In this radically honest conversation Natalie sits down with clinical psychologist and leading researcher Dr. Pamela Keel to unpack the science, psychology, and misconceptions behind eating disorders.

From her own experience living with Type-1 diabetes to decades of groundbreaking research, Dr. Keel brings both personal insight and clinical expertise to a conversation that challenges everything we think we know about these conditions.

Together, they explore why eating disorders aren’t caused by just one thing, the role of genetics and environment, how social media and modern wellness trends are shaping behaviors, and why telling someone to “just eat” misses the mark entirely.

They also dive into prevention, early warning signs, the rise of GLP-1 medications, and how to actually seek help in a system that often feels inaccessible.

This is an open conversation about what it really takes to support healing in a world full of social media misinformation.

This episode is for anyone who:

- Has struggled with disordered eating or body image

- Wants to better understand the science behind eating disorders

- Is navigating recovery or supporting someone who is

- Feels overwhelmed by conflicting health advice online

Resources:

Dr. Pamela Keel's Books - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Pamela+Keele

Social Media and Mental Health Resources - https://www.mentalhealth.gov

PubMed - Medical Research Database - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

American Psychiatric Association - DSM-5 - https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm

National Eating Disorders Association - https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

Learn more about Dr. Pamela Keel:

X @drpamelkeel https://x.com/DrPamKeel

Eating Behaviors Research: https://eatingbehaviorskee.wixsite.com/mysite

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the severity of eating disorders

01:24 Dr. Pamela Keel's background and contributions

03:16 Personal story of a hard reset and its impact

09:36 Connection between diabetes and eating disorders

17:37 Common misconceptions about causes of eating disorders

20:00 Why control is a misconception in eating disorders

21:46 Genetic and biological factors in development

30:30 Timing of onset and puberty influences

33:25 Advances in prevention and expanding awareness

36:45 Proactive measures and early detection

39:50 Diagnostic criteria and new classifications

42:55 Impact of social media and unregulated treatments

49:55 GLP-1s and their influence on eating behaviors

55:36 Importance of informed medical decisions

01:00:28 Eating disorders as mental health conditions

01:03:12 Biological impact of malnutrition

01:04:35 Eating disorders as deadly mental health conditions

01:11:23 Dr. Keel's self-care and current well-being

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