Dear Recovery

csteddy12
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Mental Health

Hello beautiful people, this podcast is a listener supported space for anyone struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, body distress/dysmorphia, or Co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges. Each episode is guided by listener emails and DM's, questions stories, fears, and hopes read and responded to with compassion clinical insight and lived recovery and experience hosted by, me Colleen, a marriage and family therapist working in private practice as well as a person in long term recovery from an eating disorder and substance use this podcast is not about perfection or quick fixes. It is about being heard, being understood and knowing you're not alone. This space is inclusive of all genders, bodies, and identities, including members of the LGBTQIA plus community. Whether you're in active struggle, early recovery long term recovery or simply searching for language for what you're experiencing, you are welcome here. This podcast is not a substitute for therapy or medical care, but it is a place to sit, listen and remember that recovery in all the imperfect forms is possible. Just a short disclaimer for this podcast; I do not discuss any numbers or weights or explicit behaviors, and I will always keep your identity anonymous if that is your wish. Most importantly, I always encourage you to seek out higher levels of professional care as appropriate, and I will answer emails or DMS to questions and experiences, etcetera where I feel I can genuinely give advice or share my own personal experience, and perhaps what helped me. A note to remember is that recovery in all its imperfect forms is possible and I truly just want to connect with you, help, hear you, and hopefully answer some of those anxiety provoking questions that I know I was riddled with for so many years. I promise, no question is too stupid, outlandish, bizarre or weird, because I know how isolating this disease is, but I promise you are not alone and any topic/concern is welcome here :)

  1. 2d ago

    Dear Recovery Episode 28: “Why Do I Feel So Damn Miserable?” — The Other Things That Come with Restrictive Eating

    What happens when an eating disorder starts affecting more than just food? In this episode, I’m answering a heartfelt listener question about restrictive eating, bingeing and purging, depression, anxiety, sleep, isolation, and persistent thoughts of not wanting to live. We’re talking about why eating disorders can often exist alongside other mental health struggles, how restriction can affect the brain and body, why everything can start to feel so much harder, and how shame and isolation can keep us from reaching out for help. I also share some of my own experiences with restriction, emotional dysregulation, isolation, and missing out on moments of my life because I was so consumed by my eating disorder. And most importantly, we’re talking about this: Sick enough is sick enough. You don't have to wait until things get worse, look a certain way, or reach some imaginary threshold of suffering before you deserve help. You deserve support, you deserve care, and you don't have to figure this out alone. 🩶 This episode discusses eating disorders, depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance use. Please take care of yourself while listening and see the episode description for crisis and support resources. Suicide Prevention Resources: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health, suicide or substance use crisis, or emotional distress, reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988 or using chat services at Suicidepreventionlifeline.org to connect to a trained crisis counselor. You can also get crisis text support via the Crisis Text Line by texting ALLIANCE to 741-741.  How to Ask Someone About Suicide |    NAMI: National Alliance on Mental    Illness • Risk and Protective Factors | CDC • Zero Suicide • Resources - Speaking of Suicide • Risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs | AFSP • Suicide Prevention • Words Matter: Suicide Language Guide • NIMH » Suicide Prevention Home - National Eating Disorders Association

  2. 4d ago

    Ep 27: “Sober Living: Scared Out of My Mind” Part 2

    What should you expect when you actually get to sober living? In Part 2 of this two-part episode, we’re talking about some of the things I wish I had known before moving into sober living—from what to bring and how to find your recovery community, to navigating roommates, setting boundaries, helping others without losing yourself, and finding a job in early recovery. I’m sharing some of my own experiences (including a few things I learned the hard way 😂) in hopes of making sober living feel a little less overwhelming and a little more doable. You don’t have to have everything figured out. You just have to take the next step. 🩶   "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

  3. Sep 10

    Ep 26: “Sober Living: Scared Out of My Mind” Part 1

    Going to sober living can feel really freaking scary. In Part 1 of this two-part episode of Dear Recovery, we’re talking about what it’s actually like to leave detox or treatment and head into sober living—including the fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and “Oh my God, what am I doing?” feelings that can come with it. I share my own experience of driving to sober living crying the entire way, what helped me take that first step, what sober living actually is, how to find the right place, what to consider financially, and some important questions to ask before you move in. Because you don't have to feel ready. You don't have to know exactly what you're doing. Sometimes you just have to take the next step. And yes…you might feel a little bit like a baby pony trying to figure out how to stand. ;)-🩶 Part 2 coming Monday. "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

  4. Sep 7

    Ep 25: What If My Eating Disorder Is Keeping Me Sober/From Drinking?

