Julie Goodwin has always been open about her battles with anxiety, PTSD, and depression.

Key points:

  • Julie Goodwin’s ‘Dinner Club’ works with men in juvenile detention, using cooking to teach not only culinary skills but also social responsibility.
  • By gathering around a table and sharing a meal, men in juvenile detention are introduced to the power of community.

Through a journey of confronting childhood trauma, she was able to rediscover resilience, the first step toward healing.

“It’s really important if that stuff comes up, I think, that we look at it and actually seek some help,” Julie told ‘She Wasn’t Born Yesterday’.

This self-awareness paved the way for a deeper understanding of herself and her mental health.

Julie’s journey highlights a crucial message: recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

Julie Goodwin’s ‘Dinner Club’ uses cooking to teach not only culinary skills but also social responsibility.

It’s messy and personal, and it’s okay to take it one step at a time.

Julie’s “Dinner Club” initiative takes the concept of food as therapy to a whole new level.

Working with young men in juvenile detention, she uses cooking to teach not only culinary skills but also social responsibility.

By gathering around a table and sharing a meal, these men are introduced to the power of community.

“The idea was just to get into the juvenile detention centre and teach these boys how to cook, but for me, far more importantly, how to share the responsibility of cooking and how to eat around a table as a family,” Julie said.

By gathering around a table and sharing a meal, men in juvenile detention are introduced to the power of community.

It’s a reminder that food isn’t just about sustenance—it’s a bridge to connection and healing.

In a world where isolation often exacerbates mental health struggles, shared meals can help us feel grounded and less alone.

Listen to this episode of ‘She Wasn’t Born Yesterday’ in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.


Featured image: Photo by CanvaPro

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