In this very special Hands on Episode, Merry, Clint, and Adriana Lady Counselor of the Summer Isles, Archmaester of Pedantic Sophistry, and Founding Member of the Governor Santiago Singh Appreciation Society cover the second act of the seventh book of the BEST SCI FI SERIES EVER, Persepolis Rising from the Expanse. This episode includes: Adriana te…

In this very first edition of the second season of Hands on HotD, Merry and Clint cover the two competing Green and Black Trailers released today for HBO's niche arthouse property HOUSE OF THE DRAGON - Season 2 In this episode: We break down the Black Trailer and the Green Trailer in a fun and excessively detailed but non-spoilery way! Merry hits t…

In this very special Hands on Episode, Merry and Clint cover the first act of the seventh book of the BEST SCI FI SERIES EVER, Persepolis Rising from the Expanse. This episode includes: Merry and Clint get legitimately choked up talking about the themes of family, mercy, humanity, and beauty. Everyone loves to hate (and love) that big idiot Santiag…

In this thirty-ninth episode of Learned Hands, the Official Podcast of the Westerosi Bar Association, Merry & Clint ask: Did Jon Snow's choice to ride south to Winterfell kill the Night's Watch? What responsibility, if any, does Jon have to maintain constitutional norms and structures? Our analysis this episode includes: We go back to the Wall to d…

In this special BONUS EPISODE, we give you a recording of Merry & Clint @ Ice and Fire Con 2023 discussing one of their favorite topics: Legal Issues in the Dance of the Dragons! In this bonus recording we cover: Coups! Territorial conquest! The Hour of the Wolf! Primogeniture! The Iron Precedent And more! Merry & Clint also bang their gavels a lot…

This week we're re-releasing an episode featuring Trent Dalton. The adaptation of his book, Boy Swallows Universe, is currently a hit on Netflix. Angie and Trent talked about the book in 2019 when it came out. Finding meaning in sadness, defining the different types of love and looking at the complexities of masculinity, are the overarching themes …

Angie speaks with award-winning journalist Bianca Bosker about how hearing of the existence of ‘The Best Sommelier in the World Competition’ sparked an obsession to become a sommelier herself, a decision that upended her life and led to her best-selling book Cork Dork: A Wine-FUELED Adventure Among The Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and …

In this thirty-eighth episode of Learned Hands, the Official Podcast of the Westerosi Bar Association, Merry & Clint ask: How well does Doran Martell's Water Gardens speech move the ball? Our analysis this week includes: Your Hands finally cover the Dornish plot from the perspective of Prince Doran Martell, as he tries to convince the Sand Snakes t…

Hi everyone! In celebration of the release of Isaac Fitzgerald's DIRTBAG, MASSACHUSETTS in paperback, we are re-releasing our episode with him from last year. We'll be back in two weeks with Bianca Bosker, author of CORK DORK, to talk about wine for the holidays. Enjoy! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://…

Angie's got a cold, and it's making her think about hot toddys. And the time she sipped some bourbon and talked with with Cody Keenan, President Obama's speech writer and author of Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America. Grace has just arrived in paperback, so it's a perfect time to revisit this conversation. We hope you enjo…

This week. we're re-releasing of our best and most popular conversations: Angie's 2018 conversation with Esther Perel. Psychotherapist Esther Perel joins Angie to talk about her latest book "The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity," the provocative follow up to her New York Times best-seller "Mating in Captivity." This conversation, like Esther…

In this thirty-seventh episode (in a row?) of Learned Hands, the Official Podcast of the Westerosi Bar Association, Merry & Clint ask: How does Daenerys's deal with the slavers reflect her methods of persuasion? Our analysis this week includes: Your Hands finally revisit one of the two main characters of the series, Dany, to talk about one of the m…

Angie speaks with Adriana Trigiani, the author of 20 best-selling books of fiction and nonfiction, most recently the novel THE GOOD LEFT UNDONE. She is an award-winning filmmaker who has directed the greats such as Whoopi Goldberg and Ashley Judd and now she’s hosting a new podcast, You Are What You Read, with Book of the Month. Angie and Adriana t…

This week Angie is joined by writer and filmmaker Shaina Feinberg and illustrator Julia Rothman to talk about their new book, How We Got By: 111 People Share Stories of Survival, Resilience & Hope through Hardship. The book was inspired by the success of their illustrated column for the business section of The New York Times called Scratch about pe…

In which Your Hands and Special Guest Hand Dr. Shiloh Carroll discuss the 2001 Sports Jousting Epic A KNIGHT'S TALE. In this episode: We talk about Shiloh's new book, The Medieval Worlds of Neil Gaiman, and how you, the listener, can win a FREE SIGNED COPY OF THE BOOK. Your Hands (and Guest) go deep into the wonderfully anachronistic verisimilitude…

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with the James Beard award-winning food writer Anya von Bremzen about her book National Dish: Around the World in Search of Food, History, and the Meaning of Home. Angie and Anya also talk about what makes a memorable meal, the joy of Neapolitan pizza, and how the ongoing war in Ukraine has irrevocably change…

