Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in every single trope and microtrope. Today, I am joined by Meg of Fat Girl Smut to examine the radical joy of seeing larger bodies in romance and the specific humor of the coming early microtrope. We talk about the empathy gap, why erotica is a necessary space for healing, and how to find beauty in your own body exactly as it is right now.Key TakeawaysWhy reading about experiences different from your own is the fastest way to increase your understanding of the world.How this trope brings humor, light-heartedness, and evidence of extreme desire to an intense scene.A candid discussion on the exhaustion of Ozempic culture and the importance of accepting your body without waiting to reach an "ideal" weight.Why reading about consensual, female-prioritized pleasure can be a restorative experience for survivors.CONNECT WITH FAT GIRL SMUT:InstagramPeople MentionedAmie @ Curvy Girls Read (Episode)Grand Gesture Bookstore (Instagram)Sabina Nordqvist (Episode)Ruby Dixon (Author)BOOKS/AUTHORS MENTIONED:The Wedding Date – Jasmine Guillory (Amazon)Against a Wall – Cate C. Wells (Amazon)The Tyrant Alpha’s Rejected Mate – Cate C. Wells (Amazon)A Chance at Love – Beverly Jenkins (Amazon)Every Chance You Get – Sloan Spencer (Amazon)Choosing a Forever – Daisy Wren (Amazon)After Hours on Milagro Street – Angelina M. Lopez (Amazon)The Catch – Leonor Soliz (Amazon)Yours for Now – Leonor Soliz (Amazon)PS You’re Intolerable – Julia Wolf (Amazon)Cocky – Taahesi B. Williams (Amazon)Breaking Away – Sookh Kaur (Amazon)The Princess Trap – Talia Hibbert (Amazon)Personal – Alexandria House (Amazon)They Wouldn't Dare – Deanna Grey (Amazon)Full list of books mentioned (Doc)Support the showJoin the After Dark Substack CommunityConnect with Alesia:StorygraphInstagramThis podcast was produced by Galati Media.Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.