Pop Fiction Women

On today's Complicated Conversations, we welcome Catherine Steadman, an author, screenwriter, and actress often recognized for playing Mabel Lane Fox in Downton Abbey. Catherine's new novel, Look In The Mirror, is a psychological thriller with a propulsive plot that will have you turning pages through every heart-pounding twist and turn.  We chat with Catherine about her exploration of themes of secrets, identity, and the complexities of familial relationships. She delves into the character development of Nina and Maria, the narrative structure of her book, and the inspirations drawn from escape room/game theory stories and literary influences like T.S. Eliot's poem, The Wasteland. Catherine writes like an actor, thinking first of character and theme and it clearly shows! Finally, she shares details about writing the screenplay for the forthcoming adaptation of Lisa Jewel's bestselling novel, Then She Was Gone. Look In The Mirror is out now!

On today's episode we're recapping the pilot episode of High Potential, a crime dramedy on ABC starring Kaitlin Olson, about a single mother with three kids who is a cleaning lady for the Los Angeles Police Department and who also happens to be a high potential intellectual the cops realize they need to solve crime. We chat about the ways this feels elevated for network TV, the genre and tone mash-up of the show, the complexities and layers of Olson's character, and why this show really stands out to us.

Side Bar on good books and Goodreads, how we move on from burnout, whether there can ever be nuance in the Trad Wives conversation, and of course, there's a little bit of astrology

Bad Sisters Season 2, Ep 1&2: making sense of that devastating twist

On our new episode we're discussing the Apple TV+ limited series, Disclaimer, and specifically, the gut punch twist heard round the world. Based on a book by Renee Knight and created for TV by famed director Alfonso Cuaron, Disclaimer's multiple perspective storytelling technique is meant to ultimately make audiences confront their own judgements about what is real and what we've just assumed to be the truth. One thing is clear: we as a society are willing to believe the worst of a woman, particularly one who is ambitious, successful and strong.  It's damning and depressing and frankly, we're just sort of sitting with it.

In our latest episode we are chatting about another cultural flashback pilot episode inspired by Nobody Wants This…Gossip Girl. Adam Brody and Kristen Bell have reminded us all that they're national treasures and their beginnings in 2000s teen dramas were worth coming back to. We've covered the pilot episode of The O.C., Veronica Mars, and now Gossip Girl, a show in which wealthy, privileged Upper East Siders take on high school as the anonymous “Gossip Girl” (voiced by Kristen Bell) reveals their secrets at every turn. Launching the careers of Blake Lively, Leighton Meester (who also happens to be married to Adam Brody), Chance Crawford, Penn Badgley and Taylor Momsen, Gossip Girl is as enduring and addictive as Blair Waldorf's headbands!

On this episode of Debut Discussions, romance author Alyssa Jarrett shares her journey from a passionate reader to a published writer of a four-part series. She discusses her second installment, Love on the Rocks, an opposites-attract rom-com that proves love is the most exciting adventure of all. Blending Silicon Valley satire with romantic comedy, Love On The Rocks explores themes of anxiety, trust, and personal growth. Alyssa chats with us about the importance of relatable characters and the influence of pop culture in her writing, while also reflecting on her own experiences in the tech industry and how they shape her storytelling. We also talk about the complexities of celebrity relationships, the impact of reality TV on self-identity, the struggles of professional identity, rock climbing as a romantic metaphor, and astrology as a way into characters. Listen now to Alyssa's story wherever you get your podcasts. Love On The Rocks is out now -- buy it, read it, and share it (in other words, make a debut author's dreams come true!).

In today's episode we're discussing the Netflix documentary on Martha Stewart, a model turned stockbroker turned domestic goddess and CEO, the “original influencer,” the first self-made female billionaire, and an expert at reinventing her brand and doing it on her own terms. The Martha documentary explores the price of her quest for perfection, but it's her imperfections — including her inability to accept them — that make her most interesting. Perhaps the OG “unlikable woman,” Martha provides us with a whole lot to discuss beyond her incredible business success!

We're back with another Sidebar conversation where we let you in on our lives and what we're obsessing over in pop culture. In this episode, we chat about what we're watching (and why) - Anatomy of Lies and Disclaimer; the smoldering flirtationship between Amelia Dimoldenberg, comedian and host of Chicken Shop Date, and Andrew Garfield (listen to this clip!); book recommendations; and celebrating yeses from the Universe! The PFW Sidebar is now in session!

We're continuing our theme of cultural flashback TV pilots inspired by Nobody Wants This … delving into Veronica Mars, Kristen Bell's cult classic series in which she plays a seventeen-year-old anti-establishment high school student and private detective. We were surprised by the complexities of the show, its dark themes, character motivations, and intricate storytelling. The show is a unique blend of teen drama and neo-noir elements, with a healthy dose of mommy issues, class warfare, sexual assault, and mysteries to unravel. This is one loaded pilot episode!!

On this episode of Complicated Conversations we welcome New York Times bestselling author, Alison Espach, to discuss her Read With Jenna Book Club pick, The Wedding People, a propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help us start anew. We chat with Alison about her development of the two complex women at the heart of this novel, Phoebe and Lila; the importance of honesty for human connection; her exploration of themes of grief, loss, transformation, and rebirth; her use of literary references; and the new way she has us thinking about using tarot cards! The Wedding People is out now!

On today's episode we're discussing Woman Of The Hour, a new Netflix movie based on the true story of a serial killer who appeared on the popular 70s TV show, The Dating Game. Directed by and starring Anna Kendrick, the movie is a true crime drama that - thankfully - isn't focused on the killer. This subtly subversive film is a story about women's violence that has so much space for women's emotions.  It is the kind of movie that, as we approach our five year anniversary, reminds us why we started this podcast in the first place!

We're back with another Sidebar conversation where we let you in on our lives and what we're obsessing over in pop culture. In this episode, we talk about being stuck in the middle, early aughts stripped down covers, Kelsea Ballerini's patterns and some of our own. On this clip we invite you into our very own therapy session, complete with muddled guidance from the tarot about navigating the messy middle.  Send help - because the wisdom from the “tea typewriter” was not strong enough! The PFW Sidebar is now in session! Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Tell Me Lies Season 2 Finale (and Eps 6&7). Another incredible season of @tellmelieshulu comes to end and we are yet again going out with Mr. Brightside by The Killers (this one an incredible cover by Cat Missal, the actress who plays Bree!). We recap episodes 6-8, marveling at how these writers can create consistently complicated, three-dimensional characters, ramp up the tension and toxicity, surprise and shock us, and leave us wanting more (immediately!). Nothing but the highest respect for creator Meaghan Oppenheimer, the writers room, and the entire cast!

The O.C.: Cultural Flashback Moments from TV, inspired by Nobody Wants This We just can't ignore the resurgence of early 2000s heartthrobs like Joshua Jackson and Adam Brody so we're taking it back to 2003 and doing a recap of the pilot episode of The O.C.! We chat about the nostalgia surrounding the show, its influence and impact on subsequent teen dramas, the significance of its soundtrack, and the young stars whose careers were launched by the show. This pilot is as entertaining now as it was back then! Come reminisce with us

On this episode of Debut Discussions Asha Elias discusses her debut novel, Pink Glass Houses, a seductive social satire about the wealthy PTA moms of an elite elementary school in Miami Beach.  Asha chats with Carinn about the unexpected joys of launching a book; her journey to becoming a writer; the themes explored in her novel; character development; the writing process; and how her column for the Miami New Times influences her fiction. Asha also touches on her second book (out in summer 2025!) and highlights the power of art to change cultural narratives and the importance of connection in storytelling.

In today's episode we're discussing Nobody Wants This on Netflix, which based on our feelings and the general reception, should actually be called EVERYBODY Wants This! This utterly bingeable romcom starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody has all the hallmarks of a great romcom…undeniable chemistry between the two leads, a stellar ensemble cast, high stakes tension, characters working through their damage, and laugh out loud humor. We discuss creator Erin Foster and her real life inspo for the show, Joanne and Noah's meet cute, THAT first kiss scene, the ICK and whether it truly can be overcome, the sibling dynamics, what it means to be “too much”  and so much more!

Side bar about being "too much", today's astrology, Nobody Wants This, The Wedding People, and Sally Rooney

On this episode of Debut Discussions, Jamie Harrow shares her journey from a sports-loving child to a lawyer and finally to a debut novelist with her book 'One on One'. The conversation explores her reading and writing evolution, the development of her characters, and the themes of trust and connection in her work. Jamie discusses the impact of sports on personal relationships, her experiences with reality TV, and the publishing process. She also touches on her interest in astrology and shares insights about her upcoming projects.

In this conversation, Carinn and Kate delve into the intricacies of the show 'Tell Me Lies', exploring character dynamics, relationship complexities, and the impact of past traumas. The conversation highlights the importance of friendship, loyalty, and the consequences of accusations, while also making predictions about the future of the characters. They discuss the thrill of forming theories about the plot, the portrayal of female characters, and the power struggles within relationships.

In this conversation, Carinn and Kate delve into the intricacies of the show 'Tell Me Lies', exploring character dynamics, relationship complexities, and the impact of past traumas. The conversation highlights the importance of friendship, loyalty, and the consequences of accusations, while also making predictions about the future of the characters. They discuss the thrill of forming theories about the plot, the portrayal of female characters, and the power struggles within relationships.

On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome Stephanie Wrobel to discuss her suspenseful new novel, The Hitchcock Hotel, a story about a Hitchcock fanatic with an agenda who invites old friends for a weekend stay at his secluded themed hotel. As the past is revealed, tensions rise, loyalties break down, and chaos ensues. Stephanie chats with Carinn about her inspiration for the book and how she incorporated Hitchcockian elements into the story, her *very cool* approach to writing multiple points of view, the importance of setting in her storytelling, which in this novel includes the creepy hotel and Stephanie's own campus nostalgia. The Hitchcock Hotel is out now - buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Complicated Conversations we welcome Marissa Stapley, the author of New York Times bestseller and Reese's Book Club pick Lucky, to discuss her new novel, The Lightning Bottles, a story about grunge-era musician Jane Pyre's journey to find out what really happened to her husband and partner in music, who abruptly disappeared years earlier. We chat with Marissa about the personal and musical inspirations behind this novel (which she calls the “book of her heart”); her exploration of themes around fame, female representation in music, and the complexities of public perception; the significance of art and mystery in storytelling; the impact of mid-career success;  the role of astrology in character development and our shared interest in tarot; and the enduring influence of Khalil Gibran's The Prophet (which she hopes everyone will read again or for the first time!). We felt deeply connected to Marissa in this conversation - listen now to hear! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Complicated Conversations we welcome Laura Dave, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me, to discuss her new novel, The Night We Lost Him, another riveting page-turner about estranged siblings who discover their father has been keeping a secret for more than fifty years, one that may have been fatal… We chat with Laura about defining her own genre of soulful suspense and family drama that you just can't put down; her inspiration for the characters and the exploration of family connections; exploring themes of showing up for oneself, handling grief, love, loyalty, and the concept of being seen and understood by others; and the connection between Laura's writing and her astrological sign. We also get some great musical inspiration from songs she listens to while writing.  The Night We Lost Him is out now and it is that rare genre-bending page-turner that exists in a category all its own! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Complicated Conversations we welcome Laura Dave, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me, to discuss her new novel, The Night We Lost Him, another riveting page-turner about estranged siblings who discover their father has been keeping a secret for more than fifty years, one that may have been fatal… We chat with Laura about defining her own genre of soulful suspense and family drama that you just can't put down; her inspiration for the characters and the exploration of family connections; exploring themes of showing up for oneself, handling grief, love, loyalty, and the concept of being seen and understood by others; and the connection between Laura's writing and her astrological sign. We also get some great musical inspiration from songs she listens to while writing.  The Night We Lost Him is out now and it is that rare genre-bending page-turner that exists in a category all its own! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Complicated Conversations we welcome back Kimberly McCreight to discuss her new novel, Like Mother, Like Daughter, an emotional mystery about a mother's disappearance and the journey of a daughter trying to find her.  We chat with Kimberly about the complexities of motherhood and our shared parenting challenges; the inspiration for this novel; her orchestral form of storytelling (which includes flashbacks, journal entries, therapy transcripts and legal documents); the importance of staying open to unexpected connections in her writing; and the woo woo tools we use to sustain us in midlife! Like Mother, Like Daughter is out now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Complicated Conversations we welcome back Kimberly McCreight to discuss her new novel, Like Mother, Like Daughter, an emotional mystery about a mother's disappearance and the journey of a daughter trying to find her.  We chat with Kimberly about the complexities of motherhood and our shared parenting challenges; the inspiration for this novel; her orchestral form of storytelling (which includes flashbacks, journal entries, therapy transcripts and legal documents); the importance of staying open to unexpected connections in her writing; and the woo woo tools we use to sustain us in midlife! Like Mother, Like Daughter is out now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season Two of Tell Me Lies is back and so far it manages to take all the best parts of Season One and build on perfect additional layers, characters and storylines. Our recap of Episodes 1 & 2 of the hit Hulu series is out now and we're discussing the new love interests, gasp-worthy moments, surprising connections, and our favorite moments/scenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season Two of Tell Me Lies is back and so far it manages to take all the best parts of Season One and build on perfect additional layers, characters and storylines. Our recap of Episodes 1 & 2 of the hit Hulu series is out now and we're discussing the new love interests, gasp-worthy moments, surprising connections, and our favorite moments/scenes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with another Sidebar conversation and coming into September aligned and invigorated with a sense of new beginnings and possibilities. We've got major back to school vibes that provide the momentum we need to propel us through the end of the year. Incredible new book releases and TV shows we've been waiting for are only adding to these inspiring feels. Listen now to our full episode to see what's got us so excited! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with another Sidebar conversation and coming into September aligned and invigorated with a sense of new beginnings and possibilities. We've got major back to school vibes that provide the momentum we need to propel us through the end of the year. Incredible new book releases and TV shows we've been waiting for are only adding to these inspiring feels. Listen now to our full episode to see what's got us so excited! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome Chelsea Bieker to discuss her new novel Madwoman, an emotionally gripping story about Clove, a mother who has constructed a perfect life based on lies. When she receives a letter from her mother in prison, her past comes crashing back, and she must confront the truth. We chat with Chelsea about themes of motherhood, reinvention, the desire for self-improvement, the complexities of justice and pity, intergenerational trauma, the impact of male violence, and the healing power of storytelling. She tells us about her choice to use the second-person narrative and the intimately vulnerable power of addressing the reader directly. Madwoman is out now and it will stay with you as it has with us long after you turn the last page. Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat with Chelsea wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome Chelsea Bieker to discuss her new novel Madwoman, an emotionally gripping story about Clove, a mother who has constructed a perfect life based on lies. When she receives a letter from her mother in prison, her past comes crashing back, and she must confront the truth. We chat with Chelsea about themes of motherhood, reinvention, the desire for self-improvement, the complexities of justice and pity, intergenerational trauma, the impact of male violence, and the healing power of storytelling. She tells us about her choice to use the second-person narrative and the intimately vulnerable power of addressing the reader directly. Madwoman is out now and it will stay with you as it has with us long after you turn the last page. Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat with Chelsea wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another Sidebar conversation – a cheeky reference to the fact that we're both lawyers and love to have conversations incidental to our main topics and episodes – where we let you in on our lives and what we're obsessing over in pop culture. In today's episode we talk about how sometimes real life is better than Instagram, the joyful status of Kate's summer bucket list, Carinn's obsession with Chappell Roan, and whether Jennifer Lopez is the new Elizabeth Taylor. Listen to hear how the writer's subconscious has manifested itself as Carinn has been discussing The Astrology House in interviews! The PFW Sidebar is now in session! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another Sidebar conversation – a cheeky reference to the fact that we're both lawyers and love to have conversations incidental to our main topics and episodes – where we let you in on our lives and what we're obsessing over in pop culture. In today's episode we talk about how sometimes real life is better than Instagram, the joyful status of Kate's summer bucket list, Carinn's obsession with Chappell Roan, and whether Jennifer Lopez is the new Elizabeth Taylor. Listen to hear how the writer's subconscious has manifested itself as Carinn has been discussing The Astrology House in interviews! The PFW Sidebar is now in session! Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome back Colleen McKeegan to discuss her sophomore novel, Riptide, a heartfelt and suspenseful story about two sisters returning to their childhood beachfront home who are forced to confront their traumatic past when a body washes ashore. We chat with Colleen about the two sisters at the heart of Riptide, Kimmy and Erin, and their complicated bond, weaving from their high school years and their present-day lives in their early 30s; the use of this dual timeline to build tension and explore the ways the past infects the present; the nostalgia of the early 2000s; the themes of female desire, slut-shaming, and the portrayal of sex in the novel; and finding that perfect title. Riptide is out now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome back Colleen McKeegan to discuss her sophomore novel, Riptide, a heartfelt and suspenseful story about two sisters returning to their childhood beachfront home who are forced to confront their traumatic past when a body washes ashore. We chat with Colleen about the two sisters at the heart of Riptide, Kimmy and Erin, and their complicated bond, weaving from their high school years and their present-day lives in their early 30s; the use of this dual timeline to build tension and explore the ways the past infects the present; the nostalgia of the early 2000s; the themes of female desire, slut-shaming, and the portrayal of sex in the novel; and finding that perfect title. Riptide is out now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Complicated Conversation, we are thrilled to welcome back New York Times bestselling author, Karin Slaughter. Karin is one of the world's most popular and acclaimed storytellers, as well as one of the funniest and most entertaining interviewees! She talks with us about her new novel, This Is Why We Lied, Book 12 in the acclaimed Will Trent series, which is a locked room mystery set at a secluded lodge resort during Will and Sarah's honeymoon. We chat with Karin about the series, the TV adaptation on ABC, and how Will Trent always lives in her brain (even when writing her other stand alone novels); the exploration of intergenerational trauma in the novel and the importance of humanizing victims and challenging societal judgments; why she wanted to explore the themes of truth and lies; the enduring appeal of a locked room mystery; her role in the adaptations of her novels and the ways she continues to challenge herself professionally (which blew us away!). This Is Why We Lied is out now! Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Complicated Conversation, we are thrilled to welcome back New York Times bestselling author, Karin Slaughter. Karin is one of the world's most popular and acclaimed storytellers, as well as one of the funniest and most entertaining interviewees! She talks with us about her new novel, This Is Why We Lied, Book 12 in the acclaimed Will Trent series, which is a locked room mystery set at a secluded lodge resort during Will and Sarah's honeymoon. We chat with Karin about the series, the TV adaptation on ABC, and how Will Trent always lives in her brain (even when writing her other stand alone novels); the exploration of intergenerational trauma in the novel and the importance of humanizing victims and challenging societal judgments; why she wanted to explore the themes of truth and lies; the enduring appeal of a locked room mystery; her role in the adaptations of her novels and the ways she continues to challenge herself professionally (which blew us away!). This Is Why We Lied is out now! Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome back Rachel Koller Croft to discuss her new novel, We Love the Nightlife, a book that follows two best friends who open a nightclub in London, and also happen to be vampires. We chat with Rachel about how vampires never go out of style; how the disco dancing queen era of the 70s is the epitome of glamor and why she wanted to incorporate this party girl era into her novel; the challenges of writing dual timelines and alternating points of view; the complexities of female friendship; and her personal inspirations (Michael Jordan and Judy Blume, yep you read that right!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Complicated Conversations, we welcome back Rachel Koller Croft to discuss her new novel, We Love the Nightlife, a book that follows two best friends who open a nightclub in London, and also happen to be vampires. We chat with Rachel about how vampires never go out of style; how the disco dancing queen era of the 70s is the epitome of glamor and why she wanted to incorporate this party girl era into her novel; the challenges of writing dual timelines and alternating points of view; the complexities of female friendship; and her personal inspirations (Michael Jordan and Judy Blume, yep you read that right!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another Sidebar conversation – a cheeky reference to the fact that we're both lawyers and love to have conversations incidental to our main topics and episodes – where we let you in on our lives and what we're obsessing over in pop culture. In today's episode - the last one of Leo season for Kate and the last one from LA for Carinn - we discuss live events (music and authors!), what makes us liars, summer bucket lists, movies and TV, former President Obama's summer reading and playlist, and finally, the current state of reality TV shows. Listen to hear Carinn lament the offerings this summer and please watch Kate's (always) clueless, yet intrigued, facial expressions in response!  The PFW Sidebar is now in session! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another Sidebar conversation – a cheeky reference to the fact that we're both lawyers and love to have conversations incidental to our main topics and episodes – where we let you in on our lives and what we're obsessing over in pop culture. In today's episode - the last one of Leo season for Kate and the last one from LA for Carinn - we discuss live events (music and authors!), what makes us liars, summer bucket lists, movies and TV, former President Obama's summer reading and playlist, and finally, the current state of reality TV shows. Listen to hear Carinn lament the offerings this summer and please watch Kate's (always) clueless, yet intrigued, facial expressions in response!  The PFW Sidebar is now in session! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Complicated Conversations we welcome back Laurie Elizabeth Flynn to discuss ‘Till Death Do Us Part, her new thriller set in the vineyards of Napa Valley that asks: what happens when the husband you thought died years ago shows up alive? We chat with Laurie about her inspiration for the characters, the challenges of writing her second adult novel, how the use of dual timelines in her books allows her to explore the ways in which the past informs the present, the themes of motherhood and marriage in this novel and the recurring themes that emerge in her work, such as secrets, lies, grief, and second chances. ‘Till Death Do Us Part is out now and it's an absolute page-turner! Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat with Laurie wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Complicated Conversations we welcome back Laurie Elizabeth Flynn to discuss ‘Till Death Do Us Part, her new thriller set in the vineyards of Napa Valley that asks: what happens when the husband you thought died years ago shows up alive? We chat with Laurie about her inspiration for the characters, the challenges of writing her second adult novel, how the use of dual timelines in her books allows her to explore the ways in which the past informs the present, the themes of motherhood and marriage in this novel and the recurring themes that emerge in her work, such as secrets, lies, grief, and second chances. ‘Till Death Do Us Part is out now and it's an absolute page-turner! Buy it, read it, share it, and listen to our spoiler-free chat with Laurie wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another Sidebar conversation – a cheeky reference to the fact that we're both lawyers and love to have conversations incidental to our main topics and episodes – where we let you in on our lives and what we're obsessing over in pop culture. In today's episode, Kate's high school reunion weekend leads to a discussion of being seen vs bearing witness and extroverts vs introverts; what interviews with Karin Slaughter and Laura Dave taught us about late-career breakthroughs; Maren Morris' newly released EP following her divorce and, yes, that OTHER divorce news (could this really be our last Sidebar discussing Bennifer 2.0 and what went wrong!?). All Rise! The PFW Sidebar is now in session! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another Sidebar conversation – a cheeky reference to the fact that we're both lawyers and love to have conversations incidental to our main topics and episodes – where we let you in on our lives and what we're obsessing over in pop culture. In today's episode, Kate's high school reunion weekend leads to a discussion of being seen vs bearing witness and extroverts vs introverts; what interviews with Karin Slaughter and Laura Dave taught us about late-career breakthroughs; Maren Morris' newly released EP following her divorce and, yes, that OTHER divorce news (could this really be our last Sidebar discussing Bennifer 2.0 and what went wrong!?). All Rise! The PFW Sidebar is now in session! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices