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Dear Listener: WHAT IS TIME? 2024 is upon us, so we decided to make your holiday book shopping seamless with Amazon Books senior editor Seira Wilson who shares her top five books with Inky Phoenix appeal from their annual list. Kate and Kathryn gab about the acquisition of Inky Phoenix Press first book and the enjoyment of saying the word listicle. In Bonus content: Kate and Kathryn share their Top 3 list: favorite book, tv show, and wild card of 2023!

We're thrilled to have Michelle Davis (queen of the Bad Manners recipe empire) back on the pod to celebrate the launch of their newest cookbook: HUNGRY AS HELL. And being that Kathryn and Kate are always hungry as hell, they open with a discussion of Kathryn's prolific cooking, Kate's kitchen manager skills, and where she could do better. Michelle talks food, satiating her hunger, and finding true love with her wife.

Imagine a world where a doctor says: you're morphing into a great white shark. That's the wild premise of our guest's debut novel, Shark Heart: A Love Story. Kate and Kathryn open by contemplating what creatures they would most want (and not want) to morph into, followed by a delightful conversation with Emily Habeck about her theatrical background, dealing with rejection, and the inspiration for this gorgeously imaginative novel.Support our podcast by becoming a member of The Inky Phoenix: https://inkyphoenix.binderybooks.comLove the show? Please subscribe, rate and review.

Thought you'd seen the last of us, huh? After a two-year hiatus we are BACK right in time for Kathryn to launch Inky Phoenix Press! That's right y'all, The Inky Phoenix is now a subscription platform (think Patreon for book lovers) made possible through Bindery Books. Co-founders Matt Kaye and Meghan Harvey join us to explain this revolutionary publishing model, how it came to be, and what to expect as a member. And as always, Kate and Kathryn kick things off with some playful banter about what they've been up to in the last few years.Interested in joining The Inky Phoenix? Learn more here: https://inkyphoenix.binderybooks.com

Kathryn and Kate open up about the inner workings of their relationship while Kate wrote her latest book, ALL THE COLORS CAME OUT, and the pair brings on Kate's mom while the show is rolling. (Oh, oh, and many jokes are had about the size of Kate's ego!)

Welcome to world of Popisho! Kate and Kathryn muse about magic, and why and when we lose our connection with it, then author Leone Ross (POPISHO) reassures Kathryn to stick to her magical guns. Leone shares what her “cors” (magical ability) would be, how to return to the flow of creativity, permission to understand strangeness, and by the end of the show, has Kathryn and Producer Lindsay in tears. Oh, and get ready to learn about pum pums.

And today … we have the NYT bestselling author of IN FIVE YEARS, Rebecca Serle! Rebecca chats about the difference in writing for the page vs. the silver screen, writing as a means to figure out your life, and why she is focusing on being present for success. Kathryn and Kate open with a comedy of errors on astrological signs.

Kate and Kathryn are shocked to discover they have a blind spot related to ice cream (they ask for listener feedback!), then they welcome Sarah Penner — author of the debut NYT bestseller THE LOST APOTHECARY — a page-turning novel set between modern day London and 1791 about a woman who secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them.

Kate and Kathryn have a mind meld about what their joint pen name would be, then the duo chats with British married author duo Ellery Lloyd (whose debut novel PEOPLE LIKE HER is like Gone Girl with a momstagram account!) about writing with your partner and how they gleaned all their smart insights about social media.

Kathryn quizzes Kate on the mythical origins of some well-known idioms (spill the beans, anyone?), then the duo are joined by BBC host and bestselling author Natalie Haynes (A THOUSAND SHIPS) who shares why the classics are for EVERYONE!

Kate and Kathryn plumb the mysteries of the allure of novels set at boarding schools with Ellie Eaton, debut author of THE DIVINES. The trio also discusses what motivates Ellie to sit down and write, and how, in England, your accent (posh!) reveals a whole lot about you. Oh, plus, K&K discuss their takeaway from the Pixar movie, Soul

Luvvie, goddess of cheekbones, truth and jollof is in the house and she’s here to talk about her newest book, PROFESSIONAL TROUBLE MAKER: THE FEAR-FIGHTER MANUAL. We discuss what it means to fail loudly, speaking truth, being human, the fear of success, and most importantly, why everyone needs their own hype mantra.

THEY’RE BACK for Season ... 4? Kate and KB sit down with debut author Genevieve Gornichec to talk about writing an epic saga, Kathryn and Genevieve’s mutual love for Norse mythology, should YOU watch Vikings, and what it means to be a Nordic Re-enactor, plus Kate hits Kathryn with the list of Free Cookies notes they built up during the off-season.

