Don't Feed the Fear: Allergy Anxiety & Trauma
Don't Feed the Fear is hosted by licensed psychologist Dr. Amanda Whitehouse and focuses on the social and emotional challenges of living with food allergies, celiac disease, and related conditions. The show offers compassionate advice, practical strategies, and personal stories to help listeners manage anxiety and trauma with confidence and resilience. It also provides resources through thefoodallergypsychologist.com and offers full transcripts for accessibility.
Episodes
#97 Can AI Change How We Detect Anaphylaxis?: Anjo.ai's Wearable Tech
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Don’t Feed the Fear, I’m joined by Tal Golan and Stephen Benford of Anjo.ai to explore the intersection of food allergy, wearable technology, artificial intelligence, and real-time physiological monitoring.Tal Golan is the co-founder and CEO of Anjo.ai, a company developing technology designed to use wearable biosignals and AI to provide continuous monitoring and
#96 Healing More Than Allergies With Dr. Atul Shah
Send us Fan MailIn this season 8 finale of Don't Feed the Fear, Dr. Atul Shah joins me to talk about the medical and psychological sides of food allergy treatment. As the founder of NY Food Allergy & Wellness and creator of the FATE approach to food allergy tolerance enhancement, Dr. Shah has spent more than two decades working with patients and families navigating diagnosis, treatment, d
#95 Traditional Chinese Medicine: Dr. Xiu-Min Li's Groundbreaking Research
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I speak with Dr. Xiu-Min Li, a physician and researcher uniquely trained in both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Dr. Li has spent decades conducting rigorous scientific research exploring how traditional herbal therapies may help treat allergic diseases such as food allergies and eczema.Her work focuses on developing standardized herbal for
#94 A Parent & Psychologist’s Perspective on the Emotional Side of Food Allergy Treatment with Dr. Elizabeth Hawkins
Send us Fan MailFood allergy treatment looks very different today than it did 17 years ago.In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Hawkins joins me for a deeply personal conversation about navigating food allergy treatment as a parent long before many of today's options were readily available.Elizabeth is a psychologist, celiac patient, and a celiac and food allergy parent. Her younger daughter has a
#93 Helping Kids Through OIT: Fear, Coping & Building Confidence with Kelsey Mora
Send us Fan MailWhat does it really take to support a child through oral immunotherapy?The medical protocol is only part of the experience. For children, OIT can involve fear, uncertainty, frustration, procedures, new sensations, and a lot of big feelings—sometimes without the words or skills to communicate what's happening.In this episode, I talk with Kelsey Mora, a dual-certified Child Life
#92 Doing What It Takes: Advocating Through Immunotherapy and Kawasaki
Send us Fan MailWhat does it look like when a family is navigating multiple complicated medical journeys?In this episode of Don't Feed the Fear, I sit down with Natalie Grijalva to talk about her experience with her son's food allergy immunotherapy and her son's additional medical challenges related to Kawasaki disease.Natalie started her Instagram account @createlikeamom as a space
#91 The Reality of Immunotherapy: Progress, Setbacks, and Persistence with Sarah Danna
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I sit down with Sarah Danna, the creator behind @sarahandspices, to talk about her life with food allergies, her more recent diagnosis with MCAS, and her experience with immunotherapy through the Tolerance Induction Program (TIP) at the Food Allergy Institute.Sarah shares the emotional and practical realities of navigating treatment while also building an online co
#90 Understanding the Tolerance Induction Program (TIP) with Dr. Inderpal Randhawa
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dr. Inderpal Randhawa, founder of the Tolerance Induction Program (TIP) for allergies, joins the podcast to discuss his program and its approach to food allergy treatment.As part of this season exploring emerging and evolving allergy management options, this conversation aims to provide information directly from the source. TIP has generated both interest and debat
#89 Is SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy) Underrated? With Dr. Nikhila Schroeder
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, allergist Dr. Nikhila Schroeder, founder of Allergenity Health, joins the podcast to discuss sublingual immunotherapy as a standalone treatment for food allergies.As the second installment in our SLIT series, this conversation moves beyond introductory discussions and into a broader vision of what SLIT can offer. Dr. Schroeder shares how sublingual immunotherapy ma
#88 Reflecting on OIT for Three with Sarah Hornung
Send us Fan MailEvery family's experience with food allergy treatment is different and hearing those lived experiences can be just as valuable as knowing the research and hearing from the experts.This week's episode welcomes back food allergy Mom and advocate Sarah Hornung, who was first featured in Episode 11. Sarah is back for this season on immunotherapy to share what it was like to g
#87 Dr. Kara Wada on Sjögren’s, ILIT, and Reimagining Immune Care
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dr. Kara Wada, known online as The Immune Confident MD, joins the podcast to discuss immune complexity from both the physician and patient perspective. Dr. Wada is a board-certified allergist, immunologist, lifestyle medicine physician, food allergy mom, and Sjogren's patient.Living with Sjögren’s disease and dysautonomia herself, Dr. Wada shares how personal
#86 Biologics in Food Allergy Care: A New Era with Dr. Brian Vickery
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dr. Brian Vickery of Emory University joins the podcast to discuss biologics in food allergy treatment.As research advances, biologics are emerging as both standalone therapies and adjuncts to other treatments such as oral immunotherapy. Dr. Vickery explains how these medications work, what they are designed to target within the immune system, and how they may shif
#85 How Sublingual Immunotherapy Can Increase Safety and Freedom, With Dr. Allison Freeman
Send us Fan MailAll allergy families are familiar with strict avoidance and emergency preparedness, and some have heard of oral immunotherapy (OIT). But fewer know about sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and how it may fit into a long term treatment plan.In this episode, I sit down with allergist Dr. Allison Freeman to explore what SLIT is, how it works, and when it may be a good option for both env
#84 Demystifying EoE with Dr. Christopher Parrish
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Christopher Parrish, a triple board-certified allergist and immunologist who leads Latitude Food Allergy Care’s Orange County clinic and has been involved in groundbreaking clinical research in both food allergy and EoE.Dr. Parrish previously served as faculty at UT Southwestern Medical Center and helped lead a multidisciplinary program dedicated
#83 Could Research Shift the Way You Feel About Food Allergy Treatments?
Send us Fan MailFood allergy research is constantly evolving, but what do these studies actually mean for families making treatment decisions?In this episode of Don't Feed the Fear, I welcome Dr. Lianne Soller Allergy Research Manager at BC Children's Hospital in Canada to help us make sense of the evidence behind food allergy immunotherapy and where the field is headed. Together, we exp
#82 When "Not Right Now" is Right For Now with Ina Chung
Send us Fan MailEvery family approaches food allergy treatment differently, and that's exactly as it should be.In this episode, psychologist and food allergy mom I sit down with Ina Chung, creator of @TheAsianAllergyMom to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of treatment decisions: giving yourself permission to choose the path that aligns with your family's goals, values, and seas
#81 Mindset and Mental Health in OIT with Prof. Adam Fox
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, UK allergist Prof. Adam Fox joins us to explore the emotional and psychosocial layers of oral immunotherapy.Dr. Fox shares how he approaches difficult conversations with honesty and compassion, including addressing guilt about management decisions and understanding risk and side effects during treatment. Dr. Fox gives us important insights and emotional validation
BONUS EPISODE: Magic Wand Exercise for Teens and Adults
Send us Fan MailBeneath our wishes, we often discover important clues about our values, needs, fears, hopes, griefs, and the parts of ourselves that may not receive enough attention in everyday life.When was the last time you used your imagination, not to solve a problem or make a plan, but to better understand yourself?This guided Magic Wand Exercise invites you to set aside what is practical, re
BONUS EPISODE: Magic Wand Meditation for Kids
Send us Fan MailWhat would your child change if they had a magic wand?What would they wish for?What would they want the adults in their life to understand?The Magic Wand Exercise is one of my favorite tools for helping children express thoughts, feelings, worries, hopes, and needs that can sometimes be difficult to put into words directly. This gentle, guided exercise invites children to use their
