The Story Is

In this episode of The Story Is Podcast, Katie and Amanda chat about the latest additions to their beauty routines, American Eagle being out of pocket, and what we're reading.

Get your copy of Zodiac Academy (non-Charlotte locals): ⁠http://bit.ly/4fpCoAc ⁠

Zodiac Academy Charlotte: call Trope Bookshop and request an in-store pick up at (704) 724-6696!

Time Stamps

(0:00) Catch up and our latest beauty routines

(5:40) Amanda’s AI Matchmaking experience

(17:16) Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby spark internet haters

(21:49) The Pleasing and American Eagle with Sydney Sweeney Ads

(31:35) Hollister’s #TBT 

(34:33) Zac Efron is everyone’s favorite golfer

(39:52) Amanda’s Book Report: Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws and Destructively Mine by Krista and Becca Richie

(42:59) Katie’s Book Report: Crash Test by Amy James, He’s to Die For by Erin Dunn,  and Between Two Kings by Lindsay Straube

(46:04) Zodiac Academy updates: Join us for a read-a-long!

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In this episode, Katie and Amanda share their excitement for the upcoming Backstreet Boys concert and peak millennial nostalgia. They discuss the recent 2025 Emmy nominations, share their predictions for winners, and explore the latest celebrity hard launches. Plus, our book reports and who we're adding to our favorite book boyfriend list!

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Week Recap

02:48 Backstreet Boys Anticipation

04:38 Nostalgia for the 2000s MTV era

14:55 Upcoming Movies and Zendaya's Busy Schedule

16:43 Emmy Nominations Discussion

29:13 Celebrity Relationships and Hard Launches

33:26 Viral TikTok News and Wedding Trends

37:34 Book Adaptations and Casting News

40:06 Katie's Book Report- City of Gods and Monsters by Kayla Edwards and Left of Forever by Tarah Dewitt and Character Discussions

53:32 Recent Reads

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We're back with a regular episode this week! We finally deep dive into Kiss of The Basilisk by Lindsay Straube, share our thoughts on the summer of Dramione, what's on our summer tv watchlist and won't someone eat this poor woman's antipasto?!

Learn more about these incredible LGBTQIA+ organizations:

Time Out Youth Charlotte- ⁠https://timeoutyouth.org/⁠ 

The Trevor Project- ⁠https://www.thetrevorproject.org/⁠ 

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Time Stamps:

(0:00) intro and catch up

(3:27)- Antipasto Gate 

(12:31)- Queen Bey and Cowboy Carter

(15:52) Amanda’s holiday weekend recap

(16:58)- Everything shower routine

(21:50)- Plans for Vegas

(22:43)- What we’re watching: Department Q, Gilded Age, everything british

(26:48)- Indiana Jones reboot chatter

(29:26)-Anne Hathaway’s Hot Girl Summer (2026)

(30:57)- The Odyssey

(33:14)- Dramione Fanfic Controversy

(42:22)-Book Report for Amanda- Kiss of The Basilisk  by Lindsay Straube *spoilers included*

(58:04)- Katie’s Book Report- Older by Jennifer Hartmann and The Night Prince by Lauren Palphreyman *small spoilers for The Night Prince*

BREAKING NEWS FROM SJM! In this episode, Katie and Amanda discuss the latest update from one of the biggest names in romantasy, Sarah J. Maas. After dropping a nondescript video on Instagram and sharing finished “drafts” for ACOTAR 6, SJM has left fantasy romance booktok in a frenzy! Listen in as they analyze the significance of the composition notebook, timeline predictions for the new release, and speculate on upcoming books in TOG, ACOTAR, and Crescent City.

***Spoiler alert for the entire Sarah J Maas Universe (Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses series, and Crescent City)***

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In episode 6 of The Story is Podcast, Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle discuss the latest pop culture and booktok news including- The Diddy verdict and The Idaho Killer plea deal, casting book boyfriends as James Bond, 'The Wolf King' by Lauren Palphreyman and 'Kiss of the Basilisk' by Lindsay Straube. 

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Time Stamps:

(0:00)-(0:59) Intro and catch up

(1:00)-(9:09) we’re old, (kinda) (maybe) millennial tbt

(9:10)-(14:39) Diddy Trial, Bryan Kohberger, and serial killers

(14:40)-(18:29) True crime books vs. podcast vs. documentary 

(18:30)-(19:55) Holiday weekend plans

(19:56)-(25:11) Does your bra fit?

