In 2015, Belle Gibson was an Australian "eco-preneur" with a vegetarian cookbook, a blockbuster wellness app and a terminal cancer diagnosis. Today, she's one of the most hated figures in the country.Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDon

The Body Mass Index

1 Aug 3rd, 2021 1h 8m

The BMI is EVERYWHERE. But is it scientific or scientif-ish? While many Americans think of the body mass index as an objective measure of health, its history reveals a more complicated story. This week, Mike and Aubrey tackle the first in a two

Is Being Fat Bad For You?

3 Nov 16th, 2021 1h 25m

For nearly four decades, Americans have heard a simple story about health, longevity and obesity. This week, we learn it's a little more complicated. Thanks to Katherine Flegal, Paul Campos, Jeff Hunger and Jason Salemi for helping us research

Diet Book Deep Dive: Angela Lansbury's "Positive Moves"

3 Oct 26th, 2021 56m 54s

At the height of her "Murder She Wrote" fame, Angela Lansbury released a home workout video full of synth music, peach jumpsuits and ~sensuality~. This week, we’re exploring the anti-Goop-ness of Angela’s fitness book and video, "Positive Moves

"Super Size Me"

1 Feb 15th, 2022 1h 2m

Aubrey thought she could swear less in this week’s episode. She was wrong. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreLinks!Super Size Me Trailer"Super Size Me" - CBS NewsWhere's th

Fat Camps

Jan 4th, 2022 59m 27s

How America's oldest fat camp — and the inspiration for Disney’s "Heavyweights" — became the symbol of a health intervention that enjoys worldwide popularity despite no evidence that it improves anyone's health. Support us:Hear bonus episodes o

Rachel Hollis Part 2: Girl, Start Apologizing

1 Oct 12th, 2021 1h 7m

In the sequel (sorry) to our first installment, we take a deep dive into Rachel's wildly problematic books and deeply weird downfall. Along the way we discuss allyship etiquette, MLMs and Ronald Reagan. We remain convinced that getting matching

Marianne Williamson

Sep 14th, 2021 57m 53s

Last year, spiritual leader Marianne Williamson made headlines when she ran for president. But 10 years earlier, she wrote a bestselling book that promised to teach readers how to “surrender" their weight forever. This week, Mike and Aubrey ta

The Twinkie Defense

4 Nov 17th, 2020 49m 20s

The Twinkie Defense has become a shorthand for disingenuous legal defense strategies. But was it disingenuous? (Yes, but not in the way you think!)Thanks to Ashley Smith for editing assistance and Doctor Dreamchip for our lovely theme song!Supp

Jordan Peterson Part 1: The Carnivore Diet

1 Mar 1st, 2022 1h 9m

Oops all meat: How a '50s bodybuilder, a Grateful Dead roadie and an unreadable professor accidentally launched one of America's wildest fad diets. Here's Mike's "Cancel Culture" video! Note: In our discussion of Jordan Peterson’s political cor

Jordan Peterson Part 2: The Moscow Diaries

1 Mar 15th, 2022 54m 51s

In 2019, Jordan Peterson disappeared from public life. One year later, he re-emerged with a diagnosis, a story and no self-reflection whatsoever.Thanks to Katelyn Burns and Talia Lavin for help fact-checking this episode and Doctor Dreamchip fo

COVID Conspiracies

Mar 7th, 2024 1h 27m

What was missing from America's pandemic response? According to the internet, a sunshine vitamin, a malaria treatment and a whole lot of horse paste.Thanks to Health Nerd (Substack) for helping us fact-check this episode! And thanks to Abby Mah

Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma"

1 Apr 5th, 2022 1h 5m

How a liberal journalist entrenched a libertarian fantasy. Thanks to Sarah Taber for helping us with the research for this episode!Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreLinks!J

Bonus: Fad Diets

Mar 29th, 2022 1h 11m

This week's show is still in the oven so we're releasing one of our first Patreon bonus episodes. We asked our listeners for the wildest and wackiest fad diets they've ever tried and ended up doing mini-deep dives into The Rotation Diet, The Sh

The 10,000 Steps Myth

1 Apr 25th, 2023 49m 8s

This week we're digging into the weird history of an omnipresent fitness goal. Episode comes free with a happy meal.Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's bookList

Rachel Hollis Part 1: Hashtag Relatable

1 Sep 28th, 2021 1h 11m

Girl, stop reinforcing the status quo.Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreVideos!The infamous Tik TokMomfession: I get up at 5 amThe "bikini mom" talkHow To Start A PodcastSu

Snake Oil

1 Feb 2nd, 2021 48m 52s

The world of dieting and wellness is full of so-called snake oil salesmen—but what IS snake oil? This week, we take a wild ride through the history of health scams and discover a startling twist about an everyday idiom. Along the way, Aubrey de

Anti-Fat Bias

2 Nov 24th, 2020 54m 39s

To celebrate the release of her new book, Aubrey takes Mike on a tour through the statistics and debates surrounding weight bias. Anyone interested in body positivity, airline seats, 'skinny shaming' or the sugar content of melons is legally ob

Oprah v. Beef Part 2: Apocalypse Cow

1 May 23rd, 2023 1h 8m

The closing argument of our two-part Oprahsode starts in a Texas courtroom, wanders through some British slaughterhouses and ends with an emu. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers an

The Daily Harvest Food Poisoning Scandal

Nov 1st, 2022 1h 1m

“Herpes is basically living the dream” — Aubrey Gordon.Support us: Subscribe on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Check out Mike's other podcast, If Books Could KillPre-order Aubrey's book!Links!Marion Nestl

“French Women Don't Get Fat”

Aug 9th, 2022 57m 25s

A dieting book or a how-to guide for an eating disorder? Pourquoi pas les deux ?Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreLinks!The By The Book episode The NYT interview with Mirei

Pete Evans Part 1: The Paleo Way

1 Jul 12th, 2022 52m 34s

How a beloved TV chef became one of Australia's most polarizing public figures. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreLinks!Going Paleo: What Prehistoric Man Actually AteThe Pa

The Trouble With Calories

1 May 24th, 2022 52m 33s

Weight loss is as simple as “calories in, calories out,” right? Or — gasp — could the reply guys be wrong!? This week, we dig in on the surprisingly complex science behind a seemingly simple calculation.Support us:Hear bonus episodes on Patreon

Zombie Statistics Spectacular!

Apr 19th, 2022 57m 56s

Debunking some of the most widely repeated myths about fat and health. Here's Mike's new video! Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreThanks to Doctor Dreamchip for our lovely

The "Sleep Loss Epidemic"

2 1 Dec 14th, 2021 1h 11m

Matthew Walker's "Why We Sleep" was one of the most popular and acclaimed wellness books of 2017. There's just one problem: Much of it isn't true. Thanks to University of Ottawa Postdoctoral Fellow Dylan Smith for helping us with the research!S