Second Helpings

Normal People: Toxic relationships, eating disorders, and knowing when it's time to move on

Skip to 25:00 for discussion of the book! In this episode, Alice and Maria discuss Sally Rooney’s Normal People and unpack why its portrayal of young love feels so intimate, unsettling, and painfully familiar. What makes Connell and Marianne’s relationship so compelling — and so damaging? And why do stories about first love so often blur the line between connection and self-erasure? In this episode, we discuss: Young love and toxic relationships, eating disorders and control as coping mechanisms As always, we approach these themes through a recovery lens — asking how stories like Normal People can both validate lived experiences and quietly reinforce harmful ideas about love, suffering, and worth. We reflect on what it means to grow beyond relationships that once felt essential, and how tenderness doesn’t have to come at the cost of selfhood. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or supporting someone who is, the following organisations offer resources and help: UK — Beat Eating Disorders USA — National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) Follow Alice and Maria! New episodes of Second Helpings drop bi-weekly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Fate of Ophelia: Taylor Swift, tragic heroines, and the myth of romantic salvation

In our Season 2 premiere, we unpack Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” and explore how the song reframes one of literature’s most famous tragedies. Why do we keep returning to the image of the doomed woman in love? And what does it mean when pop culture tells us — again and again — that romance is the cure for our deepest wounds? In this episode, we discuss: – Romantic love as a supposed saviour – Ophelia as the quintessential tragic heroine – How Swift’s new era reshapes melancholy, agency, and self-worth – The album’s broader themes of grounding and recovery – Allusions to Midnights and Swift’s ongoing narrative evolution – Substance abuse, self-destruction, and why vulnerability in art matters As always, we approach these themes through a recovery lens — looking at how storytelling can either reinforce old patterns or open up new ways of understanding ourselves. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or supporting someone who is, the following organisations offer resources and help: UK Beat Eating Disorders — https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk USA National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) — https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) — https://anad.org New episodes of Second Helpings drop bi-weekly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do I know if I'm dating "the one"? (Advice from a psychologist)

On today's special episode all about modern dating, Maria and Alice discuss how they knew that they had found "the one" and the perks of moving in together. Also on the menu: telling your date about your eating disorder, the worst parts of casual dating culture and how to tell when you should actually just block that person for your own sanity. Note: This episode was re-uploaded to fix an audio issue. TW: Eating disorders, depression, awful dating stories. Love this episode? Join our Patreon community to ask questions and share your opinions. patreon.com/SecondHelpings @aliceflorenceorr is a writer, podcast critic and former charcoal drinker. @mikwiik is an actress and clinical psychologist from Norway. Resources: BEAT (UK) NEDA (USA) Keywords: eating disorders, mental health, recovery, self-awareness, coping mechanisms, perfectionism, weight restoration, therapy, personal growth, challenges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should we break up with social media?

In this episode, Alice and Maria discuss whether social media was the cause of their body image issues and how they consume it today. Is TikTok the source of all evil? Does Alice still watch triggering content? As always, there will be discussions of eating disorders and other mature content. Love this episode? Join our Patreon community to ask questions and share your opinions. patreon.com/SecondHelpings@mikwiik is an actress and clinical psychologist from Norway. @aliceflorenceorr is a writer, podcast critic and former charcoal drinker.Ideas and books mentioned:Susan Sontag's 'On Photography'Marshall McLuhan on the "medium is the message"Resources:BEAT (UK)NEDA (USA) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are wellness trends bad for us?

*This episode has been re-uploaded with better audio* After a nasty depressive episode, Alice is functional and joined by Maria to discuss a topic that they've been dying to bring up: wellness trends. From reformer pilates and standing desks to juice cleanses and parasite detoxes, they've tried them all. But are wellness fads really masking a deeper problem, and do they encourage disordered eating?Love this episode? Join our Patreon community to ask questions and share your opinions. patreon.com/SecondHelpings@mikwiik is an actress and clinical psychologist from Norway. @aliceflorenceorr is a writer, podcast critic and former charcoal drinker.Thank you for listening!Resources:BEAT (UK)NEDA (USA) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices