Badass Books and Besties

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever talked yourself out of something before you even started? Maybe you've convinced yourself you're not good enough, that you'll probably fail, or that you're "just an overthinker." The truth is, the stories we tell ourselves often shape our lives far more than we realize. In this episode of the Badass Books and Besties Podcast , we're...

Send us Fan Mail Dive into "Badass Books and Besties" as Brianna interviews romance writer Mallory Thomas in an inspiring, heartfelt episode. Mallory shares her journey from content creator and mother to published author, revealing how real-life moments pushed her to trade screen time for storytelling and reconnect with her passion for soft, swoon-worthy love stories. This episode covers...

Send us Fan Mail The Secret  by Rhonda Byrne has become one of the most widely discussed personal development books in the world, introducing millions of readers to the idea that our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence the experiences we create in our lives. At its core, the book explores the Law of Attraction and invites readers to consider how awareness of our inner world can shape the dir...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Brianna shares a thoughtful and realistic approach to building a writing habit that fits into real life, even when things feel busy, overwhelming, or unpredictable. Drawing from a recent writing group session, she talks about why so many writers struggle with consistency, why motivation alone is rarely enough, and how small, flexible routines can make writing feel...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply personal episode of Badass Books and Besties , Brianna shares the five books that shaped her 2025 and explains why this year of reading meant more to her than any other. After a year marked by grief, growth, and major life transitions, she reflects on how reading supported her emotionally, creatively, and personally during one of the most meaningful seasons of her l...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Badass Books & Besties , we’re diving deep into Book Club Session 2 of Untamed  by Glennon Doyle —and this conversation is honest, layered, and anything but surface-level. Pulled straight from one of our live Badass Book Besties discussions, this episode captures real women reacting in real time to Untamed : what resonated, what challenged us, and what didn’...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Badass Books & Besties , we’re sharing Book Club Session 1 of Untamed  by Glennon Doyle — pulled straight from a live, real-time discussion inside our book club. This is not a review or a recap. It’s an honest, unfiltered conversation between women of different generations responding to the ideas and themes in Untamed and how they show up in real life. We ta...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, you’ll meet Dr. Melanie McNally —licensed clinical psychologist, brain coach, and author of The Emotionally Intelligent Teen and Helping Your Unmotivated Teen . You’ll hear how emotional intelligence really works (it’s more than “people skills”), why self-awareness without self-regulation can spike anxiety, and an instant tool you can use anywhere to calm you...

Send us Fan Mail Why do we keep repeating the same patterns in love, conflict, and self-worth? In this episode of Badass Books & Besties , we dive deep into The Origins of You by therapist Vienna Pharaon —a transformative guide to understanding the emotional wounds that shape our adult lives and how to finally heal them. You’ll uncover the five core wounds we all carry— worthiness, belonging,...

Send us Fan Mail I will be sharing insight from Part 2, Embrace Your Inner Badass,  of the book,  “You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living An Awesome Life" by Jen Sincero. If you haven’t had a chance to hear Part 1, I would highly recommend checking out episode 17, which is all about how you became who you are and what how you can start the process of becoming w...

Send us Fan Mail Ever dreamed of writing a book but have no idea where tostart? This episode takes you behind the scenes of the From Idea to Outline workshop — a transformational session that helps writers go from scattered thoughts to a clear, confident writing plan. Inside, you’ll learn: ✨ How to capture every idea and organize it into a powerful “brain dump” that sparks clarity. ✨ The simple...

