Cristina Castagnini, PhD, CEDS

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Cristina Castagnini, PhD, CEDS

Dr.Castagnini is a licensed psychologist in CA. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders as well as general mental health issues.

She hosts tge weekly podcast, Behind the Bite, which is part of the The Los Angeles Tribune podcast network. As I licensed psychologist, I specialize in giving you the tools to navigate life's bumpy roads. We all struggle with roadblocks and I'm completely focused on you finding a solution. My style is focused, practical and results-driven. I have particular success with clients struggling with ea

ting disorders and insomnia. If you're ready for help, I'm available. My office is centrally located in San Ramon, Ca.

04/22/2026

This week's guest Alli Spotts-De Lazzer is a licensed psychotherapist (LMFT, LPCC) and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Approved Consultant (CEDS-C) with nearly two decades of clinical experience treating eating disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.

She is a regular Psychology Today columnist, the lead author of My Child Has an Eating Disorder: An Essential Guide for Parents of Kids, Teens, and Adults (Bloomsbury Academic, forthcoming 2026), and the author of MeaningFULL: 23 Life-Changing Stories of Conquering Dieting, Weight, and Body Image Issues (Unsolicited Press, 2021).

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:

- The critical difference between confidence ("Can I do this?"), self-esteem
(subjective evaluation), and self-acceptance.

- Why self-esteem can be an unreliable metric for mental health.

- How to reframe imposter syndrome as a tool for high standards and care rather than a source of shame.

- The biological link between nourishment and the ability to engage in logical thinking and therapy.

- How "body neutrality" offers a middle ground for those who find "body love" inaccessible.

Listen here: https://behindthebitepodcast.com/confidence-self-esteem-or-self-worth-which-one-do-you-actually-need-to-feel-enough-with-alli-spotts-de-lazzer-ep-282/

04/21/2026

NEW PODCAST!⁠ 🎤 ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

CONFIDENCE, SELF-ESTEEM, OR SELF-WORTH—WHICH ONE DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO FEEL “ENOUGH”? WITH ALLI SPOTTS-DE LAZZER
⁠
In this enlightening episode of Behind the Bite, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes back therapist and author Alli Spotts-De Lazzer to explore the often-misunderstood concepts of self-esteem and confidence.

Many people spend years trying to "fix" themselves or chase higher self-esteem, only to find that their sense of worth remains a moving target.

Alli introduces "self-acceptance" as the missing link and the necessary anchor that keeps us steady when shame, fear, or judgment arise.

By shifting the focus from objective "improvement" to compassionate curiosity, Alli and Dr. Castagnini discuss how to navigate recovery, body neutrality, and the clinical realities of how nourishment affects our ability to think logically.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck in the cycle of self-improvement who is looking for a more stable path toward healing.

To listen click: https://behindthebitepodcast.com/confidence-self-esteem-or-self-worth-which-one-do-you-actually-need-to-feel-enough-with-alli-spotts-de-lazzer-ep-282/

04/15/2026

This week´s podcast guest is Eric Pothen, a men’s eating disorder recovery coach and advocate dedicated to breaking the stigma around eating disorders in men.

After living with an eating disorder for several years, he now uses his lived experience to support others in recovery and help them rebuild their relationship with food, body, and self.

He is the founder of Embrace Wear and host of the Embracing You podcast, platforms focused on self-acceptance and authentic living.

Eric is currently pursuing a counseling degree at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with the goal of becoming an eating disorder therapist, specializing in working with men and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:

- Why eating disorders in men are frequently missed by primary care professionals.

- The definitions of "Bigorexia" and "Muscle Dysmorphia" and how they manifest in fitness culture.

- How to differentiate between "typical" health behaviors and disordered compulsions.

- The significant impact of social media influencers on male body image and the "comparison game."

- Practical strategies for externalizing the eating disorder voice and managing environmental triggers.

Listen here: https://behindthebitepodcast.com/a-real-honest-talk-about-men-body-pressure-and-the-path-to-recovery-with-eric-pothen-ep-281/

04/14/2026

NEW PODCAST!⁠ 🎤 ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

A REAL, HONEST TALK ABOUT MEN, BODY PRESSURE, AND THE PATH TO RECOVERY WITH ERIC POTHEN
⁠
In this powerful episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Eric Pothen to shine a light on the often-invisible struggle of eating disorders in men.

For too long, societal stigmas and the "wellness" industry have allowed disordered behaviors in men to slip through the cracks, masked as fitness goals or masculine ideals.

Eric shares his personal journey from struggling with an eating disorder to becoming a recovery coach, offering professional insight into the dangerous normalization of compulsive exercise and the "lean muscular ideal."

Whether you are a man questioning your relationship with fitness or a loved one seeking to understand these complex dynamics, this conversation provides the validation and tools needed to challenge the "sick enough" myth and embrace a life of authentic recovery.

To listen click: https://behindthebitepodcast.com/a-real-honest-talk-about-men-body-pressure-and-the-path-to-recovery-with-eric-pothen-ep-281/

Address

2010 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 100
San Ramon, CA
94583

Telephone

+19252525808

Website

https://www.behindthebitepodcast.com/

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Our Story

As I licensed psychologist, I specialize in giving you the tools to navigate life's bumpy roads. We all struggle with roadblocks and I'm completely focused on you finding a solution.

My style is focused, practical and results-driven. I have particular success with clients struggling with eating disorders and insomnia.

If you're ready for help, I'm available. My office is centrally located in San Ramon, Ca. Please visit my website: https://www.freedomtowellness.com