Rational Romantics

Join Cass and Sheryl from LitChicks (@litchicksread on Instagram) as they discuss that phenomenon that's taking the world by storm: Hockey Romance! They of course deep dive the phenomenal first two episodes of Heated Rivalry, a book by Rachel Reid (friend of the pod -- listen to ep 26 for our conversation with Rachel!) turned into a TV series. They gush over the immaculate adaptation from a favorite book, the incredible acting and details included, and of course, the next-level spice that is worthy of Shane and Ilya. They discuss how they got into hockey romance, including some great recs if you're looking for new books to read, and of course chat about their lives and how they know each other. This is a delightful episode that you'll thoroughly enjoy if you're a hockey romance fan, and if you aren't yet, you probably will be after watching to Heated Rivalry and listening to this ep!

Cass talks WICKED For Good right after watching for the first time, and the reactions are raw and in awe! She also breaks down the news from several different fandoms this week, including a major update in the Bridgerverse about leading lady Sophie. She also highlights Heated Rivalry, the show premiering Nov 28 (and coming to HBO Max in the US!) with a little tease of next week that will have a lot more to say on that subject. Make sure to tune in for all the updates, speculation, and excitement for these fandoms and more!

Join Cass and familiar face Aynsley Broom as they catch up on pop culture events in recent days, and of course get off on tangents and deep dives. They of course talk Bridgerton Season 4, the new version of Frankenstein, and with that, the idea of adaptations as a whole. From Wuthering Heights to Toy Story 5, nothing is off limits (even questioning if Jane Austen ever saw her own hoo-ha)! These two long-time content creators discuss the perils and triumphs of being on social media, the surprising parallels between Instagram posts and Shakespeare, and so much more! Dive back in with these two as they chat about anything and everything!

Join Cass as she deep dives the Bridgerton news from this week, including the first character promo of Benedict Bridgerton and the "Sexiest Man Alive," Jonathan Bailey! She also shares some hints and clues about Season 5 from her super secret and fantastic sources. Hint: they confirmed a big theory for the next season. So make sure to listen to hear all about not only that, but also the personal interactions your hosts had with the Bridgerton cast! At Modern Oli (aka Footman John)'s show in London, they met several of the fantastic cast of their favorite show. This episode is filled with exciting details and close encounters with our favorite stars!

Join Cass and Deb as they break down the last four episodes of Outlander: Blood of My Blood! And of course discuss all the Bridgerton crumbs from this week. Make sure to stay tuned to the very end for an exciting announcement from your hosts that they cannot wait to share! But first, deep dive the Julia Quinn clues, tie-in merchandise hints, and casual photo op surprises from this week. Then join in the main event as Cass and Deb go through the ups and downs of the first season of Blood of My Blood, from romance heroics to virginity tests, and speculate about the future of the series, from Jacobite Risings to more time travel to come. It is a wild ride! Then of course, be the first to know about the big news Cass and Deb have to share...

Dearest Gentle Readers, the Ton is abuzz! Join and Cass and Deb as they deep dive every bit of news from the Bridgerverse this week -- and it was a big week! From the officially released dates for Season 4 to a swoon-worthy staircase promo, as well as BTS from promo shoots and crumbs dropped by Shondaland and Shonda herself, this episode is packed with all you need to know about the upcoming series. They of course talk about some big news in pop culture, including the Taylor Swift documentary and the Red, White & Royal Blue sequel, penned by a friend of the pod! And they analyze every frame and clue to dig into Benophie and S4.

Join Cass as she details some of the biggest news from this week, including a thrilling renewal for The Buccaneers and a bit of news in our Bridgerverse. Then, she answers some of your fabulous fan questions that are sure to warm us up during the last days of Fridgerton. From matching "Showgirl" tracks to Bridgerton characters to deep diving book to show differences, listen to this ep to get your questions answered!

