Hey well read baddies! It’s the last bonus episode before we kick off rewind episodes—and we’ve got updates galore. We’re revealing our Season 6 book pick (Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez—our first historical fiction!), and announcing a special virtual book club collab with Chid from the But What Do I Know? podcast featuring author Danielle Allen.

In Coffee Break, we’re talking Cowboy Carter tour chaos, Love Island drama, and why some of y’all need to let us have fun. Plus: audiobook recs, upcoming Substack drops, and a reminder to leave us a voice note. New season starts August 28—tap in!

Register for our virtual event with the BWDIK Podcast and Author Danielle Allen: https://forms.gle/kgCZzezHCRvLodes9

Partnership Deck- https://www.canva.com/design/DAEYH_BO5sw/RyRc3-E_Wh8Yfsj45LotoA/edit?utm_content=DAEYH_BO5sw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to [email protected] or use the form at the bottom of the SWR Podcast page: https://www.shewellread.com/contact OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread‬

Follow SHE WELL READ!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread

Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread

Bookum- https://app.bookumapp.com/clubs/668ad565858c97a7faafafb1

Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread

More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread

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Hey Well Read Baddies! It’s our 6th anniversary (cue the tears) and we’re catching up on all the bookish tea and pop culture chaos. We’re talking Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour (and the heartbreak over 16 Carriages), I’m Glad My Mom Died getting an Apple TV series, and why billionaire weddings are giving Hunger Games energy. Plus, we’re sharing what we’ve been reading, what’s next for Season 6, and how to enter our 6-Year Anniversary Giveaway!

We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to [email protected] or use the form at the bottom of the SWR Podcast page: https://www.shewellread.com/contact OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread‬

Follow SHE WELL READ!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread

Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread

Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread

More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread

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Hey well read baddies! It’s just the two of us this week, and we’re catching up on all the things—reading goals, reality TV rabbit holes, and what it means to truly read for joy. Lana’s deep in her Black romance era and crushing her 12-book goal, while Sam’s still recovering from the whirlwind that was the Black Romance Book Fest.

Crispy vid reference- https://www.tiktok.com/@akorzen/video/7009659474126376198?lang=en

We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to [email protected] or use the form at the bottom of the SWR Podcast page: https://www.shewellread.com/contact OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread‬

Follow SHE WELL READ!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread

Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread

Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread

More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread

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Hey well read baddies! Today we have a very special recap episode where we'll be talking all about our experience at the Inaugural Black Romance Book Festival! You'll also get the chance to hear some Q&A from some of the authors that were there (boy did they give us plenty of recs for our TBR- list on our bookshop)!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! Tickets for next years festival go on sale August 15th and y'all this is about to be like trying to get tickets to see Beyonce so make sure your alarms are ready!!

Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread

Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread

We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to [email protected] or use the form at the bottom of the SWR Podcast page: https://www.shewellread.com/contact OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread‬

Follow SHE WELL READ!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread

More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread

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Hey well read baddies! No new episode this week; HOWEVER, please make sure to go cast your vote for what book we'll be reading for season 6 of the podcast! Remember, it's all up to YOU! The deadline to vote is May 31st (stay tuned for the inevitable extension lol ;) ) so make sure to go make your choice and share with a friend! Also, if you're heading to the Black Romance Book Festival, come see us!! All of the details for our panels and meet and greets can be found on our IG and in the festivals app.

Book vote link- https://forms.gle/wzRAUTxeFBwZWbrr9

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Hey well read baddies! This week, we're joined by fashion designer, influencer, and Birmingham’s own Olivia Anthony—founder of LIV Streetwear and co-creator of A Vibe Called Black, the all-Black, all-bold cultural celebration returning June 18. Recorded on Met Gala night, we dive into the theme of Black Dandyism and talk about how the Black community continues to set the tone, even when the mainstream fumbles the message. We also chat about Liv’s journey from styling on ASU's campus to making fashion history, the legacy of streetwear, and why showing up is deeper than what you wear.

Books + Resources Mentioned:

🎟️ Grab your tickets to A Vibe Called Black: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-vibe-called-black-2025-tickets-1246139058469

Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread

Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread

We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to [email protected] or use the form at the bottom of the SWR Podcast page: https://www.shewellread.com/contact OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread‬

Follow SHE WELL READ!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread

More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread

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Hey well read baddies! It’s just the two of us this week, and we’re talking all things life lately. From the highs and lows of Coachella Weekend 1 (Megan! Gaga! Bernie??) to health journeys, spring cleaning, and shifting career vibes—we’re in our late twenties and feeling every minute of it. We’re also pulling back the curtain on what’s next for She Well Read. Spoiler: season 6 drops in August, and the book vote is coming soon. Plus, we’re reflecting on how much this show—and we—have grown since we hit record for the first time.

Books + Resources Mentioned:

Air New Voices Amplify- https://airmedia.org/announcing-airs-2025-new-voices-amplify-fellows

Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread

Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread

We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to [email protected] or use the form at the bottom of the SWR Podcast page: https://www.shewellread.com/contact OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread‬

Follow SHE WELL READ!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread

More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread

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Hey well read baddies! In this minisode, we’re joined by Abigail Franks and Mareshah Malcom—the dynamic duo behind Climate Justice Y’all—for a conversation that flips the script on environmentalism as we know it.

Together, we explore the real meaning of climate justice, how systemic inequality fuels the crisis, and why Southern communities are not just surviving but leading the charge. From eco-villages and resilience hubs to the role of storytelling and Southern identity, Abby and Mareshah remind us that climate work isn’t just policy—it’s people, power, and radical care.

Whether you're just starting your climate journey or looking for new ways to stay hopeful, this is the minisode for you.

01:47 Church Announcements

5:53 Coffee Break

20:14 Get into the Guest

Connect with the pod- https://climatejusticeyall.com/

Books + Resources Mentioned:

Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer

Emergent Strategy – Adrienne Maree Brown

Loving Corrections – Loretta J. Ross

📲 Follow these climate leaders:

@blackgirlenvironmentalist @browngirl_green @hiphopcaucus

We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to [email protected] or use the form at the bottom of the SWR Podcast page: https://www.shewellread.com/contact OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread‬

Follow SHE WELL READ!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shewellread

More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread

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Hey well read baddies! She’s baaaaack! Dating and relationship expert, podcast host, and author Damona Hoffman returns for another #Black365 ep and for a much-needed update on love in the year 2025. A year after the release of her book F the Fairytale, Damona reflects on how dating has evolved—from the rise of AI-generated profiles and text traps, to the real reason we’re all scared of awkward pauses. We’re talking about learned dating skills, how to change your mindset for better matches, and why this is still actually the best time in history to be single (yes, even now). Plus, Damona spills on what wasn’t in the book—and what she’d add in a future chapter. Whether you’re in your pre-date era or just sick of the apps, this one’s for the baddies rewriting their own fairytales.

02:22 Church Announcements

9:35 Coffee Break

21:55 Get into the Guest

Connect with Damona- https://damonahoffman.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Books and recs- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread

Damona's previous ep- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-well-read/id1506524661?i=1000648721870

We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to [email protected] or use the form at the bottom of the SWR Podcast page: https://www.shewellread.com/contact OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread‬

Follow SHE WELL READ!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shewellread

More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread

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Hey well-read baddies! This week, we’re back with another #Black365 minisode and we sit down with bestselling author Dolen Perkins-Valdez to talk about her new novel Happy Land, inspired by the real-life Kingdom of the Happy Land—a self-sufficient Black community founded by formerly enslaved people in 1873. With little recorded history on this lost American kingdom, Dolen’s research brings this untold story to life. We discussthe real history behind Happy Land and why it disappeared, the power of historical fiction in reclaiming Black narratives, and how economic independence has always been a form of resistance. If you love historical fiction, hidden history, or powerful storytelling, this episode is for you!

02:01 Church Announcements

4:36 Coffee Break

35:33 Get into the Guest

Connect with Dolen- https://dolenperkinsvaldez.com/

Books mentioned and recs- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread

We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to [email protected] or use the form at the bottom of the SWR Podcast page: https://www.shewellread.com/contact OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread‬

Follow SHE WELL READ!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shewellread

More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread

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