Maintenance Phase
83 episodes - English - Latest episode: 25 days ago - ★★★★★ - 14.7K ratingsDebunking the junk science behind health fads, wellness scams and nonsensical nutrition advice.
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Episodes
Diet Book Deep Dive: Angela Lansbury's "Positive Moves"
October 26, 2021 09:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBAt 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."! It gets a little heavy toward the end, but we promise: No one was canceled in the making of this episode. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more Links! Positive Moves vi...
Rachel Hollis Part 2: Girl, Start Apologizing
October 12, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 46 MBIn 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 tattoos was the right decision for us. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more Links! The infamous Tik Tok Savy Writes Books' video essays The Rise & Fall of Rachel Hollis...
Rachel Hollis Part 1: Hashtag Relatable
September 28, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 49.4 MBGirl, stop reinforcing the status quo. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more Videos! The infamous Tik Tok Momfession: I get up at 5 am The "bikini mom" talk How To Start A Podcast Support the Show.
Rachel Hollis
September 28, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 49.4 MBGirl, stop reinforcing the status quo. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more Videos! The infamous Tik Tok Momfession: I get up at 5 am The "bikini mom" talk How To Start A Podcast Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/maintenancephase)
Rachel Hollis Part 1: Hashtag Relatable
September 28, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 49.4 MBGirl, stop reinforcing the status quo. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more Videos! The infamous Tik Tok Momfession: I get up at 5 am The "bikini mom" talk How To Start A Podcast Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/maintenancephase)
Marianne Williamson
September 14, 2021 09:00 - 57 minutes - 39.8 MBLast 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 take a deep dive into Williamson’s life story and her 2010 book, “A Course in Weight Loss." Along the way we talk nonprofit drama, Eleanor Roosevelt and gays for Marianne. Plus, Mike’s got a message for the twinks. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on P...
The Great Protein Fiasco
August 31, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 48.7 MBHow Nestlé executives, global health institutions and a very racist white lady seeded a series of nutritional misconceptions we're still living with today. Special thanks to John Nott for helping us out with this episode! Here's his papers on the history of protein and the British Empire. “No one may starve in the British Empire”: Kwashiorkor, Protein and the Politics of Nutrition Between Britain and Africa “How Little Progress”? A Political Economy of Postcolonial Nutrition Support us:...
The Obesity Epidemic
August 17, 2021 09:00 - 59 minutes - 40.8 MBOver the last 30 years, fatness has been defined as a risk factor for disease, then a disease in itself, then a global epidemic. What caused this rapid shift? Who’s gonna join our group of B-roll vigilantes? And did we just hear Morgan Freeman? Support us: Hear bonus episodes on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more Books! Fat Politics Killer Fat The End of the Obesity Epidemic Folk Devils and Moral Panics Moral Panics Links! American Obe...
The Body Mass Index
August 03, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 47.4 MBThe 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-part series about the BMI and the “Obesity Epidemic.” Along the way they visit 18th century Belgium, learn a gross new acronym and dissect Dracula's facial features. LINKS!: The Bizarre and Racist History of the BMI (Elemental) Adolphe Quetelet, ...
School Lunches, P-Hacking and the Original "Pizzagate"
July 20, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 53 MBThis week we're diving into one of the biggest-ever scandals in nutrition research. For nearly two decades, Brian Wansink's Food and Brand Lab told Americans that lower weights, healthier workplaces and better school lunches were just a few small tweaks away. Then, in 2015, he wrote a blog post and it all came crashing down. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers, face masks and more Links! A Credibility Crisis in Food Scie...
The Keto Diet
July 06, 2021 09:00 - 55 minutes - 38.3 MBSo long, root vegetables! This week, we dive into the strange and surprising history of the 100-year-old ketogenic diet. Along the way, we encounter a Victorian bodybuilder, an infamous podcast bro and the possibility of a bad Meryl Streep performance (!). Get in, loser, we're counting macros! Support us: Hear bonus episodes on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more Links! What Is the Keto Diet and Does It Work? (NYT) The Ketogenic Diet for Weight L...
Oprah Winfrey & "John of God"
June 22, 2021 14:00 - 57 minutes - 39.6 MBSpecial guest Kimberly Springer joins us to talk about an infamous, dangerous faith healer and his two — two! — appearances on Oprah's talk show. This episode contains, we're sorry to say, detailed descriptions of sexual assault. Buy Kimberly's books: Stories of Oprah: The Oprahfication of American Culture Living for the Revolution: Black Feminist Organizations, 1968-1980 Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links! Behin...
