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Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women — Christianity
Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women

The go-to podcast for Christian women who want to grow stronger in their faith and stop living stuck in comparison!

Are you a Christian woman who’s tired of measuring yourself by the world’s standards? Have you tried to “fix yourself” with willpower, self-help, or even Christian clichés—but still feel like you’re falling short?Do you know the truth of God’s Word, yet struggle to believe it in your daily life?

Bonus: Have you ever wished you could just pray your struggles away in an instant? (Your secret’s safe here.)

If you answered yes, then Compared to Who? is the show for you!

Each week, we tackle the real issues Christian women face—comparison, body image issues, performance pressure, insecurity, identity, spiritual maturity, and more—through a practical, grace-filled, gospel-centered lens. You’ll find encouragement to trust God’s Spirit, rest in His promises, and grow deeper in your walk with Christ.

I’m Heather Creekmore—best-selling author, speaker, and follower of Jesus. After decades of chasing approval and perfection, I discovered that true freedom only comes through surrendering to Him. Now I help women like you exchange striving for peace, insecurity for identity, and comparison for confidence in Christ.

Every episode is packed with relatable stories, biblical truth, and honest encouragement to help you stop living stuck—and start living free in Jesus.

Find out more about me and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

Want to join our podcast community on Facebook? Visit us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024

Latest Episodes:

Do I Need More Self-Control to Stop Eating? Feat. Amy Carlson, RD May 24, 2022

Show notes

Do we need more self-control to stop eating? That's what many of us have believed. In this part two of a conversation between Heather Creekmore and Amy Carlson, RD -- we break down the spiritual fallacies surrounding applying self-control to wanting to be a "better dieter." Amy and Heather talk about the heart problems surrounding our desire to control our bodies through restricting food and what's really under the surface when we talk about needing more "self-control" to not eat foods we deem may make us gain weight.

Here are some other topics we hit in today's episode: Do I Need More Self Control to Stop Eating:

What is the real appetite that requires self-control? Is it our desire for food or is it our desire to satisfy our own desires--what I "want" for my body?
Why self control to stop eating is a dangerous and distorted version of the Bible's self control
How we reinforce the messages of diet culture in the church when we equate purity, holiness, and sanctification to being able to say no to dessert.
We talk about how rattling it is for women who have been immersed in diet culture to recognize the truth of scripture from the lies of the dieting world.
We discuss how we subtly fall into the trap of desiring self-worship when we want to change our body size through food restriction.
If self-control isn't what we need to have better "control" of our eating (or to stop eating)-then what can we do? What should we be praying for instead?
How we can change the conversation around food and body image issues by pushing back on some of these beliefs that have been taught even in the church and asking ourselves if the intent of scripture has been twisted to teach the gospel of diet culture instead of the true gospel--the good news!

Connect with Amy Carlson and check out her Peace With Food app here: https://www.hellopeacewithfood.com

Are you on the Compared to Who? email friends list yet? If not, take the 5 Day Body Image Email Challenge here: 5-Day Email Challenge or here: https://comparedtowho.me/5-day-email-challenge/

Leave a review for this show or support it here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Is Self Control Really the Solution to Our Food Issues? May 20, 2022

Show notes

It's a popular message in Christian circles when the topic of food arises--we need more self control. The message is subtle but clear. If you had more self control, food issues would disappear. If you had more self control (which is a fruit of the spirit) then you would always choose Jesus over brownies. If you have more self control, you'd never have an issue with your weight. We've made the biblical concept of self control all about sticking to our diet. But, is that what self control is really about, according to scripture?

Today, my guest is Amy Carlson, RD. She's worked with women with disordered eating and eating disorders for more than two decades. She loves Jesus and loves helping women break free from the bondage of food restriction cycles so they can make peace with food. She and her colleagues created the Peace With Food App, a helpful app that encourages you to be present and helps you transition to intuitive eating.

Here are places we go today as we tackle this big topic: Is Self Control Really the Solution to Our Food Issues?

