In this episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini sits down with therapist, author, and co-founder of the Center for Body Trust, Hilary Kinavey, for a powerful and deeply validating conversation on body trust, midlife transitions, and the complex emotions surrounding menopause and aging. Hilary shares her personal and professional insights into how diet culture and beauty standards intersect with perimenopause, and how our society’s obsession with thinness, youth, and productivity intensifies body shame during these natural life transitions. The conversation explores the emotional, physiological, and social dimensions of menopause, while inviting listeners to step away from control-based approaches and move toward a more compassionate, liberatory path of healing. Together, they challenge the dominant narratives of “fixing” the body, especially through diet fads or medications like GLP-1s, and instead call for a return to self-trust, grief work, and embodied wisdom.

Hilary Kinavey, MS, LPC, is a therapist, author, and co-founder of the Center for Body Trust. She is the co-author of Reclaiming Body Trust: A Path to Healing and Liberation and has spent over two decades supporting people in healing their relationships with food, body, and self. Hilary’s work centers grief tending, body liberation, and emotional resilience as essential to sustainable healing and business-building. She is the creator of EMBER, a program for emotion-centered entrepreneurs who want to grow meaningful work without abandoning themselves. Across all her work, she invites people to reclaim what they were taught to mistrust—grief, desire, body, and expression.        

Key Topics Discussed:

  • What “body trust” really means and how it differs from body positivity.
  • How grief, rage, and liberation are part of healing your relationship with your body.
  • Why menopause is more than a hormonal shift—it's a life-altering transition.
  • How the weight loss industry targets midlife bodies with fear and shame.
  • Why the use of GLP-1 drugs raises concerns in the context of diet culture and long-term well-being.
  • How to navigate perimenopause with more emotional clarity and community support.
  • The ongoing practice of embodiment and the role of community in sustained healing.

IMPORTANT TIMECODES FROM THIS EPISODE:

  • 00:00 Introduction to Behind the Bite
  • 00:59 Today's Episode: Midlife Body Challenges
  • 01:20 Guest Introduction: Hilary Kinavey
  • 02:33 Hilary's Journey into Body Trust
  • 05:04 Understanding Body Trust
  • 06:36 Menopause and Body Image
  • 08:00 Navigating Menopause Confusion
  • 11:16 Personal Experiences with Menopause
  • 21:54 Diet and Beauty Industry's Impact
  • 22:40 Creating Supportive Resources
  • 23:33 Challenges of Perimenopause Awareness
  • 24:15 Concerns About GLP-1 Use
  • 24:47 The Intersection of Weight Loss and Menopause
  • 25:36 Long-Term Effects and Misconceptions
  • 29:00 Microdosing GLP-1 and Weight Loss Culture
  • 30:16 Body Trust and Healing from Diet Culture
  • 33:58 Grief and Anger in the Healing Process
  • 35:10 Community and Continuous Practice
  • 38:16 Resources and Programs for Healing
  • 40:25 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
  • 41:01 Podcast Outro and Additional Resources

FINAL WORDS FROM HILARY:

Hilary reminds us that midlife isn’t something to dread—it’s an invitation to be more fully in your own body, to trust what arises, and to choose relationships (with yourself and others) that are grounded in compassion, not performance.

CONNECT WITH HILARY:

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

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Until next time, remember, we're here to break down barriers, challenge stigma, and support each other on the path to a better life.

Part of the Los Angeles Tribune Podcast Network, produced by the Tweaky Tales.

**Disclaimer:**

The content of this podcast episode is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or affiliated organizations. If you have any medical or mental health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare provider. Listener discretion is advised, especially for those sensitive to topics related to body image, weight stigma, and eating disorders.