Why Judy Greer Stopped Drinking, Her Honest Feelings about GLP-1s & Why She Loves Playing the “Best Friend”
Apr 1, 2025
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Judy Greer, known for her roles in 'Arrested Development' and '13 Going on 30', shares her candid journey through sobriety and perimenopause. She discusses the societal pressures of body image, reflecting on weight-loss drugs and body positivity. Judy opens up about using alcohol as a coping mechanism and how sobriety has transformed her self-awareness. The episode also highlights her love for playing the 'best friend' and her unforgettable Eras Tour experience. Expect laughter, raw honesty, and a deep dive into personal growth!
Judy Greer shares her journey through perimenopause, highlighting the need for better understanding and communication about aging-related health changes.
The discussion critically examines the societal pressures imposed by beauty standards and the impact of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs on body positivity.
Humor is identified as a crucial coping mechanism that helps individuals navigate personal insecurities and societal expectations surrounding aging.
Greer opens up about her transition to sobriety, emphasizing how it has improved her relationship with herself and her social interactions.
Deep dives
Impact of Beauty Standards
Concerns regarding beauty standards and the influence of new weight loss drugs are highlighted, suggesting that these drugs reinforce the idea that individuals should strive for a specific, often unrealistic, aesthetic. The discussion emphasizes how non-acceptance of various body types could create social and economic divides, as accessing these medications remains out of reach for many people. It points out a troubling narrative; that people are perfect as they are, yet the underlying suggestion is that they could be more perfect through pharmaceutical means. This dynamic poses a contradiction to the ongoing efforts aimed at promoting body positivity and acceptance.
Personal Experiences with Body Image
Personal anecdotes regarding body image struggles are shared, providing insight into the speaker's history with weight and beauty standards. These reflections reveal how family dynamics, particularly a mother’s constant dieting, shaped self-perception and feelings of inadequacy. The speaker expresses conflicting emotions when looking in the mirror, oscillating between feelings of acceptance and self-criticism related to aging and body shape. This indecision illustrates the complexities of navigating societal pressures regarding beauty while striving for self-acceptance.
The Importance of Community Support
The role of community in navigating personal challenges and societal pressures is discussed, particularly highlighting the need for supportive environments during life transitions. The conversation touches on how shared experiences, especially among women, can foster a sense of solidarity and understanding in dealing with issues of body image and societal expectations. By discussing these experiences openly, individuals can dismantle the sense of isolation often felt during struggles, as shared narratives create a communal healing space. This sense of support is crucial in counteracting the negative impacts of external standards.
Humor in Challenging Situations
The conversation reflects on the power of humor as a coping mechanism during challenging times, particularly in relation to aging and personal insecurities. By sharing light-hearted anecdotes, such as unexpected encounters and humorous misunderstandings, the speakers emphasize the importance of laughter amidst serious discussions about life challenges. This approach serves to normalize feelings of discomfort and tension, illustrating how humor can be a bridge to understanding and processing complex emotions. It allows for moments of levity that can transform the narrative surrounding difficult topics.
Perspectives on Aging and Health
The discussion delves into the topic of aging and health, specifically the impact of menopause and societal perceptions of beauty and youth. Insights into the physical and emotional changes experienced during this transition highlight a lack of understanding and communication around these topics within healthcare. The acknowledgment of brain fog and diminished self-esteem scenarios encourages a broader conversation about the intersection of aging and mental health. This exploration is positioned as an opportunity for awareness and education, advocating for better support and understanding for those navigating these changes.
Struggles with Alcohol and Sobriety
Personal stories about the transition from social drinking to sobriety serve as a focal point in the discussion. The speakers share experiences related to the impacts of alcohol on health, sleep, and social interactions, expressing how sobriety allowed them to reconnect with their true selves. The conversation reveals a nuanced understanding of social pressures associated with drinking and the emotional turmoil it can cause. By openly discussing these struggles, they advocate for positive change and encourage others grappling with similar issues to consider the benefits of reassessing their relationships with substances.
Coping with Codependency
The complexities of codependency in relationships are explored, revealing a personal struggle with emotional boundaries and the blurred lines between personal happiness and the happiness of loved ones. The dynamic of wanting to care for others while neglecting one's own needs is examined, suggesting that awareness of these patterns is crucial for personal growth. The speakers reflect on their upbringing and cultural influences that shaped their understanding of love and support within relationships. This examination emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in breaking unhealthy patterns and fostering healthier emotional connections.
Judy Greer (Arrested Development, Marvel’s Ant-Man, 13 Going on 30, Halloween Kills) and Mayim relive the now legendary "Wil Wheaton fiasco", reminisce about THE BIG BANG THEORY (the role Judy continues to be recognized for most today) and their shared love for pickles and Taylor Swift!
Judy reveals her powerful journey through perimenopause, from her symptoms and what encouraged her to seek help, to hormones and what has worked for her. She opens up about her body image & self-esteem issues, her thoughts on GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy) and its effect on the body positivity movement. Judy discusses using alcohol as a reward and to ease social anxiety, sobriety and what it’s taught her about herself, her codependent tendencies, religion's role in processing grief, and how she finds ways to decompress after a particularly traumatic acting role. Mayim and Judy bond over their love of Taylor Swift! Judy recounts her Eras Tour experience and how Folklore made her a “Swiftie.”
PLUS, she explains why her mom got fired from being a nun and why playing the "best friend" is her go-to role. Don't miss this raw and inspiring chat!