When it rains it pours! In this episode, Cass and Deb discuss their two favorite things: Bridgerton and Taylor Swift. They address the huge leak in the Bridgerton fandom that confirms the release dates of Season 4! Exactly when they predicted, by the way ;) Cass and Deb dissect the imagery on the posters, theorize, and celebrate this amazing news before heading into all about The Life of a Showgirl. Join Cass and Deb as they deep dive every track, from upbeat masterpieces like Opalite to in-depth powerhouses like Eldest Daughter to scandalous bangers like Wood. This is an album, and a podcast, you aren't going to want to miss!

In this episode, Cass and Deb deep dive something totally new and yet extremely familiar: Themselves! They weave through their history with media, from the foundational movies that made them who they are (with direct lines they can draw from their favorite romance as a child to their favorite Bridgerton couple), to the teen shows and franchises that made them, and into their adulthood obsessions that are still with them to this day. Join these two for the surprises, tangents, and delightful digressions of this fun episode all about your hosts and what they love. A quick note from Cass and Deb: we discuss the Harry Potter franchise in this episode as we want to acknowledge our own history with the IP. We want to make completely clear that we support the trans community unequivocally and do not support any of the damaging rhetoric and actions that have been committed against them.

Cass and Deb dive back into the world of Outlander with three more episodes of Blood of My Blood! Join them as they weave through the complex web of fan theories and prophecies in the Scottish Highlands, as well as reflect on character development and an ever-thickening plot. Get fabulous fun facts, like a casual mention of Dougal's eventual wife, to massive clues about the eventual identity of a certain newborn baby. They share what they loved, what they weren't big fans of, and of course, they don't skip the hard stuff: be aware of some tough content and triggers, including discussion of birth and of sexual assault.

Let's get intimate! Join Cass and Deb as they chat with the incredible Vanessa Coffey, the intimacy coordinator for Outlander (since Season 6), Blood of My Blood, and The Buccaneers. She shares so much about the role and importance of intimacy coordination as well as how she got into the job, then dives deep into the practical and aesthetic concerns on set. From pandemic problems to pregnancy concerns, from who's on top or how to tug someone's hair, and even establishing trust between a fictional parent and child, Vanessa does it all! And she shares with the Rational Romantics all about it. And of course, Cass and Deb discuss some big developments in the Bridgerverse, as well as a massive Taylor Swift update. This is one of the most exciting and fascinating episodes in pod history -- make sure to tune in!

Welcome back to the world of Outlander! Cass and Deb dive into the first three episodes of Blood of My Blood, the prequel series featuring Jamie and Claire's parents. Join them as they weave through the fascinating, time-bending narrative at the beginning of this new, but deeply familiar, series. They explore the incredible casting choices, note fun facts from cameos to locations, and reflect on the story so far, as well as speculate on what's to come. If you're a longtime Sassenach, this is an episode, and a series, for you, full of appreciation for the original while being it's own story. And if you're new to the Outlander Universe, this is a great place to start. The series stands fully on its own, and this podcast will be with you every step of the way to enjoy, deep dive, and theorize!

Buckle in, Rational Romantics, because there are two very exciting topics for this episode! First, Cass and Deb deep dive the incredibly exciting news from Taylor Swift that her new album, "The Life of a Showgirl," is releasing October 3rd. Oh, and she did a massive, two-hour long podcast interview with Jason and Travis Kelce where she discussed everything from her romance with Travis, to getting back her masters, to her new album. Cass and Deb can't contain their excitement for this new era! And following, they talk to another dynamo in her industry: author Rachel Reid. Her book, Heated Rivalry, a queer hockey romance, is being made into a television series at Crave. Cass and Deb discuss the fabulous, steamy books, as well as what to expect from the show. The cast is incredible, the story impeccable, and you are not going to want to miss Heated Rivalry -- or this interview!

Cass and Deb dive into the rollercoaster that is the Buccaneers Season Two! Join them for all the details, theories, and strong feelings this newest series evoked. From the loss of beloved characters to massive bombshells about scandals, affairs, and paternity, this season was packed. Of course, Cass and Deb don't pull punches, from praises the incredible and difficult storyline Jinny had to face, to making their feelings known about that ending. If you want honest reactions and true feelings about this season, this is the place to go. They also look forward to a potential season three and start to discuss what they may want to see from this show moving forward. If you're a Buccaneers fan, or a fan of Cass and Deb feeling strongly about things, this is an episode for you!

