Shoulders Down

In this episode of Shoulders Down , Leah sits down with Jackie Liu, a third-year medical student at Harvard Medical School and co-lead of advocacy for Medical Students for Size Inclusivity (MSSI), to explore weight stigma in medicine and what it takes to create more size-inclusive healthcare (HINT: GLP-1s are NOT the answer). Jackie shares their personal journey from struggling with disordered eating and body image to discovering fat studies and weight-inclusive approaches to health. Together, Leah and Jackie unpack how weight bias can become embedded in medical training, the ways fat phobia shows up in healthcare settings, and the incredible work MSSI is doing to advocate for more equitable care. They also discuss the rise of GLP-1 medications and why informed consent and patient autonomy are essential components of size-inclusive medicine. This conversation offers a hopeful look at the medical students and future providers working to challenge weight stigma from within the healthcare system. You'll hear about: Jackie's journey from struggling with body image and disordered eating to discovering fat liberation and weight-inclusive care How weight bias and fat phobia can become embedded in medical education and healthcare culture Why Medical Students for Size Inclusivity exists and how the organization is working to create change The barriers to providing truly weight-inclusive healthcare GLP-1 medications, informed consent, and the importance of protecting patient autonomy Mentioned in this Episode: 📊 The Weight Loss Research Nobody Talks About with Ragen Chastain 💛 Lived Experience with Ozempic—Jamie's Story & An Overview of The Facts Medical Students for Size Inclusivity (MSSI) Association for Weight and Size Inclusive Medicine More From Jackie: MSSI's GLP-1 Informed Consent Guide More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

Less podcast episode, more PSA. More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode of Shoulders Down , Leah sits down with Martha Munroe, author of Attuned Exercise , to explore what it means to build a healthier relationship with movement. Drawing from over two decades in the fitness industry and her background in positive psychology and embodiment, Martha shares a compassionate alternative to the shame, guilt, and perfectionism that so often define exercise routines. Martha shares how her perspective on fitness evolved after recognizing the harm caused by weight-centric messaging and toxic fitness culture. Together, she and Leah unpack the difference between exercising from a place of self-criticism versus self-compassion, why motivation rooted in shame rarely lasts, and how reconnecting with your body can make movement feel supportive rather than punishing. Whether you're recovering from chronic dieting, healing your relationship with exercise, or simply looking for a more sustainable approach to movement, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective rooted in curiosity, body trust, and self-respect. You'll hear about: What attuned exercise is and how it differs from traditional fitness culture Why self-compassion is a more sustainable motivator than guilt, shame, or self-criticism How diet culture and beauty ideals shape our relationship with movement The role of embodiment and body trust in creating a healthier exercise practice Practical ways to reconnect with movement after burnout, perfectionism, or chronic dieting Mentioned in this episode: 🏄‍♀️ Finding Pleasure in Movement with Hannah Husband 🏃‍♀️ Extractive vs. Regenerative Movement: Reframing Your Relationship with Running with Karly Borden 💪 Diet-Culture Free, Weight Neutral Fitness with Kira Onysko More From Martha: Website: https://www.attunedexercise.com/ Instagram: @attunedexercise Attuned Exercise Blog Attuned Exercise Book & Workbook More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode of Shoulders Down , Leah sits down with licensed psychotherapist Paula D. Atkinson to explore the intersection of body image, eating disorders, social justice, and body liberation. Paula shares her personal journey from growing up as a fat child, developing anorexia as a teenager, and eventually becoming a therapist, educator, and advocate for body justice. Together, Leah and Paula discuss the history of fatphobia, the limitations of weight-centric definitions of health, and why healing body image requires more than individual self-acceptance. Their conversation explores the role of systemic oppression in shaping body image, the power of critical thinking in diet culture recovery, and how anger can become a catalyst for liberation rather than something to suppress. You'll hear about: Paula's journey from anorexia recovery to becoming a body liberation therapist and educator What teaching a university course on weight, health, and society revealed about diet culture and the "obesity epidemic" The role of rage in disordered eating and body image healing Why external validation can never replace genuine self-acceptance How body image healing intersects with social justice, oppression, and collective liberation Paula's perspective on anger, psychedelics, and other unexpected pathways to body liberation More From Paula: Website: https://www.pauladatkinson.com Instagram: @pauladatkinson More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

Being in touch with your body’s cues is one of the central pieces of intuitive eating. But what if, when asking your body “what are you craving?” you hear crickets… In this episode, Leah helps you think through how to actually figure out what you’re craving. She covers several practical tips you can implement immediately to help guide you towards what you’re body is asking for. 👉 ENROLL IN WHAT TO EAT, a workshop on August 10th, 2026 Mentioned In This Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1961653/episodes/19362722 More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode of Shoulders Down , Leah sits down with Chelsea Levy, MS, RDN, a weight-inclusive dietitian specializing in eating disorders, PCOS, diabetes, and endocrine-related conditions. Chelsea shares her personal journey from chronic dieting and weight cycling to discovering intuitive eating while studying to become a dietitian. Together, Leah and Chelsea explore the realities of living in a weight-centric world, the impact of weight stigma on healthcare and body image, and why body respect can sometimes be a more accessible goal than body love. They also discuss body image grief, the challenges of navigating medical spaces in larger bodies, and how self-compassion can help us move toward a more peaceful relationship with ourselves. You'll hear about: Chelsea's experience with chronic dieting and weight cycling How discovering intuitive eating changed her relationship with food and body What it means to practice weight-inclusive care Why body image healing often involves grief What the medical industry is getting wrong about PCOS and diabetes recommendations The difference between body positivity, body neutrality, and body respect More From Chelsea Levy: Website: https://chelsealevynutrition.com Instagram: @chelsealevynutrition More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this solo episode, Leah talks about why it can feel so hard to figure out what to eat when you’re coming from a history of dieting. She outlines some of the main obstacles she sees clients running into, and then offers a solution for how to transition into intuitive eating without feeling like you’re free falling. She gets into: Why figuring out what to eat is likely a muscle you haven’t strengthen How loosing the structure of dieting can feel destabilizing and overwhelming. The obstacle of knowing what sounds good but not knowing how to reconcile that with what would feel good in your body. The missing nutrition education necessary to be able to make informed eating decisions. A brand new tool Leah created to give you gentle structure in figuring out what to eat, without rigid diet rules. 👉 ENROLL IN WHAT TO EAT, a workshop on August 10th, 2026 More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with Ragen Chastain, speaker, researcher, board-certified patient advocate, and leading voice in the fields of weight science, weight stigma, and healthcare. Ragen shares her personal journey from years of chronic dieting and an eating disorder to becoming a weight-inclusive health advocate. She explains what happened when she conducted an extensive review of the weight loss literature and discovered that the evidence did not support many of the claims she had been taught to believe. Together, Leah and Ragen explore the intersection of weight science, healthcare, and stigma, unpacking why weight-inclusive care is an evidence-based approach and how weight-centered healthcare can create harm for patients in larger bodies. You’ll hear about: Ragen's experience with dieting, weight cycling, and eating disorder recovery Common misconceptions about weight science and healthcare The impact of weight stigma on patient care How Ragen became involved in fat activism and weight-inclusive healthcare advocacy What healthcare providers often get wrong about weight and health The growing influence of GLP-1 medications and how they are being marketed More From Ragen: Newsletter: Weight and Healthcare Health at Every Size® Health Sheets Blog: Dances With Fat Instagram: @ragenchastain More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode, I respond to and unpack some of the most common comments I received after the viral Jillian Michaels vs. Body Positivity debate video was published. I’ll be honest: it took me a long time to record this episode. Reading through hostile and misinformed comments is unpleasant. But I ultimately decided this conversation was worth having, because the comments reveal deep misunderstandings about weight, health, and what ethical nutrition care actually looks like. In this episode, I cover: Why I said that I believe its unethical to encourage weight los ( and how this differs from judging people who choose to pursue weight loss. The flawed assumption that a dietitian’s role is to control someone’s body size Why weight is not a measure of health The criticism I received from fellow dietitians and why this hurt the most Mentioned in the episode: Behind the Scenes of the "Jillian Michaels vs Body Positivity" Debate with Edie Stark We Watched The Jillian Michaels Debate Back... And Had Thoughts with Edie Stark Unpacking the Viral Jubilee Body Positivity Debate with Marcy Guevara You're Not Wrong For Desiring Weight Loss 5 Reasons Why Your Weight Doesn't Determine Your Health

