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 EmptyCONNECT WITH SUSAN:Instagram: @susanmasonburtonWebsite: susanburton.netSusan’s memoir EMPTY @randomhouseTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!If you enjoyed this episode, please let me know your thoughts on Instagram @thisfoodthingpodcast and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show on iTunes, it helps with the ranking and as this is a brand new podcast, I’d be extremely grateful. Don’t forget to also subscribe to the show at the top of this page!