Pop Fiction Women
In Pop Fiction Women we deep-dive into the complicated women of books, movies and TV shows, along with the women that bring them to life behind the scenes. Think Fleabag and Phoebe Waller Bridge, Normal People and Sally Rooney, and so much more. In each episode you can expect us to: * Break down the protagonist as we ask what makes her complicated? * Identify the best scenes, which can mean sweetest, funniest, or most badass. Anything we love. * Recount the cringiest scenes. The ones that make you squirm. Sometimes it’s self-sabotage, sometimes it’s growth, but it’s always part of the process of becoming our complicated selves. * Play arm-chair therapist in What’s Your Damage, Heather? An homage to the iconic line in Winona Ryder’s Heathers, we discuss how these characters got to be the way they are. * “What She Said” - the segment where we scour every essay and interview with the women behind the scenes and share some of our favorite first person quotes. Real life is as interesting as fiction here. * Look into our crystal ball and ponder where these characters are six months later and five years later. Typically, Kate gets very real and Carinn gets buck wild. * Provide a takeaway, aka that part in the podcast where we try to sound deep. We leave you with some parting wisdom, challenge each other with thought-provoking questions inspired by the work, and urge you to “stay complicated.”
Episodes
Sidebar on the movies that got into our bloodstreams (Kate = The Materialists, Carinn = Sinners), the Karen Read trial, losing and letting dreams come true, and Cancer season life vests for all!
On today’s episode we are joined by Lynn Harris, an award-winning journalist/novelist and founder of GOLD Comedy, to discuss My Old Ass, written and directed by Megan Park and starring Aubrey Plaza. In this coming-of-age comedy drama film, an 18th-birthday mushroom trip brings Elliott (played by Maisy Stella) face-to-face with her wisecracking 39-year-old self.
All our old asses loved this film! We chat about our favorite emotional ...
We’re back with another episode of what we like to call high-low therapy, where we let a deck of cards take us to places we never expected. On this episode, Kate is the dealer and Carinn is in the hot seat. We discuss what we're chasing, what keeps us up at night, being hangry, and how being a sheep is the Aries ram's worst fear.
Get on the couch with us today!
In today’s Complicated Conversation we welcome New York Times and #1 international bestselling author, Julie Clark, to discuss her new novel, The Ghostwriter, a story that skillfully blends family drama, a dark mystery, and a shocking tragedy that will keep you turning the pages twist after twist. In it, main character Olivia Dumont, is ghostwriting the book of her famous horror writer father, who was accused of murdering his own s...
Your Friends and Neighbors recap episodes 7-9: it's not yours if you can't keep it
In this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome Allison Buccola to discuss her new novel, The Ascent, a nerve-rattling thriller about motherhood, identity, and the truths we think we know about our families. We chat with Allison about her fascination with cults, the complexities of new motherhood, character development, her path from lawyer to novelist, and the challenges of writing a second book.
The Ascent is out now. Bu...
In today’s Complicated Conversations we welcome #1 international bestselling author Samantha Bailey to discuss her latest novel, Hello Juliet, a twisty thriller about a TV reunion that brings teen costars back for the drama and betrayals their viewers once craved—and this time, the stakes are deadly.
We chat with Sam about how her early love of television, specifically soap operas and teen dramas, planted the seed for this novel; th...
Your Friends and Neighbors Recap Ep5-6: Perfect Television
In this episode of Debut Discussions we chat with Sue Hincenbergs about her journey from a TV producer to her second act as a novelist with her debut book, The Retirement Plan, a story about three middle-aged best friends who turn to murder in order to collect on their husbands’ life insurance policies…but are unaware that their husbands have a devious plan of their own.
Sue’s life-affirming story of how anything is possible if you ...
Sidebar on High School Summer, Benny Blanco's relationship advice and creative process, and our non-podcast reading
In this episode of Debut Discussions, we chat with Noel Stark about her journey from working in film and TV to writing her debut novel, Love, Camera, Action, a story about a scrappy TV director who lands her big break only to go head-to-head with the surly yet sexy director of photography.
Kate talks with Noel about her early love for romance novels, the psychological comfort they provided, and how they influenced her writing. We al...
In today’s Complicated Conversations we welcome back Jessie Rosen to discuss her new novel, All The Signs, which follows Leah Lockhart, a skeptical doctor who embarks on a journey of self-discovery through astrology.
When Jessie first told us the idea for her second novel while chatting with us about her debut last year, The Heirloom, we just knew we would love it! All The Signs does not disappoint, nor did our discussion with Jess...
Your Friends and Neighbors Recap Episodes 1-4: The White Lotus guests in their natural habitat
On this episode of Debut Discussions we welcome Sarah Damoff to discuss The Bright Years, a tender, true-to-life novel that explores the impact of each generation in a family torn apart by tragedy but, over time, restored by the power of grace and love.
We chat with Sarah about her inspirations, the complexities of family dynamics, addiction, and the themes of love and motherhood woven throughout the narrative. Sarah also shares her...
Side bar on casting The Astrology House, "too much spice" in our books, and Chappell Roan on being in "the middle"
On this episode we chat with Kelly Mullen about her debut grandmother-granddaughter whodunit, which delightfully features complex characters and humor. Kelly is a skeptical Scorpio, but she has so much confident wisdom to share about her journey to published author and about her break-out novel.
What if women could get rid of their guilt? On this episode of Complicated Conversations we welcome Saumya Dave to discuss her new novel, The Guilt Pill, a taut psychological drama about a CEO on maternity leave who goes missing after she becomes addicted to an experimental, guilt-erasing pill.
Saumya shares her insights as a psychiatrist and a mother, providing a nuanced perspective on the challenges of modern parenting and the imp...
Recapping The White Lotus Experience S3: what people loved, hated, and are still talking about (including creator Mike White)
In today’s Complicated Conversations we welcome New York Times bestselling author, Sarah Jio, to discuss her latest novel, Insignificant Others, an escapist story following a young woman stuck in a “time loop” of one-day relationships with romantic partners from her past.
We chat with Sarah about the very relatable journey of self-discovery for her protagonist, Lena; why she wanted to explore the theme of what if’s and roads not tak...
Alternate title: If you go down, I'm going down too.
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