What does it really mean to deny the flesh?
Why have we made self control about denying ourselves of food and what is really behind that?
Does Jesus really have clear opinions on what we eat?
How the church has co-opted the messages of diet culture surrounding good foods, bad foods, and sanctification that comes from eating what's most "acceptable" in our diet culture.
Why self control is more about looking like Jesus than looking like a model.
Why food restriction isn't holiness or sanctification (and how food really doesn't have anything to do with these biblical concepts.)
How we conflate the concept of gluttony when we talk about having "control" around food.
How biblical self-discipline is about controlling lusts of the flesh, not about avoiding nourishment of our bodies.
How truly changing our desires and becoming more like Christ has more to do with how we love and treat others than it does about what we eat.
And so much more!

Share this episode with a friend and leave a review if it's touched you! Not sure how to leave a review? Learn more here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast

Ready to start reading the Burden of Better? Find out more or start reading the first two chapters free here: https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Leah and Other Misunderstood Women of Bible Feat: Mary DeMuth May 17, 2022

Show notes

Today Heather welcomes author and podcaster, Mary DeMuth on the show to talk about Leah and other women from the Bible whose stories we may not have learned accurately in Sunday School! Her brand new book, "The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible" dives deep into stories of women such as Naomi, Rahab, Phoebe, Leah, and even the famously perfect Proverbs 31 "woman." Mary and Heather talk about some of these women, their stories, and what to do if you feel misunderstood.

Here are a few key points from Leah and Other Misunderstood Women of the Bible:

What does it mean to be misunderstood?
How Leah's story shows us what's most important about
What does it mean to have a beautiful soul?
The huge shift in thinking about whose beauty we are looking for.
How relying on our body for validation may connect to being misunderstood.
Proverbs 31-- It's not really for women! What?
The story of Phoebe and her connection to Romans that you've probably never heard!
What do you do when you feel misunderstood?
How we attempt to self-correct so we won't be misunderstood.
How we misunderstand our worth and identity in Christ.
How sometimes the Holy Spirit does direct us to defend ourselves, and sometimes he directs us to be quiet.

Visit https://www.MaryDeMuth.com/misunderstood for the freebie: 64 Truths and Proclamations for When You're Misunderstood or connect with Mary DeMuth here: https://www.marydemuth.com or on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/marydemuth/ or listen to the Pray Everyday Podcast.

Buy Mary's latest book, "The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible" here (Amazon affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3FmytCi

Listen to other episodes about Rachel and Leah here. Listen to Heather's other interview with Mary DeMuth here.

Connect with Compared to Who? and take the FREE 5-Day Email Challenge: https://comparedtowho.me/5-day-email-challenge/

Leave a question for Heather to tackle on the air: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast

Learn more about Compared to Who? the book or learn more about The Burden of Better book.

Get on the waiting list for Fall coaching: Email Heather at Heather @ Compared to Who. Me

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Confession: I'm a Body Change Addict May 13, 2022

Show notes

Today Heather digs into the concept of addiction--but not in a way you might expect. Heather isn't talking about drugs or alcohol or other things that you expect people to be addicted to. Instead, she talks about being addicted to body change--of chasing idols of body image and beauty through controlling and manipulating her body size and shape. Heather breaks down some amazing teaching from Dr. Tim Keller on the topic of addictions and idolatry and she applies this teaching to our issues with food and body. The sermon she refers to throughout today's episode is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcuE9ewrwVw

Here are some other topics talked about in today's episode, I'm a Body Change Addict:

How the prophet Jeremiah shows us Israel's idolatry problem and how this applies to us today!
The deep spiritual desire we have to find affirmation.
What addiction really is and how it's a spiritual problem.
The addiction cycle and what Jeremiah 2:27 teaches us about it.
How we can see what our addictions are as we compare what bothers us versus what bothers are friends.
How addictions can't be solved just through changing our bodies.
The Biggest Loser definition of salvation.
How scolding and shaming never helps us change anything.
What does work to break us out of addiction and sin.
How our priorities reveal our treasures and our idols.
Tim Keller's solution of thinking about these issues as issues between our bridegroom (Jesus) and his bride (us) and how this changes things.
Why we all want to look flawless.