In this year’s Free Cookies finale (

Kate and Kathryn assess whether the pandemic has caused them to merge into one person, then they each share their top three TV shows — and they agree on the best one! — as well as their top three books of 2020.

Kathryn and Kate talk identity and achievement with two-time Olympic runner Kara Goucher, as well as how to remain focused in an unjust world.

“Do you think a life has any value if one doesn’t leave some mark upon the world?” These words swirl at the center of V.E. Schwab’s magnificent novel, THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE. K + K talk to Victoria about manifesting success vs. rolling with the punches, casual queerness in literature, perseverance and the importance of knowing your story is worth telling.

Kathryn and Kate share quotes that have recently inspired them — “pessimism is a misuse of imagination” — a conversation inspired by the magical bestselling author Stephanie Garber who shares her wisdom about perseverance and the pivotal moment in her writing career that allowed her to keep creating.

K&K discuss their varied reactions to on-screen awkwardness, then welcome actor (and yogi!) Zosia Mamet — part of the hit HBO show GIRLS and upcoming THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT — onto the show to talk about maintaining identity and sense of self in the swirl of Hollywood.

A gift for Cookie Monsters ahead of Tuesday’s election: a breath-and body-focused meditation, from Free Cookies-favorite Gina Caputo, for staying in our bodies when our minds want to spin out into the stress-o-sphere.

In honor of their quirky conversation with brilliant English writer Stuart Turton — of THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER — Kate and Kathryn share a list they’ve been building during quarantine about behaviors depicted in movies and on TV that NEVER happen in real life.

You can’t have a government that represents the people when the people don’t vote for them.” A little taste of the incisive insight from guest Stephanie Young, the managing director for culture, communications and media for When We All Vote. Want to vote but don’t know if you should do it early, by mail, or in person? Ready to make a difference but don’t know where to start? Stephanie breaks it all down. Tune in and vote: this episode is for you.

Kate and Kathryn breakdown a line from writer Susan Sontag — “Impossible to feel sincere while having one’s photograph taken” — and how it applies to the current world we find ourselves in.

The low-fat 90s, the high-protein aughts ... ever wonder when scientists would finally discover what foods best fuel the human body? Kate and Kathryn sit down — in person, from 10 West Edge in downtown Charleston! — with the New York Times bestselling author of FIBER FUELED, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, to breakdown his sexy research on what foods will make our bodies go vroom vroom. Enjoying the show and want occasional bonus content? Please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/freecookies

A conversation that includes “cosmic nihilism” has always gotten someplace good, and Kate & Kathryn go there and dive deep with Vikram Paralkar, author of NIGHT THEATER and oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania, whose novel imagines the afterlife as a bureaucracy and touches upon themes of morality and “mattering.”Enjoying the show and want occasional bonus content? Please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/freecookies

Kate and Kathryn discuss the concept of food tethering the soul to the body, and how far away some of us have gotten from that idea, then they are joined by the inimitable Kristen Kish, author of Kristen Kish Cooking and Top Chef, who talks about the small lessons that stick with her and, most importantly, her fierce backward hat game.

Kate and Kathryn bring on producer Lindsay Collins to talk about her sketch comedy creation, an espresso-guzzling zebra — a conversation in keeping with the flavor of the show’s main guest, Jean Kyoung Frazier, author of the book PIZZA GIRL, which includes one of Kathryn’s favorite snippets of dialogue ever written and has inspired her pizza-topping game.

Kathryn and Kate deconstruct the #challengeaccepted campaign on Instagram, why they didn’t do it, and what “women supporting women” in action looks like — it looks exactly like what the WNBA has done this season, which is why K&K are joined by WNBA all-star Layshia Clarendon for an inside look at social justice in action and the league’s #sayhername campaign.

Before chatting with debut — and New York Times bestselling! — novelist Megha Majumdar, Kate and Kathryn discuss a fascinating new quirk in one of their dogs (will any listeners relate?) as well as the brand-new women’s soccer league franchise in Los Angeles.

Kathryn and Kate discuss their thoughts on ... making a baby! ... (should they? Is it the right time?) all in honor of their guest, Latham Thomas, doula, founder of Mama Glow, and author of Own Your Glow.

Kate and Kathryn talk with internationally bestselling author Anthony Horowitz (19 million copies sold!) about the origin and fruition of ideas, the anatomy of writing a murder mystery, how writing saved his life, and whether or not Clue is his favorite movie.

In honor of the last day of Pride Month, Kate and Kathryn discuss their favorite LGBTQ+ movies and TV shows (Kathryn impressively manages to butcher every title) before bringing on award-winning author of THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA, TJ Klune. TJ walks us through his magical cast of characters, the importance of queer representation in literature, how writing calms the storm in his head, and why J.K. Rowling is breaking our hearts.