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah reconnects with former client Lizzie Marks for a conversation about what intuitive eating looks like five years later — and how healing your relationship with food can ripple into every area of life. Lizzie shares how her early intuitive eating journey began with swinging fully away from rigid food rules and exercise habits, and how she eventually found her way toward a more nuanced middle ground with movement, nutrition, and self-trust. Together, Leah and Lizzie explore how concepts from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts work have helped Lizzie navigate the return of old diet thoughts without fear or shame. They also discuss how Lizzie now approaches group fitness, movement, and food choices with more flexibility, nuance, and an ongoing commitment to trusting her intuition around food and body. You’ll hear about: What intuitive eating looks like for Lizzie in the early stages vs. now How intuitive eating can impact decision-making in other areas of life Reclaiming exercise classes and fitness challenges from diet culture Using parts work and IFS to navigate lingering diet thoughts Integrating cycle-syncing and how even that requires an intuitive approach What Lizzie is focused on as she continues her intuitive eating journey More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode of Shoulders Down , Leah sits down with Brittany Modell to explore the nuanced relationship between ADHD, body image, and eating behaviors — and how neurodivergence can shape our experience with food in ways that are often misunderstood. Brittany shares her personal story growing up immersed in diet culture, from early Weight Watchers meetings to navigating a lifelong sense of feeling “out of control” around food. Together, she and Leah unpack how ADHD can intensify food thoughts, disrupt hunger and fullness cues, and complicate traditional approaches to intuitive eating. This conversation brings much-needed compassion and clarity to the intersection of neurodivergence and anti-diet work — offering a perspective that moves beyond willpower and into understanding. You’ll hear about: How growing up in diet culture shapes early food and body beliefs The connection between ADHD and constant thoughts about food Why traditional nutrition advice often falls short for neurodivergent people How impulsivity, dopamine-seeking, and structure impact eating patterns What a more supportive, individualized approach to food can look like Mentioned in this episode: 16 Satisfying Trader Joe’s Snack Ideas From An Intuitive Eating Dietitian 🌵7 Unpopular Takes on Intuitive Eating & Body Image More From Brittany: Website: www.brittanymodellrd.com Instagram & TikTok: @nofoodfears Blog: Why ADHD Makes Body Image More Complicated More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode of Shoulders Down , Leah sits down with Karly Borden, founder of The Public Run Club, to explore what it really looks like to rebuild a relationship with running after disordered eating. Karly shares her personal story of navigating eating disorder recovery and the often-overlooked challenge of returning to exercise in a way that feels safe, grounded, and self-trust-driven. Together, they unpack the tension between discipline and intuition, and why so many people feel stuck in the “murky middle” of movement — not fully disordered, but not fully free either. Leah and Karly also dive into Karly’s Intuitive Athlete Cycle , a powerful framework for approaching movement in a sustainable, non-extractive way that honors the body’s natural rhythms rather than forcing constant progress. You’ll hear about: Karly’s personal journey with running, disordered eating, and recovery Why movement is often the missing piece in eating disorder recovery The difference between extractive vs. regenerative movement How to approach fitness goals without slipping into disordered patterns Karly’s Intuitive Athlete Cycle and how it supports sustainable movement Practical tools for tuning into your body before, during, and after exercise Mentioned in the Episode: 🎢 My Story (unfiltered, the whole saga) 🏃‍♀️ Disordered Eating in the Running Community with Serena Marie More from Karly: Website: https://www.thepublicrunclub.com Instagram: @thepublicrunclub Kind and Consistent Jump Start Waitlist: https://thepublicrunclub.com/kcjs More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com 📚 Sources 📚 On the body as a site of self-trust: Inspired by Caldwell, C., & Leighton, L. B. (Eds.). (2018). Oppression and the Body: Roots, Resistance, and Resolutions. North Atlantic Books. On the hypothetical gaze, body-object, and eating disorders emerging in puberty: McBride, H. L. (2019). “Embodiment and Body Image: Relating and Exploring Constructs.” In H. L. McBride & J. L. Kwee (Eds.), Embodiment and Eating Disorders: Theory, Research, Prevention and Treatment. Routledge.

