Perhaps you’ve noticed that we won’t shut up about romance novels? Well, this week we’re chatting it up with Talia Hibbert, one of our favorite writers of the genre, about telling diverse stories, shaping conversations about consent, and writing good sex. But first: Does Erica have too many coffee devices? You be the judge.   The coffeemakers in Erica’s rotation: Bodum French press, Nespresso Pixie (with Woken pods—but Nespresso ones are recyclable in NYC now. See also from the NYT on recycling legislation!), Gemini Espresso Maker (or a single-serving alt from GSI), and Copper Cow Coffee pour-overs.    DM, email, or call us!! At @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463.   We’re all about Talia Hibbert’s Brown Sisters trilogy: Get a Life, Chloe Brown (her first traditionally published book), Take a Hint, Dani Brown, and Act Your Age, Eve Brown. Here for more, more, more of her writing.     To dive into the conversation around the lack of representation in the romance-novel world: this NYT article, this initiative and reporting from The Ripped Bodice, and a big blow-up re: Romance Writers of America (who were accused of racism) last year.   Other romance recs from Talia: Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series, Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers, the upcoming Kennedy Ryan release Reel, the work of KJ Charles, A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley and its next installment, and The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri.     One movie romance rec: the latest Emma adaptation—pretty and funny, both!    More recs coming your way over at Secret Menu…   Try all the Lesser Evil snacks—you won’t be disappointed. 25% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO. Perk up your face! Get 10% off with purchase of Clarins Total Eye Lift—using the code ATHINGORTWO. Find clothes you’ll love to wear with Stitch Fix and use our link for 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

What bras, tahini, and shaving cream do we swear by? WELL! You’ve come to the right place. Before we get into our Thingies winners: a discussion of the absolute insanity of sprinkles in 2021.    We want to hear from you! You can get us at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463.   Some sprinkles context: a 2016 NYT funfetti article and the 2019 The Power of Sprinkles: A Cake Book by the Founder of Flour Shop.   Some sprinkles resources: Sweets Indeed Sprinklefetti (lightning bolts!), Supernatural (Field Day!), Fancy Sprinkles (Hey Jude—lolz!), Williams Sonoma Sprinkles, 1985, and Cakes by Kristi (Chips n' Guac Sprinkle Mix AND Poker Face) and Etsy just in general.    Round two Thingies winners!!! Negative Underwear non-wire bras (specifically in sieve mesh) and Chantelle underwire demi bras (read also: this rave from The Cut), Soom tahini (more on this podcast ep), Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody, RiseWell toothpaste, Gossamer CBD Dusk and Dawn (tune into this pod ep), Cremo shave cream, the prescription delivery service Capsule, Holy Schmitt’s horseradish (try the cocktail sauce and/or horseradish mustard, too), and the Thermapen Mk4.    For the inaugural Thingies recipients, head this way.   If you’re a super-fan of this podcast, Secret Menu is just for you.   Scoop up COOLA’s sunscreen and organic skincare. Get 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Get a quick boost with Clarins Total Eye Lift—10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Shop Imperfect Foods and get 20% off your first order and free shipping with the code ATHINGORTWO. Try Function of Beauty for custom, just-for-you haircare and body care. Use our link for 20% off your order. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

Something we’re quite sure of: what makes a good in-app workout instructor. Something we’re quite unsure about: what our thirties are meant to look like in this day ‘n age. Kayleen Schaefer has many, many thoughts on the latter. Tune in and then dig into her new book But You’re Still So Young (yes, incredible title).   The on-demand fitness instructors who leap over the ridiculously high bar we’ve set: Melissa Wood of Melissa Wood Health, Coach Chris Bennett of the Nike Run Club app (a previous podcast guest!), Adriene Mishler of Yoga with Adriene (see also: this NYT Mag profile and this Reductress post about Benji the dog), and Robin Arzon and Matty Maggiacomo of the Peloton app.   Read Kayleen Schaefer’s wonderful But You’re Still So Young! And if you haven’t already gobbled up Text Me When You Get Home, maybe it’s your next book-club pick?   A few of Kayleen’s “You May Also Like” recs: The New Better Off by Courtney E. Martin, Anne Helen Petersen’s Buzzfeed piece on burnout and her book Can’t Even, and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (also endorsed by Bad on Paper).   Joining Secret Menu is a sure-fire way to make sure you get all our biggest and best finds.   KIT at @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463, ok?   Dab on that Clarins Total Eye Lift for a boost in 60 seconds—10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Get custom, just-for-you shampoo, conditioner, and so much more with Function of Beauty. Use our link for 20% off your order. Download the Caviar app! You’ll get 20% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO2021. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

Breaking news: Erica is still not having kids—but she does have some fresh thoughts on the subject, especially as many of her pals tackle parenthood. And! If you’d like a shot before your chaser, let us tell you all about The Roommate, porny and praise-worthy.    Ooh, do we have so much more to share. If you want in on that, perhaps you’re interested in joining Secret Menu. If you need some STEAM, get yourself a copy of The Roommate by Rosie Dannan (and it’s spinoff The Intimacy Experiment, out in April).   Relevant having-kids eps of this very podcast: Our original “On Choosing—and Not Choosing—Motherhood” convo and Claire’s take on new mom life and motherhood, one year in.   The piece Erica wrote for Refinery29 about deciding not to have kids and the one Grace Atwood wrote for her site The Stripe.   The installment of Anne Helen Petersen’s Culture Study newsletter that we reference (so good in general, this newsletter).   Our DMs, inboxes, and voicemail boxes are open: @athingortwohq, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and 833-632-5463!   Pat on Clarins Total Eye Lift for a boost in 60 seconds—10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Flex your creativity muscles with Skillshare and sign up for a free trial of their Premium Membership. Try Stitch Fix to find clothes you’ll love to wear. Use our link for 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

If you’re not already a devotee of Julia Turshen and her cookbooks—her latest, Simply Julia, is out next week!—well, consider this your initiation into the fan club. We’re talking with her about “healthy” and “comfort”—loaded food words, for certain!—and because we’re geniuses who knew this topic would make us hungry, we’re starting things off with a snack taste test.   Ready for our chip chat? We’re chomping on Annie Chun’s Seaweed Crisps Go-Chu-Jang (perhaps with this miso dip), Beanfields Vegan Cracklins Chile Limón (not to be confused with Snacklins), and Lesser Evil Power Curls Fiery Hot (see also: its Paleo Puff cousin).   Julia Turshen’s cookbooks—collect ‘em all: Simply Julia (her new hit), Small Victories, Now & Again, and Feed the Resistance. She’s also co-written gems like In Bibi’s Kitchen, with Hawa Hassan, and The Hot Bread Kitchen Cookbook, with Jessamyn Waldman Rodriguez.   Dive into her Equity at the Table database project and her Keep Calm and Cook On podcast, too.   A few of Julia’s favorite people in food: Mavis-Jay Sanders and Sicily Sierra Johnson, who run Food + People, Pati Jinich, who hosts the PBS cooking show Pati’s Mexican Table, and Yewande Komolafe, whose recipes Julia trusts always.   Keep in touch! You can get us at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and/or @athingortwohq.    Try COOLA for sunscreen and, now, organic skincare. Get 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Design something stand-out with Projector. It’s free to sign up and use! Download Best Fiends for free today from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Look into Upstart to tackle your credit and see if you can lower your monthly payments. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

What a pleasure it is to bring you all Dr. Ben Michaelis, who we think of as ⅓ management coach, ⅓ therapist, and ⅓ couples counselor (at least in our case). We’ve been seeing this guy—together!—for five-ish years, and he’s helped us to navigate much in our lives, professional and personal. Speaking of navigating, we’re kicking-off the episode by answering an age-old question: “What sort of thank-you gift do I get my snake-sitter?!”    Oooh, boy, did we get a good gifting request: “Thank you for your friend who fed your pet snake weekly for 6 weeks. They like Phish.” Here’s where we landed: Fishman Donut Round Jigsaw Puzzle, Island Bamboo spoon sets and salt cellars, Na Nin incense cones, Boy Smells Kush candle, Debbie Carlos Curl Pipe (from Tetra), Edie Parker Flower stash case, Areaware Snake Block, Lorien Stern snake wall-hanging ceramic or plush snake sculpture (or bucket hat or hoodie), Ferm Living Mr. Snake cushion or fruiticana snake, Chen Chen and Kai Williams serpent lighter keychain, and Willa Heart snake prints and placemats.   Here’s that snake opening a door video you were hoping for.   Check out more on Dr. Ben Michaelis and his work and dig into his book Your Next Big Thing: Ten Small Steps to Get Moving and Get Happy.   Try COOLA, your go-to for sunscreen and organic skincare. Get 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Cut down on food waste with Imperfect Foods and get 20% off your first order and free shipping with the code ATHINGORTWO. Customize your shampoo, conditioner, and so much more with Function of Beauty. Use our link for 20% off your order. Download the Caviar app and get $10 off your food order of $20 or more with the code ATHINGORTWO. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

What an educational ep: Erica teaches Claire about Craigslist scams, and Claire schools Erica on the wild, wild world of baby registries. (Can you want a leopard-print carrier and not an infant??)   You want more? We got more! It’s called Secret Menu, friends, and signing up will get access to Claire’s baby-registry, er, motherload.   That cashier’s check Craigslist scam!! Vox has an excellent explainer “Why Cashier’s Checks Are Part of So Many Online Scams," and there’s a WalletHub guide to various cashier’s check scams and where to report them.   Consider donating to organizations like the National Diaper Bank Network or National Birth Equity Collaborative if you have the resources to be very persnickety about your baby registry.   Baby chairs and other places to put little people: BabyBjörn Bouncer (and its design-y comp: Betón Baby Bouncer), Charlie Crane Levo Rocker, Askr & Embla Sleep Pod (a prettier Dock-a-Tot), and Boppy with a custom cover (related: My Brest Friend).   Sleeping solutions: The Snoo (you can rent them!), Moses baskets (like one from Kind Label in a Jolly Jumper stand), cribs like the Ikea Sniglar or the Babyletto Hudson or ones from Nestig or the (very fancy) Kalon Caravan, and pack ‘n plays from Guava Lotus or Graco or BabyBjörn.   Baby carriers: Colugo Carrier, Sakura Bloom Ring Sling (an alt to a Solly Baby Wrap), BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini, and the very fashion-y Artipoppe.   Secret Menu members can get access to the full baby-reg rundown over here.   Ok, tell us what you think about everything at 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and/or @athingortwohq.    Make something design-y with Projector. It’s free to sign up and use! Try COOLA and its wonderful new Organic Skincare line—10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Consider Upstart to tackle your credit and see if you can lower your monthly payments. Look to Stitch Fix to find clothes you’ll love to wear. Use our link for 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix. Up your snacking with Pipcorn. Use the code ATHINGORTWO for 20% off some of our faves. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

The two of us think and talk a lot about ~the state of media~, and we figured it was about time we discussed it with a genuine expert. Enter stage left: the thoughtful and incredibly incisive Delia Cai, who writes the newsletter we always open Deez Links (and is a growth and trends editor at BuzzFeed by day—so clearly she’s on top of all the things.) We also figured it was ‘bout time to discuss Claire’s experience with Whole30, at least as it relates to their insurrection content.   You can find the Whole30 insurrection statement right over here (the Jan. 7 post).   The BuzzFeed article titled “The Small-Town America I Love Is The One I See At Football Games” that first led Erica to Delia (shout-out Dunlap High School—go eagles!).   You gotta, gotta sign for Delia’s newsletter Deez Links if you care about media (or good TikToks) at all. An adjacent, relevant newsletter: Today in Tabs.   For more on Substack, dive into Clio Chang’s “The Substackerati” piece for CJR (and its discussion of Patrice Peck’s Coronavirus News for Black Folks newletter) as well as Anna Wiener’s “Is Substack the Media Future We Want?” for The New Yorker.   Writers Delia always reads: Taylor Lorenz, Doreen St. Félix, and Hua Hsu.   Two Deez Links installments we discuss: Delia's piece about a profile of Nick Quah and Hot Pod and a very LOLZy one about fantasy media men beefs.   You know about Secret Menu, yah? And how to get your feedback to us? That’s 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and/or @athingortwohq.    Give COOLA and its excellent new Organic Skincare line a go and take 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Play Best Fiends today—you can download it for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Get creative with Skillshare and sign up for a free trial of their Premium Membership. Design something cool with Projector. It’s totally free to sign up. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

