Maintenance Phase
Debunking the junk science behind health fads, wellness scams and nonsensical nutrition advice.
Episodes
81 episodes
Growing Up Richard Simmons
Before building his fitness empire, America’s most bedazzled fitness guru was a guy named Milton from New Orleans. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on Patreon
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1:01:57
The Myers-Briggs Personality Test
How a mother, a daughter and a crackpot Swiss psychologist gave us the world's most popular Buzzfeed quiz.Support us:Hear bonus episodes on Patreon
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55:19
BONUS: Breaking Down The Latest Anti-Trans Victory Lap
We went a little easy on the Cass Report in our last main feed episode, so we're back to [Mortal Kombat voice] FINISH HIM!!!This was supposed to be a Patreon bonus episode but we'd rather you support the lovely trans people who helped u...
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1:03:14
"Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria" Part 2: Panic! At The Endocrinologist.
Thanks to Jules Gill-Peterson (jgillpeterson.com) and Julia Serano (patreon.com/juliaserano) for help researching this episode and
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1:31:18
"Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria" Part 1: The Cooties Theory of Transgender Identity
Thanks to Jules Gill-Peterson (jgillpeterson.com) and Julia Serano (patreon.com/juliaserano) for help researching this episode and
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1:27:46
Jamie Oliver
In the 2000s, Jamie Oliver made a big splash with his work reforming kids’ meals in the UK and US. Was his work wicked slammin’, or just proper rustic?Support us:Hear...
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1:02:52
COVID Conspiracies
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 ...
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1:27:39
Ozempic
Ozempic is being hailed as “the end of the Obesity Epidemic.” This week, Mike and Aubrey dig through the sensational claims. But will they make it past the caveats?Links:
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58:21
"Soy Boys"
How a plant-based pejorative went from an alt-right burn to a core concern of mainstream Republicans.Support us:Hear bonus episodes on Patreon
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44:06
RFK Jr. and The Mainstreaming Of The Anti-Vaxx Movement
Join us for a 75 minute answer to a 5 word question: Is there mercury in vaccines? Support us:Hear bonus episodes on Patreon
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1:13:53
RFK Jr. and The Rise of the Anti-Vaxx Movement
A political candidate has some questions and we have some extremely obvious answers.Support us:Hear bonus episodes on Patreon
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1:14:30
Pilates
Somehow an episode about an old-timey fitness influencer ended up being one of our most wholesome ever. We're as surprised as you are.Support us:Hear bonus episodes o...
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44:59
Brittany Dawn
How a fitness influencer went from small-time scammer to one of the Internet’s leading villains. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on Patreon
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1:01:08
BONUS: The Conservative Diet Books of Yore
We're taking a much-needed break this week so to tide you over here is one of our bonus episodes! Support us:Hear bonus episodes on Patreon
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56:17
Oprah v. Beef Part 2: Apocalypse Cow
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 b...
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1:08:01
Oprah v. Beef Part 1: The Rise of "Veggie Libel"
On April 16, 1996, Oprah Winfrey did a show about mad cow disease. Six weeks later, a couple of Texas cattlemen had a cow (sorry). Support us:Hear bonus episodes on P...
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1:03:40
The 10,000 Steps Myth
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 Patreon...
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49:07
The Trouble with Sugar
This week we're tackling three big ideas about sugar: It causes hyperactivity in kids, it's as addictive as cocaine and it raises blood sugar in universal, predictably spiky ways. Thanks to David Johnston for helping us with sourc...
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49:21
"Forks Over Knives": Is a Vegetarian Diet Better For You?
A viral documentary says a "whole foods plant-based diet" will prevent heart disease and cure cancer. But once we look into the MEAT of the matter will we find factual CREAM of the crop or will we cry FOWL? (we're so sorry)Thanks ...
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1:02:33
The Instagram Fiber Feud
Aubrey tells Mike about the diet that took over New York City (and its bathrooms).Support us:Hear bonus episodes on Patreon
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46:36
Doctors Have a New Plan for Fat Kids
Last month the American Academy of Pediatrics released a new set of guidelines for "childhood obesity." We have some comments. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on Patre...
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1:14:25
Elizabeth Taylor's "Elizabeth Takes Off"
History should make you feel weird and so, apparently, should diet books. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on Patreon
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58:17
“Glorifying Obesity” And Other Myths About Fat People
This week, we're talking about Aubrey's new book, "'You Just Need To Lose Weight' and 19 Other Myths About Fat People." And we're yelling about Piers Morgan as a little treat.Support us:
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49:55