Rethinking Wellness
Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CEDS 203 episodes Nov 9, 2026
Rethinking Wellness offers critical thinking and compassionate skepticism about wellness and diet culture. It examines the science, or lack thereof, behind popular wellness diets and trends like gut health, while exploring how influencers and social-media algorithms spread wellness misinformation. The show also looks at problematic practices in alternative and integrative medicine, how wellness culture can drive disordered eating, and how to avoid exploitation when seeking help and healing. It offers reflections on caring for yourself in a flawed healthcare system without falling into wellness traps.
Episodes
Are Mary Claire Haver’s Exercise and Saturated Fat Claims Backed by Science? What Midlife Women Should Know
Christy answers an audience question about whether midlife women really need to follow menopause expert Mary Claire Haver’s “prescriptions” for exercise and saturated fat intake. The first part of the answer, including an overview of Dr. Haver’s track record on diet advice, is available to everyone. Paid subscribers can hear our full breakdown of Haver’s recommendations—and why in some cases, the
From Weight-Loss Influencer to Weight-Inclusive MD: How One Doctor Is Helping in the GLP-1 Era
Weight-inclusive medical doctor Mónica Peralta joins us to discuss weight stigma in medicine, her shift from sharing her “weight-loss journey” on social media to specializing in weight-inclusive care, and her experiences as both a physician and a higher-weight patient. In a deeper dive for paid subscribers, we get into GLP-1s and eating disorders, the importance of support when discontinuing GLP-1
How Social Media Algorithms Rewrite Your Identity—and How to Take It Back
Sociologist and journalist Kathryn Jezer-Morton, author of the new book THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE, joins us to discuss how social media affects the way we make sense of our lives, how the pressure to perform emotional wellness online affects our *actual* emotional well-being, how credentialed providers with nuanced messages can get heard in this media environment, and more. In a deeper dive for paid
Do Ultra-Processed Foods Disrupt Metabolism? Unpacking a New Randomized Study
Christy answers an audience question about a new study that claims to show food processing influences metabolism and brain activity.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first part here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the whole thing—plus get other great perks like monthly Office Hours, subscriber-only Q&As, extended interviews, and more!Get full
Food-Sensitivity Tests, SIBO, Probiotics, and FODMAPs: Your Evidence-Based Guide
Christy answers an audience question about food-sensitivity tests, SIBO, probiotics, elimination diets, and how to navigate digestive issues in disordered eating without falling into wellness traps.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first part here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the whole thing—plus get other great perks like monthly Office Hours,
How to Heal Your Body Image and Feed Kids Without Fear
Body-image therapist Zoe Bisbing joins us to discuss why body image is such a challenging part of disordered-eating recovery, how to deal with our body-focused inner critics, and why many people have such visceral reactions to public figures losing weight. In a deeper dive for paid subscribers, we discuss why setting limits with food won’t automatically give your kid an eating disorder, which limi
GLP-1s: Longevity Drugs or Just Hype? A Deep Dive Into the Data
Christy discusses GLP-1s and longevity—the discourse, the hype, where it comes from, and what the science really says.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first part here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the whole thing—plus get other great perks like monthly Office Hours, subscriber-only Q&As, extended interviews, and more!Get full show notes and
The Huberman Husbands Are Not OK: How Bro Wellness Fuels Disordered Eating and Body Shame
Registered dietitian Aaron Flores joins us to discuss why Andrew Huberman and other biohacking wellness bros have such massive appeal, and how their rhetoric can lead to disordered eating and body-image distress. In a deeper dive for paid subscribers, we get into how to talk to partners or loved ones who’ve come under the sway of bro-wellness culture—and how to set boundaries when their diet/fitne
Migraine Diets: Myths, Facts, and What the Science Really Says
Christy answers an audience question about whether you need an anti-inflammatory diet, or other dietary changes, for migraines. The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first part here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the whole thing!Get full show notes and references on Substack.More from Christy: Books: Anti-DietThe Wellness TrapThe Emotional Eating, Ch
