TW: Mentions of eating disorders.
Kate Glavan and Emma Roepke are two best friends living in New York City who have made it their mission to debunk the wild world that is the wellness industry. They host What the F*ck is Sea Moss? a weekly podcast devoted to giving voices to young women as they navigate their health and well-being, while “cutting through the bullshit” of the industry at the same time, according to Kate. Knowing how triggering the myths, detoxes, and diet trends can be for young people, Kate and Emma aim to make wellness accessible and fun. And it’s through a niche wellness meme account that they’ve been able to foster and grow that community online. We were lucky enough to catch up with the Sea Moss Girlies on the happenings of their pod and we can’t wait to tune into the next episode.
Keke: Could you start by introducing yourselves? How did you two meet?
Emma: I am Emma, a 22-year-old living in Manhattan. I am originally from Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated from the Fashion Institute this past December. I currently work for a fashion brand called Loeffler Randall and co-host the podcast with Kate. Kate and I were both in the same social circle all throughout college but never really got to know one another. In our junior year, she invited me to an influencer event in Brooklyn. We ended up leaving early because we both are uncomfortable eating in social settings and went to a vegan Asian restaurant instead. On our walk there, we both opened up about our history of eating disorders and how we never like we fit in with most friend groups. This was the first time either one of us truly felt understood by another person.
Kate: My name is Kate, 22 years old living in New York City, born and raised in Minnesota. I moved out to attend New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where I graduated in December 2020 with a concentration in political communications, digital activism, and environmental justice. I currently work on the podcast with Emma and have my own newsletter on US politics and government from a Gen-Z perspective called Gen-Z Gov. Emma and I became best friends from a silly influencer event I invited Emma to join me at. As Emma mentioned, our Midwest ties and past experiences with eating disorders made us realize how much we had in common. We’ve been best friends ever since that night.
Keke: What inspired you to begin this podcast?
Kate: I listen to plenty of political podcasts and a few health-related ones as well, but never found any younger or female voices, especially in the wellness space. So many diet myths and wellness trends perpetuated by old, white, rich women and men had impacted me so much during adolescence. Emma and I started this podcast to make the wellness world more accessible, real, honest, funny, and cut through the bullshit.
Emma: There are a few health and wellness podcasts that I have been listening to for a few years now and I have always had an interest in health and wellness. For someone who has experienced an eating disorder, the wellness industry can be extremely triggering, as there are constantly new “detoxes” and other diet trends being promoted by individuals who are not certified dietitians or doctors. Kate and I wanted to bring young voices into this industry and challenge many of these wellness trends that once made us unwell, while also providing relevant research in an accessible way to a younger audience.
Keke: Have you encountered any obstacles in starting your podcast?
Kate: At first, it felt like we didn’t know who our average listener was. With time, we’ve found who our Sea Moss Girlies are and what topics they’re interested in, which helps facilitate the podcast process in a smoother fashion.
Emma: Our first few episodes were all over the place, as we were still trying to find our “voice” and who our true audience was. We are finally at a place where we have a really clear idea of who our audience is thanks to interaction on the meme page.
Keke: Both of you are very vulnerable on the podcast—you talk about eating disorders, what types of food you like eating, and body dysmorphia. What are you hoping to contribute to the world of wellness with What the F*ck is Sea Moss?
Kate: If I could accomplish anything with this podcast, it would be to serve as an older sister figure to help any impressionable young girl navigating diet culture, body shaming, ED experiences, and toxic social media become more confident in finding who she wants to be despite the societal pressures in this world. I want to create a community that I never had growing up.
Emma: I want to help other young individuals who may be experiencing eating disorders or those who are currently in recovery know that there is hope and to help them reclaim their health and reach their true potential. ED can be extremely lonely and navigating health and wellness is tricky nowadays since there is so much BS being thrown at us 24/7—letting people know they are not alone and that we are here for them.
Keke: Why did you decide to pivot your original idea for a podcast about your lives as twenty-something women in New York, Voice Memo Girls, to a wellness pod?
Kate: In all honesty, I think Emma and I realized we go to bed at 10 p.m., don’t go out, and wander aimlessly in grocery stores. We aren’t your average twenty-something women living in Manhattan. But, we are very knowledgeable and driven by all things wellness, so we found that subject area to be our point of expertise.
