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Cultural critic and author Amanda Hess joins us to discuss her new book, Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age. We talk about the intersection of pregnancy, early parenthood, and technology, her experience using a popular period app to track her pregnancy, how she navigated self-blame and cultural stigma when her baby was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, and more. Behind the paywall, we get into the pervasiveness of diet culture in pregnancy, the natural-childbirth movement and the role of crunchy wellness influencers in perpetuating myths about what birth should look like, how to challenge ableism and eugenic thinking about childhood disability, and more. Plus, Christy shares some thoughts on her current pregnancy and relationship with technology, diet culture, and comparisons with other bodies.

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Amanda Hess is a critic-at-large at the New York Times, where she writes about internet and pop culture. Her first book, Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age, was published in 2025. She is a National Magazine Award winner who has contributed to the New York Times Magazine, ESPN the Magazine, Best American Sportswriting, Best American Magazine Writing, and Slate. Learn more about her work at amandahess.org.

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Christy's second book, The Wellness Trap, is available wherever books are sold! Order it here, or ask for it in your favorite local bookstore. 

If you're looking to make peace with food and break free from diet and wellness culture, come check out Christy's Intuitive Eating Fundamentals online course.

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