Self-improvement
Thinking Allowed
BBC
4.4 • 997 Ratings
🗓️ 4 January 2023
⏱️ 30 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
SELF IMPROVEMENT: Laurie Taylor explores the 'wellness' and 'confidence' cultures that injunct us to be better versions of ourselves. He talks to Shani Orgad, a Professor in the Department of Media and Communications at the LSE and co-author of a new study arguing that imperatives directed at women to “love your body” and “believe in yourself” imply that psychological blocks rather than entrenched social injustices hold women back. Why is there now such an emphasis on confidence in contemporary discourse about body image, workplace, relationships, motherhood, and even international development? They’re joined by Stephanie Alice Baker, a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at City, University of London, whose latest work traces the emergence of 'wellness culture' from a fringe countercultural pursuit to a trillion-dollar industry. Wellness has become synonymous with yoga, meditation, and other forms of self-care and is no longer simply an alternative to mainstream medicine. As it's coalesced with consumer culture, it's become synonymous with an industry of exclusive products and services. In addition, in the Covid moment, it's become associated with harmful conspiracy theories. So is 'wellness' culture delivering on its myriad promises, or does it have a darker side?
Producer: Jayne Egerton
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Take some time for yourself with soothing classical music from the mindful mix, the Science of |
| 0:07.0 | Happiness Podcast. |
| 0:08.0 | For the last 20 years I've dedicated my career to exploring the science of living a happier more meaningful life and I want |
| 0:14.4 | to share that science with you. |
| 0:16.1 | And just one thing, deep calm with Michael Mosley. |
| 0:19.4 | I want to help you tap in to your hidden relaxation response system and open the door to that |
| 0:25.4 | calmer place within. Listen on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:30.3 | BBC Sounds, music, radio podcasts. |
| 0:36.5 | This is a Thinking Loud Podcasts from the BBC and for more details and much, much more about |
| 0:42.3 | thinking aloud, go to our website the |
| 0:44.6 | BBC.co. UK. Hello well how are you feeling today a slight cough perhaps a bit of |
| 0:51.2 | a sore throat well a headache that won't go away a |
| 0:54.0 | little stiffness in the ankles perhaps some stomach rumblings a persistent |
| 0:58.1 | handkover I'm so very very sorry if you have any of these problems but I wasn't really asking about your |
| 1:04.8 | purely physical condition I was inquiring about your existential state of being you know |
| 1:10.4 | your healthy spirit your degree of mindfulness your state of consciousness your well your progress towards self actualization I was in short not inquiring about the absence or presence of illness or infirmity, but about your wellness, your holistic health, and no ugly medicines are required for attaining this nirvana. |
| 1:34.0 | Sit upright in a comfortable position, |
| 1:40.0 | with your spine straight. |
| 1:42.0 | Try to find a position with your spine straight. |
| 1:48.0 | Try to find a position that will allow you to hold your body completely still, |
| 1:53.0 | gradually freeing yourself from any compulsion to move. |
| 1:58.0 | Rest your hands on your thighs, with the palms facing upward. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of BBC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.