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Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre

Author: Jolenta Greenberg

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Comedian & pop culture critic Jolenta Greenberg has a theory: reality TV isn’t ruining culture - it is culture. Join her and a cast of sharp, funny guests as they dig into the details behind the drama and unpack why we can’t get enough of those iconic scenes and unforgettable characters. This is the place for highbrow conversations about “lowbrow” TV




All seasons By the Book & How to Be Fine are also in this feed. To hear back episodes, just scroll down!

354 Episodes
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Friends with Kids

Friends with Kids

2025-03-0627:31

Is it possible to hold onto friendship after one of you has kids and the other doesn't? Ophira Eisenberg, host of the podcasts Parenting is a Joke and Ask Me Another, shares her thoughts.  We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com     And join our Patreon Community to get access to live monthly book clubs with Kristen and Jolenta, ad-free exclusive episodes of By The Book, minisodes of us talking about what we’re reading, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve ever lived by, tips from our experts, advice, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
For some of us, our greatest life partner isn’t a spouse, it’s a friend. How can we make the most of these kinds of partnerships? Jolenta and Kristen get tips from Rhaina Cohen, author of The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center. We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com     And join our Patreon Community to get access to live monthly book clubs with Kristen and Jolenta, ad-free exclusive episodes of By The Book, minisodes of us talking about what we’re reading, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve ever lived by, tips from our experts, advice, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
For some people, chatbots have become a source of comfort in the fight against loneliness. What do they have to offer? And do they really help, or make things worse? Jolenta and Kristen get tips for Lindsay Goldwert, journalist and chatbot friend.  We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com     And join our Patreon Community to get access to live monthly book clubs with Kristen and Jolenta, ad-free exclusive episodes of By The Book, minisodes of us talking about what we’re reading, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve ever lived by, tips from our experts, advice, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Marathons

Marathons

2023-10-1242:00

On this episode of How to Be Fine, Kristen and Jolenta talk about the shocking side effects of marathon running. Plus, they offer up advice on how to explain the value of money to a young child, and how to make a relationship work without shared interests.   Do you have an advice question for us? Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @howtobefinepod. And if you haven't already, please join our How to Be Fine (formerly By the Book) Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta   Sources: https://www.history.com/news/why-is-a-marathon-26-2-miles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon https://marathonhandbook.com/how-many-people-have-run-a-marathon/ https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/celebs-who-run-marathons-w446410/ https://www.distractify.com/p/why-does-running-a-marathon-make-you-poop https://www.iflscience.com/marathon-runners-poop-themselves-an-extraordinary-amount-this-is-why-66799 https://www.businessinsider.com/olympics-runner-yohann-diniz-poop-problems-why-marathons-are-bad-2016-8 https://www.insider.com/woman-stopped-9-porta-potties-during-marathon-got-personal-record-2021-11 https://www.insider.com/marathoner-pooped-pants-mile-7-down-legs-photo-fast-pace-2021-12 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6139872/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3119133/ https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/much-running-bad-heart https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/marathon-runners-produce-proteins-linked-heart-attacks https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/31/well/move/does-marathon-running-increase-the-risk-of-cardiac-arrest.html https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4792989/#!po=76.6667 https://waseda.elsevierpure.com/en/publications/marathon-running-alters-the-dna-base-excision-repair-in-human-ske https://marathonhandbook.com/is-running-a-marathon-bad-for-you/ https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/38/4/498 https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/health/injury/a30056593/common-injury-marathon-runners/ https://prophysiotherapy.co.uk/blog/common-marathon-injuries/ https://www.memorialhermann.org/services/specialties/rockets-sports-medicine-institute/sports-science-tips/tips-for-runners/marathon-injuries#:~:text=Hip%20pain%20and%20pain%20along,require%20time%20off%20from%20running.  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-13844-4 https://marathonhandbook.com/8-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-run-marathon/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On this mini episode of How to Be Fine, Kristen and Jolenta share listener feedback on the Soft Life and Hilaria Baldwin. Plus, listeners share some additional tips for a letter writer who’s thinking of moving to another country, and another who’s dealing with face picking.   Do you have an advice question for us? Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @howtobefinepod. And if you haven't already, please join our How to Be Fine (formerly By the Book) Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear.Join the By The Book Patreon Community! For $5 per month, you receive a new book summary, including all the rules we live by, each week. For $10 per month, you receive that PLUS a weekly affirmation podcast hosted by Jolenta and Kristen! Learn more at https://www.patreon.com/listentobythebookKristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now [amazon.com].You can subscribe to Jolenta and Kristen's show, We Love You (And So Can You) on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts [podcasts.apple.com], or wherever you listen to podcasts.We love hearing from you! CALL us at 302-49B-OOKS. Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod.And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687To get By the Book merch, head over to PodSwag.com: https://www.podswag.com/collections/by-the-bookCheck out Kristen's other podcasts! The Pursuit of Happier on Knowable https://knowable.fyi/courses/happiness [knowable.fyi]Innovation Uncovered https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-uncovered/id1516667844Movie Therapy with Rafer & Kristenhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/movie-therapy-with-rafer-kristen/id1508455193 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kristen and Jolenta talk to writer Gretchen Rubin about the best advice she’s received from celebrities.Join the By The Book Patreon Community! For $5 per month, you receive a new book summary, including all the rules we live by, each week. For $10 per month, you receive that PLUS a weekly affirmation podcast hosted by Jolenta and Kristen! Learn more at https://www.patreon.com/listentobythebookKristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now [amazon.com].You can subscribe to Jolenta and Kristen's show, We Love You (And So Can You) on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts [podcasts.apple.com], or wherever you listen to podcasts.We love hearing from you! CALL us at 302-49B-OOKS. Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod.And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687To get By the Book merch, head over to PodSwag.com: https://www.podswag.com/collections/by-the-bookCheck out Kristen's other podcasts! The Pursuit of Happier on Knowable https://knowable.fyi/courses/happiness [knowable.fyi]Innovation Uncovered https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-uncovered/id1516667844Movie Therapy with Rafer & Kristenhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/movie-therapy-with-rafer-kristen/id1508455193 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Epilogue: Big Magic

Epilogue: Big Magic

2019-02-1428:24

The ladies read listener comments and questions about living by Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. Plus, they share how members of the By the Book Facebook community have been expressing their creativity! We love hearing from you! Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod. And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687 Kristen's book, So You Want to Start a Podcast, is currently available for preorder on her site and at Amazon: https://www.kristenmeinzer.com/author/ https://www.amazon.com/You-Want-Start-Podcast-Community/dp/0062936670/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1549485550&sr=1-1 And a big thanks to this week's sponsors: Quip, the electric toothbrush that makes brushing your teeth simple and affordable. Go to getquip.com/bythebook to get your first refill pack for free with a Quip electric toothbrush. Quay, quality fashion sunglasses at an affordable price point. To enjoy 20% off your order go to quayaustraliacom and enter promo code BTB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Pantsdrunk

Pantsdrunk

2019-01-2438:44

Kristen and Jolenta try päntsdrunk - the Finnish term for drinking at home, alone, in your underwear! Join the ladies as they live by Miska Rantanen's Päntsdrunk: Kalsarikänni: The Finnish Path to Relaxation. Will päntsdrunk help them find inner peace and happiness? We love hearing from you! Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod. And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687 And a big thanks to this week's sponsor: Phlur, the world-class perfume that is non-toxic and gender-free. Go to PHLUR.com and use promo code BOOK to get 20% off your first three Phlur fragrance samples. Listen to the new Stitcher podcast Josie and Jonny Are Having a Baby With You. The show follows Josie and Jonny through their not-totally-planned pregnancy as they try to prepare for the birth of their first child. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Epilogue: Pick Three

