In this episode of "Compared to Who?" host Heather Creekmore continues the important conversation on stopping negative thoughts about our bodies. Heather highlights the necessity of reevaluating beliefs about body image and the importance of valuing God's thoughts above one's own. Drawing from Isaiah 55:8-9, she encourages the listener to assess whether they live in alignment with God's truth or prioritize maintaining a certain image in the eyes of others.   Heather also discusses the idea...

Don't believe everything you think. That's what host, Heather Creekmore discusses today as she encourages Christian women on how to handle internal negative thoughts that can become obsessive. Heather provides scriptural and practical guidance for taking control of these thoughts. The episode delves into combating negative self-perceptions and the harmful influence of societal ideals. It also discusses the importance of addressing the heart and belief systems as the first step toward...

Do you have fear and anxiety about being judged for your body size or are you dealing with actual criticisms from others? Heather discusses the need to face the fear and be curious about it, as well as finding grace for both oneself and those who criticize. She emphasizes the importance of seeking help and finding safety in the unconditional love of Jesus. The episode also touches on the societal pressure for thinness and the pitfalls of relying solely on weight loss drugs for acceptance. ...

Host Heather Creekmore explores the common fear of feeling judged and criticized for one's weight and appearance. She candidly shares her personal experience of spiraling thoughts while standing in church, obsessing over whether others were thinking critical thoughts about her body. She encourages listeners to stop assuming the thoughts of others, to stop objectifying others based on appearance, and to seek approval only from God rather than from people. The episode highlights the impact of...

In Matthew 11:28 Jesus promises us rest. But, how many of the ways that we seek rest are tied to striving, religious rituals, or promises made to us by marketers selling us something that promises to change our bodies. Heather hopes this episode will help you internalize the truth of the Gospel and how this can give you rest that far surpasses reaching a goal weight or having an ideal body. Heather digs into all the reasons why we have a hard time finding rest in these issues or in our...

Today Heather talks with author Stacy Reaoch about body image, aging, and what the Bible really says about these topics. They talk about aging and how scripture gives us an "upside down" perspective on aging. Heather and Stacy also talk about how priorities and the realities of life change as we age. They confess the concern they've both felt over changing bodies and wondering how to navigate the challenges of aging. How do we rest in the pursuit of inner beauty instead of being obsessed...

Today Heather talks to her friend, neuropsychologist and author, Dr. Michelle Bengtson about how we can move forward after we feel like we've done things (or had things done to us) that have caused hurt or damage to our bodies. With grace and compassion, Heather and Michelle talk about how God wants to use our scars for our good and His glory. Dr. Michelle offers tangible and practical ways to move forward in grace and healing, including the recommendation that you find someone to walk with...

What do I do if I feel bad about having ruined my body? How do I believe my body is good even though I feel responsible for having messed it up? Isn't God mad at me because He gave me a good body and then I messed it up by the way I ate (or didn't eat) and exercised (or didn't exercise)? Today, Heather explores the reality that our bodies are made differently and some bodies are more susceptible to issues and disease than others. But, the real answer for this struggle is a theological answer....

Today Heather talks with Shannon Popkin and Lee Neinhuis, authors of a new book about comparison for teen girls, about how women of all ages are tempted to compare themselves to others. The trio discusses the challenge of finding identity in Christ. The struggle to figure out how God made you and what he made unique about you while wanting to fit in and not be "different" from everyone else. Lee and Shannon offer beautiful stories and illustrations that will encourage you and equip you to...

Body shame is real. We've all experienced it, but what do we do about it? Earlier in May, Oprah Winfrey hosted a three-hour-long forum with body love experts, actresses, and influencers to start a conversation about bodies, weight, and how we can start changing the narrative. Titled, "Making the Shift" and hosted by WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers), the conversation had several meaningful moments where women from all over the country shared the hurt, shame, and confusion they'd felt...

Summer's coming. Even if you weren't looking at the calendar you may have sensed that from the number of diet and exercise ads you see. The change of season can inspire us to set new goals and do things to try to feel better in our bodies, but what if there's a better way to meet your health goals without falling into the "going on a diet" or "following a new plan" pit? Today, Heather recommends a new way of thinking about your goals, goal setting, and how you measure success. This method can...

Woah! Today's episode is so good whether you are a "Swiftie" or truly believe she is the "anti-hero," you're sure to get something out of it. Taylor Swift is a household name and someone most, universally, recognize for her beauty and success. But, Taylor has been open about her struggles with body image issues and an eating disorder. She's felt the same pressure and shame many of us have felt about how we look. Today, Heather looks at what we can learn about our own body image issues and the...

Today Heather continues her conversation with Erin Todd from Intuitive Eating for Christian Women about the expression, "Turn to Jesus, not food." While we know that Jesus should be our source for everything, is it helpful or even accurate to say that we can turn to Jesus instead of eating the food we crave? Is this how we treat other decisions surrounding our bodies and what they need (Do we say, "Turn to Jesus, not sleep?")? Today, Heather and Erin continue their conversations to hash out...

