Rethinking Wellness
by Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CEDS
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 to avoid getting taken advantage of when you’re desperate for help and healing, and how to care for yourself in a deeply flawed healthcare system without falling into wellness traps.**This podcast feed shares generous previews and very occasional full-length episodes. To hear everything, become a paid subscriber at rethinkingwellness.substack.com.** rethinkingwellness.substack.com
Episodes
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From Weight Loss Influencer to Weight-Inclusive Physician Taking On GLP-1s and Eating Disorders
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...
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How Social Algorithms Shape Who You Think You Are—and How to Reclaim Your Story
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…
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Do Ultraprocessed Foods Really Affect Metabolism? Analysis of a New Study
Christy answers an audience question about a new study that claims to show food processing influences metabolism and brain activity. As a paid subscriber, you get the full version of this episode. Thanks so much for your support! If you love what you hear, please consider leaving a rating and...
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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. As a paid subscriber, you get the full version of this episode. Thanks so much for your support!…
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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…
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Why Are GLP-1s Being Hailed As Longevity Drugs—and What Does the Science Say?
Christy discusses GLP-1s and longevity—the discourse, the hype, where it comes from, and what the science really says. As a paid subscriber, you get the full version of this episode. Thanks so much for your support! If you love what you hear, please consider leaving a rating and review here, or...
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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 shame. In a deeper dive for paid subscribers, we get into how to talk to male partners or loved ones...
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Do You Really Need a Diet for Migraines? Here’s What the Science Says
Christy answers an audience question about whether you need an anti-inflammatory diet, or other dietary changes, for migraines. As a paid subscriber, you get the full version of this episode. Thanks so much for your support! If you love what you hear, please consider leaving a rating and review...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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Exciting Changes Ahead: Discover What's New on the Pod
Christy shares some exciting announcements about the podcast! Paid subscribers get access to all our content: NEW: Monthly office hours on Substack Live Subscriber-only Q&As and essays answering your burning questions about wellness/diet culture, with critical and rigorous reporting on the…
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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. 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…
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"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...
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Finding Reliable Health Information Amidst AI Slop & Postpartum Overwhelm – with Christy and Amelia
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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…
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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…
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How to Avoid Conspiracy Theory Hype – Navigating the Post-Truth Era with Ellie Anderson, PhD
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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…
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Think You Might Be in Perimenopause? Don't Fall for These Wellness Traps. (Best Of)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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…
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Why You Probably Don’t Have a Leaky Gut, and Other Wellness Misconceptions with Jonathan Jarry (Best of)
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...
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Can You Fix Your Thyroid with a Diet Change?
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Christy 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…
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Why Beauty Imperatives Are Not Victimless Crimes ft. Elise Hu
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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...
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Magical Overthinking, Misinformation, and the Cultishness of Wellness Culture with Amanda Montell (Best Of)
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...
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Leaky Gut Syndrome: Real Condition or Dubious Diagnosis?
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Christy 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.)…
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Why (Wellness) Marketers Use the Same Tactics as Cults with Dr. Mara Einstein
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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...
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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.com Christy 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…
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Challenging the Hype About Gut Health and Ultra-Processed Foods with Laura Thomas (Best Of)
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…
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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...
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Parenting for Positive Body Image with Charlotte Markey, PhD
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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....
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Do You Really Need a Gluten-Free Diet for These Autoimmune Conditions? (Best Of)
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…
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Healing from Dubious Diagnoses, Disordered Eating, and Overwork with Kirsten Powers (Best Of)
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...
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All Your Pregnancy Questions Answered: Nausea + Folate + IVF and Stillbirth
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Christy delves into the science to answer several questions she’s gotten (and asked herself) about pregnancy. We discuss whether the sex of the baby predicts nausea levels, whether methylated folate is...
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From Pharmacy to Functional Medicine to Healing from Orthorexia Through Intuitive Eating with Sarah-Jane Garcia
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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...
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"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.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...
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The Dangers of Diet Drugs: Behind the GLP-1 Weight-Loss Hype with Ragen Chastain (Best Of)
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...
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Creatine: The Key to Wellness or Just Hype?
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Christy 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...
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The Rise of Micro-influencers: Wellness Misinformation and Parasocial Relationships with Maxine Ali
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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...
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Hair Analysis, DUTCH Testing, and Heavy Metals in Chocolate (Best Of)
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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...
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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...
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Anti-Inflammatory Diets: the Science and the Hype
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com Christy 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....
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Rumor Mills, Propaganda Machines, and Debunking Anti-Vaccine Misinformation with Renée DiResta
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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...
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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...
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The Elusiveness of “Full Recovery” from Disordered Eating with Mallary Tenore Tarpley
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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...
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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...
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2 Weird Food Rules I Don’t Follow Anymore, and 4 Other Principles I Try to Live By (Best Of)
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....
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How to Feed Picky Eaters (Without Diet Culture) ft. Katja Rowell, M.D.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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…
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How to Reclaim Your Attention from the Algorithm with Amelia Hruby, PhD
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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…
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Neurodivergence and Nutrition: Separating Myths from Facts with Dietitian Jackie Silver
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit rethinkingwellness.substack.com 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...
About this show
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 to avoid getting taken advantage of when you’re desperate for help and healing, and how to care for yourself in a deeply flawed healthcare system without falling into wellness traps.**This podcast feed shares generous previews and very occasional full-length episodes. To hear everything, become a paid subscriber at rethinkingwellness.substack.com.**
rethinkingwellness.substack.com
Hosted by
Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CEDS