Rethinking Wellness offers critical thinking and compassionate skepticism about wellness and diet culture, and reflections on how to find true well-being. We explore the science (or lack thereof) behind popular wellness diets, the role of influencers and social-media algorithms in spreading wellness misinformation, problematic practices in the alternative- and integrative-medicine space, how wellness culture often drives disordered eating, the truth about trending topics like gut health, how ...
…
continue reading
Helping people make peace with food since 2013. Registered dietitian nutritionist, certified intuitive eating counselor, and journalist Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CEDS talks with guests and answers listener questions about making peace with food, healing from disordered eating, learning body acceptance, practicing intuitive eating, escaping harmful wellness culture, and more--all from a body-positive, anti-diet perspective. Along the way, Christy shares her own journey from disordered eater ...
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
[Repost] Why Wellness Sells - the Benefits and Harms of Wellness Culture with Colleen Derkatch
52:08
52:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:08
Author and rhetoric professor Colleen Derkatch joins us to discuss why wellness sells (and her new book by that name), how wellness culture promises an alternative to the biomedical/pharmaceutical model but fails to deliver, why it’s important to acknowledge that certain aspects of wellness culture are helpful to people even as we critique its harm…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Taming Your Ambition Monster, Healing from Overwork, and the Role of "Practical Woo" with Jennifer Romolini
32:38
32:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:38
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Jenn Romolini, author of AMBITION MONSTER, joins us to discuss how ambition and overwork affected her well-being, why workaholism is often a response to trauma, why she developed an eating disorder as a teenager (and the specific personality trait that hel…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
2 Weird Food Rules I Don’t Follow Anymore (and 4 Other Principles I Try to Live By)
7:12
7:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:12
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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 pa…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Challenging Diet and Wellness Misinformation While Holding Space for People to Evolve with Jess Steier
43:10
43:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:10
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Jessica Steier of The Unbiased Science Podcast joins us to discuss the need for empathy and bridge-building in science communication, why she’s critical of restrictive diets and other wellness trends while holding space for their proponents to evolve (and …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
#324: Weight-Loss-Industry Influence in "Obesity" Research with Alexis Conason
38:47
38:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:47
Eating-disorders psychologist Alexis Conason joins us to discuss her background in “obesity” research, how she came to question the conventional weight paradigm and move to a weight-neutral approach, the industry influence behind the American Medical Association’s decision to classify obesity as a disease in 2013, the mental-health effects of baria…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Do You Really Need a Gluten-Free Diet for These Autoimmune Conditions?
9:33
9:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
9:33
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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 …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Weight-Loss-Industry Influence in "Obesity" Research with Alexis Conason
37:44
37:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:44
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Psychologist Alexis Conason joins us to discuss her background in “obesity” research, how she came to question the conventional weight paradigm and move to a weight-neutral approach, the industry influence behind the American Medical Association’s decision…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Why You Probably Don’t Have a Leaky Gut, and Other Wellness Misconceptions with Jonathan Jarry
39:46
39:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:46
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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 (despi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
A Popular Protein Myth, and What the Science Really Says
4:56
4:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:56
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Christy 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 …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Repost: The Wellness Trap with Christy Harrison and Katie Dalebout
1:20:13
1:20:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:20:13
Katie Dalebout guest-hosts the show to interview Christy about her new book, The Wellness Trap! Christy shares why she wanted to write a book about wellness, the potential harms of integrative and functional medicine (and why we’re understandably attracted to these approaches), the connections between wellness culture and diet culture, the legacy o…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Critical Thinking About Social-Media Wellness Culture and the Plant-Based Diet Trend with Pixie Turner
47:27
47:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:27
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Psychotherapist, nutrition counselor, and author Pixie Turner joins us to discuss her history with wellness culture, the Belle Gibson scandal and how it ignited her skepticism, how we can think critically about the plant-based diet trend, the truth about “…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What Netflix's New Doc Gets Wrong About Gut Health
5:42
5:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:42
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com In this bonus episode, Christy discusses Netflix’s new gut-health documentary—and why the film’s claims that gut microbes directly influence weight and disease are more hype than science. This episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to a free preview here,…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Healing from Dubious Diagnoses, Disordered Eating, and Overwork with Kirsten Powers
35:10
35:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:10
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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 …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
#323: The Hidden Risks of Weight-Loss Drugs: Behind the GLP-1 Hype with Ragen Chastain
38:49
38:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:49
