Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

Every day, people in larger bodies face relentless messages that something is fundamentally wrong with them. From airplane seats that don't fit, to doctors who blame every health issue on weight, the shame runs so deep that many abandon their own needs—believing it's their fault.

What if the problem was never your body, but a society that profits from your self-hatred?

In this episode, I’m joined by psychotherapist Kacee Markarian, who reveals how to break free from internalized shame while caring for your health. From understanding ADHD-binge eating connections to setting "thought boundaries," she shows what it looks like to reclaim your brain and adorn your vessel—regardless of your size. This work isn't about becoming a better version of yourself. It's about discovering that you were never broken to begin with. 

References

https://copperunionapparel.com/

https://www.dopaminingdemystified.com/

https://www.queerapy.com/

Audio Stamps

00:30 - Dr. Rentea introduces psychotherapist Kacee Markarian, who specializes in fat liberation and ADHD-binge eating connections.

02:00 - Kacee shares her evolution accepting medical terms like "obesity" as conditions rather than identity markers.

05:12 - Discussion on navigating the conflict between health goals and body acceptance.

09:49 - Kacee reframes daily frustrations like airplane seats as systemic failures rather than personal problems.

19:45 - Kacee explains ADHD and binge eating connections, describing how dopamine dysfunction drives food-seeking behavior as nervous system regulation.

26:20 - Kacee introduces "thought boundaries" as tools for challenging negative self-talk and internalized beliefs.

34:33 - Practical tips for body reconnection through proper clothing and establishing boundaries around body comments.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

✨ Season 2 of Behind the Curtain is officially live! ✨ You can join the season on its own or take it a step further by opting into the live 21-Day Challenge with Dr. Rentea, running December 1–21—the perfect way to finish the year strong and head into the holidays with momentum.👉 JOIN HERE — spots are limited for the live challenge!

Support the show

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

✨ Season 2 of Behind the Curtain is officially live! ✨ You can join the season on its own or take it a step further by opting into the live 21-Day Challenge with Dr. Rentea, running December 1–21—the perfect way to finish the year strong and head into the holidays with momentum.👉 JOIN HERE — spots are limited for the live challenge!

Support the show

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

Finding healthy recipes that actually fit your busy lifestyle can feel like a full-time job. Between juggling work, family, and everything else, the last thing you want is to spend hours scrolling through endless recipe sites — only to end up stuck in the same dinner rut or reaching for quick but unhealthy options.

But what if there was an easy, free way to get personalized meal plans designed just for you — hitting your protein goals, respecting your dietary needs, and fitting smoothly into your schedule? Enter AI…

In this episode, I’ll introduce you to how AI can become your personal nutrition assistant, helping you find recipes tailored to your life with smart ingredient swaps, customized protein targets, and organized grocery lists. Even if you’ve never used AI before, you’ll soon see how it can make healthy eating simpler, more flexible, and a lot less overwhelming!

References

Claude

ChatGPT

Audio Stamps

01:35 - A reminder that technology can support your health journey when used mindfully, not obsessively.

04:33 - AI can simplify meal planning—but only if you use clear, detailed prompts.

06:03 - Dr. Rentea walks us through exactly how to craft smarter AI prompts to plan meals that are tailored to your needs and goals.

07:40 - Beyond recipes, AI can build grocery lists, break down macros, and even spot nutrition gaps

10:13 - While AI offers nutrition ideas and insights, it’s important to always fact-check and use your judgment.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

✨ Season 2 of Behind the Curtain is officially live! ✨ You can join the season on its own or take it a step further by opting into the live 21-Day Challenge with Dr. Rentea, running December 1–21—the perfect way to finish the year strong and head into the holidays with momentum.👉 JOIN HERE — spots are limited for the live challenge!

Support the show

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

General example of how to work with rice paper dessert recipe. For mine I use rice paper, vanilla greek yogurt, and melted frozen fruit (typically strawberry or blueberry).

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

✨ Season 2 of Behind the Curtain is officially live! ✨ You can join the season on its own or take it a step further by opting into the live 21-Day Challenge with Dr. Rentea, running December 1–21—the perfect way to finish the year strong and head into the holidays with momentum.👉 JOIN HERE — spots are limited for the live challenge!

Support the show

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

Is your skin keeping up with your weight loss?

While GLP-1 medications can lead to powerful health changes, they also come with lesser-known side effects, especially for your skin and hair. From sudden dryness and irritation to facial volume loss and unexpected hair shedding, these changes can feel confusing and even discouraging when you're working so hard to improve your health.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Samantha Schneider, a board-certified dermatologist, to break down what’s really going on beneath the surface. We dive into what causes these shifts, from nutrient loss and inflammation to insulin resistance, and how to manage them before they become long-term concerns.

You’ll learn what to expect, when to seek help, and how to build a skin and hair routine that supports your transformation, rather than working against it. Whether you're early in your weight loss journey or navigating the aftermath, this conversation is packed with practical, judgment-free advice from a dermatologist who’s seen it all!

