Last year, spiritual leader Marianne Williamson made headlines when she ran for president. But 10 years earlier, she wrote a bestselling book that promised to teach readers how to “surrender" their weight forever. This week, Mike and Aubrey take a deep dive into Williamson’s life story and her 2010 book, “A Course in Weight Loss." Along the way we talk nonprofit drama, Eleanor Roosevelt and gays for Marianne. Plus, Mike’s got a message for the twinks.
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Videos!
- Marianne Williamson on Forgiveness
- A Course in Weight Loss
- A Course in Weight Loss, Chapter Two
- A Course in Weight Loss, Chapter 7
- A Course in Weight Loss, Chapter 8
Links!
- Who is Marianne Williamson? Her 2020 presidential campaign and policies, explained
- The Divine Miss W
- Faith: Marianne Williamson Is Full of It
- The Gospel According to Marianne Williamson
- “No One Decides to Run for President Impulsively”: Marianne Williamson Explains Her Magical Thinking
- Marianne Williamson has almost everything
- Marianne Williamson is a controversial AIDS-crisis figure for gay men.
- Into America's Spiritual Void With Marianne Williamson
- Why Marianne Williamson’s most famous passage keeps getting cited as a Nelson Mandela quote
Thanks to Doctor Dreamchip for our lovely theme song!
09/14/21 • 57 min
15 Listeners
5.0
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Maintenance Phase - Marianne Williamson
Transcript Summary
In this episode, Mike and Aubrey delve into the life and controversial beliefs of Marianne Williamson, a spiritual leader who gained popularity after appearing on Oprah. They discuss her foray into politics, her views on weight and self-betrayal, as well as her involvement in service organizations and nonprofits. They specifically critique Williamson's book, "A Course in Weight Loss," which promotes surrendering weight and addresses compulsive eating but stigmatizes fat people and promotes unrealistic body expectations. Throughout the conversation, they highlight the harmful impact of these practices and discuss the socio-economic aspect of the book's target audience. If you're interested in dissecting the questionable teachings and exploring the negative consequences of these practices, this episode is a must-listen.
Transcript
Mike: Welcome to Maintenance Phase, the podcast that thinks your aura looks a little purple today.
Aubrey: [chuckles] Oh, I like it.
Mike: Because we're talking about wellness--
Aubrey: [laughs]
Mike: --crystals.
Aubrey: I'm Aubrey Gordon.
Mike: I'm Michael Hobbes.
Aubrey: If you would like to support the show and ou
Marianne Williamson Top Questions Answered
What is Marianne Williamson known for?
Marianne Williamson is known as a spiritual leader and self-help author.
What is the book "A Course in Miracles" about?
"A Course in Miracles" is a book that Marianne Williamson was known for. It inspired her to host prayer groups and give lectures.
What elements did Marianne Williamson combine in her teachings?
Marianne Williamson combined elements of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and pop psychology in her teachings.
Where did Marianne Williamson open a metaphysical bookstore/coffee shop?
Marianne Williamson opened a metaphysical bookstore/coffee shop in Houston, Texas.
Who did Marianne Williamson live with in Los Angeles?
Marianne Williamson lived with Laura Dern as her roommate in Los Angeles.
What organizations did Marianne Williamson found in the late 80s and early 90s?
Marianne Williamson founded organizations like the Center for Living and Project Angel Food in the late 80s and early 90s.
Why did Marianne Williamson face criticism?
Marianne Williamson faced criticism for her leadership style and religious beliefs.
What did Marianne Williamson publicly oppose in nonprofits?
Marianne Williamson publicly opposed unionization in nonprofits.
What book did Marianne Williamson publish in 1992?
Marianne Williamson published her first book, "A Return to Love," in 1992.
What podcast episode discusses Marianne Williamson's book "A Course in Weight Loss"?
The podcast episode discusses Marianne Williamson's book "A Course in Weight Loss."
What criticisms were raised about Marianne Williamson's book "A Course in Weight Loss"?
The book was criticized for its stigmatizing and harmful ideas about fat people and weight loss, promoting harmful body image, and failing to address real issues of body image and self-acceptance.
Who were the primary target audience of Marianne Williamson's book "A Course in Weight Loss"?
The book's audience seemed to be primarily thin people who perceived themselves as fat.
What potential harm was discussed regarding Marianne Williamson's book "A Course in Weight Loss"?
The podcast hosts discussed the potential harm the book could cause to individuals with eating disorders and those who are economically disadvantaged.
What issues were highlighted regarding Marianne Williamson's book "A Course in Weight Loss"?
The book's limitations in addressing real concerns of fat people and its focus on achieving a specific physical appearance were highlighted by the podcast hosts.
How did Marianne Williamson's presidential campaign end?
Marianne Williamson ultimately laid off her staff and dropped out of the presidential campaign.
Who did Marianne Williamson officiate the wedding of?
Marianne Williamson officiated Elizabeth Taylor's wedding.
What position did Marianne Williamson hold in The Church of Today?
Marianne Williamson became the leader of The Church of Today.
What criticisms arose about Marianne Williamson during her presidential campaign?
Criticisms arose about her past involvement in nonprofits and her views on AIDS.
What quote from Marianne Williamson's book "A Return to Love" is commonly misattributed to Nelson Mandela?
The book's famous quote that is often misattributed to Nelson Mandela gained popularity after Marianne Williamson appeared on Oprah in 1992.
How did Marianne Williamson's campaign for Congress end?
Marianne Williamson ran for Congress in 2014 but finished fourth with 13% of the vote.
When did Marianne Williamson step down from the organizations she founded?
Marianne Williamson stepped down from the organizations she founded in 1992, the same year she published her first book.
What did Marianne Williamson gain national and global fame for?
Marianne Williamson gained national and global fame after appearing on Oprah in 1992, leading to the success of her book "A Return to Love."
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