Tanya Mosley

I have to talk with you about another celebrity that you reference many times in the book. And it's really important because of her scope and influence over time in our society. And that is Oprah. Full disclosure, I'm the generation that grew up on Oprah. I'm the latchkey kid who came home and watched her until my mom got home from work.

And so many of the references you make in this book, I remember watching them in real time as a child. She really is the original health influencer of our time. How would you describe her influence and maybe even her contribution to what we know as wellness, which kind of started around 94 when she changed the format of her show?

And so many of the references you make in this book, I remember watching them in real time as a child. She really is the original health influencer of our time. How would you describe her influence and maybe even her contribution to what we know as wellness, which kind of started around 94 when she changed the format of her show?

And so many of the references you make in this book, I remember watching them in real time as a child. She really is the original health influencer of our time. How would you describe her influence and maybe even her contribution to what we know as wellness, which kind of started around 94 when she changed the format of her show?

Well, one moment that you highlight. So Jenny McCarthy appeared on Oprah in 2007. She claimed that vaccines caused her son's autism, even with the overwhelming scientific evidence disproving that link. But the fact that it happened on Oprah's platform at a time when anti-vaccine beliefs were still considered fringe, it kind of put it on the mainstream stage.

Well, one moment that you highlight. So Jenny McCarthy appeared on Oprah in 2007. She claimed that vaccines caused her son's autism, even with the overwhelming scientific evidence disproving that link. But the fact that it happened on Oprah's platform at a time when anti-vaccine beliefs were still considered fringe, it kind of put it on the mainstream stage.

Well, one moment that you highlight. So Jenny McCarthy appeared on Oprah in 2007. She claimed that vaccines caused her son's autism, even with the overwhelming scientific evidence disproving that link. But the fact that it happened on Oprah's platform at a time when anti-vaccine beliefs were still considered fringe, it kind of put it on the mainstream stage.

Can you remind us who that is? He was known as John of God.

Can you remind us who that is? He was known as John of God.

Can you remind us who that is? He was known as John of God.

Yes. I mean, she introduced us to many folks who then went on to have their own platforms, like Dr. Oz, who is a very polarizing figure and controversial figure in this moment. But when you look back, I mean, even to what's happening today with wellness influencers, celebrity health evangelists, do you think that they have a duty to understand the weight of their influence?

Yes. I mean, she introduced us to many folks who then went on to have their own platforms, like Dr. Oz, who is a very polarizing figure and controversial figure in this moment. But when you look back, I mean, even to what's happening today with wellness influencers, celebrity health evangelists, do you think that they have a duty to understand the weight of their influence?

Yes. I mean, she introduced us to many folks who then went on to have their own platforms, like Dr. Oz, who is a very polarizing figure and controversial figure in this moment. But when you look back, I mean, even to what's happening today with wellness influencers, celebrity health evangelists, do you think that they have a duty to understand the weight of their influence?

Is there a responsibility there, especially in a space where people are often vulnerable and looking for help?

Is there a responsibility there, especially in a space where people are often vulnerable and looking for help?

Is there a responsibility there, especially in a space where people are often vulnerable and looking for help?

Have there been any major lawsuits or anything based on promises or fads or anything that's been touted by influencers, celebrities that are of note, that like really stuck out to you? I remember many, many years ago. Yes, with Dr. Oz.

Have there been any major lawsuits or anything based on promises or fads or anything that's been touted by influencers, celebrities that are of note, that like really stuck out to you? I remember many, many years ago. Yes, with Dr. Oz.

Have there been any major lawsuits or anything based on promises or fads or anything that's been touted by influencers, celebrities that are of note, that like really stuck out to you? I remember many, many years ago. Yes, with Dr. Oz.

If you're just joining us, my guest is journalist and author Amy LaRocca. We're talking about her new book, How to Be Well, Navigating Our Self-Care Epidemic, One Dubious Cure at a Time. We'll continue our conversation after a short break. This is Fresh Air.