Do you accept the love you deserve?

My friend, Priscilla, and I chat about the incredibly unique and moving memoir In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado. Carmen illuminates and writes about her own experience with domestic abuse within her same-sex relationship—bringing her story and those like it out of the shadows and into the conversation. Priscilla and I reflect on the ways we resonated with Carmen and the ways she helped open our minds and hearts.

Listener discretion advised: this episode contains adult language, discussion about abuse and domestic violence

If you have any comments or questions, please connect with me on Instagram or email babesinbooklandpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback! If you leave a kind review, I’ll read it top of show!

Link to this episode’s book:
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

Other ways to support/connect with Carmen Maria Machado
Instagram

Link to Domestic Violence in the LGTBQ+ community statistics

Ways to support survivors of Domestic Violence
https://www.asafeplace.org/
https://www.1736fcc.org/
https://www.sfaws.org/

National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-SAFE(7233)
Text BEGIN to 88788

https://www.womenslaw.org/

Transcripts are auto-generated through Apple’s podcast app—they may not be perfect, but relying on them allows me to dedicate more time to the show! If you’re interested in being a transcript angel, let me know.

This episode is produced, recorded, and edited by me.

Special thanks (again!) to my dear friend, Priscilla. Best friends for over TWENTY YEARS!!! (We don’t talk about sophomore year).

Xx, Alex

How can we continue to learn and grow?

Tara Westover’s Educated is a moving, inspiring, and thought-provoking memoir. My friend, Jaime, and I discuss Tara’s courage to challenge the beliefs she had been conditioned to accept all of her life. And even though her education came with a devastating personal price, her journey is a reminder of the importance of self-reflection, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Listener discretion advised: this episode contains adult language, discussion about abuse

If you have any comments or questions, please connect with me on Instagram or email babesinbooklandpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback!

Link to this episode’s book:
Educated by Tara Westover

Other ways to support/connect with Tara Westover
Instagram

Link to Food Stamp Statistics

Transcripts are auto-generated through Apple’s podcast app—they may not be perfect, but relying on them allows me to dedicate more time to the show! If you’re interested in being a transcript angel, let me know.

This episode is produced, recorded, and edited by me.

Special thanks (again!) to my dear friend, Jaime. You’re one of the few I’d cold plunge for!

Xx, Alex

What makes you laugh?

My friend, Page, and I are in awe of how Michelle Buteau seems to lead her life with laughter. That isn’t to say she hasn’t faced hard things— being a Black woman in America and Hollywood, a body that matured way faster than her peers, and a difficult journey to motherhood that many friends didn’t know how to support (just to name a few!) But her book exudes joy and is as inspiring and funny as it is relatable. We get into our first kiss stories, how to show up for your friends and yourself, and THE BEST CLAP BACK EVER. Seriously. EVER.

Listener discretion advised: this episode contains adult language

If you have any comments or questions, please connect with me on Instagram or email babesinbooklandpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback!

Link to this episode’s book:
Survival of the Thickest by Michelle Buteau

Other ways to support/connect with Michelle Buteau
Instagram

Transcripts are auto-generated through Apple’s podcast app—they may not be perfect, but relying on them allows me to dedicate more time to the show! If you’re interested in being a transcript angel, let me know.

This episode is produced, recorded, and edited by me.

Special thanks to my dear friend, Page. Thanks for laughing with me since we were 10 years old. Even though that one time I almost choked and that other time you had the worst hang over ever.

Xx, Alex

Can you break through the fear to find the hope and the light?

I’m so happy to share this episode as our country prepares to make a very important decision this November. My friend Colette and I discuss Dr. Edith Eger’s hellish journey as a Holocaust survivor and are inspired by and marvel at her ability to choose goodness, hope, and love in the face of unspeakable evils and trauma. We reflect on the power we all have in our choices—to see ourselves as the victims or as the captains of our own lives. Colette also drops some beautiful nuggets of wisdom along the way!

Listener discretion advised: this episode contains adult language, descriptions of horrific abuse, and attempted rape

If you have any comments or questions, please connect with me on Instagram or email babesinbooklandpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback!

Link to this episode’s book:
The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eger

The Young Adult Version of this book:
The Ballerina of Auschwitz by Dr. Edith Eger

Other links:
NationalWW2Museum.org

Other ways to support/connect with Dr. Edith Eger
Instagram
https://dreger.yoursoulsearch.org/

Transcripts are auto-generated through Apple’s podcast app—they may not be perfect, but relying on them allows me to dedicate more time to the show! If you’re interested in being a transcript angel, let me know.

