twelve episodes ago, this was just an experiment in rediscovery. today, it’s a community. as i close this first chapter, i’m looking back at the stories we have found together and teasing the new world we’re building for volume II🫶

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a special collection of "firsts." because whether you're celebrating with someone or choosing yourself this year, every love story starts with a single, brave moment. featuring wisdom from a 56-year love journey and my darling friends and book besties who made this episode possible. thank you so much! a very special thank you to dav for the one-take that spoke volumes. this one is very dear to my heart indeed.

enjoy!🫶

we’re officially 8 days out from Valentine’s and I’m making an executive decision: january was enough stress for the year. this is why i’m only hunting for black joy this month, and why we need to stop centering black stories on pain.

also... stay until the end. i’m teasing a secret project for next week that is going to be quite different from our usual vibe. that’s all i’m saying🤭

go listen🫶✨

episode 9. i talk about the "whoosh," that 3am feeling only a good thriller can give you, and why we gatekeep the books we love. i also feature a few of my book besties and read out their "secret" book recommendations while planning to pivot to softer energy for February. settle in and enjoy🫶

i’m being completely honest: i was ready to give up on thrillers this month!! after a string of overhyped, mediocre reads, i was stuck in a massive slump, until i picked up Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh.

in today's episode, i break down the "Strangers on a Train" swap, the ethics of unprocessed justice, and why this book finally broke my streak of recent mid reads. i also get a little vulnerable about the pod’s growth and why i am raising my standards for what I recommend to you guys.

happy new year🥹

the algorithm now thinks i’m non existent, but i’ve actually just been home having a crisis over fictional characters and dealing with life stuff.

this week: admitting the evelyn hugo hype was real (i'm late, i know), plus the thrillers that actually ruined my sleep: kill for me, kill for you, netflix’s adaptation of “his and hers”

also, a 40% check-in on “next of kin” (the anxiety is already peaking)

um there was also “you'll never know” by caleb stephens... and i have thoughts (spoiler: i didn't like it).

grab a coffee. let's spiral❤️

It’s December 19th, and the holiday movie delusion is at an all time high so i’m doing a holiday audit of the Christmas movie tropes we keep romanticizing every year, from the big city girl who “finds herself” in a small town to the unrealistic miracles that only exist in fake snow.

We’re talking classics like Home Alone, staples like The Holiday, and the newer Netflix gems that somehow recycle the same sweater in different fonts.

So grab a drink, stop refreshing your tracking number, and settle in.

The Zero~Effort Escape is finally here! I'm officially too tired to discover new things this December, so I'm leaning into the chaos and celebrating the Accidental Aesthetic of being cozy and lazy. This episode is your permission slip to stop stressing and reembrace familiar comfort media that requires exactly zero brain cells. Join me for the ultimate soft escape and quietest comforts this week. Zero effort required🫶

This episode is me slowly gliding into December. Not quite a Christmas episode yet, but the energy is creeping in. Today, I am sharing some of the stories that shaped me. The childhood books and movies that built my imagination and raised me more than I will ever admit. Enid Blyton. Babysitters Club. Goosebumps. Parent Trap. Home Alone. All the fun stuff that take me back to cozy memories.

Think of this as a soft December reset. A gentle reflection before the holiday episodes begin. If you love nostalgia comfort and a little Christmas whisper, this one is from me to you 🫶

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I reread Sweet Valley High book 7 “Dear Sister” and let me tell you; this book is pure mayhem from start to finish. I talk about the characters, the drama, the unhinged moments and why this story hits very different as an adult. If you grew up on Sweet Valley or you love classic teen books this episode will feel like a throwback and a reality check at the same time.

New listeners this one is a perfect place to start🫶

Follow the podcast on:

TikTok @firsttimeagainpod

Instagram: @firsttimeagainpod

💌: [email protected]