Podcast Good For U(?) Sunsets, But Not Before Imparting Conscious Consumerism Wisdom

In its year and a half run, the podcast Good For U(?) examined beauty and wellness consumption critically. However, its criticism came with a healthy dose of compassion as its hosts Michelle Pellizzon, founder of community and coaching platform Holisticism, and Wallis Millar-Blanchaer, director of brand and content development at Holisticism, are enthusiastic wellness consumers. 

They understand that a lack of proven efficacy may not be enough to deter wellness lovers from purchasing a supplement, sauna blanket or other purportedly life-enhancing products and services. And they admit to buying into wellness hoaxes because, sometimes, you just can’t help but click the buy button.

In the spring, Pellizzon and Millar-Blanchaer announced they’ll be pausing their podcast, which featured segments such as haunted cart and sexy unique scam, but it may not be gone forever. “We’re sunsetting Good For U(?), sadly, because in the grand scheme of the Holisticism brand it’s a bit too out of scope,” says Pellizzon. “That being said, ‘GFU’ isn’t dead! She’s just on a hiatus. We’d love to find a new home for ‘GFU’ in the future.”

On the podcast’s final episode, the co-hosts imparted wisdom to their listeners by spelling out six rules for the ghouls. (“Ghouls” is the affectionate name Pellizzon and Millar-Blanchaer have bestowed on the listeners of their podcast and fellow wellness zealots.) Below, we recount the six ghoulish rules and catch up with Pellizzon to talk to her about wellness trends she’s got her eye on. 

Six Rules For The Ghouls

1. Follow the money. Always follow the money. When you are thinking about and looking at curious, interesting products and businesses, who secured the bag? It matters. It goes all the way to the top. Who invested? Who’s behind it? Who are they married to and what stake do they have in the game? Do your research. We don’t have to tell you twice. Be suspect. Do your research, but not in a QAnon way. Do your research in a looking people up on Crunchbase way, not going down the [alternative medicine] Dr. [Joseph Michael] Mercola rabbit hole way.

2. When Researching Products, Look Beyond The ‘Gram. Remember that Instagram and Instagram ads can be very misleading. Don’t be fooled by ‘gram spam. It’s very convincing. You might think, “Oh my god, everyone is buying these posture-fixing bras. They must be amazing because I’m getting reviews and ads from them all the time.” Not so. Look beyond the ‘gram, my friends. Maybe even go to their website. Go on Similarweb to see how many people are hopping on their website. Is it a lot? Is it a little? I don’t know. That’s your job. Figure it out. Honestly. Go to Thingtesting, see if they have some reviews on there. Those will be way better than any reviews you’ll find on their site. And Reddit. When in doubt, go to Reddit.

3. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The third rule goes hand in hand with ‘gram spam. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Like the laser hair removal at-home device. It gave us a rug burn that was so painful. It did not work. That was weird. It was not fun. The chin hammock, however, that was gorgeous. One of the best finds this podcast has given all of us. I’m sad I don’t have one on right now.

4. It’s OK to be scammed and still buy. Listen, we all fall for scams. Sometimes we even like them. Chin hammock case in point. Scams are a dime a dozen over here in the U.S. Sometimes you must partake. It’s OK. Don’t be ashamed.

5. Don’t underestimate the placebo effect. Your Wellness House Of Cards could have a bunch of “Scammed But Still Buy” in it. Maybe sea moss makes you feel amazing. Maybe handing over your credit card at Moon Juice gives you the serotonin boost that you need to get through your day, it has nothing to do with adaptogens or mushrooms or functional beverages. It’s all about the placebo. And that’s OK. We condone giving yourself little treats.

6. Always Be Haunting. Always have something in your Haunted Cart that you’re just never, ever going to buy because you’re being conscientious about your consumption and you don’t want to over consume. Buy every once in a while, but not all the way. There’s always got to be something that you’re pining after. And it shouldn’t be a person. It should be a pair of pants. And you don’t want a haunted house, no. You want maybe one room to be haunted. It’s like a fun little room that you dip into when you need a little woo woo to get your blood pressure up. A little woo to keep it spicy. Stay spooky, stay haunted.

What Pellizzon HaS Her (Side) Eye On Right Now

• I’m casually clocking the number of new “snark” subreddits popping up daily. I learn a lot about what people are frustrated by in the wellness and influencer world. Per what I’m seeing, I think the tides are turning for fitness influencers who say they create “long lean lines.” Thin might be back in style, but I sense that people have a lot of anger directed at influencers promoting it. 
• I know this is silly, but I believe that aura photography is going to become way more mainstream in the next year or two. I think we’ll see the pop-up everywhere, from the movie theater to Erewhon. 
• More! alt! milks! Quinoa milk, barley milk, banana milk! It’s not Oatly, but I sense more non-dairy options will flood the market. 
• Wellness in home decor. The Jolie shower filter is the tip of the iceberg. I’m clocking functional home decor that looks chic, but improves your health in some way.
• Psychedelics and ketamine parties. Remember when Botox parties seemed soooo scandalous? I’ll be surprised if in 5 years people aren’t hosting intimate gatherings structured around psychedelic experiences for wellness purposes. 
• ADHD in adult women. I might be biased, but I’m stunned by how many women I meet who were diagnosed with ADHD late in life. I’m watching this space as I think there’s a huge TAM/SAM/SOM for a software product or other mass service like counseling.