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…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Dangers of Diet Drugs: Behind the GLP-1 Weight-Loss Hype with Ragen Chastain
37:15
37:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:15
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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 …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
"Sunlight Before Screen Light" and Why You Don't Need to Worry
3:47
3:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
3:47
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com In 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 f…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
How "Workplace Wellness" Can Create Disordered Eating and Worsen Well-Being with Heather Sayers Lehman
39:47
39:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:47
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Employee well-being consultant and health coach Heather Sayers Lehman joins us to discuss how workplace wellness programs often make people LESS well by promoting disordered eating, body shame, and even some woo-woo wellness trends. She also shares her his…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Long Covid and the False Promises of Wellness Culture with Kate Leaver
46:22
46:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:22
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Journalist and author Kate Leaver joins us to discuss her experience with long Covid, all the weird wellness-y stuff she tried out of desperation, and why it’s so hard to think critically about interventions that promise healing when you’re so sick you bar…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Oprah, Ozempic, and How to Be a Compassionate Skeptic About Wellness Trends
2:35
2:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:35
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com In this bonus episode, Christy discusses the GLP-1 hype pipeline, how celebrities like Oprah have helped keep the hype flowing, and how to keep your cool when the whole world is losing their sh*t over the latest wellness/diet fad. This episode is for paid …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Dispelling Diet-Culture Myths About Blood Sugar and Diabetes with Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones
40:27
40:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:27
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Registered dietitians and diabetes educators Jessica Jones and Wendy Lopez join us to discuss why people with diabetes don’t need to focus on weight loss, why the popular wellness-culture notion of diabetes “remission” or “reversal” can be harmful, how the…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
#322: From Picky Eating to Peace with Food: Feeding Kids with Heidi Schauster
57:55
57:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:55
Dietitian and author Heidi Schauster joins us to discuss why putting kids on gluten-free diets or other elimination diets in the name of health often backfires; how parents can help kids develop a good relationship with all foods, including demonized ones like sugar; developmentally appropriate ways to talk to kids about nutrition; why pleasure is …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Magical Overthinking, Misinformation, and the Cultishness of Wellness Culture with Amanda Montell
47:26
47:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:26
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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 langu…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Why There’s No Such Thing as an “Adrenal Body Type”
8:48
8:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
8:48
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Christy 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 for paid subscribers. List…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Hormone-Health Myths and Facts with Endocrinologist Gregory Dodell
48:10
48:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:10
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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 th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Challenging the Hype About Gut Health and Ultra-Processed Foods with Laura Thomas
38:09
38:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:09
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
On Birth, Evolution, and Striving for Shades of Gray in a World that Wants Black and White
14:14
14:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:14
This episode is an audio version of this week’s newsletter, which is an essay about the one-year anniversary of this podcast, what’s working and what’s not, and a new experiment we’re trying with the bonus interviews starting this week. Upgrade to a paid subscription to support the show and get great perks like extended interviews, subscriber-only …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Insidious Anti-Fat Bias of Wellness Culture with Julia Lévy-Ndejuru
47:27
47:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:27
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Dietitian and author Julia Lévy-Ndejuru joins us to discuss fatphobia in health and wellness spaces, the problems with making sugar and snacks off-limits, the determinants of health that have nothing to do with our weight, how to recognize diets that masqu…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Bonus: The Problems with Skincare and the Importance of Self-Compassion with Jessica DeFino
8:13
8:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
8:13
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com In this bonus episode, writer and beauty-industry critic Jessica Defino returns to discuss the problems with skin products and skincare in general, why acne topicals aren’t long-term solutions, how to have compassion for yourself as you navigate through be…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
#321: Eating-Disorder Healing and the Importance of Community Support with Akiera Gilbert
49:08
49:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:08
Project HEAL CEO Akiera Gilbert joins us to discuss her relationship with food growing up, why she didn’t realize she had an eating disorder, how she finally began to find healing, the importance of community in disordered-eating recovery, what to do if community feels tricky to you, and more. Akiera Gilbert (she/her), CEO of Project HEAL, reminds …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Intersection of Beauty Culture and Wellness/Diet Culture with Jessica DeFino
51:29
51:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:29
Writer and beauty-industry critic Jessica Defino joins us to discuss the intersections of wellness/diet culture and beauty culture, how she went from child beauty-pageant participant to working at the Kardashian-Jenner apps to eventually becoming an outspoken critic of the beauty industry, how social media is spreading harmful beauty ideals, the ag…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Bonus: Managing Email Stress and Supporting Kids' Attentional Well-Being with Gloria Mark
