Smooch Fest - the Kissing and Pop Culture Podcast

We’re falling into spooky season so Kiru Nwadiwe (Teacher, Booktoker) joins Lena to talk about her favorite witchy kisses from The Craft and Practical Magic. They talk about the rich tapestry of 90s witchy media and the boho whimsigoth era that defined a generation. Lena discovers that Kiru is repulsed by choreography videos. Do NOT try to woo her with those! 

Then they dive into 1998’s Practical Magic. Lena gets on...

Book Agent and co-host of the Pemberley Podcast, Jillian Davis, joins Lena Olson this week to talk all things romance! They discuss the Indie French romcom, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, and compare the kissing scenes between Agathe and her two suitors. 

Later, Lena asks Jillian about her life as a book agent, her favorite romance books, and her suggestions for writing a good smooch. Lena then explains how courtship customs were...

We’ve got Ashley Gharaibeh joining the pod to talk about the best smooches in animation! First, they review the new anime series “Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You”. Ashley gives Lena the lowdown on the anime scene and why this particular series is so special. They discuss age gap relationships and the underrated concept of YEARNING. 

Next, Ashley tells the story about her first (and unfortunately worst)...

This week, Lena Olson is joined by the hosts of But I'm A Lesbian Pod, Katlynn Beatty and Angelina Herrera! They gossip about the iconic threeway kiss between Madonna, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera at the 2003 MTV VMA Awards. Learn the crazy behind the scenes details and hear about society's reaction to it. 

Later, Katlynn shares a story about her first and worst kiss (Teaser: comedian Carrot Top plays a role). Last bu...

For this week’s episode, we are talking about the Canadian sensation, Heated Rivalry! Lena is joined by Johan Clarke to go on a deep dive about the sensual kisses between Shane and Ilya, and Scott and Kip. This hockey romance starring Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams took the world by storm, and we dissect what made the series so special.

Johan shares a touching personal story about their best AND first kiss. The two wax nos...

Welcome back to the Smooch Fest podcast! We are so excited to bring you season TWO!

Our host, Lena Olson, is joined by returning guest, Melissa Flores. They catch up on Season 8 of Love Island USA and discuss the hottest smooches between their favorite couple: Aniya & Carl. They compare how the Gen Z and Millennial boys approach the girls (Hint: the Gen Z boys are giving incel!) Then Melissa and Lena make their predictions ahead...

Here’s the thing about me... I have a sickness, an affliction, where I need two people to kiss in every movie, TV show, or book that I consume. 

And when they don’t kiss? I feel cheated. I feel betrayed. I lose the will to live. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. So I decided to take matters into my own hands and turn this condition into cultural commentary.

I'm Lena Olson, your host and smooch co...

Vanessa Guerrero (Producer, Writer, Unemployed Hot Person) RETURNS for a special holiday episode! Vanessa and Lena talk about the iconic smooch in the Christmas classic, It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) between Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. Later, they talk about their personal experiences shooting kissing scenes. Stick around to the end to learn about the origin of kissing under the mistletoe! Wishing everyone a Smoochy Holiday ...

Caitlin Alice Gilbert (Author/Screenwriter) RETURNS to discuss Wicked: For Good and the smooch between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). They compare the chemistry from the musical and the film, Elphaba’s sex cardigan, and Jonathan Bailey becoming People’s Sexiest Man Alive. It’s also holiday season, so Lena takes us back to A Moment In Kisstory: where we learn about the first gay kiss in a Hal...

Paige Elson (Actor/Writer/Comedian) joins Lena to do a deep dive into Abbott Elementary! They discuss the two momentous smooches between Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams). The gals compare other sitcom slow burn relationships and give their predictions for the couple in future seasons. Paige shares a story about her best kiss (hint: it’s a New Year's smooch!) Stick around for the Smooch Fact to hear a...

Nina Concepcion (Actor/Writer) joins Lena to talk about her favorite pop culture smooch: the kiss between Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner on the airport tarmac in The Bodyguard (1992)!

(NOTE: the first few minutes of audio is lower quality than usual, luckily, it kicked back into gear by minute 5!)

The girls gab about Costner and Houston's chemistry and how 90s movies were just BETTER. Later, Nina shares stories about her worst an...

We have a special Halloween themed episode for you! Fiona Nova (Director, Content Creator) has joined Lena to talk about the teen horror comedy Jennifer’s Body (2009) starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. They go in depth on the layered complexity of Needy and Jennifer’s relationship - is it love or is it a demon succubus manipulation tactic?? You’ll also want to hear Fiona’s personal smooch story about he...

Kassem G (Ex-Coworker, Current Friend) joins the pod this week to discuss one of his favorite kisses in pop culture: the Upside-Down Spider-Man Kiss. Lena shares all the behind the scenes details from the historic shoot for 2002’s Spider-Man. Afterward, Kassem is kind enough to share a story about his first FRENCH KISS (teaser: it’s during Halloween!) But with a comic book and superhero aficionado like Kass, of course, ...

Dana Handleman (Actor/Comedian) joins Lena to share her favorite smooch from the 2005 queer rom com Imagine Me & You. They gush about their crushes on Lena Headey and Piper Perabo. Then Lena pressures Dana to share a personal kissing story (hint: it takes place at a middle school dance!) Next, they discuss the SUMMER SMASH HIT Netflix show,The Hunting Wives, starring Brittany Snow and Malin Akerman. What is it about Margo&rsquo...

Author/Screenwriter Caitlin Alice Gilbert joins Lena Olson to discuss her favorite smooch in pop culture: Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams accepting the Best Kiss Award for the 2005 MTV Movie Awards. They talk about their roles in The Notebook (2004) and how that led to their real-life romance. Caitlin shares an epic story about one of her best kisses (hint: it takes place in Italy!)

Then the gals get to the main event: Bridgerton! T...

This week, Lena Olson is joined by Melissa Flores for a special episode of Smooch Fest we are calling, the Smooch Smackdown! In this episode, the gals compare multiple smooches between the power couples of the worldwide sitcom sensation, Friends (1994-2004). Who will emerge victorious? Ross and Rachel? Monica and Chandler? Listen and find out how Lena and Melissa judge the competition. You may get some fun behind the scenes tidbits...

Lena is joined by Ruby Kostur (Queer Matchmaker, Cat Mom) to talk about the kissing scene between Brittany Snow and Sophia Bush in the teen romp, John Tucker Must Die (2006). Ruby also tells Lena about her first kiss. Lena then shares her research into animals and if they kiss like humans. She shares perhaps a bit too much graphic information about the love lives of bonobos. Lastly, they learn about the first kiss recorded on film!...

Hayley Voland (Teacher, Hopeless Romantic) joins Lena to talk about the teen vampire phenomenon, Twilight, and the award-winning kiss between Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson). Hayley shares an interesting kissing story from her child acting days. They also discuss the history of women kissing each other on television and learn how shamefully recent that history is! You won’t want to miss this hard-hitting...

Katie Chilson (Writer, Performer, Hot Person) joins Lena for this week’s episode of Smooch Fest. Katie shares her favorite smooch from the 1999 teen classic, 10 Things I Hate About You. They both compare notes on their first kiss stories. Lena and Katie also explore the two different endings to the 2005 Pride & Prejudice film. Listen for this deeply investigative conversation about smooches!

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