Maintenance Phase

Maintenance Phase

Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes
Health Wellness History
en
Debunking the junk science behind health fads, wellness scams and nonsensical nutrition advice.

Episodes (50)

Maintenance Phase

Seed Oils

August 26, 2025 1h 18m
Why are you, as a man, afraid of sunflowers. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonWatch Aubrey's documentaryBuy Aubrey's bookListen to Mike's other podcastGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers...
Maintenance Phase

Herbalife

July 10, 2025 56m
We’re talking about our first diet MLM and IT’S A REAL DOOZY! Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonWatch Aubrey's documentaryBuy Aubrey's bookListen to Mike's other podcastGet Maintenance Phase...
Maintenance Phase

Ultra-Processed Foods

June 03, 2025 1h 11m
Everyone agrees that processed foods are bad for you. When it comes to defining what they actually are, however, there is considerably less agreement. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on...
Maintenance Phase

BONUS: MAHA's First 90 Days

May 01, 2025 53m
From our Patreon feed, we're catching up with RFK Jr. and his cadre of "Make America Healthy Again" influencers. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonWatch Aubrey's documentaryBuy Aubrey's...
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The Bulletproof Diet

March 26, 2025 53m
Meet the tech bro on a noble quest to double his lifespan, improve his productivity and irritate his waitress. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonWatch Aubrey's documentaryBuy Aubrey's...
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Blue Zones

January 30, 2025 1h 7m
The places where humans live the longest are explained by traditional lifestyles, widespread incest or systematic fraud, there is no fourth option. Thanks to Catherine MacDonald for helping us...
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BONUS: What's New With RFK Jr.?

December 20, 2024 1h 12m
Because we live in hell, here is last month's bonus episode about RFK Jr.'s presidential campaign with a new intro about what he could do at HHS. See you next year! Support the show
Maintenance Phase

Richard Simmons Isn't Missing

November 21, 2024 1h 5m
The internet gets weird investigating the "disappearance" of America's gay best friend. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonWatch Aubrey’s documentary in AU & NZ, or watch it at home...
Maintenance Phase

Growing Up Richard Simmons

October 25, 2024 1h 1m
Before building his fitness empire, America’s most bedazzled fitness guru was a guy named Milton from New Orleans. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonWatch Aubrey’s documentary in AU & NZ,...
Maintenance Phase

The Myers-Briggs Personality Test

September 12, 2024 55m
How a mother, a daughter and a crackpot Swiss psychologist gave us the world's most popular Buzzfeed quiz. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts,...
Maintenance Phase

BONUS: Breaking Down The Latest Anti-Trans Victory Lap

July 01, 2024 1h 3m
We went a little easy on the Cass Report in our last main feed episode, so we're back to [Mortal Kombat voice] FINISH HIM!!! This was supposed to be a Patreon bonus episode but we'd rather you...
Maintenance Phase

"Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria" Part 2: Panic! At The Endocrinologist.

June 18, 2024 1h 31m
Thanks to Jules Gill-Peterson (jgillpeterson.com) and Julia Serano (patreon.com/juliaserano) for help researching this episode and Evan Urquhart, Parker Molloy and Katelyn Burns for fact-checking! ...
Maintenance Phase

"Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria" Part 1: The Cooties Theory of Transgender Identity

May 09, 2024 1h 27m
Thanks to Jules Gill-Peterson (jgillpeterson.com) and Julia Serano (patreon.com/juliaserano) for help researching this episode and Evan Urquhart and Parker Molloy for fact-checking! Support us: Hear...
Maintenance Phase

Jamie Oliver

April 04, 2024 1h 2m
In the 2000s, Jamie Oliver made a big splash with his work reforming kids’ meals in the UK and US. Was his work wicked slammin’, or just proper rustic? Support us: Hear bonus episodes on...
Maintenance Phase

COVID Conspiracies

March 07, 2024 1h 27m
What was missing from America's pandemic response? According to the internet, a sunshine vitamin, a malaria treatment and a whole lot of horse paste. Thanks to Health Nerd (Substack) for helping us...
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Ozempic

October 10, 2023 58m
Ozempic is being hailed as “the end of the Obesity Epidemic.” This week, Mike and Aubrey dig through the sensational claims. But will they make it past the caveats? Links: How a Canadian scientist...
Maintenance Phase

"Soy Boys"

September 12, 2023 44m
How a plant-based pejorative went from an alt-right burn to a core concern of mainstream Republicans. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts,...
Maintenance Phase

RFK Jr. and The Mainstreaming Of The Anti-Vaxx Movement

August 01, 2023 1h 13m
Join us for a 75 minute answer to a 5 word question: Is there mercury in vaccines? Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy...
Maintenance Phase

RFK Jr. and The Rise of the Anti-Vaxx Movement

July 18, 2023 1h 14m
A political candidate has some questions and we have some extremely obvious answers. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy...
Maintenance Phase

Pilates

July 04, 2023 44m
Somehow an episode about an old-timey fitness influencer ended up being one of our most wholesome ever. We're as surprised as you are. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet...
Maintenance Phase

Brittany Dawn

June 20, 2023 1h 1m
How a fitness influencer went from small-time scammer to one of the Internet’s leading villains. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers...
Maintenance Phase

BONUS: The Conservative Diet Books of Yore

June 06, 2023 56m
We're taking a much-needed break this week so to tide you over here is one of our bonus episodes! Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers...
Maintenance Phase

Oprah v. Beef Part 2: Apocalypse Cow

May 23, 2023 1h 8m
The closing argument of our two-part Oprahsode starts in a Texas courtroom, wanders through some British slaughterhouses and ends with an emu. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on...
Maintenance Phase

Oprah v. Beef Part 1: The Rise of "Veggie Libel"

May 09, 2023 1h 3m
On April 16, 1996, Oprah Winfrey did a show about mad cow disease. Six weeks later, a couple of Texas cattlemen had a cow (sorry). Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet...
Maintenance Phase

The 10,000 Steps Myth

April 25, 2023 49m
This week we're digging into the weird history of an omnipresent fitness goal. Episode comes free with a happy meal. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase...
Maintenance Phase

The Trouble with Sugar

April 11, 2023 49m
This week we're tackling three big ideas about sugar: It causes hyperactivity in kids, it's as addictive as cocaine and it raises blood sugar in universal, predictably spiky ways. Thanks to David...
Maintenance Phase

"Forks Over Knives": Is a Vegetarian Diet Better For You?

March 28, 2023 1h 2m
A viral documentary says a "whole foods plant-based diet" will prevent heart disease and cure cancer. But once we look into the MEAT of the matter will we find factual CREAM of the crop or will we ...
Maintenance Phase

The Instagram Fiber Feud

March 14, 2023 46m
Aubrey tells Mike about the diet that took over New York City (and its bathrooms). Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy...
Maintenance Phase

Doctors Have a New Plan for Fat Kids

February 28, 2023 1h 14m
Last month the American Academy of Pediatrics released a new set of guidelines for "childhood obesity." We have some comments. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet...
Maintenance Phase

Elizabeth Taylor's "Elizabeth Takes Off"

February 14, 2023 58m
History should make you feel weird and so, apparently, should diet books. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreBuy Aubrey's new...
Maintenance Phase

“Glorifying Obesity” And Other Myths About Fat People

January 03, 2023 49m
This week, we're talking about Aubrey's new book, "'You Just Need To Lose Weight' and 19 Other Myths About Fat People." And we're yelling about Piers Morgan as a little treat. Support us: Hear bonus...
Maintenance Phase

Workplace Wellness

December 20, 2022 1h 12m
Charging disabled people more for health care is illegal. But what about ... charging non-disabled people less? Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase...
Maintenance Phase

The Food Pyramid

November 15, 2022 51m
In the 1990s, the Food Pyramid was one of the most recognizable symbols in nutrition education. But where did it come from? Why was it created by the agriculture department? And why did it tell us to...
Maintenance Phase

Bonus: Mike's New Podcast!