Epilogue: Pick Three

2019-01-1725:54

Jolenta and Kristen read listener comments about their experience living by Pick Three and announce next week's book! We love hearing from you! Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod. And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687 In order to support our show, we need the help of some great advertisers. And, in order to find great advertisers, we need to learn a little bit more about you. So please, go to podsurvey.com/btb and take a quick, anonymous survey that will help us get to know you a little better. And a big thanks to this week's sponsor: Wander Beauty, a new line of easy-to-use, multitasking beauty products. Go to wanderbeauty.com/bythebook to get 20% off your purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The wonderful Mary Payne Gilbert (Pink Shade) joins Jolenta to do a deep dive on the infamous Vanderpump Rules “slap” scene between Stassi Schroeder and Kristin Douse. And the two discuss why we’re so drawn to reality TV that showcases anti-aspirational living. Mary Payne’s Insta Hot Mess-terpiece Theatre Insta Sources: Vanderpump Rules - Peacock Hera episode of Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
She’s intense, she’s driven, and she might be here to save us all… or burn it all down. This week Jolenta draws parallels between the Savior/Destroyer archetype and Heather Gay’s journey on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Instagram Jolenta’s Instagram *This episode mentions the struggles faced by LGBTQIA+ youth - if you or anyone you know is struggling text ‘START’ to 678-678 to reach The Trevor Project SOURCES The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows - Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Comedian Anna Roisman (Big Wigs) joins the show to talk about her favorite moments from Love is Blind season six: when Chelsea told Jimmy she gets told she looks like Megan Fox & when Jimmy realizes that may not be true. Anna and Jolenta breakdown the scenes and discuss why you shouldn’t try to break the unspoken rules of a reality show. Anna's Insta - where all her great impressions are Hot Mess-terpiece Insta Jolenta's Insta Sources Love is Blind, Netflix Love Is Blind season 6's Chelsea responds to criticism over Megan Fox comparison, Entertainment Weekly Megan Fox Breaks Silence on Love Is Blind Star Chelsea's Comparison to Her and Ensuing Drama, E! News  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jolenta looks into the Maiden and Troubled Teen archetypes. And she does a deep dive on a Real Housewife that seems to embody this angsty ingénue:  Bronwyn from the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Insta Jolenta’s Insta SOURCES Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton Greek Mythology: Gods and Heroes Brought to Live, By Robert Garland The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows & Aftershows - Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jolenta is joined by Nicole Spiezio (How Were U Brainwashed?) to discuss a pivotal RHONY Legacy scene - the scene where Bethenny tells Luann her fiancé cheated on her "at the Regency, in front of everybody.” Nicole’s Podcast Housewife Sonata w/ Nicole Spiezio Hot Mess-terpiece Theatre Insta SOURCES - Real Housewives of New York City, Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Let’s do a deep dive on the Muse archetype, and her flirty evil twin the Femme Fatale. Parvati Shallow is the perfect example of both - and Jolenta has compiled some of Parv’s most seductive and cut-throat moments for your listening pleasure. Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Instagram Jolenta’s Instagram SOURCES Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton Greek Mythology: Gods and Heroes Brought to Life, By Robert Garland The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows - Peacock Survivor - Paramount+ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jolenta is joined by Amye Archer (Little Miss Recap) to discuss the explosive season 18 fight between Janelle and Kody Brown on Sister Wives. The two discuss breaking the 4th wall and narcissistic collapse, and Amye gives a stern warning for anyone who’s watching the new season of Sister Wives. Amye’s Instagram Jolenta’s Instagram Hot Mess-terpiece Theatre Instagram Sources Sister Wives, TLC Sister Wife: A Memoir of Faith, Family, and Finding Freedom, by Christine Brown Woolley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Girls Gor-gone Wild

Girls Gor-gone Wild

2025-09-2537:13

Jolenta does a realty TV deep dive on the Amazon archetype and her evil alter ego, the Gorgon. And she explores how Bethenny Frankel lives her life Amazon style with some wild Gorgon flare. Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Instagram Jolenta’s Instagram SOURCES Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton Greek Mythology: Gods and Heroes Brought to Life, By Robert Garland The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece, by Stephen Fry 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bethenny Frankel, Still Dragging Everyone - www.thecut.com/2023/11/bethenny-frankel-on-leading-the-real-housewives-reckoning.html Reckoning With Reality - www.vulture.com/article/reality-reckoning-reality-tv-union-history-explained.html Bravo Shows - Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jolenta is joined by Sarah Galli (Andy's Girls) to discuss the heartbreaking dissolution of the friendship between Bethenny Frankel and Carole Radziwill from the original Real Housewives of New York. Whose side were you on? Sarah’s Instagram Jolenta’s Instagram  Hot Mess-terpiece Theatre Instagram SOURCES Carole’s blog  post: https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-york-city/season-10/blogs/carole-radziwill/carole-radziwill-to-bnice-or A Timeline of Bethenny Frankel and Carole Radziwill's Complicated Friend Break-Up: https://www.eonline.com/news/955979/a-timeline-of-bethenny-frankel-and-carole-radziwill-s-complicated-friend-break-up-on-rhony-what-the-hell-happened We Finally Have The Full Backstory Behind Bethenny & Carole's RHONY Feud: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/08/208691/bethenny-frankel-carole-radziwell-feud-real-housewives-reunion Watch What Happens Live, Peacock The Real Housewives of New York, Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jolenta tries to make sense of what we’re seeing play out with Jenn Pedranti this season on The Real Housewives of Orange County. This leads to a deep dive on The Father’s Daughter archetype and her evil alter ego, The Backstabber.  Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Instagram Jolenta’s Instagram SOURCES The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece, by Stephen Fry Bravo shows, Peacock.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Comments (79)