Send us Fan Mail Elizabeth Zott isn’t just a character—she’s a revolution in a lab coat. In Session 2 of our Female Fiction Reads book club, we’re diving into Bonnie Garmus’ bestselling novel Lessons in Chemistry , a story our group rated an incredible 4.6 out of 5 stars . This episode explores the powerful themes that made this book unforgettable: How Supper at Six transformed kitchens into class...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for Session 1 of our Lessons in Chemistry book club discussion as we dive deep into Bonnie Garmus’s bestselling novel and the unforgettable Elizabeth Zott. In this episode, we talk about: ✨ Elizabeth Zott’s bold fight against sexism in the workplace ✨ The emotional impact of Calvin’s character arc and untimely death ✨ Our mixed feelings on the Supper at Six timeline fra...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to push past fear, find resilience, and finally finish the dream you’ve been carrying inside you? In this inspiring episode of the Badass Books and Besties podcast, I sit down with Julie Cropp Gareleck —bestselling author, CEO, entrepreneur, and respected leader with more than 25 years of experience helping businesses and individuals thrive. Julie is the a...

Send us Fan Mail If you’re always chasing the next goal, how can you truly enjoy where you are right now? In this heartfelt episode of Badass Books and Besties , Brianna shares her personal journey of slowing down, finding peace in the present, and letting go of the pressure to always “be ahead.”  From a life-changing health diagnosis to the emotional highs and lows of publishing her debut novel,...

Send us Fan Mail This week, the Besties dive into the second half of Other Birds  by Sarah Addison Allen , wrapping up their heartfelt, laughter-filled book club discussion.  Join Brianna and the Female Fiction Reads Book Club crew as they unpack magical realism, plot twists, and the beauty of found family in this gem of a novel. Get ready for deep reflections, surprising reveals, and honest conve...

Send us Fan Mail In this first session of our Badass Book Besties Female Fiction Reads Bookclub , we’re diving into Other Birds  by Sarah Addison Allen —a beautifully written novel full of magical realism, found family, and emotional transformation. Set on the fictional Mallow Island in South Carolina, Other Birds introduces us to Zoey, a young woman who inherits her late mother’s apartment and fi...

Send us Fan Mail After years of dreaming and doubting, Brianna J.J. Brown has officially become a published author. In this intimate episode, she’s taking you behind the scenes of the journey that led to her debut novel, Perpetually 24 .  This isn’t just a writing story—it’s a becoming story. It’s about heartbreak, identity, healing, and the quiet power of finally telling the truth on your own ter...

Send us Fan Mail Calling all book-lovers! Are you ready to join a vibrant community of passionate readers and expand your literary horizons? Look no further than the Badass Book Besties membership! Founded by Brianna, this membership is a haven for women who love to read and connect with like-minded individuals. Here are 3 key takeaways for you: 1. Embrace a Diverse Range of Genres: Whether you&ap...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we will embrace the power of literature, self-care, and personal growth. Our special guest Stephanie Affinito, a devoted literacy educator, shares her passion for reading, writing, and empowering others to find joy in literacy. Join us as we explore the transformative power of books, the importance of creating a reading culture at home, and the therapeutic aspects...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I want to share with you about the power of learning to manifest your desires. If you have something you envision for your life, and you desire it so powerfully, but feel like you haven't been able to push past that threshold of receiving it, then this is the podcast episode for you. I will be breaking down some of the fantastic life lessons found wit...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to another episode of the Badass Books and Besties! I'm your host, Brianna Brown, and today we have a very special guest joining us - MJ Foley, a published author who is here to share her journey and insights. MJ's passion for reading and writing was ignited by her grandfather, and she has since followed her dreams while balancing a successful career in the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I will share a variety of ways that my family and I are choosing to honor the Native Americans on the 4th Thursday in November, instead of celebrating Thanksgiving.  I’ll first start with a reading of the “Native American Good Morning Message” by chief Jake Swamp, and then I’ll provide information on why honoring the Native Americans is vitally important, various...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, you'll discover the deep dive into the core elements of living a badass life: incredible books and besties. The podcast is now your go-to destination for inspiration, book recommendations, and empowering conversations with amazing women. Learn about how embracing authenticity, sharing your story, and expressing your worthiness can lead to a life that truly li...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, we have a captivating interview with Brianna, a self-proclaimed book enthusiast and the founder of the Badass Book Besties. Join us as Brianna shares her journey of finding her true calling and living her best life through her love for books and connection with other women. From her educational background leading to becoming a mompreneur, to her inspiring...