SHE WELL READ

Well Read Baddies, we’re back! Season 6 is officially here, and we’re starting strong with our seasonal book pick—Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. In this premiere episode, Lana and Sam break down chapters 1–4, unpacking family secrets, generational patterns, and the roots of the Kingdom of Happy Land. Whether you’re a returning listener or brand new to the club, welcome in! Grab your copy of H...

Hey well read baddies—it’s our last rewind episode before the brand new season drops on Wednesday, August 27th, and we’re closing it out with Lana’s favorite throwback from Season 4, Episode 3: Chaotically Functional! See y’all on 8/27 for Season 6! Register for our virtual event with the BWDIK Podcast and Author Danielle Allen: https://forms.gle/kgCZzezHCRvLodes9 We can’t wait to hear from you! :...

For Well Read Baddies who love books, pop culture, and everything in between. Best friends Lana and Sam are figuring out how to fit reading into their busy lives—and they know they’re not alone. That’s why they created a book club on the go: a seasonal podcast with bite-sized episodes where listeners vote on what they read each season. Whether you read all the time, once in a while, or are just pi...

Hey well read baddies! We’re kicking off our rewind series with Samra’s favorite episode from the vault: Season 3, Episode 11 — #TeamMindYoBizWhenItComesToBlackWomensHair. This one is personal, powerful, and still way too relevant. Register for our virtual event with the BWDIK Podcast and Author Danielle Allen: https://forms.gle/kgCZzezHCRvLodes9 We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any...

Hey well read baddies! It’s the last bonus episode before we kick off rewind episodes—and we’ve got updates galore. We’re revealing our Season 6 book pick (Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez—our first historical fiction!), and announcing a special virtual book club collab with Chid from the But What Do I Know? podcast featuring author Danielle Allen. In Coffee Break, we’re talking Cowboy Carter to...

Hey Well Read Baddies! It’s our 6th anniversary (cue the tears) and we’re catching up on all the bookish tea and pop culture chaos. We’re talking Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour (and the heartbreak over 16 Carriages), I’m Glad My Mom Died getting an Apple TV series, and why billionaire weddings are giving Hunger Games energy. Plus, we’re sharing what we’ve been reading, what’s next for Season 6, and...

Hey well read baddies! It’s just the two of us this week, and we’re catching up on all the things—reading goals, reality TV rabbit holes, and what it means to truly read for joy. Lana’s deep in her Black romance era and crushing her 12-book goal, while Sam’s still recovering from the whirlwind that was the Black Romance Book Fest. Crispy vid reference- https://www.tiktok.com/@akorzen/video/7009659...

Hey well read baddies! Today we have a very special recap episode where we'll be talking all about our experience at the Inaugural Black Romance Book Festival! You'll also get the chance to hear some Q&A from some of the authors that were there (boy did they give us plenty of recs for our TBR- list on our bookshop)! MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! Tickets for next years festival go on sale August 15th and y...

Hey well read baddies! No new episode this week; HOWEVER, please make sure to go cast your vote for what book we'll be reading for season 6 of the podcast! Remember, it's all up to YOU! The deadline to vote is May 31st (stay tuned for the inevitable extension lol ;) ) so make sure to go make your choice and share with a friend! Also, if you're heading to the Black Romance Book Festival, come see u...

Hey well read baddies! This week, we're joined by fashion designer, influencer, and Birmingham’s own Olivia Anthony—founder of LIV Streetwear and co-creator of A Vibe Called Black, the all-Black, all-bold cultural celebration returning June 18. Recorded on Met Gala night, we dive into the theme of Black Dandyism and talk about how the Black community continues to set the tone, even when the mainst...

Hey well read baddies! It’s just the two of us this week, and we’re talking all things life lately. From the highs and lows of Coachella Weekend 1 (Megan! Gaga! Bernie??) to health journeys, spring cleaning, and shifting career vibes—we’re in our late twenties and feeling every minute of it. We’re also pulling back the curtain on what’s next for She Well Read. Spoiler: season 6 drops in August, an...

Hey well read baddies! In this minisode, we’re joined by Abigail Franks and Mareshah Malcom—the dynamic duo behind Climate Justice Y’all—for a conversation that flips the script on environmentalism as we know it. Together, we explore the real meaning of climate justice, how systemic inequality fuels the crisis, and why Southern communities are not just surviving but leading the charge. From eco-vi...

Hey well read baddies! She’s baaaaack! Dating and relationship expert, podcast host, and author Damona Hoffman returns for another #Black365 ep and for a much-needed update on love in the year 2025. A year after the release of her book F the Fairytale, Damona reflects on how dating has evolved—from the rise of AI-generated profiles and text traps, to the real reason we’re all scared of awkward pau...

Hey well-read baddies! This week, we’re back with another #Black365 minisode and we sit down with bestselling author Dolen Perkins-Valdez to talk about her new novel Happy Land, inspired by the real-life Kingdom of the Happy Land—a self-sufficient Black community founded by formerly enslaved people in 1873. With little recorded history on this lost American kingdom, Dolen’s research brings this un...

Hey well-read baddies! This week, we’re back with another #Black365 minisode and are joined by Tembe Denton Hurst (@tembae)—writer, author, and biscuit connoisseur. She’s the brilliant mind behind Homebodies, a novel that perfectly captures the burnout, disillusionment, and existential mess that comes with being a young Black woman just trying to make it. We dive into the realities of losing yours...

Hey well-read baddies! This week we're back with another #Black365 minisode and are joined by Cecily (@CecilyAlexa)—singer, songwriter, and one of the 13,000 members of the recording academy. The Washington, DC native has a rich, soothing sound rooted in mid-century Soul and Jazz. Often drawing comparisons to Minnie Riperton and Amel Larrieux, her music is imbued with a unique sensuality that info...

Hey well read baddies! Welcome to another #Black365 minisode. Today, we sit down with Kristina Forest, the bestselling author of The Neighbor Favor, The Partner Plot, and her newest release, The Love Lyric—the final book in the Greene Sisters series. Kristina shares insights into writing heartfelt romance, balancing escapism with realistic storytelling, and how BookTok has transformed the publishi...

Hey, Well Read Baddies! In this final episode of the year, we reflect on the ups, downs, and lessons learned in 2024. From creative burnout and mood reading struggles to finding inspiration in unexpected places, we talking about it all! We also dive into the joy of embracing reading at your own pace (hello, big fans of DNFing!) and why life’s transitions are all about moving forward—even if it mea...

Hey well read baddies! Welcome to another bi-weekly minisode. Today we are joined by Chidinma (Chid) Azubuike, the incredible host of the But What Do I Know? podcast, for a lively conversation about wellness, authenticity, and the challenges of creating meaningful spaces as Black women in podcasting. Together, we explore the evolution of celebrity culture, how influencers have blurred the line bet...

Hey well read baddies! Welcome to another bi-weekly minisode. Today we are joined by the amazing author of Venus in Pisces and content creator Kiara Blanchette. Together, we explore the raw journey of love, self-discovery, and the courage to be vulnerable in a world that often asks us to hide our feelings. 00:38 Introduction and Shout Out Corner 05:14 Coffee Break 21:01 Get into the Guest Follow K...

Hey well read baddies! This week we're switching it up with an episode swap with our friends over at Behind the Silk Podcast! We are spilling the hot tea today! In today's episode, we are talking about sexual intimacy, communication, and expectations. More importantly we are talking about situationships. We have on my good friend Shakia Artson who is having her own storytime with a recent situatio...

Hey well read baddies! In this special spooky season episode, we’re joined by author Celestine Martin, the creator of the cozy paranormal romance Deja Brew. Together, we dive into the magical world of BIPOC witches, slow-burn romance, and all the witchy vibes perfect for fall. Celestine shares her journey as an author, the inspiration behind her Elemental Love series, and how she infuses themes of...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we wrap season 5 with the author of Black Girl IRL, Gail Hamilton Azodo! Gail shares her journey of writing the book and we ask her all of our burning questions. We dive into topics like navigating motherhood, writing with authenticity, and the upcoming Nightbitch movie adaptation. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow She Well Read on soc...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss the last truth #12 of Black Girl IRL, Your Authentic Self is in a Silk Cap. Our conversation dives into the importance of showing up authentically and being vulnerable, especially as Black women navigating our truths. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow She Well Read on social media for more updates! 01:57 Introduction and Sho...

Hey well read baddies! On today's episode, we discuss truth #11 of Black Girl IRL, It's Gon Be Alright. We explore the realities of navigating negativity and overcoming obstacles while highlighting the importance of taking time for rest and reflection amidst the hustle and grind culture. We discuss how Black women often carry the weight of expectations, yet still manage to thrive, and emphasize th...