How Can I Help? - with Dr. Gail Saltz

Such helpful, practical advice given in a nonjudgmental way. Dr. Saltz is a brilliant author and psychiatrist and her work is much needed during these challenging, uncertain times. She breaks down difficult and stressful topics in a way that makes me feel less alone and overwhelmed.

“Besides the fact that it is difficult to feel free and passionate when you are thinking about how unattractive a part of you looks, it is also not much of a turn on for your partner. Generally, men do not find it sexy to hear you say, oh gosh, my butt is so flabby, or are my breast too droopy? Nor is it a turn on if you don't believe any compliments they give you.” I’ve listened to a couple of episodes, but have decided not to listen to any more based on the above direct quote. I’m a hetero woman and this garbage was just too much. Like another reviewer said, it’s heteronormative. But it also seems to be telling you to feel ashamed of any feelings of shame you might already be having in order to please your man. This is coming from a therapist? In addition, the episodes are pretty slim, yet heavy on obnoxious advertising.

I loved this podcast up until the 9/8/23 episode. The feedback to the mom with body issues left out a huge conversation about the internalized misogyny of the mommy & beauty industrial complexes. The advice to “put on some lingerie and just do it anyway until you want it more” was not it. Seriously considering unfollowing this pod bc of this issue.

Heard this recommended on another show so I thought I’d try it. The first episode I d listened to (just picked the most recent) “Loving your body” was so heteronormative I couldn’t even finish. It was essentially “so you hate your body? That’s fine because Most Men want curves; Most Men are attracted to XYZ; you should listen to your husband when he tells you he’s still sexually attracted to you.” I’m cishet and it was too much for me to listen to. It didn’t help that the first ad break was “the libruls are still gonna take over America, so what are YOU doing to prepare for disaster?! Buy whatever drivel we’re selling if you’re a True Patriot!” I can’t imagine recommending this to anyone I love.