Hi, I'm Brittany Saunders, and welcome to Big Business Today. You've landed in a bonus episode and now someone's asked me a question and it's got me thinking maybe I could talk about this. I've got producers ander with me again. Can't get it Wednesday, I can't get rid of jumping jump it on the mic. I love the way you respond to online slander slash negativity. Did you learn this somewhere? Great question? Oh, this is a big topic. Obviously, online bullying is like a huge thing and has been for a very long time, and I don't know if it's getting better or worse. It's probably getting worse the longer time is going on. It's obviously a huge and touchy subject. But did I learn to clap back the way that I do from anywhere? I would say I've learned it in a couple of ways. Obviously, I've been creating content online for a really long time. I started making YouTube videos in high school, So when I'm in year eight or nine, that was my first time of experiencing bullying through an online platform. I would make and like you know what, looking back now, the videos weren't very good, like they weren't anything amazing. I was that one weird kid in year eight who had a YouTube channel because no one else did, and I was sitting at home making these videos, and in particular, I mean I got bullied by a few people at school. Sorry I just burped. But it was always the boys that would make fun of me for my videos. And it got to the point, always the boys.

Hi, I'm Brittany Saunders, and welcome to Big Business Today. You've landed in a bonus episode and now someone's asked me a question and it's got me thinking maybe I could talk about this. I've got producers ander with me again. Can't get it Wednesday, I can't get rid of jumping jump it on the mic. I love the way you respond to online slander slash negativity. Did you learn this somewhere? Great question? Oh, this is a big topic. Obviously, online bullying is like a huge thing and has been for a very long time, and I don't know if it's getting better or worse. It's probably getting worse the longer time is going on. It's obviously a huge and touchy subject. But did I learn to clap back the way that I do from anywhere? I would say I've learned it in a couple of ways. Obviously, I've been creating content online for a really long time. I started making YouTube videos in high school, So when I'm in year eight or nine, that was my first time of experiencing bullying through an online platform. I would make and like you know what, looking back now, the videos weren't very good, like they weren't anything amazing. I was that one weird kid in year eight who had a YouTube channel because no one else did, and I was sitting at home making these videos, and in particular, I mean I got bullied by a few people at school. Sorry I just burped. But it was always the boys that would make fun of me for my videos. And it got to the point, always the boys.

It's always a body boys.

It's always a body boys.

There was one boy in particular who actually didn't go to my school, but you know how you knew everyone else in the same year at other schools near you, like, we knew all the boys, and we knew everyone that was in the same year eight as us at all the other schools around Newcastle, and you're all kind of friends somehow. So it was this one kid who was in another school but friends with all the boys from my year my school, and it got to the point where he started making videos mocking me. So he put a wig on and put a little skirt on and he would say, hey, guys, I'm Brittany Leethon there like full on taking the piece out of me. And because they didn't have a YouTube channel, they'd post it on Facebook. And I remember this so vividly him posting this video and going onto the comments and seeing like a hundred comments underneath it from everyone else in my year at school, and then all the other people from like Katara High and all the schools near us that we were friends with as well, just everyone like writing in the comments like ha ha ha ha ha, and like just fully laughing at my own exprience, like just ha ha ha. And these are my peers, yeah, And I remember them just laughing at that video, and I was so upset by it, like crying, and like my mom didn't really understand like what I was doing on YouTube at the time, like just making these stupid videos in my bedroom, and she would like blow up at me because I'd become upset, and then she would blow up at me, and you need to stop making these stupid videos, like you know, she just wanted me to shut the thing down. And that was her thing, like just fucking stop making these stupid videos and these boys will shut up kind of thing. Because it was really upsetting me. But I don't know what it was like, I don't know where the drive came from, but I almost just being picked on in that way as much as it upset me at the time and I would cry over it. I still kept making those videos, and I think it was because I loved doing it. Like it wasn't just posting them on this little YouTube thing and getting two hundred views that I loved. I loved setting up the camera, I loved sitting down in front of it. I love thinking of what I was gonna say. Then I loved editing it. And you know, spend two hours editing this video.