Disordered Eating, Dubious Diagnoses, and Autoimmune Disease with Abbie Attwood
Nutritionist Abbie Attwood joins us to discuss how dealing with multiple autoimmune chronic illnesses led her down a path of dubious diagnoses and disordered eating, and how she ultimately found healing. We get into how disordered eating can trigger and aggravate chronic conditions, why she believed she had “adrenal fatigue” and “leaky gut,” and the role of obsession and OCD in orthorexia. We also
Menopause Misinformation, and How to Set Boundaries on Wellness Talk
Christy answers an audience question about the diets you *don’t* need to try in (peri)menopause—and ways to get your loved ones to stop talking about them.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the rest!Get full show notes and references here.Ask a question of your own for a chance to have it answered
How to Raise Critical Thinkers in the Age of AI
Author and pediatric surgeon Dana Suskind joins us to discuss her new book, Human Raised: Nurturing Connection, Curiosity & Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI. We get into why true caring is what makes us unique from machines, how human parenting instills critical thinking and empathy, the role of governments and regulators in dealing with AI harms, her HOPE framework for raising kids in the a
5 Ways to Cope with Body-Image Challenges This Summer
Christy discusses what she’s been going through with IVF and how it’s affected her body image, plus 5 things she’s trying to keep in mind as she navigates a changing body amid the pressures of diet and wellness culture. This episode originally aired in June 2025. Check out the written version on our website for updates.This episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to a free preview here, and sign u
Is Your “Healthy” Diet Actually Harmful? 6 Signs to Check Now
Christy discusses how to make sure a “healthy” dietary change doesn’t spiral into disordered eating—and how to know your desire to change your eating is driven by health and not diet culture. The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first half here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the whole thing!Get full show notes and references on Substack.More from C
Beyond Wellness: Restoring the Religious Roots of Spiritual Practices
Religious-ethics scholar Liz Bucar, author of Beyond Wellness, joins us to discuss the religious roots of wellness practices, why bringing religion back into “spiritual” wellness spaces might be the key to promoting true well-being (even for non-religious people), and how the very human need for control shows up in diet and wellness culture. For paid subscribers, we do a deeper dive into how relig
Exciting Changes Ahead: Discover What's New on the Pod
Christy shares some exciting announcements about the podcast! Upgrade to paid for access to all our content: Subscriber-only Q&As and essays answering your burning questions about wellness/diet culture, with critical and rigorous reporting on the science (something you’ll never get from ChatGPT, which we don’t use for research or writing)Extended interviews with our guests, including all the j
Do Artificial Food Additives Cause ADHD?
Christy answers an audience question about whether artificial food colorings and other additives really have any impact on ADHD. This episode was originally published in November 2024.Get full show notes and references on Substack, and upgrade to a paid subscription for lots more like this!Ask a question of your own for a chance to have it answered in a future episode.Christy's second book, Th
"Natural" Foods as a Gateway to Disordered Eating with Elyse Resch
Intuitive Eating co-author Elyse Resch joins us to discuss her history with the natural-food movement, how trying to eat “naturally” led her into orthorexia and other forms of disordered eating, how intuitive eating is being co-opted by wellness culture, what to consider if you’re interested in “natural” foods, and more. This episode was originally published in 2024.Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, CEDS-S, F
Finding Reliable Health Information Amidst AI Slop & Postpartum Overwhelm – with Christy and Amelia
Today is a very special episode, because Christy’s back from maternity leave!To return to the show, she’s joined by our producer Amelia Hruby for a conversation about the wellness trends she noticed while she was away, the personal health issues she navigated postpartum, and the parenting shifts she’s made with two kids at home.They also discuss why Christy’s found herself turning to Reddit more t
Keto Diets: Are the Health Benefits Overhyped?
