Episode 204: Redefining Recovery and Embracing the Middle Place with Mallary Tenore Tarpley
What if healing isn’t linear and full recovery isn’t the only destination?
In this raw and enlightening episode, Sarah sits down with journalist, professor, and author Mallary Tenore Tarpley, whose upcoming memoir Slip challenges everything we think we know about eating disorder recovery. Mallory introduces us to the concept of the “middle place”, that often overlooked space between rock bottom and full recovery where many people live, heal, and grow.
Through personal stories, lived experience, and nuanced insights, Mallory shares how slips can be a part of progress, not a sign of failure. They explore the deep impact of grief, how diet culture distorts recovery narratives, and the surprising power of radical honesty in building lasting self-compassion.
Whether you’re in the midst of your own recovery journey or supporting someone who is, this episode will shift the way you see healing, identity, and the power of simply showing up: messy, imperfect, and human.
🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:
What the “middle place” really is and why so many people feel stuck there
How to reframe slips and setbacks as stepping stones
The connection between grief and disordered eating
Why diet culture harms more than it helps
How to cultivate radical honesty and gentle self-talk
Timestamps
01:18 Why She Wrote Slip
02:17 Breaking Down the Middle Place
05:16 Growth Through Slips
07:29 Grief and Its Complicated Role in ED Recovery
10:14 How to Stay Grounded During Hard Moments
12:01 Sneak Peek Into the Memoir
13:56 Radical Honesty and Self-Compassion
16:29 Pushing Back Against Diet Culture
24:01 How to Stay Connected to Mallory and Her Work
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