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with certified eating disorder specialist Sydney Greene, to explore the overlap between disordered eating and substance use. Sydney shares her personal story of growing up around addiction, developing orthorexia, and later navigating sobriety — only to find her compulsive behaviors shifting toward exercise, clean eating, and wellness. Leah and Sydney unpack how addiction and disordered eating often co-occur, why recovery isn’t always linear, and how socially praised behaviors can mask deeper struggles. Together, they discuss the concept of transfer addiction, how one compulsive behavior can replace another, and why healing requires addressing the underlying unmet needs — not just the behavior itself. ⚠️ Content Warning ⚠️ This episode includes discussion of substance use, addiction, suicidal thoughts, and grief. Listener discretion is advised. You’ll hear about: Sydney’s personal story with substance use and disordered eating What “transfer addiction” means and how it shows up in recovery Why sobriety can sometimes intensify disordered eating behaviors Why intuitive eating may not be appropriate early in addiction recovery The overlap between orthorexia, compulsive exercise, and addiction Mentioned in this episode: 🥗 Orthorexia: When “Healthy" Eating Becomes Dangerous 🧗‍♀️Wellness Culture in Mountain Towns with Katie Campbell 🥛 Proteinification, Pilates, Glucose Monitors & The Wellness Trends That Shaped 2025 💰 Are You Binge Spending? Where Budget Culture Meets Diet Culture with Rachel Duncan More From Sydney Website: sydneygreenehealth.com Instagram: @greenehealth More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode of Shoulders Down , Leah sits down with plus-size style expert and reality TV producer Marcy Guevara-Prete to reflect on their experience participating in a viral Jubilee debate with fitness personality Jillian Michaels. Leah and Marcy unpack what it was like to engage in a highly charged, public conversation about body positivity, health, and weight — and how lived experience, media framing, and personal values shaped their perspectives in the moment and afterward. Marcy shares her journey from lifelong dieting to body acceptance and fat liberation, her nuanced perspective on health and movement, and the unexpected ways the debate impacted her own relationship with her body. ⚠️ Content Warning ⚠️ This episode includes discussion of weight stigma, diet culture, disordered eating, trauma, and intentional weight loss. It also includes nuanced and potentially conflicting perspectives on body positivity and health that may feel activating for some listeners. Please listen with care and take what serves you. You’ll hear about: What it was like to participate in the Jubilee debate with Jillian Michaels How reality-style media formats shape conversations about body and health The role of lived experience vs. scientific “evidence” in discussions of weight Why shame, fear, and guilt are not sustainable motivators for change The tension between diet culture and finding a personal middle ground Mentioned in this Episode: Surrounded Debate with Jillian Michaels (watch with caution) Is Body Positivity Disempowering? Follow-up ft Jillian Michaels and Marcy (watch with caution) 🍫 Can You Be Addicted To Food? 🌙 Fat & Beautiful: Unpacking Thin Privilege & Anti-Fat Bias with Debbie Saroufim National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) More From Marcy: Instagram: @themarcyminute Website: http://www.marcyguevara.com/ Boutique: Perfect 10 Plus (Los Angeles) Mobile Boutique: The Plus Bus More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode of Shoulders Down , Leah sits down with therapist Edie Stark, LCSW , to discuss their thoughts on the final edit of the Jillian Michaels x Body Positivity debate. Leah and Edie reflect on what they thought of the edit, how it felt to watch the video back (after experiencing it in real time a few months ago), and what frustrated them about the final video. Mentioned in this episode: First episode reflecting with Edie (before we saw the final edit) Watch the Debate Here! More From Edie Stark: Instagram: @ediestarktherapy Therapy Practice: Stark Therapy Group Consulting & Media: ediestark.com More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode of Shoulders Down , Leah sits down with therapist Edie Stark, LCSW , to unpack their experience participating in a debate with fitness personality Jillian Michaels on the popular YouTube channel Jubilee. Leah and Edie reflect on what it was like to step into a highly produced debate environment discussing body positivity, weight stigma, and health claims — and how the format of viral media can shape the conversation in ways that prioritize spectacle over nuance. Together, they discuss the challenges of debating weight stigma in a reality-TV style setting, the misconceptions about body positivity and Health at Every Size®, and why conversations about weight and health must account for systemic factors like stigma, access to care, and social determinants of health. You’ll hear about: What it was like to participate in a debate with Jillian Michaels Why debating weight and health in a reality-TV format creates major limitations Common misconceptions about the body positivity movement How weight stigma and systemic factors impact health outcomes Why shame and blame are ineffective tools for supporting behavior change What Leah and Edie hope viewers take away from the debate Mentioned in this episode: Watch the Debate Here! National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) The Plus Bus More From Edie Stark: Instagram: @ediestarktherapy Therapy Practice: Stark Therapy Group Consulting & Media: ediestark.com More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

