Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre
Jolenta Greenberg
Comedian & pop culture critic Jolenta Greenberg has a theory: reality TV isn’t ruining culture - it is culture. Join her and a cast of sharp, funny guests as they dig into the details behind the drama and unpack why we can’t get enough of those iconic scenes and unforgettable characters. This is the place for highbrow conversations about “lowbrow” TV
All seasons By the Book & How to Be Fine are also in this feed. To hear back episodes, just scroll down!
All seasons By the Book & How to Be Fine are also in this feed. To hear back episodes, just scroll down!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 17, 2025 • 30min
BTB Authors Tell All: Bea Johnson
While they’re between seasons, Jolenta and Kristen are thrilled to share a very special series that - up until now - was only available behind a paywall. It’s called By The Book Authors Tell All, and features authors whose books they lived by, as well as some authors they just happen to love. And for more great By The Book content, listen to Dean & Kristen Look Back, exclusively on Patreon! In each episode, Dean and Kristen revisit their time on By The Book, share behind-the-scenes secrets, and give updates on their lives. Patreon is also the home of our weekly advice column, our Patreon-only season of By The Book, nearly 200 minisodes, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve lived by, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 10, 2025 • 28min
BTB Authors Tell All: Anuschka Rees
While they’re between seasons, Jolenta and Kristen are thrilled to share a very special series that - up until now - was only available behind a paywall. It’s called By The Book Authors Tell All, and features authors whose books they lived by, as well as some authors they just happen to love. And for more great By The Book content, listen to Dean & Kristen Look Back, exclusively on Patreon! In each episode, Dean and Kristen revisit their time on By The Book, share behind-the-scenes secrets, and give updates on their lives. Patreon is also the home of our weekly advice column, our Patreon-only season of By The Book, nearly 200 minisodes, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve lived by, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 3, 2025 • 35min
BTB Authors Tell All: Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin
While they’re between seasons, Jolenta and Kristen are thrilled to share a very special series that - up until now - was only available behind a paywall. It’s called By The Book Authors Tell All, and features authors whose books they lived by, as well as some authors they just happen to love. And for more great By The Book content, listen to Dean & Kristen Look Back, exclusively on Patreon! In each episode, Dean and Kristen revisit their time on By The Book, share behind-the-scenes secrets, and give updates on their lives. Patreon is also the home of our weekly advice column, our Patreon-only season of By The Book, nearly 200 minisodes, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve lived by, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 26, 2025 • 33min
BTB Authors Tell All: Countess Luann
While they’re between seasons, Jolenta and Kristen are thrilled to share a very special series that - up until now - was only available behind a paywall. It’s called By The Book Authors Tell All, and features authors whose books they lived by, as well as some authors they just happen to love. And for more great By The Book content, listen to Dean & Kristen Look Back, exclusively on Patreon! In each episode, Dean and Kristen revisit their time on By The Book, share behind-the-scenes secrets, and give updates on their lives. Patreon is also the home of our weekly advice column, our Patreon-only season of By The Book, nearly 200 minisodes, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve lived by, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 19, 2025 • 32min
BTB Authors Tell All: Florence Williams
While they’re between seasons, Jolenta and Kristen are thrilled to share a very special series that - up until now - was only available behind a paywall. It’s called By The Book Authors Tell All, and features authors whose books they lived by, as well as some authors they just happen to love. And for more great By The Book content, listen to Dean & Kristen Look Back, exclusively on Patreon! In each episode, Dean and Kristen revisit their time on By The Book, share behind-the-scenes secrets, and give updates on their lives. Patreon is also the home of our weekly advice column, our Patreon-only season of By The Book, nearly 200 minisodes, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve lived by, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 12, 2025 • 35min
BTB Authors Tell All: Dan Harris
While they’re between seasons, Jolenta and Kristen are thrilled to share a very special series that - up until now - was only available behind a paywall. It’s called By The Book Authors Tell All, and features authors whose books they lived by, as well as some authors they just happen to love. And for more great By The Book content, listen to Dean & Kristen Look Back, exclusively on Patreon! In each episode, Dean and Kristen revisit their time on By The Book, share behind-the-scenes secrets, and give updates on their lives. Patreon is also the home of our weekly advice column, our Patreon-only season of By The Book, nearly 200 minisodes, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve lived by, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 5, 2025 • 32min
BTB Authors Tell All: Shad Helmstetter
While they’re between seasons, Jolenta and Kristen are thrilled to share a very special series that - up until now - was only available behind a paywall. It’s called By The Book Authors Tell All, and features authors whose books they lived by, as well as some authors they just happen to love. And for more great By The Book content, listen to Dean & Kristen Look Back, exclusively on Patreon! In each episode, Dean and Kristen revisit their time on By The Book, share behind-the-scenes secrets, and give updates on their lives. Patreon is also the home of our weekly advice column, our Patreon-only season of By The Book, nearly 200 minisodes, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve lived by, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 29, 2025 • 37min
BTB Authors Tell All: Celeste Headlee
While they’re between seasons, Jolenta and Kristen are thrilled to share a very special series that - up until now - was only available behind a paywall. It’s called By The Book Authors Tell All, and features authors whose books they lived by, as well as some authors they just happen to love. And for more great By The Book content, listen to Dean & Kristen Look Back, exclusively on Patreon! In each episode, Dean and Kristen revisit their time on By The Book, share behind-the-scenes secrets, and give updates on their lives. Patreon is also the home of our weekly advice column, our Patreon-only season of By The Book, nearly 200 minisodes, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve lived by, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 22, 2025 • 32min
BTB Authors Tell All: Steve and Annette Economides
While they’re between seasons, Jolenta and Kristen are thrilled to share a very special series that - up until now - was only available behind a paywall. It’s called By The Book Authors Tell All, and features authors whose books they lived by, as well as some authors they just happen to love. And for more great By The Book content, listen to Dean & Kristen Look Back, exclusively on Patreon! In each episode, Dean and Kristen revisit their time on By The Book, share behind-the-scenes secrets, and give updates on their lives. Patreon is also the home of our weekly advice column, our Patreon-only season of By The Book, nearly 200 minisodes, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve lived by, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 15, 2025 • 35min
BTB Authors Tell All: Gretchen Rubin
While they’re between seasons, Jolenta and Kristen are thrilled to share a very special series that - up until now - was only available behind a paywall. It’s called By The Book Authors Tell All, and features authors whose books they lived by, as well as some authors they just happen to love. And for more great By The Book content, listen to Dean & Kristen Look Back, exclusively on Patreon! In each episode, Dean and Kristen revisit their time on By The Book, share behind-the-scenes secrets, and give updates on their lives. Patreon is also the home of our weekly advice column, our Patreon-only season of By The Book, nearly 200 minisodes, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve lived by, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