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com.Christy answers an audience question about the keto diet and whether it’s really all it’s cracked up to be. The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the rest!Get full show notes and references here.Ask a questi
How to Avoid Conspiracy Theory Hype – Navigating the Post-Truth Era with Ellie Anderson, PhD
Philosopher, professor, and podcaster Ellie Anderson, PhD joins us to discuss the realities of living in a “post-truth” era – where conspiracy theories, fake news, and anti-science rhetoric are everywhere.Ellie also shares her personal experience with dubious diagnoses and the “divine feminine,” why studying phenomenology helps her understand lived experience, and how wellness culture permeates so
Think You Might Be in Perimenopause? Don't Fall for These Wellness Traps. (Best Of)
Christy discusses how to tell whether your symptoms are related to perimenopause or something else, what perimenopause has in common with dubious diagnoses (even though it’s a real condition), and what the best available evidence says about hormone therapy, weight gain, and more.This episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to a free preview here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the ful
Why You Probably Don’t Have a Leaky Gut, and Other Wellness Misconceptions with Jonathan Jarry (Best of)
Science communicator Jonathan Jarry joins us to discuss his history of turning to alternative cures for chronic pain, how he came to be skeptical of the wellness industry, the problems with science journalism, why you probably don’t have a leaky gut (despite what many influencers and wellness practitioners claim), the critical article about “leaky gut syndrome” that resulted in death threats, and
Can You Fix Your Thyroid with a Diet Change?
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy answers an audience question about whether you really need to restrict a wide variety of “inflammatory” foods for thyroid health.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the rest!Get full show notes and
Why Beauty Imperatives Are Not Victimless Crimes ft. Elise Hu
Journalist, podcaster, and author Elise Hu joins us to discuss her background with modeling and disordered eating, why beauty culture is a cousin of diet culture, Elise’s experience with intense beauty standards in Korea, and the realities of pushing back against performances of femininity.Behind the paywall, Christy and Elise discuss the rise of K-Beauty globally, problematic K-Pop body ideals, t
Magical Overthinking, Misinformation, and the Cultishness of Wellness Culture with Amanda Montell (Best Of)
Writer and linguist Amanda Montell joins us to discuss “magical overthinking” and the cognitive biases that make us vulnerable to misinformation, celebrity culture and its intersections with wellness culture, how to deal with panic headlines, cultish language to watch out for in wellness spaces, and more. Paid subscribers can hear the full interview, and the first part is available to all listener
Leaky Gut Syndrome: Real Condition or Dubious Diagnosis?
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy shares the story of a woman who came to believe a “leaky gut” was behind all her health issues, and discusses the nuanced facts about this supposed diagnosis. (Adapted from The Wellness Trap.)This episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to a free preview here, and sign up for a paid subscription to
Why (Wellness) Marketers Use the Same Tactics as Cults with Dr. Mara Einstein
Dr. Mara Einstein joins us to discuss how cult-like marketing tactics have taken over the wellness and diet industries.She explains how Weight Watchers and other diet programs operate on cult-like principles, why food noise might be a kind of internalized cult leader, the many problematic aspects of how GLP-1s are marketed, and why conspirituality is so problematic.For paid subscribers, Christy an
Is Magnesium a Miracle Mineral, or Just Another Wellness Fad? (Best Of)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy answers an audience question about whether magnesium is really the panacea it’s made out to be—or whether it’s just another example of wellness-culture hype.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the r
Challenging the Hype About Gut Health and Ultra-Processed Foods with Laura Thomas (Best Of)
Registered nutritionist, author, and friend of the pod Laura Thomas joins us to unpack the problematic notion that you need to eat a ridiculously large number of plants per week for gut health, and what we actually know about how plant foods affect the gut microbiome. We also get into how to distinguish good science from hype, how ultra-processed foods have become so demonized despite a lack of st
Doctor-Recommended Supplements: What You Need to Know
Christy answers an audience question about what to do if you’re wary of buying supplements but want to listen to your doctor’s recommendations. The full version of this episode is now UNLOCKED for all subscribers. Sign up for a paid subscription to get lots more like this! Get full show notes and references here. Ask a question of your own for a chance to have it answered in a future episode! Chri
Parenting for Positive Body Image with Charlotte Markey, PhD
Body image scientist and researcher Charlotte Markey, PhD returns to the show to discuss the many factors that impact body image and how parents can help their kids develop a positive sense of self.Christy and Charlotte both share examples from their own parenting, including how to handle tricky conversations about body size, gender, and more. They also unpack the difference between body positivit
Do You Really Need a Gluten-Free Diet for These Autoimmune Conditions? (Best Of)
Christy answers an audience question about going autoimmune diets and celiac disease, and there’s a bonus one for paid subscribers about going gluten-free for an autoimmune thyroid condition.Become a paid subscriber to hear the whole thing!Get full show notes and references here.Ask a question of your own for a chance to have it answered in a future episode.Christy's second book, The Wellness
Healing from Dubious Diagnoses, Disordered Eating, and Overwork with Kirsten Powers (Best Of)
New York Times bestselling author and former CNN political analyst Kirsten Powers joins us to discuss her history of chronic fatigue and illness, her experience with dubious diagnoses and wild wellness treatments, what she discovered about the true causes of her issues, how disordered eating helped mask and exacerbate her symptoms, how she’s rethought her relationship with work in general and her
All Your Pregnancy Questions Answered: Nausea + Folate + IVF and Stillbirth
Christy delves into the science to answer several questions she’s gotten (and asked herself) about pregnancy. In the free version, we discuss whether the sex of the baby predicts nausea levels. Paid subscribers can hear whether methylated folate is better than folic acid (in pregnancy or otherwise), whether dates (the fruit) have really been shown to induce labor, and whether there’s an increased
From Pharmacy to Functional Medicine to Healing from Orthorexia Through Intuitive Eating with Sarah-Jane Garcia
Pharmacist and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor Sarah-Jane Garcia joins us to discuss how smart people get caught up in wellness culture.She shares her path from the realities of being a pharmacist experimenting with elimination diets to how getting certified in integrative medicine exacerbated her orthorexia to why becoming a parent finally opened her eyes to the fear-mongering happening in w
"Sunlight Before Screen Light" and Why You Don't Need to Worry (Best Of)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comIn this bonus episode, Christy discusses the science (or lack thereof) behind the wellness-culture slogan “sunlight before screen light.” This episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to a free preview here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the full episode!Get full show notes and references here
The Dangers of Diet Drugs: Behind the GLP-1 Weight-Loss Hype with Ragen Chastain (Best Of)
Writer, speaker, and weight-inclusive health/fitness professional Ragen Chastain joins us to discuss the potential side effects and other downsides of using GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic and its ilk) for weight loss, the massive influence the manufacturers of these drugs are having on the public discourse about them, why the media don’t often report on these conflicts of interest, how drugmakers have
Creatine: The Key to Wellness or Just Hype?
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy answers an audience question about creatine, with a deep dive into the scientific literature to see if the supplement is really worth the hype.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the rest!Get full s
The Rise of Micro-influencers: Wellness Misinformation and Parasocial Relationships with Maxine Ali
Researcher Maxine Ali joins us to discuss how wellness micro-influencers and practitioners construct “authentic” online personas to spread misinformation.We explore the ways that creators with smaller platforms build trust in seemingly less commercial ways than macro-influencers, including: personal stories of illness, medical encounter memes, and hyper-simplified straw man formats. Then Maxine ex
Hair Analysis, DUTCH Testing, and Heavy Metals in Chocolate (Best Of)
A critical look at the evidence on hair analysis, DUTCH testing, and heavy metals in chocolate—and why it’s worth being skeptical of tests positioned as “new science.”Get full show notes and references here.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the rest!Christy's new book, The Wellness Trap, is n
Anxiety Dieting, Disordered Eating, and the Crunchy-Granola-to-Wellness Pipeline with Leah Kern (Best Of)
Anti-diet dietitian Leah Kern joins us to discuss how struggling with anxiety made her susceptible to a wellness diet that promised safety and longevity, how that diet quickly spiraled into full-on disordered eating, how being eco-conscious and “earthy” can easily lead into wellness traps, the connection between spirituality and wellness culture, why she finally stopped trying to fix her anxiety w
Anti-Inflammatory Diets: the Science and the Hype
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy answers an audience question about anti-inflammatory diets: the hype, the science, and what the best available evidence really shows.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the question here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the rest!Get full show notes and re
Rumor Mills, Propaganda Machines, and Debunking Anti-Vaccine Misinformation with Renée DiResta
Social media researcher, professor, and author Renée DiResta joins us to discuss how anti-vaccine messaging spreads online – including ways we can combat the rise of wellness misinformation in 2026 and beyond.We also discuss how viral rumors spread on social media, why wellness influencers have become invisible rulers, the difference between moderating “good” and “bad” information, and how algorit
New Year, New Baby: My Maternity Leave and What's In Store for This Podcast
Christy discusses her upcoming maternity leave and shares a preview of what we’ll be covering here in 2026.Support the show and get 30% off an annual subscription to Rethinking Wellness if you sign up before January 1!Get full show notes and references here.Christy's second book, The Wellness Trap, is available wherever books are sold! Order it online or ask for it in your favorite local books
The Elusiveness of “Full Recovery” from Disordered Eating with Mallary Tenore Tarpley
Journalist and professor Mallary Tenore Tarpley joins us to discuss her new book Slip and the realities of life in the middle of eating disorder recovery. She shares how losing her mother as a young girl led to disordered eating, why residential treatment was beneficial (and not), and how the pressures of maintaining “full recovery” led to years of struggle.Behind the paywall, Mallary and Christy
Food Addiction and Menopause Hormone Therapy: New Insights from Listeners
Christy reads letters to the editor about “food addiction” and menopause hormone therapy.Get full show notes and references here.Subscribe to Rethinking Wellness to get all our content, including subscriber-only Q&As and essays, extended interviews with our guests, commenting privileges, and more.Christy’s second book, The Wellness Trap, is available wherever books are sold! Order it online or
2 Weird Food Rules I Don’t Follow Anymore, and 4 Other Principles I Try to Live By (Best Of)
Christy answers an audience question about the food rules she stopped following—and shares four food-related principles she tries to practice.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the rest!Get full show notes and references here.Ask a question of your own for a chance to have it answered in a future
How to Feed Picky Eaters (Without Diet Culture) ft. Katja Rowell, M.D.
Katja Rowell, M.D. joins us to discuss responsive feeding, picky eating, and how to parent without passing diet culture norms on to your kids. We also explore the science behind a few common misperceptions from parents and doctors including: why playful or gamified tactics to change eating habits can be harmful and backfire, the problems with many “early interventions” around child BMI, and reason
How to Reclaim Your Attention from the Algorithm with Amelia Hruby, PhD
Philosopher, podcaster, and our producer Amelia Hruby, PhD returns to the show to discuss the many perils of the attention economy. We explore the nuanced relationships between attention and productivity, social media and mental health, and algorithms and agency. Amelia also shares her critiques of digital detoxes, flow states, all-or-nothing thinking, and short-form video. Behind the paywall, we
Neurodivergence and Nutrition: Separating Myths from Facts with Dietitian Jackie Silver
Registered dietitian Jackie Silver joins us to discuss nutritional approaches that are helpful for neurodivergence, why people with autism and ADHD are often the targets of wellness and diet culture, the kinds of wellness-culture messages she’s gotten as a person with a disability, and why the advice to cut out gluten for autism is often harmful. Behind the paywall, we get into why ultraprocessed
Sugar and Health: A Deep Dive Into the Science
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comIn this solo episode, Christy discusses the evidence on sugar and health—specifically what the science really says about the links between sugar and the risk of various chronic diseases, as well as the inherent limitations of the data. Plus, in honor of Halloween this week, she shares some thoughts (and so
Navigating Pregnancy Weight Gain While in Recovery from Disordered Eating
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy answers a listener question about dealing with pregnancy weight gain when you’re working to make peace with food and your body.This episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to a free preview here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the full episode!Get full show notes and references here.Ch
Parenting at the Intersection of Technology and Wellness Culture, with Amanda Hess
Cultural critic and author Amanda Hess joins us to discuss her new book, Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age. We talk about the intersection of pregnancy, early parenthood, and technology, her experience using a popular period app to track her pregnancy, how she navigated self-blame and cultural stigma when her baby was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, and more. Behind the paywa
Navigating Infertility in the Age of Wellness
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy discusses her experience with IVF and the intersection of infertility and complementary/alternative medicine, including a deep dive into the science on laser acupuncture for fertility. She also shares some personal news.This episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to a free preview here, and sign u
She Took GLP-1s for Weight Loss. Now She's a Weight-Inclusive Doctor. Ft. Mara Gordon, MD
