The Women Are Plotting

Did fairy tales teach us how to fall in love—or did they completely screw up our expectations?

In this funny, personal, and surprisingly revealing episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari take a hard look at the “happily ever after” stories many of us grew up believing. From knights in shining armor and damsels in distress to Disney princesses and romantic comedies, the women explore how the stories we consume can shape what we expect from love, marriage, and ourselves.

The conversation dives into the darker side of princess culture, including benevolent sexism, traditional gender roles, the pressure for women to make themselves smaller to attract men, and the dangerous idea that enough patience and love can transform a troubled partner into Prince Charming. 

But what happens after the prince and princess finally get together? Drawing from marriages, divorces, parenting, therapy, loss, and their own relationship histories, the women contrast fairy-tale romance with the much messier reality of loving another human being. Real love, they argue, isn't about finding someone who saves you or completes you. It's about two whole people choosing to grow together, support each other, survive the hard stuff, and keep doing the work long after the credits would normally roll.

Maybe we don't need “happily ever after” at all. Maybe what we should be looking for is happily ever more.

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Is age really just a number when it comes to dating—or might a big age gap actually make for a better relationship?

In this candid and decidedly NSFW episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari dive into the complicated, sometimes controversial, and often very entertaining world of older women dating younger men.

The conversation begins with research suggesting that women partnered with younger men can experience surprisingly high levels of relationship satisfaction. From there, Etienne and Heidi draw on their own dating and relationship experiences to explore why younger men have become increasingly appealing—and why dating men their own age hasn't always delivered what they were looking for.

The women get into the differences they've noticed across generations when it comes to sex, communication, consent, emotional intelligence, gender roles, open-mindedness, and expectations in relationships. They also discuss whether younger generations of men may have grown up with a more egalitarian view of women—and whether that translates into being better partners both inside and outside the bedroom.

Of course, age-gap dating comes with its own challenges, from wildly different cultural references and life stages to the sometimes questionable planning abilities of a 24-year-old.

With plenty of explicit stories, laugh-out-loud moments, and some surprisingly thoughtful observations about Gen X, relationships, female pleasure, and what women actually want at this stage of life, the women ask an important question: When you're finally confident enough to know exactly what you want, why should someone else's idea of an "appropriate" age stop you from finding it?

Referenced in this episode:  Kennethplay.com

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Can you build a meaningful writing life while juggling a full-time job, family responsibilities, and the reality that most authors don't make a living from their books?

In this episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari have an honest conversation about what it really takes to sustain a creative life. From the surprising writing habits of authors like Franz Kafka and John Boyne to the financial realities facing today's writers, they explore the balance between earning a living and protecting the time and energy needed to create.

The hosts share personal stories about career choices, burnout, editing massive manuscripts, finding accountability, attending writers' conferences, and why community can make all the difference. Along the way, there are plenty of laughs—from sleep-deprived writing marathons to legendary conference adventures—as they remind listeners that there is no single "right" path to becoming a writer.

Whether you're working on your first novel, revising your tenth manuscript, or simply trying to carve out an hour to write each week, this episode offers practical advice, encouragement, and a refreshing reminder that building a writing life is a marathon—not a sprint.

Topics include:

• The financial realities of being an author
• Finding time to write with a busy life
• Choosing a career that supports your creativity
• Building sustainable writing habits
• Editing, critique partners, and writing communities
• Writers' conferences and lifelong learning
• Why persistence matters more than perfection

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Has social media made us more aware of mental health—or has it made us too quick to diagnose ourselves and everyone around us?

In this thought-provoking episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari explore the growing trend of armchair diagnosing, self-diagnosis, and the explosion of mental health content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. They discuss the fine line between recognizing legitimate symptoms and assigning labels without professional evaluation, along with the risks of misinformation, confirmation bias, and using diagnoses as excuses instead of tools for growth.

The hosts share personal experiences with ADHD, OCD, therapy, autism spectrum traits, and the challenges of navigating relationships with neurodivergent friends, family members, and partners. They also examine how social media has helped some people seek life-changing treatment while simultaneously spreading misleading information that can trivialize serious mental health conditions.

Filled with humor, compassion, and honest conversation, this episode encourages listeners to approach mental health with curiosity instead of certainty, seek professional guidance when needed, and remember that a diagnosis should be the beginning of healing—not the end of personal responsibility.

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Have you ever dreaded going to work or wondered if it's time for a career change?

In this honest and relatable episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari discuss the realities of career burnout, changing professions, and finding work that aligns with your passions and values. They share personal stories of leaving stressful jobs, reinventing themselves, navigating the fear of starting over, and discovering that fulfillment often requires taking a leap of faith.

The conversation explores everything from nursing burnout and corporate "golden handcuffs" to teaching, writing, entrepreneurship, therapy, and midlife career pivots. The hosts also discuss the emotional challenges of staying in a job for financial security, how AI is changing the workplace, and why developing uniquely human skills like empathy, creativity, and authentic connection may be more valuable than ever.

Whether you're considering a career change, feeling stuck in a job you no longer enjoy, or simply looking for encouragement to pursue work that brings meaning to your life, this episode offers practical insights, humor, and reassurance that it's never too late to create your next chapter.

