life, brings a fresh perspective to the table, offering innovative solutions to longstanding issues.
find out more: https://www.johnforassembly.com
About the Teen Council
Since July 2022, these dedicated members of the Teen Council have spearheaded a grocery delivery program at the Chinatown Library, witnessing  firsthand the harsh realities faced by the seniors they serve. These elders, living below the poverty line, confront the disruptive impacts of gentrification in Chinatown, jeopardizing their ability to remain in their homes. Driven by empathy, the teens have embraced the responsibility of documenting and sharing the personal narratives of these seniors, and advocating for the rights of the immigrant community

Producer: Betsy Foldes Meiman
Assistant Producer: Melissa Peruch
 
 

In this episode, host, Melissa Peruch, discusses an overview of eating disorders and goals for this series with Betsy Foldes Meiman, from Connectopod. The mission of restrictED is to open these types of conversations, help spread awareness, and take down serious stereotypes. Melissa shares her personal journey with an eating disorder, how her battle made her stronger, and how it is possible to no longer be restrictED. Thank you so much for joining us!
Transcript Available for restrictED Episode 01 (link)
Resources for Support;
Books:

"Life Without Ed" by Jenni Schaefer
"Hunger for Life" by Andy Marr
"Good Girls: A Story & Study of Anorexia" by Hadley Freeman

Podcasts: 

"Unrestrict-ED" (https://open.spotify.com/show/0XOxPP7kAWRC9CZLlH5U1m?si=12dff0b16f0a49d7")
"The Eating Disorder Diaries" (https://open.spotify.com/show/7iVxO2jieeKqsno3YVeFUe?si=ba14e7adfa414243)
"Psychology Unplugged" (https://open.spotify.com/show/7wkYuqWC8z51nfetiZCTbT?si=166381c8df0142f0)
"Therapy Thoughts" (https://open.spotify.com/show/4298EkFJWEK6VAxKARB7bS?si=47983d98f9374d9e)

Youtube Channels:

Ro Mitchell (https://www.youtube.com/@RoMitchell)
Linda Sun (https://www.youtube.com/@lindasunyt)
Sierra Ann (https://www.youtube.com/@SierraAnn)

Resources:

National Associated of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders- ANAD (https://anad.org/)
F.E.A.S.T. (https://www.feast-ed.org/)
Eating Disorder Hope (https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/)
Project HEAL (https://www.theprojectheal.org/)
Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation (https://bddfoundation.org/)
Teen Line (https://www.teenline.org/)
The Tribe (https://support.therapytribe.com/)
Samaritans (https://samaritanshope.org/)

Contacts:

ANAD Helpline- 1 (888) 375-7767
National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline- 1 (866) 662-1235
Suicide & Crisis Helpline- 988
Crisis Text Line- "HOME" to 741-741
Produced By: Melissa Peruch (@p3ruch.me)

Stop the Gondola
Malia Mahelona-Janilkarn, Caleb Leong, and Michelle Chiu, Teen Council members at the Los Angeles Public Library-Chinatown branch,  interview  community activists Phyllis Ling and Tany Ling from Stop the Gondola
LA Metro is letting a billionaire build an aerial gondola over the Chinatown neighborhood that research proves won’t reduce traffic or greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of $500 million dollars to the tax payers of LA.  Stop the Gondola is advocating to let the voices of the Chinatown community be heard by the Metro Board and have a say in their own future.
Stop the Gondola represents a collective effort to oppose the development plans for the LA ART Gondola, championed by former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. This proposed aerial transit initiative seeks to establish a connection between Union Station and Dodger Stadium, yet significant apprehensions surround its execution.
Learn more: https://www.stopthegondola.org
About the Teen Council
Since July 2022, these dedicated members of the Teen Council have spearheaded a grocery delivery program at the Chinatown Library, witnessing  firsthand the harsh realities faced by the seniors they serve. These elders, living below the poverty line, confront the disruptive impacts of gentrification in Chinatown, jeopardizing their ability to remain in their homes. Driven by empathy, the teens have embraced the responsibility of documenting and sharing the personal narratives of these seniors, and advocating for the rights of the immigrant community
 
Producer: Betsy Foldes Meiman
Assistant Producer: Melissa Peruch
 
 

Karen Law and Winnie Fong from the Chinatown Land Trust
Malia Mahelona-Janilkarn, Caleb Leong, and Michelle Chiu, Teen Council members at the Los Angeles Public Library-Chinatown branch,  interview  Karen Law and Winnie Fong, community activists from the LA Chinatown Land Trust.
Established in June 2021, the LA Chinatown Land Trust aims to safeguard and manage affordable housing within the LA Chinatown community, offering a sustainable solution to combat displacement and gentrification in an increasingly unaffordable landscape for low-income, long-term, immigrant, and senior residents. 
About the Teen Council
Since July 2022, these dedicated members of the Teen Council have spearheaded a grocery delivery program at the Chinatown Library, witnessing  firsthand the harsh realities faced by the seniors they serve. These elders, living below the poverty line, confront the disruptive impacts of gentrification in Chinatown, jeopardizing their ability to remain in their homes. Driven by empathy, the teens have embraced the responsibility of documenting and sharing the personal narratives of these seniors, and advocating for the rights of the immigrant community
 
Producer: Betsy Foldes Meiman
Assistant Producer: Melissa Peruch
 
 

This song,Find me Next to You,  is from Changing the Narrative season 3. 
Gayle lost her brother DJ ( Denny John) to suicide. He left this song unfinished. With the help of musician Joe Foldes, she finished it as a tribute to DJ.