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In this week’s episode of Aspire, hosts Katie Shipp and Chessy Prout are joined by student intern Kalaya Hudziec-Leiva and special guest Dr. Charlotte Markey, a renowned psychology professor and leading expert on body image.

Dr. Markey discusses the updated edition of The Body Image Book for Girls and explores the critical intersection of body appreciation, mental health, and personal safety. The conversation delves into how caregivers can move past the “cringe factor” to have honest, age-appropriate conversations about puberty, navigate the impact of social media, and use anatomically correct language to empower children.

Dr. Markey also shares practical strategies for challenging cultural beauty standards and helping young people separate their self-worth from their appearance.

Throughout the episode, the hosts enrich the discussion with personal reflections on their own experiences with body image and societal expectations. Chessy shares her radical practice of “body gratitude,” reframing her body as a capable, powerful instrument rather than an object for aesthetic judgment. Katie reflects on the damaging double standards she faced in high school, disciplined for the length of her shorts while classmates crossed her physical boundaries.

Together, they highlight how shifting the focus from “beautiful” to “strong,” “smart,” and “brave” can help the next generation reclaim confidence, autonomy, and power.

Connect with Dr Markey:

https://www.instagram.com/char_markey/ 

https://facebook.com/drcharlottemarkey/

https://markey.camden.rutgers.edu/ 

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Aspire is produced by BenHudakProductions.com