What The Actual Fork Podcast

We've been making some big decisions this week. Juggling so many things, it's been so important to step back and consider the best way to move forward. Often times it's so easy to get wrapped up in the chaos, and not realize that fatigue and burnout has taken over. As parents and professionals we can spread ourselves too thin, and not realize we're giving 5% of ourselves to 100 things instead of f...

This week, Jenna shares two moments that hit hard—one at the ice cream shop, the other at the playground—each a powerful reminder of how early kids start absorbing messages about bodies, belonging, and self-worth. We talk about how these moments unfold in everyday life, how to help kids feel safe and seen, and why the way we talk to them (and around them) really does matter. Listen to more podcast...

In this week's episode of What the Actual Fork , Sam and Jenna are back and deep in the chaos of real life. We're talking closet cleanouts, the emotional rollercoaster of weaning from breastfeeding, and why letting go (of both bras and babyhood) is harder than it looks. Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.com Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to hero.co and us...

In this episode of What the Actual Fork , Jenna makes her long-awaited return to the mic, fresh off welcoming baby number three! After a well-deserved break from podcasting, she's back and getting real about life as a mom of three. Jenna shares her birth story, how this pregnancy and delivery differed from her earlier experiences, and what the transition from two to three kids has really been like...

In this episode of What the Actual Fork , Sam is joined by the incredible Rennie Dyball–author, mother, and passionate advocate for body acceptance–for a heartfelt and deeply honest conversation about healing, movement, and parenting with intention. Rennie shares how her relationship with movement has transformed alongside her journey to make peace with food and her body. She reflects on the chall...

Sam and Jenna are diving into the Remi Bader controversy, unpacking the context and complexities of this deeply nuanced conversation. No one—Remi included—owes anyone an explanation for their personal choices, but it's also fair to acknowledge the tricky dynamics when someone with a platform built on sharing their experiences in a larger body makes a big change. The discussion also unpacks the dan...

This week on the pod, Sam talks with Dacy, an online personal stylist also known as Mindful Closet. Dacy shares how she found her passion for helping people embrace body acceptance through an anti-diet approach to styling. They explore the intersection of shopping and intuitive eating, discussing how clothing choices can support self-confidence and empowerment. Dacy offers practical tips on closet...

In this episode of What the Actual Fork, Sam sits down with Britta Bushnell, PhD, a renowned childbirth educator, author of Transformed by Birth , and speaker whose birth work journey started at just 8 years old. Britta shares how her early experiences shaped her understanding of the transformative power of child birth. Together, they explore identity shifts, relationship dynamics, and how embraci...

Happy Registered Dietitian Day! Sam and Jenna are celebrating with a deep dive into their journeys as intuitive eating and weight-inclusive RDs. They reflect on the pivotal moments that shaped their careers and the eye-opening experiences that led them away from diet culture. They get real about the challenges of unlearning harmful industry norms, the impact of influential mentors, and discuss the...

This week, Sam sits down with Paige Connell, a working mom of four who knows firsthand how exhausting the mental load of motherhood can be. They get real about juggling work, kids, and the never-ending to-do list, plus the frustration that comes with default gender roles and unrealistic societal expectations. Paige shares how all of this can build resentment and why open communication is key to cr...

This week, Sam chats with motherhood and lifestyle influencer Katie Beach about the tension that so often creeps into relationships after having a baby. If you've ever resented your partner postpartum, you're not alone. And no, it doesn't mean your relationship is doomed . Sam and Katie get real about " the roommate stage ," why postpartum resentment happens, the mental load of motherhood and why...

This week on What the Actual Fork , Sam breaks down blood sugar management, explaining glucose, insulin, and what happens when blood sugar runs high. She covers key factors affecting insulin response, the importance of regular meals and hydration over fixating on macros, and why a strong relationship with food should come before diving into nutrition science. Listen to more podcasts like this: htt...

It's Valentine's Day, and we're bringing back one of our favorite guests, Bri Campos, to talk all things dating, intimacy, and body image. Bri is a licensed mental health counselor and body image coach specializing in body grief and self-acceptance. In this conversation, she and Sam get real about the challenges of dating while navigating body image struggles, the vulnerability of intimacy, and ho...

In this episode of What The Actual Fork Sam and Jenna explore why it's so important to start conversations about bodies early—teaching kids that all bodies are good ( and cool! ). They also discuss the push for "fat" to be seen as a neutral descriptor and why the stigma and negative connotations around the word still slow down this important shift. Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepo...

This week on What the Actual Fork , Sam sits down with the incredible Dr. Colleen Reichmann, a licensed clinical psychologist and eating disorder specialist, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about fertility, body image, and the rollercoaster of pregnancy and postpartum. Dr. Reichmann shares her personal fertility journey, opening up about the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along...

This episode is one big WTAF moment as Sam and Jenna take on diet culture's wildest trends—yep, they're talking about the carnivore diet—and break down why balance beats extremes every time. They dive into the dangers of social media misinformation, the pressure dietitians face to cut through the noise, and share what's been working for them when it comes to keeping their families fed, even (and e...

In this episode of What the Actual Fork, Sam and Jenna chat with Dr. Erin Knopf, a psychiatrist, pediatrician, and eating disorder specialist. They cover intuitive eating, the damaging effects of diet culture on families, and the use of medications like GLP-1 for weight loss in kids. Dr. Knopf shares insights on body diversity, children's growth patterns, and fostering a healthy relationship with...

In this episode of What the Actual Fork , Jenna gets real about the mix of emotions as she preps for baby #3. From reflecting on early motherhood to dealing with last-minute appointments and a not-so-nice comment about her body, she opens up about the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Sam offers all the support while the two dive into the importance of being mindful with our words and sh...

This week on What the Actual Fork , Sam and Jenna are joined by actress and cookbook author Emma Myles! Best known for her role as Leanne Taylor on Orange Is the New Black , Emma opens up about her journey with food and body image and her fight against diet culture. We dive into her debut cookbook, The Trigger Kitchen: Dismantling Diet Culture One Unapologetic Recipe at a Time , which features so...

This week, Jenna and Sam swap stories about their latest adventures in motherhood. Jenna's been battling anxiety and bronchitis while pregnant, Sam's juggling the love-hate relationship with pumping and breastfeeding, and they both dive into the emotional whirlwind of parenting. They chat about the importance of listening to your body, the struggle of finding 'me time,' and why it's okay to lean i...

This week on What the Actual Fork, Sam and Jenna are joined by Sarah Fennel, founder of Broma Bakery and author of the bestselling cookbook Sweet Tooth: 100 Desserts to Save Room For . Sarah opens up about her journey to eating disorder recovery, shares what it was like to share her desserts with Andy Cohen, and dishes on some of her favorite recipes from the book—like the mouthwatering espresso m...

Sam and Jenna discuss unexpected comments at social events and their impact on body image and diet culture. They share personal experiences, including Sam's encounter with a family member's intrusive question about her body. The conversation highlights the importance of support systems and practical strategies to handle such situations, especially during the holiday season when you just KNOW certa...

In this roundup episode of What the Actual Fork, Jenna and Sam dive into their chaotic daily routines. They discuss the realities of balancing work and nutrition during busy days and share some laughs over their mom struggles. With both of them prepping for upcoming travel, they exchange their best travel tips, including what snacks to pack, how to manage solo parent duties, and what shows to watc...

Dr. Charlotte Markey is a professor of psychology at Rutgers University, with nearly three decades of research on eating behaviors and body image. Her most recent book, Adultish: The Body Image Book for Life , is described as "the ultimate guide to taking on adulthood with body confidence." She joins Jenna and Sam this week to discuss all things body image, including self-acceptance, shifting stan...

Navigating the journey of motherhood, especially with more than one child, can feel like a wild balancing act. This week, Sam and Jenna are chatting about the unique challenges that come with raising multiple kids while trying to hold onto your identity as a mom. Social media can add to the pressure, making it all too easy to fall into the comparison trap. Join us as we explore how setting boundar...