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Episode 122

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Published on:

7th May 2026

EP - 122 - Glow-Ups Explained: Why Looks Change How You’re Treated

What if your "glow-up" didn't change who you are, but changed how the world treats you?

In this episode, I'm unpacking pretty privilege, the psychology behind it, and why being seen differently can feel more unsettling than empowering. We're talking about perception, bias, and the uncomfortable truth behind why opportunities, attention, and respect suddenly shift. This isn't about glow-ups...it's about what they reveal.

Are. You. Ready?

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Sources & References:

Thorndike, E. L. (1920). A Constant Error in Psychological Ratings. Journal of Applied Psychology.

Dion, K., Berscheid, E., & Walster, E. (1972). What Is Beautiful Is Good. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Hamermesh, D. S. (2011). Beauty Pays: Why Attractive People Are More Successful.

Festinger, L. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance.

Higgins, E. T. (1987). Self-Discrepancy Theory. Psychological Review.

Fredrickson, B. L., & Roberts, T. A. (1997). Objectification Theory. Psychology of Women Quarterly.

Ogden, J., & Clementi, C. (2010). The Experience of Being Obese and the Many Consequences of Stigma. Journal of Obesity.

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Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-unlocked-the-podcast/id1522636282

Spotify Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA

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Follow Us on TikTok & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

YouTube:

@beautyunlockedspodcasthour

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tiktok.com/@beautyunlockedthepod

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Intro/Outro Music:

“Fame Inc” by Savvier — https://icons8.com/music

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About the Podcast

Beauty Unlocked the podcast
Buckle up and get ready as I delve into a variety of topics regarding physical beauty.

We'll take a look at our society's obsession with physical beauty and the consequences these impossible beauty standards have had on us.
Let's face it; this fascination regarding physical beauty and body image isn't a recent phenomenon; it has been around for centuries, crossing borders, and has affected men and women alike.
The realization of this podcast has come about by my own experiences having to deal with society's perverse notion of physical "perfection" and researching an array of topics that have intrigued me over the years.
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About your host

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Carissa Vikis

Hey there!
I'm Carissa, host, content creator, and producer of the indie podcast Beauty Unlocked.
Growing up, I was frequently compared and criticized for my looks and weight. This started the vicious cycle of being self-critical and loathing my body. I knew I wasn't the only one suffering from society's ridiculous notion of what "we should look like." I started digging deeper and researching various topics, and the rest is h(er)story!
Beauty Unlocked The Podcast aims to educate and bring awareness of our society's obsession with physical beauty and the emotional consequences these impossible beauty standards have. Beauty Unlocked's social media platform showcases not only my work but that of other artists, illustrators, and fellow podcasters that I admire and that share a similar message of inspiration, empowerment, positivity, and raising awareness on a variety of social issues.