Why does Juneteenth matter—and why should every American understand its story?

Pascale is away this week, but Life in Jest welcomes award-winning author Alice Faye Duncan for a powerful, heartfelt conversation about the meaning of Juneteenth, the long struggle for freedom, and the people who refused to give up hope in the face of injustice.

Together, Selene and Alice Faye explore the true history behind Juneteenth, why freedom was delayed for enslaved people in Texas for more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, and why Juneteenth has become a celebration not just of emancipation, but of perseverance, resilience, democracy, and human dignity.

The conversation goes far beyond dates and facts. Alice Faye shares the inspiring story behind her acclaimed book Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free, introducing listeners to the woman known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth, whose determination helped make Juneteenth a federal holiday. She.also discusses her book Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968. The workers' struggle eventually drew the attention of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who traveled to Memphis to support the peaceful protests. He delivered his famous "I've Been to the Mountaintop" sermon at Mason Temple. Tragically, he was assassinated the following day. Despite this devastating loss, the book showcases the community's resilience as they continued to march and fight for their rights until they achieved victory.

Selene also discusses her own award-winning books, Twice Enslaved: Liberty & Justice for Henrietta Wood and Seeking Freedom, which uncover extraordinary true stories of freedom seekers whose courage helped end enslavement in America and paved the way for Juneteenth.

Along the way, they discuss:

• the true meaning and history of Juneteenth

• Opal Lee's remarkable campaign to make Juneteenth a national holiday

• Henrietta Wood's fight for freedom and reparations

• why children's books can build empathy and understanding

• the importance of teaching difficult history honestly

• hope, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of justice in America

Thought-provoking, moving, and ultimately uplifting, this episode reminds us that history is not just about events—it's about people. And as Alice Faye beautifully argues, Juneteenth is a celebration for everyone because the promise of freedom belongs to everyone.

Whether you're looking to understand Juneteenth, discover remarkable stories from American history, or explore how books can change hearts and minds, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

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What happens after we die—and is someone guiding us while we’re here?

In this fascinating and deeply personal episode of Life in Jest, cousin besties Selene Castrovilla and Pascale Laforest welcome EMT, mother, and lifelong medium Samantha Difronzo for a conversation about mediumship, spirit guides, angels, soul tribes, reincarnation, grief, surrender, and the mysteries of the afterlife.

Samantha shares how she has communicated with spirits since childhood, what it feels like when spirits come through, and why she sees her work as a responsibility—not to “prove” her abilities, but to help both the living and the dead feel heard. Selene and Pascale ask the questions so many people wonder about: Are spirit guides assigned to us? Can loved ones become guides after death? Do angels walk among us? What are signs from the other side? And if we have guides, why do terrible things still happen?

The conversation moves from funny and curious to raw and profound, as Selene speaks openly about communicating with her son Casey after his death and wrestles with anger, faith, surrender, and the painful search for meaning after unimaginable loss. Samantha offers a compassionate perspective on grief, energy, love, and the idea that death may not be an ending, but a transition we still don’t fully understand.

Part spiritual deep dive, part grief conversation, part classic Life in Jest banter, this episode explores the biggest questions of all: Where do we go? Who stays with us? And is love the thing that carries us through every world?

You can find Samantha Difronzo on Instagram:

@itsjustme2389

Join her Facebook Community:

A Wish is Granted

You can email her at [email protected]

You can reach her by phone: (516) 776-3324

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In this episode of Life in Jest, Selene Castrovilla and Pascale Laforest are joined by librarian and Drinks in the Library host Gigi Howard for a funny, sharp, and surprisingly deep conversation about books, storytelling, and the strange state of modern reading culture.

The discussion spirals everywhere—in the best possible way:

• Why readers are becoming obsessed with dark romance
• Whether genres help readers… or trap writers
• Why romance novels are expected to guarantee happy endings
• The psychological appeal of horror, gothic fiction, and emotionally dark stories
• BookTok’s massive influence on publishing and reading trends
• Why some books become cultural phenomena while others disappear
• Edgar Allan Poe, Stephen King, Carrie, Wuthering Heights, Fifty Shades of Grey, and the chaos of trying to categorize literature at all

Along the way, the episode dives into censorship and book banning, literary snobbery, trauma and storytelling, women’s fiction vs. romance, and why modern audiences seem increasingly drawn to darker, more emotionally extreme fiction. 

Funny, unfiltered, literary, chaotic, and unexpectedly poignant—this episode is what happens when three book lovers’ passions catch fire.

After you listen to this episode, head over to Gigi's podcast, where Selene is her guest, and they discuss Erica Jong's novel How To Save Your Own Life (the sequel to Fear of Flying).

Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1TNhFpkAz79oV7bv55gNAz?si=2e78d98cbd6c4bc2

Listen on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-save-your-own-life-by-erica-jong-with-selene/id1731887273?i=1000768524513

About Gigi Howard & Drinks in the Library:

Gigi Howard is a librarian and the creator/host of the podcast Drinks in the Library, a conversational literary podcast where guests discuss favorite books while sharing themed drinks in a relaxed, intimate setting. The show blends literary analysis, personal storytelling, and book culture with the warmth of a real-life conversation among readers. The podcast has featured discussions on everything from romantasy and horror to literary fiction and classic novels.

