Broads and Books

This week, we're looking at books and pop culture picks that explore what we should do with our one life.  Plus, the Broads talk terrible life advice, the true crime benefits of immortality, and redesigning the human body for more time. And much more. Check out all current and past picks at our Bookshop.org store .  Listen to " It's My Life ," the song from Talk Talk (and cover...

It's the question we grapple with constantly: persist, or run for the hills. So this week, we're looking at books and pop culture picks that engage with the essential choice: should I stay, or should I go? Plus, the Broads talk Midwest goodbyes, trash states, new relationship services, and killer mosquitos. And much more. Check out all current and past picks at our Bookshop.org store . ...

Listen: we don't claim to be popular, and never have. But we are fascinated by popularity. So this week, we're looking at picks that engage with the idea of what's hip and happening.   Plus, the Broads talk through our formative experiences of (non) popularity, try out sound effects like popular radio shows, and envision the pitch meeting behind a timeless popular snack. And much mo...

You oughta know, listeners, that tales of love gone wrong are highly entertaining. So this week, we're talking the dark side of love and lust.  Plus, the Broads talk through best and worst advice after breakups, the problem with algorithms promising love, trusting our gut with red flags, and how Valentine's Day is for creeps. And much more. And one more thing:  Listen to " You Ought...

Listen all y'all, IT'S SABOTAGE. This week we're talking sabotage of ourselves and others, and our picks are all about it. Plus, the Broads talk through our own self-sabotage, our new strategies for handling the potential sabotage of others, and the joys of having nemeses. And much more. LINKS:  Listen to " Sabotage ," the song from Beastie Boys that inspired this week&apo...

This week, we're considering control. Is it an illusion? Why do we hurt ourselves and others when we feel out of control? Our picks tackle this thorny topic. Plus, the Broads consider our gross out-of-control habits, how spontaneity is terrifying, and why we need a house elf. And much more. LINKS:  Listen to " Ride ," the song from Twenty One Pilots that inspired this week's th...

While 2021 was mostly ugh, there were bright spots. So we're bringing you our favorite reads of the year, along with a few pop culture picks and other things that made our lives better.  View all the books discussed in this episode at the Bookshop list . And visit this episode's page for pop culture picks and more links.  ----- Broads and Books is a book podcast. A funny podcast. A femin...

This week: The Return of Heath! We're welcoming back our resident celebrity expert and honorary broad, Heath . And together we're picking top pop culture of 2021.  We're talking billionaires in space, red scarves, fire tornadoes, censorship and book banning, Peloton, and so much more.  Follow the brilliant and hilarious Heath Smith at his Instagram !  _____ Broads and Books is a boo...

This week, we're asking one simple question: Is ignorance bliss?  Plus, the Broads talk about their areas of ignorance, Erin tells the story of getting slapped, and we consider our favorite fraud. And much more. LINKS:  Like the Podcats? Want to see Ziggy's cult? Follow @catcultcolony on Instagram.  Listen to " Happy Idiot ," the song from TV on the Radio that inspired this wee...

This week, we're looking at red flags and bad decisions, and considering books and pop culture picks with flags ignored.  Plus, Erin previews her Masterclass on red flags, we consider the inherent red flags of corporate America, and dissect the wonder of Paul Rudd.  LINKS:  Like the Podcats? Want to see this weird cat colony the Broads discuss? Follow @catcultcolony on Instagram.  Read the es...

This week, we're adding up all our grudges, and considering books and pop culture picks where the addition may be just too much to handle. Plus, we're using Excel for our mental health, planning our villainous futures, and relating hard to Steve Buscemi from Billy Madison . We also get a visit from Louise the Podcat, who reminds Amy how stupid human skin is. Listen to " Add It Up ,&...

This week, we're considering turning to the dark side. Or at least the characters in our picks are. Plus, we're weighing the morality of accidentally shoplifting, asking Marvel to cast us as villains, and welcoming a Podcat drive-by. Listen to " Ring of Fire ," the song from Johnny Cash that inspired this week's theme. _____ A Broad's book:  Order DIG ME OUT by our ow...

In this new installment of The Broads Talk Books With , we talk to our own Amy Lee Lillard! As Amy's book, Dig Me Out , officially releases this week, Erin and Amy have a wide-ranging discussion about the books that made her a writer. Plus, we're getting honest about the writing and publishing process.  Get Dig Me Out:  ATELIER26 BOOKS | Bookshop.org | Indiebound | Or your local independ...

