The Liz Moody Podcast

• Why You Can’t Stop Sugar Cravings—And How to Fix It (Neuroscientist Explains)

  If you find yourself constantly craving sugary sweets and desserts—this episode is for you. There’s a reason this is happening (and it's not entirely your fault!) and there are ways to stop your cravings—in the moment and for the long term.  I sit down with Dr. Nicole Avena, a neuroscientist and a Princeton and Mount Sinai professor, and one of the world’s leading researchers on sugar addiction, to uncover what sugar is really doing to your brain. We dive deep into the biology of cravings and how the modern food environment is designed to keep you hooked. You’ll learn why “natural” sweeteners might not actually be the solution, and the small changes that work to reduce your sugar intake without going cold turkey. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how sugar impacts your mental and physical health—and the science-backed tools to curb your sweet tooth. 🎧What you’ll learn: Why sugar lights up the same brain pathways as addictive drugs How social media and screen time are increasing your cravings The science of dopamine tone—and how to reset it naturally How to spot hidden sugars in “healthy” foods and labels The step-by-step plan to reduce sugar without feeling deprived 👇Reflect or share: What’s one craving you experience regularly—and how do you think your environment is shaping it? Comment below—I’d love to hear your story! ✨Homework: Swap one sweet breakfast for a savory one this week, and try one tech-free morning. Then notice: How do your energy, focus, and cravings shift? For more from Dr. Nicole Avena: Her Books Her Website Her Instagram Ready to uplevel every part of your life? Order Liz’s book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success now!  Connect with Liz on Instagram @lizmoody or online at www.lizmoody.com. Subscribe to the substack by visiting https://lizmoody.substack.com/welcome. Buy our cute sweatshirts, conversation cards, and more at https://shop.lizmoody.com/. Use our discount codes from our  highly vetted and tested brand partners by visiting https://www.lizmoody.com/codes.  To join The Liz Moody Podcast Club Facebook group, go to www.facebook.com/groups/thelizmoodypodcast. This episode is brought to you completely free thanks to the following podcast sponsors: Pique: head over to PiqueLife.com/LizMoody to get up to 20% Off for life and a complimentary gift. Osmia: go to OsmiaSkincare.com and use code LIZMOODY2025 for 20% off your first order. LMNT: visit DrinkLMNT.com/LizMoody to get a free LMNT sample pack with any order. IQ Bar: text LIZ to 64000 for 20% off all IQBAR products plus FREE shipping. Lumebox: head to TheLumeBox.com/Liz to get 40% off anytime. The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy. Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast.  This podcast and website represent the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 379. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Feel Less Anxious Now: Solutions To YOUR Top Qs

  Whether it’s 3AM wakeups, spiraling thoughts, phobias, or that constant undercurrent of unease, anxiety can feel like it’s running your life. That’s why I recorded this solo episode—to share the real-life tools that help me cope, move forward, and feel like myself again. I’m answering your most asked anxiety questions—about nighttime anxiety, fear of flying, OCD tendencies, and feeling stuck in therapy. I’ll share how I reframe my inner critic, what I say when I feel like a burden, and why I believe anxiety doesn’t make you broken. This isn’t about being “fixed.” It’s about supporting your nervous system, getting curious about your patterns, and finding tiny, doable shifts that will make life feel lighter. 🎧What You’ll Learn: The truth about 3AM anxiety and how to prevent middle-of-the-night spirals Why “just do exposure therapy” might be doing more harm than good How to support someone with anxiety without losing yourself in the process The real reason you might feel stuck in therapy—and how to get unstuck OCD, panic, phobias & overthinking: practical tools I use (and avoid) daily Why hunting for triggers can backfire—and what to focus on instead Anxiety and self-blame: how to soften your inner voice 👇Let me know in the comments: What’s one tool from this episode you’re going to try? Check out the previous episodes of The Liz Moody Podcast discussed today: My FULL Anxiety Story + The Tools That Help Me The Most This Celeb-Beloved Therapy Offers A Radical New Way To Heal With Dr. Richard Schwartz The Secret To Happiness, From The World’s Longest Study With Dr. Robert Waldinger 5 Science-Backed Habits Of The World’s Most Successful People with Dr. Michael Gervais Ask The Doctor: Anxiety Edition—Everything You Need To Know About Treating Anxiety Naturally with Ellen Vora, MD The New Science Of Depression & How To Actually Heal (+ SSRIs, Postpartum, Grief, and More) with Ellen Vora, MD Ready to uplevel every part of your life? Order Liz’s book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success now!  Connect with Liz on Instagram @lizmoody or online at www.lizmoody.com. Subscribe to the substack by visiting https://lizmoody.substack.com/welcome. Buy our cute sweatshirts, conversation cards, and more at https://shop.lizmoody.com/. Use our discount codes from our  highly vetted and tested brand partners by visiting https://www.lizmoody.com/codes.  To join The Liz Moody Podcast Club Facebook group, go to www.facebook.com/groups/thelizmoodypodcast. This episode is brought to you completely free thanks to the following podcast sponsors: Puori: go to Puori.com/LizMoody and use promo code LIZMOODY for up to 20% sitewide. Seed: head to Seed.com/LizMoody and use code LIZMOODY for 25% off your first month. Lumebox: visit TheLumebox.com/Liz to get 40% off your purchase. The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy. Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast.  This podcast and website represents the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 378 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The REAL Science Of Hot Button Health Issues: Tylenol, Food Dyes, MAHA, Raw Milk, and More

  If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” with your health but still not seeing results, this episode is for you. I sit down with Dr. Jessica Knurick, a PhD in nutrition science and registered dietitian with over 15 years of experience in chronic disease prevention, to uncover why Americans are getting sicker. Spoiler: it’s not just about diet or exercise—it’s about the systems shaping our lives in ways we don’t even realize.  We dive deep into how our food environment, healthcare structure, and political systems were built for profit, not people, and how that reality quietly shapes everything from what ends up in our grocery stores to who can afford preventive care.  We also tackle the viral health debates taking over social media—like the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, raw milk, and claims about Tylenol and autism—using the latest scientific research to separate fact from fiction.  You’ll leave feeling empowered to take action not just in your own kitchen but in your community.  🎧 What you’ll learn:  Why chronic disease rates are skyrocketing—and how profit-driven systems are quietly fueling the epidemic  The surprising truths (and myths) behind viral health debates like raw milk, Tylenol, and the MAHA movement  How the U.S. food system prioritizes corporate profits over public health—and what that means for your grocery cart  What the MAHA movement gets right about wellness—and where it completely misses the mark  👇 Reflect or share: What’s one health “truth” you’ve rethought after listening to this episode? I’d love to hear your take!  ✨ Homework: Pay attention to how your environment—what’s available, affordable, and marketed to you—shapes your health this week. Then ask yourself: If the system changed, how would your health change? For more from Dr. Jessica Knurick: Her Substack: https://substack.com/@drjessicaknurick Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjessicaknurick/ Her Website: https://www.jessicaknurick.com/ Ready to uplevel every part of your life? Order Liz’s book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success now!  Connect with Liz on Instagram @lizmoody or online at www.lizmoody.com. Subscribe to the substack by visiting https://lizmoody.substack.com/welcome. Buy our cute sweatshirts, conversation cards, and more at https://shop.lizmoody.com/. Use our discount codes from our  highly vetted and tested brand partners by visiting https://www.lizmoody.com/codes.  To join The Liz Moody Podcast Club Facebook group, go to www.facebook.com/groups/thelizmoodypodcast. This episode is brought to you completely free thanks to the following podcast sponsors: AG1: visit DrinkAG1.com/LizMoody and get your FREE year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs today. Wildgrain: go to Wildgrain.com/LizMoody for $30 off the first box – PLUS a free item in every box. Fatty15: head to Fatty15.com/LizMoody and use code LIZMOODY at checkout for 15% off a 90-day subscription Starter Kit. The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy. Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast.  This podcast and website represent the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 377. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Harvard Researchers Found The Secret to Staying Consistent—And Actually Achieving Your Goals

  In this solo episode, I explore The Progress Principle, a concept discovered by two Harvard researchers who studied what really drives happiness and motivation. After analyzing thousands of daily journal entries, they found that the single biggest factor that keeps people inspired isn’t recognition, money, or praise—it’s the feeling of making progress.  In this episode, I share how the tiniest forward motion sends a signal to the brain that says, “This feels good, do it again.” This isn’t just a nice mindset trick— it’s a complete rewiring of your brain’s reward system. Our brains are generally wired to miss our own progress. We adapt so quickly to improvements that yesterday’s dream becomes today’s baseline. We also have a negativity bias; our minds cling to what’s not working instead of what is. The result? We feel stuck, unmotivated, or like we’re not doing enough, even when we’re growing in extraordinary ways. I share exactly how to override that mental wiring with simple, science-backed tools so you can stay consistent and actually achieve your goals.  What You’ll Learn: Why dopamine isn’t about reward-it’s about momentum. The “Done List” method that helps you reflect on and record your daily micro wins. How celebration strengthens new habits by pairing progress with positive emotion. Why asking someone else to reflect on your growth can transform your self-perception. How to reframe the “arrival fallacy” so you find joy in the journey, not just the finish line. I’ll also walk you through my own story! How a conversation with my therapist sister changed how I think about effort and self-worth, and how acknowledging my small wins made me feel more capable, calm, and genuinely proud of my progress for the first time in years. If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning your wheels, constantly setting goals and falling off track, or measuring yourself against an impossible version of success, this episode is for you.  ✨ Homework: Pause for a moment today and write down three small things you’ve accomplished…no matter how ordinary they seem. Maybe you sent an email you’ve been avoiding, made a healthy meal, or got out of bed on a hard morning. That’s progress. That’s growth. That’s the chemistry of momentum in real time. 👇 Tell me in the comments: What’s one micro win you’re celebrating this week? Ready to uplevel every part of your life? Order Liz’s book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success now!  Connect with Liz on Instagram @lizmoody or online at www.lizmoody.com. Subscribe to the substack by visiting https://lizmoody.substack.com/welcome. Buy our cute sweatshirts, conversation cards, and more at https://shop.lizmoody.com/. Use our discount codes from our  highly vetted and tested brand partners by visiting https://www.lizmoody.com/codes.  To join The Liz Moody Podcast Club Facebook group, go to www.facebook.com/groups/thelizmoodypodcast. This episode is brought to you completely free thanks to the following podcast sponsors: Puori: go to Puori.com/LizMoody and use promo code LIZMOODY for up to 20% sitewide. OneSkin: head to OneSkin.co and use the code LIZ for 15% off your purchase. The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy. Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast.  This podcast and website represents the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 376. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• GLP-1s: The New Science Transforming Hormones, Weight Loss, Brain Health, and Beyond

  What if everything you thought GLP-1s were for—was just the beginning? I sit down with Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, a board-certified endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist with over 15 years of experience prescribing GLP-1s, to explore what these medications are really doing in the body. Whether you’re already taking Ozempic or Wegovy, considering starting, or just curious, this conversation will change how you think about metabolism, hormones, and health. Dr. Salas-Whalen explains how GLP-1s go far beyond appetite suppression and weight loss—they can impact fertility, inflammation, autoimmune conditions, and even how your brain responds to addictive cravings and stress. You’ll also hear how body composition, not BMI, is the future of metabolic health, and what to ask your doctor before starting GLP-1s. 👇 Reflect or share: What’s something you thought GLP-1s were only for… that surprised you in this episode? 🎧 What you’ll learn: Why GLP-1s reduce more than appetite—they shift behavior, cravings, and brain chemistry How they’re helping patients with PCOS, insulin resistance, and fertility challenges What inflammation and visceral fat have to do with autoimmune disease How GLP-1s may help during perimenopause and hormonal transitions Why muscle is your strongest anti-inflammatory tool—and how to protect it What the scale doesn’t tell you about your health (and why you need a body comp scan) Dr. Salas-Whalen also shares powerful real-life examples from her practice—like the parent whose child's treatment could break generational cycles of obesity. You’ll walk away with a science-backed, compassionate understanding of GLP-1s that goes way beyond headlines. ✨ Homework: If you're considering GLP-1s, ask yourself: what could change in your life if food noise, weight shame, or inflammation were no longer in the way? If you’ve been waiting to feel more like yourself again—this might be your sign to explore a new path to metabolic health. For more from Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen: Pre-Order Her Book: Weightless: A Doctor's Guide to GLP-1 Medications, Sustainable Weight Loss, and the Health You Deserve Visit Her Practice: https://www.nyendocrinology.com Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsalaswhalen Her Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.RocioSalasWhalen Ready to uplevel every part of your life? Order Liz’s book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success now!  Connect with Liz on Instagram @lizmoody or online at www.lizmoody.com. Subscribe to the substack by visiting https://lizmoody.substack.com/welcome. Buy our cute sweatshirts, conversation cards, and more at https://shop.lizmoody.com/. Use our discount codes from our  highly vetted and tested brand partners by visiting https://www.lizmoody.com/codes.  To join The Liz Moody Podcast Club Facebook group, go to www.facebook.com/groups/thelizmoodypodcast. This episode is brought to you completely free thanks to the following podcast sponsors: OneSkin: head to OneSkin.co and use the code LIZ for 15% off your purchase. Birch: go to BirchLiving.com/LizMoody for 20% off sitewide. GLW: visit GreatLakesWellness.com and use code LIZMOODY for 25% off your first purchase. The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy. Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast.  This podcast and website represents the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 375. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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