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How common are threesomes—and do they live up to the fantasy?

In this candid, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari explore one of the most talked-about sexual fantasies while sharing their own real-life experiences. From first-time threesomes and unexpected awkward moments to hilarious mishaps and successful encounters, the hosts discuss what actually happens when fantasy meets reality.

The conversation covers communication, boundaries, consent, bisexuality, ethical non-monogamy, dating apps like Feeld, and the importance of making sure everyone involved feels respected and comfortable. The hosts also examine why threesomes remain one of the most common sexual fantasies, why fantasy doesn't always translate into real-life interest, and how trust and honest conversations are essential before anything happens.

Whether you're simply curious, have wondered about the psychology behind threesomes, or enjoy honest conversations about modern sexuality, this episode offers humor, personal stories, and a refreshingly sex-positive perspective on one of society's most misunderstood topics.

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Could you spot a scam before it emptied your bank account—or would you fall for it without realizing?

In this eye-opening and often hilarious episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari dive into the world of romance scams, AI-powered fraud, cryptocurrency schemes, multi-level marketing (MLM) companies, and the psychological tactics scammers use to gain trust. The hosts discuss why scams are becoming more sophisticated, how artificial intelligence is making fraud harder to detect, and the warning signs everyone should know before handing over money or personal information.

Etienne shares the unbelievable true story of nearly falling victim to an elaborate online investment and dating scam—and how she ultimately turned the tables and walked away with both her money and the scammer's profits. Heidi reflects on her experiences with MLMs and explains why so many people get pulled into them, while Jane recounts some unforgettable prank calls from her teenage years and a memorable confrontation with an IRS phone scammer.

Filled with practical advice, personal stories, and plenty of laughs, this episode explores how scammers exploit trust, urgency, fear, and loneliness—and offers simple strategies to help protect yourself, your loved ones, and your finances in an increasingly digital world.

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Could you recognize a cult before it was too late—or would you be just as vulnerable as everyone else?

In this fascinating and surprisingly personal episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari explore the psychology of cults, why intelligent people get pulled into them, and the warning signs everyone should know. The conversation examines the traits shared by charismatic cult leaders, the tactics of love bombing, isolation, manipulation, gaslighting, and the gradual erosion of critical thinking that can leave even skeptical people vulnerable.

The hosts discuss infamous groups including Jonestown, Heaven's Gate, NXIVM, FLDS, and other high-control organizations while exploring the fine line between religion, self-help movements, multi-level marketing, and cult-like behavior. Heidi also shares her own unsettling experience of nearly becoming involved in what appeared to be the early stages of a cult, offering a firsthand perspective on how easily manipulation can happen and what ultimately helped her recognize the danger.

Blending psychology, true crime, history, and personal stories, this eye-opening conversation offers practical advice for recognizing unhealthy group dynamics, maintaining healthy skepticism, and protecting yourself from manipulation—whether it comes from a cult leader, a toxic relationship, or any group demanding unquestioning loyalty.

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Were children's books really meant for kids—or were they secretly designed to traumatize an entire generation?

In this hilarious and thought-provoking episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari revisit the fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and children's books that left lasting emotional scars. From Hansel & Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, The Little Match Girl, and The Giving Tree to Flowers in the Attic, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Lord of the Flies, and the infamous German classic Struwwelpeter, the hosts explore why so many stories from childhood were surprisingly dark, violent, heartbreaking, and psychologically unsettling.

The conversation dives into the origins of classic fairy tales, cautionary storytelling, censorship, disturbing illustrations, dysfunctional family dynamics, narcissistic themes, morality lessons, and how childhood books shape the way we see the world. Along the way, the hosts share personal memories, favorite stories, unexpected laughs, and plenty of "what were adults thinking?" moments while comparing the books they grew up with to today's more diverse and inclusive children's literature.

Whether you still have nightmares about thumb-cutting scissor men, candy-house witches, or self-sacrificing trees, this nostalgic episode will make you laugh, cringe, and rethink the stories that helped shape your childhood.

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Who was your very first literary crush—and do you still have one today?

In this hilarious and delightfully unfiltered episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari confess the fictional characters who completely stole their hearts. From timeless classics like Mr. Darcy, Hamlet, and Jay Gatsby to modern favorites including Jamie Fraser, Edward Cullen, Christian Grey, Rhysand, Peeta Mellark, and countless fantasy heroes, the hosts explore why some book characters become unforgettable.

Along the way, they discuss romance novels, fantasy fiction, vampires, historical romance, Shakespeare, favorite authors, and the psychology behind developing emotional attachments to fictional characters. The conversation is filled with laughter, surprising confessions, spicy moments, and plenty of book recommendations—including Outlander, A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Time Traveler's Wife, Magic Bites, The Hunger Games, Twilight, and more.

Whether you're a lifelong reader, a fantasy romance fan, or someone who's ever fallen a little too hard for a fictional character, this episode is a fun celebration of the stories—and the unforgettable characters—that stay with us long after we've turned the last page.

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