Diet culture as religion: Faith and Fatness with Amanda Martinez Beck

In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, Ninna is joined by author, activist, and future priest Amanda Martinez Beck to explore the powerful idea of diet culture as a religion. Together, they unpack how societal norms around body size, food, and morality mirror religious structures—and how we can begin to unlearn these harmful beliefs.From shared experiences of Catholicism and fat liberation to reflections on disability, theology, and representation, this conversation is rich with insight, vulnerability, and hope. Amanda and Ninna challenge the cultural narratives that equate thinness with virtue and fatness with failure, offering instead a vision of radical self-acceptance, spiritual abundance, and embodied joy.Mentioned in This EpisodeAmanda’s books:Lovely: How I Learned to Embrace the Body God Gave MeMore of You: The Fat Girl’s Field Guide to the Modern WorldAmanda’s Substack: The Fat DispatchFat and Faithful by Nicole MorganFearing the Black Body by Sabrina StringsLife of the Beloved by Henri NouwenPoodle Science by Stacy Bias (animated video)Connect with AmandaWebsite: thefatdispatch.comInstagram & Threads: @thefatdispatchConnect with NinnaWebsite: thefatpsychologist.comInstagram, Threads, Facebook, BlueSky: @thefatpsychologistLinks on shownotes💌 Get InvolvedWant to be a guest? Reach out via the website or socials.Have a question or topic idea? Send it in!Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Ninna is actively seeking sponsors—get in touch!00:00 Intro to The Fat Psychologist Podcast01:31 Today's Episode: Diet Culture as a Religion 08:55 Amanda's Background and Fat Liberation Work14:35 Diet Culture and Body Positivity 22:49 Diet Culture as Religion  31:18 Fat Representation in Religion34:35 Embracing Fatness and Disability37:31 Finding Happiness and Acceptance40:41 Outro