

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

Mar 20, 2025 • 33min
Your Stories: Chatbots, Platonic Partners, and Friends with Kids
Jolenta and Kristen read some of the many stories you’ve shared about the topics we’ve recently covered on the show - AI friends, friends with kids, and platonic significant others. We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com And join our Patreon Community to get biweekly episodes of our new show: Dean & Kristen Look Back! 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

Mar 13, 2025 • 36min
K&J Hold Onto Friends With Kids
Jolenta and Kristen try on a tip from Ophira Eisenberg, record audio diaries, report back. We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com And join our Patreon Community to get access to live monthly book clubs with Kristen and Jolenta, ad-free exclusive episodes of By The Book, minisodes of us talking about what we’re reading, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve ever lived by, tips from our experts, advice, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 6, 2025 • 30min
Friends with Kids
Is it possible to hold onto friendship after one of you has kids and the other doesn't? Ophira Eisenberg, host of the podcasts Parenting is a Joke and Ask Me Another, shares her thoughts. We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com And join our Patreon Community to get access to live monthly book clubs with Kristen and Jolenta, ad-free exclusive episodes of By The Book, minisodes of us talking about what we’re reading, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve ever lived by, tips from our experts, advice, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 27, 2025 • 41min
K&J Love Their Platonic Partners
Jolenta and Kristen try on Rhaina Cohen’s tips for nurturing their other significant others. We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com And join our Patreon Community to get access to live monthly book clubs with Kristen and Jolenta, ad-free exclusive episodes of By The Book, minisodes of us talking about what we’re reading, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve ever lived by, tips from our experts, advice, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 20, 2025 • 34min
Platonic Friends as Life Partners
For some of us, our greatest life partner isn’t a spouse, it’s a friend. How can we make the most of these kinds of partnerships? Jolenta and Kristen get tips from Rhaina Cohen, author of The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center.We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com And join our Patreon Community to get access to live monthly book clubs with Kristen and Jolenta, ad-free exclusive episodes of By The Book, minisodes of us talking about what we’re reading, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve ever lived by, tips from our experts, advice, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 13, 2025 • 43min
K&J Befriend Chatbots
Jolenta and Kristen try on Lindsay Goldwart’s tips for befriending chatbots. What do they have to offer? And do they really help, or make things worse?We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com And join our Patreon Community to get access to live monthly book clubs with Kristen and Jolenta, ad-free exclusive episodes of By The Book, minisodes of us talking about what we’re reading, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve ever lived by, tips from our experts, advice, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 6, 2025 • 33min
Combating Loneliness with Chatbots
For some people, chatbots have become a source of comfort in the fight against loneliness. What do they have to offer? And do they really help, or make things worse? Jolenta and Kristen get tips for Lindsay Goldwert, journalist and chatbot friend. We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com And join our Patreon Community to get access to live monthly book clubs with Kristen and Jolenta, ad-free exclusive episodes of By The Book, minisodes of us talking about what we’re reading, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve ever lived by, tips from our experts, advice, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 30, 2025 • 29min
Your Stories: Parties, Money, Friendships with Exes
Jolenta and Kristen read some of the many stories you’ve shared about the topics we’ve recently covered on the show.We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com And join our Patreon Community to get access to live monthly book clubs with Kristen and Jolenta, ad-free exclusive episodes of By The Book, minisodes of us talking about what we’re reading, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve ever lived by, tips from our experts, advice, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 23, 2025 • 48min
K&J Get Friendly with Exes
Jolenta and Kristen try on some of Ellie Schnitt and Michaela Okland’s tips for navigating friendship with exes.We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com And join our Patreon Community to get access to live monthly book clubs with Kristen and Jolenta, ad-free exclusive episodes of By The Book, minisodes of us talking about what we’re reading, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve ever lived by, tips from our experts, advice, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 16, 2025 • 35min
Friends with Exes
What are the benefits and drawbacks of staying friends with exes? And what’s the best way to set up this kind of friendship for success? Jolenta and Kristen get tips from Ellie Schnitt and Michaela Okland, hosts of the Late Night Drive podcast.We want to hear from you! Share your own experiences with friendship and loneliness on our private facebook community: facebook.com/groups/kristenandjolenta or write to us at kristenandjolenta@gmail.com And join our Patreon Community to get access to live monthly book clubs with Kristen and Jolenta, ad-free exclusive episodes of By The Book, minisodes of us talking about what we’re reading, the written rules of every self-help book we’ve ever lived by, tips from our experts, advice, and more: patreon.com/listentobythebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices