

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 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

May 8, 2025 • 38min
Your Stories: Friend Jealousy, Friend Burnout, and Making Friends as an Adult
Jolenta and Kristen read some of the many stories you’ve shared about the topics we’ve recently covered on the show - including being jealous of friends, dealing with friend burnout, and making friends post college.
They also announce By The Book: Authors Tell All - a newly available series that will land right in this feed starting next week.
Reminder: There's lots more of us on Patreon - including our biweekly podcast series Dean & Kristen Look Back, where we do just that: Look back at our time on By The Book, episode by episode, sharing updates and behind the scenes secrets along the way. 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


