Unseriously

If you loved the episode with cultural theorist, author, and super-reader Karen Swallow Prior, then this little lagniappe is for you. Holly and Karen will talk comfort reads, multi-reading, Barbara Kingsolver and Neil Postman--dizzy yet? Pop yourself out of that reading slump with these 5 minutes of an Unserious nudge--time to read! Music for Unseriously was composed and produced by Adam Wright, f...

Maybe you've heard her before, but have you ever heard her like this?? Join the fun as our favorite Karen kicks up those fancy shoes and puts the cool back in "Karen." She may be one of this country's most notoriously well-read, but did you know Dr. Karen Swallow Prior also gave that envelope to that guy ? We'll hear about her days in organized crime, plus the devolution of one of her dog's nickna...

While Unseriously's on 2-week summer break it's another replay with yet another of our favorite Kates: why would we ever believe Symphony brownies to be the brain trust of anyone other than the lovely Kate Strickler of the  Naptime Kitchen ?! Of course she created them in her basement kitchen where she also happens to mass manufacture Symphony candy bars - spread the word. Kate's new book,&nb...

Surprise! It's a mini-episode all about that book list from Instagram called Books I'd Hand to You in the Summertime. You can find the list here . Today I'll highlight four titles from that list, plus a fifth from the honorable mentions. All titles are linked below--hope you enjoy and happy reading! This Book Made Me Think of You , Libby Page Sea Wife , Amity Gaige (note I reference the WRONG Emma...

It's an Unseriously replay with our very own carnival queen, two-time Newbery medalist Kate DiCamillo, who joins Holly for a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming interview covering everything from Epcot Center to shredded wheat to inciting kids to troll Chris Van Dusen. There may be a quote-off. If you're friends with Holly in real life, she would like it noted that she arrived earlier than Kate to the interview...

If that jokes makes zero sense...no worries, because we will tap back to it at least 4 times during the course of this fun episode with Sarah Walton and Kristen Wetherell, co-authors of the new book, Jesus Will Meet You There . Kristen and Sarah will entertain Holly with their unconquerable Chicago accent, tell her all about their worst non-metaphorical messes, and teach us all how to updone the d...

Pour yourself the perfect cuppa and settle in for a laugh with two of our favorite Brits, Felicity Carswell and Sarah Dargue of the Two Sisters and a Cup of Tea podcast . Felicity, Sarah, and Holly will dig deep on all things skew-whiff as they define the limits of TV and weigh the merits of a larger freezer. But you better be right on time at 4:00 or you'll miss the secret DJ. Emma M. Lion will m...

*Heads up, parents, this episode is NOT for the kiddos! Today's Get Serious is with licensed professional counselor, counseling supervisor, and certified sex therapy associate Kara Jones all about healthy sexual intimacy within the covenant of marriage. It's an episode to forward along to your soon-to-be-married friends or your moms group--Kara is a wealth of knowledge mixed with deep sincerity an...

Don't just honk from the driveway, come on up to the door for this special Memorial Day episode from author and illustrator Matt Tavares. Along with Jeff Gottesfeld, Matt has created two very special patriotic picture books, Honor Flight , and 21 Steps , that he and Holly will discuss, along with all the anticipated Unseriously silliness. Matt will tell Holly about putting his beloved family membe...

Don't let her interrupt you, but Carolyn Weber would like to talk Kardashians and moral ethics. Prepare to be charmed by author and esteemed* scholar Carolyn Weber. She and Holly will chat puns, fairy tales, and that streaker poem...not to mention how Carolyn really just wants to do a craft with you. Hear how TDH morphed into TBH, but don't dare judge either him, the Sludgy Pudgy Judgey, or the fa...

Surprise! And happy summer! Just in time for summer reading it's a bonus Unseriously all about the summertime reads. We'll have a little something for everyone--easy summer rom-com recs from Sarah Armstrong, aka @simply.sarahendipity , some literary fiction recs from English teacher Nicole Conrad of @theturnedpage_bhm , and family-friendly read-aloud recs for all ages direct from Holly. PLUS: don'...

Count out the syllables, it's Larry Bolden and Anisa Sumlar of the Wellspring Group up this week to talk about collaboration, community, and...learning?? It's a heart-level episode that bounces from the silly to the meaningful and back again--plus, gird up your loins for a couple of Holly's particular soap boxes. You can find resources for your church or small group study at Wellspring Group , or...

Another bucket list checkmark for Unseriously--it's author, humorist, and girl dad Harrison Scott Key. This is a heartwarming one punctuated by the theater of the absurd that is the plane on which Harrison operates. Harrison and Holly will talk bicycles, New Kids, and giant tortoises, plus be sure to stick around for the B-roll where Harrison gives Holly a compliment...she thinks? Don't miss the ⁠...

