In this episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Alana Cahoon to tackle the pervasive issue of stress and anxiety in our modern, fast-paced world. Together, they explore the cultural pressure to "live to work" rather than "work to live," and how this mindset contributes to burnout and disconnection. Alana shares practical, accessible tools to help listeners stop spiraling into future worries or past regrets, offering a path to reclaim peace and presence in the everyday through grounding techniques and a shift in perspective.

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If January feels heavy — not motivating, not inspiring, not like a fresh start — this episode is for you.

In this solo episode, I explore why so many people are quietly opting out of New Year’s resolutions and resonating with the idea of a “Soft January.” Not because they don’t care about growth — but because years of trying to do things the “right” way have left them feeling like failures when those plans inevitably didn’t stick.

We talk about how January pressure mirrors diet culture, perfectionism, and people-pleasing — especially for those who’ve spent years believing they weren’t disciplined or consistent enough. I unpack why the problem was never you, but the systems that set you up to internalize failure.

This episode isn’t anti-goals or anti-change.
It’s about separating growth from self-worth — and learning how “good enough” can be a powerful corrective experience.

If you’ve ever walked away from a resolution, a reset, or a new start feeling like you were the failure, this episode is for you.

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In this critical and timely episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini is joined by Melainie Rogers, Founder and CEO of BALANCE Eating Disorder Treatment Center, to navigate the chaotic "wild west" of the current weight loss landscape. As GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy saturate the market, Melainie pulls back the curtain on the alarming side effects that are often swept under the rug—from significant muscle atrophy to "medically induced anorexia." This conversation challenges the pervasive myth that thinness equals health, exposing how the lack of informed consent and the rise of med-spa prescriptions are setting the stage for a future of metabolic damage and disordered eating.

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In this episode, Dr. Cristina sits down with James Cappola, a seasoned fitness trainer and co-founder of Zero Shortcuts Training, to dismantle the toxic "no pain, no gain" mentality that plagues the fitness industry. James opens up about his own history with exercise bulimia and body dysmorphia, revealing how he appeared to be the picture of health—sporting a six-pack and muscles—while secretly battling a debilitating eating disorder and substance abuse. Together, they discuss the dangerous misconception that aesthetics equal health, the double standards in how society views bodies, and how to shift your relationship with movement from one of punishment to one of self-respect and sustainability.

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In this insightful episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Holly Toscanini, a former weight loss expert turned intuitive living coach, to dismantle the "someday" myth. Holly shares her powerful pivot from running medical weight loss programs to realizing that chasing a number on the scale was actually shrinking her life, not expanding it. Together, they pull back the curtain on the toxic business model of the diet industry, discuss why waiting to be "thin enough" is actually a form of self-abandonment, and how women can reclaim their confidence through self-trust and intuitive eating—especially while navigating the changes of midlife and menopause.

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In this powerful episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Wednesdae Reim Ifrach to dismantle the toxic "New Year, New You" narrative and explore the deep intersections between eating disorders, gender identity, and medical trauma. Wednesdae shares their harrowing story of being "prescribed" an eating disorder by a pediatrician at age 10 and how the pursuit of thinness masked a deeper struggle with gender dysphoria. Together, they discuss the current landscape of GLP-1 agonists, the dangers of bariatric surgery, and why healing isn't about fixing yourself—it's about finally being allowed to exist as you are. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling the pressure to shrink themselves to fit into a system that wasn't built for them.

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In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with Zoe Harwood to dismantle the dangerous myths surrounding the BMI and the concept of "clean eating." Zoe shares her personal journey from a professional dancer praised for her "discipline" to a woman battling severe Orthorexia—a condition often hidden behind a mask of health and wellness. They discuss how the medical community frequently overlooks eating disorders in individuals who sit within a "healthy" weight range, the toxic grip of social media algorithms, and the frightening reality of navigating pregnancy while fearing medical intervention. This conversation challenges the definition of health, proving that well-being is about far more than a number on a scale or the "purity" of the food on your plate.

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This impactful episode features Debra Benfield sharing her expertise and personal journey through diet culture, ageism, and self-acceptance. The conversation, hosted by Dr. Cristina Castagnini, delves into the pervasive cultural pressures surrounding aging, food, and body image. Debra explains how undernourishment is often disguised as discipline, urges listeners to question “anti-aging” marketing, and offers guidance to reclaim trust and compassion for their changing bodies.

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