Physician and writer Mara Gordon joins us to discuss diet and wellness culture among medical doctors, why she took Ozempic for weight loss (and what made her quit), how she came to practice weight-inclusive care, and lots more. Behind the paywall, we get into why she was initially reluctant to write about weight inclusivity, her perspective on Ozempic and other GLP-1s now (and whether she prescrib
Should you buy organic? What the science really says
Christy answers an audience question about organic foods, addressing whether organics are better for human health than conventional ones, potential environmental impacts, and important questions to consider if you’re recovering from disordered eating. The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the rest!Ge
Accepting Your Body with Chronic Illness, Pain, or Disability - ft. Jennifer Caspari
Clinical psychologist and author Jennifer Caspari (You Are More Than Your Body) joins us to discuss how to accept your body when you have a chronic illness, chronic pain, or disability. We talk about her experience living with cerebral palsy, how to practice body neutrality, the importance of emotion-regulation skills, and how to navigate the tension between self-acceptance and not liking the way
A former anti-vaxxer shares one thing that helped change her mind
Christy reads a guest post from a former anti-vaxxer who shares one thing that helped change her mind. This episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to a free preview here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the full episode!Get full show notes and references here.Christy's second book, The Wellness Trap, is available wherever books are sold! Order it online or ask for it in your favor
"Food Addiction" + Ultraprocessed Foods + Disordered Eating with Marci Evans
Eating-disorders dietitian Marci Evans joins us to discuss the current science on “food addiction” (sometimes called “ultraprocessed food addiction”)—and what’s changed since I first interviewed her about this topic for Food Psych back in 2016. We get into how food addiction is defined and measured (and what that definition leaves out), the overlap between disordered eating and high scores on food
Andrew Huberman and the Problem with "Cutting-Edge" Research (Best Of)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy answers an audience question about wellness podcaster Andrew Huberman and his promotion of intermittent fasting, cold showers, and other dubious wellness practices. This episode was originally published in March 2024.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first ques
Should you worry about chemicals in sunscreen? Here's what the science says.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy discusses why some wellness influencers advocate avoiding sunscreen, and what the science really says about common UV-protective ingredients, vitamin D production, and more.This episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to a free preview here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the full epis
Another way Ozempic helps fuel anti-fat bias
Christy reads a letter from a listener that offers a unique point of view on the intersection of GLP-1s and diet culture. We’re also debuting a new feature and a way to get involved with the podcast!Get full show notes and references here.Subscribe to Rethinking Wellness to get all our content, including subscriber-only Q&As and essays, extended interviews with our guests, commenting privilege
Hormone-Health Myths and Facts with Endocrinologist Gregory Dodell (Best Of)
Endocrinologist Gregory Dodell joins us to discuss myths and facts about hormones, including the problems with doing diets and supplement protocols for “hormone balancing,” why weight-loss recommendations aren’t helpful for hormone health, how to manage thyroid conditions without falling prey to wellness fads, the truth about “adrenal fatigue,” the Ozempic craze, and more.Paid subscribers can hear
Hydration: Everything You Need to Know, and Myths to Stop Believing
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy discusses what the science says about “hydration multipliers,” sports drinks, and other electrolyte beverages—and whether you’re really as dehydrated as you think.This episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to a free preview here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the full episode!Get fu
Is Alcohol Really Unsafe At Any Dose? (Best Of)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy answers an audience question about whether light drinking is really as risky as some wellness influencers make it out to be, and shares some ways to explore your relationship with alcohol.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign up for a
Can a Diet Really Help Solve Your Period Problems? (Best Of)
Q&A: A critical look at diet advice for period pain and endometriosis. This episode was originally published in 2023.Check out the transcript for links to all referenced studies. The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the rest!Christy's second book, The Wellness Trap, is available wherever boo
A Popular Protein Myth, and What the Science Really Says (Best Of)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy answers an audience question about how much protein you really need—and explores why a certain piece of incorrect advice is so popular among influencers and “protein girlies.”The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign up for a paid subscrip
Is There Any Good Evidence for the Carnivore Diet?
