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. Content note: this episode contains discussions of body size, body image, weight, fat, and anti-fatness. Find out more about this episode at theallusionist.org/fat1, where there's also a transcript, and head to the Contact page if you want to send me a voice note or written message about the role the word 'fat' has played in your life. The Allusionist is produced by me, Helen Zaltzman. Martin Austwick provides the original music. Hear Martin’s own songs via PaleBirdMusic.com. The cast of The Flab is Felix Trench of Wooden Overcoats podcast, find more of his acting and writing work via FelixTrench.com. 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. The Allusionist's online home is theallusionist.org. Stay in touch at facebook.com/allusionistshow,instagram.com/allusionistshow, youtube.com/allusionistshow and twitter.com/allusionistshow. Support the show: http://patreon.com/allusionist See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is the illusionist, in which I, Helen Zaltzman, rescue language from a burning building.
This is the first of two episodes talking about a word that has shaped the wiring of my brain since my brain began, and not in a good way.
I don't think I'll ever be able to fully unwire it, but this is a bit of help.
Content note this episode contains discussions of body size, body image, weight, fat, and anti fatness.
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There was one day my job was to bring in, like, a little sweet treat on people's birthdays, and there was one person who loved donuts the most.
So I came in with two boxes of donuts for the office to pass around at our staff meeting to celebrate this person's birthday.
And I walked into the office, and one of my coworkers looked at me and said, oh, are those for you or to share?
And I was like, this is like two baker's dozens.
This is 26 donuts.
Somewhere in this person's mind is just me tucking a napkin into my collar with a fork and knife and just going to town on 26 donuts for like, one meal and then being like.
Okay, what's for lunch?