Fat Chat: 3 Lessons From Going Viral on TikTok?

Welcome to season 4 of The Culture Of It All! 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 you'll hear the good, the bad and the unhinged.Finally, I’d be so grateful if you could spread the word about The Culture Of It All, the easiest way for you to do this is by leaving a 5 star rating and review. 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 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. In this episode: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 emphasizes 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.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:Mini-sode: Diet Culture vs The Diet IndustryThank you for listening to The Culture Of It All! this podcast is a reader-supported publication. To receive early posts, bonus material and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber on Substack. Come say 'hello' on social media! You'll find episode content on Instagram stories. Looking for more conversations around the politics of fashion? Join me on TikTok Until next time, pals — keep showing up, speaking up, and taking up space.