There was one boy in particular who actually didn't go to my school, but you know how you knew everyone else in the same year at other schools near you, like, we knew all the boys, and we knew everyone that was in the same year eight as us at all the other schools around Newcastle, and you're all kind of friends somehow. So it was this one kid who was in another school but friends with all the boys from my year my school, and it got to the point where he started making videos mocking me. So he put a wig on and put a little skirt on and he would say, hey, guys, I'm Brittany Leethon there like full on taking the piece out of me. And because they didn't have a YouTube channel, they'd post it on Facebook. And I remember this so vividly him posting this video and going onto the comments and seeing like a hundred comments underneath it from everyone else in my year at school, and then all the other people from like Katara High and all the schools near us that we were friends with as well, just everyone like writing in the comments like ha ha ha ha ha, and like just fully laughing at my own exprience, like just ha ha ha. And these are my peers, yeah, And I remember them just laughing at that video, and I was so upset by it, like crying, and like my mom didn't really understand like what I was doing on YouTube at the time, like just making these stupid videos in my bedroom, and she would like blow up at me because I'd become upset, and then she would blow up at me, and you need to stop making these stupid videos, like you know, she just wanted me to shut the thing down. And that was her thing, like just fucking stop making these stupid videos and these boys will shut up kind of thing. Because it was really upsetting me. But I don't know what it was like, I don't know where the drive came from, but I almost just being picked on in that way as much as it upset me at the time and I would cry over it. I still kept making those videos, and I think it was because I loved doing it. Like it wasn't just posting them on this little YouTube thing and getting two hundred views that I loved. I loved setting up the camera, I loved sitting down in front of it. I love thinking of what I was gonna say. Then I loved editing it. And you know, spend two hours editing this video.

So I get a bullied a lot because I was an Irish answer throughout school.

So I get a bullied a lot because I was an Irish answer throughout school.

By the way, fun fact about Xander, he is a pro Irish answer back.

By the way, fun fact about Xander, he is a pro Irish answer back.

Pro It's not my podcast, it's not about me, but I am going to talk about me now. Ask it a little all the time for being an ice dancer, and I not once did it occur to me that I should stop because I loved it so much, and it was like it was just part of who I am at that you're.

Pro It's not my podcast, it's not about me, but I am going to talk about me now. Ask it a little all the time for being an ice dancer, and I not once did it occur to me that I should stop because I loved it so much, and it was like it was just part of who I am at that you're.

Passionate about it, and I think that's what it's about. It's I was passionate about making those videos. And even though I had that boy making videos ripping me off and mocking my name and everyone laughing in the comments and my mum was telling me just stop, like you know, which I think is a sad mentality.

Passionate about it, and I think that's what it's about. It's I was passionate about making those videos. And even though I had that boy making videos ripping me off and mocking my name and everyone laughing in the comments and my mum was telling me just stop, like you know, which I think is a sad mentality.

It's funny your mom, your mum's response will stopped, But my parents' response were, well, what are they doing.

It's funny your mom, your mum's response will stopped, But my parents' response were, well, what are they doing.

Yeah with their life? Well, I think that's a lot more level headed response, whereas I don't think my mum had it in her to like educate me.

Yeah with their life? Well, I think that's a lot more level headed response, whereas I don't think my mum had it in her to like educate me.

Listen to one of our previous episodes on BRIT's Personal life. You can get a full in depth look. Yeah.

Listen to one of our previous episodes on BRIT's Personal life. You can get a full in depth look. Yeah.

But even though you know, I was being picked on and crying about it and being upset and it was affecting me, I think it was because I was passionate about making those videos and that was my thing, and that was my hobby, and that was my thing that I loved, like I never stopped. And I think from that young age I was, honestly the eight or nine, it taught me to be resilient and in a way, it kind of like I started to have fun with it. I remember I started to make videos that were a little bit weirder as well, so that they would kind of like give me a bit more feedback, like it's like you turn it into your fuel kind of thing. And I think back to the question that someone asked me, like, did you learn this somewhere? I think I learned it from that from being picked on for doing something that I loved, and then as I kept going at it, and because I loved it so much, and then this little channel started growing, and then like the hater comments from everyone at school started become less and less, and I started getting some positive comments, and then I started to build a little community. It almost was the fuel to my fire kind of thing, and it kept me going. So I think that's where I learned that. And the second thing as well, on the question of like how did you learn to clap back at the hate? I think it's all about being able to take the piece out of your self in a way and not taking yourself so seriously all the time. So for example, like if we get like a funny comment every now and then, or someone trying to take a stab at me, like I'll be the first person to take a stab at myself before anyone else does. Does that make sense?

