Behind the Bio: From Dietitians of Canada

In this episode we chat with Kori Kostka, dietitian and owner of Nourished Body in Toronto, ON. Kori talks about what weight stigma is, its effects on clients' well being, and her advice on how we can shift our focus away from weight to improve client outcomes.  We also get a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference presentation called "The effects of internalized weight stigma."

In this episode we chat with Kristyn Hall, consulting dietitian and owner of Energize Nutrition in Calgary, AB. Kristyn shares her passion for "getting behind food and in front of people" through culinary nutrition and her advice on how to jump in and hone your own existing culinary skills. We get a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference presentation about how to plan and implement culinary nutrition interventions to support dietary behaviour and improve health outcomes.

  In this episode, we chat with dietitian Gwen Kostal, RD, in Guelph, ON. Gwen explains what "QI" (or quality improvement) is, why she's passionate about it, and why dietitians are already well equipped to incorporate it into their practices. We also get a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference workshop called "Beyond the buzzword: quality improvement tools for dietitians."

In this episode we chat with Dr. Liesel Carlsson, dietitian and assistant professor in the School of Nutrition and Dietetics at Acadia University in NS. Liesel unpacks common misconceptions about sustainability and explains how dietitians can contextualize and integrate sustainability principles into practice. We also get a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference presentation about supporting sustainability food systems in dietetic practice.

In this episode we chat with Mary Bamford, dietitian at Renascent Addiction Treatment Centre in Toronto, ON. Mary talks about her journey exploring food addiction and why this emerging topic can be controversial. She also shares her advice about working with clients who may have food addiction. We get a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference presentation called "Loss of control overeating: What tools and treatments are in dietititans' scope of practice?"

In this episode, we chat with Robyn Turner, RD, rural dietitian at Northern Health in northern B.C. Robyn shares the challenges and benefits of working as a rural dietitian and why she has no plans to leave any time soon! We also get a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference presentation about surviving and thriving as a rural or remote dietitian

In this episode, we chat with community dietitian and team lead Kelly Gordon, RD, in Six Nations of the Grand River. Kelly shares her experiences being an Indigenous dietitian and what that means for her both personally and professionally. We also get a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference presentation about using food as a pathway towards reconciliation.

Prior to launching season 3 of Behind the Bio (coming March 24, 2020), host Cristina Cicco shares some of her favourite moments from seasons 1 and 2 and what it’s like to be a podcast host.

In this episode, we chat with dietitian Christina Seely, RD, CDE, in London, ON. Christina shares the challenges and rewards of her extensive career working in nutrition and mental health and how she built her knowledge and skill in this evolving area of practice. We also get a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference about the pivotal role of nutrition in mental health.

In this episode, we chat with dietitian Naomi Cahill, PhD, RD, in London, ON.  Naomi shares the highs and lows of pursuing a PhD and her exciting new work as the Content and Communications Manager for the Society for Implementation Science in Nutrition. We also get a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference about emerging research in the field of postpartum nutrition care.

In this episode, we chat with Fiona Devereaux, RD, Aboriginal Health Services dietitian at Island Health in Vancouver Island, BC. Fiona shares her extensive experiences and reflections working alongside Indigenous Communities and how that has changed her both personally and professionally. She also shares a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada presentation about journeying towards Indigenous cultural safety. 

In this episode, we chat with sport dietitian Erik Sesbreno, MSc(c), RD, nutrition lead at the Institut National du Sport du Quebec. Erik talks about how sports lessons are really life lessons and how defeats can turn into eventual wins. We also get a sneak preview of Erik's upcoming Dietitians of Canada presentation on body composition management for athletes and active individuals.

In this episode, we chat with dietitian Krystal Merrells, RD, improviser and storyteller in Ottawa, ON. Krystal talks about how improv is a transferable skill that can teach us to adapt more easily and improve our work with clients. We get a taste of improv through a demonstration in the podcast and also get a sneak preview of Krystal's upcoming Dietitians of Canada presentation called "Working without a Script."

In this episode, we chat with dietitians Jennifer Buccino MEd, RD, Dietitians of Canada's Regional Executive Director for Ontario and Leslie Whittington-Carter MHS, RD, DC's Public Affairs Manager. Jennifer and Leslie talk about their personal journeys in the dietetic profession and share a sneak preview of their upcoming Dietitians of Canada presentation related to advocacy in our profession.  Find out about DC’s new Advocacy Toolkit to help you influence change. Connect with Jennifer and Leslie via contactus@dietitians.ca

In this episode, we chat with Wendy Busse, MSc, RD, private practice dietitian in Red Deer, AB. Wendy talks about how she helps clients navigate the often unclear path of food sensitivities by asking the right questions and using a variety of tools in her counselling toolbox. We also get a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada presentation called "When Standard Interventions Fail." Connect with Wendy at www.wendybusse.com.

In this episode we chat with Audrey Tait, MSc, RD, psychotherapist/counsellor, dietitian, author, writer, speaker and photographer in Red Deer, AB. Audrey shares her unique journey in dietetics and beyond, her contributions to the mental health field, and advice on how to "sit" with clients to build connection. She also shares a sneak preview of her Dietitians of Canada Conference presentation called "Understanding Eating Disorders." Connect with Audrey at www.inspirationalinsightscounselling.com.

In this episode we chat with Andrea Hardy, RD, dietitian in Calgary, AB. Andrea shares her experiences talking about poop, gas and gut health and how that has taught her to be a more authentic practitioner. She also shares a sneak preview of her Dietitians of Canada Conference presentation called "Science is my Super Power." Connect with Andrea at www.ignitenutrition.ca.

In this episode, we chat with dietitian Andrea Holwegner, RD, founder and president of Health Stand Nutrition Consulting Inc. in Calgary, AB. Andrea talks about her experiences getting older, getting messy and getting the job done as an entrepreneurial dietitian. We also get a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada presentation about failing forward in business. Connect with Andrea at  www.healthstandnutrition.com.

In this episode, we chat with Erin Brown, MSc, RD, private practice and clinical dietitian at Abbotsford Regional Hospital with Fraser Health Authority in Abbotsford, BC. Erin shares her reflections on compassion, body kindness, embracing imperfection and being comfortable with silence. We also get a sneak preview of her Dietitians of Canada presentation on nutrigenomics. Connect with Erin on Instagram @thefoodliferd

In this episode, we chat with dietitian Jennifer House, MSc, RD, author and owner of First Step Nutrition in Foothills, AB.  Jennifer shares her ups and downs as a private practice dietitian, the interest and controversy around baby-led weaning and a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference. Connect with Jennifer at jen@firststepnutrition.com.

In this episode, we chat with Jodi Crawford, RD, clinical dietitian with AgeCare Midnapore in Calgary AB.  As Jodi reflects on her almost 20 year career, she shares her lessons learned about knowing how to break the right rules, taking career risks and working with dietitians of different generations. We also get a sneak preview of her Dietitians of Canada presentation on diabetes management for older adults.​ Connect with Jodi at jcrawford@agecare.ca.

In this episode, we chat with dietitian Kristen Yarker RD, owner of Kristen Yarker Nutrition in Victoria, BC. Kristen gets real about being an "unusual" dietitian, the ups and downs of her winding career path and shares a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference presentation about becoming a confident public speaker.  

On this episode, we chat with Pamela Ferguson, PhD, RD, private practice dietitian in Toronto, ON. Pamela talks about balancing work and family life, her career highs and lows, and shares a sneak preview of her two upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference presentations on plant-based foods and trans-inclusive dietetic practice. Connect with Pamela at pfergusson.consultant@gmail.com.

In this episode, we chat with dietitian Mary Anne Smith, PhD, RD, Evidence Analyst for Dietitians of Canada in Guelph, ON. Mary Anne talks about her career path and the inevitable bumps in the road, her passion for analyzing nutrition research, and shares a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference presentation on "hot topics" in nutrition. Connect with Mary Anne at maryanne.smith@dietitians.ca  

On this episode, we chat with Jennifer Brady, Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Human Nutrition at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, NS. Jennifer talks about blending nutrition, women's studies, and critical perspectives, the challenges and opportunities of being a dietitian that "rocks the boat," and a sneak preview of her upcoming Dietitians of Canada conference presentation. Don't miss out on Jennifer's reflections on how we might reclaim the pioneering spirit of early "radical" dietitians and bring our past into our future.   Connect with Jennifer at jennifer.brady@msvu.ca