Fashion's Big Lie & Betting's New Trap
Plus our investigation into creator fund promises
Size Inclusive? More Like Size Illusive
Let's talk about fashion's favorite performance art: "inclusive sizing." Our Youthtellers (ages 15-27) didn't hold back in the latest episode of Ask Gen Z, and honestly? The criticism is spot-on. From Target's XXL that somehow fits more like a medium to brands who think "extended sizing" means just adding more fabric (geometry is hard, we get it), the façade is crumbling faster than poorly constructed fast-fashion.
"There are other body types and they deserve love too," says one 23-year-old New Yorker, stating what should be blindingly obvious in 2025. Yet here we are, watching brands performatively preach inclusion while keeping plus sizes in the online shadow realm.
Much like greenwashing in April, and false pride in June, this kind of faux allyship leaves a sour taste for many in the plus-size community. Listen to the full episode HERE.
Chasing the Win: Why Young Adults Can't Stop Sports Betting
Sports betting has invaded the FYP, where influencers flaunt massive wins and luxury lifestyles supposedly funded by betting apps. The effect is magnetic: when winning, users report feeling "excited and motivated to bet more," and when losing, they're "disappointed but motivated to try again." The pre-game ritual has evolved from "Where are you watching?" to "How much did you put down?"
Among our Youthtellers (ages 18-27) who bet, 58% started "to make money." 75% believe winning is "a mix of both" skill and luck—a dangerous perception reinforced by apps designed to feel more like investing than gambling.
"It's fun when it's low stakes!" says one Brooklyn-based user, but the apps' sophisticated design tells another story. A Los Angeles user reveals: "they're honestly always sending notifications... keeps me posted on the bets on a day to day basis." These constant prompts, combined with what one user calls "the rush of it all," create a cycle that's increasingly hard to break.
As betting apps sweep through college campuses, these patterns expose the industry's effective grip on young adults. Between promotional tactics like signup bonuses and "free" bets, and an interface designed to keep users engaged, the house always wins—but users keep coming back for more.
Big Money Promises, But Are Creators Really Winning?
As platforms desperately bid for creator loyalty, they're throwing around numbers that sound too good to resist: Meta is offering $50K–$300K per post for those with 1M+ followers, Substack dropping $20M to revive blogging, and Flip betting $100M that creators will jump ship from TikTok Shop.
But here's what the headline numbers don't show: Most creators still struggle between algorithm changes and uncertain payouts. "It's hours of editing, strategizing, and praying the algorithm works in your favor," explains one Youthteller. While TikTok built its empire by giving creators a direct path to earnings, can its copycats win creator loyalty through cash alone?
Take Flip's $100M gamble. Despite the nine-figure fund, creators and users alike respond with "What's that?" Meanwhile, Meta's push for exclusive content reveals a tough truth: These platforms are really just battling for the attention of creators who've already made it big.
The real question isn't which platform is paying more—it's how long these golden opportunities will last, and whether creators should bank on platform promises.
*This article was originally posted on Substack. Click HERE to subscribe