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In this episode, Jess and Nicola talk about systemic barriers to fertility care and support for folks in fat bodies, the importance of self-advocacy, and practical strategies for navigating healthcare systems where weight stigma is far too common. Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/Connect with your host, Jessica, on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nopethatsnotnormalSubscribe to Nope on Substack: http://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/ Meet Our Guest, NicolaNicola Salmon (she/her) is an award-winning fertility advocate, Author of “Fat and Fertile” and fat-positive fertility specialist. She is passionate about supporting fat folks who feel excluded or dismissed by traditional fertility spaces, offering compassionate guidance and evidence-based support to help them navigate their fertility journey without diets, shame, or stigma. Nicola’s work challenges weight bias in the fertility industry and empowers people to trust their bodies and take control of their reproductive health. https://www.instagram.com/fatpositivefertility/https://fatpositivefertility.substack.com/podcast https://nicolasalmon.co.uk/fat-and-fertile-book https://nicolasalmon.co.uk/fertility-roadmap

In this episode, Jess and Mallary chat about the complexities of disordered eating and the healing journey. They explore personal experiences with food, the concept of the 'messy middle' in recovery, and the importance of recognizing “slips” as part of the healing process. Bottom line: for many people, recovery is not a linear path but rather a spectrum of growth and learning, and recognizing this can make the journey a little easier to navigate. 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 to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/ Meet Our Guest, MallaryMallary Tenore Tarpley teaches journalism at UT Austin’s Moody College of Communication and writing at the McCombs School of Business. Her debut book, SLIP: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery (Simon Element, August 2025), blends memoir and journalism to explore the realities of eating disorders and recovery, drawing on her own story along with clinicians, researchers, and others with lived experience. A 2023 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant supported the book’s science reporting on the neurobiological and genetic sides of eating disorders. She previously served as associate director of UT Austin’s Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas and executive director of Images & Voices of Hope, where she created the Restorative Narrative storytelling framework. She began her career at The Poynter Institute as managing editor of Poynter.org. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, TIME, and Teen Vogue. She also writes a weekly newsletter, Write at the Edge. She holds a bachelor’s from Providence College and an MFA from Goucher College, and lives in the Austin area with her husband and two children. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Slip/Mallary-Tenore-Tarpley/9781668035016https://www.instagram.com/mallarytenoretarpley/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallary-tenore-tarpley-6719484/https://mallary.substack.com

In this episode, Jess and Zariel talk about Zariel’s journey of exploring clothing as a healing tool, challenging societal norms, and embracing authentic self-expression. Tune into our conversation to discover how style can be a powerful form of self-care and body positivity. 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: http://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/ 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.instagram.com/loveyourchichoshttps://www.instagram.com/zarielcarmen/

In this episode, Jessica and Oona discuss the nuance of the word “fat” and how to talk about this with children. Oona shares practical tips and strategies for teaching children about this word, both generally and in the moment. (Hint: don’t rush to move past it or say it’s bad!) Whether you want to set this foundation with your own child or you work with or spend time with children, this is a must-listen conversation. 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 to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/

In this episode, Jessica, Vanessa, and Kathryn explore the intricate relationship between attachment styles, food, and body image. Together, they share personal experiences with food and body image along with insights and education around the impact of attachment styles on emotional well-being. Tune in to understand attachment styles as a tool for healing and practical suggestions to explore your own relationships with food and self-worth. 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 to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/

In this episode, Jessica chats with Ashantis Jones about her journey navigating eating disorder recovery and chronic illness. They talk about the societal pressures surrounding body image, the importance of self-advocacy, and practical steps for creating more mindfulness (and why this is important) and unlearning the social and systemic BS. 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 to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/

In this episode, Jessica and Charlotte (who is celebrating the launch of The Body Image Book for Girls, 2nd Edition today!) chat about how to foster a positive, neutral, or at the very least non-diet-culture-focused body image for your child. Charlotte brings research-based insights to this conversation, along with her own experiences as a parent. One of her big tips: fake it till you make it! (Yup, it’s true!) 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 to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/ Meet Our Guest, CharlotteCharlotte Markey, Ph.D., is a world-leading expert in body image research, having studied body image and eating behavior for nearly three decades. She is passionate about understanding what makes us feel good about our bodies and helping people to develop a healthy body image and relationship with food. Charlotte is an experienced book author, research scientist, clinician, speaker, and psychology professor at Rutgers University, Camden. Charlotte loves to talk with tweens, teens, parents, and educators about body image and how to improve body image. She is an experienced public speaker and is happy to talk with groups in person or virtually. https://www.thebodyimagebook.com/abouthttps://www.instagram.com/char_markey/www.CharlotteMarkey.comwww.TheBodyImageBook.comhttps://www.celiabookshop.com/item/5qjEKC8Omz7jC9_W2i6p9ghttps://www.amazon.com/Body-Image-Book-Girls-Updated/dp/1009545078

In this episode, Jessica and Tomesha explore the impact of social media on body image and nutrition, specifically the very common “what I eat in a day” video—even those that are “well-meaning.” They chat about the lack of cultural context and representation in these videos, along with the dangers of diet culture and practical ways to foster a healthier relationship with food and self-awareness. 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 to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/ Meet Our Guest, TomeshaFor over a decade, Tomesha Campbell has been a leader in Black women’s health and health literacy. She’s the founder of the Enhance Black Women’s Health Community, where she helps patients, providers, and advocates better understand how research, policy, and lived experience shape care for Black women. Tomesha is passionate about creating evidence-informed education and community spaces that challenge assumptions in healthcare and center context over quick fixes. Her work spans public health education, weight-inclusive nutrition, and patient-centered advocacy. Tomesha holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable International Development and is a NESTA Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach and Precision Nutrition Level 2 Master Coach. She’s based in the Greater Boston area with her rescue dog, Penny Deena. EBWHCommunity.comhttps://substack.com/@ebwh

In this episode, Jessica and Julie explore... 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 to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/ Meet Our Guest, JulieJulie Duffy Dillon is a Registered Dietitian and Host of Find Your Food Voice®, a popular long running nutrition podcast. She also writes the PCOS Health with Intuitive Eating Newsletter on Substack. Through speaking and writing, she helps people with PCOS strategize how to balance blood sugar, increase energy, and improve their body image. Her work has been featured on TLC and in the New York Times, Outside Magazine, Shape and other outlets. She is the author of the book, Find Your Food Voice (Hachette, 2025.) Learn more about Julie at JulieDuffyDillon.com Website: https://julieduffydillon.com/Newsletter: https://findyourfoodvoice.substack.com/Podcast: https://julieduffydillon.com/podcast/Book: https://julieduffydillon.com/book/Book bonus downloads: https://findyourfoodvoicebook.com

In this episode, Jessica and Marcia explore the journey of body acceptance and the importance of redefining movement. They discuss the toxic aspects of fitness culture, the need to understand health beyond just exercise, and how movement can be viewed as a form of play rather than punishment. The conversation emphasizes listening to one's body and recognizing the societal pressures that shape our beliefs about fitness and health. * 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, Marcia Dr Marcia Dernie (she/they) is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, accessible yoga teacher, child of Haitian immigrants, dancer, and chronically ill strength athlete. Their book Movement for Every Body serves as an inclusive roadmap for folks of all abilities, shades, and sizes to enjoy movement. She also provides free and affordable online resources to help folks move better through her platform @MoveWithMarcia. * https://www.doctormarcia.com/links * https://www.instagram.com/MoveWithMarcia

In this episode, Jessica and Deb explore the complex relationship between aging, body image, and societal expectations. They discuss the impact of diet culture and ageism on women’s perceptions of their bodies, the influence of celebrities on body image, and the importance of body autonomy. The conversation also touches on the fear of mortality, the privilege of aging, and the challenges of navigating menopause. * 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 to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/ Meet Our Guest, Deb Deb Benfield, M.Ed., RDN, LDN, RYT is a registered dietitian/nutrition therapist, eating disorder specialist, and author of the book Unapologetic Aging: How to Mend and Nourish Your Relationship with Your Body. With over 40 years of experience, Deb helps women in midlife and beyond untangle from diet culture, resist internalized ageism, and cultivate body liberation. Her work blends evidence-based nutrition, embodiment practices, and deep compassion to support women in building a peaceful and respectful relationship with food, movement, and their changing bodies. Deb is also the founder of Body in Mind Nutrition, a group practice dedicated to eating disorder prevention and recovery. She’s been featured on podcasts including Burnt Toast, The Midlife Feast, and The Full Plate, where she speaks about how diet culture infiltrates menopause and longevity spaces, the hidden risks of ageism, and why women in midlife are uniquely vulnerable to eating disorders. Passionate about helping women feel at home in themselves, Deb’s mission is to empower others to approach aging not with fear, but with vitality, freedom, and body respect. * https://www.debrabenfield.com * https://www.instagram.com/agingbodyliberation/ * https://substack.com/@debbenfield1

In this episode, Jessica and Virgie explore the complexities of body neutrality, the impact of fat phobia, and the rise of GLP-1s as a weight loss solution. They discuss the historical context of diet culture, the allure of quick fixes, and the importance of body autonomy. Tovar emphasizes the need for empathy in discussions about weight loss while advocating for a long-term perspective on body positivity and activism. The conversation highlights the challenges of navigating societal pressures and the importance of informed choices regarding body image and health. * 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 to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/ Meet Our Guest, Virgie Virgie Tovar is a plus-size Latina author, lecturer, and leading expert on weight-based discrimination and body positivity with over a decade of experience. She is a contributor for Forbes.com where she covers the plus-size market and how to end weight discrimination at work. In 2011, Tovar completed a Master’s degree focused on the study of how weight-based discrimination impacted lifelong gender trajectories in women of color. In 2012, she edited the anthology Hot & Heavy: Fierce Fat Girls on Life, Love and Fashion (Seal Press). In 2013 she started the hashtag campaign #LoseHateNotWeight, and in 2018 Tovar gave a TedX talk on the origins of the campaign. She’s the author of You Have the Right to Remain Fat (Feminist Press, 2018), which was placed on the American Library Association’s Amelia Bloomer List, The Self-Love Revolution: Radical Body Positivity for Girls of Color (New Harbinger, 2020), and an interactive book, The Body Positive Journal (Chronicle Books, 2022). Tovar was named one of the 50 most influential feminists by B***h Magazine in 2018. She has received the Inspire Award from Project HEAL as well as Yale’s Poynter Fellowship in Journalism. Virgie has been featured by the New York Times, Tech Insider, BBC, MTV, NPR, and Yahoo Health. She lives in San Francisco. Please include all the links you want included in our shownotes. * virgietovar.substack.com * instagram.com/virgietovar

In this episode, Jessica and Aaron get into the complexities of body image from a male perspective. They explore the journey of body acceptance, the impact of diet culture, and the societal pressures that shape our views on masculinity and body image. Aaron shares his personal experiences and insights on navigating these challenges, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion, emotional expression, and community support in the healing journey, along with some practical strategies for other men to start healing too. * 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 to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/ Meet Our Guest, Aaron Aaron Flores is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a private practice in Calabasas, CA. He uses a weight-inclusive approach in his work to help individuals learn how to make peace with food and their bodies. He is a Certified Body Trust® provider, the host of the Men Unscripted podcast, and writes the Substack, The Unscripted Journey * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronfloresrdn/ * Website: aaronfloresrdn.com * Substack: aaronfloresrdn.substack.com

In this episode, Jessica and Katherine give you a strategy-packed episode to help navigate the holiday season as you’re healing your relationship with food and your body. They get into self-compassion, planning ahead, body image support tactics, and RAIN - an acronym you’ll want to know and remember. * 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, Katherine Katherine Metzelaar, MS, RDN, CD, is the founder of Bravespace Nutrition and a dietitian who helps women break free from dieting, body shame, and disordered eating. Since 2017, she has guided hundreds of people to rebuild body trust and discover joy beyond diet and wellness culture. Katherine exposes the hidden ways diet & wellness culture steal self-worth and offers a liberating perspective that leaves listeners feeling seen, validated, and empowered. She is the creator of You’re Not Broken: A Beginner’s Body Image Healing Course For Women to help them transform their relationship to their body and Fearless Intimacy: a mini-course that empowers women to approach dating and intimate relationships with confidence, courage, and self-trust. * https://www.instagram.com/katherinemetzelaar/ * https://www.youtube.com/katherinemetzelaar * https://www.tiktok.com/@katherinemetzelaar * www.bravespacenutrition.com * https://www.bravespacenutrition.com/body-image-group Watch The Conversation: The Body Neutrality Holiday Survival Guide 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 Leslie discuss the journey toward body acceptance and neutrality through community and how this can support in overcoming societal pressures and systemic oppression. They explore how shared values and interests can foster connections that promote healing and liberation, the need for a supportive environment where individuals can thrive without the burden of unrealistic standards, and more. * 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 to get all of our podcast episodes plus more fresh content each week! https://nopethatsnotnormal.substack.com/ Meet Our Guest, Leslie Leslie Jordan Garcia, MBA, MPH, CERDS, CPT (she/her) is a wellness strategist, certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach, and social justice consultant dedicated to healing and liberation. With dual master’s degrees in Business and Public Health and over a decade of experience across military, public health, and nonprofit sectors, Leslie brings depth and heart to her work. Through her practice, Liberati Wellness, she offers HAES®-aligned ED recovery coaching and inclusive movement support, while partnering with organizations like Austin Health Commons and the Hogg Foundation to embed equity and justice into health systems and helping professions, and currently as the Treatment Access Program Manager at Project HEAL. * https://www.instagram.com/liberatiwellness/