Connectopod is hosting our Community Impact Awards on Sunday, April 26, 2026, and you're invited! Visit www.connectopod.net/events to purchase tickets or make a donation. Your support makes Connectopod's work possible!

Nysha Prasad interviews mental health advocate, Mariyah Williams. They discuss the generational gap in understanding mental health, why Gen Z is more open about discussing emotional well-being, and how older generations often approached mental health differently. Together, they explore how these differences developed, the stigma that still exists, and how honest conversations can help bridge the gap and create more supportive communities.

Learn more about this project: https://www.mindmattersteens.com/

Connect with Connectopod: https://linktr.ee/connectopod

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

• "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)

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

• 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/)

• 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)