    What if your eating disorder is the thing keeping you from drinking or using drugs? In this episode of Dear Recovery, we talk about the fear of letting go of one coping mechanism when you're terrified another one might take its place. I share some of my own recovery story, including what happened when I recovered from my eating disorder but hadn't yet learned how to cope with life without it. Recovery doesn't mean trading one addiction for another. But it does mean learning the tools, support, and coping skills you need for whatever comes next. 🩶  "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

  5. Sep 2

    Ep: 24 Shopping, Different Sizes, Same Friendship 🩶

    What happens when you want to go shopping with a friend, but your eating disorder starts telling you that you don’t belong because your bodies are different sizes? In this episode of Dear Recovery, we’re talking about body comparison, shame, friendship, and the fear that other people are judging our bodies—even when they may not be judging us at all. Because your body size doesn’t determine who you get to spend time with, where you get to shop, or whether you deserve to be included. We’ll talk about choosing safe people, setting boundaries, separating past experiences from present relationships, and—most importantly—not letting your eating disorder make your world smaller. You don’t have to be the same size as your friend to belong beside them. 🩷 "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

  6. Aug 31

    Episode: 23: Good Food vs. Bad Food: Why Do We Give Food So Much Power?

    In this episode of Dear Recovery, we talk about the fear of “bad” foods, why food labels can hold so much power over us, and whether recovery is possible while only eating the foods that feel safe. 🩶 If the thought of introducing foods like pasta, ice cream, burgers, or Oreos feels terrifying, you're not alone. Recovery can feel like a leap into the unknown—but you don't have to have the whole path figured out before you take the first step. And if you can't believe recovery is possible for you yet...maybe you can borrow a little hope from me. 🩷   "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

  7. Aug 28

    Ep. 22 Dear Sadness: A Guided Meditation for Allowing Yourself to Feel

    In this special guided meditation, we make space for sadness instead of pushing it away. Together, we'll gently explore what happens when we allow ourselves to feel difficult emotions with compassion and curiosity. You don't have to fix your sadness or make it disappear—you can simply give it a moment to be seen, felt, and processed. 3

  8. Aug 27

    Ep. 21 Why Do Other People’s Comments Stick with Us So Much?

    Why do certain comments about our bodies stay with us for years? In this episode of Dear Recovery, I answer a listener's question about the confusing and sometimes painful impact of other people's opinions about our appearance. We talk about why even comments meant as compliments can become complicated, especially in eating disorder recovery, and how we can begin to set boundaries and stop letting other people's opinions become the voice in our own heads. "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Hello beautiful people, this podcast is a listener supported space for anyone struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, body distress/dysmorphia, or Co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges. Each episode is guided by listener emails and DM's, questions stories, fears, and hopes read and responded to with compassion clinical insight and lived recovery and experience hosted by, me Colleen, a marriage and family therapist working in private practice as well as a person in long term recovery from an eating disorder and substance use this podcast is not about perfection or quick fixes. It is about being heard, being understood and knowing you're not alone. This space is inclusive of all genders, bodies, and identities, including members of the LGBTQIA plus community. Whether you're in active struggle, early recovery long term recovery or simply searching for language for what you're experiencing, you are welcome here. This podcast is not a substitute for therapy or medical care, but it is a place to sit, listen and remember that recovery in all the imperfect forms is possible. Just a short disclaimer for this podcast; I do not discuss any numbers or weights or explicit behaviors, and I will always keep your identity anonymous if that is your wish. Most importantly, I always encourage you to seek out higher levels of professional care as appropriate, and I will answer emails or DMS to questions and experiences, etcetera where I feel I can genuinely give advice or share my own personal experience, and perhaps what helped me. A note to remember is that recovery in all its imperfect forms is possible and I truly just want to connect with you, help, hear you, and hopefully answer some of those anxiety provoking questions that I know I was riddled with for so many years. I promise, no question is too stupid, outlandish, bizarre or weird, because I know how isolating this disease is, but I promise you are not alone and any topic/concern is welcome here :)

Information

  • Creator
    csteddy12
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Dear Recovery