Is the backlash against ultra-processed foods really about health… or is it about control? In this episode of Shoulders Down , Leah and Laura Thomas, PhD, explore the growing moral panic around ultra-processed foods — and what’s really driving the conversation. Laura explains why much of the research linking ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to poor health outcomes is observational, and how these headlines often oversimplify complex public health data. The conversation goes beyond nutrition science to examine how food narratives are shaped by gender roles, class privilege, and today’s political climate. Together, Leah and Laura explore the connection between trad wife culture, GLP-1 use, beauty standards, and what Laura calls “body fascism” — unpacking the bigger cultural forces driving today’s conversations about food and bodies. You’ll hear about: What ultra-processed foods (UPFs) actually are — and why the definition is murky Social determinants of health and the invisible labor of “food work” How the push to “cook from scratch” can reinforce gender roles and class privilege Trad wife culture, the rise of GLP-1s, and the body politics of it all Why this cultural moment is bigger than diet culture Mentioned in this episode: Lessons from the Fatosphere by Kate Harding & Marianne Kirby Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings More From Laura Thomas: Newsletter: https://canihaveanothersnack.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurathomasphd Laura Thomas’ books: Just Eat It How to Just Eat It More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe

In this episode of Shoulders Down , Leah talks with Jamie (returning guest and close friend) about navigating wedding planning as a plus-size bride — without pursuing weight loss. Rather than changing her body for her wedding day, Jamie shares how she made intentional accommodations to support comfort, confidence, and presence. Together, Leah and Jamie explore wedding culture pressures, how to prioritize feeling like yourself, and practical advice for planning a wedding in a larger body. You’ll hear about: Why major life events often trigger body image anxiety Choosing accommodations instead of trying to change your body Navigating photos, expectations, and “picture shock” Letting go of appearance perfection and focusing on meaning Helpful strategies for feeling more comfortable and present in your body Mentioned in Episode: 💛 Lived Experience with Ozempic—Jamie's Story & An Overview of The Facts Emma Arletta (YouTube Creator referenced) More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode of Shoulders Down Podcast , Leah takes a deep dive into Orthorexia Nervosa — a form of disordered eating that often hides behind “clean eating,” wellness, and the pursuit of health. Leah shares her personal experience with Orthorexia, explains how healthy eating can cross the line into rigidity and anxiety, and breaks down the symptoms, risk factors, and potential health consequences of an having an obsession with nutrition. She also explores how intuitive eating can support healing and food freedom. You’ll hear about: What orthorexia is and how it differs from general “healthy eating” Common signs and symptoms of orthorexia How “clean eating” and wellness culture reinforce restriction The physical, mental, and social consequences of orthorexia How intuitive eating supports healing from food fear and rigidity Next steps if you resonate with Orthorexia symptoms Mentioned in this episode: Webinar / Presentation from Leah’s Dietetic Internship Podcast Episode: “Did Diet Culture Hijack Your Values?” Podcast Episode: “Five Studies That Will Change the Way You Think About Food” Podcast Episode Featuring Christy Harrison Christy Harrison’s Book: The Wellness Trap Podcast Episode: “10 Principles of Intuitive Eating in 10 Minutes” Podcast Episode: “Intuitive Eating for Beginners” Podcast Episode about Food, Digestion & Metabolism More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode of Shoulders Down Podcast , Leah talks with Dr. Lauren Hartman, a double board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist, about why dieting and weight-focused care can be especially harmful for children and teens — and what she’s seeing on the front lines of adolescent eating disorder treatment. Drawing from nearly 20 years of experience across hospital systems, outpatient care, and national leadership roles, Dr. Hartman explains why weight loss is rarely sustainable, how dieting increases eating disorder risk, and why a medicalized focus on weight often misses what young people actually need to thrive. Leah and Dr. Hartman also discuss the rise in eating disorders among adolescents, the role of social media and diet culture, and growing concerns around GLP-1 medications. You’ll hear about: A doctor’s perspective on why dieting and weight loss often backfire Whether eating disorders are on the rise among adolescents — and what’s driving the increase How social media and diet culture impact teens’ relationships with food and body GLP-1 medications and the risks of prescribing them to young people What informed consent should include when it comes to weight-loss interventions How parents can help protect children from diet culture and weight stigma More From Dr. Lauren Hartman: https://www.aspengroveayam.com/ More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Pack Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to Leah's Youtube Channel Subscribe to my personal Substack Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Send me a voice message on Speakpipe Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com