Kate and Kathryn talk about decolonizing their bookshelves then talk with guest, Quentin Vennie, author of the memoir Strong in the Broken Places. Quentin discusses his thoughts on racial equity, growing up Black in Baltimore, his battle with anxiety, and holding members of the wellness world accountable.

Nicole Cardoza, yoga teacher and founder of Yoga Foster and Reclamation Ventures, joins Kate and Kathryn to discuss her controversial experience with Yoga Journal, inclusivity in the wellness world, and her Anti-Racist Daily Newsletter. Find and support her work on Patreon.

“Writing is an act of courage.” These words are stenciled in the home of today’s inimitable guest, Sue Monk Kidd, and her newest NYT bestselling novel THE BOOK OF LONGINGS is proof of that conviction. Sue eloquently explains both her evolution as a writer, discovering she was homesick for herself, and the emotional impetus for one of the loveliest prayers ever written. This episode is EVERYTHING.

Kate and Kathryn talk with George M. Johnson, author of the new YA memoir/manifesto, ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE, about the importance of queer stories for kids, as well as the almost criminal lack of sex education in schools — especially for LGBTQ kids.

For those days where you can’t decide between Steel Magnolias or Dracula, look no further: Grady Hendrix, NYT bestselling author of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, joins K + K to entertain you with his dazzling wit, southern hospitality, and affinity for everything that goes bump in the night. K + K are also joined by producer Lindsay to discuss the recent Alison Roman and Chrissy Teigen drama and their collective thoughts on cancel culture

Kate and Kathryn, inspired by the haunting protagonist of MY DARK VANESSA, discuss how the brain works to make the broken parts of life fit our story. They’re then joined by NYT bestselling author, Kate Elizabeth Russell, to further explore the concepts or obsession, dedication and how to let your character speak for herself.

Calling all lovers of myth, story and rosy-fingered dawns ... Kate and Kathryn geek out with Madeline Miller, the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of CIRCE and SONG OF ACHILLES. The trio discuss history’s unwritten characters and why the classics will keep you humble.

K + K chat with Melissa Albert, the New York Times Bestselling author of The Hazel Wood and The Night Country. Trust us: These aren’t your Disney fairytales. Melissa divulges her attraction to darkness, what it’s like to create original fairytales, and the greatest of all mysteries ... what is in her stew? Bonus: Kathryn puts on her best storyteller voice and reads from one of her favorite tales, The Snow Queen.

Emily St John Mandel, author of Station Eleven and the newly released The Glass Hotel, chats with Kate and Kathryn about her most recent book, the idea of counter lives, money as its own country, and Kate’s proclivity toward disasters. If you haven’t read her National Book Award nominated Station Eleven, yes — the time is now!

Calling all storytellers! Kate and Kathryn talk with Will Storr, the best-selling author of The Science of Storytelling, about how our brain tells stories, cause and effect, what makes elevated storytelling and how Odysseus most definitely was the OG hustler.

Kate and Kathryn wanted to understand how this pandemic is effecting small businesses, so they spoke with a yoga entrepreneur (Gina Caputo of Colorado School of Yoga), boutique owner (Stacy Smallwood of Hampden Clothing), cafe owner (Jon Echeverry of Paper Plane Coffee) and restauranteurs (Melody and Michael Shemtov of Butcher & Bee). Also, from now on: we dunk at 8pm.

Kate and Kathryn, live from Blue Bicycle Books in Charleston, chat with Alison Roman, NYT Cooking columnist, bestselling author of Nothing Fancy, and Mother of Stews. Oh, and K + K kick it off with dinosaur erotica.

Kate and Kathryn are back and they are CHEETAHS! And they’ve brought with them the funny and brilliant Glennon Doyle, author of UNTAMED, her brand new #1 NYT memoir/manifesto filled with insights.

K&K are joined by Victoria and Tamal Dodge, whose new book, The Yoga Plate, has hit shelves. The group talks about judgement-free veganism, “doing the least harm”, and everything from the wolves in Yellowstone to Gandhi.

K + K drop an emoji bombshell:

Kate and Kathryn pull back the curtain on Season 3 and what the game-plan is going forward.

Kate and Kathryn chat about Kathryn’s newest creation, then Kathryn (

Kathryn and Kate host a live event with Jennifer Pastiloff, author of the brand-new memoir, On Being Human. The duo talk to Jen about, well, being human: depression and death and truth and dorking out.

Kate and Kathryn dive into their relationship with eating animals and how the book, Eating Animals, has shaped Kathryn’s (and by extension Kate’s) thinking. Then they are joined by the executive director of Farm Forward, a non-profit trying to end factory farming.