Body image and media: What stories are we telling our kids? (with Dr. Kate Browne)

In this episode, I sit down with writer and speaker Dr. Kate Browne to talk about the narratives being told in the media, the impact it has on our beliefs, and the way it’s effecting our kids’ health and well-being.

In this interview, Dr. Browne shares both her personal experiences that led to her becoming an activist for body positivity, as well as her research on the story telling that goes on in advertising. 

Specifically we talk about:

✅Why before/after weight loss stories can often do more harm than good when it comes to self-acceptance.

✅The “social media contract”: What it is and how to educate our kids to become responsible consumers of information.

✅Dr. Browne’s personal experiences in common weight-loss programs as an adolescent, and how it led to the work she currently does now with body positivity and activism.

✅Traumatic elementary school gym class experiences (for both of us) that had an impact on self-esteem and body image.

✅How to shift the stories we believe about who “belongs” in certain activities (like sports) so we can make the world a more accepting place.

✅What youth leaders (teachers, parents, coaches) can do to make activities more inviting to a more diverse range of participants.

Dr. Kate Browne is a writer, speaker, and researcher on a mission to rewrite the stories we tell about ourselves. She uses her PhD in Writing Pedagogy for good as a professor and marketing consultant.

Kate is also the Learning Experience Designer for HeyKiddo, a social-emotional curriculum for kids and the adults that love them. The proud mother of an 8-year-old, Kate spends her free time learning Parry Gripp songs and pretending to enjoy playing Minecraft.

You can connect with Dr. Browne on Twitter and Instagram @drkatebrowne.

Also mentioned in this interview: Her book on the Golden Girls and how it portrays a narrative on gender and status for women, her Runner’s World article What ‘Brittany Runs a Marathon’ Gets Wrong About Running While Fat, and her TEDx Talk, “How I Found Real Fitness Inspiration–Saying ‘No’ to Fitspo”

If you want a tool that will help you get through daily routines (like homework) with ease, WITHOUT bribery, arguments, or constant hand-holding, then checkout the Time Tracking Journal.

The Time Tracking Journal walks you through a strategy you can do in just 10-15 minutes a day that will help kids get tasks done effectively and efficiently, and critical thinking skills and self-confidence at the same time. You can learn how to get instant access here: https://drkarenspeech.lpages.co/time-tracking-journal-37-1 The De Facto Leaders podcast was formerly the “Are they 18 yet?®” podcast. As of November 2022, the name of the show has changed, and we’ve shifted from a focus on parenting to a focus on supporting clinicians and educators to design effective services for kids (but parents are still welcome to listen). Episodes published before November 24, 2022 will still contain some of our old branding. 

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL and MyFlexLearning. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you simplify and streamline technology, reliably meet Tier 1 standards, improve assessment performance, and more. Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

MyFlexLearning is the scheduling platform that helps middle and high schools meet the individual needs of all students. Create and manage time for flex blocks, WIN time, activity periods, RTI, counselor and teacher appointments and much more. And with a built-in accountability tool and reporting features, solve your challenges around getting kids where they need to be and understanding how flex time is spent. Make your flex time work for you. Visit myflexlearning.com/BE to learn more and receive $500 off the first year.