In our series Debut Discussions, we're asking debut authors to tell us their story -- not only the story in the novel they wrote -- but the journey they took to hold that book in their hands. On today's episode we welcome Ela Lee to discuss her debut  novel, Jaded, a blistering—and sometimes darkly funny—account of consent, power, race, sexism, and identity in a broken society. 
We chat with Ela about her journey from lawyer to author and how, as fellow BigLaw lawyers, we had much to relate to; the inspiration behind her female protagonist, Jade, and the importance of showing the effects of sexual assault within the context of Jade's entire life; how she hopes readers will find empathy for Jade’s story; and the very auspicious day she decided to send her queries out to literary agents.
Jaded is out now -- buy it, read it, and share it (in other words, make a debut author’s dreams come true!).


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Ela Lee & 'Jaded': Debut Discussions

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.”

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

TV & Film

Relationships

Fiction

After Shows

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Hacks Season 3, Episodes 1&2 Recap: are we pursuing Deborah's dream or her deepest wound? Can it be both?

On today’s Friday Preview (ok so it’s actually Wednesday, but we were too excited to wait!) we catch you up on recent and exciting experiences for us both! Kate shares the celebrity stalking deets from her exciting trip to Las Vegas, where she attended a golf tournament hosted by Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake. Carinn talks about her experience recording part of the audiobook for her upcoming debut novel, The Astrology House. What a thrill! We then share book recommendations, discuss Taylor Swift's new album, and note TV shows we are currently watching. 

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Friday Preview May 1: What We're Reading, Watching, Listening To and Discussing

Today we recap Episodes 1-3 of Under the Bridge on Hulu, a true crime limited series developed by Quinn Shephard, based upon the book of the same name by Rebecca Godfrey, and starring Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone. Based on the real life 1997 murder of 14-year-old Reena Virk in Victoria, British Columbia, the series explores the hidden world of the teenagers accused of the savage murder, the small town justice system, and the ways this tragedy acts as a looking glass for the members of this stellar ensemble cast. We are all in on this one!

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Under The Bridge on Hulu Recap, Episodes 1-3

In today’s episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome Hazel Hayes to discuss her new novel, Better By Far, a genre-bending story about love and loss, hope and heartbreak, and the healing to be found in life’s little limbos, those in-between spaces where you’re no longer who you were and not yet the person you will be.
We chat with Hazel about the concept of liminality and the importance of sitting with and processing grief; the connection between horror and love, and how both genres explore the human condition; the idea of soulmates and having an abundance mindset around love and connection; writing and the idea of leaving a piece of oneself on the page; and the role of astrology and spirituality as a way of finding meaning in cycles and community.
Better By Far is out now! Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat wherever you get your podcasts!


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Hazel Hayes & 'Better By Far': Complicated Conversations Series

On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome Suzanne Scanlon to discuss her memoir, Committed, On Meaning and Madwomen, which reclaims the idea of the madwoman as a template for insight, discovery, and recovery. 
We chat with Suzanne about the loss of her mother and her time in the New York State Psychiatric Institute in the 90s; the word “madness” and the limits of language; the moments of magic between book and reader; what it means to live in a body; and complicated it is to share one’s grief and trauma.
Committed is out now. Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat with Suzanne wherever you get your podcasts!

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Ela Lee & 'Jaded': Debut Discussions

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