Digest

The hosts discuss a dramatic episode of "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" and their author photos as personal highs. They passionately critique the political use of SNAP benefits and advocate for donating to food banks. Celebrity news includes David Harbour using a fake name at a bookstore, leading to a discussion on celebrity anonymity. Podcast recommendations focus on writing and author interviews, with mentions of "Book Gang," "Pen Pals," and "Glamorous Trash." On Halloween, they explore beliefs in the supernatural, sharing personal anecdotes. The episode features ads for Wendy Walker's thriller "The Room Next Door" and Quince's apparel. A guessing game reveals surprising expensive liquids like printer ink and scorpion venom. They reflect on developing good habits like exercise and breaking bad ones like excessive online shopping. Fall flavor preferences are debated, with a split between pumpkin and apple enthusiasts. Current obsessions include finding designer items on TheRealReal and watching "Dancing with the Stars," which is praised for its lighthearted entertainment. Book reviews cover "Kiss of the Basilisk" (snake shifter smut), "Female Fantasy" (contemporary romance parody), and the memoir "Sister Wife" by Christine Woolley Brown. The November book club pick, "The Correspondent," a novel told through letters, is announced.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction, Highs, and Societal Issues

The hosts begin by sharing personal highs, including a dramatic "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" episode and new author photos. They then pivot to a serious discussion about the expiration of SNAP benefits, criticizing their use as political leverage and encouraging donations to food banks.

00:13:44

Celebrity Gossip and Podcast Recommendations

The conversation shifts to lighter topics, starting with the anecdote of David Harbour using the fake name "Doug Cheese" at a bookstore, which sparks a fun debate about celebrity privacy and pseudonyms. Following this, the hosts share their current podcast listening habits, recommending "Book Gang," "Pen Pals," and "Glamorous Trash," while also soliciting recommendations from their audience.

00:29:51

Supernatural Beliefs and Expensive Liquids

Embracing the Halloween spirit, the hosts delve into their beliefs about ghosts, psychics, and astrology, sharing personal experiences that touch upon the unexplained. This segment transitions into a game guessing the world's most expensive liquids, revealing surprising items like printer ink and scorpion venom.

00:48:21

Habits, Fall Flavors, and Current Obsessions

The hosts discuss their personal habits, highlighting both positive developments like regular exercise and negative ones such as overspending. They then engage in a seasonal debate about fall flavor preferences, specifically pumpkin versus apple. This leads into sharing their current obsessions, including a designer find on TheRealReal and an unexpected enjoyment of "Dancing with the Stars."

01:05:09

Entertainment and Book Reviews

The discussion touches on the lighthearted appeal of "Dancing with the Stars" as a contrast to more dramatic reality shows. The hosts then dive into reviews of several books: "Kiss of the Basilisk," described as a "snake shifter smut book"; "Female Fantasy," a blend of contemporary romance and parody; and the memoir "Sister Wife" by Christine Woolley Brown, detailing her experiences in fundamental Mormonism.

01:10:59

November Book Club Announcement

The segment concludes with the announcement of the November book club pick, "The Correspondent" by Virginia Evans, a novel told entirely through letters, which has gained popularity through word-of-mouth and explores complex family relationships.

Keywords

Q&A

• What reality TV show episode was considered a "masterpiece" by a host?

  The episode of "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" that featured a crossover with "Below Deck" was described as a masterpiece due to its dramatic scenarios and striking moments.

• Why did David Harbour reportedly use a fake name at a bookstore?

  The incident highlights how celebrities may use fake names to maintain privacy, sparking a discussion about fame and pseudonyms.

• What podcasts were recommended for those interested in writing and authors?

  Recommendations included "Book Gang," "Pen Pals," and "Glamorous Trash," offering insights into writing processes and author interviews.

• What are some of the most expensive liquids discussed?

  Surprisingly, printer ink is among the most expensive, along with scorpion venom and king cobra venom, due to their rarity and specialized uses.

• What good and bad habits did the hosts discuss?

  A good habit mentioned was regular exercise, while bad habits included excessive eating out, online shopping, and checking phones frequently.

• What are the hosts' preferred fall flavors?

  One host identifies as an "apple person," enjoying cider and apple crisp, while the other leans towards pumpkin flavors, particularly in baked goods.

• What is the appeal of "The RealReal"?

  The RealReal is appealing for its selection of pre-owned luxury items at lower prices, making designer fashion more accessible.

• Why does the speaker enjoy "Dancing with the Stars"?

  The show is found to be light, positive, and entertaining, offering a pleasant viewing experience compared to more stressful programs.

• What is "Kiss of the Basilisk" about?

  It's described as an "insane snake shifter smut book" with an engaging plot that effectively raises the stakes for the reader.

• What is unique about the book "Female Fantasy"?

  This book blends contemporary romance with a parody of mermaid romance novels, offering fun and poignant insights into the genre.

• What does Christine Woolley Brown's memoir "Sister Wife" cover?

  The memoir details her life in fundamental Mormonism, her relationship with Cody Brown, and her decision to leave their polygamous marriage.

• What is the November book club pick and why is it notable?

  The pick is "The Correspondent," a novel told through letters, which has become a word-of-mouth sensation for its plot and exploration of family relationships.

Show Notes