Leah Kern

Shoulders Down

A Nutrition , Health & Fitness and Religion & Spirituality podcast

About the show

When you live in the diet mindset, you spend much of your time living in your head- constantly tallying, dwelling, and stressing over your food and lifestyle choices. When you become an intuitive eater, you learn to drop into your body and start living shoulders down. The territory below your shoulders contains your innate wisdom and power. Shoulders Down is a podcast designed to teach you how to harness your intuition to govern not just how you eat but also how you live. Shoulders Down Podcast is hosted by Anti-Diet Dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Leah Kern, who works with clients to heal their relationships with food in her private practice, Leah Kern Nutrition. Disclaimer: All content in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The information and education provided is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis.

Newest episodes

🎊 How to Stop Overeating During The Holiday Season (& Survive Triggering Situations)

Nov 10, 2026 1 hr 2 min

In this episode, we cover: My story with navigating the holiday season before and after becoming an intuitive eater and healing my body imageCommon hurdles to navigating the holidays as an intuitive eaterSpecific tips for handling loved-ones still entrenched in diet cultureHow to avoid eating past comfortable fullness at the big holiday meal(s)Dealing with the desire to fill the void of unmet needs with food Moving through the sadness that can come up when a delicious celebratory meal is coming to an end. Navigating the situation where you’re being hosted for the holidays and don’t have control over food and mealtimesDownload the FREE Intuitive Eater Holiday Survival Guide 📣 Subscribe to our Youtube Channel! Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Kit Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to my personal Substack Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🌱 Holding On to Hope in the Age of AI, GLP-1s, and Wellness Culture with Christy Harrison

Nov 3, 2026 59 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah welcomes back anti-diet dietitian, author, and journalist Christy Harrison for a conversation about the changing face of diet culture and how to hold onto hope when progress feels uncertain. Together, they explore how GLP-1 medications and AI are influencing wellness culture and fueling misinformation. The conversation also touches on navigating unsolicited health advice, making peace with complicated body image feelings, and recognizing that intuitive eating doesn’t require loving your body all the time. Christy offers a hopeful perspective on our ability to push back against diet culture and reclaim our agency. You’ll hear about: How GLP-1s are reshaping diet and wellness cultureThe role of AI in spreading health misinformationSetting boundaries around unsolicited health adviceNavigating body image struggles while practicing intuitive eatingAdvocating for weight-inclusive healthcareHolding onto hope in the face of diet cultureMentioned in this episode 🥒 The Wellness Trap: When an Innocent Interest in Wellness Turns Disordered with Christy Harrison: Christy’s previous appearance on Shoulders DownAnti-Diet by Christy Harrison: Her first book, exploring diet culture and intuitive eating.The Wellness Trap by Christy Harrison: ****Her second book, examining wellness culture and misinformation.More from Christy Harrison Christy’s websiteRethinking Wellness ****on SubstackPodcast Food PsychMore From Leah: Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah’s Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.c...

🫶 It's Not About Food: What’s Underneath Emotional Eating with Kathy Most, LCSW

Oct 5, 2026 52 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah chats with psychotherapist, mindset coach, and author Kathy Most to explore what’s really underneath emotional eating and binge eating. Kathy shares her own experience developing disordered eating in college and how that experience ultimately led her to a career helping others heal their relationships with food and their bodies. Together, Leah and Kathy unpack how food can become a coping skill for uncomfortable emotions and unmet needs. The role of control in emotional eating, and how self-compassion and curiosity can break cycles of shame and self-judgment. They also explore the mind-body connection, how our thoughts shape our experiences with food and body image, and why learning to feel our feelings and reconnect with the body is essential for rebuilding self-trust and intuition. You’ll hear about: Kathy’s personal experience with emotional eating and binge eating and how it shaped her career as a therapistWhy food is often the symptom rather than the underlying problemThe connection between emotional eating, control, uncomfortable emotions, and unmet needsHow self-compassion and curiosity can help interrupt cycles of shame and self-judgmentWhat it actually means to feel your feelings and rebuild trust with your bodyMentioned in this episode: E-Squared by Pam Grout: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/601492/e-squared-by-pam-grout/The Guest House by Rumi: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/guest-house/👩‍🔬 How Intuitive Eating Impacts Your Metabolism and Digestion - Leah’s previous episode exploring how your thoughts and beliefs about food can impact digestion and your body’s physiological responseMore from Kathy Most: Website: https://kathymost.comKM Mindset Library on SubstackKM Mindset Library on Insight TimerLife Lessons from Both Sides of the Couch, available October 6thMore From Leah: Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-pac...

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All episodes

🎊 How to Stop Overeating During The Holiday Season (& Survive Triggering Situations)

Nov 10, 2026 1 hr 2 min

🌱 Holding On to Hope in the Age of AI, GLP-1s, and Wellness Culture with Christy Harrison

Nov 3, 2026 59 min

🫶 It's Not About Food: What’s Underneath Emotional Eating with Kathy Most, LCSW

Oct 5, 2026 52 min

🍍The Wellness Culture Rabbit Hole: Orthorexia, Anxiety & Conventional Medicine with Sarah Jane Garcia

Sep 21, 2026 59 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with Sarah Jane Garcia, a certified intuitive eating counselor and specialty pharmacist, to talk about her journey from bingeing and restriction into obsessive “clean eating,” and ultimately toward a more peaceful relationship with food. Sarah Jane shares how her pursuit of health gradually pulled her deeper into wellness culture, even leading her to become an integrative health practitioner herself. She opens up about how pregnancy and motherhood intensified the pressure she felt to optimize her health, from restrictive protocols and supplements to fears about feeding her children the “right” foods. She shares the experiences that helped her recognize her orthorexia, discover intuitive eating, and begin dismantling the beliefs she’d absorbed about food, health, and personal responsibility. Leah and Sarah Jane also explore the tension between wellness culture and conventional medicine, Sarah Jane’s evolving relationship with her work as a pharmacist, and the importance of making room for nuance rather than trading one rigid framework for another. You'll hear about: How Sarah Jane’s relationship with food evolved from bingeing and restriction into orthorexiaThe ways wellness culture can prey on anxiety, perfectionism, and the pressure to optimize our healthHow pregnancy and motherhood intensified Sarah Jane’s food fearsSarah Jane’s experience navigating wellness culture and conventional medicine as a pharmacistFinding nuance around medication, mental health, food, and wellnessMore From Sarah Jane: Website: sarahjgarcia.comintuitiveeatingcollab.com a membership for moms healing their relationships with food and body while working to break the cycle for their children👆Use code SHOULDERS19 for the exclusive listener discount of $19/monthMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube Ch...

🌀 GLP-1s, Informed Consent, & the Fight for Size-Inclusive Healthcare with Jackie Liu

Sep 8, 2026 55 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with Jackie Liu, a third-year medical student at Harvard Medical School and co-lead of advocacy for Medical Students for Size Inclusivity (MSSI), to explore weight stigma in medicine and what it takes to create more size-inclusive healthcare (HINT: GLP-1s are NOT the answer). Jackie shares their personal journey from struggling with disordered eating and body image to discovering fat studies and weight-inclusive approaches to health. Together, Leah and Jackie unpack how weight bias can become embedded in medical training, the ways fat phobia shows up in healthcare settings, and the incredible work MSSI is doing to advocate for more equitable care. They also discuss the rise of GLP-1 medications and why informed consent and patient autonomy are essential components of size-inclusive medicine. This conversation offers a hopeful look at the medical students and future providers working to challenge weight stigma from within the healthcare system. You'll hear about: Jackie's journey from struggling with body image and disordered eating to discovering fat liberation and weight-inclusive careHow weight bias and fat phobia can become embedded in medical education and healthcare cultureWhy Medical Students for Size Inclusivity exists and how the organization is working to create changeThe barriers to providing truly weight-inclusive healthcareGLP-1 medications, informed consent, and the importance of protecting patient autonomyMentioned in this Episode: 📊 The Weight Loss Research Nobody Talks About with Ragen Chastain💛 Lived Experience with Ozempic—Jamie's Story & An Overview of The FactsMedical Students for Size Inclusivity (MSSI)Association for Weight and Size Inclusive MedicineMore From Jackie: MSSI's GLP-1 Informed Consent GuideMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSub...

📢 You're allowed to care about health.

Aug 24, 2026 20 min

Less podcast episode, more PSA. More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🏃‍♀️ What If Movement Wasn't About Changing Your Body? Exploring Attuned Exercise with Martha Munroe

Aug 10, 2026 1 hr 0 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with Martha Munroe, author of Attuned Exercise, to explore what it means to build a healthier relationship with movement. Drawing from over two decades in the fitness industry and her background in positive psychology and embodiment, Martha shares a compassionate alternative to the shame, guilt, and perfectionism that so often define exercise routines. Martha shares how her perspective on fitness evolved after recognizing the harm caused by weight-centric messaging and toxic fitness culture. Together, she and Leah unpack the difference between exercising from a place of self-criticism versus self-compassion, why motivation rooted in shame rarely lasts, and how reconnecting with your body can make movement feel supportive rather than punishing. Whether you're recovering from chronic dieting, healing your relationship with exercise, or simply looking for a more sustainable approach to movement, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective rooted in curiosity, body trust, and self-respect. You'll hear about: What attuned exercise is and how it differs from traditional fitness cultureWhy self-compassion is a more sustainable motivator than guilt, shame, or self-criticismHow diet culture and beauty ideals shape our relationship with movementThe role of embodiment and body trust in creating a healthier exercise practicePractical ways to reconnect with movement after burnout, perfectionism, or chronic dietingMentioned in this episode: 🏄‍♀️ Finding Pleasure in Movement with Hannah Husband🏃‍♀️ Extractive vs. Regenerative Movement: Reframing Your Relationship with Running with Karly Borden💪 Diet-Culture Free, Weight Neutral Fitness with Kira OnyskoMore From Martha: Website: https://www.attunedexercise.com/Instagram: @attunedexerciseAttuned Exercise BlogAttuned Exercise Book & WorkbookMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced...

✊ Rage is the Answer: Body Liberation, Psychedelics, & Unlearning Fatphobia with Paula D. Atkinson

Jul 27, 2026 52 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with licensed psychotherapist Paula D. Atkinson to explore the intersection of body image, eating disorders, social justice, and body liberation. Paula shares her personal journey from growing up as a fat child, developing anorexia as a teenager, and eventually becoming a therapist, educator, and advocate for body justice. Together, Leah and Paula discuss the history of fatphobia, the limitations of weight-centric definitions of health, and why healing body image requires more than individual self-acceptance. Their conversation explores the role of systemic oppression in shaping body image, the power of critical thinking in diet culture recovery, and how anger can become a catalyst for liberation rather than something to suppress. You'll hear about: Paula's journey from anorexia recovery to becoming a body liberation therapist and educatorWhat teaching a university course on weight, health, and society revealed about diet culture and the "obesity epidemic"The role of rage in disordered eating and body image healingWhy external validation can never replace genuine self-acceptanceHow body image healing intersects with social justice, oppression, and collective liberationPaula's perspective on anger, psychedelics, and other unexpected pathways to body liberationMore From Paula: Website: https://www.pauladatkinson.comInstagram: @pauladatkinsonMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🧇 How to Figure Out What You're Craving

Jul 13, 2026 17 min

Being in touch with your body’s cues is one of the central pieces of intuitive eating. But what if, when asking your body “what are you craving?” you hear crickets… In this episode, Leah helps you think through how to actually figure out what you’re craving. She covers several practical tips you can implement immediately to help guide you towards what you’re body is asking for. 👉 ENROLL IN WHAT TO EAT, a workshop on August 10th, 2026 Mentioned In This Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1961653/episodes/19362722More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🍎 Fat-Lived Experience as a Dietitian, Body Grief, and Endocrine Conditions with Chelsea Levy

