Social Media and Wellness: Episode 2

(The full transcript of this episode can be found by scrolling to the bottom of this page (but please note it’s AI-generated so accuracy will vary)

Welcome to the second episode of The Tortoise - the plodcast (!) that digs deep into the power of slow.

I just want to give a quick thank you to everyone who listened to the first episode of The Tortoise last month. We unexpectedly hit the charts here in Australia, and the feedback has been really wonderful. Both Ben and I have loved coming back to podcasting in a way that feels sustainable and intentional again, so thank you for coming along with us on the next leg of the journey!

If you haven’t already, you can subscribe to the podcast in your favourite app (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher etc) and, to make sure you don’t miss an episode, sign up to The Tortoise newsletter (where you’ll also receive a slow-living letter in your inbox most Fridays).

With that, let’s get into it.

The Topic: Social media and wellness

This week we venture into slightly controversial territory, as we tackle the topic of wellness. Or, more specifically, the somewhat troubled relationship between it and social media.

We look at the good, the bad, the quackery, the evidence-based and the liver-eating diets - looking at the messy mixture of influencers, algorithms and genuine well-being tools that exist within the trillion-dollar industry. We also explore:

• the definition of wellness and why it feels exclusionary

• crossover between diet culture and wellness

• why influencers often become more and more extreme in their point of view over time

• the sleep and activity trackers we each use, why we use them and why we both have concerns about in-depth health data and the way it can drive obsession

• the privileges that are assumed in the pursuit of wellness

• how health, wellness, thinness, whiteness and being a “good person” are inextricably linked

• why I think of wellness as a tool rather than a goal

The Reflection: Do we need to experience discomfort in order to have a good life?

After reading an article by Dr Paul Taylor on the benefits of physical discomfort, I found myself wondering about the role of discomfort in building a good life. Not only physical, but also emotional discomfort.

I think there is a place for putting ourselves in challenging situations (and, critically, allowing ourselves time to recover) but am curious: where is the line between an experience that is resilience-building and one that is damaging?

The Check-in: This month’s 1%

As we established last episode, we want to spend a couple of minutes each month looking back on our year-long experiments (me: the 1%, Ben: four-day work week). Today we both give a quick update on our efforts, one of which is going well, the other...not so much. 

The Links

If you’re new here, hello! Thank you for joining us! Please feel free to subscribe to The Tortoise newsletter. That way you’ll never miss an episode, and will receive a free slow-living letter in your inbox most Fridays.

Here’s a list of relevant links discussed in today’s episode. If I’ve forgotten any, please let me know in the comments:

• The rise and fall of the Liver King - Fortune

• Ben Carpenter on Instagram

• Data-driven approach to fitness has become obsessional - Verdict

• The secret to thriving in life? It’s not about being comfortable - SMH

• What is the 1%? — The Tortoise

• The full transcript of this episode can be found by scrolling to the bottom of this page (but please note it’s AI-generated so accuracy will vary)

• Join The Tortoise community on Substack

I hope you enjoy this month’s episode, and if you have any thoughts or suggestions, let me know in the comments.

I’ll be back to regular posting next week, and until then, take good care.
Brooke xx