Howdy GWS Family!

Mrs. Ashly, Ms. Semi and JJ are back to discuss Q1 on all things soaps. BTG has us intrigued; B and B annoys us; DAYS confuses us; GH makes us scratch our heads and Y & R has our attention for the return of Malcolm Winters and Stephanie Simmons.

Which soaps works up your lather?

Citations available upon request.

Howdy Folks!

As we inch closer to Mania weekend, we conclude our thoughts about the card thus far and detail some things we want to see. We will be back to discuss all things Mania very soon.

Stay tuned for our next episode, which will be all about soaps. And be alert: Shemar Moore and Vivica Fox will be on the Young and the Restless THIS WEEK!

Citations available upon request.

Howdy Friends!

Grappling With Soaps is back to discuss the road to Wrestlemania! This episode focuses on the Royal Rumble and the aftermath leading up to Elimination Chamber. Stay tuned for THE PROMOS; full discussion and soaps in later episodes soon come.

Citations available upon request.

Sir Rease and Lady A join Lady D and Lady H to chat about part one of Bridgerton season four. We recorded this episode the same day part two dropped and did our best to avoid spoilers for what’s ahead. Still, we dive into our thoughts on Sophie and Benedict’s chemistry, Eloise’s immaturity, Michaela’s undeniable charm, why Lady Danbury is that B, and more. We’ll be back to break down part two in depth and hold a panel discussion on season four and the series so far. As luck would have it, this episode lands just as Lady Whistledown reveals that season five will feature a sapphic romance—and you know we’ll have plenty to say about that with our signature crass, sass, heart, and humor.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye Watchers:

Queen Melmendi joins Lady D and Lady H/JJ to discuss we watched in 2025; including the Holiday movies, and what we are watching in 2026 and beyond. We discuss documentaries, sports, special events and more.

A note: Xfinity is now on the list that allows you to use your Disney+ or Hulu log in to access the PLEs on ESPN+ at no additional cost.

We also mention independent journalists, but failed to mention Roland Martin's Black Star Network-be sure to check them out. And please let us know what we missed: you can email us at [email protected]

Citations available upon request.

Hello Bookies,

This super-packed episode lists the best books of 2025 according to our Ebonauts book club members. Have you pen and paper ready because we list some bangers.

Other Notes:

You can find many of the books mentioned, find classics and new releases AND support the podcast, by purchasing your books from our Bookshop.

Mo and Madame Lazet followed up with some of their favorite book influencers (besides us) :

Find them on Instagram:

@ashreads

@iamjenbrooks

@shonnareads

@thelovee.library

The Ebonauts book club has a schedule!

We are reading:

• The Heat Seekers by Zane until March 31, 2026
• Vivid by Beverly Jenkins April 1-May 31, 2026
• Son of the Morning by Akwaeke Emezi June 1-July 31, 2026
• The Missed Connection by Tia Williams August 1- September 30, 2026
• Vengeance by Zane October 1-November 30, 2026
• Catch up December 1-January 31, 2026

Be sure to stay until the end to catch Nick at Night's selections.

Citations available upon request.

Hello Bookies,

Taking off right where we left off, this minisode finds Mo, Lady D, Ms. Semi, Madame Lazet and JJ listing some of the songs they used as an easter egg for their reviews. Ms. Semi also lists "Bones at the Crossroads" as a top book, which prompts a discussion with Madame Lazet and JJ.

Stay tuned for the rest of our supersized discussion on books. As always, Citations are available upon request.

Hey Bookies!

Mo_Rease, Ms. Semi, Madame Lazet, and Lady D join JJ for a lively chat about books. The conversation ran long, so we’re splitting it into parts. In this section, we cover favorite book covers, standout audio narrators, and the stories that lingered in our minds in 2025, among other topics. We also dive into Tracy Deonn’s Oathbound, pairing scenes with songs from GNX. That part comes at the end of the episode with minimal spoilers, so skip if you prefer. Along the way, we detour into a discussion on pronunciation and the impact of colonization on local customs and place names: Baltimore forever.

Stay tuned for the rest of this bookish episode.

Citations available upon request.

Greetings and Happy Bridgerton pt. 1 Day!

Lady D and Lady H (JJ, if you're nasty) speak with Dr. KP, our resident Scandal-ologist, about her 2025 observations. We also discussed Bridgerton, Wicked's chances for an Oscar, and more.

Mentioned on this episode:

Substacks

My Number 1 Feeling

NegrowithanEgo

Somethingaboutreasy

Books

Yellowface

Jane Austen

The Great Mann

The Great Gatsby

Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat PhobiaPortrait of Dorian GrayVenus Noire

Supporting Jamaica

Support Jamaica – Official Disaster Relief & Recovery PortalHurricane Melissa | Legacy CentreMental Health Assistance

National Mental Health Hotline | 866-903-3787Mental health helplines (UK)

Fan Fiction

AO3Home I Archive of Our OwnFind Dr. KP's work under "Incorrect Petunia"

Podcasts

Normal Gossip

The Bald and the Beautiful

Jokes on You

Jade and XD

Citations available upon request.

Hello Grapplers!

InIn this jam-packed episode, Mrs. Ashly, Ms. Semi, and JJ are joined by the Chairman of the CSPN Network, Don Delarente—yes, the nemesis himself is in the building! We cover the best and worst of 2025 wrestling, why JJ was right about Trick Williams, Mrs. Ashly’s heartfelt send-off for Cena, and Ms. Semi stepping into the role of our very own Mean Gene Okerlund. Stick around until the end when Anwar Starwind and Queen Melmendi storm the ring to share their wrestling takes.

GWS returns in February to celebrate BTG’s one-year anniversary and break down the fallout from the Royal Rumble.