#80 Fear, Hope, & Self-Compassion: Guest Host Dr. Elizabeth Hawkins Interviews Me About My New Book
Send us Fan MailThis month, the tables are turned.In this special episode, psychologist, food allergy mom, and friend Dr. Elizabeth Hawkins joins the podcast as guest host to interview me about my new book, From Fear to Freedom: A Workbook for Navigating Allergy Immunotherapy.We discuss the personal and professional experiences that inspired the book, the challenges families face when considering
#79 Misconceptions, Myths & More: What Dr. Tom Chacko Wants You to Know About OIT
Send us Fan MailWe covered what OIT is last week.This week? We’re talking about what it’s not.Dr. Tom Chacko joins me to bust common myths about oral immunotherapy and answer the questions families ask in his clinic and on social media every day.Dr. Chacko gives us his honest and direct perspective on:-When not pursuing OIT could be a missed opportunity or even a disservice to a patient-How other
#78 From Controversy to Collaboration: The Evolution of OIT with Dr. Doug Jones
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we begin a deep dive into specific food allergy immunotherapy treatments with a conversation about (OIT).Dr. Doug Jones, one of the early pioneers of OIT in the United States, joins us to discuss how it looks in real clinical practice, and how to think about risk, predictability, and control in food allergy management.As treatment options expand, patients and clini
#77 My Month of Awareness & Why It Matters
Send us Fan MailIn this solo episode, I’m wrapping up an incredibly meaningful awareness month by taking you behind the scenes of the advocacy events, conferences, legislation, research, and community moments that left me feeling hopeful about the future of food allergies and chronic illness care.From the Food Allergy Fund Summit in New York City, to advocacy days in Washington DC and Albany, this
#76 May Contain: My Life - Behind the Scenes with Mandi Kearns
Send us Fan MailThis week on the podcast, I’m joined by filmmaker and advocate Mandi Kearns of Just Like You Films to discuss the upcoming food allergy docudrama, May Contain: My Life.This conversation explores not only the making of the film, but the emotional realities behind it: parenting through food allergies, navigating fear and resilience, sibling experiences, emergency situations, advocacy
#75 From Awareness to Action with AAFA's Kenneth Mendez
Send us Fan MailIn this special Allergy & Asthma Awareness Month episode, psychologist and food allergy advocate Dr. Amanda Whitehouse sits down with Kenny Mendez, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), for a conversation about advocacy, policy change, and the future of support for the allergy and asthma community.Together, they discuss the emotional and prac
#74 Understanding FPIES with iFPIES Founder Fallon Schultz
Send us Fan MailFPIES (Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome) is a type of food allergy that often goes unrecognized, leaving families confused, dismissed, and searching for answers.In this episode, I’m joined by iFPIES founder Fallon Schultz, MSW, LCSW, to explore both the clinical and lived experience of FPIES. Fallon shares her personal story, the challenges of navigating a diagnosis that
#73 Immunotherapy Options for Environmental Allergies with Dr. Manisha Relan
Send us Fan MailEnvironmental allergies can significantly impact daily life, from chronic congestion and itchy eyes to sleep disruption and reduced quality of life. If daily medications aren't enough, there are longer-term treatment options available.In this episode, pediatric allergist Dr. Manisha Relan joins us to break down two forms of allergen immunotherapy: SCIT (allergy shots) and SLIT
#72 Preparing for Immunotherapy: Dr. Dave Stukus on Tests, Challenges, and Expectations
Send us Fan MailMy second guest for this special podcast season guiding listeners through the immunotherapy process welcomes back Dr. David Stukus, Director of the Food Allergy Treatment Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio and President-Elect of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI).Dr. Stukus shares his clinical approach to preparing patient
#71 Shared Decision Making in Allergy Treatment Choices with Dr. Shahzad Mustafa
Send us Fan MailWe are living in an exciting time in food allergy medicine with multiple treatment options to choose some and likely more on the way soon. But more options can also mean more overwhelm. I've invited some of the world's foremost experts in allergy to join me for this exciting season guiding us through these choices and decisions to lead us from overwhelm to confidence.In t
#70 When Options Feel Overwhelming: Our Immunotherapy Journey (& A Big Announcement!)
