SE12: Viral Without Consent with Maddie Kowalski

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual assault, non-consensual intimate image sharing, and self-harm. Please check the show synopsis before continuing.

A note before we get into the episode: Maddie's story stems from very recent events with potential legal ramifications. While we set context, there are certain subjects we set aside or refer to only on a surface level so as not to interfere with those proceedings.

Maddie Kowalski was 19 years old and a sophomore at the University of Florida when her life changed overnight. Intimate videos of her were taken without her full knowledge, shared across fraternities, posted to X and other platforms with her full name attached, then went on to trend nationally.

Over five million people saw her name tied to content she never consented to, alongside false rumors and harassment that followed her across every platform. What came next was its own kind of ending. Lost friendships, harassment on campus, and the particular cruelty of watching yourself become a meme while the people responsible go largely unpunished.

In this conversation, Maddie talks about the impact of going viral without consent, the pile-on mentality that took hold online, the silence from people who knew what happened and said nothing, and what it actually looks like to try to heal from something that never fully disappears from the internet.

She also talks about consent, specifically what it means when someone is not in a position to give it, and why so few people involved thought to ask the question at all.

This is the Season 3 finale of The Happily Never After. We will see you in spring 2027 for Season 4.

ABOUT MADDIE KOWALSKI
Maddie is a 19-year old student that just finished her sophomore year at the University of Florida, in Gainesville. She is studying Media Production, Management, and Technology, and is working towards a career in social media management. Outside of school she enjoys traveling, hanging out with her dog, and downtime with a tight group of friends and family.

• Follow Maddie on Instagram at @madskowalski
• Follow Maddie on TikTok at @madskowalski

ABOUT THE HAPPILY NEVER AFTER
The Happily Never After is a podcast that features stories of big endings that led to personal breakthroughs. While endings can hurt, they also provide opportunities to heal and grow, and sometimes, they even set us free. Endings can offer an opportunity to begin anew, in a better way, and that’s what we’re here to talk about.

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