Episode 13: Adolescent Medicine 101: What Parents and Clinicians Need to Know with Dr. Risa Fridy (Part 1)

Episode 13: Adolescent Medicine 101: What Parents and Clinicians Need to Know with Dr. Risa Fridy (Part 1)

What exactly is adolescent medicine—and when should a teen see an adolescent medicine specialist instead of their pediatrician? In this episode of Eat Kale & Cupcakes, Laura Cipullo and Shannon Herbert sit down with Dr. Risa Fridy, an adolescent medicine physician, to unpack this often-overlooked specialty and why it can make a profound difference during one of life's most complex developmental stages. From eating disorders and mental health to puberty, chronic illness, gender-affirming care, reproductive health, and navigating social media, adolescent medicine takes a whole-person approach to caring for teens and young adults. Dr. Fridy explains how adolescent medicine differs from traditional pediatrics, shares real-world clinical examples, and discusses why having time to truly listen to adolescents—and their families—is essential for providing effective, compassionate care. In this episode, we discuss: * What adolescent medicine is and why the specialty exists * How adolescent medicine differs from general pediatrics * When parents should consider an adolescent medicine consultation * Common reasons adolescents are referred to specialists * The importance of holistic, multidisciplinary care * Early and subtle signs of eating disorders * The role social media plays in body image, self-esteem, and adolescent health * Practical advice for parents, clinicians, and caregivers supporting adolescents This episode is for: * Parents and caregivers of tweens, teens, and young adults * Pediatricians and primary care providers * Registered dietitians * Mental health professionals * School counselors and educators * Anyone interested in adolescent health, eating disorders, or preventive care About Dr. Fridy Dr. Risa Fridy is an adolescent and young adult medicine physician in New York City. Dr. Fridy graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University and earned her medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College (formerly Jefferson Medical College) in her hometown of Philadelphia. She completed her residency in Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was the recipient of the Resident Advocacy Award, followed by a three-year fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore – Albert Einstein College of Medicine. During fellowship, Dr. Fridy received specialized training in the treatment of patients with eating disorders across the diagnostic spectrum, in both outpatient and inpatient hospital settings. She has thereafter spent her professional career practicing outpatient adolescent medicine in New York City, with a specialty in the medical management of eating disorders. In 2020, Dr. Fridy founded her own private medical practice, Tribeca Adolescent &; Young Adult Medicine, where she provides adolescent and young adult patients with personalized, highly-attentive, and comprehensive medical, as well as emotional care. Dr. Fridy has received a number of accolades throughout her career. She has been named to the New York Super Doctors list by The New York Times Magazine multiple years in a row, is the immediate past President of the New York Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, and is the treasurer of to the New York Chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals. She is also an active member of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Independent Doctors of New York. Dr. Fridy lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children. Learn more about Tribeca Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine here. [https://www.tribecaayam.com/] If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share it with a parent, colleague, or healthcare professional who works with adolescents. Your support helps us bring evidence-based nutrition and health conversations to more listeners. Follow Eat Kale & Cupcakes on Instagram and learn more about our work at www.lauracipullo.com [www.lauracipullo.com]

Episode 12: Is Intuitive Eating Appropriate for PCOS/PMOS?

Can you be an intuitive eater and still manage insulin resistance? *Disclaimer: This episode was filmed prior to the recent 2026 renaming of PCOS--> PMOS. You will hear us referring to PMOS as PCOS throughout the episode. In this episode, we're separating myths from science and exploring how to support both metabolic health and a healthy relationship with food when living with PCOS/PMOS. While intuitive eating can be a valuable framework for healing your relationship with food, insulin resistance—a hallmark feature of PCOS/PMOS—can make hunger, fullness, cravings, and energy levels feel less predictable. In this episode, we're unpacking the nuanced relationship between intuitive eating and PCOS/PMOS. We'll explore how insulin resistance affects hunger regulation, why blood sugar management involves more than just carbohydrates, and how to approach nutrition in a way that supports both metabolic health and food freedom. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been navigating PCOS/PMOS for years, this episode will help you understand why intuitive eating may feel challenging at times—and how to make it work for you rather than against you. In This Episode, You'll Learn: * What insulin resistance is and why it's so common in PCOS/PMOS * Why insulin resistance can exist even when your A1C is normal * The difference between insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and diabetes * Why carbohydrates aren't the only foods that influence insulin * The labs and tests that may provide insight into insulin resistance * How insulin resistance can impact hunger, fullness, cravings, and energy * Why intuitive eating can feel more difficult with PCOS/PMOS * Practical ways to build meals that increase satisfaction and satiety * How to integrate intuitive eating principles while supporting metabolic health Love the show? Subscribe to Eat Kale and Cupcakes for expert conversations on PCOS/PMOS, eating disorders, intuitive eating, nutrition, body image, and women's health. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating and review and share it with someone who may benefit from this discussion. Every review helps others discover the podcast. Follow us on instagram: @eatkaleandcupcakes Learn more about our work and online courses: www.lauracipullo.com

Episode 11: The Top 5 PCOS/PMOS Myths

We have a big conversation for you this week—and a major update in the world of women’s health. A quick note before you listen We recorded this episode just weeks before the official renaming—so you’ll hear us refer to PCOS throughout, with a little teaser of what was coming 😉 Breaking news! Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been recently renamed to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovary Syndrome (PMOS). This historic change shifts the way we conceptualize the condition. For years, we have been discussing how PCOS/PMOS is much more than a reproductive condition.  In fact, at Laura Cipullo Whole Nutrition we think of the condition as an endocrine or metabolic condition with reproductive comorbidities or symptoms. The renaming of the condition now finally reflects that.  Poly - multiple, many Endocrine - hormonal systems Metabolic - affecting or related to the metabolism (i.e. think insulin resistance and energy regulation!) Ovary - the reproductive component  Syndrome - cluster of symptoms  What the new name adds is that the condition impacts multiple bodily systems - including hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive - and it removes cysts from the name, as the condition was never actually about having cysts on the ovary.  This shift has been a long time coming—and it changes how we understand the condition at its core.  In this episode, we cover: * What this condition actually is (beyond the name) * How diagnostic criteria differ for adolescents vs. adults * The top 5 myths we hear all the time—and what the research really says This episode is all about cutting through the noise, challenging outdated narratives, and helping you understand PCOS/PMOS in a more accurate (and compassionate) way. We want to hear from you What myths or misconceptions have you heard about PCOS/PMOS? Let us know or tell us what questions you want us to cover in a future episode. Your support truly means the world to us. If this episode resonated, we’d be so grateful if you: * Subscribe to Eat Kale & Cupcakes * Leave a rating or review * Share it with a friend or client who could benefit We’re so excited to keep having these conversations with you.

Episode 10: The Four Hungers - Understanding Why We Eat

In this episode of Eat Kale and Cupcakes, we’re diving into one of the core frameworks we use every day in our work with clients: The Four Hungers. Originally developed by Laura Cipullo for her book Women's Body Clock, this model helps uncover the many reasons behind eating beyond simply “being hungry.” We explore how hunger is not just physical — it can also be emotional, behavioral, or hedonic . Understanding these different types of hunger can help reduce shame around eating, improve body awareness, and create a more compassionate and sustainable relationship with food. In this episode, we break down: * Emotional Hunger How emotions like chaos, comfort, and celebration influence eating patterns — and why emotional eating is not inherently “bad.” * Behavioral Hunger The role of habits, routines, schedules, dieting history, and learned behaviors in shaping how and when we eat. * Hedonic Hunger Why we crave foods for pleasure, satisfaction, novelty, and enjoyment, even when our physiological need for nutrition has been met. Also, how metabolic adaptations such as insulin and leptin resistance affect our experience of hunger. * Physical Hunger The body’s biological need for nourishment and how to recognize physical hunger and fullness cues. We also discuss how the Four Hungers framework can help clients: * Build awareness without judgment * Reduce all-or-nothing thinking around food * Better understand binge eating and overeating patterns * Improve attunement with their body * Develop a more flexible, realistic approach to nutrition Whether you’re struggling with emotional eating, trying to reconnect with your hunger cues, or simply curious about the psychology of eating, this episode offers practical insights and compassionate guidance. * The origin of the Four Hungers framework * Why understanding why you’re eating matters * Examples of each type of hunger in everyday life * How we use this framework with clients in practice * Why food satisfaction and pleasure are essential parts of nutrition Follow the podcast and share this episode with someone who’s ready to better understand their relationship with food. For more nutrition education, counseling resources, and our online course offerings, visit: Laura Cipullo Whole Nutrition Services [https://lauracipullo.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Connect with us at info@lauracipullo.com or on Instagram: @lauracipullo @shannonherbertrd

Episode 9: PCOS: What It Is, Shannon’s Story, and What’s Missing in Research & Care

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common, and often misunderstood, hormonal conditions. In this episode, we break down what PCOS actually is and how it’s diagnosed. Shannon shares her personal experience living with PCOS and how it shaped her path into doctoral research. We also take a critical look at the current PCOS literature, where it’s helpful, where it falls short, and what we consistently see in real-life clinical practice that isn’t being captured in the research. Whether you’re a clinician, someone navigating a diagnosis, or just trying to better understand hormone health, this episode offers a more nuanced, whole-person perspective on PCOS. We discuss: * What PCOS is (and what it’s not) * Common symptoms and presentations * How PCOS is diagnosed (and limitations of current criteria) * Shannon’s personal PCOS journey * What led to her dissertation research in PCOS * Gaps and limitations in existing PCOS research * What we see clinically that research often misses * The role of nutrition, metabolism, and behavior patterns * Why individualized, whole-person care matters * PCOS is not one-size-fits-all * Research doesn’t always reflect lived experience * Metabolic, hormonal, and behavioral factors are deeply intertwined If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might benefit or leave a review—it helps more people find the show. You can learn more about our work at www.lauracipullo.com Our Be Your Own Nutritionist [https://lauracipullo.com/online-course/] course helps you build a personalized, sustainable approach to eating—grounded in science and self-awareness. And if you’re navigating or considering GLP-1 medications, our GLP-1 Masterclass [https://laura-cipullo-agans.mykajabi.com/offers/jG2ktc2p/checkout] breaks down everything you need to know—from metabolic changes to maintaining muscle, stabilizing blood sugar, and supporting long-term health.