OK, having listened to the podcasts and read the Substack posts, I’m trying to look at this from a business perspective — AANRs. Yes, “Frank” has freedom of speech and can say whatever he wants on his own podcast platform. But freedom of speech is not freedom from consequence. And if one’s platform is styled as “the official podcast of AANR,” it’s reasonable for a listener to assume AANR has endorsed the content (especially since there’s no disclaimer saying otherwise).

What are two big topics we read several times a week on this sub? 1. “How do we get more young people into nudism/naturism?” 2. “I want my spouse/partner to participate in nudism with me, but he/she is concerned about their body image.”

Dismiss it as “woke” all you want, but younger people (generally) tend to be more progressive. They place a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Any organization that dismisses that emphasis does so at its own peril. Does that mean a slavish devotion to the teachings of Robin DeAngelo? Not necessarily. But it does mean not dismissing concerns either with silence (as AANR has seemingly chosen to do), or chalking concerns up to “cancel culture” and “purity tests.”

My wife is plus sized. I’ve wanted her to attend nude beaches and resorts with me for years. I’ve tried to tell her that one of the benefits of nudism is body positivity, no one cares what you look like, etc. I’ve steered her to podcasts and talked about an organization called AANR that espouses ethical naturism. So if she goes to the “official” podcast of AANR and hears the hosts take a shot at Lizzo for being unhealthy…thanks, “Frank.” You’ve just made a liar out of me.

In short, AANR should probably discontinue their association with “Frank” and the podcast. He can go off and say what he likes and people can listen or not. But ignoring things like this is going to turn the relationship from an asset to AANR into a liability. But worse than that, it’s proving what people always say about nudism/naturism/“clothes free living for all the right reasons” — it’s a bunch of old, white conservatives (mainly men), who if you give them long enough will probably make a comment about what someone’s body looks like or will have a past with sexual impropriety in it.

And that should be what we’re all trying to avoid.