You can find Drinks in the Library on major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and follow Gigi online through the podcast’s social channels and podcast directories.

Instagram, Threads, TikTok & Facebook: @drinksinthelibrary

Website: drinksinthelibrary.com

email: [email protected]

Messenger: Drinks in the Library

Thank you, Gigi! We had so much fun!!

Extra information:

Here's a follow-up on things mentioned in this episode:

The sequel to the book Primal Fear is Show of Evil.

The Philip Margolin book title that Selene couldn't remember is Heartstone.

This is the blog post about dark romance that Selene mentions:

https://briarblack.com/everything-about-dark-romance-books/

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You'll never look at Sleeping Beauty the same Way after listening to this episode!

In this week's solo Life in Jest, Selene Castrovilla dives into the deeply disturbing origins of classic fairy tales—and the original stories are far more horrifying than most people realize.

Long before Disney softened them into palatable stories with happy endings, fairy tales were filled with:

• cannibalism
• murder
• mutilation
• sexual violence
• revenge
• death
• and genuinely terrifying punishments

Selene explores the original versions of:

• Sleeping Beauty
• Little Red Riding Hood
• Cinderella
• Snow White
• Hansel and Gretel
• Rapunzel
• Rumpelstiltskin
• and more

Including the shocking details that modern retellings removed:

Sleeping Beauty waking up after assault, Cinderella’s stepsisters mutilating their own feet, Snow White’s horrifying revenge ending, and Little Red Riding Hood stories that become pure nightmare fuel.

The episode also explores:

• why these stories existed in the first place
• what they reveal about fear, survival, and human nature
• how folklore evolved across cultures and centuries
• and why disturbing stories continue to fascinate us today

In true Life in Jest fashion, the episode moves between dark history, cultural commentary, humor, and personal storytelling as Selene explores the unsettling truths behind stories that have nothing to do with gentle fairies.

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Cyndi Lauper said it best — time after time — and this week, Selene and Pascale are tumbling after the truth about time travel. But before they do, they've got a sneak peek at what's coming up next episode: a visit to a serial killer exhibition in Manhattan. The only problem? They can't even agree on what makes a murder interesting before they've walked through the door — crimes of passion versus the cold randomness of serial killers. It's the kind of debate that reveals exactly where these two besties are psychologically, and neither one is budging an inch.

And then the time travel rabbit hole opens up.

Story #1: The Dodleston Messages. In 1984, a schoolteacher in a creaky Welsh border cottage borrowed a computer from his school — back when computers were basically fancy typewriters — and started receiving mysterious messages from someone claiming to live in the 16th century under Henry VIII. Oh, and also from someone in the year 2109 warning them they were messing with history. The messages went on for two years. There were footprints. There was a ghost with six toes. There was a pub trip. Pascale calls it "a show that went on two seasons too long," and she's not wrong.

Story #2: The Chronovisor. A Benedictine priest, a secret Vatican conspiracy, a cast of post-WWII physicists (some of them Nazi-adjacent, which — yikes), and a device supposedly built to watch events from the past like a View-Master. Including, allegedly, the crucifixion. The Pope said "great, let's show everyone!" and then immediately said "actually, let's lock it in the vault forever." Selene has thoughts. Many thoughts. So does the Vatican, apparently — they've never denied it.

Also in this episode: Stephen Hawking and Michio Kaku weigh in on whether time travel is actually possible (spoiler: don't rule it out), a detour into crimes of passion vs. serial killers, the theological chaos of Abraham nearly sacrificing his kid, Roddy Piper's paranormal cult film They Live, candle theft at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and a quick true crime update on Polly from the Nirvana song— yes, she got away, and yes, the kidnapper literally ran out of gas.

It's part rogue physics conjecture, part Vatican conspiracy theory, part true crime detour — plus the kind of warm and wild bestie banter that makes the world feel a little less douchy for an hour.

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What do your favorite songs actually mean?

In this episode of Life in Jest, Selene Castrovilla and Pascale Laforest dive into the real stories behind iconic songs—and what they uncover is darker, stranger, and more revealing than expected.

From grunge to metal to pop, they break down the hidden meanings behind songs you thought you knew:

• The disturbing true story behind Polly by Nirvana
• The surprising origin of Smells Like Teen Spirit—and what it really means
• Why Every Breath You Take by The Police isn’t a love song at all
• The deeper themes behind Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
• How Metallica turns war, addiction, and history into powerful music

Along the way, the conversation does what Life in Jest does best—spiraling into personal stories, concert memories, unexpected opinions, and the strange way music connects to different moments in our lives.

Because sometimes the songs we sing along to the loudest…

are the ones we understand the least.