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy discusses the carnivore diet, why it’s concerning from a disordered-eating perspective, and what the science really says about this fad diet that doesn’t want to die. This episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to a free preview here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the full episode!Ge
Why Wellness Misinformation Is Rampant, and How to Avoid It - with Matthew Facciani
Misinformation and media-literacy researcher Matthew Facciani joins us to discuss how he defines misinformation at a time when even the term itself is polarizing, why there’s so much misinformation about health and wellness in particular, how to navigate the current information landscape given the continued erosion of trust in institutions, and why people with certain ideologies are more likely to
Menopause Misinformation, and How to Set Boundaries on Wellness Talk
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy answers an audience question about the diets you don’t need to try in (peri)menopause—and ways to get your loved ones to stop talking about them.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign up for a paid subscription to hear the rest!Get full
How to Raise Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times with Melinda Wenner Moyer
Science and parenting journalist Melinda Wenner Moyer returns to discuss the importance of self-compassion and how to practice it, why conveying a growth mindset is much more helpful to kids than giving compliments about fixed qualities, misconceptions about resilience (and what the science really says), the difference between trauma and healthy distress, and her new book, HELLO, CRUEL WORLD: Scie
5 Ways to Cope with Body-Image Challenges This Summer
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy discusses what she’s been going through with IVF and how it’s affected her body image, plus 5 things she’s trying to keep in mind as she navigates a changing body—especially as we enter the summer season, with all the diet- and wellness-culture pressures that go along with it.This episode is for pa
GLP-1 Hype, Handling Haters, and Dating in a Larger Body with Virginia Sole-Smith
Journalist Virginia Sole-Smith joins us to discuss how GLP-1 hype has changed the conversation about diet culture, the importance of body autonomy, how “bro” diet culture became public policy, how she handles haters, the “fed is best” approach to parenting, and lots more. Behind the paywall, she shares her experience of weighing herself for the first time in years, what it’s been like to date for
Can Fasting Really Help Ease Chronic Fatigue?
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy answers an audience question about whether fasting can help with chronic fatigue related to Long Covid—and what to do if your doctor recommends fasting when you have a history of disordered eating.The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, and sign
What You Don't Know and Why It Matters with Timothy Caulfield
Health-misinformation researcher and science communicator Timothy Caulfield returns to discuss his new book THE CERTAINTY ILLUSION, why being too certain about anything makes us vulnerable to misinformation, how intellectual humility can help protect us, why science is sometimes “full of shit” and how to be a critical consumer of it, and more. Behind the paywall, we get into why it’s so hard for p
Why There’s No Such Thing as an “Adrenal Body Type” (Best Of)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy answers an audience question about the “adrenal body type” and unpacks the weight stigma, ageism, and pseudoscience embedded in this twist on the dubious diagnosis of “adrenal fatigue.”The full version of this episode is now unlocked. Sign up for a paid subscription for lots more like this!Get full
“Adrenal Fatigue” + Anti-Inflammatory Diets + Eating-Disorder Recovery with Oona Hanson
Parent coach Oona Hanson joins us to discuss how going to a physical therapist for back pain led her down a wellness-culture rabbit hole, why dietary restrictions to “fight inflammation” just ended up harming her relationship with food and her body, how she got the dubious diagnosis of “adrenal fatigue,” and more. Behind the paywall, we get into how she helped her child heal from an eating disorde
Vitamin D and Health Outcomes, Part 3
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.comChristy discusses vitamin D for blood-sugar control and preventing diabetes (part of our series on commonly used supplements). If you spend a lot of time in online wellness spaces, you’ve probably heard a lot about how supplementing with vitamin D can supposedly regulate blood sugar and prevent diabetes. E
Alternative Medicine Has a Patriarchy Problem - ft. Arianne Shahvisi
Philosopher and medical ethics professor Arianne Shavisi joins us to discuss why alternative medicine isn’t the answer to a patriarchal healthcare system—and why in many ways it’s even worse. We get into the common misconception that alternative medicine is feminist, how alternative medicine differs from scientific medicine, the role of values in people’s attraction to alternative medicine, and mo
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