Feeling like you should be doing more but can’t figure out why you’re not? You’re not lazy - you might be caught in the ADHD shame loop. In this episode, we unpack how perfectionism, executive dysfunction, and unrealistic expectations create a cycle of guilt, burnout, and overcorrection. Whether you’re navigating meal prep, movement, parenting, or just trying to send that one email, we’ll help you understand what’s actually happening underneath the struggle and how to move forward with compassion, not shame.

Thanks so much to Hungryroot for sponsoring today’s episode! For a limited time,  use this link or the code DANAM40 to get 40% off your first box, and a free item of your choice in every box for life.

Resources mentioned:

• Breaking the cycle of ADHD and disordered eating 
• Is it toxic productivity culture, or executive dysfunction and ADHD?  
• Inside ADHD: the perfectionism and dysregulation connection with Sarah Kesty

Find your hosts:

• millennialbodyimageproject.com
• @millennialbodyimageproject 
• @danamonsees_cns
• @cristinahoytnutrition

Reminder: this is the final episode of Season 8! Episodes will continue all summer on Patreon until we come back with Season 9 in the fall. Check it out Patreon here - patreon.com/millennialbodyimageproject

In this episode, we dive into the myths about 'healthy' summer eating and why you don't need to fall for the “detox, light, and grilled” trifecta if you don’t want to. You'll get practical tips on how to enjoy the season's bounty, stay hydrated, and tackle the confusing messages around diets and nutrition. Plus, we discuss how to handle food noise, perfectionism, and how NOT to get stressed about food at every summer event. 

Thanks so much to Hungryroot for sponsoring today’s episode! For a limited time, use this link or the code DANAM40 to get 40% off your first box, and a free item of your choice in every box for life.

Resources mentioned:

• How do you know if you’re eating enough?
• Your body is not a summer project
• Bonus episode: Yes, you still need to eat even if…

Find your hosts:

• millennialbodyimageproject.com
• @millennialbodyimageproject 
• @danamonsees_cns
• @cristinahoytnutrition

Reminder: the last episode of every month is available exclusively in our Patreon community and for Apple Podcasts bonus episode subscribers. Check it out here - patreon.com/millennialbodyimageproject

Welcome to our semi-annual episode where we talk about books, just for fun! All the books we talked about in this episode are listed here. Check out our previous episodes here: (Best of 2024, All Time Favorite Reads, Favorite books of 2023)

Full list of recommendations from this episode

To learn more about banned books in the US:

• The American Library Association
• PEN America

Join our Patreon community to get access to our end-of-month episodes and “after the episode” deep dives! Plus, you’ll get TWO years of bonus episodes and deep dive content.

Find your hosts:

• millennialbodyimageproject.com
• @millennialbodyimageproject 
• @danamonsees_cns
• @cristinahoytnutrition

Find Kara:

• Instagram: @kara_mccartney
• Website: karamccartney.com

Struggling with body image this summer? You’re not alone. In this pep talk-style episode, we’re digging into the summer body pressure that tends to creep in—and what to actually do when you’re having a tough body image day.

You’ll get practical body neutrality tips, real talk about the summer bodies scam, and simple ways to stop the shame spiral before it starts. If you’re looking for support in coping with body image so you can enjoy your summer without guilt, this episode is for you.

Additional body image support resources:

• How to reroute negative body image thoughts: summer edition 
• Summer body image support quiz
• How to make peace with weight gain
• Navigating body image struggles in the Ozempic era
• Workshop: how to navigate a Body Image Spiral with the EAP!

Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and resources, access to the final episode of every month, and over 2 years of extra content to support you on your body image journey. https://www.patreon.com/c/millennialbodyimageproject/ 

Find your hosts:

• millennialbodyimageproject.com
• @millennialbodyimageproject 
• @danamonsees_cns
• @cristinahoytnutrition

On today's episode, we dive into the concept of the 'summer body’ and its roots in cultural and historical marketing strategies. (It’s a scam, we tell you!) We unpack the origins of the term “summer body” and provide tangible ways for you to opt out and embrace body neutrality. From the rise of beach culture post-World War II, to the modern-day pressures perpetuated by GLP-1’s and social media, we explore the evolution of body standards.Most importantly, we're giving you practical tips to opt out and feel good in your own skin all summer long. 

Additional body image support resources:

• Summer body image support quiz
• How to make peace with weight gain
• Navigating body image struggles in the Ozempic era
• Workshop: how to navigate a Body Image Spiral with the EAP!

Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and resources, access to the final episode of every month, and over 2 years of extra content to support you on your body image journey. https://www.patreon.com/c/millennialbodyimageproject/ 

Find your hosts:

• millennialbodyimageproject.com
• @millennialbodyimageproject 
• @danamonsees_cns
• @cristinahoytnutrition

On today’s episode, we chat with Sarah Kesty, an executive function coach and host of the Executive Function Podcast. Sarah dives into her journey and how ADHD, burnout, and invisible illnesses have shaped her work with clients. We discuss the connection between perfectionism and executive function, and how dysregulation makes ADHD and eating behaviors a lot more difficult to manage. Sarah also shares brain-friendly strategies for task paralysis and self-compassion for ADHD’ers. 

From Sarah: "I'm thrilled to share that "Growing Executive Function" is available for pre-orders (through my publisher or Amazon) and will be out in the world on August 29th, 2025!" 

Resources mentioned:

• The Executive Function Podcast with Sarah Kesty
• Episode: Strategies for eating enough, on time, and “healthy-ish” with Dana Monsees 
• Brain Tools School
• Mighty Community: NURA for CFS/long covid

Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and resources, access to the final episode of every month, and over 2 years of extra content to support you on your body image journey. https://www.patreon.com/c/millennialbodyimageproject/ 

Find your hosts:

• millennialbodyimageproject.com
• @millennialbodyimageproject 
• @danamonsees_cns
• @cristinahoytnutrition

More about our guest: Sarah Kesty helps amazing neurodivergent people create strategies to thrive! She is an executive function, autism, and ADHD coach and host of the Executive Function Podcast. A 4-time teacher of the year, Sarah’s Brain Tools School coaching and learning programs support high schoolers, college students, adults, and coaches in developing executive function skills to smooth out life.

Sarah specializes in translating research into real-life, actionable strategies. She regularly writes and presents for international groups and publications, including Psychology Today, KQED, and Edutopia. Her mission is to make the world brain-friendly, inclusive, and a little more fun.  An avid gardener and local Trail Guide, she and her family live in San Diego, surrounded by birds and nature. Her book for teachers, Growing Executive Function, will be released August 2025 (Solution Tree).

A lot of people are feeling burned out and dysregulated right now - but let’s talk about what it’s doing to your body image! If you’re in the camp of “everything hurts and I’m dying”, this episode is for you. On today's episode, we delve into the rampant issue of nervous system dysregulation and how it exacerbates body image issues and body checking tendencies. Plus, what can you do about it? How can you recognize signs of dysregulation, what can you do about body checking during this time, and how can we feel a little better? Tune in to find out!

Resources mentioned:

• Episode: Help! I’m failing at intuitive eating
• Book: Rest is Resistance, by Tricia Hersey
• Book: Burnout, by Emily and Amelia Nagoski
• Book: Laziness Does Not Exist, by Dr. Devon Price ​​
• Episode: Cycle syncing and navigating your menstrual cycle 

Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and resources, access to the final episode of every month, and over 2 years of extra content to support you on your body image journey. 

Find your hosts:

• millennialbodyimageproject.com
• @millennialbodyimageproject 
• @danamonsees_cns
• @cristinahoytnutrition

Let’s talk about influencer shenanigans, and how they influence your body image, self-esteem, and wallet. From the subtle ways influencers shape our perceptions to the more overt manipulations of influencer marketing, we lift the veil on how much power we unwittingly give them. Because, come on - renting a house to film your content in, and then pretending it’s where you live? Returning all their hauls, but still making commissions on your LTK? Let’s talk about it.

Grab your free influencer audit guide here! -https://www.patreon.com/posts/influencer-audit-127441316

Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and resources, access to the final episode of every month, and over 2 years of extra content to support you on your body image journey. 

Find your hosts:

• millennialbodyimageproject.com
• @millennialbodyimageproject 
• @danamonsees_cns
• @cristinahoytnutrition

Episodes mentioned:

• Episode: How much protein do you actually need?
• Episode: Decoding perimenopause and body image
• Episode: Is it perimenopause, stress, or your thyroid?

Everyone is freaking out about protein - so let’s dive into the hype to talk fact vs. fiction and fearmongering.

Check out part 2 HERE: How much protein do you actually need?

If you’re a millennial woman, you’re probably hearing all about protein right now - whether you’re perimenopausal (or wondering!), have hormonal imbalances, or are just trying to figure out how to eat to support your body. Join us for protein, protein, protein (part 1!) as we navigate through the conflicting information and provide guidance on finding a balance without falling for marketing gimmicks.

This is part 1 of a 2-part series discussing protein! In this part one, there is no discussion at all of numbers, so if that’s triggering for you - not to worry.

What craziness have you been seeing around protein lately? What questions do you have about protein? Let us know!

Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and resources, access to the final episode of every month, and over 2 years of extra content to support you on your body image journey. 

Find your hosts:

• millennialbodyimageproject.com
• @millennialbodyimageproject 
• @danamonsees_cns
• @cristinahoytnutrition

Many of us constantly outsource information about our own bodies because we’ve been taught not to trust them our whole lives. Whether you know it or not, this may lead you to look for permission to restrict your food in many sneaky places. From 'What I Eat in a Day' posts to therapeutically designed protocols for specific health conditions, this episode explores the thin line between health-promoting behaviors and restrictive diets. We’ll also touch on the mental and physical implications of these kinds of restrictions. 

Reflection questions for this week's episode linked here!

Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and resources, access to the final episode of every month, and over 2 years of extra content to support you on your body image journey. 

Recent patreon-exclusive episodes:

• How much protein do you actually need?
• 5-minute Friday: Wellness without rigidity 
• Breaking the cycle of ADHD and disordered eating

Find your hosts:

• millennialbodyimageproject.com
• @millennialbodyimageproject 
• @danamonsees_cns
• @cristinahoytnutrition