Breaking Free from Emotional Eating: Lessons from Renée Jones’ 40-Year Journey

Breaking Free from Emotional Eating: Lessons from Renée Jones’ 40-Year Journey

Have you ever found yourself reaching for food, not because you’re hungry, but because you’re stressed, lonely, or bored? That’s emotional eating — and it’s a trap many of us know too well.

In this week’s episode of Mirror Talk: Soulful Conversations, I had the privilege of speaking with Renée Jones — counselor, TEDx speaker, and author of What’s Really Eating You. After 40 years of yo-yo dieting, Renée finally broke free of emotional eating in 2012, and she now helps others do the same.

We explored:

  • Why diets fail: It’s not about willpower — it’s about addressing the root cause.
  • The role of self-worth: Healing your self-image is essential to lasting change.
  • Managing cravings: From snack-filled homes to buffets, there are strategies to stay strong.
  • Lasting transformation: It’s about getting the “HANG” of it — Healthy mindset, Awareness, New strategies, and Growth.

Renée reminds us that food is meant to nourish, not numb. When we heal what’s really eating us, we no longer need to use food as a coping tool.

👉 Listen to the full conversation on your favourite podcast platform and learn how to break free from emotional eating, reclaim your self-worth, and find lasting freedom.

📖 Learn more about Renée’s work at packyourownbag.com.

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How to Master Your Money Before It Masters You (with Doug Peterson) Mirror Talk: Soulful Conversations

In this episode of Mirror Talk: Soulful Conversations, Doug Peterson joins us for a practical and honest conversation about money, personal finance, financial intimacy, debt, cash flow, and peace of mind.Doug is an entrepreneur of 37 years and an executive coach of 17 years. Through his work with business owners and professionals, he noticed a repeated pattern: many successful people were building businesses and careers while remaining unaware of their true personal spending. That discovery led him to develop a process to help people get their priorities straight and master their personal cash flow.  Together, we explore why money skills are no longer optional. They are survival skills. Doug shares how to understand what you earn, spend and owe, how to prepare for infrequent expenses, how to manage debt wisely, and how couples can build financial intimacy without shame, tension or secrecy.This episode is for anyone who wants to stop avoiding money conversations and start creating financial peace with clarity, honesty and intention.In This Episode, We DiscussWhy personal finance is connected to impact, peace and legacyHow to understand your real spending, including irregular expensesThe difference between budgeting and creating a spending planWhy tools like YNAB can help with real-time cash flow managementHow to prepare for holidays, repairs, maintenance and unexpected costsPractical ways to manage credit cards and high-interest debtHow to build an emergency fund that brings peace of mindWhy financial intimacy matters in relationshipsHow couples can reduce money tension and get on the same pageHow to align money decisions with your values and future goalsTimestamps00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest background01:00 Doug’s motivation for coaching others on finances02:10 Why mastering personal finances matters for impact and legacy02:57 Recognising patterns of out-of-control spending03:56 Accounting for infrequent expenses04:54 Using tools like YNAB for cash flow management05:54 Setting money aside for irregular expenses06:54 Budgeting vs spending plans07:38 The electronic envelope system09:07 Responsible credit card use10:33 Behaviour change and financial awareness11:12 How often to review your financial plan12:38 Recommended apps and tools14:19 Intentional spending and cutting waste15:12 How money disappears without awareness16:05 Building an emergency fund17:08 Managing debt and restructuring for savings20:30 Creating a lifestyle within your means23:16 Financial transparency in relationships26:20 Why money skills are survival skills29:00 Managing multiple expenses and life events33:24 The value of regular financial meetings37:03 Improving credit scores and using credit responsibly42:15 The link between happiness and financial peace45:02 Aligning money and values47:14 How to connect with Doug PetersonResourcesWebsite: https://getprioritiesstraight.com/Schedule with Doug: http://schedulewithdoug.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GetPrioritiesStraightLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/getprioritiesstraight/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getprioritiesstraight/Tool mentioned: You Need A Budget (YNAB)Listen NowListen to this episode of Mirror Talk: Soulful Conversations and learn how to bring clarity, peace and intention into your relationship with money.Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UBQI0nXqF-Y Ask what is on your heart. Mirror Talk will reflect back what may help you see more clearly. Try it here: https://mirrortalkpodcast.com/ask-mirror-talk/Stay connected: https://lnkfi.re/mirrortalkCould you support us by becoming a Patreon? Please consider subscribing to one or more of our offerings at http://patreon.com/MirrorTalk All proceeds will help enhance the quality of our work and outreach, enabling us to serve you better.
  1. How to Master Your Money Before It Masters You (with Doug Peterson)
  2. Why Your Past Is Preparation, Not Punishment (with Bishop Kevin Foreman)
  3. Quiet Ambition: Lead With Calm Confidence Without Losing Yourself (with Patrick Kamba)
  4. How to Align Your Purpose With Your Profession Before Burnout (with Florian Kemmerich)
  5. How to Listen to Your Body and Heal the Root Cause with Magic Barclay

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