How fatness gets represented in popular culture, specifically in reality tv shows, is most often deeply cringe-worthy, violent, and filled with anti-fatness. Dr. Layla Cameron (they/them) brings an alternative way to view shows like “My 600-lbs Life” and “My Big Fat Fabulous Life” that may just help us better envision fat futures.

Dr. Layla Cameron is an academic and filmmaker whose body of work revolves around queer feminist cultural studies and fat politics. Their first documentary film, Fat Hiking Club, explores the politics of outdoor recreational culture in the Pacific Northwest, and Layla is currently developing a second documentary film, Baby Weight, about BMI restrictions in reproductive health care. Layla directs and produces the podcast Fatten, which features fat folks making change in Vancouver, British Columbia. They also run a letterpress printing company called Stay Fat Design Co. In their spare time, Layla enjoys going on road trips in their camper van with their rescue dog, Millie.

Please read more about Layla and their work on their website: www.laylacameron.com.

This episode’s poem is titled “Until the Stars Collapse” by Tonya Ingram.

Bonus content with Layla through Apple Podcast Subscriptions and on Patreon.

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