Your MAHA Correspondent, Reporting for Duty
Issue 151, featuring an interview with Libby Krieger
The Girl’s Guide is back! In case you’re new here: every other Friday, I interview an interesting woman, share something I’ve been thinking about lately, and recap the latest news at the intersection of pop culture and politics.
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Your MAHA Correspondent, Reporting for Duty
Last year, I wrote in the pages of The American Conservative that it’s hard to believe how quickly the acronym “MAHA” has become a byword for anti-corporatism — and therefore, better health. The movement has been around for decades (see the 2002 piece “Crunchy Cons” by Rod Dreher), but something about having this catchall term seems to bring disparate parts of the movement together in a way we haven’t seen before. It’s exciting, but it’s also rife with challenges — and headlines like “The government’s new food pyramid tastes like tech bro.” Which means it’s a great topic to report on.
I got to do a little bit of Make America Healthy Again-related reporting last year, and I really enjoyed it. I interviewed MAHA booster Mark Gorton about institution- and coalition-building within the movement. I interviewed experts on the FDA’s panel on SSRIs and fetal health who didn’t get a fair shake from the media. I reviewed a new book by Clare Morell that gives parents a blueprint to keep their kids active despite a screen-saturated world. And I wish I had gotten to do more! Yes, I enjoy talking to people with fancy degrees who have big ideas, but I think writing about something as personal as health also gets to the heart of my mission as a writer in a different way. In our social media age, the more followers you have, the more you are considered someone worth listening to. Instead, I want to search out the people who are quietly flying under the radar and hear from them because they matter, too.
While learning about the forces behind the scenes that keep us healthy (or unhealthy), I’ve been on a health journey of my own. I’ve finally gotten some answers about an issue that’s plagued me for years — which I clumsily diagnosed via Internet research years ago — and finally, after experiencing a bout of excruciating pain, doctors agreed I wasn’t paranoid and did indeed have the condition I thought I did! Thanks, doctors! Now please hand me your medical school diplomas so I can set them on fire.
Despite this experience, I still find it hard to believe how absolutely inadequate our medical professionals are. These are good people. Smart people. But somewhere they took a wrong turn, especially with women’s medicine. I don’t know why it took my experiencing severe pain to finally get the care I needed. It’s almost like women should learn about and listen to their bodies.
Okay, sarcasm over. Back to sincere-posting. This year, I want to continue writing about MAHA, but I’ll need your help. Do you know of an interesting health-related book that’s coming out? Have you finally found a treatment that works for a medical issue you have? Have you been scammed by a company that claims to offer holistic solutions? Especially if you read a news story that seems particularly unfair to the MAHA movement — I love doing media analysis — send it to me. If you’ve got a tip for me (or even just want to chat), I want to hear. from you Drop me a line at girlygirlsguidetodc@gmail.com. If you’re an editor reading this and might be interested in a MAHA story by me for your publication, I’d love to hear from you as well.
May 2026 be a year of good health for you and yours!
Interview with Libby Krieger
Today’s interview is with Libby Krieger, a writer, editor-in-chief, and comms professional based in the Midwest! Connect with Libby on X by clicking here. Learn more about submitting your work to her site New Guard Press by clicking here.
What does your life look like right now?
Right now, I’m working in Columbus, Ohio, as a political and crisis communications consultant, but I also serve as the Editor-in-Chief of New Guard Press, the Communications Director for the Ohio Young Republicans, and a fashion model (when I have free time). As a very community-driven individual, I’m very plugged in to political groups, my gym, local ministries, my friends, and my church. I’ve been a member at a great, conservative Presbyterian church, New Albany Presbyterian Church. I recently started dating an amazing Christian guy after being set up by friends. God’s got a sense of humor because my boyfriend has lived directly across the street from me for over a year, yet we didn’t meet until we were set up!
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your 20s so far?
The lesson I’ve been learning over the past few years and am being reminded of now is that you can plan your life to the nth degree, but the Lord’s plans will prosper despite what you had in mind. In a way, it’s comforting to know I’m not in control. But God is teaching me right now to approach him with open hands, ready to receive what He has for me and only hold loosely to my own ambitions.
What was the most impactful thing you did during your college years that set you up for success?
When I was in college, I had the wonderful opportunity to travel as a broadcast reporter with a conservative news outlet and cover events and Trump rallies on-camera. I had no prior experience, but being on camera forced me to compose myself, work well under pressure, and think on my feet. I credit much of my professional success to developing those skills, and I still look for ways to refine those skills today.
What’s a passion, hobby, or interest you have that surprises people?
I like to defy the stereotype that all musical types are liberal. I used to participate in musical theatre, and I still love singing show tunes and Disney songs every chance I get. I’m also a classically trained violinist and vocalist. I sing and play at my church sometimes to stay fresh (and glorify God)!
Do you have any health products you swear by?
I’ve been on a weight loss and health journey recently, and I’ve realized how important good quality sleep is to strong health. Sometimes, if I’m having trouble falling or staying asleep, I use Beam’s dream powder. I call it my “sleepy time hot chocolate” because they have amazing flavors like fudge brownie. It tastes great and actually helps me fall asleep and feel rested when I wake up. This is not an #ad (but I think Daily Wire has a couple discount codes, if you’re interested).
The Haps
1940s Leading Lady Anne Vernon Turns 102
French actress Anne Vernon, who is “believed to be among the last surviving leading ladies of the 1940s cinema” according to Wikipedia, turned 102 on January 9. Happy birthday, Anne! Born Édith Antoinette Alexandrine Vignaud in the suburbs of Paris in 1924, Vernon appeared in dozens of films and television shows from the late 1940s to the 1970s. She appeared in both French and English-language films. Vernon is probably best known for her role as Madame Emery, the heroine’s mother, in the 1964 film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
Here are other links to what I’m reading and listening to lately:
The Masculine Mystique (The Point): A good essay is like a tapestry — weaving together ideas you didn’t expect to go together. I especially appreciated this tapestry by Oliver Traldi.
Total Boomer Luxury Communism (Moment of Truth): Do massive wealth transfers via Social Security, Medicare, and property tax breaks favor affluent seniors at the expense of younger workers? Russ Greene says yes.
How Metro became D.C.’s favorite brand (Axios): Washingtonians are loving WMATA merch ahead of its 50th anniversary in March.
Gourmet Magazine Is Back. It’s Not Exactly Sanctioned. (The New York Times): Gourmet magazine goes guerrilla.
In Case You Missed It…
Last time’s Girl’s Guide featured below:
Writing on MAHA sounds so fascinating. I'll shoot any tips your way! All I have is a hospital experience ER trip/unwanted ambulance ride/hospital stay for my baby that involved so much directly conflicting information from professionals it was crazy. We're trying to fight thousands of dollars of bills.