Send us Fan MailThis season we are discussing options in food allergies. This week's episode begins a deep dive into one of the most complex and emotional parts of living with food allergies: treatment options.With more treatment options available than ever before, patients and families are facing decisions that are both hopeful and overwhelming. These choices are not just medical. They are d
#69 Another Needle-Free Epi Option?: An Update on Nasdepi
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I'm joined by Scott Lyman, CEO and Co-Founder of Belhaven BioPharma, to discuss Nasdepi®, an investigational dry powder epinephrine nasal spray currently in development for the treatment of anaphylaxis.Nasdepi® is designed as a needle-free alternative to traditional auto-injectors, with early clinical data suggesting rapid absorption and strong temperature sta
#68 AUVI-Q and Epi Confidence with Dr. Vivian Hernandez-Trujillo
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Vivian Hernandez-Trujillo, board-certified allergist and food allergy mom and patient, for a grounded and practical conversation about epinephrine confidence.We talk about what it’s like to manage food allergies both personally and professionally, why so many families hesitate in emergencies, and how familiarity, not fear, is what truly helps in m
BONUS Meditation Episode: Finding Glimmers (Teaching the Nervous System to Find Safety)
Send us Fan MailMany of our nervous systems become very skilled at scanning for danger. This is not a flaw. It is a protective response that develops when life has required us to stay alert. But when the nervous system spends most of its time looking for what might go wrong, it can begin to overlook the signals of safety that are also present.This session introduces the concept of glimmers. These
#67 Simplifying Epinephrine with Dr. Farah Khan
Send us Fan MailThis is the first guest episode in a season of the Don't Feed the Fear podcast dedicated to something many of us are feeling deeply right now: the excitement and overwhelm that comes with how quickly the food allergy landscape is changing.With more options, devices, information, and opinions bombarding us, many feel unsure of what to trust, what actually matters, and how to ma
BONUS Meditation: Be Careful, Not Fearful
Send us Fan MailLiving with food allergies or celiac disease often requires careful decision making. Reading labels, asking questions, and evaluating risk are important parts of staying safe. Over time, though, the nervous system can become so used to scanning for danger that it becomes difficult to tell the difference between healthy caution and anxiety driven fear.This guided meditation helps yo
#66 Your Anxiety Isn't Keeping You Safe. It's Feeding The Fear.
Send us Fan MailOf course you feel anxious sometimes managing food allergies and celiac. Many patients and families believe that a little anxiety keeps us safe, that fear keeps us vigilant, and that without it we might become careless.But is that actually true?In this episode, Dr. Whitehouse explores the difference between stress, overwhelm, anxiety, and trauma, and why those distinctions matter s
#65 Kyah's Legacy: Food Allergy Education and Advocacy
Send us Fan MailLisa Cohen created the Kyah Rayne Foundation in honor of her daughter Kyah, who died following to an allergic reaction.As we approach Kyah’s birthday on March 17, Lisa shares Kyah’s story and the mission behind the foundation, with a focus on food allergy education, epinephrine access, and the importance of knowing how to respond in an emergency.Together, we discuss common misconce
#64 Understanding Barriers in Food Allergy Care with Dr. Linda Jones Herbert and Dr. Hemant Sharma
Send us Fan MailFood allergy care does not exist in a vacuum, and neither do the families managing it.In this episode, pediatric psychologist Dr. Linda Jones Herbert and pediatric allergist Dr. Hemant Sharma from Children’s National Hospital join the conversation to explore how disparities in food allergy diagnosis, treatment access, and outcomes are shaped by psychosocial and systemic factors.We
#63 When Safety Creates Distance: Isolation, Connection, and Boundaries in Food Allergy Life
Send us Fan MailLiving with food allergies often creates distance between us and friends, family, schools, and communities that don’t fully understand what our safety requires. This episode compassionately addresses the growing sense of isolation many food allergy families experience and why advice like “just go no contact” or “let them” often misses the reality of chronic illness.Isolation can fe
#62 Allergy Strong Kids and Communities with Erin Malawer
Send us Fan MailWhat does food allergy safety look like when systems don’t work equally for everyone?In this episode, I’m joined by Erin Malawer, founder of Allergy Strong, to explore how inequities in education, resources, and institutional support shape the lived experience of food allergy families. Erin’s work focuses on improving safety and access at the community level so that protection does
#61 Black Families and Food Allergies with Renia Butler, Black Allergy Mama
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I’m joined by Renia Butler, founder of Black Allergy Mama, for an honest and powerful conversation about race, food allergy advocacy, and mental health.Renia shares her personal journey navigating food allergies as a Black mother, the systemic gaps she witnessed firsthand, and how those experiences fueled her advocacy work. We explore the emotional labor families c
#60 Comfort Kits, Hypnotherapy, and Healing for Children with Dr. Lisa Lombard
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, psychologist Lisa Lombard, Ph.D. shares insights from her clinical experience and research background in food allergy. She also shares aspects of her work that led to the creation of Comfort Kits, tools designed to support children experiencing trauma. We talk about why safety and imagination matter so much for healing, and how small, intentional interventions can
#59 Dr. Zachary Rubin on Allergies in the Age of Social Media
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Zachary Rubin, board-certified allergist-immunologist, educator, and one of the most trusted voices in allergy and immunology on social media.Dr. Rubin has built a massive following by breaking down complex medical topics with calm, evidence-based guidance. In our conversation, we go beyond viral posts to explore what it actually means to navigate
Bonus Self-Care Meditation for Vigilant Nervous Systems
Send us Fan MailWhen you live with food allergies, celiac disease, or another chronic condition, your nervous system is asked to stay alert every single day. This ongoing vigilance is not imagined anxiety. It is a physiological adaptation to real risk.In this guided meditation, Dr. Whitehouse invites you to experience self care as nervous system re-education rather than another task to perform. Th
# 58 Beyond Bubble Baths: Self-Care for Food Allergies & Celiac
Send us Fan MailSelf-care is often framed as indulgent, aesthetic, or optional, but for individuals and families managing food allergies or other chronic conditions, it is essential.In this solo episode, I explore misconceptions about self-care means, and how it is uniquely difficult in food allergy and celiac life.This episode covers:Why food allergy management creates chronic nervous system acti
Bonus Pranayama (4-7-8 Breathing) led by Dr. Gary Soffer
Send us Fan MailThis guided pranayama meditation is led by Dr. Gary Soffer, allergist-immunologist and integrative medicine physician, and was recorded as part of our New Year conversation on health, healing, and self-care (episode 57).In this practice, Dr. Soffer offers a gentle, accessible breathing technique drawn from yogic traditions and adapted by Dr. Andrew Weil. This practice is a gentle i
#57 Rethinking Health in the New Year: Dr. Gary Soffer on Integrative Medicine
Send us Fan MailAs we begin a new year and many are reflecting on their health and recommitting to self-car, this episode invites a deeper, more expansive conversation about what health actually means, especially for those living with food allergies, chronic illness, or caregiver stress.In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Gary Soffer, allergist-immunologist and integrative medicine physician, for a
#56 Realize your CAN: New Year Inspiration with Riya Jain
Send us Fan MailIn this inspiring New Year episode, Riya Jain joins us to share how growing up with food allergies fueled The Land of Can book series. She is a young entrepreneur, author, and food allergy advocate who won a major venture prize at Duke her freshman year to develop her business.Riya also talks about participating in an upcoming documentary about food allergies, what it's like b
#55 Sniffing out Safety: Natalie and Harley the Food Allergy Detection Dog
Send us Fan MailThis episode is a heartwarming and eye-opening look at what life is like with a food allergy detection dog. My guest, Natalie Rice, shares how their family decided to train a peanut detection dog to help manage her daughter's food allergy. Natalie shares how having this remarkable companion has transformed daily life, and how she is using Harley's skills to help others wi
#54 Reclaiming Joy in Eating with Lauren Less
Send us Fan MailFood should bring joy, comfort, nourishment, and safety, but food allergies and chronic illness often turn food into something stressful, restrictive, or scary.Lauren Less, creator of Less with Laur, is here to talk about her experiences with adult-diagnosed food allergies, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Synd
Bonus Holiday Boundary-Setting Meditation: Finding Your "Yes" and Your "No"
Send us Fan MailThis 11-minute guided reflection helps food allergic/celiac individuals and food allergy parents pause, reset, and listen to their own internal “yes” and “no” signals during the busy holiday season. Using gentle, polyvagal-informed cues and somatic reflection, you’ll explore what feels nourishing versus uncomfortable and create an internal guide for identifying boundaries to honor
#53 Holiday Communication and Boundaries in Food Allergy Families
Send us Fan MailIn this special crossover episode, Dr. Whitehouse shares a recent guest appearance on The Itch Podcast (episode 132), where she joined hosts Dr. Payel Gupta and Kortney Kwong Hing for an open and compassionate conversation about navigating difficult family interactions during the holiday season. Together, they unpack how to set and maintain boundaries, communicate effectively, and
Bonus Immunotherapy Dosing Meditation for Teens and Adults: Steady and Calm
Send us Fan MailThis grounding meditation supports tweens, teens, and adults navigating oral immunotherapy (OIT), Tolerance Induction Program (TIP), sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), or any allergy dosing protocol. Using science-based nervous system strategies, you’ll practice shifting from anticipatory anxiety into a steadier, more regulated state—without increasing interoceptive focus or fueling
Bonus Immunotherapy Meditation: My Little Garden
Send us Fan MailThis gentle, imaginative meditation helps kids feel calmer and more confident during oral immunotherapy (OIT), Tolerance Induction Program (TIP), or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) allergy dosing. Together with their trusted adult, children visualize their dose as a tiny seed planted in an imaginary garden, growing stronger over time. Through slow breathing, grounding, and playful
#52 How the Food Allergy Nursing Association (FANA) is Redefining Food Allergy Care
Send us Fan MailThe Food Allergy Nursing Association (FANA) is celebrating one year of transforming the landscape of food allergy care. In this special anniversary episode, I’m joined by FANA’s president Dr. Olga Kagan, and secretary Sarah Pederson to talk about their mission to elevate nursing education, improve patient care, and establish certified allergy nurse educators.Together, we discuss ho
Bonus Meditation: Cloud Release For Food Allergy Anxiety
Send us Fan MailFeel anxious about food allergies? This 10-minute guided meditation helps teens and adults gently observe anxious “what-if” thoughts without being overwhelmed by them.Using a calming sky and drifting clouds visualization, you’ll learn to notice your worries, label them, and watch them float away, without pushing or holding onto them. This meditation teaches that you are not your th
Bonus Kids Relaxation: Silly Animal Thoughts
Send us Fan MailThis playful 5-minute, science-based meditation helps kids (and their grown-ups!) understand how their brains work, and that not every thought is true.Children learn that just like hearts beat and eyes blink, brains think thoughts: some helpful, some worried, and some downright silly! Together, you’ll explore why anxious thoughts happen (your brain’s way of trying to protect you) a
Bonus Relaxation for Kids with Food Allergies: Inside My Bubble
Send us Fan MailThis gentle 5-minute guided meditation helps children with food allergies calm their worries and feel safe in their bodies and their world. Together with a trusted adult, kids will imagine creating a special “bubble of safety” around themselves that travels with them wherever they go.Through simple breathing, imagination, and connection, children learn how to notice their worried “
#51 Safe Epi Use in Infants and Toddlers with Dr. Michael Pistiner
Send us Fan MailIn Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Michael Pistiner, pediatric allergist at Mass General for Children, we focus on anaphylaxis management in young children and epinephrine use.Dr. Pistiner walks us through which epinephrine devices are appropriate for infants and toddlers, and demonstrates the best techniques for administering them safely. He shares practical guidance for holdin
#50 New Criteria for Infant and Toddler Anaphylaxis with Dr. Michael Pistiner
Send us Fan MailIn this first of a two-part conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Pistiner, pediatric allergist and Director of Food Allergy Advocacy, Education, and Prevention at Mass General for Children, Harvard Medical School.Dr. Pistiner discusses his work on developing the newly updated criteria for recognizing anaphylaxis in infants and toddlers, breaking down medical terminology into cle
