Stuck in Stoneybrook: A Baby-Sitters Club Podcast

Surprise! Here’s a lil’ sumpin’ extra for the holidays! “Hot Takes” are Patreon-exclusive episodes where Emily, Anne, and Esme give their silly/thought-provoking/random thoughts into various pop culture gems. So here’s a sneak peak and, if you want more, become a Patron! Link is in our bio.

In this particular “Hot Take,” we relive one of Emily's favorite childhood books: “The Box Car Children,” which to the title is about children who… live in a literal box car. We explore just how darn *INDUSTRIOUS* these kids are, why Henry is so fast (Anne's verdict: "practical") and how the three of us would fare as orphan sisters in a boxcar or abandoned barn. You're not wrong if you assume we may be in trouble.

Mal solves the “mystery” on page 9 and everyone ignores her. JANINE IS GETTING SOME. That’s the plot of this book. We discuss feminist theories about makeovers, good sister/bad sister, and explore some late 1992 trends and music. Did Esme cry in this book? You’ll have to listen to find out! Just kidding—of course she did. That’s not a mystery. At all.

Mal solves the “mystery” on page 9 and everyone ignores her. JANINE IS GETTING SOME. That’s the plot of this book. We discuss feminist theories about makeovers, good sister/bad sister, and explore some late 1992 trends and music. Did Esme cry in this book? You’ll have to listen to find out! Just kidding—of course she did. That’s not a mystery. At all.

Moment of appreciation for Hodges Soileau’s artistic commitment to that one

boy’s haircut.

Shocker of the year, Maureen and Ed McGill aren’t parenting. Again. Is the Stoneybrook kids collective mania for mail-order a prelude to the MLM surge of the early aughts? Is Margo Pike actually HYSTERICAL? Also we reminisce about Deep Thoughts and the time we could buy 8 CDs for a penny. PS-Stacey, stop making choices!

We recorded this one on Emily’s birthday– what a perfect time to discuss individual-centered actions for the Earth, rather than holding businesses accountable? We discuss how bad Dawn is at convincing people of things, whether or not she’s a Bernie Bro, and just how effed we are as a species. Oh, but then Anne whisks us away to malls in the early nineties and the soothing sounds of The Nature Company. Come along!

Mary Anne discovers that she lived with her grandparents in Iowa for a year after her mother died… why has no one ever told her!?!? Esme talks about Richard’s grief and why and how he would have made the decisions she did. Anne talks about switchel, Sassy, and WHO IS GARY ROCKMAN? Emily? Well, you’ll have to listen to hear what Emily thinks.

We welcome Anne’s friend Karen Tong for a lively discussion of racism in Stoneybrook (but also there’s a band? And all the kids love Fiddler on the Roof?). Karen brings her fabulous experiences as a daughter of Vietnamese refugees and someone who worked for years on the Navajo reservation to bear on an examination of racists (exactly what kind of racists?) in Connecticut and the ways in which Claudia missed “white girl energy” with her Asian American story. It’s a great discussion– also, fuck Mrs. Lowell.

Generational wealth is the real star in this fun romp of a Super Special. When can we all go to Shadow Lake!?! Sam and Daniel are a little gross and Esme examines what they may be teaching young girls about what to expect of boys, Emily has some strong words for Kristy, and Anne is unimpressed, but amused.

Jessi works hard and is also amazing at a famously difficult sport–synchronized swimming! It’s basically ballet… in.. water.. yeah…? (No….) Esme discusses the research on grit and we learn how gritty Anne and Emily are. We also discuss the geopolitical implications of the Olympics… but don’t worry, Anne pulls us out of that hole with some fun ‘92 Olympic facts. Time for the jocks of Stoneybrook to shine! PS-Mallory sprains her ankle on purpose.