But even though you know, I was being picked on and crying about it and being upset and it was affecting me, I think it was because I was passionate about making those videos and that was my thing, and that was my hobby, and that was my thing that I loved, like I never stopped. And I think from that young age I was, honestly the eight or nine, it taught me to be resilient and in a way, it kind of like I started to have fun with it. I remember I started to make videos that were a little bit weirder as well, so that they would kind of like give me a bit more feedback, like it's like you turn it into your fuel kind of thing. And I think back to the question that someone asked me, like, did you learn this somewhere? I think I learned it from that from being picked on for doing something that I loved, and then as I kept going at it, and because I loved it so much, and then this little channel started growing, and then like the hater comments from everyone at school started become less and less, and I started getting some positive comments, and then I started to build a little community. It almost was the fuel to my fire kind of thing, and it kept me going. So I think that's where I learned that. And the second thing as well, on the question of like how did you learn to clap back at the hate? I think it's all about being able to take the piece out of your self in a way and not taking yourself so seriously all the time. So for example, like if we get like a funny comment every now and then, or someone trying to take a stab at me, like I'll be the first person to take a stab at myself before anyone else does. Does that make sense?

Yes, Yeah, you've got to have a really good sense of humor about it.

Yes, Yeah, you've got to have a really good sense of humor about it.

Yeah, and not everything is like, not everything is as serious as it seems. Like if someone's gonna have a go at me about something like, no, I'll be the one to rip myself off.

Yeah, and not everything is like, not everything is as serious as it seems. Like if someone's gonna have a go at me about something like, no, I'll be the one to rip myself off.

Actually, yeah, like even like god, I post on TikTok a bit more than usual now because you encouraging me. And sometimes I get some you know, hateful comments and you just got to laugh at it, and I just come back with comedic response, and I.

Actually, yeah, like even like god, I post on TikTok a bit more than usual now because you encouraging me. And sometimes I get some you know, hateful comments and you just got to laugh at it, and I just come back with comedic response, and I.

Think that's what I agree.

Think that's what I agree.

What are they going to do?

What are they going to do?

I think that's it. It's like being able to laugh at yourself, and like posting yourself online is kind of you're making an idiot of yourself. Really, you can't have fun on social media if you're not having a bit of fun and being an idiot. So then if someone's going to come at you and say whatever it is, you know, it's like I'm having.

I think that's it. It's like being able to laugh at yourself, and like posting yourself online is kind of you're making an idiot of yourself. Really, you can't have fun on social media if you're not having a bit of fun and being an idiot. So then if someone's going to come at you and say whatever it is, you know, it's like I'm having.

Fun embarrassing yourself. Okay, well let me embarrass myself that.

Fun embarrassing yourself. Okay, well let me embarrass myself that.

Yes, Like I'm going to laugh at myself before you do, thank you very much. So it's about having fun with it. And I guess another thing that I've learned after so long of being online and having people criticize everything that you do is I know it's so cliche to say, but no one like happier than you or no one more successful than you is going to hate on you. Yeah, people always say no one more successful than you is going to hate on you. I don't believe that one hundred percent, because there could be a really successful person out there who absolutely hates on me, but I don't think they'd be happier than I am.

Yes, Like I'm going to laugh at myself before you do, thank you very much. So it's about having fun with it. And I guess another thing that I've learned after so long of being online and having people criticize everything that you do is I know it's so cliche to say, but no one like happier than you or no one more successful than you is going to hate on you. Yeah, people always say no one more successful than you is going to hate on you. I don't believe that one hundred percent, because there could be a really successful person out there who absolutely hates on me, but I don't think they'd be happier than I am.

I can attest to that. Like, over the years, I've been in some pretty dark times in my life and I've admit it. I have taken that out on people and online. And I'll be the first person to always say that. And it's so true that if you're not fulfilled with who you are or your life, it does seep out towards other people and it's not nice. And God, I look back on some things that I've said to people like that, it's not who I am.

I can attest to that. Like, over the years, I've been in some pretty dark times in my life and I've admit it. I have taken that out on people and online. And I'll be the first person to always say that. And it's so true that if you're not fulfilled with who you are or your life, it does seep out towards other people and it's not nice. And God, I look back on some things that I've said to people like that, it's not who I am.

I think it's really a massive reflect not saying you now, Xander, But like people that do leave hate online, it's it's a reflection of like what they're going.

I think it's really a massive reflect not saying you now, Xander, But like people that do leave hate online, it's it's a reflection of like what they're going.

Through the life situation.

Through the life situation.

Yeah, and I pity people, you know, if I do get like negative comment or negative terrible feedback. There's a difference between like constructive feedback and just straight up hate and negative. Yeah, you're shit. But you know, if someone's going to come at me and speak to me in that way and say you're shit or this and that blah blah blah, the store location you've got is wrong, whatever it is that they know. Yeah, Like I just I think, you know, what are you doing in your life? Then, especially when it comes to my business, when people try to educate me on what I'm doing, I always write back and go, well, what's your business called?

