About this episode
What happens when the persona becomes the product? We sit down with creator and model Annie Miao to explore the strange, funny, and sometimes tender space where AI influencers, VTubers, and deepfakes collide with mental health, body image, and the business of being online. From cat ears to consent, we unpack why audiences follow people more than topics—and how that changes what “authentic” even means. Annie traces her path from bullied band kid to internet-native creative, sharing how the web offered belonging long before real life did. We get into the economics behind modern media—OnlyFans as a curiosity-powered Patreon, Hollywood and gaming chasing billion-dollar budgets, and the course economy where coaches coach coaches. Along the way, we challenge the culty edges of “life optimization” and ask what creators actually owe their communities: disclosure, value, and boundaries. Our most important pivot lands on mental health and body image. We talk toxic positivity, why suffering can be a teacher, and how body neutrality helps when self-love feels impossible. Models and bodybuilders aren’t immune to dysmorphia—if anything, the pressure can be worse. So we trade mirror battles for kinder questions: What does my body let me do today? How do I nourish it without shame? With AI blurring faces and voices, we propose a simple ethic: tell the truth, label the edits, and keep the humanity in the loop. If you’re curious about AI e-girls, burned out on hustle sermons, or just trying to feel like yourself on the internet, this one’s for you. Hit follow, share with a friend who lives online, and leave a review telling us where you think authenticity goes next. Support the show You can find us on social media here: Rob Tiktok Rob Instagram Liam Tiktok Liam Instagram