S1 E2: A Shame Spiral

Body shame acts as a powerful, often destructive force that shapes personal identity and dictates the trajectory of intimate relationships. Ronald Young Jr. and his former college acquaintance, Caitlin Scanlan, confront their shared history of mutual rejection and internalized fatphobia, revealing how societal standards of beauty and worth led them to hide their connection and settle for toxic validation. Caitlin’s journey through weight loss surgery, substance abuse, and eventual recovery highlights the profound emotional toll of feeling like a "secret" due to one's physical appearance. Meanwhile, Ronald examines his own past cowardice and the guilt he carries for prioritizing peer approval over genuine affection. Together, they illustrate how confronting these deep-seated insecurities is essential for breaking cycles of shame and moving toward healthier self-perception and authentic human connection.