Cass and Deb chat with the incredible Jenny Rhodes-MacLean, the hair and makeup designer for The Buccaneers who has also worked on some of our other favorite shows, like Bridgerton. She gives incredible insight into some major evolutions for the characters that is shown in their look, from Theo's darker hair to Honoria's softer glow. If you're a Buccaneers fan, or just enjoy learning about all the details that go into crafting such a phenomenal show, this is an interview for you! And of course, Cass and Deb deep dive all the updates in Bridgerton, Outlander, and more. From fantastic casting news to theories, there's always something to get excited about!

Buckle in listeners, because this one is a ride! In case you missed it, Cass and Deb interviewed the one and only Oli Higginson (aka Footman John, aka Modern Oli) on episode 22 of the pod. Go give that one a listen, then dive into episode 23 where the Rational Romantics discuss and dissect every aspect of the interview. From massive revelations regarding certain songs that may be showing up in Bridgerton Season 4 to wild theories about a certain servant's parentage, this is a packed and thrilling episode. Plus a bit of Cass and Deb's raw reactions to the interview: spoiler alert, there are a few squeals and giggles. And make sure you stick around to the very end to hear a last clip from Oli himself that gives us a big hint for when we will be getting some exciting news in the Bridgerverse. Go follow Oli's music @modern_oli on Instagram, and drop your thoughts and theories in the comments on socials. There's so much to discuss in this episode!

Join Cass and Deb with a very special guest, Oli Higginson! We met him first as Footman John in the Bridgerton house, a role he has played from Season 1 and into Season 4, the upcoming series. As Modern Oli (@modern_oli on Instagram), he's kicking off an already impressive career in music. Cass and Deb get the chance to ask him all the burning questions about his songwriting process, his upcoming record, and of course, both his history and future with Footman John. Dive into this fantastic interview where seeds are planted, teases are toyed with, and MASSIVE clues and revelations are dropped. The Rational Romantics are so excited to bring you this phenomenal interview with such a fantastic person, and it is certainly an episode you will not want to miss!

Cass and Deb complete their "Galitzine Education" as they each bring a movie starring the heartthrob Nicholas Galitzine that the other hasn't seen and discuss their new watch! And make sure to stick around to the end for a VERY special announcement of the next guest on the pod. But first, Cass discovers the fairy tale wonder of "Cinderella" as Deb notes the Benophie-coded music and the girl-power centered retelling of a familiar story. Deb dives into the intercontinental romance of "Red, White & Royal Blue" as Cass highlights the enemies to lovers turn and the powerful, authentically queer love story. Two fabulous movies with a swoony hero in common, and a great discussion! Followed by the most delectable of desserts -- big news for the pod! Definitely don't miss your Galitzine Eductation!

Join Cass and Deb as they chat with Gemma Burgess, the showrunner and executive producer of "My Lady Jane!" Your Rational Romantics hosts update you on the world of the Bridgerverse, including some whiplash around a rumored second season of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Then they dive into the interview with Gemma, who reveals the casting process for the iconic Jane and Guildford in Emily Bader and Edward Bluemel, as well as reveals behind-the-scenes details (a cut clandestine handy under the table that distracted from the attempted poisoning, anyone?), and has some fabulous laughs as the ladies chat about this phenomenal show. And while their disappointment that "My Lady Jane" wasn't renewed for a Season Two is palpable, Gemma helps ease the pain a bit by revealing some MAJOR plot points that were coming if they had gotten to continue. A year after "My Lady Jane" aired, this gem of a show, and this gem of a showrunner, are still delivering.

You know we couldn't leave you hanging! Cass and Deb dive into all their thoughts on the Bridgerton Season 4 Wrapped video! From a glimpse of Sophie in blue -- or perhaps more precisely, teal? -- to a grown up Gregory and our first look at Michaela in Season 4 with Francesca...there is so much to discuss! This is a bonus episode that is entirely packed with details and theories, even ones that Cass and Deb discover in the process of the podcast. You must make haste to listen along and share all your thoughts on the many threads this video spins.