In this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome back Rebecca Baum to discuss her latest novel, The Brood, a feminist body horror story that explores themes of agency, internalized misogyny, and the complexities of womanhood. We chat with Rebecca about the protagonist, a cutthroat attorney, and her journey of control and surrender; the symbolism of cicadas; the role of bodies in the narrative; and Rebecca’s personal reflections on writing and her future projects.The Brood is out now! Buy it, read it and share it!

In this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome back Rebecca Baum to discuss her latest novel, The Brood, a feminist body horror story that explores themes of agency, internalized misogyny, and the complexities of womanhood. We chat with Rebecca about the protagonist, a cutthroat attorney, and her journey of control and surrender; the symbolism of cicadas; the role of bodies in the narrative; and Rebecca’s personal reflections on writing and her future projects. The Brood is out now! Buy it, read it and share it!

Rebecca Baum & 'The Brood': Complicated Conversations Series

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.”

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Rebecca Baum & 'The Brood': Complicated Conversations Series

Rebecca Baum & 'The Brood': Complicated Conversations Series

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