Read The Damn Book™ is the no-fluff spin-off of the Webby-nominated My Simplified Life podcast, created for people who actually read the books they talk about. Born out of a deep love for storytelling, and serious frustration with performative book culture, this show brings real conversations with real authors to the forefront. Host Michelle Glogovac, THE Podcast Matchmaker®, author, and creator of the Podcast Book Tour™, goes beyond the blurbs for unfiltered interviews about the books, the writers, and the issues that actually matter. Expect sharp takes, honest dialogue, and a healthy dose of “WTF is going on in publishing?” energy. No fake reading. No fluff. Just real people, real stories, and really damn good books. New episodes drop weekly. Welcome to Read The Damn Book™ - where the host actually reads the book before the interviews! Learn more about Michelle at https://michelleglogovac.com or explore The MLG Collective® at https://themlgcollective.com.
In this episode, activist and author Ruchira Gupta talks about her powerful book The Freedom Seeker, which follows the inspiring journey of a young girl navigating migration and overcoming immense challenges. Gupta, a renowned advocate against human trafficking, shares her real-life experiences fighting to end exploitation and her vision of a world where no human being is ever bought or sold. This conversation dives deep into the r...
In this episode, Michelle Glogovac sits down with author Charlotte Otter to explore the urgent call for a new kind of leadership—one rooted in authenticity, diversity, and human connection. Drawing from her book We Need New Leaders, Charlotte breaks down the essential skills modern leaders must embrace, including reputation management, intentional communication, and the strategic use of social m...
In this episode of Booked & Unfiltered, Michelle Glogovac and Stephanie Hockersmith tackle a hot-button topic in the literary world: Are audiobooks real reading? (Spoiler alert: Yes, they are.)
They break down the outdated stigma around audiobooks and make the case for why listening counts—especially in a fast-paced world where...
In this sharp and thought-provoking conversation, Jo Piazza dives into her new novel, Everyone Is Lying To You, a bold takedown of the tradwife trend and toxic influencer culture. She unpacks the power of storytelling as a tool for cultural critique, challenging the curated, unrealistic portrayals of women’s lives online. The episode explores themes of agency, gender roles, a...
In this heartfelt episode of My Simplified Life, hosts Michelle Glogovac and Stephanie Hockersmith explore how books shape our dreams, healing, and personal growth. From their fantasy of summering in beautiful places to their deep love for fiction and memoirs, Michelle and Steph dive into how literature provides both escape and emotional insight.
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In this gripping episode, Michelle Glogovac sits down with acclaimed author Clémence Michallon to discuss her new psychological thriller, Our Last Resort. They dive into the art of writing crime fiction, how Clémence’s journalism background shapes her storytelling, and the chilling appeal of cults, suspense, and isolated settings. Clémence offers a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process, ...
In this urgent conversation, Congressman Eric Swalwell breaks down what’s at stake with the so-called “Big Fugly Bill” currently making its way through Congress. He exposes the real consequences—skyrocketing healthcare and energy costs, corporate giveaways, and devastating impacts on everyday Americans. Swalwell makes it clear: this bill is wildly unpopular for a reason. He calls on all of us to stay engaged, get loud, and pressure...
In this episode of Booked & Unfiltered, Michelle Glogovac and Stephanie Hockersmith dive into the unspoken pressure readers face in a world obsessed with speed and quantity. From the guilt of not finishing a book (DNF) to the blurred lines between genuine reviews and influencer content, they unpack how hustle culture is infiltrating the literary world.
In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with bestselling author Brooke Lea Foster to discuss her latest novel, Our Last Vineyard Summer. Brooke dives into the world of historical beach fiction, sharing how real-life inspirations, women's experiences, and personal growth shape her storytelling. She opens up about her transition fr...
Senator Cory Booker joins the show to break down the real-world consequences of a controversial bill making its way through Congress. He calls out the massive wealth transfer from working-class Americans to the ultra-wealthy, the looming threat of widespread job losses, and the deep moral failures embedded in the legislation. Senator Booker makes an urgent case for activism, stressing that democracy demands participation—and now is...
In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with Malynda Hale — singer, songwriter, podcast host, activist, and advocate — for a powerful conversation on using your voice to create meaningful change. Malynda opens up about the importance of speaking out on social justice issues, how collective empathy can drive progress, and the realities of facing online criticism as a...
In this episode of Booked & Unfiltered, Michelle Glogovac and Stephanie Hockersmith unpack the latest controversy surrounding bestselling author Ali Hazelwood and the harsh realities of online book discourse. They dive into the complexities of fandom culture, the rise of performative outrage, and how bullying masked as “critique” is eroding empathy in the book c...
In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with author Jessica Berger Gross to discuss her powerful debut novel, Hazel Says No. Together, they dive into the emotional layers of the story—exploring family dynamics, personal identity, and the complexities of motherhood. Jessica opens up about her transition from memoir to fiction, how...
In this inspiring episode of My Simplified Life, Michelle Glogovac sits down with Kate Barr, behavioral scientist turned political candidate and founder of the Can't Win Victory Fund. Kate opens up about what it’s like to run for office in a heavily gerrymandered, unwinnable district—and why she did it anyway. She shares insights into the real impact of gerrymandering on democracy, the innovativ...
In this thought-provoking episode of My Simplified Life, Michelle Glogovac and co-host Stephanie Hockersmith (aka Pie Lady Books) dive deep into the world of book influencing, shining a light on what integrity and authenticity really mean in today’s crowded literary landscape. From spotting trustworthy book influencers to discussing the true impact of genuine en...
In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac interviews Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action and author of Fired Up: A Story of Resilience & the Power of Community. Shannon shares her inspiring journey from stay-at-home mom to national leader in the gun violence prevention movement. They dive into the founding of Moms Demand Action, the ongoing fight for gun safety legislation, and the critical role women p...
In this urgent conversation, Senator Cory Booker joins me to address the shocking detainment of Senator Alex Padilla. Senator Booker shares his unfiltered reaction, why this moment should alarm every American, and calls on his Republican colleagues to step up and defend democracy. We also discuss the responsibility we all share as citizens to stay engaged, push back against authoritarian tactics, and pay close attention to the so-c...
In this episode of PERSIST. Voices, Michelle Glogovac sits down with Erika Lucas, entrepreneur, immigrant advocate, and founder of StitchCrew, to talk about the realities women face when stepping away from corporate America to build something better. Erika shares her personal journey from the boardroom to nonprofit leadership, highlighting the funding gap for wo...
In this episode of My Simplified Life, hosts Michelle Glogovac and Stephanie Hockersmith dive into their top summer reading picks while tackling a deeper conversation around authenticity in the book world. They explore how financial incentives can impact book recommendations, calling for more integrity and transparency in literary influence. Michelle and Stephanie ...
In this inspiring episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac interviews acclaimed author and filmmaker Andrew Weiner to explore his multifaceted creative journey. Known for his children’s books and graphic novels, Andrew shares the behind-the-scenes process of storytelling for young readers and the collaborative effort that goes into bringing ...
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
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