Are you part of a fanatic fandom that follows one of the mega-hits in books, television, or movies? Or do you get sick of seeing uber-enthusiastic fans fill your social media feeds with things you have no interest in? This week, we discuss many of the mega-fandoms and whether their followings come from a genuine interest in the material or a need to belong and know what's going on. Is it pop culture or great stories that make people tune in for more, share memes and quizzes, and dress up as thei...
Apr 17, 2019•29 min
We are both Marvel fans, and this week we discuss the latest MCU release, Captain Marvel. We dish on Brie Larson's acting chops, what we liked about the movie, the theme of friendship and female empowerment, and the firsts this film can claim. We also talk about superheroes in general--why we love them, and how we see their qualities in ordinary humans every day if we look hard enough.
Apr 10, 2019•41 min
One of us loves to cook and thinks recipes are loose guidelines. The other loathes cooking and is somewhat obsessive about exact measurements. This week, we discuss who does the cooking and what they get out of it. Does the job usually fall onto the person who enjoys it the most? Or is gender a factor? And how do social bonding and pop culture affect our views of cooking?
Mar 29, 2019•37 min
How do authors come up with their story ideas? This week, we discuss the various places we find sparks, and the many ways those sparks change as they morph into full-blown novels. We explain the inspiration behind our existing series, and we also give a sneak peek into some ideas we have brewing for future books!
Mar 20, 2019•40 min
Famous friendships (like Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox) fascinate us, as do the ones we read about in novels and watch on film and TV. But what takes friendship to that deeper level? What makes a relationship go from acquaintance to ride-or-die squad member? This week, we discuss the different friendships we have as stages of life progress, and the things that end friendships, change them, or make them stick like glue. Join us to find out our friendship goals and what we think are qualities ...
Mar 16, 2019•36 min
Book Piracy is rampant in this digital age. But many readers are not aware that they're engaging in piracy, and some see nothing wrong with downloading free books from piracy sites . This week, we discuss what piracy is, why people engage in it, why it's wrong, and what steps you can take to get free or discounted books while ensuring you're not being a pirate!
Mar 06, 2019•31 min
The internet is ablaze with Marie Kondo's system of tidying called KonMari. Some have become devotees of the system and cleaned out their entire household, much to the benefit of thrift shops everywhere. But others criticize her method, and some even find it offensive. In this week's episode, we discuss the parts of KonMari that we think work best and the overall concept of things sparking "joy".
Mar 02, 2019•36 min
Why are we Americans so fascinated with British royalty? Is it because we don't have our own princes and princesses, or is it because Queen Elizabeth II and her descendants have done an amazing job of staying relevant and keeping our attention? Diana, Princess of Wales, was a big influence on both of us in our youth, and Tawdra even studied the history of the British and their royal lineage in college. Now, she's turned her lifelong obsession into a series of books that explores the complexities...
Feb 21, 2019•35 min
In honor of Valentine's week, Violet and Tawdra turn to their romance readers to answer the question--What is Romance? They find that the grand, over-the-top gestures and expensive gifts might be nice, but it's moments of connection and thoughtfulness that often mean the most when it comes to romance. And fair warning: you'll never look at your crock pot or microwave the same way again after listening to this episode!
Feb 13, 2019•25 min
How do you give up sugar, refined carbs, and Diet Coke when you don't want to give any of that up? The Wilder Way! This week, we discuss Jasinda's Wilder bestselling book You Can Do It, which outlines her years of research on health issues and dieting and lays out a plan to detox from sugar, refined carbs, and chemical-laden foods. Join Tawdra and Violet as we discuss our experiences with the plan, and our effort to recommit and reboot with the Wilder Way.
Feb 06, 2019•46 min
Having friends and family come over can be great for bonding and connecting, but the stress that comes with cleaning and preparation for a gathering can be overwhelming. This week, we discuss the concept of Scruffy Hospitality mentioned by Robin Shreeves in her blog. What can you let go of in order to embrace having visitors in your home and actually enjoy them being there? Do your visitors need an immaculate house to have a good time?
Jan 30, 2019•43 min
In this week's episode, we discuss some of the great literary scandals and the plethora of cases involving artists whose real lives are more dramatic than their work. Do writers create drama in their lives because of their creative minds, or do people who live surrounded by drama turn to fantasy to cope? (Or both?) And why do we hold fiction to a higher standard of plausibility than real life? We would never allow characters to get away with the dumb choices real people make every day.
Jan 23, 2019•43 min
Recent court cases in Europe and the US have highlighted some of the issues that arise when portraying (or alluding to) real-life figures in fictional creations. When does someone's right to create original works infringe upon someone else's right to control their public image and persona? If it's fiction, is anyone open game to portrayed in any manner the artist chooses? How does that apply when the "art form" is digital porn? And where is the line drawn with biopics, docudramas, and autobiogra...
Jan 16, 2019•28 min
The Golden Globes kicked off the 2019 awards season with a few surprises, a couple of snubs, and as usual, controversy. In this week's episode, we discuss the appeal (or not) of awards shows, the frontrunners in movies and television this year, the subjectiveness of the process, and Violet's predictions for the upcoming Academy Awards.
Jan 09, 2019•37 min
We're kicking off the new year with talk about new beginnings, resolutions (and how they don't work for at least one of us), and a renewed effort for eating and living healthier. Take a listen and find out which new lifestyle plan we are going with next month, and join us with your own health commitment!
Jan 02, 2019•33 min
We all know what we're supposed to feel during the holiday season. We've seen the soft focus holiday movies that all end with everyone happy and festive. But in reality, it's not always easy to sing fa-la-la and be merry. The stress and demands of the holiday season can take their toll. Join us as we search for ways to find the holly jolly this season.
Dec 19, 2018•37 min
The holidays shine a spotlight on some of the difficulties and joys of parenting adult children--the changing dynamics of sibling interactions, the push and pull of split households and/or in-laws, and the less exciting but perhaps more meaningful gift giving. We also discuss the need for respect from both sides as parents walk the tightrope of knowing when to back off yet still be an active parent.
Dec 12, 2018•41 min
Social media commenters are quick to react to anything they disagree with. Unfortunately, they don't always do their research or gather facts before forming opinions. We discuss the reactions to recent scandals in the publishing world, as well as across the board in today's society. What will the long-term effects be on the new generations coming up in this time of constant attacks from those hiding behind the anonymity of the keyboard? To prevent getting sucked into the mob mentality, we encour...
Dec 05, 2018•31 min
As Violet celebrates 50, she and Tawdra discuss the changing views on aging in today's society, and the persistent ways that women are held hostage by age. We cover the gamet, from fashion to movies to skincare and sex. Because yes, women in their 50s still have great sex! (and we write books about them!)
Nov 27, 2018•37 min
This episode is almost guaranteed to cause food cravings. We discuss our own Thanksgiving traditions and the differences in menus based on geographic regions, but we also talk about the season of gratefulness and the encroachment of shopping into family time.
Nov 21, 2018•39 min
It makes sense that taking care of ourselves would leave us better equipped to take care of others. So why do we struggle with it? Why is it so hard to set aside time for ourselves and minister to our own needs? During the upcoming holiday season, self-care is even more important to prevent burn-out, frustration, and depression. We discuss some helpful tips and our own struggles with taking care of us.
Nov 14, 2018•43 min
What is the definition of a "strong woman", and why does it often correlate with being a bitch? Is there only one way to be strong, and does it have to be negative? This week, we discuss the many ways women exhibit strength, the importance of strong women in literature and film, and the women we admire in our lives.
Nov 06, 2018•35 min
Join us as we discuss the enduring appeal of Halloween: its origins, our own childhood memories of the holiday, the ways we've incorporated it into our children's lives, and what we've noticed about the ever-changing celebration of Halloween in our modern-day society.
Oct 29, 2018•35 min
As Twilight returns to movie theaters to celebrate its 10th anniversary, we discuss the appeal of the series, the impact it had on our own lives and on the romance industry, and the lasting legacy of the phenomenon. Were you Team Edward or Team Jacob? Or did you just not care?
Oct 22, 2018•51 min
October is the month that we put our fears on display and celebrate them. But where do our fears come from? Are they innate or created by our experiences? Why do some people get a thrill out of what others avoid at all costs? Join us as we reveal our own phobias and fears and ponder their causes.
Oct 17, 2018•37 min
Our society seems to be obsessed with weddings. Books, movies, and television shows all entertain us with tales of brides & grooms. Weddings continue to be one of the hottest industries, and though traditions and trends might change with the times, the popularity of weddings and the desire to be a part of them remains. Join Tawdra & Violet as they discuss our attraction to weddings and the changing dynamics of modern-day nuptials.
Oct 12, 2018•37 min
Join us as we discuss the intrigue of the paranormal, the mystic draw of thin places, and the many ways faith and tradition factor into our reaction to the spiritual world.
Oct 03, 2018•29 min
Join us to chat about the allure of planning a vacation, the pitfalls of picky eating in other cultures, and the trips we'd like to take for our future book ideas.
Sep 26, 2018•31 min
Authors ride a fine line between policing their characters and allowing their characters to be themselves. But are there hard lines that a hero or heroine just can't cross? And when does an author have to ignore their own morals and ethics to allow the character to tell the true story?
Sep 18, 2018•31 min
Join us for a chat between friends on topics ranging from how the perception of time changes as people age, to the shifting identities of mothers as their children age, and finally to our lifelong love of music, including our shared passion for the band Blue October.
Sep 14, 2018•41 min
