Sex. Love. Literature.
SLL is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature. on your favorite podcast platforms! You can find us on our website, SexLoveLitPodcast.com, and on Bluesky, Instagram, and Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast. (Love the show? Take the SLL Listener Survey! Closes April 30th, 2025: https://forms.gle/AJhFuMDzjSZeTE1f8)
Episodes
Mirror, mirror on my phone, who's the baddest? (Us, hello?) This episode, we are joined by a very special guest, Audrey Hall, to talk about the Netflix animated film, KPop Demon Hunters!
We get into productive intersection of idoldom and demon hunting that allows the film to explore internalized–and externalized–shame, particularly through the romance of Rumi, the leader of KPop group Huntr/x and Jinu, our kpop demon boy. (Because...
Back after a mini, unexpected hiatus, we’ve got a new hot-and-ready episode for you!
Prepare yourselves because we’re about to get deep in our feelings as we begin our discussion on the show Dying for Sex starring Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate, and Rob Delaney.
In this first of two episodes, we start off with our initial, non-spoilery reactions, think about how the show works from a genre and form perspective, and maybe rant...
We’re taking a trip back in time this episode to do a deep dive on the classic fairy tale retelling, Ever After: A Cinderella Story. We consider what makes something a Cinderella story and how Ever After maps onto those criteria; our reactions to the main romance; and the tour de force performance that is Angelica Huston as the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent.
What's Sparking Joy this episode: The Residence on Netflix, Six Crims...
We recorded a thicc episode for you this month with our special guest Sarah, one of the hosts of the podcast Afternoona Asks! Together, we get into the nitty-gritty of red flag and green flag characters and cover a lot of ground: from what makes a red flag red and a green flag green, to the surprising gender dynamics of “flagging” characters at all.
Along the way, we mention a lot of our favorite love interests, including Baek S...
It's time for our annual SLL tradition of rounding up the pop culture of the previous year! We start with what pop-culture is "sparking joy” in February, our favorites of 2024, and what we’re looking forward to in 2025.
As a treat, Corinne's snark levels were very high this episode (lol).
CW: Brief mention of S*icide from (1:06:51-1:06:54)
Show Notes:
Joined once again by our younger siblings, Erin and Akinde, we dive right into Sarah J Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Mist and Fury spoilers in part two of our discussion.
To kick things off, we start with our complicated feelings on main character Feyre. We also ask the hard hitting questions, like: are these sex scenes sexy? Why is there so much growling? And what would actually happen if the wings of the Illyr...
You’ve asked, you've waited, and now, we’re finally delivering! Welcome to our two-part deep dive on the international best selling Romantasy novels A Court of Thorns and Roses and a Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas.
In this first, spoiler free episode, we touch on our initial reactions to the series, and think a bit about what romantasy is and why it’s so appealing to so many readers.
Plus, we’re joined by some very special...
In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a lot going on *gestures everywhere*, so rather than get into anything too tragic, as we’re wont to do, we’ve instead gathered some Comfort Media for Interesting Times (™)–that is, the pop culture we turn to when things are rough and we’re in need of a boost to help us make it through.
This episode, in the style of our Pop-Culture Round Ups, we trade off sharing cozy books, music, and TV shows...
Sorry for the delay on this episode folks - October and November have been a lot. But, without further ado, here's Last Night at the Telegraph Club, episode two!
Joined once again by Dr. Kai Chen, we dive right into Last Night at the Telegraph Club spoilers, starting with our feelings on Kath and Lily’s relationship and the high-key stress of classroom makeouts. From there, we consider the queer space of the Telegraph Club, Lil...
In classic SLL fashion, I welcome you to another accidental two-part discussion. This time, we’re joined by Dr. Kai Chen to discuss Malinda Lo’s award-winning novel, Last Night at the Telegraph Club. This episode, we keep things spoiler free by first giving some context for the book and then our overall impressions. (Plus, we get a bonus visit from Ayanni's 20 year old family cat.)