Mahaw HtikeLay

good

Sep 4th
Reply

Marwa Batool

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Jul 29th
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Anonymous anonymous

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Jul 8th
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Dominique Chapados

love this podcast! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sep 4th
Reply

Ziba Hosseini

amazing

Jul 20th
Reply

aya

I love them so much but sometimes I feel they fake it the sound records made it worse to me, Idk if I'm the only one but that's how I really feel... Note: This is not a hate comment

May 28th
Reply

Pseudo Nymph

I'm one of the people that has listened to the podcast since the beginning. About two years ago I got really tired of Kristen having an identity crisis and Jolenta constantly complaining about her dad and her PE teacher. I gave the show a bad review and hate listened for another year. The show has improved so much since then, it's amazing. Jolenta has had so much personal growth since she started having her health problems, and Kristen is so much stronger and grounded over the past year. I have started to enjoy the podcast in a way that I haven't experienced since the first season. At the end of the episode I was actually annoyed at the people who were saying that the show used to be better and it sucks now. I'm just glad that I stuck it out because they're back to making some quality content.

Jan 20th
Reply

Finn O'Branagain

The kid was right - how do you think white people came to America?

Nov 28th
Reply

Nicole Hunt

this episode won't play for me, says there is a broken source code 🤷

Jul 2nd
Reply

Teddy

Interesting show/podcast. But explain time stamp 38:32_38:39 regarding Asian people in the Civil Rights movement you are referring to specifically. Again Interesting show.

Jun 11th
Reply

Andi-Roo Libecap

Bush is back, BAEBEE!

Mar 18th
Reply

Maria Jouravleva

This is just an ad, no message!

Mar 11th
Reply

JustAddLaughter

Thankful for this podcast. I get a lot of recommendations for self help books and this one popped up on Instagram from a small business owner. Doesn’t seem like it’s for me.

Nov 23rd
Reply

Ginger Cullen

kinda misses the point on a lot of steps. when you were assuming the guy was playing candy crush in the intersection you were still assuming

Nov 4th
Reply

Jeri Bitney

Thank you for doing this. This was a courageous, moral move on your part, and it must have been incredibly difficult for you.

Jun 16th
Reply

Sheryl Jatta

Whenever i listen to your podcasts, it randomly stops sometimes. i'm listening to it thru Castbox with an android phone. i love the podcasts by the way and i live in North Dakota!

May 6th
Reply

Nm

I'm excited for it!

Apr 2nd
Reply

Jolene Balsimo

I do like this podcast, but I cannot stand how they change their voices to these weird, vocal fry voices anytime they are talking about themselves. like saying things in a fake voice makes it easier to say things that are uncomfortable. Maybe just use your real voice more?

Mar 10th
Reply

Teresa Ellis

Dungeons and Dragons is much healthier than Real Housewives. In D&D the people whose lives are destroyed aren't real. I love playing D&D because I can act like a totally different person and try out different aspects of my personality within a safe space. I once played an antisocial, highly aggressive character and it was freeing. I'm usually very quiet and accommodating. I got to try out getting in characters' faces. It helped me learn how to stand up for myself in the real world by play acting in the game.

Mar 7th
Reply

Carol Egan-Davis

One of the things I love about this podcast is you read books that embrace values or viewpoints that differ from yours, Kristin and Jolinta (spelling?). Yet you approach them with an open mind. Awesome. And there are a bunch of other things I love too.

Feb 18th
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