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It should just be an accurate descriptor of my body, but the word 'fat' has shaped so much more of my life, and our society. "There is this whole set of baggage that we are all culturally bringing to this word all the time," says Aubrey Gordon, writer of the new book You Just need to Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths About Fat People, star of the documentary Your Fat Friend, and podcaster of Maintenance Phase.
In the next episode, Aubrey and I will discuss how the word 'fat' is often aligned with 'unhealthy', despite ample research demonstrating otherwise. And if you want to tell me your own experiences with ‘fat’ and euphemisms, head over to theallusionist.org/contact.
Content note: this episode contains discussions of body size, body image, weight, fat, and anti-fatness.
EXTRA MATERIALS:
The next Fat Life Drawing online class is 21 May 2023; it’s the annual Face Equality Week portrait class. Sign up at fatlifedrawing.co.uk. I’m excited, I haven’t done a life drawing class for 22 years!
I’m also excited to read Martinus Evans’s new book Slow AF Run Club.
“Diet culture increases the likelihood of developing disordered eating later in life. ‘You may struggle to understand your body's natural cues — for food, rest, exercise, etc.— and ultimately, learn that your body isn't a trustworthy resource.’”
This advice column letter - “My father is obese and I can’t stand being around him”…
…made me think of Lindy West’s assessment of the film The Whale, which is the only way I will be taking in the film The Whale.
Virginia Sole-Smith’s newsletter Burnt Toast is always worth reading, and I particularly liked this podcast/transcript “How Do We Feel About Fat?”
Sofie Hagen’s newsletter also has great thoughts and resources about fatness.
Support the show at theallusionist.org/donate and as well as keeping this independent podcast going, you also get glimpses into how the podsausage is made, regular livestreams and watchalong parties, AND to hang out with your fellow Allusionauts in the delightful Allusioverse Discord community, sharing trinket pics, favourite podcasts, and awful portmanteaus.
YOUR RANDOMLY SELECTED WORD FROM THE DICTIONARY:
figurant, noun: a supernumerary actor who has little or nothing to say.
CREDITS:
Aubrey Gordon is a writer and podcaster; her new book is You Just need to Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths About Fat People, and the documentary about her Your Fat Friend premieres in June 2023. Find her work at aubreygordon.net and listen to Maintenance Phase in your usual podplaces and via MaintenancePhase.com. She is @yrfatfriend on Twitter and Instagram.
This episode was produced by me, Helen Zaltzman. The original Allusionist music is by Martin Austwick. Download his songs at palebirdmusic.com and listen to his podcasts Song By Song and Neutrino Watch.
The cast of The Flab is Felix Trench of Wooden Overcoats podcast, find more of his acting and writing work via FelixTrench.com.
Find the Allusionist at youtube.com/allusionistshow, twitter.com/allusionistshow, facebook.com/allusionistshow, twitter.com/helenzaltzman and instagram.com/allusionistshow.