#49 Connection Not Perfection: Holiday Talk with Megan Lavin
Send us Fan MailIn this special holiday episode, I welcome Megan Lavin, the creator behind Allergy Awesomeness. She is a trusted voice in the food allergy community, allergy mom of four, and now a morning TV anchor. Together, we explore what it means to create a happy and connected (not perfect) holiday for our families.We also discuss Megan’s recent experience with a brand partnership, how she ap
#48 Gratitude, Grief, and the Gifts We Don't Choose
Send us Fan MailIn this deeply personal Thanksgiving episode, I reflect on the ways that grief and gratitude are intertwined.This episode is dedicated to my brother Adam on his birthday. Acknowledging Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month, I share how his death reshaped what gratitude means to me.Join me to explore how we create meaning after trauma, how you're doing gratitude wrong, and ways to
#47 Safe to Eat: Devin Sailer's Mission to Change the Food Allergy World
Send us Fan MailThis inspiring episode features Devin August Sailer, teen allergy advocate and founder of Safe to Eat, an organization providing Top 9 and gluten free foods to domestic violence and emergency housing shelters in upstate New York. We talk about what it's like navigating the world with food allergies as a young person, how Safe to Eat was created, and how even the smallest acts
#46 Living Out Loud While Invisibly Allergic with Zoe Slaughter
Send us Fan MailIn this episode I am joined by Zoë Slaughter, the influencer behind the Invisibly Allergic blog and social media accounts and author of the upcoming book by the same name. Zoë shares candidly about her airborne and contact reactivity, her experience using the new nasal epinephrine Neffy, and how she has navigated a safe work place. We also talk about what it means to advocate for c
#45 Why Social Anxiety in Food Allergies Deserves Attention with Dr. Melissa Engel
Send us Fan MailFood allergies don’t just bring the fear of anaphylaxis. They also bring unique social challenges that are often overlooked. In this episode, I sit down with psychologist clinician and researcher Dr. Melissa Engel, whose recently published paper introduces a new model for understanding social anxiety related to food allergies.We discuss why this distinction matters, especially for
#44 Behavioral Health Insights with FAACT's Emery Brown
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Don’t Feed the Fear, Emery Brown, school psychologist and FAACT’s Behavioral Health Director, joins me to talk about how parents and schools can better support children with food allergies. We explore practical strategies that help children and their parents feel safe, understood, and able to thrive. This episode is packed with helpful tips from Emery's real
#43 The ADINA Act: Fighting for Allergen & Gluten Labeling in Medications
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Don’t Feed the Fear, the family behind the ADINA Act joins me to talk about the federal bill's recently reintroduction to Congress. The Act seeks to require clear labeling of the Top 9 food allergens and gluten in prescription and over-the-counter medications. It's a critical step toward safety and transparency for people living with food allergies and
#42 Diagnosed Celiac During the Pandemic: Gabby Hemond on the Importance of Community
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Don’t Feed the Fear, Gabby Hemond (@noglutengabby) joins us to talk about being a young celiac influencer diagnosed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk about the unique challenges of navigating a new diagnosis in young adulthood during the global shutdown, the insecurities and uncertainties that came with it, and coping through connecting with oth
#41 Suki the Gluten-Detection Dog and Her Celiac Human, Kendra Williams
Send us Fan MailThis week on Don’t Feed the Fear, I’m joined by Kendra Williams, who lives with celiac disease and has a gluten detection dog Suki trained to keep her safe. In this conversation, we talk about when a food allergy detection dog is a good fit, the role Suki plays in daily life, and how this unique partnership has reduced anxiety and increased her confidence in navigating a gluten-fil
#40 Candid Conversations about Celiac with Kayla King
Send us Fan MailKayla King (@celiacwithkayla) joins us on Don't Feed the Fear this week for an open and candid conversation about the realities of living with celiac disease. Kayla is a young celiac influencer who speaks candidly about her experiences growing up with celiac disease. Together, we explore the challenges and triumphs of dating, traveling, and developing self-confidence while man
