Checking In

Unimaginable secrets. Unyielding power. Devastating rifts and shocking allegiances. With surprising new interviews as well as historic sound, Vanity Fair's DYNASTY examines the ties that bind the most influential families in the world today, taking you inside their lives for a glimpse at the inner workings of privilege. The DYNASTY debut season goes deep on the modern Windsors with Vanity Fair's royal correspondent Katie Nicholl and staff writer Erin Vanderhoof, who reexamine the complex, sometimes fiery family dynamics—from the intimate side of the queen's early reign to Harry and Meghan's royal split to Prince Andrew's shameful scandal—with razor-sharp insights, fresh reportage, and exclusive guests. Listen & follow Dynasty here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In season 2 of In Vogue: The 2000s, we explore how fashion fused with every aspect of pop culture to become a global entertainment engine ubiquitous in culture--impinging on the global consciousness like never before. From Nicholas Ghesquière awakening the sleeping fashion house of Balenciaga, to Vogue putting the couture into Juicy Couture, and discussing Carrie Bradshaw's influence on trendy 2000s fashion with Sarah Jessica Parker, we cover the iconic looks that defined the decade. Hear how 9/11 led to the creation of the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund and ushered in the next generation of designers. We examine the colliding worlds of Vogue and Hollywood, and learn how the Met Gala became the Superbowl of fashion. We go behind the scenes of the most iconic fashion shoot of all time, where Annie Leibovitz and Grace Coddington transformed the designers of the decade into the characters of Alice in Wonderland, and sit down with the Brazilian Bombshell herself, Gisele Bündchen, who revolutionized modeling and the fashion industry, while on a meteoric rise to international celebrity status. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/iv-cn-trailer Apple Podcasts: listen.vogue.com/iv-apple-podcasts Spotify: listen.vogue.com/iv-spotify Google: listen.vogue.com/iv-google-podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this bonus episode, Dr. Mariel Buquè is back, sitting down with Zahra to talk about how to stay more relaxed throughout our workdays. Dr. Buquè talks about why reducing stress can be such a challenge, offering tips and techniques for staying grounded. She then takes us through a guided mindfulness exercise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this bonus episode, we're continuing our coverage of the COVID-19 vaccines. We revisit a panel that Zahra hosted with David Kaufman, digital director at Architectural Digest, about myths and myth-busting around the vaccines and Black and Latinx communities. Along with experts Dr. Leon McDougle, Dr. Gbenga Ogedegbe, and registered nurse Sandra Lindsay, they discuss how to address inequitable vaccine access, the valid questions many people may have about these vaccines, and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're excited to be bringing you a sneak peek at the latest from our friends at Bon Appétit! Healthyish is a six-part mini-series that takes on food and wellness in all their delicious complexity. Join host Amanda Shapiro (editorial director of Bon Appétit and the founding editor of Healthyish) along with professional chefs, home cooks, foragers, and of course our very own cast of Bon Appétit personalities to dive deep into what it means to eat, drink, and live healthy(ish), with lots of cooking advice and recipe ideas along the way. Subscribe now so you don't miss out on new episodes of Healthyish: Apple Podcasts: http://listen.bonappetit.com/ba-apple Spotify: http://listen.bonappetit.com/ba-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.bonappetit.com/ba-spotify Stitcher: http://listen.bonappetit.com/ba-stitcher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our last episode of the season, we hear from Victoria, an archivist who was forced to find answers on her own about her endometriosis. Like many others diagnosed with a chronic illness, she’s faced multiple hurdles while navigating the medical system. Even though she’s learned a lot along the way, she wants to know how to continue to advocate for herself to her doctor—and how she can advocate for others in similar positions as well. Zahra consults Lauren Selfridge, L.M.F.T., a psychotherapist with multiple sclerosis and the host of This Is Not What I Ordered, a podcast about “full-hearted” living with chronic illness. Lauren shares her experience with multiple sclerosis, and how to find empathetic medical professionals who take you seriously, and the power of a good second opinion. You can learn more about Lauren’s work at her website (https://laurenselfridge.com) and you can follow her on Instagram @laurenselfridgeofficical (https://www.instagram.com/laurenselfridgeofficial/?hl=en).  You can listen to her podcast This Is Not What I Ordered wherever you get your podcasts.  Here are some SELF resources and articles about navigating life when you have a chronic illness: Opening Up About Your Chronic Illness (https://www.self.com/story/checking-in-podcast-multiple-sclerosis)  Writing A Chronic Illness Elevator Pitch Has Made My Doctor’s Appointments So Much Easier (https://www.self.com/story/chronic-illness-elevator-pitch) Let’s Talk About Dating and Relationships When You Have a Chronic Illness (https://www.self.com/story/checking-in-podcast-sex-love-sleep-apnea)  For People with Chronic Illness, Social Isolation Is Nothing New (https://www.self.com/story/chronic-illness-social-isolation-coronavirus)  I’m Furious That It Took Almost a Decade to Diagnose My Chronic Pain (https://www.self.com/story/chronic-pain-ankylosing-spondylitis)  If It Isn’t Chronic Lyme, What Is It? (https://www.self.com/story/chronic-lyme) How to Support a Friend Who’s Just Been Diagnosed With a Chronic Illness (https://www.self.com/story/support-friend-chronic-illness) Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Loree, who is unsure about how to navigate dating right now. Online dating could be difficult even before the pandemic. Now, trust is even trickier to establish when it comes to things like vaccination status, caution levels, and boundaries. Not to mention how daunting dating again can be after so much social isolation. To help Loree figure it all out, Zahra first consults SELF senior health editor Patia Braithwaite about what she’s noticed in her coverage of dating life since the pandemic began. Then Zahra chats with Traci Medeiros-Bagan, L.M.F.T., a relationship therapist based out of California. They give advice on how to have these tricky conversations with someone you’re interested in, and how to figure out your own boundaries during this time. You can read Patia’s work at SELF here, and follow her on Twitter @PdorBRaithw8. You can learn more about Traci’s work on their website. Check out these SELF articles about dating during this time and the many questions it brings up: Pandemic Dating Is Hard--But Hasn’t It Always Been Difficult? (https://www.self.com/story/dating-during-pandemic)  9 Ways Non-Monogamous People Are Dealing With the Pandemic (https://www.self.com/story/non-monogamous-pandemic-dating)  How To Deal If Being Single Has You Worried About “Biological Clocks” and Timelines (https://www.self.com/story/being-single-stress-about-the-future)  16 Quarantine Date Ideas That Are Actually Really Great (https://www.self.com/story/quarantine-date-ideas)  I Book Club with Bumble Matches--Here’s What I’ve Learned (https://www.self.com/story/bumble-book-club)  Road Test: I Tried Hinge’s Virtual Date Night Kit (https://www.self.com/story/hinge-virtual-date-kit)  Is Your Rebound Relationship Actually Harmful? (https://www.self.com/story/rebound-relationship)  Yes, Your Situationship Breakup Is Real (https://www.self.com/story/situationship-breakup)  16 Intriguing Dating Apps To Try If You Want To Meet Someone New (https://www.self.com/story/16-dating-apps) Everything Isn’t A Red Flag--Here’s How to Tell the Difference (https://www.self.com/story/red-flag-green-and-yellow-flags)  8 Cute Date Ideas to Try If you’re Tired of Staying Inside (https://www.self.com/story/outdoor-date-ideas) Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Jenna, a listener who has a question many of us feel deep down during this time: How can we help ourselves feel better when the world is basically a dumpster fire? Sometimes, adding even just one more thing to your to-do list feels insurmountable. Zahra consults Mariel Buqué, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and holistic mental health expert based in NYC. She’s been helping her clients adjust to pandemic life stressors, particularly by emphasizing the connection between mind, body, and soul. Dr. Buqué offers some practical tips for incorporating gratitude and joy into your life so that you actually feel better—without veering into toxic positivity. After that, Zahra chats with actor and mental health advocate Kristen Bell, who is also SELF’s May digital cover star. They discuss how to set up a personal toolkit to deal with life in an overwhelming world, why Bell is a big fan of gratitude lists, and how she tries to find contentment in her day-to-day life.  You can learn more about Mariel Buqué’s work here, and you can follow her on Instagram @dr.marielbuque. You can follow Kristen Bell on Instagram @kristenanniebell and on Twitter @KristenBell. And here’s SELF’s May digital cover, featuring Bell discussing everything from parenting in a pandemic to how her husband, Dax Shepard, helps her cope with anxiety and depression. For some helpful tips on how to begin a gratitude practice and how to try to find joy even when the world feels pretty awful, check out these articles: The Healing Powers of Gratitude 4 Small Ways to Practice Gratitude Every Day Please Celebrate Yourself—Even During a Pandemic Black Joy Isn’t Frivolous--It’s Necessary In Praise of Black People Laughing What Is Resilience, and Can It Help Us Bounce Back From This? 13 Small but Impactful Ways to Cultivate Resilience And here are some of the resources we mentioned for navigating really tough feelings in a way that goes beyond gratitude and joy: 7 Ways to Find an Actually Affordable Therapist 10 Online Support Groups for Anyone Struggling to Get Through 2020 41 Mental Health Apps That Will Make Life a Little Easier Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we hear from Stasia, a pregnant Black woman who wants to know how to prepare for birth and how to advocate for herself along the way. Zahra chats with Kameelah Phillips, M.D., an ob-gyn and women’s health advocate based in NYC. One of her core interests is health care disparities—and how to help prevent them. Zahra also consults with Latham Thomas, a doula and the founder of Mama Glow who focuses on care along the childbearing continuum. They discuss how to navigate the system as a Black pregnant person and how giving birth looks different during the pandemic.  You can learn more about Dr. Phillips’ work or seek care at www.callawomenshealth.com, and follow her on Instagram @dr.kameelahsays. You can learn more about Mama Glow and its supportive community at www.mamaglow.com, and follow Latham Thomas on Instagram @glowmaven. For resources, information, and a variety of articles on Black maternal mortality, visit SELF’s extensive series on the issue. For other related articles, check out: What It’s Like to Be a Doula Working With Black Pregnant People Right Now There Are Joyful Black Birth Stories--This New Podcast Is Highlighting Them I Got the COVID-19 Vaccine While Pregnant—Here's Why COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe for Pregnant and Breastfeeding People, According to New Study Pregnant And Worried About Coronavirus? You’re Not Alone Some People Are Disclosing Their Pregnancies ‘Early’ Because of the Coronavirus The Deep Loneliness of Having a Baby in a Pandemic What It’s Like to Pause Fertility Treatments Because of Coronavirus How Years of Infertility Prepared Me for Pregnancy During the Coronavirus Crisis Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we hear from Nan, a young woman who is trying to figure out if meditation is right for her. Zahra consults with SELF’s health editor, Carolyn Todd, who has reported extensively on what meditation can and can’t do for your health. Then Zahra speaks with a mindfulness meditation teacher, Kriste Peoples, who walks us through what starting a meditation practice can look like and talks about her work facilitating meditation for people of color.  You can follow Carolyn @CarolynLTodd on Twitter, and read more of her work here: https://www.self.com/contributor/carolyn-todd You can learn more about Kriste’s many roles on her website: https://kristepeoples.com. And you can follow her on Instagram @kristepeoples.  Here are some meditation apps: Liberate is a subscription-based meditation app that includes practices and talks designed for the Black community. According to their website, they have curated content from 40+ teachers of color with a diverse background in lineage, perspective, and approach, so that everyone can find a practice in their voice. Headspace is a subscription-based meditation app with a friendly interface. It helps guide you through meditations, both single mediations and dozens of courses that address anxiety, loneliness, gratitude, and much more.  10 Percent Happier is dedicated to skeptics. You can even connect to a coach that will answer all your questions, and the app has also spun off into a podcast and book you may find helpful. Here are some SELF articles full of information, tips, and resources: How to Meditate When You Have No Idea When to Start The Has Never Been A Better Time to Start Meditating The 15 Best Meditation Apps, According to People Who Actually Meditate What Meditation Can -- and Can’t -- Do For Your Health Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Season 2 of Checking In with our new host, Zahra Barnes, SELF’s interim editor in chief. In this episode, we hear from several listeners with common questions and concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines. Questions like: Where can I get vaccinated? Should I get the vaccine if I have underlying health conditions? What if I’m breastfeeding? How do I manage my anxiety about getting vaccinated? Zahra first consults with epidemiologist and SELF contributor Tara Smith, Ph.D., who takes us through how the vaccine works, why the vast majority of side effects are nothing to worry about, and what you need to know before getting the vaccine. Zahra then talks to SELF’s associate news director, Sarah Jacoby, who has been covering the pandemic and the vaccines extensively. Sarah shares her experience getting her COVID-19 vaccine as well as a glimpse of what life post-vaccination might look like.  To connect with Dr. Smith and Sarah, you can follow them on Twitter @aetiology and @sarah_jacoby, respectively, and read their work for SELF here (https://www.self.com/contributor/tara-smith) and here (https://www.self.com/contributor/sarah-jacoby).  Zahra mentions a March 2021 survey about there being little difference in vaccine hesitancy between Black and white Americans. You can find more information on that here (https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/03/12/976172586/little-difference-in-vaccine-hesitancy-among-white-and-black-americans-poll-find). And here are several SELF articles on coronavirus vaccines that you may find helpful, including a guide to getting a vaccination appointment:  Here’s How to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine: https://www.self.com/story/how-to-get-covid-vaccine 9 Ways to Prepare for Your COVID-19 Appointment: https://www.self.com/story/prepare-for-covid-19-vaccine-appointment Does It Matter Which COVID-19 Vaccine You Get?: https://www.self.com/story/which-covid-19-vaccine mRNA Coronavirus Vaccines: 9 Questions, Answered: https://www.self.com/story/mrna-coronavirus-vaccine-questions How Much Do You Need To Worry About Coronavirus Variants?: https://www.self.com/story/coronavirus-variants 7 Small Things You Can Do To Help Protect Yourself From Coronavirus Variants: https://www.self.com/story/coronavirus-variant-precautions Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here: https://forms.gle/L7GvikSPPaouASqK9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While we are getting things ready for Season 2 of Checking In, we wanted to share a bonus episode with you from our friends at The Savvy Psychologist! Dr. Jade Wu takes the science of psychology and makes it both entertaining and relatable – we're excited to be bringing you one of our favorites from their show for our Checking In audience. Some people who continuously care for others burn out and experience compassion fatigue, a very real and natural psychological phenomenon. This episode discusses recognizing compassion fatigue and creating coping mechanisms, beginning with having compassion for oneself. Stay tuned for Season 2 of Checking In soon, and make sure to subscribe to The Savvy Psychologist for more great episodes like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Traci, a listener who has recently given birth and is struggling to rekindle intimacy with her husband. She wants to know: Is this normal? Carolyn shares some of her own postpartum experiences and reassures Traci that she’s far from alone. Carolyn then speaks with journalist Angela Garbes, as well as therapist and sex educater Dr. Lexx-Brown James, to learn more about the challenges, nuances—and yes!—eventual pleasure, of having sex after giving birth. Angela Garbes is a journalist and author of Like a Mother. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Cut, New York, Bon Appetit, and has been featured on NPR’s Fresh Air. You can follow her on Instagram @AngelaGarbes, and subscribe to her newsletter. Lexx Brown-James, L.M.F.T., is a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified sex educator. You can follow her on Instagram @lexxsexdoc and on Twitter @lexxsexdoc. If you’ve recently given birth, here are several articles you may find helpful: You Can Probably Have Sex 6 Weeks After Giving Birth—But You Don’t Have To. And It Might Suck. 9 Ways Your Vagina Might Change After You Give Birth 10 Women Share What They Wish They'd Known About Recovering From Childbirth 8 Women Share What It's Like to Have a C-Section 7 Women Reveal How Their Relationships Changed After Having Kids Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Sophie, a listener who was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She cares deeply about her career and is worried that her colleagues will make assumptions about her capabilities in light of this diagnosis. She wants to know: How much should she disclose to them? Carolyn consults with Lauren Selfridge, a psychotherapist who lives with multiple sclerosis herself. They discuss the unique challenges of navigating relationships while living with a chronic illness, as well as the ways in which those relationships can sometimes become more meaningful as a result. Lauren Selfridge is a psychotherapist, who also lives with multiple sclerosis. You can follow her @laurenselfridgetherapy or learn more about her practice here. If you think you are at risk for MS, check out this piece on the early warning signs people should watch for. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with MS, there are several great resources you may find helpful.  Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor about your diagnosis. You can also read about the experiences from others who are living with MS here and here. And if someone you love was recently diagnosed, check out this article on how you can support them. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Sara, a listener who has struggled with an eating disorder for over a decade. She wants to know what recovery looks like, and she also notes that as a Black woman, she feels that eating disorders are seen as taboo in her community. Carolyn talks to psychiatrist Dr. Erikka Dzirasa about how racial bias can create significant barriers to treatment for BIPOC who live with eating disorders. They also discuss the benefits of a multifaceted approach to treatment, as well as the hope and joy in recovery. Show Notes The following show notes have been compiled with help from Checking In podcast producer Andrea Betanzos. Thank you, Andrea, for all your work and help with this episode! There are so many great resources for Black, indigenous, and other people of color to find and build the support team they need. Here are some people, organizations, and resources to check out: Project HEAL’s goal is to serve people with eating disorders who aren't being served by the current system. You can apply for support through their treatment access programs, and they also offer resources for navigating insurance. If you're looking for community, try Nalgona Positivity Pride, an “in-community eating disorders and body-positive organization dedicated in creating visibility and resources for Black, Indigenous, communities of color (BICC.).” As part of Nalgona Positivity Pride, Sage + Spoon is a support group created by and for people of color and indigenous groups. Registered dietician Whitney Trotter published the BIPOC Eating Disorder Providers list, a resource to find providers for your specific needs. Not sure how to educate your support system? Beat Eating Disorders has some tips on how to be a caregiver. SELF's executive editor Zahra Barnes pulled together this list of 44 Mental Health Resources for Black People Trying to Survive in This Country. For support, information, and treatment options, contact the National Eating Disorders Association helpline. For crisis situations, text “NEDA” to 741741 to be connected with a trained volunteer at Crisis Text Line. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Monica, a listener who says she knows she should develop a fitness and exercise routine—but she just can't find the motivation to get started. First, Carolyn consults with Amy Eisinger, SELF’s digital director (and a certified trainer). Amy shares useful tips about how to turn exercise into a lifelong habit (for real this time). Amy then speaks with Roz “The Diva” Mays, a pole dancing instructor and trainer, about her experience falling in love with different forms of exercise. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Robert, a listener whose doctor has told him that he should lose weight in order to bring down his high blood pressure. Robert’s loved ones also frequently make hurtful comments about his body size. He wants to know: Is weight loss the best or only option for him? To find out, Carolyn consults with Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones, registered dietitians, SELF columnists, and hosts of the podcast Food Heaven. Wendy and Jess explain why focusing on weight loss can often do more harm than good. They also discuss alternative approaches such as intuitive eating and health at every size (HAES), as well as tips for navigating fatphobia from healthcare providers and loved ones. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Checking In, we hear from Elise, a listener who is taking a 90-day hiatus from drinking after realizing that her relationship with alcohol isn’t always healthy. She wants to know what happens next: Is complete sobriety the best or only option? Carolyn consults author and thought leader Glennon Doyle, who shares her personal experiences with addiction and sobriety, as well as advice about navigating life with authenticity. Carolyn also speaks with SELF editor Sarah Jacoby to learn more about alcohol use disorder and what different treatment options can look like.  Links: Holly Whitaker We Are The Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode of Checking In, we hear from Deanne, a listener who lost her husband of 30 years to leukemia. Deanne's question is about moving past her grief and finding ways to not feel lonely—an especially challenging task given the current pandemic. Carolyn speaks with Dr. Katherine Shear, an internist, psychiatrist, and grief expert, plus Nora McInerny, a writer whose career includes two memoirs and countless conversations about death and grief. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode, Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness and sex therapist Casey Tanner, MA, LCPC give some truly servicey advice about how to have sex and start dating when you're newly out as queer. We cover a wide range of topics in this fun, thoughtful, and emotionally moving show, from lube to consent; safety to self-compassion. Here's to finding your person—and having a lot of (safe, consensual!) fun along the way. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here.

In this episode of Checking In we hear from June, a woman who uses a CPAP machine to treat her sleep apnea. June tells us that she experiences a lot of shame and embarrassment about her CPAP machine when sleeping next to her partner, and she wants advice about how to deal. Carolyn chats with Morgan Greene, a chronic illness advocate and writer, and Sari Cooper, a sex therapist. In these conversations, our guests share advice about communicating effectively with your partner, asking for help when you need it, and adjusting to life with a chronic illness—one that absolutely can, and should, include love, joy, and deeply meaningful relationships. For more from Morgan Greene, check out her blog, Instagram, and YouTube channel. For more Sari Cooper, check out her Twitter, Instagram, and the Center for Love & Sex website. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here: https://forms.gle/jipYq22EGdtErQQq8

In this episode we hear from Ecaroh, a young Black woman who needs help finding a therapist who understands what she's going through. Carolyn consults with SELF’s Executive Editor Zahra Barnes, who has reported extensively on mental health in general, as well as mental health for Black people in particular. Zahra then speaks with psychologist Jennifer Mullan (@DecolonizingTherapy on Instagram) about the beauty of finding a therapist who understands your lived experience, what it means to decolonize therapy, as well as resources for those having trouble finding a therapist who can best serve their needs. For more information on Dr. Mullan, check out her website https://www.drjennifermullan.com/who-am-i and instagram @decolonizingtherapy    Here are some apps for self-care to try at home, made for and by Black people: Liberate is a subscription-based meditation app that includes practices and talks designed for the Black community. According to their website, they have curated content from 40+ BIPOC teachers with a diverse background in lineage, perspective and approach, so that everyone can find a practice in their voice. For self care tips, and great articles like, “How to talk to Black family members who may not want to understand mental illness” check out the app The Safe Place. You can also try the Shine app, Started by a Black woman and half-Japanese woman, Shine makes caring for your mental and emotional health a habit. You can learn self-care strategies and access an audio library of 800+ original meditations, bedtime stories, and calming sounds to help you shift your mindset or mood.   And for directories, community building, and words of encouragement, Zahra’s article: 44 Mental Health Resources for Black People Trying to Survive in This Country. If you’re thinking about teletherapy, here are some helpful tips from Zahra’s reporting: Try to create an environment at home that helps you focus on your session. When you go to therapy in person, your session is held in a therapeutic environment—this means no distractions, no loud noises in the background, no talking to other people.  Don’t let your virtual therapy sessions sneak up on you! Make the most of your session and carve out some time beforehand to think about what you’d like to talk about.  For more tips on how to make teletherapy work for you, check out SELF’s How to Actually Have a Successful Teletherapy Appointment.

In this episode, we meet Alexa, a social media editor who is looking for help disconnecting from the internet and creating a healthier work-life balance. Carolyn speaks with author Rachel Wilkerson Miller and psychologist Dr. Neda Gould to get their advice on practicing self-care and mindfulness. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here: https://forms.gle/jipYq22EGdtErQQq8

In our first episode, we hear from a listener, Sarah, who has been grinding her teeth at night. Carolyn consults with Dr. Andrea Bonior, a psychologist who provides insight into how and why stress can manifest in the body, as well as some techniques to help reduce it. Don’t miss out on new episodes of Checking In on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Google Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-google Don't forget to sign up for the Checking In newsletter here: https://www.self.com/newsletter/checking-in If you have a health or wellness question of your own and want a chance to be featured on the podcast, you can submit it here.

Introducing Checking In, the advice podcast where we answer real health and wellness questions from real people like you. Hosted by SELF’s Editor in Chief, Carolyn Kylstra, and featuring trusted experts, doctors, therapists, thought leaders, and even a few celebrities, we’re diving deep into what it really means to be healthy. Checking In launches on Monday, November 16th, with new episodes releasing weekly. Subscribe to get episodes right when they drop at 6:00 am EST. Listen to Checking In here: Apple Podcasts: http://listen.self.com/self-apple Spotify: http://listen.self.com/self-spotify Stitcher: http://listen.self.com/self-stitcher Or wherever you get your podcasts.