Show Notes:
- What's Sparking Joy: Kevin can ...
Welcome to our second episode on the Chinese Drama Lost You Forever, part 2! We jump right into Tushan Jing and Xiao Yao’s relationship as the ostensible OTP of the show. From there, we consider just how sad our snake demon man Xiang Liu made us in his determination to push Xiao Yao away, as well as A’Nian’s surprisingly poignant maturation arc.
Lit Discussed this Episode: "Spring Snow" by 10 Centimeters, "Love Heart Cheat Code...
Your girls had a lot of feelings and a lot to say about the most recent installment of the Chinese drama Lost You Forever. So welcome to part one of our deep dive that starts with our overall reactions to the show. Then, we go into Cang Xuan and Xiao Yao’s complicated relationship, and especially how some of the changes in adaptation from the novel affect how it all ties together at the end.
Lit Discussed this Episode: Mayonaka Pu...
Due to circumstances entirely within our control, we interrupt your regularly scheduled SLL programming for a special summer edition of our What’s Sparking Joy: Pop Culture Round Up. In addition to checking in about what we’ve been watching, reading, and listening to so far this year, we each share three pieces of media that continue to live rent free in our heads.
Lit Discussed this Episode: Lost You Forever Season 2 (no spoiler...
Welcome to our second episode on Bridgerton, season three! Picking up where we left off, we jump right into close reading Polin’s main sex scenes. From there, we think about what made us adore the side plots through discussion of Benedict, Francesca, and Violet’s storylines this season.
Note: there are Bridgerton book spoilers from (37:36 - 38:14) and again from (39:27 - 39:47).
Members of the ton rejoice! Both halves of Bridgerton, season three have finally dropped. We had so many thoughts about this latest installment of the regency romance series that–just like Netflix–we split our conversation in two.
In this first episode, we consider the season as a whole, break down Pen and Colin’s long awaited transition from friends to lovers, and start to craft "Bridgerton, Season Three: the Corinne and Ayan...
Time for the third installment of our divorce comedy mini-series! While we didn’t initially plan to include this show, we’re talking about the recently concluded Korean drama Queen of Tears. We consider whether or not the show is actually a divorce comedy at all, how it deploys divorce in the development of the main relationship, and what about this second chance romance really resonates. We also touch on some of the other things t...
Welcome to the second installment of our divorce comedy mini-series! This episode, we’re talking about the 2023 Korean Drama Doctor Cha. We get into her messy, maddening marriage, why her husband belongs in the trash, and the rewards of watching our leading lady find herself again.
Content warning: brief mention of s*icidal ideation @ 32:03
Show Notes:
Other Lit Mentioned this episode: Apothecary Diaries, Lost Your Forever, Le...
Welcome to our mini-series on Divorce Comedies! Over the next 4-ish episodes, we’re exploring this genre that caught us off guard with how much its makes us laugh, cry, and yell divorce! In this introductory episode, rather than focus on any one show, we get into the defining features of divorce comedies, why we wanted to talk about them, and whether or not they can be counted as rom coms.
Show Notes:
Other Lit Mentioned th...
"See, on the road to Hell there was a railroad line..."
It's time for a deep dive into the Broadway musical, Hadestown. We get into how the musical adapts the Grek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice & Hades and Persephone for a modern setting; the love stories–and tragedy–of the two core relationships; and the productive ambiguity of seeing it all happen on stage.
Content Warning: Discussions of S*xual Assault from (...
Corinne wasn’t feeling well this week, so Ayanni called in the cavalry. This episode, she's joined by her spouse (and friend of the show) Andrew Cooper to talk about the new action-dramedy series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. They give their general impressions, think about the series’ adaptation choices, and muse about the show’s depiction of married life.
Show Notes:
Other Lit Mentioned this episode: Jujutsu Kaisen, Spider-man: ...
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The Megyn Kelly Show is your home for open, honest and provocative conversations with the most interesting and important political, legal and cultural figures today. No BS. No agenda. And no fear.