Emma: Kate and I are absolute outsiders when it comes to the stereotypical “being a twenty-something in NY.” We have never been to a club and have gone bar-hopping once but only drank glasses of water. Whenever Kate and I are together, we are typically talking about something related to health as we browse the supplement section in various health stores. We wanted our podcast to have meaning and purpose and realized that health and wellness is an area we feel confident speaking about.
Keke: Your podcast’s social media presence is great—I love the memes that are posted. What is the benefit of having not only an informational Instagram account associated with your podcast but also one that pokes fun at wellness?
Kate: The meme page started to pick up really well in a way we didn’t predict. Emma and I made such weird memes about things like reishi, spirulina, and HCLF (high carb, low fat) veganism without expecting people to know what our memes were about. We’ve continued with the meme page not only to keep things fun but help validate the weird quirks of being a wellness god to our podcast listeners who may feel alien wherever they live. It’s all about community for us!
Emma: Our memes are so niche that I had no idea so many people would be able to relate and identify with them. The meme page has really helped us pinpoint who our audience is and help grow the podcast.
Keke: Why do you think it’s important for young women to have conversations about their well-being?
Kate: I’ve said this on a few podcast episodes before, but I think young women need to build up their own coping mechanisms and strategies to navigate this world, regardless of all of the triggering diet culture comments that may get thrown your way in life. Using health and well-being as a way to build up a deeper sense of self-worth is something that has personally helped me get to where I am now, even when I feel alone or alien.
Emma: So many women have experienced a poor relationship with food or their body, and it is important to reclaim your health, self-confidence, and overall well-being. It is exhausting living in fear nor is it sustainable. Sharing personal insight and having constant conversation on how to overcome the obstacles and BS that is thrown at us each day is vital.
Keke: Have you noticed any impacts or trends that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the wellness industry (i.e. Gwyneth Paltrow and fasting, or on the flipside, surge in people caring for their health)?
Kate: I’ve gotten so many distant friends asking about what they can do to be healthier—whether it be quick fixes, supplements, foods, exercise tips—you name it. I do believe there has been a huge increase in anti-vax sentiment from plenty of wellness figures which is something I find extremely harmful to the credibility of everyone in the wellness space. I struggled to know if I even wanted to be involved in wellness because I found that some of the loudest voices didn’t care about the exclusionary socioeconomic forces that don’t allow for everyone to just go out and buy green juice every single day. Emma and I hope to shift the conversations in wellness to community care and political awareness to demonstrate that you can believe in vaccinations while still making adaptogenic mushroom lattes.
Emma: There has certainly been a surge in interest in regard to personal health and wellness. This has trickled down into a lot of “lifestyle” influencers promoting diets, detoxes and other elitist products. It is frustrating seeing people be so irresponsible with their platforms and not realizing the damage they may be causing.
Keke: Health and wellness concern the human body. How can the wellness industry be more inclusive?
Kate: More diverse and inclusive representation in the fitness industry. No more photoshopping or retouching of women’s bodies. Letting women be behind the camera in various campaigns versus only appearing as models [can help] give back some autonomy to how the body is represented.
Emma: I agree with Kate. Showing and representing a more diverse range of women’s bodies in campaigns—using true athletes, trainers, and everyday people as opposed to six-foot-tall models.
Keke: What is sea moss? The wellness market is saturated with gimmicky and confusing products. How can young women make informed decisions when it comes to their own well-being?
Kate: Sea Moss is a supplement we came across at a health store one day that contains nearly every essential mineral the body needs. When it comes to making decisions in the wellness space, we advise our listeners to approach any supplementation or dietary choice to target a conscious health concern [rather than] following the trends.
Emma: It is a supplement that contains nearly 90 percent of the essential minerals needed for the body. I always suggest researching a new supplement before you buy so you know what you are getting yourself into and not just purchasing a product because someone on the internet posted a photo of it on their Instagram stories.
Keke: What advice would you give your younger selves (when it comes to wellness, podcasting, careers, etc.)?
Kate: Follow your interests, allow yourself to change your mind. Change your mind again. And again. Focus on what fills you up on the inside versus striving towards a linear path that you think you need to abide by in your life.
Emma: Don’t be afraid of taking risks or trying something new. You will never know until you try. You do not have to go down the traditional linear path of life—strive towards what truly brings you joy and makes you feel the most fulfilled.
Listen to What the F*ck is Sea Moss? Debunking the Wild World of Wellness hosted by Kate Glavan and Emma Roepke and follow their Sea Moss Girlies meme account.
