"Narrating with a reporter's eye for detail, Rina Raphael delivers an in-depth exploration of the contemporary wellness industry with its laser-like marketing focus on women."- AudioFile Magazine This program is read by the author. Journalist Rina Raphael looks at the explosion of the wellness industry: how it stems from legitimate complaints, how seductive marketing targets hopeful consumers-and why women are opening up their wallets like never before. Wellness promises women the one thing they desperately desire: control. Women are pursuing their health like never before. Whether it's juicing, biohacking, clutching crystals, or sipping collagen, today there is something for everyone, as the wellness industry has grown from modest roots into a $4.4 trillion entity and a full-blown movement promising health and vitality in the most fashionable package. But why suddenly are we all feeling so unwell? The truth is that deep within the underbelly of self-care-hidden beneath layers of clever marketing-wellness beckons with a far stronger, more seductive message than health alone. It promises women the one thing they desperately desire: control. Vividly told and deeply reported, The Gospel of Wellness reveals how this obsession is a direct result of women feeling dismissed, mistreated, and overburdened. Women are told they can manage the chaos ruling their life by following a laid-out plan: eat right, exercise, meditate, then buy or do all this stuff. And while wellness may have sprung from good intentions, we are now relentlessly flooded with exploitative offerings, questionable ideas, and a mounting pressure to stay devoted to the divine doctrine of wellness. What happens when the cure becomes as bad as the disease? With a critical eye, humor, and empathy, wellness industry journalist Rina Raphael examines how women have been led down a kale-covered path promising nothing short of salvation. She knows: Raphael was once a disciple herself-trying everything from "clean eating" to electric shock workouts-until her own awakening to the troubling consequences. Balancing the good with the bad, The Gospel of Wellness is a clear-eyed exploration of what wellness can actually offer us, knocking down the false idols and commandments that have taken hold and ultimately showing how we might shape a better future for the movement-and for our well-being. A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company. Rina Raphael is a journalist who specializes in health, wellness, tech, and women's issues. She was a features contributor for Fast Company magazine and has also written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CBS, NBC News, and Medium's Elemental, among other publications. Her wellness industry newsletter, Well To Do, covers trends and news and offers market analysis. Raphael has spoken on the wellness industry at national conferences such as the Global Wellness Summit and the Fast Company Innovation Festival. Previously, she served as a senior producer and lifestyle editor at TODAY.com and NBCNews.com. Introduction Chapter 1: Why the Hell Is the Advice Always Yoga? Chapter 2: The House Always Wins Chapter 3: Is My Face Wash Trying to Kill Me? Chapter 4: Gym as Church Chapter 5: A Plea to Be Heard Chapter 6: Can't Treat What You Don't Know Chapter 7: Nutritionmania: Why Are We Confused About What We Eat? Chapter 8: Crystal-Clear Futures: A New Take on New Age Spirituality Chapter 9: You're Not Working Hard Enough Chapter 10: Chasing Golden Unicorns: Biohacking the Future Chapter 11: Democratizing Wellness: Pushing Back Against "Wellthness" Chapter 12: Guides for the Perplexed Conclusion Notes Acknowledgments "Next-level revelatory... You'll never look at an Instagram ad for organic face wash the same way again. I found myself repeating many anecdotes to friends while I was reading, which is always the sign of a good book." -Sarah Kni