Eating Disorders as Metaphor and the Feminine Path to Healing with Dr Anita Johnston

Join Ailey Jolie and Dr. Anita Johnston, clinical psychologist, storyteller, and author of Eating in the Light of the Moon, on this episode of In This Body. Together, they explore the symbolic language of food and body image, revealing how struggles with eating are often expressions of deeper, unspoken hungers. Through myth, metaphor, and archetype, Dr. Johnston shares how reconnecting with the inner feminine voice—and listening to the body as a source of wisdom—can support healing and liberation. They discuss the cultural narratives that silence women’s intuition, the role of storytelling in making meaning, and why the journey home to ourselves begins not with control, but with curiosity. This episode invites listeners into a tender, soulful dialogue on embodiment, empowerment, and the truths our hunger is trying to tell us. We hope you enjoy the episode.In this episode:03:11 The Evolution of Eating Disorder Treatment06:04 Understanding Disordered Eating as a Metaphor09:05 The Role of Storytelling in Recovery12:04 Archetypes and the Feminine Principle15:04 Connecting Emotions and Eating Behaviors18:12 Bringing Consciousness to Unconscious Patterns23:59 Understanding Emotional Eating29:22 The Language of Food and Emotions32:54 Reconnecting with Mother Nature36:49 Grounding and Body Awareness40:01 Cultural Pressures and Body Image41:24 The Journey to Self-AcceptanceYou can read the show transcript here.To find out more about Anita:Find: Website Follow: Instagram Experience: Eating in the Light of the Moon Explore: Free and Paid Resources Learn more about Ailey Jolie:Find: WebsiteFollow: InstagramExplore: SubstackExperience: Insight TimerEmail: [email protected] follow along with the In This Body podcast:Follow: InstagramFind: WebsiteEmail: [email protected] more about Ailey Jolie:Find: WebsiteFollow: InstagramExplore: SubstackExperience: Insight TimerSign up: InBodyMethodEmail: [email protected] follow along with the In This Body podcast:Follow: InstagramFind: WebsiteEmail: [email protected]