Oprah Winfrey & "John of God"
June 22, 2021 14:00 - 57 minutes - 39.6 MBSpecial guest Kimberly Springer joins us to talk about an infamous, dangerous faith healer and his two — two! — appearances on Oprah's talk show. This episode contains, we're sorry to say, detailed descriptions of sexual assault. Buy Kimberly's books: Stories of Oprah: The Oprahfication of American Culture Living for the Revolution: Black Feminist Organizations, 1968-1980 Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links! Behin...
Oprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
June 08, 2021 09:00 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBDo you have weird feelings about Oprah? So do we, and so does our guest! Kimberly Springer, co-editor of "Stories of Oprah: The Oprahfication of American Culture," joins us to talk about the rise of Oprah Winfrey and her infamous "wagon of fat" weight loss episode. Buy Kimberly's books: Stories of Oprah: The Oprahfication of American Culture Living for the Revolution: Black Feminist Organizations, 1968-1980 Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirt...
Oprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”
June 08, 2021 09:00 - 49 minutes - 34.3 MBDo you have weird feelings about Oprah? So do we, and so does our guest! Kimberly Springer, co-editor of "Stories of Oprah: The Oprahfication of American Culture," joins us to talk about the rise of Oprah Winfrey and her infamous "wagon of fat" weight loss episode. Buy Kimberly's books: Stories of Oprah: The Oprahfication of American Culture Living for the Revolution: Black Feminist Organizations, 1968-1980 Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirt...
Celery Juice
May 25, 2021 09:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBDo you have viruses? Cysts? Cancer? Are you tired sometimes? According to Instagram, the problem might be a lack of liquefied vegetables! This week, Mike and Aubrey take on a troubling taste test, meet a ghost with bad intentions and encounter the longest list of problematic celebrities we've ever seen. Plus, we start the show with an announcement: We're doing Patreon-only bonus episodes! Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/maintenancephase Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on ...
The Wellness to QAnon Pipeline
May 11, 2021 09:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBSpecial guest Mike Rothschild tells us how the road to wellness can be an on-ramp to a conspiracy theory. Along the way we debunk oil pulling, explore Instagram aesthetics and bemoan anti-vaxx argumentation tactics . Mike gets the date of the January 6th insurrection wrong and he is sorry. Mike Rothschild is on Twitter and you can pre-order his book here! Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Thanks to Ashley Smith for editi...
Diet Book Deep Dive: Ed McMahon’s “Slimming Down”
April 27, 2021 09:00 - 40 minutes - 28 MBThis week is our first Diet Book Deep Dive, where we dig into some of the worst and wildest weight loss advice we can find. First up: Tonight Show sidekick Ed McMahon's pun, alcohol and misogyny-fueled diet plan from the 1970s. Hope you like broiled steak and Sanka! Clips! Ed McMahon & Britney Spears on Star Search Ed McMahon for American Family Sweepstakes Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Thanks to Lynn Barbera for ...
Olestra
April 13, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBIn 1996, Proctor & Gamble launched an artificial fat substitute that promised all of the taste but none of the calories. There was just one problem. Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links! Marion Nestle’s The Selling of Olestra Jeffrey Steingarten's The Man Who Ate Everything The 1996 Federal Register The Trouble With Fries Reduction of the body burden of PCBs and DDE by dietary intervention in a randomized trial ...
Eating Disorders
March 30, 2021 09:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MBFat people have them too! This week, special guest Erin Harrop tells us about one of America's most under-diagnosed and misunderstood problems. Along the way we talk about elbow bumps, Twitter etiquette and '90s sweatpants. Our content warnings are becoming increasingly threatening. Here's Erin's faculty page and a bunch of her research! Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Thanks to Mitra Kaboli for production support and D...
Weight Watchers
March 16, 2021 09:00 - 50 minutes - 34.9 MBGet your flex point calculators and food scales! This week, Mike and Aubrey are talking about one of America's most iconic diet programs: Weight Watchers. Along the way, we encounter The Rock, the mating habits of straight people and a new James Bond villain. Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links! Jean Nidetch, a Founder of Weight Watchers, Dies at 91 Mass Firing on Zoom Is Latest Sign of Weight Watchers Unrest Wei...
The Master Cleanse
March 02, 2021 10:00 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MBAre your moods too stable? Is your face free of cold sores? Get your lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper ready, because this week we're talking about celebrity favorite THE MASTER CLEANSE! Along the way we roast New Atheism, praise Gwyneth Paltrow (!) and endorse garbanzo bean salads. Mike wishes to clarify that he adores Kate Bush and quips with the utmost affection. Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links!: T...
Dr. Oz
February 16, 2021 10:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBThis week we're dissecting "America's Doctor." How did a smart, hardworking surgeon become one of TV's leading purveyors of junk science? Along the way we debunk green coffee bean extract, raspberry ketones, conversion therapy (!) and a salad dressing skincare regimen. Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links: Transcript of the infamous Congressional hearing The Making of Dr. Oz Columbia and the Problem of Dr. Oz The F...
Snake Oil
February 02, 2021 10:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBThe 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 delivers fun facts about sanitation from memory and Mike roasts the state where most of his family lives. Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links: Snake Oil, Hustlers & Hambones by M...
The Biggest Loser
January 19, 2021 10:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBThis week we dissect the content and impact of one of America's most harmful TV experiments. Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links! Aubrey’s article on The Biggest Loser That's not reality for me': Australian audiences respond to the Biggest Loser "Cheapening the struggle:" obese people's attitudes towards the Biggest Loser The Effects of Reality Television on Weight Bias: An Examination of The Biggest Loser ...
Halo Top Ice Cream
January 05, 2021 10:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBWE’RE BACK! A new diet ice cream is taking your grocery store by storm. But what even is it? This week, Mike and Aubrey talk biohacking, dieting for straight dudes and the extremely ill-advised "Halo Top diet." Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links! What is biohacking? The new “science” of optimizing your brain and body. (Vox) Halo Top Is Now the Most Popular Pint of Ice Cream in America (Food and Wine) What It's L...
Anti-Fat Bias
November 24, 2020 10:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBTo 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 obligated to join us. Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Get Aubrey's book in the U.S.: Powell's Books Bookshop.org Beacon Press Buy from your local bookstore on Indiebound Get Au...
The Twinkie Defense
November 17, 2020 10:00 - 49 minutes - 33.9 MBThe 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! Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links! Mike's "Victim's Rights" episode on his other show! The Trial of Dan White: The Diminished Capacity ("Twinkie") Defense Harvey Milk: His L...
Moon Juice
November 10, 2020 10:00 - 57 minutes - 39.8 MBWhat's that Gwyneth Paltrow's drinking? It's MOON JUICE! This week, we're talking adaptogens, brain dust, hot sex milk and the wellness company that's taken L.A. by storm. Be sure to take your quinton shots before you listen to this one. Thanks to Ashley Smith for editing assistance and Doctor Dreamchip for our lovely theme song! Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links!: How Hollywood's Favorite Juice Bar Owner Eats Eve...
Snackwell's Cookies
November 03, 2020 10:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBThey hit the market in 1992. Three years later, they were the best-selling cookie in America. This week, Mike and Aubrey dive into the low-fat craze of the 1990s and sample the snack that became the symbol of its rise and fall. Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links! How the Ideology of Low Fat Conquered America “Eat More, They’re Healthy” Anthology of “Cookie Man” ads “What if It’s All Been A Big Fat Lie?” “End...
Fen Phen & Redux
October 27, 2020 09:00 - 51 minutes - 35.4 MBFen-Phen & Redux were "the next miracle drugs" in the '90s, claiming to help people lose dramatic amounts of weight in just three months. But within a few short years, they'd been pulled from the market. They were just too effective! (Just kidding, they killed some people.) Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links! Dispensing with the Truth by Alicia Mundy The New Miracle Drug (Time Magazine) How Fen-Phen, A Diet 'Mi...
The President's Physical Fitness Test
October 20, 2020 09:00 - 58 minutes - 40.1 MBThe shuttle run! The flexed arm hang! The v-sit reach! These terms are seared into the memories of an entire generation of American schoolchildren. But did the President's Physical Fitness Test actually make us fitter? (Spoiler: lol no) Thanks to Ashley Smith for editing assistance and Doctor Dreamchip for our lovely theme song! Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Links! The Report That Shocked The President JFK’s Spor...
What's Our Deal?
October 11, 2020 23:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MBWelcome to Maintenance Phase! In our first episode, we tell our origin stories and talk about some of the basic ideas behind the show. Here's where to find us: Aubrey: https://www.yourfatfriend.com/ Mike: https://rottenindenmark.org/ Thanks to Ashley Smith for editing assistance and Doctor Dreamchip for our lovely theme song! Support us: Subscribe on Patreon Donate on PayPal Get Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Support the Show.