Smooch Fest - the Kissing and Pop Culture Podcast

24 Episodes

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Insecure & Challengers (with Eteng Ettah)

2026-10-2201:09:22

This week, Lena is joined by Eteng Ettah (host of Consider This For Comfort) to discuss the iconic smooches in the TV show, Insecure, and the movie, Challengers. The two start by talking about the three-way kiss between Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor in the 2024 film directed by Luca Guadagnino. Then Eteng tells a story about her first kiss, which occurred in a church basement (scandalous!). Next, Lena and Eteng do a deep dive into the much loved 2010s show created by Issa Rae, Insecu...

Best Kisses in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (with Olivia Haidar)

2026-10-0801:27:38

As we get closer to Halloween, Smooch Fest revisits the beloved teen show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Lena is joined by Olivia Haidar (Movie Projectionist and Cool Person) to discuss the seminal kissing scenes from the entire series. They focus on the kisses between Buffy and Angel and later, Buffy and Spike. They compare Buffy’s two vampire boyfriends and struggle to decide who is best for her. Next, the two talk about Willow and Tara - whose sapphic relationship was the first lesbian...

Practical Magic, The Craft, and Witchy Kisses (with Kiru Nwadiwe)

2026-09-2453:50

We’re falling into spooky season so Kiru Nwadiwe (Teacher, Booktoker) joins Lena to talk about her favorite witchy kisses from The Craft and Practical Magic. They talk about the rich tapestry of 90s witchy media and the boho whimsigoth era that defined a generation. Lena discovers that Kiru is repulsed by choreography videos. Do NOT try to woo her with those! Then they dive into 1998’s Practical Magic. Lena gets on her soapbox about why it’s GOOD this movie is so genre bending. They r...

Romance & Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (with Jillian Davis)

2026-09-0301:00:34

Book Agent and co-host of the Pemberley Podcast, Jillian Davis, joins Lena Olson this week to talk all things romance! They discuss the Indie French romcom, Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, and compare the kissing scenes between Agathe and her two suitors. Later, Lena asks Jillian about her life as a book agent, her favorite romance books, and her suggestions for writing a good smooch. Lena then explains how courtship customs were different in the Regency era. Follow Jillian: https://www....

SMOOCH SMACKDOWN: Best Kisses in Animation (with Ashley Gharaibeh)

2026-08-2001:06:49

We’ve got Ashley Gharaibeh joining the pod to talk about the best smooches in animation! First, they review the new anime series “Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You”. Ashley gives Lena the lowdown on the anime scene and why this particular series is so special. They discuss age gap relationships and the underrated concept of YEARNING. Next, Ashley tells the story about her first (and unfortunately worst) kiss —it’s a doozy! Stay for the Smooch Smackdown, where Lena and Ashley rank ...

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Smooch Fest - the Kissing and Pop Culture Podcast