The Fat Psychologist

Fat, Geeky, Loved: Representation in the media with Catherine Richardson

In this episode of The Fat Psychologist Podcast, Ninna is joined by fellow psychologist and self-proclaimed geek, Catherine Richardson, founder of Geek Mental Wellbeing. Together, they explore how representation in media—especially of fat and neurodiverse people—shapes our wellbeing, identity, and sense of belonging. We talk about: * How pop culture and gaming can support mental health and self-understanding * The power of seeing yourself in characters, especially for neurodiverse folks * Fat suits, stereotypes, and the harm of lazy representation * Personal stories of love, acceptance, and wedding dresses * Therapy approaches that embrace neurodiversity and challenge diet culture * Mindfulness, body autonomy, and reframing unhelpful thoughts From Gilmore Girls to Encanto, Bluey to Stardew Valley, we reflect on the joy of seeing diverse bodies and minds portrayed with care—and the impact that has on our own healing journeys. 00:00 Introduction to The Fat Psychologist 01:04 Meet Catherine: A Fellow Psychologist 02:39 Representation in Media: The Impact on Wellbeing 05:18 Positive Representations and Personal Experiences 10:24 Gaming and Body Diversity 15:00 Challenging Stereotypes and Embracing Differences 20:39 Sheldon from Big Bang Theory and Neurodiversity 20:53 Autism in Media and Personal Experiences 21:51 Anime and Neurodiverse Characters 22:23 Geek Culture and Personal Interests 23:08 The Hero's Journey in Stories 23:42 Bluey and Life Lessons 25:55 Therapeutic Approaches to Neurodiversity 27:51 Mindfulness and Thought Management 29:40 Body Image and Self-Acceptance 30:56 Weight Loss and Coaching Experiences 36:29 Final Thoughts and Key Messages

Fat Counselling: Therapy & Fat Liberation with Jo Reader and Cat Chappell

Fat Counselling: Therapy and Fat Liberation with Jo Reader and Cat Chappell In this episode Ninna is joined by Jo Reader and Cat Chappell, known as The Fat Counsellors, for a rich and affirming conversation about therapy, fat liberation, and the need to challenge fat bias in therapeutic spaces.Jo and Cat share how their personal experiences and professional paths led them to create The Fat Counsellors and develop training that supports both therapists and the wider public in unlearning internalised fatphobia. Their work is grounded in compassion, activism, and the belief that everyone deserves to feel safe and seen in therapy.We explore: * The story behind The Fat Counsellors and their mission * What inclusive therapy looks like in practice * How therapy roles differ across countries and why that matters * Fat bias in medical and social systems, and how it shows up in the therapy room * Practical steps for finding or becoming a fat-inclusive therapist * What it means to be anti-diet and why it is not anti-dieter * The intersections of fatness, privilege, and oppression This episode is for anyone navigating therapy, working in mental health, or wanting to better understand how to challenge fat bias and support body liberation.Mentioned in this episode * The Fat Counsellors: thefatcounsellors.co.uk * Jo Reader: joreader.com | Instagram: @fatacceptancetherapist * Cat Chappell: catchappell.co.uk * Facebook Group: The Fat Counsellors (for therapists) * Aubrey Gordon’s film Your Fat Friend Transcript Available at thefatpsychologist.com/podcast 00:05 – Intro 01:13 – Today's Episode 03:33 – The origins of The Fat Counsellors 05:46 – Training Beyond Therapists 08:10 – Understanding the Role of Therapists and Counsellors 10:00 – Biases in Medical and Social Contexts 17:47 – The Importance of Anti-Diet Culture 24:47 – Practical Steps for Inclusive Therapy 27:48 – Jo, Cat and their bodies 30:04 – Oppression: centering fatness 31:18 – Find Jo and Cat 32:55 – Outro

Happiness at Every Size: Thrive by being you

Happiness at Every Size: Self-Acceptance, Wellbeing, and Challenging Fat Bias Join psychologist Ninna Makrinov as she explores the concept of happiness at every size in this insightful episode. Ninna, known as The Fat Psychologist, delves into self-acceptance, contentment, and the importance of social support. Reflecting on her personal journey and current research, she examines the relationship between happiness, wellbeing, and fat bias. Discover key insights from the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, and learn about myths related to weight and health. Whether you’re seeking self-acceptance or interested in psychological perspectives on happiness, this episode offers valuable guidance and thought-provoking discussions. 00:00 Intro 01:12 Episode structure 02:04 The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire 03:25 Are you thriving by being yourself? 05:10 Am I thriving in being myself? 06:36 Happiness at Every Size 07:53 Contentment  10:54 Self-acceptance and life satisfaction 13:40 Ninna's story: privilege and adverse childhood experiences 16:30 Social Support 19:07 Challenging Fatphobia 23:12 5 Myths about weight and health - debunked by science 26:22 The Risks of Intentional Weight Loss 29:01 Outro

Diet culture as religion: Faith and Fatness with Amanda Martinez Beck

In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, Ninna is joined by author, activist, and future priest Amanda Martinez Beck to explore the powerful idea of diet culture as a religion. Together, they unpack how societal norms around body size, food, and morality mirror religious structures—and how we can begin to unlearn these harmful beliefs.From shared experiences of Catholicism and fat liberation to reflections on disability, theology, and representation, this conversation is rich with insight, vulnerability, and hope. Amanda and Ninna challenge the cultural narratives that equate thinness with virtue and fatness with failure, offering instead a vision of radical self-acceptance, spiritual abundance, and embodied joy. Mentioned in This Episode * Amanda’s books: * Lovely: How I Learned to Embrace the Body God Gave Me * More of You: The Fat Girl’s Field Guide to the Modern World * Amanda’s Substack: The Fat Dispatch * Fat and Faithful by Nicole Morgan * Fearing the Black Body by Sabrina Strings * Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen * Poodle Science by Stacy Bias (animated video) Connect with Amanda * Website: thefatdispatch.com [https://www.thefatdispatch.com/] * Instagram & Threads: @thefatdispatch Connect with Ninna * Website: thefatpsychologist.com [https://www.thefatpsychologist.com/] * Instagram, Threads, Facebook, BlueSky: @thefatpsychologist Links on shownotes 💌 Get Involved * Want to be a guest? Reach out via the website or socials. * Have a question or topic idea? Send it in! * Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Ninna is actively seeking sponsors—get in touch! 00:00 Intro to The Fat Psychologist Podcast 01:31 Today's Episode: Diet Culture as a Religion  08:55 Amanda's Background and Fat Liberation Work 14:35 Diet Culture and Body Positivity  22:49 Diet Culture as Religion   31:18 Fat Representation in Religion 34:35 Embracing Fatness and Disability 37:31 Finding Happiness and Acceptance 40:41 Outro

Feel it to heal it: Emotions with Juan Pablo Kalawski

Feel It to Heal It: Emotions with Juan Pablo Kalawski Welcome to another episode of The Fat Psychologist Podcast. This week, Ninna Makrinov, aka The Fat Psychologist, is joined by psychologist and Alba Emoting master teacher Dr Juan Pablo Kalawski for a deep and heartfelt conversation about emotions—what they are, how we experience them, and how we can use them to heal and grow.We explore: * What emotions really are (and why defining them is so tricky) * The connection between body, breath, and feelings * Why anger isn’t bad—and how it can fuel positive change * The Alba Method: how breathing patterns can evoke real emotions * How to listen to your body and uncover emotional truths * Why therapy matters and how to reclaim your emotional power Whether you're a psychology enthusiast or just trying to make sense of your own emotional world, this episode is for you. Connect with Juan Pablo Kalawski on Facebook and find his work on ResearchGate Find me at: https://www.thefatpsychologist.com Instagram, Threads & BlueSky: @TheFatPsychologist Like, comment, and share if this episode resonated with you. Want to be a guest or sponsor? Get in touch. 0:00 Introduction to The Fat Psychologist 00:23 Exploring Happiness at Every Size 01:17 Guest Introduction: Juan Pablo Kalawski 03:14 Defining Emotions and Their Impact 05:00 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Emotion Focused Therapy 19:08 The Alba Method: Breathing and Emotions 24:19 The Complexity of Human Emotions 29:34 Final Thoughts and Key Messages 32:17 Closing Remarks and Contact Information