Maintenance Phase

By Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes

Education History

What's Maintenance Phase about?

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

4.9

18701,870 ratings

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Maintenance Phase episodes:

04.04.2024
Jamie Oliver
In the 2000s, Jamie Oliver made a big splash with his work reforming kids’ meals in the UK and US. Was his work wicked slammin’, or just proper rustic? Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers...
03.07.2024
COVID Conspiracies
What was missing from America's pandemic response? According to the internet, a sunshine vitamin, a malaria treatment and a whole lot of horse paste. Thanks to Health Nerd (Substack) for helping us fact-check this episode! And thanks to Abby Mahler (Twitter, ...
10.10.2023
Ozempic
Ozempic is being hailed as “the end of the Obesity Epidemic.” This week, Mike and Aubrey dig through the sensational claims. But will they make it past the caveats? Links: How a Canadian scientist and a venomous lizard helped pave the way...
09.12.2023
"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 PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's bookListen to Mike's other podcastLinks!Joe Explains the Term "Soy Boy"...
08.01.2023
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 episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's bookListen to Mike's other podcastLinks!Paul Offit’s “Autism's False...
07.18.2023
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 Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's bookListen to Mike's other podcastLinks!Eric Garcia’s “We’re Not Broken”Mike and Sarah’s episode on...
07.04.2023
Pilates
Somehow an episode about an old-timey fitness influencer ended up being one of our most wholesome ever. We're as surprised as you are. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's bookListen to Mike's...
06.20.2023
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 PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's bookListen to Mike's other podcast Links!THIS IS DISTURBINGgoodbye for now… How Dallas-area...
06.06.2023
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 us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's bookListen to Mike's other podcastThanks to...
05.23.2023
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 an emu. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's bookListen to Mike's...
05.09.2023
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 cattlemen had a cow (sorry). Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's...
04.25.2023
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 meal. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's bookListen to Mike's other podcastLinks!10,000...
04.11.2023
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 it raises blood sugar in universal, predictably spiky ways. Thanks to David Johnston for helping us with sources for this...
03.28.2023
"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 into the MEAT of the matter will we find factual CREAM of the crop or will we cry FOWL? (we're...
03.14.2023
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 on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's bookListen to Mike's other podcastLinks!F-Factor drama timelineWhat Is the F-Factor...
02.28.2023
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. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's new bookListen to Mike's new...
02.14.2023
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 Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's new bookListen to Mike's new podcast Links!Elizabeth Takes OffElizabeth: The Life of Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth...
01.03.2023
“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 People." And we're yelling about Piers Morgan as a little treat. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet...
12.20.2022
Workplace Wellness
Charging disabled people more for health care is illegal. But what about ... charging non-disabled people less? Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's new bookListen to Mike's new podcast Links! A Review of the...
11.15.2022
The Food Pyramid
In the 1990s, the Food Pyramid was one of the most recognizable symbols in nutrition education. But where did it come from? Why was it created by the agriculture department? And why did it tell us to eat a whole...
11.08.2022
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 else you get your podcasts. Also, don't forget to pre-order Aubrey's new book! Support us: Subscribe on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance...
11.01.2022
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 Check out Mike's other podcast, If Books Could KillPre-order Aubrey's book!Links!Marion Nestle's "Safe Food"The vomiting, diarrhea, and gallbladder surgeries were...
10.18.2022
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 Pennsylvania. Plus! A re-run of our complete Dr. Oz episode from last year. Support us: Subscribe on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase shirts,...
10.11.2022
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 for the story of America's first health influencer. (That's not true, but neither is anything else in this episode.) Thanks...
09.27.2022
The French Paradox
How an early-'90s newsmagazine show convinced a generation of Americans to start drinking red wine. For the antioxidants! Special thanks to Susanne Stolpe and Alexander H. Sandtorv for helping us fact-check this episode! Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on...
09.13.2022
Goop
Do we even need to write a description? It's the Goopisode! Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreLinks!How Goop’s Haters Made Gwyneth Paltrow’s Company Worth $250 MillionHow Gwyneth Paltrow took Goop from a...
09.06.2022
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 Gwyneth-adjacent influencer Amanda Chantal Bacon and her wellness company, Moon Juice. This year we decided to TASTE THE DUST. This...
08.23.2022
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 from Sarah at You're Wrong About and You Are Good! Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts,...
08.09.2022
“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 PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more Links!The By The Book episode The NYT interview with Mireille GuilianoGabrielle Deydier:...
07.26.2022
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 Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreLinks!Pete Evans on COVID-19 restrictions Pete Evans on who gets COVID Introducing the BioCharger Coronavirus treatment spruiked by...
07.12.2022
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 PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more Links!Going Paleo: What Prehistoric Man Actually AteThe Paleo Way (video clip) Paleolithic nutrition for metabolic...
06.28.2022
The Worm Wars
In 1998, a researcher rolled out an innovative approach to education. And in 2015, Methodology Twitter had a big fight about it. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreLinks!The original 2004 paperThe 2015 re-analysisThe...
06.07.2022
Calorie Menu Labeling
This year, the UK implemented a law requiring chain restaurants to list calorie counts on their menus. Where did these policies come from? What impact do they have? And why is a Julia Roberts quote from 1990 the best way...
05.24.2022
The Trouble With Calories
Weight loss is as simple as “calories in, calories out,” right? Or — gasp — could the reply guys be wrong!? This week, we dig in on the surprisingly complex science behind a seemingly simple calculation. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on...
05.10.2022
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, we cover shopping guides, journalism salaries and the proper preparation of Cornish game hens. We love our curvy husbands. Support...
04.19.2022
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 on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreThanks to Doctor Dreamchip for our lovely theme song! Support the show
04.05.2022
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 episode! Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreLinks!Julie Guthman's "Weighing In" Rachel Laudan's "Cooking and...
03.29.2022
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 our listeners for the wildest and wackiest fad diets they've ever tried and ended up doing mini-deep dives into The...
03.15.2022
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 self-reflection whatsoever. Thanks to Katelyn Burns and Talia Lavin for help fact-checking this episode and Doctor Dreamchip for our lovely theme...
03.01.2022
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 wildest fad diets. Here's Mike's "Cancel Culture" video! Note: In our discussion of Jordan Peterson’s political correctness lecture, I made...
02.15.2022
"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 PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more Links! Super Size Me Trailer"Super Size Me" - CBS NewsWhere's the Beef? The Challenges of...
02.01.2022
"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 diagnosis. Today, she's one of the most hated figures in the country. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance...
01.18.2022
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 Aubrey go in on fashion’s favorite turbo troll and his fancy, joyless diet. This episode serves four. Support us:Hear bonus episodes...
01.04.2022
Fat Camps
How America's oldest fat camp — and the inspiration for Disney’s "Heavyweights" — became the symbol of a health intervention that enjoys worldwide popularity despite no evidence that it improves anyone's health. Support us:Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet...
12.14.2021
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 problem: Much of it isn't true. Thanks to University of Ottawa Postdoctoral Fellow Dylan Smith for helping us with the research! Support...
11.30.2021
Vibrators
It's a sexual health episode! This week, Mike and Aubrey dive into the hotly debated medical history of vibrators and ask: who fact-checks the fact-checkers? Note: A previous version of this episode included language that referred to “the female downstairs,” implying...
11.16.2021
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 a little more complicated. Thanks to Katherine Flegal, Paul Campos, Jeff Hunger and Jason Salemi for helping us research and fact-check...
10.26.2021
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, peach jumpsuits and ~sensuality~. This week, we’re exploring the anti-Goop-ness of Angela’s fitness book and video, "Positive Moves."! It gets...
10.12.2021
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 weird downfall. Along the way we discuss allyship etiquette, MLMs and Ronald Reagan. We remain convinced that getting matching tattoos...
09.28.2021
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 Tik TokMomfession: I get up at 5 amThe "bikini mom" talkHow To Start A Podcast Support the show

What's Maintenance Phase about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Maintenance Phase episodes:

Jamie Oliver

COVID Conspiracies

Ozempic

"Soy Boys"

RFK Jr. and The Mainstreaming Of The Anti-Vaxx Movement

RFK Jr. and The Rise of the Anti-Vaxx Movement

Pilates

Brittany Dawn

BONUS: The Conservative Diet Books of Yore

Oprah v. Beef Part 2: Apocalypse Cow

Oprah v. Beef Part 1: The Rise of "Veggie Libel"

The 10,000 Steps Myth

The Trouble with Sugar

"Forks Over Knives": Is a Vegetarian Diet Better For You?

The Instagram Fiber Feud

Doctors Have a New Plan for Fat Kids

Elizabeth Taylor's "Elizabeth Takes Off"

“Glorifying Obesity” And Other Myths About Fat People

Workplace Wellness

The Food Pyramid

Bonus: Mike's New Podcast!

The Daily Harvest Food Poisoning Scandal

Mini-Sode: The Dr. Oz Campaign

Paul Bragg & The Rise of Apple Cider Vinegar

The French Paradox

Goop

BONUS: Moon Juice Taste Test

The Scarsdale Diet Murder feat. Sarah Marshall

“French Women Don't Get Fat”

Pete Evans Part 2: COVID & Consequences

Pete Evans Part 1: The Paleo Way

The Worm Wars

Calorie Menu Labeling

The Trouble With Calories

Diet Book Deep Dive: “How To Take 20 Pounds Off Your Man”

Zombie Statistics Spectacular!

Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma"

Bonus: Fad Diets

Jordan Peterson Part 2: The Moscow Diaries

Jordan Peterson Part 1: The Carnivore Diet

"Super Size Me"

"Illness Influencer" Belle Gibson

Diet Book Deep Dive: The Karl Lagerfeld Diet

Fat Camps

The "Sleep Loss Epidemic"

Vibrators

Is Being Fat Bad For You?

Diet Book Deep Dive: Angela Lansbury's "Positive Moves"

Rachel Hollis Part 2: Girl, Start Apologizing

Rachel Hollis Part 1: Hashtag Relatable