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Maintenance Phase
Maintenance Phase
Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes

Debunking the junk science behind health fads, wellness scams and nonsensical nutrition advice.

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Episodes

Richard Simmons Isn't Missing

The internet gets weird investigating the "disappearance" of America's gay best friend. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonWatch Aubrey’s documentary... more

21 Nov 2024 · 1 hour, 5 minutes
Growing Up Richard Simmons

Before building his fitness empire, America’s most bedazzled fitness guru was a guy named Milton from New Orleans. Support us:Hear... more

25 Oct 2024 · 1 hour, 1 minute
The Myers-Briggs Personality Test

How a mother, a daughter and a crackpot Swiss psychologist gave us the world's most popular Buzzfeed quiz.Support us:Hear bonus... more

12 Sep 2024 · 55 minutes
BONUS: Breaking Down The Latest Anti-Trans Victory Lap

We went a little easy on the Cass Report in our last main feed episode, so we're back to [Mortal... more

01 Jul 2024 · 1 hour, 3 minutes
"Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria" Part 2: Panic! At The Endocrinologist.

Thanks to Jules Gill-Peterson (jgillpeterson.com) and Julia Serano (patreon.com/juliaserano) for help researching this episode and Evan Urquhart, Parker Molloy and... more

18 Jun 2024 · 1 hour, 31 minutes
"Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria" Part 1: The Cooties Theory of Transgender Identity

Thanks to Jules Gill-Peterson (jgillpeterson.com) and Julia Serano (patreon.com/juliaserano) for help researching this episode and Evan Urquhart and Parker Molloy... more

09 May 2024 · 1 hour, 27 minutes
Jamie Oliver

In the 2000s, Jamie Oliver made a big splash with his work reforming kids’ meals in the UK and US.... more

04 Apr 2024 · 1 hour, 2 minutes
COVID Conspiracies

What was missing from America's pandemic response? According to the internet, a sunshine vitamin, a malaria treatment and a whole... more

07 Mar 2024 · 1 hour, 27 minutes
Ozempic

Ozempic is being hailed as “the end of the Obesity Epidemic.” This week, Mike and Aubrey dig through the sensational... more

10 Oct 2023 · 58 minutes
"Soy Boys"

How a plant-based pejorative went from an alt-right burn to a core concern of mainstream Republicans.Support us:Hear bonus episodes on... more

12 Sep 2023 · 44 minutes
RFK Jr. and The Mainstreaming Of The Anti-Vaxx Movement

Join us for a 75 minute answer to a 5 word question: Is there mercury in vaccines? Support us:Hear bonus... more

01 Aug 2023 · 1 hour, 13 minutes
RFK Jr. and The Rise of the Anti-Vaxx Movement

A political candidate has some questions and we have some extremely obvious answers.Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet... more

18 Jul 2023 · 1 hour, 14 minutes
Pilates

Somehow an episode about an old-timey fitness influencer ended up being one of our most wholesome ever. We're as surprised... more

04 Jul 2023 · 44 minutes
Brittany Dawn

How a fitness influencer went from small-time scammer to one of the Internet’s leading villains. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on... more

20 Jun 2023 · 1 hour, 1 minute
BONUS: The Conservative Diet Books of Yore

We're taking a much-needed break this week so to tide you over here is one of our bonus episodes! Support... more

06 Jun 2023 · 56 minutes
Oprah v. Beef Part 2: Apocalypse Cow

The closing argument of our two-part Oprahsode starts in a Texas courtroom, wanders through some British slaughterhouses and ends with... more

23 May 2023 · 1 hour, 8 minutes
Oprah v. Beef Part 1: The Rise of "Veggie Libel"

On April 16, 1996, Oprah Winfrey did a show about mad cow disease. Six weeks later, a couple of Texas... more

09 May 2023 · 1 hour, 3 minutes
The 10,000 Steps Myth

This week we're digging into the weird history of an omnipresent fitness goal. Episode comes free with a happy... more

25 Apr 2023 · 49 minutes
The Trouble with Sugar

This week we're tackling three big ideas about sugar: It causes hyperactivity in kids, it's as addictive as cocaine and... more

11 Apr 2023 · 49 minutes
"Forks Over Knives": Is a Vegetarian Diet Better For You?

A viral documentary says a "whole foods plant-based diet" will prevent heart disease and cure cancer. But once we look... more

28 Mar 2023 · 1 hour, 2 minutes
The Instagram Fiber Feud

Aubrey tells Mike about the diet that took over New York City (and its bathrooms).Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate... more

14 Mar 2023 · 46 minutes
Doctors Have a New Plan for Fat Kids

Last month the American Academy of Pediatrics released a new set of guidelines for "childhood obesity." We have some comments.... more

28 Feb 2023 · 1 hour, 14 minutes
Elizabeth Taylor's "Elizabeth Takes Off"

History should make you feel weird and so, apparently, should diet books. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet... more

14 Feb 2023 · 58 minutes
“Glorifying Obesity” And Other Myths About Fat People

This week, we're talking about Aubrey's new book, "'You Just Need To Lose Weight' and 19 Other Myths About Fat... more

03 Jan 2023 · 49 minutes
Workplace Wellness

Charging disabled people more for health care is illegal. But what about ... charging non-disabled people less?Support us:Hear bonus episodes... more

20 Dec 2022 · 1 hour, 12 minutes
The Food Pyramid

In the 1990s, the Food Pyramid was one of the most recognizable symbols in nutrition education. But where did it... more

15 Nov 2022 · 51 minutes
Bonus: Mike's New Podcast!

Mike and Aubrey introduce Mike's new show, If Books Could Kill! Find it on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google and wherever... more

08 Nov 2022 · 1 hour, 18 minutes
The Daily Harvest Food Poisoning Scandal

“Herpes is basically living the dream” — Aubrey Gordon.Support us: Subscribe on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and... more

01 Nov 2022 · 1 hour, 1 minute
Mini-Sode: The Dr. Oz Campaign

Pennsylvania listeners check your registration here!Mike and Aubrey break down the policies and promises of Dr. Oz's Senate campaign in... more

18 Oct 2022 · 1 hour, 13 minutes
Paul Bragg & The Rise of Apple Cider Vinegar

Health claims about apple cider vinegar are everywhere. But are they true? This week, we hop into the wayback machine... more

11 Oct 2022 · 55 minutes
The French Paradox

How an early-'90s newsmagazine show convinced a generation of Americans to start drinking red wine. For the antioxidants! Special thanks... more

27 Sep 2022 · 55 minutes
Goop

Do we even need to write a description? It's the Goopisode! Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance... more

13 Sep 2022 · 59 minutes
BONUS: Moon Juice Taste Test

This week's episode is running late so here's something to tide you over! Last year, we did an episode on... more

06 Sep 2022 · 54 minutes
The Scarsdale Diet Murder feat. Sarah Marshall

In 1982 a murder captured America's imagination. Forty years later, two podcasts joined forces to talk about it. Hear more... more

23 Aug 2022 · 1 hour, 31 minutes
“French Women Don't Get Fat”

A dieting book or a how-to guide for an eating disorder? Pourquoi pas les deux ?Support us:Hear bonus episodes on... more

09 Aug 2022 · 57 minutes
Pete Evans Part 2: COVID & Consequences

"Celebrity chef Pete Evans has activated his last almond with the Seven Network."Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet... more

26 Jul 2022 · 58 minutes
Pete Evans Part 1: The Paleo Way

How a beloved TV chef became one of Australia's most polarizing public figures. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on... more

12 Jul 2022 · 52 minutes
The Worm Wars

In 1998, a researcher rolled out an innovative approach to education. And in 2015, Methodology Twitter had a big fight... more

28 Jun 2022 · 57 minutes
Calorie Menu Labeling

This year, the UK implemented a law requiring chain restaurants to list calorie counts on their menus. Where did these... more

07 Jun 2022 · 50 minutes
The Trouble With Calories

Weight loss is as simple as “calories in, calories out,” right? Or — gasp — could the reply guys be... more

24 May 2022 · 52 minutes
Diet Book Deep Dive: “How To Take 20 Pounds Off Your Man”

This week, Mike and Aubrey take on a manual for creep behavior masquerading as a diet book. Along the way,... more

10 May 2022 · 50 minutes
Zombie Statistics Spectacular!

Debunking some of the most widely repeated myths about fat and health. Here's Mike's new video! Support us:Hear bonus episodes... more

19 Apr 2022 · 57 minutes
Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma"

How a liberal journalist entrenched a libertarian fantasy. Thanks to Sarah Taber for helping us with the research for this... more

05 Apr 2022 · 1 hour, 5 minutes
Bonus: Fad Diets

This week's show is still in the oven so we're releasing one of our first Patreon bonus episodes. We asked... more

29 Mar 2022 · 1 hour, 11 minutes
Jordan Peterson Part 2: The Moscow Diaries

In 2019, Jordan Peterson disappeared from public life. One year later, he re-emerged with a diagnosis, a story and no... more

15 Mar 2022 · 54 minutes
Jordan Peterson Part 1: The Carnivore Diet

Oops all meat: How a '50s bodybuilder, a Grateful Dead roadie and an unreadable professor accidentally launched one of America's... more

01 Mar 2022 · 1 hour, 8 minutes
"Super Size Me"

Aubrey thought she could swear less in this week’s episode. She was wrong. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on... more

15 Feb 2022 · 1 hour, 2 minutes
"Illness Influencer" Belle Gibson

In 2015, Belle Gibson was an Australian "eco-preneur" with a vegetarian cookbook, a blockbuster wellness app and a terminal cancer... more

01 Feb 2022 · 1 hour, 6 minutes
Diet Book Deep Dive: The Karl Lagerfeld Diet

Who’s that Bond villain stroking a cat and yelling at beloved public figures? It’s Karl Lagerfeld! This week, Mike and... more

18 Jan 2022 · 53 minutes
Fat Camps

How America's oldest fat camp — and the inspiration for Disney’s "Heavyweights" — became the symbol of a health intervention... more

04 Jan 2022 · 59 minutes
The "Sleep Loss Epidemic"

Matthew Walker's "Why We Sleep" was one of the most popular and acclaimed wellness books of 2017. There's just one... more

14 Dec 2021 · 1 hour, 11 minutes
Vibrators

It's a sexual health episode! This week, Mike and Aubrey dive into the hotly debated medical history of vibrators and... more

30 Nov 2021 · 49 minutes
Is Being Fat Bad For You?

For nearly four decades, Americans have heard a simple story about health, longevity and obesity. This week, we learn it's... more

16 Nov 2021 · 1 hour, 25 minutes
Diet Book Deep Dive: Angela Lansbury's "Positive Moves"

At the height of her "Murder She Wrote" fame, Angela Lansbury released a home workout video full of synth music,... more

26 Oct 2021 · 56 minutes
Rachel Hollis Part 2: Girl, Start Apologizing

In the sequel (sorry) to our first installment, we take a deep dive into Rachel's wildly problematic books and deeply... more

12 Oct 2021 · 1 hour, 7 minutes
Rachel Hollis Part 1: Hashtag Relatable

Girl, stop reinforcing the status quo.Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreVideos!The infamous... more

28 Sep 2021 · 1 hour, 11 minutes
Marianne Williamson

Last year, spiritual leader Marianne Williamson made headlines when she ran for president. But 10 years earlier, she wrote... more

14 Sep 2021 · 57 minutes
The Great Protein Fiasco

How Nestlé executives, global health institutions and a very racist white lady seeded a series of nutritional misconceptions we're still... more

31 Aug 2021 · 1 hour, 10 minutes
The Obesity Epidemic

Over the last 30 years, fatness has been defined as a risk factor for disease, then a disease in itself,... more

17 Aug 2021 · 59 minutes
The Body Mass Index

The BMI is EVERYWHERE. But is it scientific or scientif-ish? While many Americans think of the body mass index as... more

03 Aug 2021 · 1 hour, 8 minutes
School Lunches, P-Hacking and the Original "Pizzagate"

This week we're diving into one of the biggest-ever scandals in nutrition research. For nearly two decades, Brian Wansink's Food... more

20 Jul 2021 · 1 hour, 17 minutes
The Keto Diet

So long, root vegetables! This week, we dive into the strange and surprising history of the 100-year-old ketogenic diet. Along... more

06 Jul 2021 · 55 minutes
Oprah Winfrey & "John of God"

Special guest Kimberly Springer joins us to talk about an infamous, dangerous faith healer and his two — two! —... more

22 Jun 2021 · 57 minutes
Oprah Winfrey & The “Wagon of Fat”

Do you have weird feelings about Oprah? So do we, and so does our guest! Kimberly Springer, co-editor of "Stories... more

08 Jun 2021 · 49 minutes
Celery Juice

Do you have viruses? Cysts? Cancer? Are you tired sometimes? According to Instagram, the problem might be a lack... more

25 May 2021 · 50 minutes
The Wellness to QAnon Pipeline

Special guest Mike Rothschild tells us how the road to wellness can be an on-ramp to a conspiracy theory. Along... more

11 May 2021 · 44 minutes
Diet Book Deep Dive: Ed McMahon’s “Slimming Down”

This week is our first Diet Book Deep Dive, where we dig into some of the worst and wildest... more

27 Apr 2021 · 40 minutes
Olestra

In 1996, Proctor & Gamble launched an artificial fat substitute that promised all of the taste but none of the... more

13 Apr 2021 · 1 hour, 5 minutes
Eating Disorders

Fat people have them too! This week, special guest Erin Harrop tells us about one of America's most under-diagnosed and... more

30 Mar 2021 · 55 minutes
Weight Watchers

Get your flex point calculators and food scales! This week, Mike and Aubrey are talking about one of America's most... more

16 Mar 2021 · 50 minutes
Maintenance Phase
The Wellness to QAnon Pipeline
Maintenance Phase
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Listen now on

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Overcast
Podcast Addict
Pocket Casts
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Description

Special guest Mike Rothschild tells us how the road to wellness can be an on-ramp to a conspiracy theory. Along the way... more