November 08, 2022 1h 18m
Mike and Aubrey introduce Mike's new show, If Books Could Kill! Find it on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google and wherever else you get your podcasts. Also, don't forget to pre-order Aubrey's new...
Maintenance Phase

The Daily Harvest Food Poisoning Scandal

November 01, 2022 1h 1m
“Herpes is basically living the dream” — Aubrey Gordon. Support us: Subscribe on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase shirts, stickers and more Check out Mike's other podcast, If Books Could...
Maintenance Phase

Mini-Sode: The Dr. Oz Campaign

October 18, 2022 1h 13m
Pennsylvania listeners check your registration here! Mike and Aubrey break down the policies and promises of Dr. Oz's Senate campaign in Pennsylvania. Plus! A re-run of our complete Dr. Oz episode...
Maintenance Phase

Paul Bragg & The Rise of Apple Cider Vinegar

October 11, 2022 55m
Health claims about apple cider vinegar are everywhere. But are they true? This week, we hop into the wayback machine for the story of America's first health influencer. (That's not true, but neither...
Maintenance Phase

The French Paradox

September 27, 2022 55m
How an early-'90s newsmagazine show convinced a generation of Americans to start drinking red wine. For the antioxidants! Special thanks to Susanne Stolpe and Alexander H. Sandtorv for helping us...
Maintenance Phase

Goop

September 13, 2022 59m
Do we even need to write a description? It's the Goopisode! Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreLinks! How Goop’s Haters Made...
Maintenance Phase

BONUS: Moon Juice Taste Test

September 06, 2022 54m
This week's episode is running late so here's something to tide you over! Last year, we did an episode on Gwyneth-adjacent influencer Amanda Chantal Bacon and her wellness company, Moon Juice. This...
Maintenance Phase

The Scarsdale Diet Murder feat. Sarah Marshall

August 23, 2022 1h 31m
In 1982 a murder captured America's imagination. Forty years later, two podcasts joined forces to talk about it. Hear more from Sarah at You're Wrong About and You Are Good! Support us: Hear bonus...
Maintenance Phase

“French Women Don't Get Fat”

August 09, 2022 57m
A dieting book or a how-to guide for an eating disorder? Pourquoi pas les deux ? Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more Links! The...
Maintenance Phase

Pete Evans Part 2: COVID & Consequences

July 26, 2022 58m
"Celebrity chef Pete Evans has activated his last almond with the Seven Network." Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and moreLinks!...
Maintenance Phase

Pete Evans Part 1: The Paleo Way

July 12, 2022 52m
How a beloved TV chef became one of Australia's most polarizing public figures. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more Links!...
Maintenance Phase

The Worm Wars

June 28, 2022 57m
In 1998, a researcher rolled out an innovative approach to education. And in 2015, Methodology Twitter had a big fight about it. Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet...
Maintenance Phase

Calorie Menu Labeling

June 07, 2022 50m
This year, the UK implemented a law requiring chain restaurants to list calorie counts on their menus. Where did these policies come from? What impact do they have? And why is a Julia Roberts quote...
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The Trouble With Calories

May 24, 2022 52m
Weight loss is as simple as “calories in, calories out,” right? Or — gasp — could the reply guys be wrong!? This week, we dig in on the surprisingly complex science behind a seemingly simple...
Maintenance Phase

Diet Book Deep Dive: “How To Take 20 Pounds Off Your Man”

May 10, 2022 50m
This week, Mike and Aubrey take on a manual for creep behavior masquerading as a diet book. Along the way, we cover shopping guides, journalism salaries and the proper preparation of Cornish game...
Maintenance Phase

Zombie Statistics Spectacular!

April 19, 2022 57m
Debunking some of the most widely repeated myths about fat and health. Here's Mike's new video! Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers...
Maintenance Phase

Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma"

April 05, 2022 1h 5m
How a liberal journalist entrenched a libertarian fantasy. Thanks to Sarah Taber for helping us with the research for this episode! Support us: Hear bonus episodes on PatreonDonate on PayPalGet...

About this Podcast

Copyright
© 2025 Maintenance Phase
Language
en
Categories
Health, Wellness, History, Science, Health & Fitness, Education