To answer the question of many a comedy-club promoter in Times Square: Yes, we do love to laugh. And one sure-fire way to get us howling is reading anything written by R. Eric Thomas—or chatting with the man himself, turns out. But up first: some toddler funny business.   A few toddler-relevant pieces of content: Bunheads by Misty Copeland, PBS’s Remarkable Rabbits, and No-Drama Discipline by Daniel J Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson.   Please consume all the R. Eric Thomas you can! His memoir Here for It and the book he co-authored with Helena Andrews-Dyer about Maxine Waters, Reclaiming Her Time! His wonderful newsletter! All the past installments of his Elle.com column “Eric Reads the News!” (And stay tuned for much more, obviously.)   Some of Eric’s memorist icons: David Rakoff (Fraud specifically), David Sedaris (see also: this Hugh Hamrick profile), Samantha Irby, and John Paul Brammer and his forthcoming book Hola Papi.   What pop culture Eric’s consumed recently: Umbrella Academy, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw, Broadcast News, When Harry Met Sally (related: The Rewatchables podcast), Bridgerton, Veep, What We Do in the Shadows, The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans, and Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. Claire and Erica would like to talk about Gremlins and Erin Brockovich also.   It’s no secret that you’d really like Secret Menu. And it’s no secret that we love your feedback: 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and/or @athingortwohq.    Give the so-good Sweaty Betty Power Legging go and get 20% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Try COOLA’s excellent new Organic Skincare line and get 10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO. Gobble up Sakara’s healthy ‘n delicious meals and feel great. 20% off your first order with the code ATHINGORTWO. Customize your hair, skin, and body products with Function of Beauty. Use our link for 20% off your order. YAY.   Produced by Dear Media

We are nothing if not (professional) enthusiasts, and we figured it was ‘bout time that we shared some products we think are best in category—from brow pencils to baby bouncers, dental floss to pasta. Join us for the Thingies! In the future, we hope our awards programming includes a red-carpet pre-show.   Give us that feedback—we know you have it. 833-632-5463, podcast@athingortwohq.com, and/or @athingortwohq.    So many more recs available over at Secret Menu!    Welks!!!!! What Urban Dictionary and Mindy Kaling have to contribute.   The divisive Danny Meyer tweet about Häagen-Dazs vanilla. (Sir did write the book Setting the Table that we like a lot.)   The Grub Street bucatini shortage article by Rachel Handler—the sort of coverage HDVB deserves.   The inaugural Thingies winners!!! Hellman’s, Heinz, HDVB (duh, duh, duh). The Stutterheim raincoat. Dr. Tung’s Smart Floss. BabyBjörn bouncer. Marvy Uchida Le Pen. Uniqlo HeatTech (the regular and ultra-warm leggings, the turtlenecks). Sania’s Brow Bar pencil (and service!). Garofalo gluten-free pasta (casarecce specifically). Feetures running socks. Artifact Uprising (see: the baby board book, the layflat photo album, the baby book). Soapwalla deodorant (original or sensitive skin).    Try both of Hilma’s Immune Support products with 20% off an Immune Sampler pack. Just use the code ATHINGORTWO Download the Caviar app and get 20% off your order with the code ATHINGORTWO2021. Fight food waste with Imperfect Foods and get 20% off your first order and free shipping with the code ATHINGORTWO. Treat that skin barrier right with COOLA’s new Organic Skincare line—10% off with the code ATHINGORTWO.   YAY.   Produced by Dear Media