This week, we've hit 100! We're answering frequently asked questions about the podcast, and remembering our favorite themes, moments, and more. For our picks, we're looking at characters that are trying to live at 100%, and what that really means. Listen to " 100% Pure Love ," the song from Chrystal Waters that inspired this week's theme.  _____ A Broad's book: ...

This week, we're looking at change. How characters evolve, how they promise not to change and fail: our fiction, nonfiction, and pop culture picks point the way. Also in this episode, Erin talks about channeling Cardi B, Amy plans Ziggy the Podcat's influencer future, and we engage with harem pants. Listen to " Somebody That I Used to Know ," the song from Gotye and Kimbra that...

This week we're looking at heroes. Do they exist? Why do they often fail us? When should we be our own damn heroes? Our fiction, nonfiction, and pop culture picks point the way. Also in this episode, we reveal what happens when you give us fake eyelashes and fake tans. It's not pretty. Listen to " Holding Out for a Hero ," the song from Bonnie Tyler that inspired this week&apos...

This week we're talking emotional labor...and what happens when women's invisible work is taken for granted. Also in this episode, we picture a world with brutal honesty (and its collapse), how burnout looks among women and men, and pros and cons of turning into an animal. Listen to " Look What You Made Me Do ," the song from Taylor Swift that inspired this week's theme. ...

In this special bonus episode, we're talking books with readers!  Hear what readers Eric, Tammi, Haley, Maggie, and Michael have to say about their favorite books, their reading rituals, books they’re looking forward to, and current pop culture obsessions.  Plus, we've got stories galore. Get ready to laugh.  Want to be a featured reader? Get in touch with us at admin@broadsandbooks.com!...

This week: The Return of Heath! We're welcoming back our resident celebrity expert and honorary broad, Heath . And together we're taking on a Herculean task: Picking the top pop culture moments of 2021 (so far).  We're talking the Friends reunion, bad dudes proving they're bad, Real Housewives legal troubles, Britney, Simone Biles, and more.  Follow the brilliant and hilarious...

This week, we're recommending books to read in the AC for every summer occasion!  Plus, we've got stories galore. Hear about Amy's ill-fated outdoor excursions, Erin's love of a particular news anchor, and more.  Our recommendations this week all come from previous Broads and Books episodes. Find the books, and the original show links, below!  _____ Books recommended in this ep...

This week we're celebrating bad bitches in novels, essays, and movies! Also in this episode, we dissect the language around bitchery, Amy reveals her fighting skills, and Erin describes how she would take freezing revenge on bad exes. Listen to " Bad Bitches ," the song from Marshmello x Nitti Gritti, featuring Megan Thee Stallion, and inspiration for this week's theme.  _____...

In this new installment of The Broads Talk Books With , we talk to A. E. Osworth ! They are the author of We Are Watching Eliza Bright , which we recommended in Episode 89 . We talked about their love of fantasy, their niche TBR pile, influences on their work, the importance of pre-orders, and why rewatching bad shows may be good for us. In The Broads Talk Books With , we talk to some of our favor...

This week is all about relentless pursuit. Our picks have characters chasing down desires, goals, or even the truth. Also in this episode, Erin reveals her own dogged pursuits, Amy shows indecisive pursuit can work out, and we describe our sitcom based on a cruise ship. Plus, Ziggy the Podcat makes an appearance. Listen to " One Way or Another ," the relentless song from Blondie and insp...

In this new installment of The Broads Talk Books With , we talk to Lauren Marino ! She's the author of Bookish Broads , which we recommended in Episode 90 . We talked to Lauren about what it means to be a broad, how book editing affects her reading, her love of Dolly Parton, and what pop culture she's eager to return to. In The Broads Talk Books With , we talk to some of our favorite aut...

Wellness! Multi-level marketing schemes! Cults! We're on the path with novels, true crime, and you should join us. Also in this episode, Erin tells about her brush with MLM madness, Amy introduces her new wellness brand, and we remember the healing powers of Lizzo. Listen to " Path of Wellness ," the new release from Sleater-Kinney and inspiration for this week's theme. Note: W...