

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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 2, 2020 • 38min
Bonus Episode: Celeste Headlee Wants You to Do Less
Renaissance woman Celeste Headlee joins Kristen for a conversation that should make you feel better about being at home.
Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now [amazon.com].
You can subscribe to Jolenta and Kristen's new show, We Love You (And So Can You) on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts [podcasts.apple.com], or wherever you listen to podcasts.
We love hearing from you! CALL us at 302-49B-OOKS. Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod.
And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687
To get By the Book merch, head over to PodSwag.com: https://www.podswag.com/collections/by-the-bookThis episode is brought to you by: BetterHelp [betterhelp.com/btb], Oscar Mayer [oscarmayer.com], Tempest [tempest.com], Behr Express [behr.com\express] and Candid Co [candidco.com/bythebook]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 18, 2020 • 39min
Bonus Episode: Jane Marie Joins!
Jane Marie, host of The Dream, joins Kristen and Jolenta to chat about where MLMs, self-help, and wellness collide.
Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now [amazon.com].
You can subscribe to Jolenta and Kristen's new show, We Love You (And So Can You) on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts [podcasts.apple.com], or wherever you listen to podcasts.
We love hearing from you! CALL us at 302-49B-OOKS. Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod.
And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687
To get By the Book merch, head over to PodSwag.com:
https://www.podswag.com/collections/by-the-book
This episode is brought to you by: Truly Grass Fed [TrulyGrassFed.com], BetterHelp [betterhelp.com/btb], Olay [olay.com], Rothy’s [ Rothys.com/btb], OMGYes [omgyes.com/BTB], Ivory [https://ivory.com/] and Sumizeit [https://sumizeit.com/]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 4, 2020 • 29min
Bonus Episode: Nora Tells EVERYTHING
Super producer Nora joins Kristen and Jolenta to tell all and everyone tells so much more than expected! (This bonus episode was recorded before COVID sheltering in place began.)
Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now [amazon.com].
You can subscribe to Jolenta and Kristen's new show, We Love You (And So Can You) on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts [podcasts.apple.com], or wherever you listen to podcasts.
We love hearing from you! CALL us at 302-49B-OOKS. Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod.
And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687
To get By the Book merch, head over to PodSwag.com: https://www.podswag.com/collections/by-the-book
This episode is brought to you by: BetterHelp [betterhelp.com/btb], Olay [olay.com], Rothy’s [ Rothys.com/btb], OMGYes [omgyes.com/BTB], Ivory [https://ivory.com/] and Sumizeit [https://sumizeit.com/]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 21, 2020 • 32min
Bonus Episode: The Husbands Return!
Dean and Brad join Kristen and Jolenta in the studio to answer your listener questions about living by the decades! (This bonus episode was recorded before COVID sheltering in place began.)
Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now [amazon.com].
You can subscribe to Jolenta and Kristen's new show, We Love You (And So Can You) on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts [podcasts.apple.com], or wherever you listen to podcasts.
We love hearing from you! CALL us at 302-49B-OOKS. Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod.
And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687
To get By the Book merch, head over to PodSwag.com: https://www.podswag.com/collections/by-the-bookThis episode is brought to you by: Everplate [everyplate.com], BetterHelp [betterhelp.com/btb], Olay [olay.com], Rothy’s [ Rothys.com/btb], Betty Crocker [bettycrocker.com], OMGYes [omgyes.com/BTB], and CLR [clrbrands.com]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 7, 2020 • 50min
Bonus Episode: How Is Everyone Doing?
Kristen and Jolenta fill us in on what they’ve been up to during stay-at-home orders, share advice about how to stay sane right now, and check in with some surprise special guests. Plus, the ladies dive into the mailbag to hear how By the Book listeners are holding up right now.
Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now.
You can subscribe to Jolenta and Kristen's new show, We Love You (And So Can You) on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Be sure to check out Kristen's new podcast, Movie Therapy with Rafer & Kristen
We love hearing from you! CALL us at 302-49B-OOKS. Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod. And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687
To get By the Book merch, head over to PodSwag.com:
https://www.podswag.com/collections/by-the-book
This episode is brought to you by: Everplate [everyplate.com], BetterHelp [betterhelp.com/btb], Olay [olay.com], Rothy’s [ Rothys.com/btb], Betty Crocker [bettycrocker.com], OMGYes [omgyes.com/BTB], and CLR [clrbrands.com]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 23, 2020 • 40min
Bonus Episode: Season Six Wrap-Up
Kristen and Jolenta reflect on the latest season! What stuck since living by the books of Season 6? What new revelations did they have? What was pure torture?
Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now.