Oh-De-Lally, you're in for a good one. It's the PG episode featuring some unbelievable hijinks from Glenna Marshall, Bob Flayhart, Amanda Cleary Eastep, Lia Ross, and Annie B. Jones. Moonshine makes not one, but two appearances, as does William Faulkner and that pesky skunk...who maybe we should henceforth refer to as William Faulkner. These 5 guests had some super fun episodes, but my oh my do th...

It's Joyce from Stranger Things! Nah...it's our favorite English teacher, Nicole Conrad. She may always read the book, but hear the stories of how she is not to be trusted with famous people. Holly and Nicole will talk memorable haircuts, that wedding video, and certifiable wimpiness while watching Alone , plus book club fun and trope mash-up requests...this is a funny one with the bookstagrammer...

Unseriously is BACK for season 6 in 2026 with 2 of the fabulous ladies who make up the team at Redeemed Reader, Betsy Farquhar and Megan Saben. In this episode find out which RR gal is a romcom unto herself, join along as we Barbara Kingsolver fangirl, and hear the story of the Murder Hotel. This episode could also be titled, "The One Where Holly Tries to Get Herself Hired at Redeemed Reader." Red...

If you like your Bible teachers funny then don't miss this episode with the delightful Glenna Marshall. Come walk the ridgepole of the Barry family roof with Glenna and Holly, gasp at Glenna's unpopular opinions, see if you have the soup gene, and join Holly in demanding her group chat be renamed to honor the Puritan theologian Richard Sibbes. If you're Kate Albus , you're going to want to listen...

It's author, editor at Moody Publishers, and all-around homestead-pioneer-frontier-woman Amanda Cleary Eastep in today's episode of Unseriously! Join Holly as she hears about Amanda doing battle with snakes on the side of the house and her own salty self while on Chicago mass transit. Holly and Amanda will talk kids and kids' books, writing friends, and modern day packhorse librarians. Amanda is t...

It's bookstagrammer , host of the Bookish Talks with Lia podcast , and all-around fun gal Lia Ross up on this week's Unseriously! Lia and Holly will share a Jen Wilkin fangirl moment, make Lia promise she does not hate nonfiction, and find out all about the frankies. This episode is fun and all, but heads up you will *not* want to miss Lia's upcoming appearance in the PG episode. Consider this epi...

In this very special 2-part series with pastor Bob Flayhart, Unseriously premieres the latest addition to the podcast--occasional episodes called Get Serious. Where the PG episodes go off the rails, Get Serious episodes head in the opposite direction. In them, you'll hear beloved Unseriously guests talk about what's nearest and dearest to their hearts. For our first one, Holly and Bob Flayhart wil...

In a very special 2-week Unseriously series it's founding and long-term pastor Bob Flayhart of Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This first episode is what we're used to around here--pastors talking about how they're most likely to get arrested, grandkids calling out during church service, and avoiding the floof. Next week you can look for a little bit of fun and then the No...

Look, Annie B. Jones is a terrible texter and a recent understander of muting a text conversation--so she totally didn't mean to announce to everyone that she was leaving the family. Join Holly as she and Annie talk pet words, the evolution of one of Isaac's nicknames *that we all have to ensure has an end point,* and how they're missing the days when everyone was just having fun on the internet....

They're in her car. She's just going to go run and grab them right quick... Join Tyler Drouet of @simplify_parenting and Holly as they discuss some hacks for snacks, how to talk to your kids when they get out of school, and how the best memories are when the parents are ALSO enjoying themselves. Here's the ⁠Double Ditto⁠ game Tyler references. Tyler Drouet holds her Masters and EDS in counseling a...

There will be travel tips, unacknowledged allergies, international blunders, and those poor moms in the Disney movies...prepare yourself for the church lock-in that is this PG episode, chock-full of guys in full-time ministry. We'll hear from Unseriously's jingle genius Adam Wright, plus pastors and theologians Irwyn Ince, Collin Hansen, and Kelly Kapic. Michael Bird and Harrison Scott Key will ge...

Ayuh, it's a wicked good time with author, illustrator and beloved Maine resident Chris Van Dusen. He and Holly will talk all things Maine license plate, memorable sunburns, kid mobsters, and how his books make the world shine. Kate DiCamillo, Mac Barnett, Brian Flocca, Peter Sagal, and Bob Marley (nope, no that one--the comedian) will all make appearances. So will Chris' older brother, Mr. Magee,...