This episode is produced, recorded, and edited by me.

Special thanks to my dear friend, Colette. You are a beautiful light in my own life!

Xx, Alex

Where do your beliefs about yourself and your worth come from? (And how do we change them!?)

We’re finishing up our discussion about Erika L Sánchez’s transformative memoir this week. My friend Diliana is back with more incredibly thoughtful moments and a few confessions about trying to adhere to early aughts beauty standards. We chat about what we allow ourselves to enjoy and what we feel guilty about indulging in and how Erika’s memoir allowed us to reflect on who we have been and who we want to be.

Listener discretion advised: this episode contains adult language

If you have any comments or questions, please connect with me on Instagram or email babesinbooklandpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback!

Link to this episode’s book:
Crying in the Bathroom by Erika L. Sánchez

Other links:
Kerry’s Washington’s performance of Sojourner Truth’s speech: Ain't I A Woman?
ORLAN’S Instagram

Other ways to support/connect with Erika L. Sánchez:
Instagram
Lesson on Expulsion
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Transcripts are auto-generated through Apple’s podcast app—they may not be perfect, but relying on them allows me to dedicate more time to the show! If you’re interested in being a transcript angel, let me know.

This episode is produced, recorded, and edited by me.

Special thanks to my dear friend, Diliana. You give me the freedom and encouragement to explore all ideas—good and bad. I think this was a good idea!

Xx, Alex

How do you thrive instead of just survive?

In her thought-provoking and vulnerable memoir, Erika L. Sánchez bares all. My friend Diliana and I gain perspective and reflect on our own lives, including Diliana’s experience as a teenage immigrant, the pressure of being extraordinary, and reflect on Erika’s inspiring journey to the incredible woman she is today.

Listener discretion advised: Erika's mental health journey includes suicidal thoughts, attempted sexual assault and rape

If you have any comments or questions, please connect with me on Instagram or email babesinbooklandpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback!

Link to this episode’s book:
Crying in the Bathroom by Erika L. Sánchez

Article mentioned in the discussion:
Histories and Hysteria: How Women's Words and Bodies Are Mistreated by the Health System in America

Other ways to support/connect with Erika L. Sánchez:
Instagram
Lesson on Expulsion
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Transcripts are auto-generated through Apple’s podcast app—they may not be perfect, but relying on them allows me to dedicate more time to the show! If you’re interested in being a transcript angel, let me know.

This episode is produced, recorded, and edited by me.

Special thanks to my dear friend, Diliana. Thank you for being my creative partner in crime!

Xx, Alex

Where will your ambition lead you?

My friend, Chanelle, and I dive into Rana el Kaliouby’s fascinating memoir about pursuing your purpose against all odds. We chat about the issues women with careers in the technology field face, how isolating our personal journeys can feel, and the way we might be holding ourselves back from welcoming success in our lives.

Listener discretion advised: this episode has description of war crimes

If you have any comments or questions, please connect with me on Instagram or email babesinbooklandpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback!

Link to this episode’s book:
Girl Decoded by Rana el Kaliouby

Other ways to support/connect with Rana el Kaliouby:
Instagram
Pioneers of AI Podcast

Transcripts are available through apple’s podcast app—they may not be perfect, but relying on them allows me to dedicate more time to the show! If you’re interested in being a transcript angel, let me know.

This episode is produced, recorded, and edited by me.

Special thanks to my dear friend, Chanelle. I’m in awe of your talent!

Xx, Alex

How do your ancestors guide you?

United States Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo, takes us on her journey of discovery with beautiful prose. My friend, Priscilla, and I discuss the interesting way she weaves poetry, her familial history, her spiritual intuition, and art into her unique and inspirational story. We reflect on the way our own relationships have shaped us, the expectations that come with life, and the way that art can guide and heal us.

Listener discretion advised: this episode contains mature language and sensitive discussion topics including sexual assault

If you have any comments or questions, please connect with me on Instagram or email babesinbooklandpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your suggestions and feedback!

Link to this episode’s book:
Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo

Link to Joy’s Poet Laureate Project:
Living Nations

Other ways to support/connect with Joy Harjo:
Buy her books!
Instagram
joyharjo.com

Transcripts are available through apple’s podcast app—they may not be perfect, but relying on them allows me to dedicate more time to the show! If you’re interested in being a transcript angel, let me know.

This episode is produced, recorded, and edited by me.

Special thanks to my dear friend, Priscilla-- my ride or die. You’re there for me through all the ups and downs, thanks for always being a hand to hold.

Xx, Alex