7:47
7:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:47
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com In this bonus episode, psychologist and ATTENTION SPAN author Gloria Mark returns to discuss what to do when stress leads to difficulty focusing, how to reclaim your attention from your inbox, how to help kids cultivate attentional well-being, and more. Gl…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Andrew Huberman and the Problem with "Cutting-Edge" Research
5:43
5:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:43
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Christy answers an audience question about wellness podcaster Andrew Huberman and his promotion of intermittent fasting, cold showers, and other dubious wellness practices. The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first quest…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Reclaiming Your Attention and Finding Digital Well-Being with Gloria Mark
1:01:24
1:01:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:24
Psychologist and ATTENTION SPAN author Gloria Mark joins us to discuss the connection between attention and well-being, the technologies manipulating our attention (and why social-media algorithms are just the tip of the iceberg), why modern life isn’t “causing” ADHD, the individual and societal changes needed to improve attentional well-being, how…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Bonus: How to Navigate Capitalism Without Using Undue Influence with Jessica Elefante
7:55
7:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:55
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com In this bonus episode, author Jessica Elefante returns to discuss how to use your powers of influence for good, the importance of setting limits and boundaries, how people with small businesses (including authors, journalists, and clinicians with private p…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Preview: Let Your Community Be Your Compass with Akiera Gilbert
12:39
12:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:39
In honor of Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW), we’re sharing a teaser of next month’s episode. It’s with Akiera Gilbert, the new CEO of Project HEAL, whose theme for EDAW is “let your community be your compass.” In this mini-episode, Akiera shares the importance of community when it comes to eating-disorder recovery, her goals with Project HEA…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
How to Think Critically About Influence and Influencers with Jessica Elefante
53:53
53:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:53
Author and former brand strategist Jessica Elefante joins us to discuss her past life as a “bullshit artist” and what she learned about how to influence people, the health issues that led her to quit her job and start speaking out about the dangers of technology, how to avoid wellness-industry influence, how to question everything without overthink…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Bonus: The Countercultural Roots of Wellness Culture with Stephanie Alice Baker
7:56
7:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:56
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com In this bonus episode, sociologist and Wellness Culture author Stephanie Alice Baker returns to discuss the countercultural roots of wellness, how the wellness industry went from its early days in the 1970s to a multi-trillion-dollar global industry, how t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
#320: Healing from Emotional Eating, Chronic Dieting, Binge Eating, and Body Shame with Judith Matz and Amy Pershing
1:00:58
1:00:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:58
Therapists and authors Judith Matz and Amy Pershing join us to discuss our new collaboration, The Emotional Eating, Chronic Dieting, Binge Eating & Body Image Workbook; why the typical diet-culture response to emotional eating is unhelpful, and what to do instead; how to know if you’re a chronic dieter (as opposed to just a “healthy eater”); the ro…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What If You Can’t Stop Eating When Food Tastes Good?
4:41
4:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:41
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Reasons why you might find yourself eating to an uncomfortable level of fullness, and what to do about it. Plus: Exciting news about Christy’s new book project! The full version of this episode is for paid subscribers. Listen to the first question here, an…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
How Wellness Culture and Lifestyle Gurus Spread Misinformation with Stephanie Alice Baker
54:58
54:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:58
Sociologist and WELLNESS CULTURE author Stephanie Alice Baker joins us to discuss the rise of wellness influencers, why people are attracted to guides and gurus, the false dichotomy between expertise and personal experience, how the concept of intuition is used to market wellness products and practices, how wellness culture has become a gateway to …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Bonus: How to Cut Through Gut Hype in Media and Medicine with Timothy Caulfield
6:04
6:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
6:04
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com In this bonus episode, author and science communicator Timothy Caulfield returns to discuss what to do if your healthcare provider seems to be under the influence of gut hype, how journalists and health professionals can report on and advise people about g…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Why the Gut-Health Trend Is Mostly Empty Hype with Timothy Caulfield
56:40
56:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:40
Author and science communicator Timothy Caulfield joins us to discuss why gut hype has become so widespread, the gulf between the claims and the science, how mainstream media reporting and social media have helped create hype about gut health, the role of scientist-influencers, how to tell if you’re in the presence of gut hype vs. more accurate rep…
…
continue reading
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com In this bonus episode, Christy shares some personal thoughts on how anxiety impacts the gut, and how to handle digestive distress that’s triggered by stress without getting pulled down wellness-culture rabbit holes—particularly if you have a history of dis…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Bonus: Wellness Trends to Be Excited About—and Skeptical Of
2:14
2:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:14
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Well+Good head of content Faye McCray returns to discuss the wellness trends she's most excited about—and the ones she plans to skip. Plus: a food-related wellness trend that's less about diet culture and more about taste and culinary tradition. Faye is He…
…
continue reading