Ever found yourself going back for seconds… and thirds… only to end the night uncomfortably full and regretting it later? I’ve been there too—plate after plate of mashed potatoes when what I really needed was comfort, not another serving. But instead of finding peace, I found myself stuck in the spin cycle of overeating, guilt, and swearing I’d “start fresh on Monday.”

Sound familiar? Or maybe you’ve seen a family member ride that same teacup spin. Either way—you are not alone. And the good news? There’s a way off that ride.

In this episode of The Empowered Eating Holiday Edit, we’re tackling impulse control at the Thanksgiving table—because it’s not just about willpower or saying “no” to pie. It’s about understanding what’s happening in your brain, body, and emotions, and learning how to make empowered choices that let you actually enjoy the holiday without the crash, guilt, or food hangover.

• Why holiday eating often feels like a “perfect storm” of impulse + environment + emotions.

• The brain science behind impulsive eating (your Prefrontal Cortex, Amygdala, and Hippocampus explained—no PhD required).

• Practical, bite-sized strategies for navigating the Thanksgiving table with confidence.

• How to swap guilt and restriction for presence, joy, and empowered choice.

• Impulse control isn’t about denial—it’s about creating the space to make intentional, values-aligned choices.

• Food can be joy—not the thing that drags you down.

• With a little awareness and preparation, you can leave the table feeling connected, energized, and proud of how you showed up.

This season, I’m bringing you more than just pep talks. I’ve taken the best of the Well-Fueled Academy and the personalization of one-on-one coaching to create the Empowered Eating Academy—a four-month program designed to give you the education, support, and accountability you need to finally feel at home in your body.

And here’s the holiday bonus: if you join before December 31st, you’ll receive a free GI-MAP test (valued at $400!) to kickstart your health in the new year. Spots are limited—so consider this your official invite to step into 2026 feeling healthy, energized, and confident at the table (and beyond).

👉 Click here to join the Empowered Eating Academy

In this awesome episode, Jess sits down with Dr. Claire Wilcox, psychiatrist, researcher, and author of Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in modern nutrition: food addiction. Together, they explore what happens in the brain when we crave, overeat, and struggle to stop—and how understanding the neuroscience behind those behaviors can lead to true healing.

Dr. Wilcox shares her expertise in addiction psychiatry, the science behind the Yale Food Addiction Scale, and her personal recovery journey from food obsession to food freedom. Jess and Dr. Wilcox also discuss the tension between diet culture and anti-diet movements, offering compassionate, evidence-based strategies for those seeking balance.

• What “food addiction” really means from a neuroscience and psychiatric perspective

• Why sugar, fat, and salt ratios in processed foods make them so hard to resist

• How the brain’s reward system reinforces craving and binge cycles

• The difference between food addiction and eating disorders—and why nuance matters

• How to use harm reduction and mindfulness in recovery instead of restriction

• Dr. Wilcox’s personal story of healing and her path toward body acceptance

• How to set recovery goals that focus on values and freedom, not weight loss

• 📘 Grab Dr. Wilcox’s book: Rewire Your Food-Addicted Brain

• 🧩 Read a Free Chapter: Available on New Harbinger’s website (visit the Free Chapter link under the book listing)

• 🌐 Explore Dr. Wilcox’s Resources: Visit www.wilcoxmd.com → Free Resources & Tools

If this conversation resonated with you, explore Jess’s Empowered Eating Method—a framework that blends values, biofeedback, and nutrition science to help you find freedom with food again.

Because healing your relationship with food isn’t just about what you eat—it’s about how you live.

Join us at the Becoming Her Retreat 2026!

What if fashion was more than clothes? What if it was a doorway into healing, confidence, and becoming the woman you were always meant to be?

In today’s episode, Jess sits down with Marisa Anderson, stylist, confidence coach, pastor and co-creator of the Becoming Her Retreat. Together, they unpack how travel, style, and personal pivots shaped Marisa’s journey — and how those experiences are now guiding women into deeper transformation.

You’ll hear about the heart behind the retreat, why “dress like the woman you dream of” is more than just a tagline, and how fashion and body image can be powerful tools for self-acceptance and spiritual growth.

We’ll also talk about:

• How fashion and identity intersect with healing and faith

• Why body image struggles often show up in how we dress

• What women can expect at the Becoming Her Retreat (and what surprises might await!)

• How to know if investing in yourself through a retreat is the next right step

If you’ve ever wrestled with style, body image, or believing you deserve to feel beautiful, this episode is an invitation into hope, healing, and a vision of who you’re becoming.