#39 Celiac Journey's Advocacy: The Bari Family's Call for Change
Send us Fan MailThis episode of Don’t Feed the Fear opens our month-long focus on celiac disease with a powerful conversation featuring father and son advocates Jon and Jax Bari. Together, they share their personal experiences with celiac and the urgent need for systemic change—from increased research funding to clearer gluten labeling.We discuss how advocacy at the family level can create ripples
#38 Safer Schools: Christine Creter on the Food Allergy Management in Schools Recommendations
Send us Fan MailHeading back to school can feel stressful for families managing food allergies. Last year, new recommendations for food allergy management in schools were released, offering schools a roadmap for keeping students safe and included. In this episode, I’m joined by Christine Creter to break down what they mean, how they can be applied, and how parents can utilize them to support their
#37 Our unexpected paths to homeschooling: Exploring our options with Lyndsie Iiams
Send us Fan MailIn this heartfelt and honest conversation, I sit down with Lyndsie Iiams, a fellow homeschooling food allergy mom and social media creator, to talk about how our journeys led us to educate our children at home. Neither of us ever expected to homeschool, but food allergies reshaped how we viewed our children’s safety, learning environment, and emotional well-being.We discuss the myt
#36 Finding Freedom Beyond Food with Jenna Gestetner
Send us Fan MailWith only 14 foods she can eat safely, Jenna Gestetner could have built a life defined by restriction. Instead, she’s chosen to create one rich in joy, connection, and possibility. Living with MCAS, POTS, and multiple food allergies, she shares how she’s learned to honor her body’s needs without letting her diagnosis dictate her happiness. In this episode, Jenna shares how she navi
#35 Innovations to Improve Food Allergy Prevention and Care with Meenal Lele
Send us Fan MailMeenal Lele is the founder and CEO of Hanimune Therapeutics, which she founded with the aim of developing food allergy preventative products. The company's goal is to create solutions for parents preventing food allergies and doctors seeking better options to support tolerance. The company's commercial branch Lil' Mixins provides products making early allergen introd
#34 Mia Silverman on Choosing a Vibrant Life with Allergies
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dr. Whitehouse is joined by an inspiring young adult living with multiple food allergies, Mia Silverman. Mia shares her journey of navigating the world with confidence, resilience, and clarity. Together, they discuss what it really looks like to say “yes” to life, while still taking precautions and honoring the realities of her medical needs.From dealing with bully
#33 One Year of Don't Feed the Fear: Birthday Episode
Send us Fan MailIn this special birthday episode of Don’t Feed the Fear, I’m pausing to reflect on a whirlwind year, both personally and professionally. I answer some of the questions I get most often, including what inspired the name of the podcast, what I’ve learned through a year of growth, grief, and gratitude, and how nervous system work continues to shape everything from allergy management t
#32 Building Bravery: Tackling Allergy Anxiety with Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard
Send us Fan MailIn this week's chat about choices, psychologist/researcher Dr. Katharine Dahlsgaard and your host Dr. Whitehouse explore what we can do about the emotional side of food allergies, exploring when everyday anxiety crosses the line into specific phobia and how to address it. Dr. Dahlsgaard walks us through her research demonstrating that exposure therapy, including the proximity
#31 Creating a Healthy Food Foundation with Children's Dietitian Lucy Upton
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, host Dr. Whitehouse welcomes dietitian-author Lucy Upton @childrensdietitian to explore developing healthy relationships with food. Topics discussed include:Nervous system–informed eating strategiesSafe and science-backed early allergen introductionThe gut-brain-axis, vagus nerve, and mental health connection Medicalization of food and how to combat itLucy's &
#30 Ilana Golant & the Food Allergy Fund: Turning Donations into Discoveries
Send us Fan MailIn this World Allergy Week episode, I'm joined by Ilana Golant, Founder and CEO of the Food Allergy Fund. She exposes the significant gap between the prevalence of food allergies and the amount of research dollars devoted to this. Ilana shares how the FAF is stepping into this gap, ensuring that every dollar donated goes directly to research on prevention, treatment, and event
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