Yeah, and I pity people, you know, if I do get like negative comment or negative terrible feedback. There's a difference between like constructive feedback and just straight up hate and negative. Yeah, you're shit. But you know, if someone's going to come at me and speak to me in that way and say you're shit or this and that blah blah blah, the store location you've got is wrong, whatever it is that they know. Yeah, Like I just I think, you know, what are you doing in your life? Then, especially when it comes to my business, when people try to educate me on what I'm doing, I always write back and go, well, what's your business called?

Then? Yeah, what would you suggest?

Then? Yeah, what would you suggest?

Yeah? What do you question? What do you do in your business? Then that is so good compared to me. They don't own a business.

Yeah? What do you question? What do you do in your business? Then that is so good compared to me. They don't own a business.

Ned answer.

Ned answer.

So it's kind of like it's really interesting to obviously deal with online hate negativity. And I will say, I'm so lucky, like I get a random comment once in a blue moon these days. Back in the YouTube days, it was a lot different, and there was a lot of criticism around my appearance and my body and everything like that. And I feel like, I don't know, my audience has kind of grown up with me, and I've got a new audience now and everyone takes me a bit more seriously. I guess.

So it's kind of like it's really interesting to obviously deal with online hate negativity. And I will say, I'm so lucky, like I get a random comment once in a blue moon these days. Back in the YouTube days, it was a lot different, and there was a lot of criticism around my appearance and my body and everything like that. And I feel like, I don't know, my audience has kind of grown up with me, and I've got a new audience now and everyone takes me a bit more seriously. I guess.

Also, it's hard to come at someone who is very apparently successful, like you can see it, like, what are you meant to pick at?

Also, it's hard to come at someone who is very apparently successful, like you can see it, like, what are you meant to pick at?

Then?

Then?

Do you know what I mean?

Do you know what I mean?

Yeah, Well people still find no, they do, but it's.

Yeah, Well people still find no, they do, but it's.

Much harder for you know, someone who has put themselves out there for so long and then for them to get that success, it's much harder for people to come in on them after that. I found that with dancing. I did competition my whole life. I used to perform at school as to be made fun of. But then do you think I was getting any comments or people saying nasty things to me when I was too around the world.

Much harder for you know, someone who has put themselves out there for so long and then for them to get that success, it's much harder for people to come in on them after that. I found that with dancing. I did competition my whole life. I used to perform at school as to be made fun of. But then do you think I was getting any comments or people saying nasty things to me when I was too around the world.

No, exactly right, because what are they going to say? I think one of the exactly right. And I think one of the hard things as well is a lot of the criticism sometimes that people receive just say like maybe this person's asked me this because they're starting a business or whatever. A lot of the criticism that people can get is actually from people that they know, so it can be coming from their direct family, and that makes it even harder because it's one thing to receive a comment online from a stranger and to be like, oh fuck, that kind of hurt. And don't get me wrong, like hurtful comments hurt. Like, yes, we're resilient and we just brush it off, but some of them really hurt, and it can make you question yourself and what you're doing. But for other people, especially stepping into business, you can receive criticism from those in your family and friends and people doubting you or not liking your stupid little hobby kind of thing, and that's even harder. But yeah, I guess I've learned to snap back at the comments because I don't take myself that seriously at the end of the day, Like.

No, exactly right, because what are they going to say? I think one of the exactly right. And I think one of the hard things as well is a lot of the criticism sometimes that people receive just say like maybe this person's asked me this because they're starting a business or whatever. A lot of the criticism that people can get is actually from people that they know, so it can be coming from their direct family, and that makes it even harder because it's one thing to receive a comment online from a stranger and to be like, oh fuck, that kind of hurt. And don't get me wrong, like hurtful comments hurt. Like, yes, we're resilient and we just brush it off, but some of them really hurt, and it can make you question yourself and what you're doing. But for other people, especially stepping into business, you can receive criticism from those in your family and friends and people doubting you or not liking your stupid little hobby kind of thing, and that's even harder. But yeah, I guess I've learned to snap back at the comments because I don't take myself that seriously at the end of the day, Like.

What's the best advice that you could give people out there who are putting themselves out now, whether it be in business, whether it be personally, whether they're just trying to be funny on TikTok or whatever, and they're getting hate, what's your best advice for them to kind of reframe the narrative.

What's the best advice that you could give people out there who are putting themselves out now, whether it be in business, whether it be personally, whether they're just trying to be funny on TikTok or whatever, and they're getting hate, what's your best advice for them to kind of reframe the narrative.

