Overview of Not Skinny But Not Fat
In this episode, Amanda Hirsch sits down with longtime friend and podcast/radio personality Taylor Strecker to talk about her new reality TV era on House of Stassi (the Stassi Schroeder-led series), her “dad life” approach to parenting, her relationship with her wife Tay/Teddy, and the realities of filming without a fourth wall. The conversation is funny, candid, and very self-aware, with Taylor reflecting on body image, GLP-1 use, marriage, motherhood, and what it’s like to finally step into a long-awaited reality-TV role.
Taylor Strecker’s Reality TV Journey
Finally getting cast
- Taylor has wanted to be on reality TV for years and even auditioned for The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
- Her role on House of Stassi came after years of development: sizzles, test shoots, and production rounds before the show was picked up.
- She says Stassi actively wanted her involved from the beginning and fought for her to be part of the cast.
What filming was like
- Taylor says the show is unique because there is essentially no fourth wall:
- They openly talk about the show being a show.
- Cast members discuss production and the fact that they’re filming.
- She thinks this makes the series feel more honest and less contrived than typical reality TV.
The Stassi dynamic
- Taylor describes Stassi as a much softer, more grounded version of herself now:
- more empathetic
- less reactive
- more thoughtful
- She still says Stassi can be intimidating and blunt, but that they have learned how to communicate better over time.
- Taylor says being honest with Stassi actually strengthens their relationship, because Stassi respects directness.
Dad Life, Motherhood, and Marriage
Why Taylor calls herself “dad”
- Taylor embraces the “dad” title as a joke and as a reflection of her role in the family.
- She says she’s more of the playful, less-primary parent, while Tay handles most of the day-to-day baby care.
- Her point: she feels like a “great dad,” but not a “mom,” and she’s comfortable with that framing.
Her parenting role
- She admits she’s more of a support character in the household and often describes herself as Tay’s “sous chef.”
- Tay is the more hands-on parent:
- does more wake-ups
- is more patient
- handles more of the baby logistics
- Taylor is amused by how naturally Tay has stepped into the role of managing their family and business.
The baby and family concerns
- Taylor previously worried that Tay would love the baby more than her, but says that hasn’t happened.
- She’s very attached to their daughter and says the baby is equally obsessed with her.
- The baby reportedly sleeps through the night and is already copying Taylor’s voice and behavior.
GLP-1, Body Image, and “Food Noise”
Her experience on Zepbound
- Taylor has been on a GLP-1 for about three years and is open about it.
- She started on a compound version, then switched to Zepbound after her brother, a vascular surgeon, pushed her toward an FDA-approved option.
- She says the medication has helped not just with weight, but with her mental state:
- reduced food noise
- less anxiety around eating
- less obsessive self-criticism
Her body image
- Taylor says she still struggles with seeing herself accurately.
- She feels she looks better in past photos than in the moment, which Amanda relates to.
- She also says she’s aware of the dangers of overdoing weight-loss meds and would pull back if her face or body started looking too gaunt.
Big Moments from the Show
The emotional scene with Bo
- Amanda highlights a scene where Taylor listens to Bo open up about a personal issue.
- Taylor says she was glad to be a safe place for him, and that she often acts as a mediator in the friend group.
- She explains that she saw it as helping move an inevitable conversation forward, not betraying his trust.
Tension with Katie Maloney
- Taylor discusses Katie’s “payroll” comment and says she took it personally at first.
- She admits she is fiercely loyal to Stassi and was defensive on her behalf.
- After seeing the footage and talking things through, she says she and Katie are okay now.
Taylor’s right-side camera panic
- One of her biggest post-filming shocks was realizing how camera angles affect appearance.
- She jokes that episode 2 was particularly unflattering because she didn’t get glam or hair care treatments.
- She’s self-deprecating about it, but also clearly hyper-aware of how TV can warp self-image.
Taylor’s Work Ethic and Career Mindset
- Taylor says her intense work ethic comes from years in radio and corporate media.
- She treats projects with Stassi professionally, even though they’re close friends.
- She values structure, reliability, and showing up prepared, especially because she’s had “chaotic boss” experiences in the past.
- She also emphasizes how much freedom and flexibility this collaboration gives her compared with traditional jobs.
Release Information and What to Expect
- Amanda promotes House of Stassi as a big upcoming show and encourages listeners to watch.
- Taylor says the series will show:
- the evolution of her friendship with Stassi
- the realities of working with your best friend
- motherhood and marriage dynamics
- the personal friction and humor that come with filming reality TV
- She says the series feels like the most authentic version of her yet.
Key Takeaways
- Taylor Strecker is stepping into reality TV with years of history behind her.
- Her friendship with Stassi is strong because they’re willing to be direct and honest.
- The show leans into transparency rather than hiding production, which Taylor believes makes it better.
- Taylor is very candid about body image, GLP-1s, and the mental relief of not obsessing over food.
- Her “dad life” persona is both a joke and a real reflection of her role in the family.