Episode 15: Binge-Eating Disorder, Anorexia and Feeling EMPTY with Susan Burton

Susan Burton is an author, writer and editor on This American Life. 

Her brilliant memoir Empty was published in 2020 to critical acclaim.  Chronicling the binge-eating disorder and subsequent anorexia which dominated Susan’s life, Empty is a must read for anyone with any type of eating disorder/addiction or for those who simply love a good book.

As a kid Susan was scared of food. Scared that food would make her sick or that, “something would get in me, that I could never get out.” When she was nine she went on a diet and barely ate for a week. She felt light and empty.

Years later, Susan was commissioned to write about the cultural history of teenage girlhood but her own story kept butting in and demanding to be heard.

I feel very strongly that by having these intimate and maybe difficult conversations the healing can start. As  our vulnerability is shared, our shame, the most toxic of all, can be publicly aired.  

Join me to find out about Susan’s story and her book Empty. 

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

[03:00] - Scared of food - picky

[13:00] - Sophomore year - light and empty

[19:00] - Bingeing

[30:00] - Anorexia and marriage

[39:02] - Writing Empty

CONNECT WITH SUSAN BURTON

Instagram: @susanmasonburton

Website: susanburton.net

Susan’s memoir, EMPTY @randomhouse

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