Jul 6, 2026 49 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with Chelsea Levy, MS, RDN, a weight-inclusive dietitian specializing in eating disorders, PCOS, diabetes, and endocrine-related conditions. Chelsea shares her personal journey from chronic dieting and weight cycling to discovering intuitive eating while studying to become a dietitian. Together, Leah and Chelsea explore the realities of living in a weight-centric world, the impact of weight stigma on healthcare and body image, and why body respect can sometimes be a more accessible goal than body love. They also discuss body image grief, the challenges of navigating medical spaces in larger bodies, and how self-compassion can help us move toward a more peaceful relationship with ourselves. You'll hear about: Chelsea's experience with chronic dieting and weight cyclingHow discovering intuitive eating changed her relationship with food and bodyWhat it means to practice weight-inclusive careWhy body image healing often involves griefWhat the medical industry is getting wrong about PCOS and diabetes recommendationsThe difference between body positivity, body neutrality, and body respectMore From Chelsea Levy: Website: https://chelsealevynutrition.comInstagram: @chelsealevynutritionMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

😐 Why It Feels So Hard to Figure Out What To Eat (& How To Fix It)

Jun 29, 2026 25 min

In this solo episode, Leah talks about why it can feel so hard to figure out what to eat when you’re coming from a history of dieting. She outlines some of the main obstacles she sees clients running into, and then offers a solution for how to transition into intuitive eating without feeling like you’re free falling. She gets into: Why figuring out what to eat is likely a muscle you haven’t strengthenHow loosing the structure of dieting can feel destabilizing and overwhelming.The obstacle of knowing what sounds good but not knowing how to reconcile that with what would feel good in your body.The missing nutrition education necessary to be able to make informed eating decisions.A brand new tool Leah created to give you gentle structure in figuring out what to eat, without rigid diet rules. 👉 ENROLL IN WHAT TO EAT, a workshop on August 10th, 2026 More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

📊 The Weight Loss Research Nobody Talks About with Ragen Chastain

Jun 22, 2026 1 hr 3 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with Ragen Chastain, speaker, researcher, board-certified patient advocate, and leading voice in the fields of weight science, weight stigma, and healthcare. Ragen shares her personal journey from years of chronic dieting and an eating disorder to becoming a weight-inclusive health advocate. She explains what happened when she conducted an extensive review of the weight loss literature and discovered that the evidence did not support many of the claims she had been taught to believe. Together, Leah and Ragen explore the intersection of weight science, healthcare, and stigma, unpacking why weight-inclusive care is an evidence-based approach and how weight-centered healthcare can create harm for patients in larger bodies. You’ll hear about: Ragen's experience with dieting, weight cycling, and eating disorder recoveryCommon misconceptions about weight science and healthcareThe impact of weight stigma on patient careHow Ragen became involved in fat activism and weight-inclusive healthcare advocacyWhat healthcare providers often get wrong about weight and healthThe growing influence of GLP-1 medications and how they are being marketedMore From Ragen: Newsletter: Weight and HealthcareHealth at Every Size® Health SheetsBlog: Dances With FatInstagram: @ragenchastainMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

✌️Responding To Hate Comments From The Jillian Michaels Debate

Jun 8, 2026 31 min

In this episode, I respond to and unpack some of the most common comments I received after the viral Jillian Michaels vs. Body Positivity debate video was published. I’ll be honest: it took me a long time to record this episode. Reading through hostile and misinformed comments is unpleasant. But I ultimately decided this conversation was worth having, because the comments reveal deep misunderstandings about weight, health, and what ethical nutrition care actually looks like. In this episode, I cover: Why I said that I believe its unethical to encourage weight los ( and how this differs from judging people who choose to pursue weight loss.The flawed assumption that a dietitian’s role is to control someone’s body sizeWhy weight is not a measure of healthThe criticism I received from fellow dietitians and why this hurt the mostMentioned in the episode: Behind the Scenes of the "Jillian Michaels vs Body Positivity" Debate with Edie StarkWe Watched The Jillian Michaels Debate Back... And Had Thoughts with Edie StarkUnpacking the Viral Jubilee Body Positivity Debate with Marcy GuevaraYou're Not Wrong For Desiring Weight Loss 5 Reasons Why Your Weight Doesn't Determine Your Health

🌞 Intuitive Eating 5 Years Later: Parts Work, Group Fitness, & Cycle Syncing with Lizzie

May 25, 2026 28 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah reconnects with former client Lizzie Marks for a conversation about what intuitive eating looks like five years later — and how healing your relationship with food can ripple into every area of life. Lizzie shares how her early intuitive eating journey began with swinging fully away from rigid food rules and exercise habits, and how she eventually found her way toward a more nuanced middle ground with movement, nutrition, and self-trust. Together, Leah and Lizzie explore how concepts from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts work have helped Lizzie navigate the return of old diet thoughts without fear or shame. They also discuss how Lizzie now approaches group fitness, movement, and food choices with more flexibility, nuance, and an ongoing commitment to trusting her intuition around food and body. You’ll hear about: What intuitive eating looks like for Lizzie in the early stages vs. nowHow intuitive eating can impact decision-making in other areas of lifeReclaiming exercise classes and fitness challenges from diet cultureUsing parts work and IFS to navigate lingering diet thoughtsIntegrating cycle-syncing and how even that requires an intuitive approachWhat Lizzie is focused on as she continues her intuitive eating journeyMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🧠 ADHD, Body Image & Intuitive Eating: Making Sense of the Overlap with Brittany Modell

May 11, 2026 44 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with Brittany Modell to explore the nuanced relationship between ADHD, body image, and eating behaviors — and how neurodivergence can shape our experience with food in ways that are often misunderstood. Brittany shares her personal story growing up immersed in diet culture, from early Weight Watchers meetings to navigating a lifelong sense of feeling “out of control” around food. Together, she and Leah unpack how ADHD can intensify food thoughts, disrupt hunger and fullness cues, and complicate traditional approaches to intuitive eating. This conversation brings much-needed compassion and clarity to the intersection of neurodivergence and anti-diet work — offering a perspective that moves beyond willpower and into understanding. You’ll hear about: How growing up in diet culture shapes early food and body beliefsThe connection between ADHD and constant thoughts about foodWhy traditional nutrition advice often falls short for neurodivergent peopleHow impulsivity, dopamine-seeking, and structure impact eating patternsWhat a more supportive, individualized approach to food can look likeMentioned in this episode: 16 Satisfying Trader Joe’s Snack Ideas From An Intuitive Eating Dietitian🌵7 Unpopular Takes on Intuitive Eating & Body ImageMore From Brittany: Website: www.brittanymodellrd.comInstagram & TikTok: @nofoodfearsBlog: Why ADHD Makes Body Image More ComplicatedMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🏃‍♀️ Extractive vs. Regenerative Movement: Reframing Your Relationship with Running with Karly Borden

Apr 27, 2026 1 hr 2 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with Karly Borden, founder of The Public Run Club, to explore what it really looks like to rebuild a relationship with running after disordered eating. Karly shares her personal story of navigating eating disorder recovery and the often-overlooked challenge of returning to exercise in a way that feels safe, grounded, and self-trust-driven. Together, they unpack the tension between discipline and intuition, and why so many people feel stuck in the “murky middle” of movement — not fully disordered, but not fully free either. Leah and Karly also dive into Karly’s Intuitive Athlete Cycle, a powerful framework for approaching movement in a sustainable, non-extractive way that honors the body’s natural rhythms rather than forcing constant progress. You’ll hear about: Karly’s personal journey with running, disordered eating, and recoveryWhy movement is often the missing piece in eating disorder recoveryThe difference between extractive vs. regenerative movementHow to approach fitness goals without slipping into disordered patternsKarly’s Intuitive Athlete Cycle and how it supports sustainable movementPractical tools for tuning into your body before, during, and after exerciseMentioned in the Episode: 🎢 My Story (unfiltered, the whole saga)🏃‍♀️ Disordered Eating in the Running Community with Serena MarieMore from Karly: Website: https://www.thepublicrunclub.comInstagram: @thepublicrunclubKind and Consistent Jump Start Waitlist: https://thepublicrunclub.com/kcjsMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to yo...

🔄 Transfer Addiction: When Substance Recovery Shifts Into Orthorexia with Sydney Greene

Apr 13, 2026 52 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with certified eating disorder specialist Sydney Greene, to explore the overlap between disordered eating and substance use. Sydney shares her personal story of growing up around addiction, developing orthorexia, and later navigating sobriety — only to find her compulsive behaviors shifting toward exercise, clean eating, and wellness. Leah and Sydney unpack how addiction and disordered eating often co-occur, why recovery isn’t always linear, and how socially praised behaviors can mask deeper struggles. Together, they discuss the concept of transfer addiction, how one compulsive behavior can replace another, and why healing requires addressing the underlying unmet needs — not just the behavior itself. ⚠️ Content Warning ⚠️ This episode includes discussion of substance use, addiction, suicidal thoughts, and grief. Listener discretion is advised. You’ll hear about: Sydney’s personal story with substance use and disordered eatingWhat “transfer addiction” means and how it shows up in recoveryWhy sobriety can sometimes intensify disordered eating behaviorsWhy intuitive eating may not be appropriate early in addiction recoveryThe overlap between orthorexia, compulsive exercise, and addictionMentioned in this episode: 🥗 Orthorexia: When “Healthy" Eating Becomes Dangerous🧗‍♀️Wellness Culture in Mountain Towns with Katie Campbell🥛 Proteinification, Pilates, Glucose Monitors & The Wellness Trends That Shaped 2025💰Are You Binge Spending? Where Budget Culture Meets Diet Culture with Rachel Duncan More From Sydney Website: sydneygreenehealth.comInstagram: @greenehealthMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to m...

📺 Unpacking the Viral Jubilee Body Positivity Debate with Marcy Guevara

Mar 30, 2026 1 hr 4 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with plus-size style expert and reality TV producer Marcy Guevara-Prete to reflect on their experience participating in a viral Jubilee debate with fitness personality Jillian Michaels. Leah and Marcy unpack what it was like to engage in a highly charged, public conversation about body positivity, health, and weight — and how lived experience, media framing, and personal values shaped their perspectives in the moment and afterward. Marcy shares her journey from lifelong dieting to body acceptance and fat liberation, her nuanced perspective on health and movement, and the unexpected ways the debate impacted her own relationship with her body. ⚠️ Content Warning ⚠️ This episode includes discussion of weight stigma, diet culture, disordered eating, trauma, and intentional weight loss. It also includes nuanced and potentially conflicting perspectives on body positivity and health that may feel activating for some listeners. Please listen with care and take what serves you. You’ll hear about: What it was like to participate in the Jubilee debate with Jillian MichaelsHow reality-style media formats shape conversations about body and healthThe role of lived experience vs. scientific “evidence” in discussions of weightWhy shame, fear, and guilt are not sustainable motivators for changeThe tension between diet culture and finding a personal middle groundMentioned in this Episode: Surrounded Debate with Jillian Michaels (watch with caution)Is Body Positivity Disempowering? Follow-up ft Jillian Michaels and Marcy (watch with caution)🍫 Can You Be Addicted To Food?🌙 Fat & Beautiful: Unpacking Thin Privilege & Anti-Fat Bias with Debbie SaroufimNational Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA)More From Marcy: Instagram: @themarcyminuteWebsite: http://www.marcyguevara.com/Boutique: Perfect 10 Plus (Los Angeles)Mobile Boutique: The Plus BusMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied...

🤔 We Watched The Jillian Michaels Debate Back... And Had Thoughts [with Edie Stark, LCSW]

Mar 24, 2026 31 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with therapist Edie Stark, LCSW, to discuss their thoughts on the final edit of the Jillian Michaels x Body Positivity debate. Leah and Edie reflect on what they thought of the edit, how it felt to watch the video back (after experiencing it in real time a few months ago), and what frustrated them about the final video. Mentioned in this episode: First episode reflecting with Edie (before we saw the final edit)Watch the Debate Here! More From Edie Stark: Instagram: @ediestarktherapyTherapy Practice: Stark Therapy GroupConsulting & Media: ediestark.comMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🎥 Behind the Scenes of the "Jillian Michaels vs Body Positivity" Debate with Edie Stark

Mar 16, 2026 56 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah sits down with therapist Edie Stark, LCSW, to unpack their experience participating in a debate with fitness personality Jillian Michaels on the popular YouTube channel Jubilee. Leah and Edie reflect on what it was like to step into a highly produced debate environment discussing body positivity, weight stigma, and health claims — and how the format of viral media can shape the conversation in ways that prioritize spectacle over nuance. Together, they discuss the challenges of debating weight stigma in a reality-TV style setting, the misconceptions about body positivity and Health at Every Size®, and why conversations about weight and health must account for systemic factors like stigma, access to care, and social determinants of health. You’ll hear about: What it was like to participate in a debate with Jillian MichaelsWhy debating weight and health in a reality-TV format creates major limitationsCommon misconceptions about the body positivity movementHow weight stigma and systemic factors impact health outcomesWhy shame and blame are ineffective tools for supporting behavior changeWhat Leah and Edie hope viewers take away from the debateMentioned in this episode: Watch the Debate Here! National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA)The Plus BusMore From Edie Stark: Instagram: @ediestarktherapyTherapy Practice: Stark Therapy GroupConsulting & Media: ediestark.comMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🌾The Ultra Processed Panic: Re-Domesticating Women, Pressure to Cook ‘From Scratch,’ & The Rise of Tradwifedom with Laura Thomas, PhD

Mar 9, 2026 55 min

Is the backlash against ultra-processed foods really about health… or is it about control? In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah and Laura Thomas, PhD, explore the growing moral panic around ultra-processed foods — and what’s really driving the conversation. Laura explains why much of the research linking ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to poor health outcomes is observational, and how these headlines often oversimplify complex public health data. The conversation goes beyond nutrition science to examine how food narratives are shaped by gender roles, class privilege, and today’s political climate. Together, Leah and Laura explore the connection between trad wife culture, GLP-1 use, beauty standards, and what Laura calls “body fascism” — unpacking the bigger cultural forces driving today’s conversations about food and bodies. You’ll hear about: What ultra-processed foods (UPFs) actually are — and why the definition is murkySocial determinants of health and the invisible labor of “food work”How the push to “cook from scratch” can reinforce gender roles and class privilegeTrad wife culture, the rise of GLP-1s, and the body politics of it allWhy this cultural moment is bigger than diet cultureMentioned in this episode: Lessons from the Fatosphere by Kate Harding & Marianne KirbyFearing the Black Body by Sabrina StringsMore From Laura Thomas: Newsletter: https://canihaveanothersnack.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurathomasphdLaura Thomas’ books: Just Eat ItHow to Just Eat ItMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send...

💍 Choosing Presence Over Weight Loss as a Plus Size Bride— with Jamie

Feb 23, 2026 40 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down, Leah talks with Jamie (returning guest and close friend) about navigating wedding planning as a plus-size bride — without pursuing weight loss. Rather than changing her body for her wedding day, Jamie shares how she made intentional accommodations to support comfort, confidence, and presence. Together, Leah and Jamie explore wedding culture pressures, how to prioritize feeling like yourself, and practical advice for planning a wedding in a larger body. You’ll hear about: Why major life events often trigger body image anxietyChoosing accommodations instead of trying to change your bodyNavigating photos, expectations, and “picture shock”Letting go of appearance perfection and focusing on meaningHelpful strategies for feeling more comfortable and present in your bodyMentioned in Episode: 💛 Lived Experience with Ozempic—Jamie's Story & An Overview of The FactsEmma Arletta (YouTube Creator referenced)More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🥗 Orthorexia: When “Healthy" Eating Becomes Dangerous

Feb 9, 2026 43 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down Podcast, Leah takes a deep dive into Orthorexia Nervosa — a form of disordered eating that often hides behind “clean eating,” wellness, and the pursuit of health. Leah shares her personal experience with Orthorexia, explains how healthy eating can cross the line into rigidity and anxiety, and breaks down the symptoms, risk factors, and potential health consequences of an having an obsession with nutrition. She also explores how intuitive eating can support healing and food freedom. You’ll hear about: What orthorexia is and how it differs from general “healthy eating”Common signs and symptoms of orthorexiaHow “clean eating” and wellness culture reinforce restrictionThe physical, mental, and social consequences of orthorexiaHow intuitive eating supports healing from food fear and rigidityNext steps if you resonate with Orthorexia symptomsMentioned in this episode: Webinar / Presentation from Leah’s Dietetic InternshipPodcast Episode: “Did Diet Culture Hijack Your Values?”Podcast Episode: “Five Studies That Will Change the Way You Think About Food”Podcast Episode Featuring Christy Harrison Christy Harrison’s Book: The Wellness TrapPodcast Episode: “10 Principles of Intuitive Eating in 10 Minutes”Podcast Episode: “Intuitive Eating for Beginners”Podcast Episode about Food, Digestion & MetabolismMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🩺 A Pediatrician’s Perspective on GLP-1s, Diet Culture, & Adolescent Health — with Dr. Lauren Hartman

Jan 26, 2026 53 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down Podcast, Leah talks with Dr. Lauren Hartman, a double board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist, about why dieting and weight-focused care can be especially harmful for children and teens — and what she’s seeing on the front lines of adolescent eating disorder treatment. Drawing from nearly 20 years of experience across hospital systems, outpatient care, and national leadership roles, Dr. Hartman explains why weight loss is rarely sustainable, how dieting increases eating disorder risk, and why a medicalized focus on weight often misses what young people actually need to thrive. Leah and Dr. Hartman also discuss the rise in eating disorders among adolescents, the role of social media and diet culture, and growing concerns around GLP-1 medications. You’ll hear about: A doctor’s perspective on why dieting and weight loss often backfireWhether eating disorders are on the rise among adolescents — and what’s driving the increaseHow social media and diet culture impact teens’ relationships with food and bodyGLP-1 medications and the risks of prescribing them to young peopleWhat informed consent should include when it comes to weight-loss interventionsHow parents can help protect children from diet culture and weight stigmaMore From Dr. Lauren Hartman: https://www.aspengroveayam.com/ More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🕵️‍♀️ Inside Overeaters Anonymous: Abstinence, Fat Serenity, & Co-Dependency with Libby Supan, LMFT

Jan 12, 2026 45 min

In this episode of Shoulders Down Podcast, Leah talks with therapist and certified intuitive eating counselor, Libby Supan, about her 15 years in Overeaters Anonymous (OA) — and why she ultimately believes the program worsened her eating disorder rather than healed it. Libby shares how OA’s abstinence-based model, the idea of food and sugar addiction, and rigid sponsorship dynamics fueled binge eating, shame, and co-dependency. Together, Leah and Libby unpack the concept of “fat serenity,” the fatphobia embedded in the OA ethos, and why abstinence backfires. Libby also explains how eating disorder treatment and intuitive eating helped her rebuild trust with her body, move away from restriction, and find a more sustainable path to recovery. You’ll hear about: What Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is and how it worksThe link between abstinence, restriction, and binge eatingWhy the Food addiction model is inherently flawedSponsorship, power dynamics, and co-dependency in OA“Fat serenity” & fatphobia in the OA communityHow Libby left OA after 15 years and found true healing Mentioned in the episode: https://leahkernrd.com/are-you-addicted-to-sugar/ More From Libby: Website: https://www.libbysupan.com/ More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🥛 Proteinification, Pilates, Glucose Monitors & The Wellness Trends That Shaped 2025

Dec 29, 2025 1 hr 0 min

In this episode, Leah's reflection on 6 wellness trends that shaped 2025. She covers: The proteinification of everything & whether or not its worth the hypeGLP-1s and the normalization of thinness at all costsIncreased body monitoring— Oura Rings, Glucose Monitors, & Apple Watches— & how this might impact intuitive eating Pilates culture: the matching sets, the "toned but not too muscular" promise, & the elitist, weight stigmatizing undertonesThe pros & the cons of our cultural obsession with stepsMentioned in the episode: 5 Reasons Why Your Weight Doesn't Determine Your Health episode: https://leahkernrd.com/%F0%9F%91%89-5-reasons-why-your-weight-doesnt-determine-your-health/More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

💔 The Ethics of GLP-1s, Prescribed Starvation, & The Liberatory Heartbreak of Fatness with Virgie Tovar

Dec 16, 2025 58 min

In this episode, I sit down with fat activist, author, podcaster, and feminist, Virgie Tovar. We cover: Virgie's experience growing up in a fat family and how that shaped her early relationship with her bodyFat activism vs body positivity & the evolution of these frameworks The intersection of queerness & fatness, & the having your heartbroken by the culture The ethics of GLP-1’s and prescribed starvationGLP-1s as a pump an dump marketing cyclingHow to cope with feeling the pressure of going on a GLP-1 for weight lossLiving a life of integrity vs a life of apology More From Virgie: Virgie's websiteVirgie's SubstackA 5 Stage Model of Fat Identity DevelopmentMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

📷 What To Do If You Hate How You Look In Pictures [with Bri Campos]

Dec 1, 2025 55 min

In this episode, Leah is joined by licensed therapist and body image expert, Bri Campos, to talk about picture grief. Learn more from Bri on her website. More from Leah: Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter Kit Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching program Join my self-paced course, The Return Subscribe to my personal Substack Visit my website to learn more about my coaching offerings Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week. Follow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rd Email me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🍂 How to Survive Diet Talk, Body Comments & The Urge To Overeat Around The Holidays [REPOST]

Nov 17, 2025 1 hr 2 min

🕊️ Obesity Medicine, GLP-1’s, Body Autonomy, & Informed Consent with Dr. Alexis Conason

Nov 3, 2025 50 min

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Alexis Conason, Licensed Therapist and Certified Eating Disorder Consultant. We discuss: How Alexis went from studying Obesity Medicine to weight inclusive medicineWhat the Obesity Medicine research actually points toHow to navigate the tension between validating desire for weight change while also wanting food freedomWhat might really be underneath statements like, “I just felt better when I was X pounds lighter.”How working alongside her husband, another weight-neutral provider, has impacted her workTips for finding a non-diet, HAES-aligned therapistMore From Alexis: https://drconason.com/https://www.conasonpsychologicalservices.com/aboutBuy her book!More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🤨 Did Diet Culture Hijack Your Values?

Oct 20, 2025 27 min

In this episode, we discuss: How diet culture can steal our valuesValues-aligned living, resilience, & confidenceHow to tell if you're acting out of alignment with your valuesAn exercise for figuring out your values Resources Mentioned: Values Exercise: https://d11n7da8rpqbjy.cloudfront.net/leahkernrd/482_1669901562874Confidence_ValuesDrivenLiving_Module2.pdfBrene Brown values list: https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/👉Get on the waitlist for our new 10 steps to food freedom audio course More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

👰 You Don’t Have to Change Your Body for Your Wedding

Oct 6, 2025 32 min

In this episode, Leah shares how diet culture sneaks into the wedding industry—from “bridal bootcamps” to being asked about “weight goals” at dress fittings—and how these pressures can rob us of joy on one of life’s most meaningful days. Through her own wedding dress shopping story and reflections from clients, Leah explores what it actually looks like to reject body shame, hold space for body grief, and choose presence over perfection. More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🤖 Is Chat GPT Making Intuitive Eating Harder?

Sep 22, 2025 16 min

In this episode we’re talking about why I’m worried that Chat GPT might be making intuitive eating harder for people. 👉Get on the waitlist for our new 10 steps to food freedom audio course More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

📚 5 Studies That Will Change Everything You Believe About Food

Sep 8, 2025 33 min

This episode will walk you through five powerful studies that challenge diet culture and reshape the way we think about food. These studies highlight how health is influenced by connection, compassion, satisfaction, and beliefs — not just calories or nutrients. I cover: The Rabbit Study and how kindness can influence health outcomesThe Roseto Effect and the role of community in protecting heart healthResearch on Thai vs. Swedish women showing that satisfaction impacts nutrient absorptionThe Sugar Drink Study proving that beliefs about food can affect blood sugar levelsMann et al.’s review of long-term dieting outcomes and why diets rarely work long-termResources mentioned: Join my self-paced course, The ReturnDownload your free research guide PDF: https://leahkernrd.kartra.com/page/8Tz18Lived Experience with Ozempic— Jamie's Story: https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/lived-experience-with-ozempic-jamies-story-an/id1616910063?i=1000617648346Why your relationship with food matters on a physiological level: https://leahkernrd.com/how-intuitive-eating-impacts-your-metabolism-and-digestion/More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

📺 The Biggest Loser Documentary— What They Got Right (and What They Got Wrong)

Aug 26, 2025 50 min

When The Biggest Loser hit TV in the early 2000s, it was a cultural force that shaped how we think about weight, health, and discipline. Now, the new documentary Fit for TV revisits the show’s legacy. In this episode, I share my reflections on the documentary through the lens of a non-diet dietitian who grew up watching The Biggest Loser.I break down what the documentary actually got right — and where it fell short. We’ll cover: The moments that exposed the physical and psychological harms of the show.Where the doc reinforced fatphobia instead of unpacking weight stigma.The unsustainable and dangerous practices contestants endured How The Biggest Loser dehumanized people in larger bodies for entertainment and profit.The deeper truth about diet culture, capitalism, and who really benefits when you feel your body isn’t good enough.Resources mentioned: Download your free research guide PDF: https://leahkernrd.kartra.com/page/8Tz185 Reasons Why Your Weight Doesn't Determine Your Health episode: https://leahkernrd.com/%F0%9F%91%89-5-reasons-why-your-weight-doesnt-determine-your-health/More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

👉 I Don’t Want to Be Weighed… But They’re Requiring It. Now What?

Aug 18, 2025 34 min

What happens when your anti-diet values collide with the realities of a weight-obsessed medical system? In today’s solo episode, I respond to a deeply vulnerable listener story about being required to undergo weight monitoring during pregnancy as a gestational surrogate—after more than a decade of avoiding the scale as part of her healing from disordered eating. I unpack the emotional toll of being reduced to a number, the grief of not having full autonomy in medical spaces, and how weight stigma is baked into the system. I explore: Why mandatory weigh-ins can be so activating, even years into healingHow to move from “knowing” your worth isn’t tied to weight to feeling it in your bonesReflective tools to challenge internalized beliefs Practical strategies for protecting your peace during weigh-insThis episode is full of validation, support, and reminders that you are not the problem—the system is. Whether you’ve experienced this exact situation or just felt the pain of weight stigma in healthcare, this episode is for you. Resources Mentioned: Bri Campo's episode Nicola Smith of fat positive fertility episodeMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🥾 6 Lessons The Appalachian Trail Taught Me About Intuitive Eating

Aug 4, 2025 31 min

In this episode, we're covering 6 lessons I learned on the Appalachian Trail that can be applied to Intuitive Eating. Mentioned in the episode: Social Determinants of Health & Intuitive Eating blog post📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackMore from Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🫠 How To Cope When The Whole World's On Ozempic

Jul 21, 2025 1 hr 7 min

In this episode, we revisit the topic of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. You’ll hear from 7 guests: therapists, dietitians, former clients, and people who’ve personally used GLP-1s Each person shares how they’re navigating intuitive eating and body acceptance in a culture obsessed with weight loss. This episode features several guests who have already appeared on the show. Here are links to their original episodes: Jamie’s Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/lived-experience-with-ozempic-jamies-story-an/id1616910063?i=1000617648346Aaron’s Episode: https://leahkernrd.com/masculinity-body-image-and-disordered-eating-with-aaron-flores-rd/Kate’s Episode: https://leahkernrd.com/raising-intuitive-eaters-and-protecting-children-from-diet-culture-with-kate-morris/Amanda’s Episode: https://leahkernrd.com/perimenopause-our-ever-changing-bodies-with-amanda-mittman/Hannah’s Episode: https://leahkernrd.com/finding-pleasure-in-movement-with-hannah-husband/Bri Campos's Episode: https://leahkernrd.com/what-were-getting-wrong-about-body-image-with-bri-campos/More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🔎 How to Use a Nutrition Label as an Intuitive Eater

Jun 16, 2025 30 min

In this episode, we’re reclaiming nutrition facts from the clutches of food rules and fear. You’ll learn how to approach a nutrition label without spiraling into judgment or rigid thinking—and how these labels can actually support you in honoring your body’s needs. We cover: Why serving sizes are often arbitrary (and not worth stressing over)How to assess if a food will be satisfying and sustaining—beyond just caloriesWhat to do when a meal leaves you hungry an hour later (hint: it’s probably missing fat)Why “high calorie” isn’t a bad thing—and how that narrative has been skewed by diet cultureA reminder that your nutrition needs aren’t confined to a 24-hour windowHow to spot sneaky sources of valuable nutrients like iron, calcium, and B vitamins—yes, even in foods diet culture deems “bad”You’ll also hear a real-life client story that highlights how gentle curiosity—not obsession—can help you build meals that actually work for your body. Nutrition labels aren’t moral scorecards. This episode will help you read them with nuance, compassion, and a whole lot less stress. More From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🍒 Being Messy, Self-Compassion, & Values Alignment with Abbie Attwood

Jun 2, 2025 58 min

In this episode, Abbie Attwood, a non-diet, weight-inclusive provider, joins us to talk about: How struggling with anxiety led her into disordered eatingThe role of being a competitive runner Social justice as a motivating force for recoveryWhy self-compassion won't make you "lazy"The messiness of being humanMentioned in the Episode: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackLeah episode on Abbie's podcast Are The Intuitive Eating Dietitians Alright?More From Abbie: Abbie's WebsiteAbbie's SubstackMore From Leah: 📚Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🌵7 Unpopular Takes on Intuitive Eating & Body Image

May 19, 2025 22 min

Tune in to hear 7 of my unpopular takes as an intuitive eating dietitian. Resources mentioned: How IE impacts metabolism and digestionYou're not wrong for desiring intentional weight lossRachel Hartley Episode on Gentle Nutrition More From Leah: Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

⚠️ Beware of Mental Restriction

May 5, 2025 11 min

In this episode we’ll explore whether you’re ACTUALLY giving yourself permission, or if you’re still mentally restricting... We’ll cover: mental restriction versus physical restrictionHow this manifests (client stories, personal stories, Alex o)Sneaky ways mental restriction can show upHow to move past mental restrictionMore From Leah: Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🫠 When Clothes Don’t Fit & You Feel Like a Failure

Apr 21, 2025 42 min

In this episode, we unpack why seasonal wardrobe changes can trigger body shame, how to navigate the grief that comes with body changes, and tools to meet yourself with more compassion (and way less spiraling). More specifically, we’ll explore: Why the seasonal wardrobe switch can trigger body image distressA 6-step framework to navigate clothing that no longer fitsReal-life client tools for reframing body shamePractical tips to make the process less overwhelmingSupportive mindset shifts and grief validationGentle reframe phrases you can actually believeResources Mentioned: Anti-Diet Media List: https://leahkernrd.kartra.com/page/5Yf33More From Leah: Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🗣️ Finding Your Food Voice & PCOS with Julie Dillon

Apr 7, 2025 53 min

In this episode, I'm joined by eating disorder dietitian, podcaster, speaker, and writer, Julie Dillon. Julie's food and body story The origin of "finding your food voice"The 3 universal qualities of a food voice "Dear Food" letters and the value of personifying foodWhy weight loss won't "cure" PCOS Evidenced-based treatments for PCOS Resources Mentioned: Episode mentioning how research is just one way of knowing with Dr. Lizzy PopeMore From Leah: Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🎨 12 Reflections From 12 Months Off Instagram

Mar 24, 2025 26 min

In this episode I’m covering:: 12 reflections from 12 months off InstagramHow leaving IG relates to intuitive eating workThe many similarities between social media and diet cultureResources Mentioned: Why I’m leaving InstagramAre The Intuitive Eating Dietitians Alright? My Episode on Off The Grid More From Leah: Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🌼 10 Lessons From 10 Years of Intuitive Eating

Mar 10, 2025 40 min

In this solo episode, I reflect on 10 lessons I've learned in my 10 years as an intuitive eater. Resources Mentioned: Finding Pleasure in Movement with Hannah Husband: https://leahkernrd.com/finding-pleasure-in-movement-with-hannah-husband/Trader Joes Meal Ideas: https://leahkernrd.com/quick-trader-joes-meal-ideas-from-an-intuitive-eating-dietitan/Trader Joe's Snack Ideas: https://leahkernrd.com/easy-trader-joes-snacks-from-an-intuitive-eating-dietitian/More From Leah: Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🩺 Can You Manage Your Cholesterol with Intuitive Eating?

Feb 24, 2025 55 min

In this episode, I cover: What is cholesterolWhat is HDL, what is LDL, why is one often considered good and one badHow much does dietary cholesterol impct blood cholesterol levelsWhat are the components that contribute to cholesterol levelsWeight neutral, non-diet approaches to managingcholesterolIs your cholesterol your fault?Resources mentioned: SDOH blog post: https://leahkernrd.com/the-social-determinants-of-health-and-intuitive-eating/egg study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26864369/The Rosetto Effect: https://www.pbs.org/video/italian-americans-introduction/5 reasons why weight doesnt determine health: https://leahkernrd.com/👉-5-reasons-why-your-weight-doesnt-determine-your-health/Cholesterol HAES Health Sheet: https://haeshealthsheets.com/high-cholesterol/More From Leah: Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

🤝 5 Ways To Earn Back Your Body's Trust

Feb 10, 2025 32 min

In this solo episode, I cover . Why body trust mattersA story about my cats that related to body trustHow diet culture messes with body trust5 ways to rebuild body trustMore From Leah: Download your free Intuitive Eating Starter PackApply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

😬 Are The Intuitive Eating Dietitians Alright?

Jan 27, 2025 32 min

In this solo episode, Leah asks the question: If intuitive eating is about healing your relationship with food so your whole life doesn't have to be about food, what does it mean if you then go and make your whole life about food... She explores: How she came to ask this questionReflection on her personal evolution as a dietitian and (former) content creator on IGSome concerns about Intuitive eating content creators, and explore what I mean when she means when she says “are the intuitive eating dietitians okay"Resources Mentioned: Why I'm leaving Instagram EpisodeLast week's episode with Amelia, the episode that helped me form this questionEpisode discussing Minnesota Starvation Study, Are You Really A Foodie (or is it just disordered eating) More From Leah: Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

👁️ Reclaiming Your Attention: Social Media, Selfies, & Self-Love with Amelia Hruby

Jan 13, 2025 1 hr 9 min

In this episode, I'm joined by feminist writer, podcaster & producer, Amelia Hruby. Together we discuss: Amelia’s unconventional way into the anti-diet worldthe ways in which pursuing a philosophy PhD added to the “soup” of Amelia’s break up with diet cultureHow taking selfies helped Amelia heal her relationship with her bodyThe reason why Amelia desires self-love, not just self-acceptnaceHow leaving diet culture led amelia to leave social mediaThe ways in which social media and diet culture steal our attentionMore From Amelia: Selfies For Radical Self-LoveAmelia's Website: https://www.ameliahruby.com/Off The Grid: https://offthegrid.fun/podcastMy Tiny Tarot Practice: https://tinytarot.transistor.fm/More From Leah: Apply to The Embodied Method, my 1:1 coaching programJoin my self-paced course, The ReturnSubscribe to Leah's Youtube ChannelSubscribe to my personal SubstackFollow me on Instagram for more intuitive eating content @leahkern.rdVisit my website to learn more about my coaching offeringsSubscribe to my weekly newsletter to get a nugget of intuitive eating inspiration delivered straight from my heart to your inbox each week.Send me a voice message on SpeakpipeEmail me: Leah@leahkernrd.com

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Podcast details

Created by: Leah Kern
Status: Active
Latest episode: Nov 10, 2026
Episodes: 153
Release period: Every two weeks
Avg. episode length: 53 min
Explicit: No
Language: English

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