You’re Gonna Be Great!

Sarah Lockwood, aka, @SarahTheBookFairy has gained popularity on both Booktok and Bookstagram with her girls-girl, sleepover vibe content. She's a swiftie with a love of fantasy books and a knack for posting engaging videos that sometimes go incredibly viral. She's gone from 0 to tens of thousands of followers in just a few months. In this episode of YGBG Books! she shares all things bookish content creation from how she gets her ideas, how she executes four to six videos per day, and how she's started to make money on Booktok. There's no gatekeeping here. If you're a content creator or a bookstagrammer, this is the episode for you. 

If you're a fan of the works of Sarah J. Maas, then you've probably seen the endless conspiracy theories and projections peppering Booktok and bookstagram. Who in the cauldron is Az's mate? What's going to happen to Hunt? What will happen in the next CC book with Bryce and the ACOTAR cast? Where the hell (or hel) did Amren come from and was she once a Valg assassin? How does TOG tie into all of this? Is Rhysand the hottest man in all three universes?  If you've wondered any of these things yourself, this episode is for you and your bookish friends. Get some snacks, sit down together, and weigh in on our theories and predictions. Let us know if you agree or disagree @ youre_gonna_be_great on Instagram. 

Fans of Sarah J. Maas, this is the episode you've all been waiting for. It's all spice, all episode, as I chat with sisters Nicole and Jenny (or as y'all might know her on bookstagram, Aelin God Killer), about all things sex and relationships in the Maas universe.  Wingspans. F*ck, Marry, Kill, And Shadow Kinks. It's all here.  Pour yourself a drink and tune in for a very (spicy) good time. 

Tamlin. Hero turned villain in the ACOTAR series.  Meet the man who brought our least favorite character to life. You've probably heard his voice all over booktok and bookstagram. The low rumbling of the beloved prince turned epic douche.  Henry Kramer plays the voice of Tamlin in the graphic audio ACOTAR books. We chatted about what it was like to get the part, to find out you're no longer playing the hero and the insanity of being a part of something as absolutely massive as the ACOTAR series. 

Join me and Chyna Johnston on a literary adventure! Chyna shares her ridiculously fun experience at the Tampa Florida Books, Gowns, And Crowns Ball.  What is the BGAC Ball? Imagine a bookish Ball, hosted by your favorite authors and featuring a spectacular cosplay contest. As you enter the ballroom, you'll be immersed in a world of book nerds, authors, voice actors, bookish creators, and booktok influencers. Everyone dressed as your favorite fantasy characters from your favorite books. The excitement is palpable as you meet fellow book lovers and share your favorite reads and experiences. And don't forget the swag bag filled with goodies! For those who might want to attend next year in Seattle, tune in to learn what to expect during your weekend of hilarious debauchery. So mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable night of literary fun.--

In this episode, we delve into the mysterious world of female sexuality and explore why women are so attracted to male fantasy characters. We take a closer look at popular male fantasy romance characters and how they all have this irresistible character type. From Rhysand of ACOTAR to Casteel of From Blood And Ash, Garrett of The Witcher, and even K-Pop stars, we analyze what makes these characters so captivating and what impact they have on our understanding of romance. Join us as we uncover the secrets of duality and its role in shaping our deepest desires.

Is post-concert/ post-vacation depression a real thing? Turns out, yes. And luckily there are a few ways to prevent it.  With Coachella wrapping up, Agust D and Taylor Swift out touring, and, of course, the Stray Kids finishing their world tour, it could not be more timely. If you just returned from a concert or a trip and are feeling down, don't despair! You're not alone, it's totally common, and I've got some hot tips to help. 

All of us behave a little bit differently at times. Are we performing, or are we made up of many different parts that we reveal when it makes the most sense socially?  Join us to discuss masks, our many selves, Internal Family Systems, ACOTAR, and K-pop. Like most YGBG episodes, it's part mental health and wellness, part trending pop culture, and part storytime.

A healthy dose of resilience and grit can help folks overcome impossible struggles and work tirelessly toward their dreams. Luckily, we aren't born with a finite amount of either and can increase it throughout our lifetime if we know how to cultivate it.  In this episode, we chat about Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas and how despite suffering unspeakable traumas, each character is able to dust off their fighting leathers and charge toward victory.   

One of the most relatable things about ACOTAR is the way the characters find their own people and create their own loving and supportive families.  If you've ever moved to another state or lived abroad, or if you grew up feeling misunderstood by your own family (even if you love them), then you can probably relate. Feeling "alone" in the world is terrible and we all have a very real need for connection, support, and love. So what do we do? We cobble together a new fam. 

It's been said that traumatized people often look for someone to save them. The beauty of the ACOTAR series is that it shows us how to save ourselves. Being your own godsdamn savior is the new fantasy. 

Toxic relationships! We've all had the misfortune of being in at least one at some point in our lives. And, lucky for us, common harmful behaviors and cycles also show up in the fictional stories we love so much (probably because we can relate or at least learn a thing or two about what to avoid from them). The ACOTAR series is no exception. In this episode, I chat with Chyna Johnston and Alex Davis about the all-too-familiar toxic (and healthy) dynamics in the ACOTAR series. 

In this episode, host M. Elizabeth Evans chats with standup comedian, Alex Davis, and writer Cynthia Loveland about how reading the ACOTAR series (or any series) can strengthen friendships, forge new ones, and can be a meaningful way to bond through difficult times. 

In part two of this episode, Matt Wright, LCSW, shares his advice on how to support friends or family members who are struggling with addiction or sustaining recovery. Learn how to show up and check-in, create boundaries with love when necessary, battle "the monster" together, have the difficult conversations, and get your loved one the help and support they need.

In part one of this episode, Matt Wright shares his personal experience with addiction, how to get help if you need it, and how to sustain your recovery during social distancing. Learn how to stay connected, find online meetings, and find the community you need right now to make it through this, happy, healthy, and sober.

It's not easy to cohabitate under "normal" circumstances but it's sure as hell a lot harder during a global pandemic. Are we going to see the divorce rate skyrocket? Did our partner always chew this loud? In this episode of You're Gonna Be Great! Gottman trained therapist, Kellie Clement, LCSW, explains how we can get through quarantine with our sanity and relationships intact (and maybe even improve a little along the way).   

As COVID-19 continues to spread and you're forced to isolate or shelter-in-place with your families, you might be wondering how in the hell you're supposed to entertain, educate, and calm your kids. It's a lot. Many of us are stressed to the max right now and that includes our little ones. But how do we identify anxiety, depression or stress that our kids might be experiencing when our little ones don't have the words to tell us how they feel and our older kids just don't want to? 

The Coronavirus has turned our world upside down. Luckily, there are things we can do to stay sane and cope. Also: social distancing might give us a unique opportunity to reconnect. And: how to be there for each other despite the distance.