In this episode of Exception Seekers, Clarissa Kennedy, a passionate advocate for harm reduction and neurodivergence, shares her unique journey of personal and professional transformation. Through her work in addiction, especially in the realm of food addiction, Clarissa explores how neurodivergence can influence behaviors like disordered eating, impulsivity, and addiction. She reflects on her own experiences growing up with a different lens on the world and how she now embraces this difference to help others. Clarissa also discusses the importance of compassion and understanding for individuals who struggle with food addiction, and how breaking down the shame and stigma around these issues can lead to greater healing and personal growth.

Throughout the episode, Clarissa emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, setting boundaries, and refusing to accept that limitations define who you are.

Important Messages

Shifting away from traditional approaches: Clarissa highlights that traditional methods in addiction treatment often don’t serve everyone, particularly those who don’t fit the mold. Her approach is to smash stigma and offer new, more inclusive solutions. Her work is a blend of harm reduction and individualized care, including psychedelic-assisted therapy, which she believes offers innovative solutions for recovery.

The role of personal experience in healing: Drawing on her experiences with food addiction, Clarissa acknowledges the complex relationship many people have with food, noting that no two recovery stories are alike. She also emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries to protect oneself from triggering behaviors, using the metaphor of keeping food that acts as a bully out of the house to protect peace of mind.

The power of belief in people and possibilities: Clarissa believes in the power of possibility and self-belief. She encourages others to believe in themselves and to understand that anything is possible, even when faced with challenges or overwhelming circumstances. Her entrepreneurial spirit and focus on individual potential is reflected in her work with clients, helping them find their own paths to healing without shame or judgment.

Neurodiversity in the context of food addiction: Neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADD, have a dopamine deficiency, which makes them more vulnerable to addictive behaviors — especially with ultra-processed foods that provide dopamine spikes. Impulsivity, linked to a lack of GABA in the brain, can lead to difficulties with moderation, and this behavior can manifest in addiction-like patterns when it comes to food.

The need for continued research: Clarissa encourages more research into the connection between neurodiversity, dopamine, and addiction — especially around how certain foods may affect neurodivergent individuals differently than the general population. This research can lead to more effective interventions and a greater understanding of how to treat food-related addiction in neurodivergent individuals.

Resources Mentioned:

• Food Junkies Podcast – A podcast that discusses food addiction, including episodes with experts like Dr. Roberto Olivardia, who focuses on ADHD and eating disorders.

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy – Clarissa's current work and interest in exploring alternative, research-backed therapies to support addiction recovery.

This episode revolves around the theme of reconnecting with nature, the challenges of modern life, and how nature-based experiences, like camping, can foster personal growth, relaxation, and connection.

Anne and Colleen underscore the value of nature in promoting mental well-being, the importance of flexibility and presence in our experiences, and how even small, accessible outdoor activities can provide significant moments of growth and relaxation. It’s a reminder to be adaptable, enjoy the journey, and embrace nature as a way to recharge and reset in an increasingly fast-paced world.

Important Messages

Nature as a learning experience: Camping and outdoor trips offer valuable lessons in adaptability, flexibility, and presence. Small moments of discomfort, such as dealing with unexpected wildlife, can become fond memories and learning opportunities.

Progressive engagement with nature: Nature experiences don’t have to be extreme right away. Starting with smaller activities like car camping can be an accessible way for people (especially families) to gradually build up their comfort and skills with outdoor experiences.

The importance of presence: Success in outdoor experiences isn’t about achieving a specific outcome but about being present and tuning into the needs of the moment is emphasized. Pushing too hard for a set goal can cause more stress, and the real value comes from adapting to the situation.Outdoor experiences offer the opportunity to disconnect from the speed and demands of everyday life.

The joy in the simple moments: The small, often unexpected moments can become the highlights of outdoor trips, which help to emphasize the importance of embracing spontaneity and the unpredictable nature of life.

This episode, with Diana Clements, touches on several important themes around education, the role of nature, the impact of technology, and child development. Diana reflects on her personal journey, her commitment to nature-based learning, and her insights as a teacher and parent. She talks about how she has always questioned societal norms, particularly around technology and the need for outdoor learning. Diana's main focus is on the importance of children engaging with nature, as it provides them not only with physical and emotional benefits but also with life skills that can be carried into adulthood.

Diana highlights her experiences with Forest Schools, emphasizing how outdoor environments encourage children to take risks and develop resilience. She also discusses the challenges she faced in transitioning from a traditional educational setting to one that prioritizes outdoor learning, especially considering the initial fears around safety.

A significant part of the conversation explores Diana’s shift in perspective from believing the planet needs us to protect it, to understanding that we, as humans, need nature to thrive. She acknowledges the challenges faced by parents and teachers in navigating the complexities of modern technology, particularly the pressure to keep children safe online while also providing opportunities for growth and exploration.

Important Messages

The role of nature in child development: Diana believes nature plays a crucial role in children's physical and emotional health. Outdoor experiences help children develop resilience, decision-making skills, and independence. Nature-based learning allows children to engage in full-body, immersive experiences that are vital for their growth. Diana believes the best way to protect the environment is to help children love it. This deep connection with nature fosters a desire to protect it for future generations. As a teacher and advocate for outdoor education, Diana feels that helping children appreciate and care for the world around them is crucial for their long-term well-being.

“As Safe as Necessary” vs. “As Safe as Possible”: A central philosophy discussed is the importance of balancing safety with opportunity for growth. Diana shares her initial fear of children getting hurt during outdoor play but later embraced the idea that children need to be exposed to small risks in order to develop resilience. The concept of "as safe as necessary" allows for this balance, whereas "as safe as possible" can hinder a child’s ability to learn from experiences and take risks.

The need for outdoor education: Diana’s Forest School is designed to create environments where children can engage with nature freely. She emphasizes that in order to foster a sense of love and protection for the planet, children need to first experience it and develop a connection to it. Outdoor education, according to Diana, also nurtures social and emotional skills.

The impact of technology in the classroom: Diana expresses concerns about the overuse of screens and technology in the classroom, especially when it comes to young children. She believes that the increased reliance on screens reduces opportunities for meaningful interaction and engagement with the physical world. This resonates with her concerns about how society's focus on technology might be limiting healthy childhood development.

Resources mentioned:

Unplugged Canada (https://unpluggedcanada.com/)

Outside Play (https://www.outsideplay.org)

The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt