When Anti-Diet Influencers Go Awry

(Or maybe they always were.) You're missing October Extra Butter!

Hi friends,

Just a quick note to let you know that our October Extra Butter bonus episode just dropped and it’s a good one. We’re exploring the rise and fall (or shall we say, right turn?) of former anti-diet influencer Caroline Dooner, and unpacking one of the more hilarious press releases I’ve received in awhile for It’s Not NOT A Diet. And, randomly, talking about Starbucks. (Who else loves the apple crisp machiatto?)

Here’s a little bit of what you’ll hear if you join Extra Butter today:

An Extra Butter subscription costs $120 per year. Which, I know, is an investment. But it gets you access to our monthly Live AMA chats, too. And it is the hands down best way to support this work, and ensure that the Burnt Toast community can always stay an ad- and sponsor-free space—which is crucial for body liberation journalism. (You’ve heard all the Athletic Greens ads on everyone else’s podcasts, right?)

It’s also worth noting that a regular paid Burnt Toast subscription costs just $5 per month or $50 for the year, which is the lowest Substack lets us set a subscription price now. I picked that price back when I thought I’d deliver just one or two pieces per week. I now send out three pieces (essay, podcast episode, and Friday thread/mini essay/links & recs), but the price has stayed the same.

I’ve had several paid members tell me they’d consider this newsletter a good deal even if I raised that rate. Which, to be honest, has crossed my mind because as the newsletter has grown, so have my operating costs. I think Burnt Toast offers a pretty good value (in terms of consistency and quality) compared to a lot of the $5 newsletters out there. But an overall subscription hike isn’t something I want to do right now. I know $5 per month is the right amount for many of you, and I respect that there are so many newsletters and only so many five dollars to go around.

That said, if you find this newsletter—or my work in general—valuable, and have the resources to do it, an Extra Butter subscription is a great way to show your support and help ensure the majority of my work stays super accessible. Here’s how to join us.

But no matter what you pay, or how you engage with Burnt Toast, thank you so much for being here!

PS. I’m working on getting Substack to add a pay-monthly option, because I know that will make the Extra Butter option doable for many more of you. And no matter what I ever do with newsletter pricing, comp subscriptions will always be available, no questions asked. Just email us if that would be helpful.

PPS. Current Extra Butters (originally known as Founding Members): Apologies that you’re getting this email along with the podcast episode email! Another Substack technology limitation I’m working to overcome.