Heather Creekmore and special guest Erin Todd delve into an expression we've heard a lot in Christian circles: "Turn to Jesus Not Food."  We've all been there. It's late, you've had a hard day. And what you really want it brownies, or cookies, or the ice cream. Maybe you bake or maybe you drive to the store. You give in. You eat the thing that you had hoped you wouldn't. It's like the craving took over. And, now you feel guilt, shame, and worse: You wonder if you've sinned by turning to food...

Today Heather chats with Amy Connell about the ways we as moms who were fully entrenched in diet culture can start to change the conversations in our home around food and body. Amy and Heather were both fitness instructors and focused on “health education” trying to, out of love, do what was best for their kids around food and exercise. But, as they discuss today, some of what they did was likely unhelpful. As the research shows, some of the rules they enforced and the ways they modeled a...

Are you trying to do everything right to be “healthier” but feeling overwhelmed with all the rules? Have you been sucked into watching a "master class," influencer videos, or subscribing to the program of an influencer who offers the “right” ways to eat, act, and move so that we can beat all our diseases or live a long life? Today Heather questions the food rules, whether or not they are helpful, too severe or disordered, and whether or not they are healthy for us spiritually and mentally (do...

You know those ads you see on social media or in your YouTube sidebar? The ones that tell you they have all the secrets to weight loss, optimal health, healing your thyroid, or fixing your autoimmune disease? Heather decided to investigate! She clicked, watched, and studied. Today she reveals what she learned, how the answers were the same, and how they were different. Today's show tackles the challenge of how we all want to take care of our health and steward our bodies well, but how easily...

How can we age well? Internet searches tell us that aging well is about wearing sunscreen, avoiding smoking, drinking less, eating right, and exercising more. But, the focus on aging seems to be all about our bodies, but what about our souls? Can having a more eternal perspective allow us to face the reality of aging and to get real about the ways our bodies are failing while remembering and feeling energized by the real purpose and why we were put on this earth? Today, Heather looks at the...

The percentage of women (and some men) using Botox to get rid of signs of aging has skyrocketed! Of course, the Bible doesn't have any specific instructions on whether or not it's okay for us to get Botox. Today, Heather explores the topic from every angle--physically, mentally, and spiritually--to allow you to decide for yourself whether or not Botox injections are okay for you. Listen so you can make a thoughtful and informed decision about this very common practice here in the U.S. New to...

Today we continue our mini-series on aging and explore the tricky topic of what to do when your clothes no longer fit. Heather talks about the reality that women's bodies do change and that over the years we will wear different sizes because our bodies will respond to aging, stress, pregnancies, and other changes in our lives in physical ways. So, what do you do when you have a closet full of clothing and nothing to wear? Heather offers encouragement over how to not feel shame about getting...

Today host Heather Creekmore delves into the topic of aging and the fear that often accompanies it. She talks about the cultural pressure to stay young, the struggle with body image, and the desire to remain relevant in a society that values youth. Heather shares insights from her new book, "Aging Gratefully," a 30-day devotional for women that covers various aspects of aging, from bodily changes to finding purpose in midlife and beyond. Throughout the discussion, she encourages listeners to...

If you've been in church for even a few minutes you've likely heard that you should derive your identity from Christ. But how does one do that--especially when we've been conditioned from birth to perform for applause or be the type of person who makes everyone else smile in approval? Today, Heather digs into this topic of how we change where we find our applause. It's not that we go from seeking the applause of others to being content with the applause of ourselves (that's what culture says...

Did you know that the 24 hour work day was created around how men work best, but not women? Today, Heather’s guest Dr. Victoria Pait offers fascinating and helpful information about how women can start to work better with their bodies by syncing their lives to their cycles and better understanding the rhythms of our bodies. Heather and Dr. Pait talk about what’s going on in a woman’s body throughout the four phases of the menstrual cycle. They also talk about how to cope as hormonal levels...

Today Heather has a candid conversation with author and blogger, Sheila Gregoire. They dive deep into the impact of purity culture on women's body image, self-esteem, and relationships. Although the hearts and motives may have started in the right place -- as a response to the 1960s, there have been some detrimental effects of certain modesty and purity culture teachings on both young girls and adult women. Sheila sheds light on how these teachings can lead to damaging beliefs, body image...

Today Heather digs in to how our experiences in gym class may be impacting our body image issue today. Did you get picked last for the teams? Did you hate getting hit by the dodge ball or wearing gym uniforms or changing with the other girls? Did a teacher weigh you and then call out the number for the whole class to hear? Many who wrestle with body image issues are still struggling with trauma of what we were told or believed was true about us in gym class! Today Heather reminisces through...