Good Bodies

This week Sami and Aleen are joined by writer, author, and cultural critic Anne Helen Petersen to talk about burnout and finding balance in a work-from-home environment. They begin with a conversation about how Anne’s obsession with pop culture growing up (hello Entertainment Weekly) led her to get a PhD in celebrity studies. They talk about the toxicity of tabloid culture, including how the media policed and shamed Kim Kardashian during her first pregnancy, and how it’s affecting people like Meghan and Harry today. Then they dive into a conversation about Anne’s viral BuzzFeed article (that we previously discussed) on how millennials became the burnout generation, and discuss some helpful ways to identify and prevent burnout. Finally, Anne talks about her upcoming book Out of Office: The Big Problem and Bigger Promise of Working from Home, and what the transition of post pandemic remote work will look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Dear DST episode (presented by Differin) is all about taking care of your skin and dealing with adult acne. Sami and Aleen start with a story about conquering a mountain (like literally, a black diamond slope) and a win about not comparing your body to others. The listener Non Scale Win is an inspiring story about throwing on a bikini and going to the pool. Then the Dear DST email is from a listener who is embarrassed by her acne breakouts and looking for advice. They talk about how to treat acne effectively, including what Sami did to improve her skin before her wedding. Plus, they discuss the best way to ween yourself off of food that you’re trying to drop. Finally, they’re joined by Dermatologist Dr. Claire Chang to get some tips for treating acne and how best to use Differin in your daily skincare routine.You can learn more about retinoids, Differin, and get a coupon for future savings by going to Differin.com/learn/retinoid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Sami and Aleen are joined by influencer, Curve model, and TikTok star Remi Bader. They begin with a conversation about how Remi went from losing her job in a pandemic to starting a modeling career and gaining a huge TikTok following. She tells us where the idea for “realistic clothing hauls” on TikTok came from, and they discuss why it’s so hard to predict how something is going to fit when you order online. They talk about the all-too-relatable experience of getting pressure from family to lose weight, binge eating cycles, and ways to seek help for escaping the diet lifestyle. They also talk about Remi getting involved in the world of fashion, how people have responded to her videos, and which brands are doing a good job to become size inclusive. Finally, Remi tells us why she’s so excited for the Summer to arrive (including what she’ll be wearing) and what’s next for her in the world of fashion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Dear DST episode Sami and Aleen start with some Non Scale Wins and a conversation about finally getting a big secret off your chest. A listener writes in with an NSW about buying a coat that was too tight in the shoulders, but nothing a pair of scissors couldn’t fix. Then the Dear DST email is all about feeling like an imposter in your own body after losing weight. An emailer writes in to ask why she isn’t confident in her own body after the weight loss, especially when it comes to meeting people on dating apps. They give advice for dealing with feelings of imposter syndrome, and offer some tips for reconnecting with yourself to get your body back to feeling like it’s your own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about pregnancy, conception, miscarriage, and other sensitive material.Aleen shares the long-awaited news that she’s pregnant and ready to tell us all about it. They start with details about how far along she is, how she was able to keep it a secret, and what morning sickness is really like (not fun, if you’re wondering). They discuss the process of going off birth control and trying to conceive, with some useful tips for what to do when you’re trying. They also talk about tackling body image issues in a time when you're experiencing monumental changes. This includes a conversation about the complicated challenge of maintaining good mental health and taking care of your body while also growing a person inside of you. Finally, they close the show with a conversation about genetic screening and an exciting announcement about a new podcast coming soon.Be sure to follow @betchesmoms for announcements about where you can subscribe to the upcoming Betches Moms podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sami and Aleen start this Dear DST episode with a listener Non Scale Win about throwing away old clothes that were holding her back (and buying more comfortable options in their place). They talk about embarking on a cross-country drive, getting a treadmill for the home, and enjoying a pint of ice cream without checking the label. They also dive deeper into the challenge of taking a picture of yourself without judging your own body. The Dear DST email is all about trying to get off the roller coaster of fluctuating diets and start down the path of intuitive eating. They give tips for where to begin (there’s a book for that) and weigh in on whether to stick with your trainer or go another route entirely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sami and Aleen are joined once again by DST favorite Jared Freid to talk about his new comedy special and trying to maintain a positive body image while living with your parents. They start with a reflection on the Valentine’s Day holiday (including how to post about it on IG) and why we end up comparing our problems to everyone else’s. They talk about the challenge of living with your parents when you’re trying to lose weight (or not lose weight) as Jared tells a story about going to the beach and getting questioned about his number on the scale. Why do parents think it’s okay to comment on our bodies, and how do you set them straight about the way it makes you feel? They talk about the difference between what men fear versus what women fear when it comes to comments about our bodies. Finally, they close the show with a sneak peek at Jared’s stand up special and a conversation about dealing with hecklers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s Dear DST episode starts with a great listener NSW about not treating Super Bowl food like a last meal and just letting yourself enjoy the snacks. Sami and Aleen share some Non Scale Wins of their own, including one about buying (and savoring) some donuts. Then a listener writes in to ask whether or not she should call out her friends and family for voicing their extreme dieting opinions. Is it fair to point out other peoples’ triggering comments or should you just focus on your own recovery? They explain why we can’t silence every troubling diet comment (even if we’d like to). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aleen and Sami are joined once again by Katie Sturino, influencer and author of the new book Body Talk. They react to last week’s lackluster Super Bowl halftime show (why can’t a woman get away with just standing around like that?) which leads to a conversation about the way people talk about celebs like Adele and Rebel Wilson losing weight. They talk about Blake Lively publicly praising Katie for calling out fashion brands for not being size inclusive enough. She explains why brands actually won’t make a bigger size (it’s not because it would be too expensive) and how “the only way in is thin” mentality still pervades the fashion industry. They discuss the representation of thinness on TV (we’re looking at you Emily In Paris) and how women are stuck in a constant cycle of devoting brain space to losing weight. Then they dive into Katie’s new book, including what it says about how to stop judging yourself for your own body and the way your clothing fits. Is it time to stop calling clothes “flattering” on your body? Finally, they finish things out with a conversation about how your taste in clothes is often dictated by outside forces, not what actually inspires you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sami and Aleen start the show with a listener Non Scale Win about not finishing the burrito and forgetting it was even in the fridge (can you imagine!). Plus, they share a win about buying the cereal you’re craving, and another about posing in front of the mirror in a way that makes you feel empowered. If we avoid the mirror, are we just avoiding the body acceptance piece of recovery? Then they read a listener-submitted Dear DST all about gaining weight after she bought her wedding dress and whether or not she should start dieting or just buy a new dress altogether. Are intuitive eating and losing weight for the wedding even compatible? They share advice for handling this kind of wedding crisis, and explain why there’s a real cost to abandoning your intuitive eating journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices