

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

Oct 31, 2024 • 42min
Friendship Across the Political Divide
How do I make or maintain friendships across political divides? Should I even try? Jolenta and Kristen get tips from Celeste Headlee, author of “We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter” and “Speaking of Race: Why We Need to Talk About Race-and How to Do It Effectively.”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

Oct 24, 2024 • 32min
Your Stories: Social Media, Intergenerational Friendships, and more
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

Oct 17, 2024 • 43min
K&J Turn Acquaintances into Friends
Jolenta and Kristen try on some of Kat Vellos’s tips for turning acquaintances into friends. 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

Oct 10, 2024 • 35min
Turning Acquaintances Into Friends
Kat Vellos, author of "We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships," shares her wisdom on transforming casual acquaintances into true friends. She discusses the challenges of fostering deeper connections and emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in building relationships. Kat provides practical strategies for initiating meaningful conversations and underscores the value of proactive scheduling to revive friendships. With tips on leveraging networks and recognizing potential friends, she inspires listeners to cultivate lasting bonds.

Oct 3, 2024 • 43min
K&J Make The Most of Social Media
Discover strategies for using social media to foster genuine connections rather than loneliness. Hear personal anecdotes on the joys of friendships and the significance of making plans, even amid unexpected cancellations. The hosts humorously liken social media consumption to enjoying donuts, advocating for balance. Explore the challenges of maintaining friendships in the digital age while stepping outside comfort zones. Emphasize the value of meaningful interactions over mere follower counts and engage with online communities with a positive mindset.

Sep 26, 2024 • 32min
Putting The Social Back in Social Media
Media - and social media in particular - is often pointed to as a culprit in our loneliness. Why is this? And are there ways to better harness the power of social media to feel less alone? Kristen and Jolenta get insights from Dr. Jeffrey Hall, author of Relating Through Technology.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

Sep 19, 2024 • 39min
K&J Nurture Their Friend Councils
Jolenta and Kristen try on some of Laura Tremaine’s tips for building and nurturing their friend councils. 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

Sep 12, 2024 • 43min
The Friend Council
Society often celebrates the BFF, the squad, or the busload of besties. But Laura Tremaine has a different take. She believes our lives are richer when we have a variety of unique friends to love and lean on - even if those friends never meet each other. She shares her philosophy with Jolenta and Kristen, and in her book, The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs. 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

Sep 5, 2024 • 36min
Your Stories: BFF Breakups, Being Alone, and more
Jolenta and Kristen read some of the many stories you’ve shared about the topics we’ve recently covered on the showWe 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

Aug 29, 2024 • 40min
K&J Enjoy Being Alone
Dr. Jeremy Nobel, a seasoned expert in personal development, shares insightful strategies for reveling in solitude. He and the hosts explore the important distinction between loneliness and the joy of alone time. They discuss the transformative power of creativity and self-discovery in solitude, highlighting activities like cooking and drawing. The conversation also touches on maintaining connections with others while embracing independence. Listeners are encouraged to view time alone as an opportunity for personal growth rather than isolation.