Episode Index

  • Ep 0065 – Gratitude, Stories and Bravery Day – Featuring Laurie’s Story with Paul Gilmartin
    Thanks to Brave Companion Jenny, I was interviewed by comedian, Paul Gilmartin for his very successful podcast, The Mental Illness Happy Hour. I spill how it all went down and have a special gratitude surprise for Jenny. Thanks too to Garden Girl KP who kindly reviewed this show on her weight maintenance blog and who gave the show a 5 star review on iTunes. I ponder letting go of assumptions, welcome new listener Sofia from Sweden who reaches out via FB, and place new listener Amy on the Bravery Report for not only contacting me via the contact form, but for stepping up and calling the bravery hotline immediately after a compulsive eating experience to talk it through with us vs. beating herself up. Brava Amy! Last, but not least, Brave Companion, Dawny makes show history by being the FIRST BC to call for Foolish Fun. Thanks too to more brave companions who have shown their support to the show financially.
  • Ep 0064 – Inner Bravery and Trusting Yourself
    I make a shocking decision about what to let go of today! A new way to measure progress is rolled out. Thanks to listeners for supporting the show on iTunes, Stitcher, and TuneIn radio. Special thanks to Cheryl, Sue, and Karen for posting comments on Alen's blogs after our interview. Dawny is on the bravery report for calling the bravery hotline with an audio question for Alen and my next interview. I answer part of the question now and Alen weighs in via email until we can address the topics more in depth in future. I'm pleased and humbled that a new listener and brave companion from Rhode Island calls the bravery hotline to share her story and we are the very first people to ever hear her thoughts about her eating struggles. I'm also floored that a Brave Companion actually sent me $5.00 via my new button and I dig deep on what that brings up in me and why. More thoughts and feedback about the scale and a key comment from Kendra via Facebook. I share more about my long held dream of trying voice acting and how my social meeting with actual voice actors went. Helen supports Gracie with a kind comment and I use this to send my own good wishes to Gracie.
  • Ep 0063 – My Dream Self vs. My Current Self and about Intuitive Exercise
    I surprisingly recognize how I've been holding on to an impossible dream version of myself and how I need to let that go to appreciate the Laurie in the here and now. Shout-outs to Sue and Sandy for supporting Crystal on her brave post on the 'Who are the Brave Companions page', thank you to Amazon shoppers in the UK and US. I mention another way to support the podcast financially. Welcome to new listeners Dawny from Spokane and Garden Girl KP who found us via Alen's interview. More reactions from brave companions about the interview and I list why I'm grateful it happened. Alen asks the brave companions for input on our next interview. I get the comments and thoughts from brave companions, old and new, that I asked for about my scale struggle. I ponder the benefits of intuitive exercise.
  • Ep 0062 – Bonus – My Reaction to Hearing Alen’s Interview and My Scale Blind Spot
    When Alen Standish emailed me that our interview was live, I couldn't wait to grab my hiking boots and give his show a listen. At the top of the mountain I record my reactions and then ponder the power the scale still has over me!
  • Ep 0061 – Letting Go of Self-Imposed Rules and What’s Under Bingeing?
    I ponder how we can easily fall prey to self-imposed rules, even when we are trying to practice intuitive eating. New brave companion, Helen, supports another listener and shares some of her own story. Stephanie from Germany asks a compelling question about how trying to stop a binge might make a binge compulsion worse. Cheryl and Sue have an interesting comment conversation about letting go of our food compulsion identities. Shout-outs to Canadian iTunes listeners for a new record, Alen Standish for his help in our last show, and to new Stitcher listeners who've added Compulsive Overeating Diary to their playlists.
  • Ep 0060 – Bravery, Identity and Stéfanie’s Secret Topic 3
    Despite being plagued by flies on top of the mountain, I have an epic realization about my compulsive eating identity. Shout-outs to Helen for her bravery and to Misha from Canada for a kind iTunes review. Cheryl poses a question to us in response to my Miracle Plate blog post. Is it possible to have fun without eating? Stéfanie from Quebec, Stephanie from Germany and I have a comment discussion about intuitive exercise and just how dependent on gadgets we are to tell us how we're doing. I wonder if anyone will EVER want to have Foolish Fun, and Alen Standish, from the Progress Not Perfection podcast, is a surprise guest expert during Stéfanie’s Secret Topic.
  • Ep 0059 – Fear of Giving up the Scale, Bike Riding Joy and How Portion Sizes Impact My Intuitive Eating
    Stéfanie and Sue are on the bravery report for taking a leap of faith and trying 10 days without the scale. Sadly, I'm still not ready. On the positive side, my bike riding and hiking have been fantastic due to feeding myself enough food to support these activities. Who knew that fitness could actually feel fun? Serving sizes take on a new meaning with my intuitive eating practice. Shout-outs to new Facebook poster and brave companion, Lucy, to my first Amazon.com shopper, and to the 10 brave companions who have me on their Stitcher playlists.
  • Ep 0058– Insomnia’s Effect on Intuitive Eating and Updates on Old and New Brave Companions!
    That darn scale, I still can't keep myself off of it every morning! How can I get over this bad habit? The truth about my former weight maintenance methods and how intuitive eating differs. Shout-outs to Alen Standish for his kindness in providing me a quick way to get ALL countries' iTunes reviews and to Cheryl for giving Alen's show a try and for posting a comment to him. Why I so appreciate how you brave companions support me and each other. Hello from new brave companion Helen, brava to brave companion Monica from Australia for stepping up to say hi to us, and we hear from one of the original brave companions, Crystal, who gets back in touch and highly deserves her place on today's bravery report! More about money and my adventures with Amazon. Finally, Insomnia drives a wedge in my progress and we do an experiment to identify fullness in our tummies and guts.
  • Ep 0057 – Bonus – Why do I only feel worth money doing what I DON’T care about?
    I take a huge risk and explore what's REALLY under my fear of associating business and money with doing what I love. Control? Lack of assertiveness? Lack of self-worth? Panic? As I think about my career past, I wonder why I can only see my value when I'm doing what I DON'T care about. A warm hello and welcome to new listener and brave companion, Monica from Australia! Please take a minute and post your hellos to her also.
  • Ep 0056 – Pie, Bravery and Feeling Good in Your Body
    My experience learning intuitive eating features a pissy mood, a pie craving, and the support of good friends. Alen Standish renames his podcast and I explain why that is brave. A hearty welcome to our newest Sparkpeople team member, Zhenya. Our new brave companion, Stephanie, from Germany, is once again on the bravery report and because I face up to some of my biggest fears, I put MYSELF on the bravery report too! Thoughts on how to love the body you have right now. Thanks to Sue, Cheryl, Kendra and Stéfanie for supportive comments.
  • Ep 0055 – Robot Aliens as Good Guys? Intuitive Eating and Hallo Stephanie!
    Stéfanie and Cheryl give me a lot to think about as we discover how Robot Aliens are actually my protectors. I share how I'm finally learning to understand myself through therapy and intuitive eating techniques help me make peace with my body. Lisa from Boston calls the bravery hotline with her book recommendation and I'm thrilled that Stephanie writes me from Germany. I finally discover how to look at all of the international iTunes stores and see the brave companions' reviews in countries outside of the U.S., and we give a big welcome shout-out to our newest listener and brave companion, Tove.
  • Ep 0054 – Therapy and Foolish Fun!
    Therapy is tough, so after sharing my experience I lighten the mood by introducing a new feature called Foolish Fun. Hear the song that lets me hold and pet Gracie every morning even though she is a skittish and touch-adverse kitty. Cheryl comments on Day 53. Shout-outs to Debcaf2 for her 5-star review on iTunes and to Michelle once again for her excellent comment on Day 43 about Binge Extinction techniques.
  • Ep 0053 – Finding Emotional Support and Stéfanie’s Secret Topic 2
    Emotions run wild as I learn how to face life without numbing it with diets and bingeing. Looking for a photo from my childhood inspires a blog post about reintergrating both pain and joy that I've blocked out. I ponder finding a therapist to help me. New brave companion Millie asks if it seems odd to wish her sisters would all join her on her journey so they could be learning together. Cheryl, Stéfanie and I comment. We end with Stéfanie's Secret Topic 2. What will come to mind as I hear Stéfanie's newest Secret Topic at the same time as you do?
  • Ep 0052 – Finding my Way Not my Weight – Tales from Laurie’s Blue Mood
    I emerge from a depressive Blue Mood by sharing my feelings via blog post and explain why bike riding is a good thing to combat depression. I'm shocked by an urge to go back to calorie counting after my turbulent emotions and examine why in the end, I don't feel that is the best way for me to go. I muse about learning to use the intuitive eating movement's hunger scale. I share my fears and decide to give up the appearance of control over the brave companions listening and commenting habits. Also featured, Taryn Brumfitt's Kickstarter campaign to fund a documentary about body acceptance, Amanda Trusty's awesome video art expressing her warrior-like dance claiming her own body acceptance as well as her newest video showing her fan's own body acceptance. Shout-outs to new listener, Janet, and comments from Sue, Cheryl, Stéfanie and Michelle McK
  • Ep 0051 – Bonus – The Danger of the Lull
    A total random, bonus episode as my compulsive brain tortures me during the lull between events. I take to the park to talk it out and think it through. How can I learn to consider NOT considering? Also, after emailing with Stefano and reading the news of today, I get mad about people feeling free to comment on other people's size. Thanks to Cheryl, Sue and Stéfanie for their good wishes on episode 50.
  • Ep 0050 – Laurie Celebrates Half of a Podcast Century
    I'm filled with awe and gratitude as I exchange my cane for hiking poles once again and ascend my beloved mountain to celebrate the 50th episode of Compulsive Overeating Diary. I reminisce about where I began on this experiment and ponder where I'm going. I think about all of the blessings that have come my way from interacting with you, the brave companions. Cheryl calls the bravery hotline to support Brandi and earns her spot on today's Bravery Report. A shout-out to new listener and brave companion, Maria from the UK, comments from Michelle, Stéfanie and Cheryl and an update about Alva the English teacher from France. Another big thank-you to Josh Woodward for his inspiring song, I'm letting go.
  • Ep 0049 – Stéfanie’s Secret Topic and other Surprises!
    I muse on the Yin-yang of surprises as I search for a new Zen Spot at my local park. Stéfanie’s Secret Topic is successfully launched! Shout-outs to my FB brave companions for their encouragement, to Jodi for her thoughtful comment about people pleasing, and to Alva from France who tells me a surprising reason she values my first podcast show, Daily Adventure Tales.
  • Ep 0048 – Lessons in Gliding Over Life’s Speed Bumps
    My day starts out fantastically then dives down into challenges, that in the past, would have sent me headfirst into a bag of chips. Discover how I finally learn to deal with frustration and start to take events outside of my control in stride. Hear new listener and brave companion, Brandi, tell her story and current feelings on the bravery hotline. Shout-outs to new listener Millie and to Michelle Mc and Cheryl for their comments about people pleasing and to Jenny for being instrumental in my getting a new opportunity. Taste a sample of an upcoming feature by brave companion Stéfanie, Mark and me, as we work out our technical difficulties.
  • Ep 0047 – Bonus – The Power of No
    Find out what happened after last episode's epic story of me saying 'No'. I ponder different flavors and reasons for saying 'Yes". Shout-outs to new listener and brave companion Brandi and to Michelle Mc who, like many of you, felt bad that I felt bad and sent me an encouraging comment and explained a good method for avoiding binges called HALT
  • Ep 0046 – Robot Aliens vs. True Grief – and Happy Birthday Stefano and Cheryl!
    I discover the painful difference between Robot Alien distraction and true grief. I then struggle to relate the powerful, meaningful event that taught me this without telling actual details, because it involves people currently in my life. I muse too on the nature of friendship and relationships. I'm delighted to wish Brave Companion Stefano a Happy 46th Birthday on day 46! Also good wishes for Cheryl's birthday that was yesterday. Comments and thoughts by Michelle Mc, Cheryl and Stéfanie. Stéfanie proposes a new feature for the show. Shout-outs for FaceBook supporters and iTunes reviewers.