Take the 5 Day Email Challenge from Compared to Who? and join the friends list at www.Comparedtowho.me

Learn more about The Burden of Better and start reading the first two chapters for free here.

Connect with Heather or drop her a message at Heather@ compared to who.me.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What to Do When You're Uncomfortable In Your Body May 10, 2022

Show notes

Today's Intuitive Eating Coaching Call is filled with so many good nuggets of truth, you're going to want to listen to it twice. If intuitive eating doesn't feel very intuitive to you, take a listen to this. Heather talks about how she's feeling "safer" in her body and healthier in many ways but struggling to feel comfortable at a new size. Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel of the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast talk with Heather about so many great truths about giving up diet culture, food rules, and unhealthy mental strongholds around dieting, food, and weight loss. If you're uncomfortable in your body and feel uncertain about your size, food, weight, or anything in that genre--you're going to get a lot out of this episode.

Here Are Some Topics We Cover in What to Do When You're Uncomfortable in Your Body:

PMS changes, hormones, and body image
Messages from celebrities that have stuck with Heather for decades
Is it physical discomfort with size or is it mental discomfort around not wearing a size we desire?
We argue over whether or not "physical discomfort" is always cured by weight loss.
How do we take weight loss off the table?
What is the cost of weight loss--long term and short term?
Is the short-term success of dieting worth it?
Heather confesses to being sucked back into exercise addiction.
How we feel a moral obligation to lose weight if it will solve our health issues.
We question the cultural truth that we each have complete control over our own weight.
How addictive behavior tricks us when we are coming out of eating disorders or exercise addiction.
Exercise or joyful movement in the scope of Intuitive Eating
How Heather feels free to not think of food as much.
The mental health aspect of our food struggles and how we "trick" ourselves into our addictive behaviors.
How so much of this struggle comes down to heart issues and our desire for rules and law.
What happens when others don't get the journey you're on--and when it feels lonely.
Don't go back to Egypt (listen to the episode on that topic here!)

Connect with Erin Todd and Char-Lee Cassel on Instagram or on their website or listen to the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast on Apple.

Take the 5 Day Email Challenge from Compared to Who? and join the friends list at www.Comparedtowho.me

Learn more about The Burden of Better and start reading the first two chapters for free here.

Connect with Heather or drop her a message at Heather@ compared to who.me.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Forgiving Mom (Or Others) for Their Roles in Body Image Issues May 06, 2022

Show notes

One of the trickiest parts of healing our body image issues is recognizing the impact that parents and others may have had in the way they developed while, at the same time, not blaming them! Seeing the hurt and brokenness of our moms or our dads in this arena, and then forgiving them for the pain that they (most often) unintentionally passed on to us is a tricky thing. If you're ready to understand a moms role in body image issues and to forgive mom (or someone else) for their roles in your body image issues, then this episode is for you! We'll do a practical, step-by-step exercise in how to forgive family members or others for the things that they have said or done that have kept us in body image bondage.

Here's what we talk about in today's show about your mom's role in body image issues:

How do we not blame our moms, dads, and other relatives who have "contributed" to our body image issues?
Thinking about how those things that have been said over you may still be connected to lies you regularly hear.
How most parents are well-meaning in wanting their child to succeed in an "economy" where beauty wins.
Why writing down the lies is important to the forgiveness protocol.
How forgiving others sets not just them free, but also sets us free. (Or course, this is through Christ--the only one who truly sets us free!)
Do you need to tell your mom (or others) that you've forgiven them? Do you need a conversation? Heather breaks down the truth.
Moms play a role in body image issues, but you can restore your relationship with your mom, even if she was a contributor to your struggles with body or few.

Get the 5 Day Body Image Email Challenge Here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/5

Interested in Coaching? Learn more at: https://www.comparedtowho.me/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Summer Body Image Assessment: How Are You Doing? May 03, 2022

Show notes

Everyone is talking about getting a summer "body" but as we enter a new season, my question is: How is your body image? Where are you on the path to body image freedom? I've had some friends walking this path with me for years now--you've probably heard me change, grow, and learn as God reveals new things to me in areas I previously didn't even know he wanted to change! Others of you may be brand new to the Compared to Who? show or this ministry. Maybe you never even knew that your problem with your body was actually a problem with your body image. Perhaps you are still trying to figure out if that statement is even true--and if it really is possible to change how you feel about your body without reaching your "goal weight" or getting the body you always dreamed of. Today, I give you a short, 5 question assessment so you can figure out where you are on the path and I offer some practical steps as to what may be next for you if you want to keep growing in body image freedom.

Here are some other things we tackle in the Summer Body Image Assessment:

We talk about how body image freedom never comes from a plan. Freedom is a path, not a plan.
We talk about how for Heather, food issues weren't something that God started working on right away. How it took her years after starting to heal her body image to give up dieting and over-exercising and see the disordered eating patterns and habits in her life.
Heather shares how gracious it is of God to meet us where we are at and not push us to walk this path any faster than we are ready to.
We talk about the "Idol of Self" and how sneaky it is to believe that our opinions of us are more important than everyone else's (even God's).
We "go there" and talk about summer body image struggles. Heather makes suggests as to how you can enjoy the summer with more freedom.
Finally, we talk about spiritual habits and practices that are ultimately the key to experiencing true body image freedom.

Connect with Compared to Who? and take the FREE 5-Day Email Challenge: https://comparedtowho.me/5-day-email-challenge/

Leave a question for Heather to tackle on the air: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast

Learn more about Compared to Who? the book or learn more about The Burden of Better book.

Get on the waiting list for Fall coaching: Email Heather at Heather @ Compared to Who. Me

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Stop Letting Comparison Rob You of Joy, Peace & Rest Apr 29, 2022

Show notes

Today we conclude the Spring book club series where we've walked through my latest book, The Burden of Better: How a Comparison-Free Life Leads to Joy, Peace, and Rest. In this episode, we talk about ways to have more joy, contentment, peace, and how to find rest. Heather walks through the final section of the book which is dedicated to these topics and we discuss how our idols (and our ideals) lie to us when they tell us they can give us the joy, peace, and rest that only Jesus can deliver.

Here are some other concepts we discuss in today's episode about joy, peace, and rest:

Heather answers a listener's question about how to really grasp the concept of grace.
Heather talks about how gratitude is more than just being thankful for a good parking space.
We look at complaining and discuss the only biblical way we can "complain" which is lament.
Heather tackles the topic of social media and how it can steal our joy (especially on vacation).
You'll hear practical ideas for finding more joy, peace, and true rest.

Sign up for the FREE 5-Day Email Challenge here: 5-Day Email Challenge

Are you ready to start reading the Burden of Better? Check out the first two chapters here: https://comparedtowho.me/burden-of-better-book-for-christian-women-on-comparison/

Leave a review for the Compared to Who? show or ask a question to be answered on the air here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast

Listen to the first two episodes of the Burden of Better Book Club here:

Episode One: Ideals Become Idols

Episode Two: Can a Deeper Understanding of Grace Cure Comparison?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Stuck on Intuitive Eating Step One: Defeating Diet Mentality Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

In this month's Intuitive Eating Coaching call with Heather's Intuitive Eating Coaches--Erin Todd and Char Lee Haze-- we talk about how hard it is to actually make it past step one in Intuitive Eating. Step one of Intuitive Eating involves recognizing and turning from Diet Culture so you can reclaim your power to choose the foods and methods of eating that are best for your body. But today we talk about navigating the body changes that come when you stop dieting. We also talk about how ditching diets and "rebelling" against diets are two very different things. There are many informative and encouraging truths about defeating diet mentality in this episode.

Need help defeating diet mentality? Here are some other places today's conversation goes:

What happens when our bodies transition from being underfoot or underhydrated.
Why dieting and manipulating, changing body size is truly an addiction.
How powerless it can feel to notice changes in your body and not turn to dieting.
Navigating the tension between who I am in Christ and who I want to be, physically.
Why we struggle with being human (imperfect, changing, aging, etc...)
How we use Diet Culture rules to keep us safe (and how that's truly ineffective).
How unfathomable it is that anyone could truly escape Diet Culture without an understanding of identity in Christ.
How defeating diet mentality without feeling secure in Christ and having his help daily is practically impossible.

There is so much gold in this episode, you may need to listen twice!

Need more help defeating diet mentality?

Connect with Erin and Char Lee here: https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com and follow on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/intuitive.eating.podcast/

Listen to previous coaching calls here where we talk more about defeating diet mentality:

Learn more about Compared to Who? here: https://www.comparedtowho.me

Ready to take the FREE 5-Day email challenge? Sign up here.

Want to support the show on Patreon or learn how to leave a review? Learn more at https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Model and the Mirror Fast: Featuring Jennifer Strickland Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

Today Heather chats with Jennifer Strickland, a former model who's appeared in magazines you've probably read and shows you may have seen and worked for designers you've heard of. Jen had amazing success in the modeling world but her life was missing meaning and though she had learned how to use her body to fit an image, she had not yet learned how to use her voice. Jen shares her story of finding Christ while modeling and what her recovery from modeling (and the eating disorder that came with it) looked like. She also talks about how a mirror fast showed her what true beauty really looks like (and where it truly comes from!) Plus: Check out the BONUS content on Patreon from this episode!

Here are some other topics covered in this episode "The Model and the Mirror Fast":

Jennifer explains how the pressure of modeling is extreme because bodies change every day.
Jen talks about how she met Jesus through strangers on the street while she was modeling in Europe.
We talk about how deceiving image can be.
We discuss the lie of "I am what I see in the mirror."
We talk a bit about the behind the scenes yuck of the modeling industry and what it does to young girls.
Jen shares about her personal struggle with cystic acne and how a world-renowned dermatologist told her that her issues were so deep, they could only be treated by healing her heart and her mind.
Jen shares how God has freed her from the belief that she has to look and how she's learned to look radiant by looking on Him.
Go to Patreon for the BONUS content - 10 more minutes of my talk with Jen where she shares about how she's navigated beauty, social media, and related issues with her now college-age daughter.
Plus, Jen shares about how she did a 40 Day Mirror Fast and what it taught her.

Connect With Compared to Who:

Take the FREE 5-Day Email Challenge to Improve Your Body Image Here: 5-Day Email Challenge

Start reading the Burden of Better here: Burden of Better Book for Christian Women on Comparison

Join the Patreon Community here: www.patreon.com/comparedtowho

Find out more about Coaching here: Christian Group Body Image Coaching

Leave a review for the show! Find out more here: https://www.comparedtowho.me/podcast

Learn more about Jennifer Strickland and URMORE ministries here.

Jennifer Strickland is an author, TEDx speaker, former model, wife, mother of three, and the founder of U R More, a ministry that teaches people their worth in God’s eyes. Jen has written seven books and studies teaching women and girls their true worth, including Girl Perfect, More Beautiful Than You Know, Beautiful Lies, and 21 Myths (Even Good) Girls Believe About Sex. She holds a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism and a master’s in writing and literature.

For 15 years, Jen worked worldwide as a print, runway, and commercial model. She lived in several European countries and got an inside look at one of the most glamorized industries in the world. Today, Jen uses her experience as a model, knowledge of Scripture, and love for young women to expose the lies of the media and teach them to see themselves in the mirror of God.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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