Shoulders Down

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: Mentioned in this episode: Lessons from the Fatosphere by Kate Harding & Marianne KirbyFearing the Black Body by Sabrina StringsMore From Laura Thomas: https://canihaveanothersnack.comhttps://www.instagram.com/laurathomasphdJust Eat ItHow to Just Eat ItMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice message🍽️ Do you wish you could eat ice cream without feeling out of control? Do you want to care for your health without becoming obsessive? If so, you’ll want to grab our FREE Intuitive Eating Starter Kit here.

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: Mentioned in Episode: 💛 Lived Experience with Ozempic—Jamie's Story & An Overview of The FactsEmma ArlettaMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com🍽️ Do you wish you could eat ice cream without feeling out of control? Do you want to care for your health without becoming obsessive? If so, you’ll want to grab our FREE Intuitive Eating Starter Kit here.

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: Mentioned in this episode: Webinar / Presentation from Leah’s Dietetic InternshipPodcast Episode: “Did Diet Culture Hijack Your Values?”Podcast Episode: “Five Studies That Will Change the Way You Think About Food”Podcast Episode Featuring Christy HarrisonChristy Harrison’s Book: The Wellness TrapPodcast Episode: “10 Principles of Intuitive Eating in 10 Minutes”Podcast Episode: “Intuitive Eating for Beginners”Podcast Episode about Food, Digestion & MetabolismMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail 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: shouldMore From Dr. Lauren Hartman: https://www.aspengroveayam.com/ More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode of Shoulders Down Podcast, Leah talks with therapist and certified intuitive eating counselor, Libby Supan, about her 15 years in Overeaters Anonymous (OA) — and why she ultimately believes the program worsened her eating disorder rather than healed it. Libby shares how OA’s abstinence-based model, the idea of food and sugar addiction, and rigid sponsorship dynamics fueled binge eating, shame, and co-dependency. Together, Leah and Libby unpack the concept of “fat serenity,” the fatphobia embedded in the OA ethos, and why abstinence backfires. Libby also explains how eating disorder treatment and intuitive eating helped her rebuild trust with her body, move away from restriction, and find a more sustainable path to recovery. You’ll hear about: Mentioned in the episode: https://leahkernrd.com/are-you-addicted-to-sugar/ More From Libby: Website: https://www.libbysupan.com/ More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode, Leah's reflection on 6 wellness trends that shaped 2025. She covers: Mentioned in the episode: https://leahkernrd.com/%F0%9F%91%89-5-reasons-why-your-weight-doesnt-determine-your-health/More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com🥂 What if 2026 was the year you stopped starting over with food? Join a low-cost anti-diet workshop with Leah Kern, RD to feel normal around eating. (Use code PODCAST at checkout to get 10% off)

In this episode, I sit down with fat activist, author, podcaster, and feminist, Virgie Tovar. We cover: More From Virgie: Virgie's websiteVirgie's SubstackA 5 Stage Model of Fat Identity DevelopmentMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com🥂 What if 2026 was the year you stopped starting over with food? Join a low-cost anti-diet workshop with Leah Kern, RD to feel normal around eating. (Use code PODCAST at checkout to get 10% off)

In this episode, Leah is joined by licensed therapist and body image expert, Bri Campos, to talk about picture grief. Learn more from Bri on her website. More from Leah: Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Kit Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to my personal Substack 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. Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode, we cover: Download the FREE Intuitive Eater Holiday Survival Guide 📣 Subscribe to our Youtube Channel! Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Kit Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to my personal Substack 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. Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com 🍪 Want to feel more in control around food by the holidays? Get on the waitlist to join our new audio course, 10 Steps to Food Freedom.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Alexis Conason, Licensed Therapist and Certified Eating Disorder Consultant. We discuss: “I just felt better when I was X pounds lighter.”More From Alexis: https://drconason.com/https://www.conasonpsychologicalservices.com/aboutBuy her book!More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com🍪 Want to feel more in control around food by the holidays? Get on the waitlist to join our new audio course, 10 Steps to Food Freedom.

In this episode, we discuss: Resources Mentioned: https://d11n7da8rpqbjy.cloudfront.net/leahkernrd/482_1669901562874Confidence_ValuesDrivenLiving_Module2.pdf https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/👉Get on the waitlist for our new 10 steps to food freedom audio course More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com👩‍❤️‍👩 Does it ever feel like your body image is standing in the way of your dating life? Join me for Dating & Body Image: Build Confidence Without Changing Your Body, a live workshop I’m co-hosting. Use code LKN10 for 10% off at checkout.

In this episode, Leah shares how diet culture sneaks into the wedding industry—from “bridal bootcamps” to being asked about “weight goals” at dress fittings—and how these pressures can rob us of joy on one of life’s most meaningful days. Through her own wedding dress shopping story and reflections from clients, Leah explores what it actually looks like to reject body shame, hold space for body grief, and choose presence over perfection. More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com👩‍❤️‍👩 Does it ever feel like your body image is standing in the way of your dating life? Join me for Dating & Body Image: Build Confidence Without Changing Your Body, a live workshop I’m co-hosting. Use code LKN10 for 10% off at checkout.

In this episode we’re talking about why I’m worried that Chat GPT might be making intuitive eating harder for people. 👉Get on the waitlist for our new 10 steps to food freedom audio course More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com

This episode will walk you through five powerful studies that challenge diet culture and reshape the way we think about food. These studies highlight how health is influenced by connection, compassion, satisfaction, and beliefs — not just calories or nutrients. I cover: Rabbit StudyRoseto EffectSugar Drink StudyResources mentioned: Join my self-paced course, The Returnhttps://leahkernrd.kartra.com/page/8Tz18https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/lived-experience-with-ozempic-jamies-story-an/id1616910063?i=1000617648346https://leahkernrd.com/how-intuitive-eating-impacts-your-metabolism-and-digestion/More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com

When The Biggest Loser hit TV in the early 2000s, it was a cultural force that shaped how we think about weight, health, and discipline. Now, the new documentary Fit for TV revisits the show’s legacy. In this episode, I share my reflections on the documentary through the lens of a non-diet dietitian who grew up watching The Biggest Loser.I break down what the documentary actually got right — and where it fell short. We’ll cover: The Biggest LoserResources mentioned: https://leahkernrd.kartra.com/page/8Tz18https://leahkernrd.com/%F0%9F%91%89-5-reasons-why-your-weight-doesnt-determine-your-health/More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com

What happens when your anti-diet values collide with the realities of a weight-obsessed medical system? In today’s solo episode, I respond to a deeply vulnerable listener story about being required to undergo weight monitoring during pregnancy as a gestational surrogate—after more than a decade of avoiding the scale as part of her healing from disordered eating. I unpack the emotional toll of being reduced to a number, the grief of not having full autonomy in medical spaces, and how weight stigma is baked into the system. I explore: feelingThis episode is full of validation, support, and reminders that you are not the problem—the system is. Whether you’ve experienced this exact situation or just felt the pain of weight stigma in healthcare, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned: Bri Campo's episodeNicola Smith of fat positive fertility episodeMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode, we're covering 6 lessons I learned on the Appalachian Trail that can be applied to Intuitive Eating. Mentioned in the episode: Social Determinants of Health & Intuitive Eating blog post📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackMore from Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode, we revisit the topic of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. You’ll hear from 7 guests: therapists, dietitians, former clients, and people who’ve personally used GLP-1s Each person shares how they’re navigating intuitive eating and body acceptance in a culture obsessed with weight loss. This episode features several guests who have already appeared on the show. Here are links to their original episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/lived-experience-with-ozempic-jamies-story-an/id1616910063?i=1000617648346https://leahkernrd.com/masculinity-body-image-and-disordered-eating-with-aaron-flores-rd/https://leahkernrd.com/raising-intuitive-eaters-and-protecting-children-from-diet-culture-with-kate-morris/https://leahkernrd.com/perimenopause-our-ever-changing-bodies-with-amanda-mittman/https://leahkernrd.com/finding-pleasure-in-movement-with-hannah-husband/More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode, we’re reclaiming nutrition facts from the clutches of food rules and fear. You’ll learn how to approach a nutrition label without spiraling into judgment or rigid thinking—and how these labels can actually support you in honoring your body’s needs. We cover: You’ll also hear a real-life client story that highlights how gentle curiosity—not obsession—can help you build meals that actually work for your body. Nutrition labels aren’t moral scorecards. This episode will help you read them with nuance, compassion, and a whole lot less stress. More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com

In this episode, Abbie Attwood, a non-diet, weight-inclusive provider, joins us to talk about: Mentioned in the Episode: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackLeah episode on Abbie's podcast Are The Intuitive Eating Dietitians Alright?More From Abbie: Abbie's WebsiteAbbie's SubstackMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnYoutube Channelpersonal Substack@leahkern.rdwebsiteweekly newsletterSend me a voice messageEmail me:Leah@leahkernrd.com