(25:12)-(32:29) If James Bond was a book boyfriend

(32:30)-(37:17) Riverdale Rant / Dungeons and Dragons

(37:18)-(41:14) Katie’s Book Report: The Wolf King, Dark Prince, and City of Gods and Monsters

(41:15)-(50:03) Caught up by Navessa Allen *spoilers *

(50:04)-(52:14) Our book rating systems

(52:15)-(58:18) Amanda’s Book Report: Kiss of The Basilisk, *spoilers*

(58:19)-(1:00:11) Happy pub day to Rose in Chains 

(1:00:12)- Outro

In this episode of The Story Is, hosts Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle sit down with USA Today bestselling author Kate Stewart! Known for the Ravenhood series- including Flock, Exodus, and Finish Line, this North Carolina local shares more about her latest novel in the Ravenhood Legacy, Severed Heart. 

Tune in as Kate shares the inspiration behind her most talked-about books, how she balances romance with real-life themes, and some MAJOR tea for upcoming works, including the film adaptation of her modern day Robin Hood retelling.

Thank you to Kate Stewart and her team for the interview! Severed Heart is now available at all major book retailers.

*Please note: Spoilers for Severed Heart included throughout the episode*

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https://www.instagram.com/authorkatestewart

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In episode 4 of The Story is Podcast, Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle discuss the latest pop culture and booktok news including- The Karen Read verdict, The Ravenhood Series adaptation news, Aaron Taylor Johnson, and Morning Glory Milking Farm.

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Time Stamps:

(0:00- 2:14) Intro 

(2:15- 9:25)Karen Read

(9:26-12:54) Book Adaptation News: Kate Stewart and Brynne Weaver

(12:55-15:53) Jane Austen dramatized audio on Audible, cast Harris Dickinson for Mr. Darcy

(15:54-19:00) Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson

(19:01-21:15) Internet crush(es) of the week: Aaron Taylor Johnson and Corenswet

(21:16-25:44 Rachel Zeigler in Evita

(25:45- 34:05)Ali Hazelwood “bullied off” Instagram

(34:06-37:59) FanFic added to the Library of congress

(38:00-42:19) Book Report: Monster Smut and Morning Glory Milking Farm *spoilers* 

(42:20-46:23) Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube

(46:24- )What we’re reading right now

In episode 3 of The Story is Podcast, Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle discuss the latest pop culture and booktok news including- Sabrina Carpenter's new single, "Manchild", Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood, and their favorite beach reads for 2025. 

Time Stamps:

(0:00-0:44 ) Intro

(0:45-3:20) Get to know Katie and Amanda

(3:21-7:33) Sabrina Carpenter new single, “Manchild”

(7:34-10:32) Dakota Johnson 

(10:33-13:10) Wait, he's engaged?

(13:11-17:39) Tiktok Hot Goss

(17:40-20:31) Taylor’s Independence Day

(20:32-28:47 ) Book Report: Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood *spoilers*

(28:48-32:12) The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid and Caught Up by Navessa Allen 

(32:13-34:36) Double Speed Audio Books

(34:37-38:33) Is every book a beach read?

(38:34-43:34) Love Sick by Deidra Duncan and Book Adaptation

(43:44-45:25) The Tony Awards 

(45:26-) Final Thoughts and Outro

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In episode 2 of The Story is Podcast, Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle discuss the latest pop culture and booktok news including- the Caught Up/Teddy Hamilton audiobook drama, how romance authors write acrobatic spicy scenes, and the best reasons to start an unfinished book or tv series. 

Weekly Book Report: The Ravenhood Series by Kate Stewart and her author event at Trope Bookshop in Charlotte, North Carolina 

TIME STAMPS:

(0:00-0:30) Intro

(0:30-6:35) Internet crushes for the chronically online

(6:36-10:05) Can men write romance novels?

(10:06-14:28) Sebastian Stan is perfect

(14:29-17:03) What’s on our summer tv/movie watchlist

(17:04-25:06 Why you should read an unfinished book series

(25:07 - 34:47)The Ravenhood Series by Kate Stewart thoughts *spoilers* at 28:39

(34:48-39:23) spicy scene choreography

(39:24-45:47 Fourth Wing/ACOTAR/Harry Potter adaptations

(45:48- 50:50) Caught Up by Navessa Allen audiobook drama

(50:51-)Final thoughts and outro 

Kate Stewart Event Waitlist- https://forms.gle/kGo4dnvsi9HB2eQZ6

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Welcome to "The Story Is Podcast" by Katie and Amanda! Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, we're two women who love all things pop culture, tiktok, and of course, romance books. Subscribe for weekly episodes!

0:00-5:47 intro and catch up

5:48-11:59 TikTok news and Alexander Skarsgard  

12:00-17:16 Cannes Film Festival and Pedro Pascal

17:17-20:30Justin Bieber

20:31- 24:05 All American Rejects House Parties

24:06-32:54 Onyx Storm theories *spoilers*

32:55-41:40 Where is SJM? *series spoilers*

41:41 Silver Elite drama // Who is Dani Francis?

follow us:

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