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Cramped airline seats and long security lines might sound like a travel nightmare, but Julia's recent trip to Scotland, Ireland, and the UK was anything but. She brings the adventure to life, sharing her awe at ancient castles and endearing Highland cows, while Matt injects humor with his witty tips on scoring a first-class upgrade on Aer Lingus. Together, they offer a candid look at the joys and challenges of international travel, blending personal anecdotes with practical advice for navigating the ups and downs of exploring new places.

Switching gears, Julia gets personal about her journey of self-care and the unexpected weight gain from healthy activities like hiking and gym workouts. This sparks a broader conversation about the toxic nature of diet culture and the societal pressures of body image. Reflecting on the harmful messages from platforms like Tumblr in the 2000s and her own childhood experiences, Julia and Matt emphasize the importance of mindfulness in how we talk about weight, especially around children. They uncover the deep-seated issues tied to diet culture, stressing the need for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to health.

Finally, the discussion broadens to tackle the gender disparity in diet-related content on social media and the flawed focus on weight in healthcare. Personal stories highlight the often misguided medical advice that overlooks other health conditions, while also touching on the unrealistic body standards perpetuated by the media and clothing industries. Julia and Matt advocate for weight inclusivity and the importance of fostering genuine connections for overall well-being. As the episode wraps up, they tease an upcoming discussion on "mom influencers" and invite listeners to share their topic suggestions and feedback, promising more engaging content ahead.

Weight-normative messaging predominates on TikTok—A qualitative content analysis

Marisa Minadeo ,Lizzy Pope . Published: November 1, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267997

A Third of TikTok’s U.S. Users May Be 14 or Under, Raising Safety Questions - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
https://www.killingussoftly4.org/
Second-hand Television Exposure Linked to Eating Disorders | Harvard Medical School
Fijian girls succumb to Western dysmorphia — Harvard Gazette
#voteoutJoeCourtney

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/no-time-to-die
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Artwork and logo design by Misty Rae.


Special thanks to Joanna Roux for editing help.
Special thanks to the listeners and all the wonderful people who helped listen to and provide feedback on the episode's prerelease.

Research is being completed by Cora Lee Kennedy

Please feel free to email Matt topics or suggestions, questions or feedback.
Matt@unitedstatesofPTSD.com