The Culture Of It All!

In episode 33 of The Culture Of It All, we're digging into the diet industry's favorite disguise: health. But when "health" is actually code for thinness, who really benefits? And who gets left behind? I’m asking honest questions about trust, marketing, and the hidden shame of being sold weight loss in the name of self-care. If you've ever wondered whether that wellness product is helpful or harmful, then this episode is for you. I’m also sharing my personal journey in online business, the negative impact of bro marketing, and the manipulative tactics used in the diet industry. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cultureofitallpod.substack.com/subscribe

As I write this, it’s currently a gloomy summer day. The damp tension is in the air, a promise of thunderstorms and cooler temperatures just outside my office window. And whilst I impatiently wait for the real thing, I have a ‘Summer Storm’ soundscape playing on Insight Timer.Gloomy weather is my vibe.My soul craves cosiness, even in the warmer months and over the past few years I’ve discovered ways that I can embrace my love of all things Autumn, and it helps me survive the summer.This week I’m bringing you another wonderful episode from last year's Summer Series, 5 Summer Survival Tips From A Fat Gal!I’d love to know what your summer survival tips are, why not drop them over in the podcast subscriber chat over on Substack?Chapters:00:00 Welcome07:18 Tip One: Manage Your Expectations10:41 Tip Two: Practise Taking Up Space14:52 Tip Three: Do Things That Bring You Joy, Coziness and Happiness18:04 Tip Four: Embrace Comfort19:30 Tip Five: Start Small & Be Gentle With Yourself21:09 Checking In With Yourself & Journal Prompts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cultureofitallpod.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to episode 31 of The Culture Of It All! this week we’re exploring the term ‘food noise’. Since 2022, as weight loss jabs have become a casual part of conversation, so has the term ‘food noise’, but what does it mean? What is food noise, and why do some people not experience it? In this episode I’ll be sharing my thoughts about the term, how food noise develops, and ways we can quieten the noise without the use of GLP-1s. There is a content warning and context for this episode at the beginning; please note I will be discussing hunger, appetite, cravings, emotional eating, food addiction and intuitive eating.Chapters:00:00 Content Warning For Episode02:04 Understanding GLP-1s and Their Impact03:38 NHS Guidelines for GLP-1s04:34 The Impact Of Diet Culture And Concerns Over Prescribing GLP-1s14:03 Defining Food Noise16:11 The Biological Responses to Hunger18:42 The Influence of Genetics on Eating Behavior24:22 Other Ways We Can Quieten The Noise30:11 Body Change and Intuitive Eating32:45 The Misunderstanding of Food Addiction37:40 The Nuances of Intuitive Eating: Trusting Ourselves42:53 Autonomy and Informed Choices in Dieting This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cultureofitallpod.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we’re delving into the complexities of diet culture, discussing the 3 red flags associated with every single diet, and the manipulative tactics of the diet industry. We’ll address the importance of understanding personal preferences in eating and the subjective nature of what constitutes “healthy eating”. I encourage you to practice discernment with your food choices and to recognize the pervasive influence of diet culture within our society. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cultureofitallpod.substack.com/subscribe

I knew, from the moment I got pregnant I didn’t want my kid to have the same body image issues I’d spent a lifetime experiencing. To be honest, when I got pregnant and even in the first few years of parenting, I believed that I didn’t want them to have the same perceived “weight issues” as me, but the truth is I wanted them to be thin. That felt like the only solution at the time, because it was the only one I’d ever been taught. Once he started school, and as I left the health and fitness industry behind me, I started to get curious:* Was I really focused on health, or thinness?* Were my actions helping them have a positive relationship with their body, or teaching them to control their body through diet and exercise?* Was I teaching them binary rules around food? e.g that some foods are good or bad? And how do I make that determination?The answer, unfortunately was a resounding YES. Despite everything I experienced at the hand of diet culture, I found myself repeating the same behaviours.It was during the pandemic that my relationship to diet culture really shifted, I started learning more about intuitive eating, fat liberation and after being body shamed - under the guise of “health” in early 2022 - I decided I was done dieting and pursuing intentional weight loss.Thanks for reading The Culture Of It All! Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it.Unlearning my internalised fatphobia, ditching diets, and healing my body image is one of the best things I did for myself AND my kid. I don’t claim to be an expert, I’m doing my best and figuring it out as I go, but as I share in this episode a number of friends have asked me how I’m building this body positive relationship with my kid and it’s been a topic of conversation on my socials too.So I thought we should take a deep dive and talk about ways we can encourage body respect in young people, and how to end the inheritance of body shame.Topics discussed in episode 27:* The negative impact of restrictive food behaviors in children* Why I don’t believe it’s my responsibility to prevent fatness in my child* How I supported my child after he was body shamed* Language and tools that encourage him to respect his and other people bodies* The negative impact of diet talk and diet culture in the household* Questions I ask myself when navigating body image related questions or experiences with my kidChapters:00:00 Exploring Parental Responsibility in Body Image02:44 The Impact of Fat Shaming on Children03:38 Creating a Trusting Parent-Child Relationship06:01 Breaking the Cycle of Diet Culture09:53 Reflecting on Childhood Body Image14:44 Navigating Parenting with Body Image Issues20:42 Raising A Body Confident Kid & Teaching Body Respect25:52 Parental Responsibility in a Fatphobic World30:42 Questions for Weight Neutral Parenting🗓️ Next week: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cultureofitallpod.substack.com/subscribe

