The Women Are Plotting

The Women Are Plotting

By Jane Gari, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi WillisComedySociety & CultureArts
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The Women Are Plotting episodes

  • The Stories We Wish We'd Written

    Every writer has that one book, movie, or story they wish they had created. In this episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari celebrate the works that inspired them, challenged them, and reminded them why they fell in love with storytelling in the first place.

    From literary classics to modern masterpieces, psychological thrillers to science fiction, the hosts discuss the novels, films, and television series that left a lasting impression on them as readers, writers, and creatives. Along the way, they share recommendations, debate famous classics, laugh about books they couldn't stand, and explore what separates a good story from one that changes your life.

    Whether you're an avid reader, an aspiring writer, or simply searching for your next favorite book or movie, this episode is packed with heartfelt recommendations, surprising opinions, and conversations about the stories that continue to inspire creativity.

    Topics include:

    • Books and movies we wish we'd created
    • Favorite authors and unforgettable storytelling
    • What makes a masterpiece memorable
    • Literary classics we loved—and a few we didn't
    • Writing inspiration and creative influence
    • Why great stories stay with us long after the final page

    Send us Fan Mail

    Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

    28 min
  • Dating a Hobosexual: The Red Flags We Missed

    What exactly is a hobosexual? More importantly...have you ever dated one without realizing it?

    In this episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari dive into the surprisingly common phenomenon of people who pursue romantic relationships primarily for housing, financial security, or someone to take care of them. Through hilarious, cringe-worthy, and eye-opening personal stories, the hosts share close encounters with would-be hobosexuals, discuss why empathetic people are often targeted, and explore the importance of recognizing manipulation before it becomes a long-term problem.

    From an unforgettable date with the world's most talented lover living in a converted garage, to a homeless hitchhiker invited home for homemade 13-bean soup, to relationships that nearly turned into financial rescues, the conversation balances humor with thoughtful discussions about compassion, healthy boundaries, and the realities of modern dating.

    Whether you've encountered a hobosexual, narrowly avoided becoming someone's "nurse or purse," or simply enjoy outrageous dating stories, this episode is packed with laughs, honesty, and practical insights about protecting your heart—and your home.

    Topics include:

    • What a hobosexual really is
    • Dating red flags and manipulation
    • Personal dating horror stories
    • Financial dependence in relationships
    • Healthy boundaries and self-protection
    • Compassion versus enabling
    • Modern dating and online relationships
    • Funny stories about love, housing, and life's unexpected twists

    Send us Fan Mail

    Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

    38 min
  • The Porn That Shaped Us

    Do you remember the first time you encountered porn? We certainly do—and the stories are equal parts hilarious, awkward, and surprisingly revealing.

    In this episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari share their unforgettable first introductions to pornography, growing up in the pre-internet era of hidden magazines, fuzzy cable channels, VHS tapes, and unexpected discoveries. From basement boxes of Penthouse magazines to German dungeon porn buried in a closet and frantic attempts to hide a VHS tape before grandparents walked in, the conversation is filled with laugh-out-loud moments and nostalgic memories that many Gen X listeners will recognize.

    Beyond the humor, the hosts explore a bigger question: Do our earliest sexual experiences and exposure to pornography shape our expectations, fantasies, and relationships later in life? They discuss the differences between vintage and modern pornography, authenticity versus performance, the impact of internet porn on younger generations, and why open, judgment-free conversations about sex are more important than ever.

    With honesty, humor, and plenty of self-deprecating stories, this episode examines how curiosity, culture, and our formative experiences influence the people we become.

    Topics include:

    • Growing up before internet pornography
    • First encounters with Playboy, Penthouse, and VHS tapes
    • Funny and embarrassing stories from adolescence
    • How early exposure can shape adult preferences
    • The evolution of pornography over the decades
    • Authenticity, consent, and healthy conversations about sex

    Send us Fan Mail

    Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

    34 min
  • How Psychedelics Changed Our Lives

    What happens when curiosity, consciousness, and storytelling collide?

    In this episode of The Women Are Plotting, Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari share candid—and often hilarious—stories about their personal experiences with psychedelics, from accidental LSD trips and unforgettable mushroom journeys to transformative ayahuasca ceremonies. Along the way, they explore the surprising history of psychedelic substances, their potential therapeutic benefits, and why these experiences have fascinated artists, writers, and spiritual seekers for generations.

    The conversation moves beyond the stereotypes to examine how altered states can influence creativity, self-discovery, healing, and our understanding of consciousness. Whether discussing profound personal breakthroughs, unexpected life lessons, or laugh-out-loud moments involving dancing cacti, invisible gremlins, and mistaken UFO sightings, the hosts approach the topic with honesty, humor, and an open mind.

    Whether you're simply curious about psychedelics or interested in the creative and spiritual experiences they can inspire, this episode offers an engaging conversation about perception, transformation, and the stories that shape us.

    Topics include:

    • Personal experiences with LSD, psilocybin, and ayahuasca
    • The history and discovery of psychedelic substances
    • Psychedelics, creativity, and spiritual exploration
    • Healing, trauma, and personal transformation
    • Set, setting, and the importance of safety
    • Funny, unforgettable stories from altered states of consciousness




    Send us Fan Mail

    Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

    56 min
  • The Moment We Knew We Had to Write

    Every writer has an origin story—and this is ours.

    In the premiere episode of The Women Are Plotting, authors Etienne Rose Olivier, Heidi Willis, and Jane Gari share the personal journeys that led them to become writers. From childhood imaginations and unforgettable books to inspiring teachers, unexpected career paths, and the moments they realized writing wasn't just something they enjoyed—it was something they needed to do.

    The conversation explores where creativity comes from, how life experiences shape the stories we tell, and why every writer's path is unique. Along the way, the hosts discuss overcoming self-doubt, finding their voices, and the lifelong love of storytelling that continues to fuel their work today.

    Whether you're an aspiring writer, a lifelong reader, or simply curious about what inspires people to create, this episode offers an honest, funny, and heartfelt look at the beginnings of three very different writing journeys.

    Topics include:

    • How each of us discovered our love of writing
    • Childhood influences and favorite books
    • The people who encouraged our creativity
    • Finding your unique writing voice
    • Overcoming doubt and embracing the creative process
    • Why every writer's journey is different

    Send us Fan Mail

    Email us at [email protected], and find us on all the socials. Be safe and be excellent to each other.

    41 min

About The Women Are Plotting

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