A Plastic Surgeon & Psychologist Debate Beauty Standards

We’re at a crossroads with the body image conversation.

“Love yourself” was the mantra of the 2010s. But today, many of the same voices who preached that message are turning to Ozempic, cosmetic procedures, and other forms of body modification.

So what’s really happening and where do we go from here?

In this episode, we sit down with psychologist Dr. Hillary McBride and plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Linkov — two people often seen as opposites in the body image conversation.

Dr. McBride is one of most trusted voices in the body image space today. She’s written three bestselling books on body image and embodiment, runs a full-time clinical practice, and was praised by The New York Times for a “thoughtful, curious, and deeply empathetic” approach.

Dr. Linkov is one of the most sought-after facial plastic surgeons in the world. Based in New York City, he runs a premier practice and has built a global following of over 1 million subscribers through his radically transparent YouTube channel.

And if you’re trying to make sense of this moment, these are the voices you want in the room. Because no one is closer to the ground than they are.

We talk about:
1) What’s driving the reversal of body positivity
2) The mentality that Ozempic & plastic surgery are “wise investments”
3) The rise of self-objectification and using your body as your product
4) The erasure of aging in our society
5) How to make decisions about your body you won’t regret

Whether you’re considering a procedure, have body shame or just trying to understand how beauty culture is shaping your life, this episode is foundational.

Chapters:
0:00 – Trailer
1:54 – Intro
4:13 – What’s Happening Right Now?
17:34 – Is Plastic Surgery A Wise Investment?
43:37 – The Rise of Self-Objectification
1:10:04 – The Erasure of Aging In Society
1:29:50 – What Are We Really After?
1:36:53 – Is Ozempic Or Plastic Surgery A Solution?
1:48:30 – Are Before-And-After Pictures A Problem?
1:58:39 – A Need For Transparency About Procedures
2:06:05 – Closing Thoughts

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