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In this episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite adaptation choices in Heated Rivalry. When adapting this novel for television, Jacob Tierney decided to expand the role of Svetlana, and that decision not only created another dynamic character for audiences to enjoy but also helped to externalize Ilya Rosanov as a character.

In the novel, so much of Ilya’s characterization lives internally through POV and narration. But television doesn’t work that way. It has to externalize emotion through his relationships, behavior, and visual storytelling.

Through three key scenes ( the Tuna Melt conversation, the Russian monologue, and the cottage scene in the finale) I explore how the show uses Svetlana as a storytelling device that helps us to understand Ilya’s internal world, and forces him to confront his feelings for Shane head-on.

This episode will draw some book vs screen comparisons and also dive into the craft of adaptation itself. I've long said that Heated Rivalry's success comes from how Jacob chose to translate the internal storytelling of the source material, so let's chat about how he accomplished that for television audiences, shall we?

This week, we’re diving deep into Outlander Season 8, Episode 7, “Evidence of Things Not Seen." This is one of the most emotional and controversial episodes of the final season so far. We break down the devastating fire at the print shop and the episode’s major revelations surrounding Faith and Master Raymond. There are some standout performances in this episode (hello, Lauren Lyle!) and plenty of plot points and book deviations to talk about, so let's chat.

In this fourth installment of our Heated Rivalry Q&A series, we dive into Ilya’s move to Ottawa and the perception that Shane Hollander failed to fully grasp the magnitude of the sacrifice Ilya was making for their relationship. We also unpack the emotional and psychological differences in how Shane and Ilya view hockey and why the move to Ottawa impacts Ilya so deeply beyond the career implications alone.

We also answer hockey-related questions about how and why Shane and Ilya were named captains at such young ages, discuss the culture and expectations surrounding leadership and playing through injury in the NHL, and explore the symbolic use of Mozart’s Requiem in Season 2.

Plus, we talk about the deeper meaning behind Ilya’s father calling him “lazy." Lets chat!

This week, we’re diving into Outlander Season 8, Episode 6 "Blessed are the Merciful," where loyalties are tested, emotions run high, and new storylines continue to develop. We break down the biggest character moments and what this episode could mean for the road ahead (given there are only a few episodes left).

In this episode, we are breaking down Outlander Season 8 Episode 5 titled "Send for the Devil." We pick up with the Siege of Savannah raging outside of the city, leaving Brianna and Roger on opposite sides of the conflict. The bigger conflict between Jamie and Captain Cunningham comes to a head, leaving for both of them to face one another at Lodge Night.

In this episode, we take a deeper look at Shane Hollander’s evolving hero’s journey across Heated Rivalry, The Long Game, and the highly anticipated book Unrivaled, using insight from Rachel Reid herself.

Drawing from a recent interview, Reid made it clear that while these books center on a love story between Shane and Ilya, this trilogy has always been Shane’s story.

In this episode, we break down what that actually means by exploring the structure of the Hero’s Journey (or monomyth) and map Shane’s arc onto this classic storytelling framework. From his early identity as a closeted, high-performing athlete to the pressures of public life, aging in professional hockey, and building a future beyond the game, Shane’s journey reflects a quieter, more internal version of heroism.

In this episode, we are breaking down Outlander season 8, episode 4 titled  "Muskets, Liberty, and Sauerkraut." We'll be diving into the new development surrounding Fergus and his parentage, Brianna and Roger's journey to Savannah with Jacobite gold hidden in sauerkraut to secure weapons, Brianna and Lord John's conversation about William, and Roger's failed mission to obtain weapons from the Continental Army.

In this episode, I’m diving into the BookCon panel featuring Jacob Tierney and Rachel Reid! We'll be recapping the conversation, unpacking some of their most interesting responses, and I'll be sharing my own thoughts along the way.

I also get into a bit of speculation—purely for fun—for season 2, attempt to connect some dots, read between the lines, and elaborate on some changes that may happen as they adapt The Long Game from book to screen. Whether you watched the panel or are hearing about it for the first time, their conversation is a thoughtful discussion that highlights the importance of good storytelling, open collaboration, and the magic that can happen when you're passionate about creating something lasting.

Watch the BookCon Panel Discussion here: https://youtu.be/gseXLRejeOU?si=rXoAHSz7Jilp71tG

This week, I am tackling some hockey-specific questions submitted by listeners and fans of Heated Rivalry. We discuss rules, the Draft, Playoffs, Fighting, and even touch upon the women's game. If you've become a hockey fan after watching the show, or are simply confused by some of the hockey-specific happenings in the series, this episode might help clear some things up for you.

As a former player myself, I hope you enjoy listening and that the show might encourage new fans to watch some of the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs!

In this episode, we are discussing more submitted questions from listeners (wild!). We'll touch on Unrivaled and how the release of Rachel's latest book will impact the shooting schedule, and how Jacob can use art and cinematography to convey the story of The Long Game. We also talk about hockey! Specifically breaking down what the "Cap" is in hockey and how it plays into Shane's new contract in season 2. We close with a discussion of Troy and his amics with Ilya,relationship dyn and how they will play a significant role in Ilya's character arc. Plenty to dive into, so let's talk!