Soften the Stress Response to Maximize Healing

Soften the Stress Response to Maximize Healing

Dr. Ric Arseneau shares practical tools that are good for everyone but are especially helpful for those living with chronic conditions such as mast cell disease, fibromyalgia, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), long COVID, and others. While stress does not cause these conditions, the body’s stress response can significantly amplify symptoms. Dr. Arseneau explains how this process happens and offers techniques to soften the stress response and support healing. Ric Arseneau, MD FRCPC MA(Ed) MBA FACP CGP, is an academic general internist working out of St. Paul’s Hospital and private practice. He is a Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia. He has a special interest in medical education and has a master’s degree in Adult Education. Inaddition, he holds an MBA and is certified as a group psychotherapist. Dr. Arseneau is the medical director of the BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS, & Fibromyalgia (BC-CLMF). You can learn more about the BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS, & Fibromyalgia here [https://bc-clmf.org/] and reach Dr. Arseneau through his receptionist (bruno@drricarseneau.ca [bruno@drricarseneau.ca]).

Exploring Food Restriction Due to Sensory Differences

In this episode, Susan Watson and I explore the challengespeople face when certain foods feel uncomfortable due to their sensory characteristics — such as smell, taste, or texture. Susan shares both her personal experience with sensory differences and the valuable insights she’s gained through her work in nutrition counselling, helping clients navigate foodrestrictions with understanding and self-compassion. Susan Watson is a registered dietitian and eating disorderspecialist, and the founder of A Little Nutrition and Therapy Services Winnipeg—a multidisciplinary practices that help individuals heal their relationship with food and body through a compassionate, weight-inclusive approach. With over 15 years of experience in nutrition counselling and mental health, Susan is passionate about bridging the gap between nutrition care and mental well-being. You can reach her at www.alittlenutrition.com [http://www.alittlenutrition.com] or  info@alittlenutrition.com [info@alittlenutrition.com].

Positive Visualization: Focused Use of Imagination to Change Habitual Patterns

Positive visualization can help us reshape the beliefs andpatterns that hold us back — yet creating personal audio recordings isn’t always easy. In this episode, we break down the process step by step, exploring how to write your own visualization script, record it with confidence, andweave it into a meaningful daily practice. Dr. Navidi is a licensed clinical psychologist andco-founder of GI Psychology, a multi-state center specializing in the treatment of GI disorders and chronic pain. He oversees training and outreach for the practice and is also a founder and past president of the Northern Virginia Society of Clinical Hypnosis, as well as a hypnosis trainer for ISSTD. Dr.Navidi has given talks about GI disorders and chronic pain to organizations around the country and has appeared on multiple podcasts, spreading awareness ofevidence-based psychological approaches to GI care. You can reach Dr. Navidi through his email: admin@gipsychology.com

Year-End Reflection

In this year-end episode, Wendy looks back onsome of the most powerful insights shared by her 2025 podcast guests—especiallyaround the theme of acceptance. Drawing from conversations with her guests, sheexplores how acceptance of symptoms, emotions, and lived experience can reducesuffering and support healing. Wendy also introduces a simple dailyvisualization practice to help listeners soften resistance and make space formeaningful change.

Help Your Child Develop a Positive Eating Relationship, Even if You Struggle with Food Fear

A parent/caregiver's food relationship impacts how their child's feeding relationship develops. For example, many children pick up food fear from a parent.  Jaclyn shares tips on how to turn these challenges into teachable moments with your child.   A parent/caregiver's relationship to food has a direct impact on their child's feeding development. As they develop, children learn from observation and may adopt similar habits or behaviours from the adults around them. For example, a child may not like a food because their parent/caregiver does not like it; this could even transpire into fear of the food altogether. Jaclyn shares tips on how to turn these challenges into teachable moments with your child. Jaclyn Pederson, MHI,  is the Chief Executive Officer of Feeding Matters. With more than a decade of experience in program development, Jaclyn Pederson's broad knowledge of programming in the public and social sectors includes program and strategic initiative design, fund development, special events, grant writing, and community engagement. A system thinker and positive team builder, she uses transformational leadership principles to develop energized and efficient workgroups that influence significant organizational and systemic change for all affected by pediatric feeding disorder –such as the development of the expanded PFD Alliance. Jaclyn also manages Feeding Matters' strategic partnerships with numerous professional associations, including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN). You can reach Jaclyn through her website and social media. https://www.feedingmatters.org [https://www.feedingmatters.org]  https://www.facebook.com/feedingmatters [https://www.facebook.com/feedingmatters]  https://www.instagram.com/feedingmatters  [https://www.instagram.com/feedingmatters]