You can subscribe to Jolenta and Kristen's new show, We Love You (And So Can You) on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
We love hearing from you! CALL us at 302-49B-OOKS. Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod. And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687
To get By the Book merch, head over to PodSwag.com:
https://www.podswag.com/collections/by-the-book
This episode is brought to you by CLR [clrbrands.com].
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 9, 2020 • 49min
Bonus Episode: Professor Travis Tells All
Kristen and Jolenta chat with By the Book’s resident historian and fairy Godmother Trysh Travis. Professor Travis answers listener questions about the history of self-help and race, why Marie Kondo is so popular, and shares some of her favorite self- help books. Trysh Travis is a cultural and literary historian in the Center for Women's Studies at the University of Florida
If you want more of Professor Travis, check out her books:
The Language of the Heart: A Cultural History of the Recovery Movement from Alcoholics Anonymous to Oprah Winfrey
Re-Thinking Therapeutic Culture
For further reading on the history of the self-help industry, Professor Travis recommends:
Oracle at the Supermarket, by Steven Starker
Self Help, Inc., by Micki McGee
Bright-sided, by Barbara Ehrenreich
Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now.
You can subscribe to Jolenta and Kristen's new show, We Love You (And So Can You) on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
We love hearing from you! CALL us at 302-49B-OOKS. Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod. And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687
To get By the Book merch, head over to PodSwag.com:
https://www.podswag.com/collections/by-the-book
This episode is brought to you by
Better Help, online counseling that is accessible, affordable and convenient. Go to betterhelp.com/btb to get 10% off your first month.
Rothy’s, everyday shoes for life on the go. Head to Rothys.com/btb to check out the styles.
Dave’s Killer Bread, America’s #1 organic bread. Visit DavesKillerBread.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 26, 2020 • 48min
Epilogue: Gifts of Imperfection
Kristen and Jolenta respond to listener letters about The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. Plus, Trysh Travis, cultural and literary historian in the Center for Women's Studies at the University of Florida, puts Brene Brown into historical context and offers up some hot takes!
Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now.
You can subscribe to Jolenta and Kristen's new show, We Love You (And So Can You) on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
We love hearing from you! CALL us at 302-49B-OOKS. Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod. And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687
To get By the Book merch, head over to PodSwag.com:
https://www.podswag.com/collections/by-the-book
This episode is brought to you by Nationwide Pet Insurance [www.petinsurance.com/PODCAST], CLR [clrbrands.com], and Blinkist [Blinkist.com/BTB]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 19, 2020 • 43min
The Gifts of Imperfection
The ladies live by the New York Times best-seller The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. Will Jolenta cultivate self-compassion? Will Kristen learn how to share her accomplishments with friends?
Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now.
You can subscribe to Jolenta and Kristen's new show, We Love You (And So Can You) on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
We love hearing from you! CALL us at 302-49B-OOKS. Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod. And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687
To get By the Book merch, head over to PodSwag.com:
https://www.podswag.com/collections/by-the-book
And a big thanks to this week's sponsors:
Squarespace, the all-in-one solution for anyone looking to create a beautiful website. Head to Squarespace.com/BYTHEBOOK for a free trial. And when you’re ready to launch, use the offer code BYTHEBOOK to save 10% off of your first purchase of a website or domain.
Dave’s Killer Bread, America’s #1 organic bread. Visit DavesKillerBread.com
Truly Grass Fed Dairy, dairy ingredients from the lush fields of Ireland. Visit https://www.trulygrassfed.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 12, 2020 • 36min
Epilogue: Who Moved My Cheese?
Kristen and Jolenta dive into listener feedback for the New York Times best-seller Who Moved My Cheese?: An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life by Spencer Johnson. Plus, Trysh Travis, cultural and literary historian in the Center for Women's Studies at the University of Florida, puts the book into historical context.
Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is currently available for pre-order.
Come out to their book launch party, at The Strand bookstore in New York City on Friday, March 20 at 7 pm. Get tickets on The Strand website here.
You can subscribe to Jolenta and Kristen's new show, We Love You (And So Can You) on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
We love hearing from you! CALL us at 302-49B-OOKS. Email us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com, or tweet us @jolentag, @kristenmeinzer, or @bythebookpod. And if you haven't already, please join our By The Book Facebook community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/116407428966900/?source_id=475465442806687
To get By the Book merch, head over to PodSwag.com:
https://www.podswag.com/collections/by-the-book
And a big thanks to this week's sponsors:
Better Help, online counseling that is accessible, affordable and convenient. Go to betterhelp.com/btb to get 10% off your first month.
Candid, the clear alternative to braces. Head to CandidCo.com/bythebook and use code BYTHEBOOK at checkout to get $75 off
Modcloth, fashion that celebrates all women. To get 15% off off your purchase of $100 or more, go to ModCloth.com and enter code BYTHEBOOK at checkout.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices