Shows
The Fat PsychologistFat, Geeky, Loved: Representation in the media with Catherine RichardsonIn this episode of The Fat Psychologist Podcast, Ninna is joined by fellow psychologist and self-proclaimed geek, Catherine Richardson, founder of Geek Mental Wellbeing. Together, they explore how representation in media—especially of fat and neurodiverse people—shapes our wellbeing, identity, and sense of belonging. We talk about:How pop culture and gaming can support mental health and self-understandingThe power of seeing yourself in characters, especially for neurodiverse folksFat suits, stereotypes, and the harm of lazy representationPersonal stories of love, acceptance, and wedding dressesTherapy approaches that embrace neurodiversity and challenge diet cultureMindfulness, body autonomy, and reframing unhelpful thoughtsFrom...
2025-07-1340 min
The Fat PsychologistFat Counselling: Therapy & Fat Liberation with Jo Reader and Cat ChappellFat Counselling: Therapy and Fat Liberation with Jo Reader and Cat ChappellIn this episodeNinna is joined by Jo Reader and Cat Chappell, known as The Fat Counsellors, for a rich and affirming conversation about therapy, fat liberation, and the need to challenge fat bias in therapeutic spaces.Jo and Cat share how their personal experiences and professional paths led them to create The Fat Counsellors and develop training that supports both therapists and the wider public in unlearning internalised fatphobia. Their work is grounded in compassion, activism, and the belief that everyone deserves...
2025-06-2235 min
Flixwatcher: A Netflix Film Review PodcastEpisode # 382 Scoop with Nina Robinson and Ninna Makrinov
Nina Robinson (Soundtruism Media Productions) and Ninna Makrinov (The Fat Psychologist podcast) join Flixwatcher to review Nina’s choice Scoop.
Scoop (2024) is a dramatisation of the jaw dropping 2019 BBC Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew. It is based on the book Scoops by former Newsnight editor Sam McAlister. Directed by Philip (The Crown) Martin, it stars Gillian Anderson as Newsnight host Emily Maitlis, Keeley Hawes as Amanda Thirsk, Prince Andrew's private secretary, Billie Piper as Sam McAlister and Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew.
Following the publication of images of Prince Andrew walking w...
2025-06-1847 min
The Fat PsychologistHappiness at Every Size: Thrive by being youHappiness at Every Size:Self-Acceptance, Wellbeing, and Challenging Fat BiasJoin psychologist Ninna Makrinov as she explores the concept of happiness at every size in this insightful episode. Ninna, known as The Fat Psychologist, delves into self-acceptance, contentment, and the importance of social support. Reflecting on her personal journey and current research, she examines the relationship between happiness, wellbeing, and fat bias.Discover key insights from the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, and learn about myths related to weight and health. Whether you’re seeking self-acceptance or interested in psychological perspectives on happiness, this episode offers va...
2025-06-1530 min
The Fat PsychologistDiet culture as religion: Faith and Fatness with Amanda Martinez BeckIn this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, Ninna is joined by author, activist, and future priest Amanda Martinez Beck to explore the powerful idea of diet culture as a religion. Together, they unpack how societal norms around body size, food, and morality mirror religious structures—and how we can begin to unlearn these harmful beliefs.From shared experiences of Catholicism and fat liberation to reflections on disability, theology, and representation, this conversation is rich with insight, vulnerability, and hope. Amanda and Ninna challenge the cultural narratives that equate thinness with virtue and fatness with failure, offering instead a vision of radi...
2025-06-0842 min
The Fat PsychologistFeel it to heal it: Emotions with Juan Pablo KalawskiFeel It to Heal It: Emotions with Juan Pablo KalawskiWelcome to another episode of The Fat Psychologist Podcast. This week, Ninna Makrinov, aka The Fat Psychologist, is joined by psychologist and Alba Emoting master teacher Dr Juan Pablo Kalawski for a deep and heartfelt conversation about emotions—what they are, how we experience them, and how we can use them to heal and grow.We explore:What emotions really are (and why defining them is so tricky)The connection between body, breath, and feelingsWhy anger isn’t bad—and how it can fuel positive changeThe Alba Method: how br...
2025-06-0234 min
The Fat PsychologistRevolutionary Hotness: Reclaiming pleasure"Pleasure is going to be my ultimate beacon in this life." – Erica SosaSeason 1 Episode 8In this episode of the Fat Psychologist Podcast, host Ninna Makrinov is joined by guest Erica Sosa to discuss body positivity and the impact of societal stigma on mental health. They delve into topics such as desirability politics, the harmful effects of diet culture, and the importance of embracing pleasure at any size. Erica shares her experiences as a fat femme advocating for body inclusivity and challenges the stigmatization of fat bodies. The discussion is backed by research li...
2025-05-2527 min
The Fat PsychologistActivism: Fat bodies are political with Erica SosaIn this powerful and deeply validating episode, Ninna Makrinov explores the political nature of fat bodies and the systems that shape our perceptions of them. Joined by the brilliant Erica Sosa, writer of Revolutionary Hotness, they unpack how fatness intersects with systems of power like religion, capitalism, and white supremacy. Together, they reflect on personal journeys, cultural expectations, and the radical act of simply existing in a marginalized body.This episode is a call to embrace who we are, challenge diet culture, and reclaim our space unapologetically.Listen & SupportSubscribe, rate, and share wherever you listen to podcasts.Watch t...
2025-05-1826 min
The Fat PsychologistBe your authentic self: Ninna on courage, self-esteem and self-efficacyIn this heartfelt episode, Ninna Makrinov, The Fat Psychologist, delves into the complexities of embracing authenticity and the courage it takes to be oneself. Ninna shares her personal journey, exploring themes of self-acceptance, vulnerability, and the impact of societal expectations on our sense of self. She discusses the importance of inclusivity and how we can be happy at every size, backed by research and personal anecdotes.Call to Action:Share your stories of daring to be yourself with Ninna, be a guest on my podcast.Follow Ninna on Bluesky and Instagram @TheFatPsychologist.Visit thefatpsychologist.com for precise...
2025-05-1131 min
The Fat PsychologistLaugh out Loud: stand-up comedy with Sheri SankeyNinna and Sheri explore the power and necessity of laughter, especially in times of sadness. Ninna emphasizes the importance of laughing for its own sake and finding moments of joy even in difficult circumstances. 00:00 Intro to The Fat Psychologist podcast01:08 The Power of Humor and Laughter03:58 Sheri's Standup Comedy Journey09:58 Americana: Being a migrant10:51 A bit of politics 12:27 Exploring Multipotentiality and Career Shifts16:06 The West Midlands are great17:33 Enjoying the process and the destination 21:22 The Impact of Laughter on Wellbeing23:11 The pressure to be thin: TV and expectations24:01 Discrimination an...
2025-05-0433 min
The Fat PsychologistBounce back: Ninna on rethinking resilience and wellbeingIn this episode of the Fat Psychologist Podcast, I explore the concept of resilience, rebranding it as 'bouncing back' from adversity, failure, and trauma. I critique the traditional view of resilience as a personal trait, advocating instead for a process-oriented perspective that includes social and environmental factors. I delve into recent wellbeing research, including systematic literature reviews, and highlight the importance of social support and positive psychology. I argue for group interventions and a holistic approach to creating environments where individuals can thrive. I also emphasize the role of counseling and positive relationships in fostering resilience.If you...
2025-04-2531 min
The Fat PsychologistComing out of a dark place: resilience with Angela Mae MorrisonNinna talks with author and nurse Angela Mae Morrison about resilience and her book Coming Out of a Dark Place. They discuss the importance of social support and sharetheir stories of supporting their children through difficult times in their lives.If you like my podcast, follow @TheFatPsychologist , visit my website https://thefatpsychologist.com and sponsor me at https://buymeacoffee.com/thefatpsychologist
2025-04-1830 min
The Fat Psychologist"Don't say fat": Ninna on fat activism, fatphobia and allyshipNinna talks about the history of fat activism, fat liberation, fat positivity and body neutrality. She considers all the aims that all these movements share. For the newbies, Ninna talks about some of the lingo used in the fat community and the terms she hates people using (spoiler alert: avoid overweight, plus size... and most definitely ban "morbidly obese"). She delves into research that demonstrate the discrimination faced by fat people, how we are perceived and the income gap we face. She calls us all to be activists, because there is hope that fat bias can be reduced and hopefully...
2025-04-1127 min
The Fat PsychologistI am fat: identity with Nina Robinson and Faith StadnykNinna and Nina talk about our identities and how they link to happiness and belonging. Faith shares her research on how fat liberation and Health at Every Size are portrayed on social media.Faith Stadnyk is an academically-trained intersectional feminist, critical health, fat studies, critical disability studies, and critical eating dis/order studies researcher and advocate for social justice. Nina Robinson is CEO of the media production company Soundtruism, which aims to tell diverse and authentic stories in audio as factual narrative podcast formats.Nina Makrinov, aka The Fat Psychologist, is a teacher, trainer, c...
2025-04-0436 minThe Fat PsychologistWelcome Teaser - Meet Ninna, aka The Fat PsychologistListen to hear why you should listen to my podcast. A little bit about me and the first season Happiness at Every Size.Transcript:Hi, I’m Ninna Makrinov. I’m a psychologist. And, yes I am fat. I am The Fat Psychologist.I struggled with my weight for almost as longs as I can remember. As a child, my family had me on a calorie restricted diet since I was 8. I was told no-one would ever love me unless I lost weight, no-one would ever hire me, no-one would ever accept me.
2025-03-3001 min