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!)

1. Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/
2. 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/

Charlotte 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.

1. https://www.thebodyimagebook.com/about
2. https://www.instagram.com/char_markey/
3. www.CharlotteMarkey.com
4. www.TheBodyImageBook.com
5. https://www.celiabookshop.com/item/5qjEKC8Omz7jC9_W2i6p9g
6. https://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.

1. Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/
2. 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/

For 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.

1. EBWHCommunity.com
2. https://substack.com/@ebwh

In this episode, Jessica and Julie explore...

1. Connect with Nope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicathiefels/
2. 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/

Julie 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

1. Website: https://julieduffydillon.com/
2. Newsletter: https://findyourfoodvoice.substack.com/
3. Podcast: https://julieduffydillon.com/podcast/
4. Book: https://julieduffydillon.com/book/
5. Book bonus downloads:

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

Watch The Conversation: Making Movement Neutral, Nourishing and Playful

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

Watch The Conversation: A Chat on Neutral Aging