This is the only podcast where I go back and revisit old episodes repeatedly—Mike and Aubrey have such a fun, funny, comforting aura and manage to make “boring” topics so entertaining. I love my low key parasocial relationship with this podcast and hope they continue it and/or keep working on projects together.

I wanted to like this podcast, but man is it useless. Every episode is just the two of them cherry picking information to fit their own biases. And I am so sick of the defeatist mindset in the fat acceptance / body positivity community. You actually ARE capable of lasting change. Your body is not some static thing that if you are fat, that’s your state forever.

I listened to the Calories in Calories Out episode and, while the podcast is entertaining, I checked the research articles they cited and they do not say what the hosts report that they say. The hosts claimed that Calories in Calories Out has been “debunked”, yet the “Calories in, Calories out and macronutrient intake” article they cite says the exact opposite. It says in plain English: “risk for obesity is primarily determined by total calorie intake.” Further, in the “Energy balance model of obesity: beyond calories in, calories out” article that they cite to, they seem to have conflated Calories in Calories Out with the “carbohydrate-insulin model”. The article emphatically states that the Energy Balance Model (I.e, Calories in Calories out) is a “robust theory” and that it is a “law of physics that is agnostic as to obesity mechanisms”. The authors of the article very clearly state that Calories in Calories out, contrary to being debunked, is the mechanism by which any human being gains, maintains, or loses weight. I’m pretty disappointed in their reading of the research on this one because I enjoy Michael’s If Book Could Kill podcast, but this episode could not be more wrong on the facts. Their argument seems to boil down to “there are many factors that affect the calories out equation, so calories in calories out isn’t real.” Yes, there are many factors that affect the Calories out part of the equation. But while it may be extremely difficult to continue to drop one’s calories, and the hosts are correct to point out that it isn’t simply a matter of will power, that does not negate the fact that if you continue to reduce your caloric intake, you will in fact lose weight. And vice versa for gaining weight. There are fair arguments to be made about nutrition labels, calorie counters, daily caloric recommendations, but one thing that is indisputable, and that all the research the hosts cited to, is that if you are in a caloric deficit, you will absolutely lose weight, and if you are in a caloric surplus, you will undoubtedly gain weight. Claiming otherwise is factually incorrect and dangerous as it causes people who are morbidly obese—who could improve their lifespan and quality of life by reducing calories and increasing energy expenditure, thereby reducing their weight to a healthy level—to believe that there is no solution to weight loss. Incredibly disappointing misrepresentation of the research. Michael and Gordon, please do a follow up episode to correct the inaccuracies as I want to like the podcast otherwise.

I wanted to love this show. I loved You’re Wrong About but the lack of actual research and information is astounding. Not sure who is still listening to this but time to move on.

I love this podcast and especially enjoy that it challenges some of my preconceived notions and culturally/socially derived beliefs about health and nutrition. I don’t always agree with the takeaways, but I think listening to the whole catalog of episodes (not quite finished but working on it) has helped me to better understand some of their conclusions. I was a little disappointed that the May bonus episode about water myths did not mention the public water crisis in Flint, Michigan. While I think by and large public water in the US is safe to drink, there are some stunningly horrific examples from recent history about how it can also not be. I think Flint could have been addressed without detracting from the overall point that public water is generally safer or at least tested more consistently than bottled water.

I had never binge-listened to a podcast until I discovered Maintenance Phase. The hosts have the best chemistry and keep me laughing and thinking, and every topic they present is extremely well-researched and thoughtfully discussed. Thank you for exploring such important issues so critically and intelligently but also with so much heart. Editing a year later to say: Still my favorite podcast! I’ve listened to almost every episode at this point and am now starting to go back to give them a second listen while on my evening walks. Aubrey and Michael keep me laughing and the humor and bond between the two of them just warms my soul. Thank you both for putting so much good into this world.

Mike and Aubrey have really helped me move to a healthier brainspace with food, but also they're just hilarious and fun and I love this podcast so darn much

This is a great podcast. Full of critical thinking and fun and witty banter. Listening feels like talking to two good friends. I really wish that all the moral-less grifters they’ve exposed over the years weren’t running our government (looking at you, RFK Jr., Dr. Phil …🤮)

While I've certainly enjoyed listening to some of these episodes, the most recent release on Ultra Processed foods had me reconsidering their takes on other topics. I noticed how the hosts cherry-pick points to arrange their argument and don't seem to holistically engage with an argument. How can the admittedly slippery definition of what constitutes an ultra-processed food mean that the entire concept needs to be de-bunked? I sensed more prejudice in their arrangement of their argument then I ever have before. Listeners ought to beware that active listening is a must with these kinds of shows geared toward "de-bunking."

I think important attributes of food and context would be availability, intent, and satisfaction. Is a Costco cake any less healthy intrinsically than homemade cake or only because it’s typically offered in settings like a gimmicky office party where abundance makes you eat it even if treat was no truly wanted or intended. And let’s face it, it’s just not that good really, so you still have an “itch” for a really good treat. Also consider the alternative situation by situation. Are “grilled and ready chicken strips” as good as pasture raised home roasted? Does the answer change if the alternative is a girl dinner of ice cream?

I really so badly wanted to like this podcast and hear a hot take on ultraprocessed foods but I found the hosts from the beginning were not open to having a scientific, intellectual conversation. They seemed to be overly defensive so I looked up the hosts and lo and behold one seems to be morbidly obese. Maybe an interesting conversation would be: why does this topic make you so triggered?

…but content is released so infrequently. Love the show anyway. Five stars

Aubrey and Michael deliver insightful, engaging commentary grounded in thorough research across a wide range of topics. While the content itself is consistently relevant and thought-provoking, what truly sets the podcast apart is the chemistry between the cohosts. Their banter is sharp, entertaining, and refreshingly authentic—it feels less like listening to a podcast and more like chatting with friends, all while learning something new in each episode. 10/10 recommend.

Good at debunking nutrition myths and pointing out hypocrisy but doesn’t spend a lot of time advocating for good nutrition or that being overweight can be detrimental to your health (not always but ignoring the sometimes is ignoring a lot).

One of my favorite pods. Michael and Aubrey do a deep dive into research that cuts through misinformation we’ve been fed. Meanwhile, they don’t take themselves too seriously, and move the show along at a good pace to make it entertaining and informational.

Both Aubrey and Michael are a joy and really smart and insightful and fun. Top favorite podcast

This show makes me so happy. Aubrey and Michael are the funniest people together. I laugh harder during the shows than just about anything and they bring me joy. They are also well researched. So refreshing. I finally upgraded from the free version and got the extra episodes. Well worth it.

The hosts somehow provide insightful cultural critique while making it super entertaining and fun to listen to. They inspire me to fight the good fight, and show me that doing so doesn’t have to be a constant bummer. Thank you!!!

A friend shared this podcast and typically they have good shares but I couldn’t see it for this one. The host come off as arrogant and seem to cherry pick studies or outrageous antidotal stories to confirm their own biases. There are some tidbits of useful information but then they ruin it by adding sensationalized commentary or gross generalizations. I think they would benefit from bringing in a guest or 2 that write the studies they reference to add credibility in between the banter of the host.

Good on ridiculing dumb food advice but ignores some kinds of eating disorders that need recognition, especially binge eating. Just eating healthy food but still too much is not good. Some fatness should be reversed, not just accepted as healthy. Some is really pathological and some therapies are valid. Which are they? Not answered.

Forever grateful to this podcast for making me face my own internalized fat phobia and reassess the countless health myths I was fed as facts. Truly, this podcast changed my life

This podcast cuts through all of the promises of the wellness and diet industry and it’s so satisfying and refreshing to hear a different narrative for once. Thank you, Aubrey and Michael!

listened to every episode in a few months and each one is amazing and i love Aubrey and Michael <3

Thank goodness someone is saying, sensible things!

Aubrey sounds just wonderful I’m so glad she has this show. The debunkings are fun to listen to and I find the hosts generally sympathetic - but then the hosts will suddenly throw out some comment that is not factually based!! On the MAHA episode Michael says something about a student’s comment that Israel is bombing hospitals being factual while the case this student was referring to (Al Shifa) was actually proven to not have been the IDF. (And so - Michael concludes - this isn’t antisemitism just facts…) I’m ok with him claiming Trump’s meddling with campuses and funding is not actually about antisemitism and I’m also ok with him claiming that students should be allowed to express themselves even if they are wrong. But I am not ok with him casually confirming lies especially seeing that the show and hosts present themselves as debunkers who get into the details and the facts. This is how the kind of thinking they criticize works: who cares if this particular fact is not true, it confirms a generalization I have and also allows me to say hateful things so I’ll just accept the untrue statement (or just neglect to verify it). Not ok.

Listeners beware: I just listened to the 36 episodes bonus episode, and now I’m in love with both Aubrey and Michael.

This duo 💛 The research, perspective, heart and humor are unmatched. I’ll listen to anything Mike produces - he makes me laugh at even the most bleak news and that’s important. Aubrey is a national treasure and she’s taught me a lot about myself in teaching me about diet culture. Can’t go wrong here. Thank you, Maintenance Phase!

I generally enjoy the way they rib idiots and conspiracy theorists, but was disappointed to hear them make light of antisemitism, particularly Michael. Total bummer.

This is my emotional support podcast! It has been so important in speaking back to my invasive thoughts around needing to lose weight and begin a new diet. I have a deep appreciation for this podcast. I’d love to hear an episode of the OmniDiet. This is the 500 calorie diet that I was on in college to lose one pound a day.

To all the middle aged gays and gay adjacents who can’t remember their second talking point, I see you. Something something something, clink glasses.

It’s just leftists selectively choosing ideas and studies that fit their narrative. If you want your worst biases confirmed, you could hardly do better than to listen to this. Fortunately for the hosts, many leftists are seeking for just this sort of thing: permission to live unhealthy, instant gratification-seeking lives with no regard for truth or the effect one’s choices have on their community.

I laugh SO much listening to this show. I feel like Michael and Aubrey are my friends. Their reporting is well researched and a learn so much!

I was already taken to church within the first like 10 minutes of this first episode. I was snappin fingers 🫰🏾 I was liftin hands 🙌🏾 I was clappin 👏🏾 And at timestamp 53:04 I gave a "AMEN!!!" (mind you I am an atheist but these felt like the most appropo reactions 🤣) And I slapped the post-it on my fridge that says "Fed is Best" I am looking forward to catching up on the rest of this podcast!

I played several episodes including the weight watchers episode for my boomer mother obsessed with weight loss and dieting. She changed her mind on the spot about her beloved ww. Thank you for incredible work you two do.

Any time I travel alone I replay the Rachel Hollis episodes, they make me laugh so much! This show has taught me so much & makes me feel smart for not falling for fad diets cause I enjoy eating!

this show fundamentally changed my brain in the best ways.

Itching for them to do an episode on fluoride!

While the content is well researched, they are biased towards their own preferences (as we all are to some extent, but this podcast is not wholly objective). They are also very left wing, which in itself is fine, but insulting the other half is never advantageous.

This is such a great podcast! These two make me laugh, and I consistently walk away from an episode a bit happier, and a bit more aware of the so many of the grifts floating about, although, it’s more confirmation seeking since I always felt the truth Mike and Aubrey speak. I’ve also become more keenly aware of the way bias filters through our culture, and my part in try to stamp it out of my life Thanks so much you two!

That’s it. That’s the review. Informative. Funny. Smart. And did I mention funny? Thank you for sharing your humor and !

I adore this podcast. I’ve learned so much about diet culture and fatphobia. I wish it had been around during my horrible eating years. Plus, bonus: Aubrey and Michael are hilarious. They crack me up. I hope they continue to make episodes. Pretty please with full fat whipped cream on top?!!

I am SO EXCITED every time a new episode of this podcast comes out. Aubrey and Michael are some of my favorite people I haven’t met IRL. Can you guys do an episode around the breastfeeding hype and exaggerated claims about the supposed health benefits of breastfeeding? Especially the supposed relationship between bottle feeding and obesity later in life. Thanks for all you do! ❤️

Great pod but please don’t ever taste anything on mic again. The mouth smacking on the Bulletproof ep was bad. So bad

I unsubscribed because there was no output in the regular feed and then when I was paying for it, still not worth the lack of content when I’m subscribing to other related podcasts (you’re wrong about, books that kill)and still getting regular content. And then a bulk of the conversation is about Michael’s excuses. Just wrap it up if you’re done with the project.

This is my favorite podcast - interesting and well-researched, easy to understand, great to relax to while also learning and feeling angry at the world (yes you can do all three at once). Audrey & Michael speak at the perfect speed which is hard to find in a podcast. Bonus they are also really freaking hilarious.

That’s all I got

Dr. Butch and the Lady

You are my favorite podcast. You have taught me so much.

Most recent episodes have been limited to subscriber only. There is also a lot of data cherry picking. Lots of their points surround taking some (sometimes valid) issues with the data acquisition, but then imply the data is worthless when that may or may not be true. Not all data with issues is worthless. Also, no medical test is perfect, but that doesn’t mean these metrics don’t yield any utility.

You guys got me through the worst year of my life so far. I love laughing at stupid grifters with you! Kind of miss the more regular update schedule tho. I hope that there will be much more of this show in the future!