Unscripted, funny, and unexpectedly deep—this is a music episode with a real edge.

Bonus moment: You won't believe the inspiration behind Midnight Train to Georgia!

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A rally for democracy should feel reassuring.

So why didn’t it fully?

In this episode of Life in Jest, Selene Castrovilla and Pascale Laforest reflect on attending a rally where crowds showed up in strong support of democracy—an energizing, even hopeful experience.

But that’s where the real question begins.

Because if everyone there already agrees…

is that enough to protect it?

What starts as a firsthand account of the rally opens into a sharper, unscripted conversation about:

• Whether democracy is stronger than it feels—or more fragile than we want to admit
• The limits of “preaching to the choir”
• How big the “choir” actually is—and whether it’s growing
• The tension between hope and uncertainty in real time
• And how all of this coexists with everyday life—IHOP, malls, routines, and the strange normalcy of it all

And in true Life in Jest fashion, the conversation pivots into other discussions:

• A brunch at a boozy IHOP
• A brutally honest (and very funny) takedown of malls
• The absurdity of moving between big, urgent questions about democracy… and the strangely disappointing state of everyday life 

Nothing is scripted. The conversation unfolds honestly, with humor, doubt, and the kind of questions people are asking but not always saying out loud. 

Thank you for listening! We love you oh so much! XOXOXO

Please reach out to us: [email protected].

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Some movies entertain us. Others haunt us forever. In this wildly honest episode of Life in Jest, bestie cousins Selene and Pascale open the film vault of their nightmares — from the Willy Wonka Oompa Loompas that terrorized Selene’s childhood to Pascale’s unforgettable Tron experience (featuring a cousin who made out through the whole movie). They relive the horror of Cabaret’s dead dog, roast the emotional void of The Grand Budapest Hotel, and agree that you’re never too old to be traumatized — just ask The Dark Knight.

It’s part movie rant, part memory lane, and full-on therapy session for anyone who’s ever left a theater emotionally damaged yet weirdly entertained.

But the laughing ladies don't stop there! They let loose on the movies that should never have been made, in their signature snarky style. And of course, there's so much more hilarious & insightful discussion in their delightful diversions.

🎥 Laughter, nostalgia, and a touch of pop culture PTSD await in this episode of Life in Jest.

Thank you for listening & supporting us! We love you oh so much!! XOXOXO

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What happens when cousin-besties Selene and Pascale sit down to record…after calling the police?

The girls have had a rough night---and they're all fired up with conflicting opinions, and spontaneous singing!

This episode of Life in Jest spirals (in the best way) from true-crime obsession to off-the-rails pop culture, blending humor, sharp instincts, and brutally honest takes on everything from true-crime cases to weed, wellness, and the randomness of modern life.

Selene dives into the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping that’s been haunting her—questioning the evidence, the investigation, and what really happens when a case doesn’t add up. Expect unfiltered theories, emotional reactions, and true crime analysis that unfolds in real time—raw, conversational, and completely unscripted. Why hasn't the FBI been checking local residents' eyes for a match to the kidnapper's?

From there, things take a turn:

• Why true crime might be losing its appeal
• The surprising (and alarming) truth about cannabis and health risks
• The difference between relaxing… and spiraling
• Pop culture deep dives—from Rocky Horror to 80s music to random trivia that somehow becomes addictive, unexpected, and quite informative

Underneath the humor, there’s something sharper: a conversation about anxiety, control, nostalgia, and how we make sense of a world that doesn’t always add up.

This episode is messy, funny, a little chaotic—and exactly what Life in Jest does best.

If you like:

true crime discussions, unscripted podcasts, women-led conversations, Gen X nostalgia, pop culture debates, and real talk about life’s weird edges… this one’s for you.

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What could you absolutely not live without?

In this funny, free-wheeling episode of Life in Jest podcast, cousins Selene Castrovilla and Pascale Laforest compare their wildly different lists of the everyday things they swear they can’t live without—from books, words, and storytelling to TV, cat litter, cheese doodles, and remote-start cars. Along the way, the conversation spirals (as it always does) into deeper territory: grief, independence, aging, dating later in life, and the strange ways our priorities change over time.

Selene reflects on the idea of being born in the rare Year of the Fire Horse, a Chinese zodiac combination said to produce bold, rebellious personalities—and wonders if that explains her fierce independence and refusal to play by the rules. Meanwhile Pascale confesses her unapologetic love for books and television, proving that great stories—whether on the page or screen—might actually be essential for survival.

Expect hilarious detours into:

• why food delivery drivers sometimes become accidental therapists
• the comfort of reading and storytelling
• the genius (and chaos) of Howard Stern and comedy
• the surprisingly passionate debate over the “world’s best cat litter”
• and why traveling the world—and laughing about the disasters—might be one of life’s true necessities

Part philosophical, part ridiculous, and entirely honest, this episode asks a deceptively simple question:

What do we truly need in order to live well?

Spoiler: the answers might involve books, humor, snacks, and a very good litter box.

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