Fed Up: Wellness Influencers Fued Over Fiber [Podcast Review]

Fed Up follows two influencers who publicly feud over fiber and a famous product line called F-Factor. Read my review of this wild podcast!

Fiber, who knew it could cause so much contention? In Wondery’s podcast Fed Up, two prominent influencers for wellness engage in an explosive feud about fiber. Tanya Zuckerbrot became a household name after launching a successful diet supplement brand called F-Factor. But not every customer was satisfied with The F-Factor diet, including influencer Emily Gellis, and that’s when all hell broke loose. All the elements of a great podcast are present in Fed Up, including unrestrained influencers, bullying, and unnecessary drama. Check out my thoughts below!

What is the podcast about?

When Emily Gellis hears rumors of people suffering horrible side effects from a trendy diet she springs into action. Armed with over a hundred thousand Instagram followers, Emily launches a social media crusade to expose F-Factor and its founder, Tanya Zuckerbrot. It’s the start of a feud that will attract trolls, lawyers, and, eventually, national media all because of fiber. From Wondery, this is a story about wealth, wellness, and influence narrated by Casey Wilson. [Wondery.com]

My thoughts…

That was one insane podcast, and I flew through it at lightning speed. I’ll be honest: this isn’t the first time I’ve heard about F-Factor or the concern behind the items, but I never really paid attention to the details until now. Casey Wilson, a former member of Saturday Night Live, is the perfect host, doling out the timeline with amusing quips that serve as a reminder of how serious and ludicrous the whole affair really is.

For a short while, F-Factor was the diet of choice for A-listers since it produced tangible results for its consumers. And the secret was fiber, a natural element that has been shown to aid in weight loss. Consumers purchased a variety of bars, cookies, and smoothie powders. All of it seemed so simple: use the products and get thin. But why were so many clients getting sick and suffering serious health concerns?

But what began as a crusade to expose F-Factor devolved into an online conflict riddled with severe cyberbullying, and what started as a narrative between two influencers became yet another example of the ugly side of social media.

I highly recommend Fed Up. With seven episodes, each lasting about 30 minutes, it’s a casual and enjoyable listen that is definitely worth your time. Listen below (or listen anywhere Wondery podcasts are available):

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