Yeah, I would say don't lean into that hate too much. I think a lot of the time, especially online, when people are leaving hate comment after hate comment, they're looking for a response, and you could very easily make that your whole brand is just clapping back at hate, But then you're inviting more hate at the same time, I think it's fun every now and then to reply to a cheeky comment or like, you know, get amongst it a little bit. But I would say, especially if it's bothering you personally, to not fuel that hatred because you're going to be bringing in more of it, and instead just focus on whatever it is that you're trying to do with that content or with your business or whatever it may be, and like, remember what you're passionate about and why you started it in the first place, and just keep driving for I would say, like, if it's content, keep making that content. Let them leave their stupid comments, and maybe you'll start getting some people leaving positive comments as well. That would be my advice, like don't feed the tiger too much.

Yeah, I would say don't lean into that hate too much. I think a lot of the time, especially online, when people are leaving hate comment after hate comment, they're looking for a response, and you could very easily make that your whole brand is just clapping back at hate, But then you're inviting more hate at the same time, I think it's fun every now and then to reply to a cheeky comment or like, you know, get amongst it a little bit. But I would say, especially if it's bothering you personally, to not fuel that hatred because you're going to be bringing in more of it, and instead just focus on whatever it is that you're trying to do with that content or with your business or whatever it may be, and like, remember what you're passionate about and why you started it in the first place, and just keep driving for I would say, like, if it's content, keep making that content. Let them leave their stupid comments, and maybe you'll start getting some people leaving positive comments as well. That would be my advice, like don't feed the tiger too much.

I always say that the block button will solve most of your problems.

I always say that the block button will solve most of your problems.

Yes, and oh my gosh, I love blocking people. I love blocking people. I love what I.

Yes, and oh my gosh, I love blocking people. I love blocking people. I love what I.

Get me with my insane sense of justice, I always have to I want to have the last word podcast.

Get me with my insane sense of justice, I always have to I want to have the last word podcast.

You leave the last comment. Block. Sometimes I get the most stupid comments I get is on TikTok. I find I feel like Instagram's community. Everyone knows me, everyone gets me, everyone's on board, and then it's when the videos go on TikTok and it reaches a new audience.

You leave the last comment. Block. Sometimes I get the most stupid comments I get is on TikTok. I find I feel like Instagram's community. Everyone knows me, everyone gets me, everyone's on board, and then it's when the videos go on TikTok and it reaches a new audience.

Instagram is so much more personal.

Instagram is so much more personal.

Yes, so TikTok is where I get the dumb comments, and I usually just go through and reply dumb shit, or sometimes I literally just go block. It's just so satisfying knowing this person, especially if they're coming at you with like ten comments and you just go block.

Yes, so TikTok is where I get the dumb comments, and I usually just go through and reply dumb shit, or sometimes I literally just go block. It's just so satisfying knowing this person, especially if they're coming at you with like ten comments and you just go block.

I want a burner account, use one, two, three, five.

I want a burner account, use one, two, three, five.

You don't even have a profile, like, shut the fuck up. And you know, I know, online bullying is a whole realm of its own, and it's dangerous and it's scary, and I think you know, something needs to be done about it in the big picture. Yeah, and we're obviously not going to dive right into that rabbit hole today because this is just a bonus episode. But yeah, understand the power of the block button. Remember why you're doing whatever it is that you're doing, whether it's content, social media, maybe you're starting a personal brand of business. Just don't lose sight of why you started that thing in the first place and what your passions are. And I don't know, I guess just think of me in high school when I started making those YouTube videos and I was getting picked on, and for some reason, something in the back of my mind told me keep going and look where that took me.

You don't even have a profile, like, shut the fuck up. And you know, I know, online bullying is a whole realm of its own, and it's dangerous and it's scary, and I think you know, something needs to be done about it in the big picture. Yeah, and we're obviously not going to dive right into that rabbit hole today because this is just a bonus episode. But yeah, understand the power of the block button. Remember why you're doing whatever it is that you're doing, whether it's content, social media, maybe you're starting a personal brand of business. Just don't lose sight of why you started that thing in the first place and what your passions are. And I don't know, I guess just think of me in high school when I started making those YouTube videos and I was getting picked on, and for some reason, something in the back of my mind told me keep going and look where that took me.

Think about that little boy in dance class. You just wanted to tour the world.

Think about that little boy in dance class. You just wanted to tour the world.

Exactly right. You literally went around the world. So yeah, that would be my advice. And that's how I kind of learned to be resilient. It's just having fun.

Exactly right. You literally went around the world. So yeah, that would be my advice. And that's how I kind of learned to be resilient. It's just having fun.