Ep 110: Building Body Image Support and Removing Barriers to Care with Lisa Radzak

Episode description:

The messages we hear about food, weight, and our bodies can shape how we see ourselves, often long before we realize their impact. And when someone needs eating disorder treatment, financial barriers can make getting the support they deserve feel out of reach.

On this episode of Peace Meal, Dr. Jillian Lampert welcomes Lisa Radzak, Executive Director of WithAll, a national nonprofit working to prevent eating disorders and help people access and remain in treatment. Lisa shares how WithAll helps adults build healthier conversations with young people through its What to Say program and supports people in recovery through grants that help cover essential living expenses.

Together, Jillian and Lisa explore how everyday comments can reinforce harmful body ideals, why even small changes in how we talk about food and bodies matter, and how financial support can help people continue treatment. They also discuss why so many people feel they aren’t “sick enough” to seek help—and why everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue recovery.

About Liz:

Lisa Radzak is the Executive Director of WithAll, a national nonprofit that equips adults to help young people build healthy body image and positive relationships with food while also supporting people in eating disorder recovery. WithAll offers practical prevention resources and recovery support grants for people facing financial barriers while accessing intensive treatment.

Lisa brings more than 20 years of experience in public affairs, community relations, and law, along with nearly 15 years in nonprofit leadership. Under her leadership, WithAll spearheaded the successful effort to pass the nation’s first eating disorder prevention legislation for high school coaches and athletes in Minnesota.

She serves on the University of Minnesota School of Public Health’s Project EAT Professional Community Advisory Board and Twin Cities Public Television’s Board of Directors’ Public Affairs Task Force. Lisa is a licensed attorney and a member of the Minnesota Bar. Outside of her work, she finds joy in humor, family, and the seemingly endless variety of sparkling water flavors.

We cover:

• How everyday comments about food, weight, and appearance can influence young people’s relationships with their bodies
• What WithAll’s What to Say program offers adults who want to support healthy body image and food relationships
• How recovery support grants can help people manage essential living expenses and stay in treatment
• Why harmful cultural messages about bodies can make eating disorders difficult to recognize and treatment difficult to pursue
• How small changes in our language and everyday interactions can help shift the conversation
• Why feeling like you’re not “sick enough” doesn’t mean you don’t deserve support
• How we can build a culture that values people for who they are, rather than how they look

In Liz’s words:

• On how culture shapes our relationship with our bodies: “We are taught in a million ways that our body is separate from our self and that it’s an object, a storefront, a symbol that portrays who we are to the world.”
• On the importance of practical support during treatment: “The recovery support grants do something really concrete, right? Get cover the basic living expenses so people can stay in treatment and they feel like they have that additional support.”
• On making small changes that can have a meaningful impact: “If we were just a little more aware of when we’re doing that, we’re creating this environment where we’re less than until our body is XYZ and then and then when our body is XYZ, then we’re good. It’s like, no, we’re good now.”
• On seeking help when recovery feels out of reach: “Just because that’s what you’re sure is the brain is telling you, it doesn’t mean you’re not going to be helped immeasurably by getting additional support from people who are qualified to provide that support.”

Learn more about WithAll

WithAll works to prevent eating disorders and support recovery by providing practical resources for adults and financial assistance for people navigating treatment. Visit WithAll’s website to explore its What to Say program and learn more about recovery support grants.

About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.com for more information.