References

SKINCARE PRODUCTS MENTIONED:

• CeraVe moisturizers (recommended brand for skin barrier repair)
• Cetaphil moisturizers (alternative recommended brand)
• AmLactin or ammonium lactate lotion (for acanthosis nigricans texture)
• Tinted sunscreens with iron oxide (for blue light protection)

HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS:

• Minoxidil/Rogaine (topical, 5% for both men and women - avoid the 2.5% "women's" version)
• Ketoconazole shampoo (brand name: Nizoral)
• Nutrofol supplement (hair, skin, nail supplement)
• Hydrolyzed collagen supplements

SKIN CONDITIONS TREATMENT:

• Zeasorb-AF antifungal powder (for yeast infections/intertrigo)

CONNECT WITH DR. SAMANTHA SCHNEIDER:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Tik Tok

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

✨ Season 2 of Behind the Curtain is officially live! ✨ You can join the season on its own or take it a step further by opting into the live 21-Day Challenge with Dr. Rentea, running December 1–21—the perfect way to finish the year strong and head into the holidays with momentum.👉 JOIN HERE — spots are limited for the live challenge!

Support the show

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

✨ Season 2 of Behind the Curtain is officially live! ✨ You can join the season on its own or take it a step further by opting into the live 21-Day Challenge with Dr. Rentea, running December 1–21—the perfect way to finish the year strong and head into the holidays with momentum.👉 JOIN HERE — spots are limited for the live challenge!

Support the show

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

What happens when GLP-1 medications change more than just your appetite?

If you’re considering anti-obesity medications, it’s normal to wonder what else they might affect beyond hunger. In this episode, I respond to a thoughtful listener question: If food and alcohol have been your go-to coping tools, what happens when they no longer provide comfort?

We explore how GLP-1 medications can dampen the brain’s reward response—not just to food, but to other pleasures as well—and what that might mean for social drinking, emotional regulation, and mental health. I also unpack the rare but real risk of mood changes, why it’s so important to have fulfilling habits in place before starting, and how, for many people, these medications unlock a new level of physical freedom and possibility.

If you’re weighing your options or just want a clearer picture of what life on GLP-1s can look like, this episode offers a grounded, honest perspective—plus why having the right medical support really matters.

Audio Stamps

00:30 - Dr. Rentea shares her summer planning approach and introduces a fan mail question about GLP-1 medications affecting reward systems beyond food.

02:13 - A listener asks whether GLP-1 medications shut down reward responses only for food or for everything, and worries about losing coping mechanisms.

03:40 - Dr. Rentea addresses the concerning pattern of using food and alcohol as coping mechanisms for sleep and stress.

05:07 - The reality of how GLP-1 medications change your relationship with food and why many people lose interest in alcohol.

07:28 - The rare but real risk of depression and mental health changes on these medications, and why medical supervision is crucial.

09:27 - On the flip side, how life can become incredibly amazing when physical capabilities improve and new activities become possible.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

✨ Season 2 of Behind the Curtain is officially live! ✨ You can join the season on its own or take it a step further by opting into the live 21-Day Challenge with Dr. Rentea, running December 1–21—the perfect way to finish the year strong and head into the holidays with momentum.👉 JOIN HERE — spots are limited for the live challenge!

Support the show

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

✨ Season 2 of Behind the Curtain is officially live! ✨ You can join the season on its own or take it a step further by opting into the live 21-Day Challenge with Dr. Rentea, running December 1–21—the perfect way to finish the year strong and head into the holidays with momentum.👉 JOIN HERE — spots are limited for the live challenge!

Support the show

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

“How am I supposed to take care of myself on top of everything else?” When life is heavy—whether you’re caring for a loved one, buried in work, or simply stretched too thin—your own health and wellbeing often fall to the bottom of the list. It’s not because you don’t care. It’s because you’re exhausted.

That’s exactly where therapist Amie Adams found herself: in the thick of caregiving for her mother with dementia while working full time. In the middle of burnout, she realized something had to change—but she didn’t have the energy or capacity for a perfect plan. So, she started by doing the only thing she could: she did it messy.

In this episode, we’re unpacking what it really looks like to start a health journey when you’re already running on empty. You’ll hear how Amie redefined success, let go of perfectionism, and began taking small, sustainable steps forward. If you’re in a hard season and don’t know where to begin, this is your reminder: there is a way forward, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

References

Connect with Amie:

Website

Instagram

Tik Tok

Waterllama

The Hydrate App

00:30 - Dr. Rentea introduces today’s guest, therapist Amie Adams, to talk about staying healthy when life gets tough.

03:00 - Amie explains the life circumstances which forced her to prioritize her health despite being overwhelmed with caregiving for her mom.

05:26 - Amie started by finding inspiring online communities before taking any physical action steps.

07:59 - Two key mindset shifts for overwhelmed people trying to prioritize health without adding stress.

10:34 - Amie stresses that asking for help is uncomfortable but essential.

14:25 - Amy was surprised by how isolating caregiving became despite having strong social connections.

20:00 - Amy advises to "do it messy" and start small rather than waiting for the perfect moment to begin.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

✨ Season 2 of Behind the Curtain is officially live! ✨ You can join the season on its own or take it a step further by opting into the live 21-Day Challenge with Dr. Rentea, running December 1–21—the perfect way to finish the year strong and head into the holidays with momentum.👉 JOIN HERE — spots are limited for the live challenge!

Support the show

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

✨ Season 2 of Behind the Curtain is officially live! ✨ You can join the season on its own or take it a step further by opting into the live 21-Day Challenge with Dr. Rentea, running December 1–21—the perfect way to finish the year strong and head into the holidays with momentum.👉 JOIN HERE — spots are limited for the live challenge!

Support the show