Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith

Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith discusses dismantling diet culture, anti-fat bias, and promoting body liberation across health, fashion, and parenting. It celebrates community support, challenges societal expectations, and encourages authentic self-expression, while also addressing children's health, inclusivity in design, and the economics of creative work.

Diet Culture Anti-Fat Bias Body Liberation Health and Wellness Fashion and Self-Expression Parenting and Children's Health Societal Expectations Inclusivity and Representation Creative Work and Economics

The hottest Substack posts of Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith

And their main takeaways

A FAT TALK Love Note

6505 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Body positivity Self-care Mental health
  1. The author's book Burnt Toast became a New York Times bestseller, leading to emotional reactions and celebrations.
  2. The community's support played a crucial role in the book's success, impacting various individuals and professionals in positive ways.
  3. The author expresses gratitude and pride for the collective effort that contributed to the book's achievement.

I Am The Friend Who Will Tell You To Get Paid.

2712 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Money Self-promotion Art Publishing Gender bias
  1. The myth that true artists don't sell their work leads many women and marginalized writers to fear being seen as sell-outs, resulting in lower sales.
  2. Scarcity mindset conditions creatives to accept low pay and resist self-promotion, inhibiting them from knowing and declaring their worth.
  3. Shaming creatives for valuing self-promotion implies it's wrong to recognize and assert your own value.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

What I Wore On Book Tour

3203 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Fashion Style Beauty
  1. Being comfortable in what you wear is important, especially when taking up space in the world.
  2. It's a journey to stop dressing for others' approval and prioritize your own physical comfort.
  3. Showing up as your authentic self, regardless of societal expectations, is empowering.

Eloise's Legacy

2614 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Fashion Travel Food & Drink History
  1. The reason for the trip was afternoon tea at The Plaza - inspired by the iconic picture book "Eloise."
  2. Eloise represents a girl who has adventurous experiences that are often reserved for boys in children's books.
  3. The Plaza's Eloise branding has evolved into an American Girl dolls-Barbie fusion, catering to a different idea of American girlhood.

Two Years of Writing Emails

2535 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Community Personal Growth Body Image Feminism
  1. Virginia Sole-Smith started Burnt Toast newsletter two years ago after leaving freelance writing for corporate media.
  2. Paid subscriptions from the community made it possible to sustain Burnt Toast, support marginalized voices, and fund various projects.
  3. The newsletter created a safe space for discussing body liberation, anti-fat bias, and building a supportive community.

Do Old People Need Less Food?

2417 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Aging Diet Body Image Metabolism
  1. Older people may need less food due to lower metabolism, but it's not always healthy.
  2. Boomer women may eat smaller portions due to societal pressure and age-related changes.
  3. Discussing concerns about a loved one's eating habits with compassion is important for their well-being.

Book Tour Diary.

2122 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Community Events Authors
  1. The importance of community in navigating through challenges and events.
  2. Photos shared from recent book tour events and interactions with friends and colleagues.
  3. Emphasize the significance of showing up for and with each other for support and resilience.