Nope, That's Not Normal

Hey friend,We’ve been building this corner of the internet with care, curiosity, and a deep commitment to honest, thoughtful conversations. And today, we’re taking a big (and exciting!) step forward: we’re launching paid subscriptions on our Substack!Let’s be real—creating content that pushes back on the diet culture BS, uplifts marginalized voices, and goes beyond surface-level body love? That takes time, energy, and a whole lot of heart. We love doing it. And we want to do more of it—with your support.So what changes, and what stays the same? Let’s break it down, friends.Upgrade by EOD today and get 20% off an annual subscription!🔓 What Free Subscribers Will Still GetWe’re not about gatekeeping the good stuff. Our free tier will continue to include:* Mid-Month Link Round-Up: Curated with intention—these are the articles, podcasts, essays, and more that we can’t stop thinking about.* Guest Interviews (In-Season): Conversations with people who are challenging norms and reimagining what’s possible. (Season 3 is coming in June!)* First Article of Every Month: One full-length article to kick off each month, delivered straight to your inbox.You’ll always have access to meaningful content that sparks thought and invites reflection. But if you’re craving more? We got you.🔐 What Paid Subscribers GetThe paid tier is where we really get to dig in and expand. Here’s what you’ll unlock for $5/month or $50/year:* All Articles Every Month (4–5 total): You’ll get every deep dive, every hot take, every essay we publish.* Bonus Episodes (During Season): We’ll drop a juicy bonus episode each week on top of our regular guest interviews. The formats for these shift and change with each season but one thing that never changes: they are ALWAYS value-packed. (Of course, that’s the only way we do it around here.)* Exclusive Mini-Series (2–3 Between Seasons): These are authentic, real, and only for mini-series that allow paid subscribers to deep dive into topics that we want to shed more light on.* Everything in the Free Tier, of course.This paid tier is for the ones who show up every week, send the posts to friends, and tell us, “I wish there were more of this.” Now there is!P.S. Upgrade by EOD today and get 20% off an annual subscription!Why Go Paid?Because independent media matters. Because nuance, care, and accountability are worth funding. Because creators (hi, it’s us!) should be able to do this work sustainably. Your subscription allows us to invest more time, more depth and more creativity into the content we know you value.We’re not here to put pressure on anyone. If free is where you’re at, we’re so glad you’re here. And if you’re ready to support the next chapter and unlock all the extras—we’re beyond grateful.We can’t wait to keep building this space with you.With love and big energy,Jess Thiefels, Creator and HostP.S. Upgrade by EOD today and get 20% off an annual subscription! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Jessica and Damali Fraser chat about the complex relationship between body image, food beliefs, and identity. They explore Damali's personal journey of self-discovery, healing from injuries, and the impact of societal expectations on body perception, particularly as a Black woman. The conversation highlights the importance of community, grief, and practical strategies for navigating body changes and fostering self-acceptance.* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/Meet Our Guest, DamaliMeet Coach Damali, pronouns she/her. Damali is a compassionate Kettlebell Expert, author, speaker, fitness / nutrition coach and founder of Lift off Strength & Wellness. Damali is known for her unapologetic opposition to diet culture in the kettlebell community and as a passionate educator who will help you learn to train with kettlebells safely. Through her Inclusive Kettlebell Coach course and certification programs, you learn to teach kettlebells from an intersectional lens that's size-inclusive, trauma-informed, judgment-free, and for every BODY (emphasis on the body because humanity has always had body diversity).* https://liftoffstrength.ca/* https://liftoffstrength.ca/kettlebell-coach-training* https://liftoffstrength.ca/inclusive-kettlebell-coach-certification* https://www.instagram.com/damali.fraiserWatch The Conversation About Body Changes and Body Shame This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/subscribe

In this mini-episode, Jessica and Shannon chat about the practice of body gratitude, emphasizing the importance of body awareness and appreciation. They explore how tuning into our bodies can foster self-compassion and healing, moving away from critical body image thoughts. * Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/Meet Our Guest, ShannonShannon Ricks, LMFT, owns the group practice, Modern Eve, which offers therapy sessions to anyone located in Utah or Arizona. The practice focuses on helping people heal their relationships to food and their bodies by treating the underlying complex PTSD with IFS. She also has a Body Image Liberation course that is available to anyone in the world. And for therapists interested in this work, Modern Eve offers a therapist training program covering IFS, ACT, and the treatment of Eating Disorders.* Download a free recording of me guiding a body gratitude scan so you can do it on your own time: www.moderneve.org/bodyscan* www.ModernEve.org* https://www.instagram.com/modern.eve.inc/* https://moderneve.teachable.com/p/body-image-liberationWatch The Conversation About the Body Gratitude Scan This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Jess and Zariel dig into the complex relationship between body image, food, and cultural identity. They explore how cultural foods can be perceived as dangerous due to societal pressures and personal experiences and how reclaiming these foods can foster a healthier relationship with both food and body image. * Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/Subscribe on Substack: Meet Our Guest, ZarielZariel Grullón is a passionate first-generation Dominican American dietitian who blends her love for culinary heritage with accessible wellness. Growing up as the family's gordita, she understands cultural body image struggles and helps the Latine community embrace their bodies and confidently reclaim their cultural foods. Through her weight-neutral, Spanglish-infused approach at Love Your Chichos, Zariel guides individuals to heal from dieting and find joy in their health journey. With experience ranging from the farm to outpatient care, she empowers her clients to tackle health while honoring their culture and independence. Zariel holds a BS in Biology from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a BS in Nutrition from Montclair State University and completed her DI at the CUNY School of Public Health.* https://www.youtube.com/@loveyourchichos* https://www.instagram.com/loveyourchichos* https://www.tiktok.com/@loveyourchichos* https://www.loveyourchichos.com/shopWatch The Conversation About Cultural Foods and Food Anxiety This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/subscribe

In this mini-episode, Jessica and Paige chat about the importance of healing your relationship with food through the metaphor of getting dressed. Sound kind of weird? Trust us, it’s more connected than you think! Their conversation highlights the need for non-judgmental curiosity in dressing and eating, encouraging listeners to explore their preferences and find joy in their choices. Bottom line: this is all about being authentically you!* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/Meet Our Guest, PaigePaige Smathers is a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Positive Nutrition, a private practice whose work revolves around helping people heal their relationships with food and their body. She specializes in eating disorders, chronic dieting, digestive health, and the intersection of mindfulness and nutrition. * https://www.positive-nutrition.com/* https://www.instagram.com/paigesmathersrd/Watch The Conversation About Picking Food Like You Pick Your Clothes This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Jessica and Meg Bowman explore the complex relationship between nutrition, mental health, and the wellness industry. They dig into the challenges of navigating dietary restrictions, the importance of personalized nutrition, and the need for regulation in the face of overwhelming wellness messages. Meg shares her personal journey with Crohn's disease and the lessons she’s learned about the impact of food on health and well-being. Overall, their conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the mind-body connection and the risks associated with restrictive diets, advocating for a more balanced and individualized approach to nutrition. Yes, please!* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/Meet Our Guest, MegMeg Bowman is a licensed dietitian nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) specializing in mental health and gastrointestinal wellness through a functional nutrition approach. Drawing from the principles of polyvagal theory, Meg helps clients build resilience and balance by addressing the mind-body connection through nutrition. Meg is the author of the upcoming book, This Is Your Body on Trauma: How to Nourish Safety, Resilience, and Connection with Polyvagal-Informed Nutrition, available for pre-order on Amazon and set to release in August. The book offers practical guidance on how to use nutrition to support healing and foster a sense of safety and connection in the body. As a co-founder of Clinician's Incubator, Meg mentors and provides clinical supervision for post-graduate nutrition students pursuing their CNS credential. Meg is also a co-founder of Nutrition Hive, a medical nutrition therapy group practice specializing in mental health, gut health, and hormonal balance. With a focus on evidence-based, weight-inclusive care, Meg and her team empower clients to achieve improved well-being without the pressures of diet culture. Through her work, Meg blends clinical expertise with compassion, creating environments where both clients and practitioners can thrive.* https://www.megbowmannutrition.com/* https://www.nutritionhive.health/* https://www.facebook.com/NutritionHive/* https://www.instagram.com/nutritionhive.health/?hl=en* https://www.cliniciansincubator.com/* https://www.instagram.com/cliniciansincubator/* https://www.facebook.com/cliniciansincubatorWatch The Conversation About Functional Nutrition and Restrictive Eating This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/subscribe

In this mini-episode, Jessica, Vanessa, and Kathryn discuss the importance of spontaneous and imperfect gatherings in healing relationships with food and body image. They introduce a practice called 'pop-in', which encourages spontaneous gatherings to foster deeper connections and embrace imperfection. Tune in and connect the dots between these seemingly unrelated aspects of life!* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/Meet Our Guests, Vanessa and KathrynVanessa Scaringi, PhD, CEDS-C, is a licensed psychologist in Austin, TX. Vanessa co-owns a group therapy practice called, CALM Counseling where she works with adolescents, young adults, and adult populations. Vanessa has dedicated much of her career to working in the eating disorder field. She is a relational psychologist who strives to understand the context of one’s eating disorder. By facilitating insight, Vanessa works with her clients to identify patterns and behaviors that interfere with living the life they want. She strives to instill a sense of hope, as she has found this is an important part of the change process. Vanessa also runs interpersonal process groups where clients can heal in community with others.Kathryn Garland, LCSW-S, CEDS-C is a licensed clinical social worker and supervisor in Texas, New York, and Massachusetts. She is an IAEDP approved Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Consultant. Kathryn spent her early career and completed postgraduate training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy in New York City. She incorporates relational and attachment-based methods into her work with clients. Her experience includes working with LGBTQ+ teens in the NYC foster care system, community mental health clinics, as well as primary therapist and IOP Program Coordinator at an eating disorder treatment center. Kathryn co-owns CALM Counseling in Austin, Texas with Vanessa.* https://www.instagram.com/calmcounselingatx/ https://therapywisdom.com/product/hungry-for-security-healing-disordered-eating-through-an-attachment-lens/* https://keepcalmatx.com/Watch The Conversation About Spontaneous Gatherings This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Jessica and Ellen explore the intricate relationship between disordered eating, ADHD, and the importance of building trust in one's body. They get into how ADHD can impact eating behaviors, including difficulties with hunger cues and executive functioning. Ellen shares personalized (and super practical!) strategies for meal planning and nutrition, emphasizing the need for compassion and gradual changes in one's relationship with food. * Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/Meet Our Guest, EllenEllen is an Intuitive Eating and Eating Disorder Nutritionist who offers virtual services to clients around the US! She specializes in helping her clients form loving, compassionate relationships with food and their bodies.* https://joyfullyfednutrition.com/* https://www.instagram.com/yourantidietbff/Watch The Conversation About ADHD and Eating Behavior This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/subscribe

In this mini-episode, Jessica and Stefanie discuss the “Move or Soothe” practice, which can help when navigating difficult emotional responses to food and eating—instead of spiraling, do this! They explore the concept of dysregulation in the nervous system and how it affects eating behaviors. Stefanie also provides practical techniques for addressing high energy and freeze responses, explaining what they are and why each response requires either moving or soothing.* Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/Meet Our Guest, StefanieStefanie is a Certified Coach, Occupational Therapist, Intuitive Eating Counselor, and Somatic Experiencing Practitoner with a background in Human Development and Mental Health Psychology. Perhaps more importantly, she has boots-on-the-ground experience with recovery from 20+ years of body and food disorder.* Website: https://www.iamstefaniemichele.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamstefaniemicheleWatch The Conversation About Move or Soothe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Brittany Taylor-Williams discusses her journey of unlearning harmful beliefs about body image and the societal pressures surrounding it. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing the impact of cultural influences, particularly for Black women, and the historical context of fatphobia. Jessica and Brittany also dig into the healthcare disparities faced by marginalized communities and the need for a shift in how health is perceived and treated in medical settings. They emphasize the need for personal introspection and community support in challenging these biases, including systemic issues within healthcare, like weight bias and the lack of access to diverse practitioners. * Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/* Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormal/Meet Our Guest, BrittanyAs a seasoned healthcare leader, Brittany brings over 16 years of experience in leadership roles within the federal public health and non-profit sectors as an operations, technical assistance, and design expert. Throughout her career, Brittany has served as an investigator, senior-level leader, full-spectrum doula, facilitator, and avid patient advocate, working with health systems, administrators, and directly with patients on the front lines.Currently, Brittany focuses on increasing access to patient-centered and trauma-informed care. With intention, she curates spaces that center underserved communities across the country and amplifies the need for autonomy within care. Brittany brings together diverse minds to expand thought, ground practice in cultural competency, and build pathways to accessing care, impacting the experience of both communities and practitioners navigating systems.Her dedication extends beyond her professional roles; Brittany serves as a board member for Planned Parenthood of Delaware and Black Mothers In Power. Her ability to lead, think critically, and adapt to evolving challenges makes her an invaluable asset to any initiative aimed at transforming health.* www.thebghc.org* https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlhealthcollective/Watch The Conversation About Racism and Fatphobia This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/subscribe