Episode 005

The Heart of FEAST: A Conversation with Judy Krasna

In this episode of The Other Side of the Plate, hosts Jenni and Laura sit down with a very special guest: Judy Krasna, the Executive Director of FEAST. Judy shares her powerful personal journey from finding FEAST as a parent in Israel to leading FEAST as a global organization. She discusses the core mission of FEAST—parents helping parents—and what makes its community so unique.

The episode covers the vital role of volunteers, key resources for new families like 'FEAST 30 Days' and the 'Caregiver Skills Toolkit,' and a message of hope that recovery is possible and parents are not to blame.

00:10 Introduction to the Podcast

01:02 Welcoming Judy Krasna, Executive Director of FEAST

01:41 Judy's Personal Journey: From Parent to Executive Director

03:42 The Mission and Values of FEAST: Parents Helping Parents

05:23 What Makes the FEAST Community Special?

07:05 Clarifying Misconceptions about FEAST: All Ages and Treatment Types

08:53 The Heart and Soul of FEAST: The Volunteers

11:10 Where to Start: FEAST 30 Days & The Caregiver Skills Toolkit

15:07 Judy's Biggest Hope for Families: Feeling Less Alone

16:44 Key Advice for New Parents: A Marathon, Not a Sprint

19:13 Common Threads: The Universal Caregiver Experience

22:34 The Reality of Caregiver Self-Care

25:25 The Future of FEAST: Opportunities and Challenges

28:31 How Listeners Can Support FEAST's Mission

30:44 A Personal Story Illustrating the Heart of the Community

33:35 Final Message: Hope, Recovery, and You Are Not to Blame

35:53 Conclusion and How to Get Involved

BIO - JUDY KRASNA

Judy Krasna has been involved in the eating disorders space as a parent advocate and an expert by experience for over 15 years. She was an active volunteer in the Academy for Eating Disorders and is a staunch advocate for incorporating lived experience into research and treatment. After serving on the F.E.A.S.T. Board of Directors and taking on multiple volunteer roles within the organization, Judy stepped into the position of F.E.A.S.T. Executive Director in early 2021. Judy is passionate about helping families of people with eating disorders, especially after her daughter Gavriella took her own life after a fierce and prolonged battle with anorexia.

SUPPORT & RESOURCES

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FEAST website:

https://feast-ed.org/

FEAST flyer:

https://feast-ed.org/programs-and-services/

Resources:

FEAST 30 Days

FEAST Caregiver Skills Toolkit

Around the Dinner Table Forum

Around the Dinner Table-Facebook group

Become a Parent Support Volunteer at F.E.A.S.T.