Fatphobia is on the rise, so today, we’re going to talk about it.Fatphobia, or anti-fatness, is the often socially acceptable form of discrimination and negative attitudes towards folks in fat bodies. This includes stereotypes and misconceptions that fat folks are less disciplined or lack self-control compared to their smaller bodied peers. Fatphobia is not just name calling or bullying someone for their size, it’s rooted in racism, and the transatlantic slave trade.Thanks for reading The Culture Of It All! Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it.In this episode we will be exploring:What fatphobia is, and why it’s harmfulExamples of fatphobia within society, specifically healthcareExamples of internalised fatphobia, and ways we were exposed to it, even as childrenAnd, I’ll be finishing the episode with 6 tips for unlearning our internalised fatphobia.Unlearning our own internalised fatphobia is something we have to do as an individual, accepting that we have also been part of the problem - no matter our body size - and recognising some of the thoughts and judgements we make to ourselves and others.If you’ve ever heard yourself say…“I’m not as fat as that person”If you’ve ever commented on someone else’s body size or, perhaps assumed you know someone’s health, lifestyle or ability based on their size?That’s fatphobia.You can file this under “Once you see it, you can’t unsee it!”So dive in with me, we’re covering a lot, and I promise you it’s worth it.Takeaways:Fatphobia is a societal issue that affects everyone.Internalized fatphobia can lead to self-discrimination and negative self-image.Fatphobia is rooted in racism.Weight is influenced by numerous factors beyond personal control.Unlearning fatphobia requires conscious effort and self-reflection.Social media can perpetuate harmful beauty standards.Advocacy for marginalised bodies is crucial in the fight against fatphobia.Diverse voices in the fat acceptance movement are essential for change.Challenging diet talk in everyday conversations is important.Recognising one's worth is not tied to body size.Chapters:00:00 Introduction & Content Warning03:36 Melanie's Personal Experience With Fat Phobia06:36 Understanding Fatphobia: Definitions and Examples09:34 The Impact & Harm Of Fat Phobia12:46 The Harmful Effects of Internalised Fatphobia16:38 Understanding Internalized Fatphobia19:30 Tip 1: Stop correlating weight & health with worth21:20 Tip 2: Consider the experiences of people whose bodies differ from your own23:41 Tip 3: Unfollow Accounts Perpetuating Fat Phobia25:49 Tip 4: Reframing Fat Phobic Thoughts28:56 Tip 5: Ditch The Diet Talk33:55 Tip 6: Learn from fat liberationists & anti diet professionalsLinks:Fategories & The Fat Spectrum by Fluffy Kitten PartyAnti Diet & Fat Positive Resources🗓️ Next Week:Mini-sode: Fat phobia & The Rise Of GLP-1sThe Culture Of It All! Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cultureofitallpod.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to season 4 of The Culture Of It All!I know, I left you hanging… for a flipping month no less 🫣 but I’m back, somewhat refreshed and more fired up than I have been in months. Two months of being fat and loud about it on TikTok, well, let’s just say: there are good, bad and unhinged stories to share.A quick note before I get into the episode…You might notice a few little changes. I spruced up my artwork, updated the podcast description and intro – this past year has helped me refine my voice and establish what I offer the fat community with confidence and clarity. I’ve also decided to offer weekly episodes across all platforms, with you, my beautiful subscriber receiving episodes a week early. Instead of bonus episodes, you will receive access to videos, blogs, resources and a creative project that will become a regular resource.I’m super excited about these changes, and to be able to deliver more resources and support to this community.In this episode:We’re starting off the new season with a catch up, because whilst I took a break from recording I’ve been busy finding a wonderful fat community on TikTok. It all started with my fashion videos, sharing my experiences as a fat person trying to find their ‘casual style’ and it’s kinda snowballed from there.And then in early March I made a little video, like 15 seconds and it went sort of, kinda, maybe viral? At least viral for me. I’ve been creating content for a decade, and have never experienced something like this. Over a few days I was confronted with all of my biggest fears, some of which had been festering since 2016, and I survived… and when you tune into episode 23 I’m sharing the good, the bad and the unhinged.* Melanie discusses the fears that have held her back as a fat content creator.* She highlights the negative impact of diet culture and fatphobia on her visibility.* The conversation touches on the difference between skinny shaming and fat shaming.* Melanie shares her experience with a viral video addressing an AI filter that promotes fat shaming.* She emphasises the importance of community support * Melanie reflects on her journey towards confidence and using her voice.* The episode discusses the need for safe spaces for fat individuals online.* Melanie expresses her commitment to advocating for fat acceptance and liberation.* She concludes with a call to action for listeners to embrace life outside of dieting.Thanks for reading The Culture Of It All! Podcast! This post is public so feel free to share it.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Season Four00:25 The Journey of a Fat Content Creator04:50 The AI Chubby Filter11:40 The Impact Of Visibility As A Fat Content Creator15:58 Building Community and Support on TikTok19:57 3 Much Needed Reminders From TikTok25:38 Fashion, Body Image, and Fat Liberation29:06 Conclusion and Future DirectionsNext week:I’m bringing you our first mini-sode… AND we’re taking a juicy deep dive into Diet Culture and The Diet Industry. * What’s the difference? * Do they work in isolation? * Why are they so harmful? All the answers and more next Tuesday pals…Finally, I’d be so grateful if you could spread the word about The Culture Of It All, whether it’s here on substack, sharing the email or tagging the show on socials. When I started the show last year, I knew it was about laying a foundation, getting myself comfortable with speaking up and finding my flow. For the first time in my career, I’m not afraid to toot my own horn TOOT TOOT, and ask for support.I’m SO ready for The Culture Of It All to be SEEN 👀 HEARD and CELEBRATED, just like the fat community. Thanks for being here, listening and any support you can offer.The Culture Of It All! Podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cultureofitallpod.substack.com/subscribe