In this episode we cover Chapters 15-17 of East of Eden. We are committed to being a SPOILER-FREE podcast. We will only be discussing what has happened through Chapter 17. 

From now through January 20, 2026, join us every Tuesday for a new episode where we break down the novel chapter by chapter in preparation for Netflix's East of Eden miniseries. Next week we’re breaking down Chapters 18-21.

Content warning: due to the nature of East of Eden’s story and characters, throughout this read-along we’ll be touching on some mature and complex themes, including but not limited to violence, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, racism, war, death, and sex work. If those topics are difficult for you, please listen with care.

Like, Subscribe, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @pigheadedandwellread. You can also find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Feel free to DM us or email us at [email protected]

(0:00) Episode Introduction and 3 Sentence Summary

(3:38) Chapter 15

(30:24) Chapter 16

(42:27) Chapter 17

(1:02:26) Nate’s Takes!

(1:10:17) East of Ethan

(1:15:16) Netflix Adaptation Notes

(1:20:36) Steinbeck Stats

(1:25:57) Nate’s Predictions and Wrap Up

In this episode we cover Chapters 10-14 of East of Eden. We are committed to being a SPOILER-FREE podcast. We will only be discussing what has happened through Chapter 14.

From now through January 20, 2026, join us every Tuesday for a new episode where we break down the novel chapter by chapter in preparation for Netflix's East of Eden miniseries. Next week we’re breaking down Chapters 15-17.

Content warning: due to the nature of East of Eden’s story and characters, throughout this read-along we’ll be touching on some mature and complex themes, including but not limited to violence, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, racism, war, death, and sex work. If those topics are difficult for you, please listen with care.

Like, Subscribe, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @pigheadedandwellread. You can also find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Feel free to DM us or email us at [email protected]

(0:00) Episode Introduction and 3 Sentence Summary

(3:09) Chapter 10

(12:34) Chapter 11

(34:19) Chapter 12

(40:34) Chapter 13

(1:00:32) Chapter 14

(1:07:56) Nate’s Takes!

(1:20:17) East of Ethan

(1:25:45) Netflix Adaptation Notes

(1:32:01) Steinbeck Stats

(1:36:44) Nate’s Predictions and Wrap Up

In this episode we cover Chapters 7-9 of East of Eden (pages 54-98 if you’re reading along with the Steinbeck Centennial Edition). We are committed to being a SPOILER-FREE podcast. We will only be discussing what has happened through Chapter 9.

From now through January 20, 2026, join us every Tuesday for a new episode where we break down the novel chapter by chapter in preparation for Netflix's East of Eden miniseries. Next week we’re breaking down Chapters 10-14.

Content warning: due to the nature of East of Eden’s story and characters, throughout this read-along we’ll be touching on some mature and complex themes, including but not limited to violence, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, racism, war, death, and sex work. If those topics are difficult for you, please listen with care.

Like, Subscribe, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @pigheadedandwellread. You can also find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Feel free to DM us or email us at [email protected]

(0:00) Episode Introduction and 3 Sentence Summary

(2:51) Chapter 7

(32:40) Chapter 8

(1:00:27) Chapter 9

(1:14:30) Nate’s Takes!

(1:18:55) East of Ethan

(1:22:56) Netflix Adaptation Notes

(1:27:41) Steinbeck Stats

(1:30:18) Nate’s Predictions and Wrap Up

In this episode we cover Chapters 1-6 of East of Eden (pages 1-53 if you’re reading along with the Steinbeck Centennial Edition). We are committed to being a SPOILER-FREE podcast. We will only be discussing what has happened through Chapter 6.

From now through January 20, 2026, join us every Tuesday for a new episode where we break down the novel chapter by chapter in preparation for Netflix's East of Eden miniseries. Next week we’re breaking down Chapters 7-9.

Content warning: due to the nature of East of Eden’s story and characters, throughout this read-along we’ll be touching on some mature and complex themes, including but not limited to violence, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, racism, war, death, and sex work. If those topics are difficult for you, please listen with care.

If you like what you hear, please leave us a 5 star rating.

Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok @pigheadedandwellread.

Feel free to DM us or email us at [email protected]

(0:00) Episode Introduction and 3 Sentence Summary

(3:51) Chapter 1

(8:51) Chapter 2

(16:27) Chapter 3

(41:50) Chapter 4

(49:03) Chapter 5

(57:04) Chapter 6

(1:06:21) Nate’s Takes!

(1:08:12) East of Ethan

(1:13:15) Netflix Adaptation Notes

(1:19:08) Steinbeck Stats

(1:22:29) Nate’s Predictions and Wrap Up

Welcome to Pigheaded and Well Read, with Ethan Rowley and Nate Skidmore! This is our trailer for our upcoming read-along series of John Steinbeck's East of Eden.

From Nov 4, 2025 through January 20, 2026, join us here every Tuesday for a new episode where we break down the novel chapter by chapter in preparation for Netflix's East of Eden miniseries.

Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok @pigheadedandwellread.

Feel free to DM us or email us at [email protected]

Chapters

(0:00) Introduction to Podcast and Novel

(2:11) Preparation for Netflix Series

(3:12) Upcoming Episodes Format