On Embodiment, Cosmetic Procedures, and Loving the Body God Gave You
Being Human Roundup—Jan 2026
From biotech to beauty culture, we’re facing ethical questions that reach right into the body and soul.
At Choosing Human, I write essays, host a podcast, and curate monthly link roundups that gather the ideas and stories helping us choose what is truly human—and to meet the future with clarity and hope.
I’d love for you to join me!
Top Articles Worth Reading
To carve away features our culture deems “objectionable” is a rejection of our own transcendence, and also of the people who created us….
The beauty-industrial complex tells us we can paper over our flaws and somehow separate ourselves from the world of mortals, the quotidian processes of aging and death. It tells us we can face others without ever showing them who we really are…
Since real love is not a commodity, the corporate interests ruling our culture undermine and reject it. We have lived for decades under a technocratic paradigm that promised to liberate us from the shackles of our imperfect bodies, including homely features, signs of aging, and even natural fertility. As Wendell Berry has observed, this bid for freedom has not only alienated us from our bodies, but removed any possibility of finding meaning in them…
The beauty-industrial complex is fueled by our desperation for love, which is the very thing it can never give us.
— Kelly Garrison, “Bodily Integrity: Why We Shouldn’t Chip Away at Ourselves”
As seen with the recent trends in plastic surgery, the unstated goal is to erase any evidence of lived experience or organic imperfection from our bodies, so that they’ll appear as if fresh off the factory floor….
We begin to think of our bodies and the body of the earth …as inanimate, mechanical entities designed to serve us and our ego-driven ends…
Menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and even menopause are clear, experiential evidence that we are at the mercy of an intelligence that is much greater than us, one which connects us to the whole of the cosmos around us and endows us with our immutable worth. It’s through paying witness to this intelligence and the wisdom it has to offer us that we can experience the true meaning of our bodies, which rests in their ability to receive life and even more miraculously, to give of it.
— Elizabeth Kulze, “How to Actually Love Your Body”
The more we poke, pinch, prod—the more we inject—the more we’re giving into society’s view of woman as Object To Be Admired. We’re rejecting the natural beauty and gift that comes from aging and instead trying to cling to time, something that’s going to slip through our fingers regardless. We’re tap-dancing for a culture that crucified a perfect man.
What about now? Am I beautiful now? Do I look right now?…
When you normalize looking like a 30-year-old at the age of 70, that isn’t just about you. It might feel “empowering” to spend thousands of dollars on injections, but who is it really giving power to? I’d argue the answer to that question is the larger systems in place (fashion magazines, the multi-billion dollar beauty industry, filtered-influencer culture) that insist if women don’t look exactly how they want them to, they’re trash. We’re giving into a lie, and paying it money to keep it going. Feeling beautiful does not come from conforming to a beauty standard.
Some questions I’d suggest praying over:
Why do I want this cosmetic procedure? Really, truly, in my heart and soul, not to be broadcasted on the internet?
What do I think “beauty” means? How would I define that?
How will this procedure help my life? How will it hinder it?
How much money am I putting into attempts to craft myself into something worth looking at?
— Claire the Catholic Feminist, “Dirt on Her Face, Filler in Ours”
Reject and Inject: Why Cosmetic Procedures Aren’t Just Skin Deep
In case you missed it, last week’s essay on cosmetics procedures is also available in audio format on the Brave New Us Podcast.
Books + Long Reads
Made Good: Overcoming the Lies that Keep Women at War with their Bodies by Florencia Moynihan is one that I have not yet read (it releases tomorrow!), but am excited for.
Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey should be required reading for all Christians. It breaks down the culture’s mind/body dualism that keeps us from effectively discussing issues like abortion, hook up culture, and transgender ideology. We discussed on the podcast a while back and it has only become more relevant.
Feast, Faith, Flourish: Holistic Wellness in the Light of Eternity by Ember Collective has been my go-to gift for friends since it came out. It is beautiful, wise, and lovely.
Podcasts + Media
Healthy Catholic Moms
If you are trying to get in shape, I highly recommend the Healthy Catholic Moms Podcast with Brittany Pearson. I have personally used her pre- and post-partum workout plans, and continue to use the Chasing Greatness group for my workouts. I love that Brittany plans everything and works every muscle group to promote longevity by building lean muscle efficiently (in about 20 minutes a day).
Her wisdom on nutrition is priceless. Because of her coaching years ago, I finally understood macros, and learned that I didn’t need to fear fat—that it was actually the fuel my body needed. I felt full for the first time in years and didn’t need to chase empty calories because my blood sugar was finally regulated.Last Week Tonight on MedSpas
I don’t love John Oliver, but I have found several episodes to be worth watching. I linked this episode on MedSpas in last week’s essay, but thought it worthy of including here as well.This Is Why Americans Can’t Have Babies Anymore by Alex Clark
I loved this speech, but it killed me that the applause was so weak. I only wish Alex could hear how I made up for her lackluster audience in my living room.
Culture Corner
What’s one piece of content that made you think differently this week? Reply with a link—I’ll feature a favorite pick next time.
Wake Up Dead Man was, hands down, my favorite movie of 2025. I’m not sure I have ever seen a more positive portrayal of a priest in a secular film. It’s no Hallmark film, and it has its issues, but I loved it, and cried at more than one point as I watched.
Apparently, the writer/director grew up Evangelical and based the villain on fundamentalist preachers, but chose to set the movie in the Catholic Church because our aesthetics are unbeatable.
If you watch it, pay attention to the symbolic use of light and shadow, and notice which confession is complete, and why.
For the Kids
Links and books for forming faithful, rooted kids
For discussing body image with kids, I love these clips from Dove’s Real Beauty campaign. Each is only a minute. All are worth your time.
The crazy ways photoshop presents unrealistic portrayals of women
This “reverse selfie” clip is an updated version.
The Butterfly Circus is a short (20-min) film depicting a limbless man who becomes part of a circus that refuses to exploit those who are different in side shows, instead celebrating the beauty that comes from brokenness. This is a must-watch that never gets old, and a great way to discuss how God uses our perceived flaws to bless the world.
Around the Web
“Mary Is the Antidote” at Crisis
“The Case Against Assisted Suicide” with Stephanie Gray Connors at Brave New Us
Why Women Are Getting Sicker, Younger” at Brave New Us
“My Favorite Reads for Catholic Wives, Mothers, and Homemakers” at CatholicMom.com
What’s the best piece of content YOU have read or listened to this week?
I’d love to know! Please drop a link in the comments.
Thanks for reading.
AMDG,
Samantha
PS My new book, The Bellbind Letters: Inside the Devil’s Plan for Your Motherhood, comes out Feb. 16—just in time to be your Lenten reading—but is now available on Kindle!
Holy smokes this is incredible! This will probably take me a month to get through, but I am saving this and plan to listen, Reid and share with my daughters.