“ Body image is an individual sport and it's healed in connection.”

If you’re a woman, chances are you’ve had a moment (or many) of negative self-talk about your body. We’ve all been there. But what if the issue wasn’t actually our bodies at all? What if it’s a deeper emotional or psychological distress showing up in how we think and talk about ourselves? Enter Deb Schachter, a therapist, author and body image expert who’s helped countless women untangle the hidden layers of their body image struggles—and she’s here to help us do the same.

In this episode, Deb joins Erin for a fascinating deep dive into the complex world of body image. From the stories we tell ourselves to the societal and familial messages we’ve absorbed, they explore how we can begin to rewrite the narrative and build a healthier, more compassionate relationship with our bodies. Tune in as we discuss:

1. Why negative body image might actually be your mind’s way of flagging emotional or psychological distress—not a physical problem to fix.
2. The impact of family messaging and conversations about body size, and how they can fuel harmful beliefs.
3. Understanding why you want a “better body” is more important than chasing the “better body” itself.
4. How true fulfillment comes not from achieving the ‘ideal’ body, but from nurturing your relationship with yourself and tuning into your inner voice.
5. Practical ways to shift your self-talk from body criticism to observing and reframing your negative thoughts.
6. The role of stories, relationships, and family dynamics in shaping how we see our bodies—and how we can break free to reclaim our authentic selves.
7. Tips for creating a safe, judgment-free space for kids to share their thoughts on body image. Check out Deb's 9 Bullet Points for Parents.

OUR GUEST: DEB SCHACHTER is recognized as one of Boston’s leading clinicians in the areas of body image and eating disorder recovery. She has spent her 30-year career helping people unpack their body’s story and all of the wisdom it has to offer. She brings authenticity, curiosity and compassion to her work and emphasizes the profound power that connection has in the healing process. She integrates humor and mindfulness into her workshops, individual and group work and is inspired by how unique the growth process is for each of us. She believes wholeheartedly that we all have great wisdom inside and has seen how her confidence in her clients translates into change. Deb also trains other therapists and health professionals on how best to approach body image with their clients and staff.

Want more Deb? Find her and learn more about her practice with Whitney Otto, Body Image Inside Out, online at https://bodyimageinsideout.com/ and check out their book, “Body Image Inside Out ” https://bodyimageinsideout.com/books

Follow her on:

1. Instagram: @bodyimageinsideout
2. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deb-schachter-363b206/

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Mentioned in this episode:

Broad Collective

Learn more about Broad Collective and our membership network for midlife women entrepreneurs at broadcollective.com.