This week, LIT UP producer and podcaster Liam Billingham comes back to chat with Angie about her vacation reading, things to watch, and a whole lot more! A chill end of summer episode for your ears. Enjoy! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy…

This week on the podcast, Angela speaks with writer Prachi Gupta about her new book They Called Us Exceptional. Angie and Prachi also talk about her work as a reporter during the 2016 election, and her award-winning essay Stories About My Brother. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy…

This week Angie is joined by award-winning journalist and writer Mattie Kahn. She's written one of the buzziest books of the season: Young and Restless, the Girls Who Sparked America's Revolutions.This book highlights the gutsy girls and the women whose voices and courageous actions have helped shape American society for the better.Maddie has made …

In this thirty-sixth episode of Learned Hands, the Official Podcast of the Westerosi Bar Association, Merry & Clint ask: Is Varys's Riddle an effective method of persuasion? Our analysis this week includes: Learned Hands finally does a FULL EPISODE on the Riddle, the thing Clint will never, ever shut up about, ever. Varys est mantainant Français. V…

This week on Lit Up, Angie welcomes back Helen Ellis to chat about her new collection of essays, Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge: Intimate Confessions From A Happy Marriage.. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyKirjoittanut Sugar23

This week on Lit Up, Angie is putting her feet up and taking a well deserved break. In her place this week is her producer and friend Liam Billingham, who is bringing us an episode of his film podcast, DIE HARD ON A BLANK. On DHOAB, Liam and his co-host, screenwriter Philip Gawthorne explore the influence of Die Hard on action movies, one action mo…

In this thirty-fifth episode of Learned Hands, the Official Podcast of the Westerosi Bar Association, Merry & Clint ask: Was anyone at the Kingsmoot any good at political persuasion? Our analysis this week includes: The continuation of our new running series where Your Hands evaluate the persuasive argumentation skills of your favorite and least fa…

This week, on a sweltering day in New York City, Gina Chung joined Angie to talk about her new book Sea Change. Angie and Gina talk about a lot: professional mourners, Sharktinis (2 parts gin, 1 part mountain dew, hint of jalapeño,) supernatural places, and shitty break ups.Gina's book Sea Change is available in the US now. Get it wherever you get …

This week Angie talks to Max Porter about his new novel 'Shy,' the story of a few strange hours in the life of a teenage boy. Max and Angela talk about being young, grief, and loss, but they also make room for lighter topics, like Max's penchant for shower gels and Japanese socks (a bit hipster, he calls them).We hope you enjoy this conversation wi…

In which Your Hands go in a deep dive over HBO's niche arthouse property SUCCESSION and why it fucking whips so goddamn hard. This episode includes: Extensive discussion of the Shakespearean roots of this delightfully and depressingly funny show about the absolute worst people in the world. Clint waxes poetic about his favorite ship in all of ships…

This week, we welcome New York City food critic and writer Hannah Goldfield to Lit Up!Angela and Hannah discuss what makes a restaurant experience special, how Hannah captures New York City's shifting moods through the lens of food for The New Yorker, early influences that inspired Hannah to pursue a career in food criticism, quintessential food wr…

In this thirty-fourth episode of Learned Hands, the Official Podcast of the Westerosi Bar Association, Merry & Clint ask: Is Renly Baratheon any good at oral (arguments)? Our analysis this week includes: The beginning of a brand new running series where Your Hands evaluate the persuasive argumentation skills of your favorite and least favorite ASOI…

This week on Lit Up, Samantha Irby—TV writer ("And Just Like That..."), comedian, and best-selling author and essayist—graces us with her singular presence! Angie and Sam discuss what it’s like to write on a TV show that everyone actually watches (and has an opinion about), what to ask before you say ‘I do' (hint: how many jars of mustard are in yo…

This week, we welcome back repeat Lit Up guest Adrienne Westenfeld, Esquire's Books and Fiction Editor! Given Adrienne's role overseeing books coverage, writing about film, TV, & culture, and curating the Esquire Book Club, it's always a treat to get a glimpse into her ever-growing stack and to find out what recent reads and series have stayed with…

This week, Angie’s joined by pastry chef and writer Natasha Pickowicz for a conversation on why there’s so much more to cake than meets the eye. Her long-anticipated debut book of recipes, More Than Cake: 100 Recipes Built for Pleasure and Community, is out now from Artisan Publishers.They discuss Natasha’s experiences crafting glorious pastries fo…

This week, we welcome French-English culture & travel journalist, bestselling author, and host of The New Paris podcast, Lindsey Tramuta. Lindsey talks about what she’s observed over her 16 years in Paris, the illuminating ideas behind her books The New Parisienne (Abrams, pub. 2020) and The New Paris (Abrams, pub. 2017), her ongoing work to challe…

This week, Angela welcomes back Lit Up’s first-ever (!) guest, author Catherine Lacey, and delve into the making and imagining of her brilliantly textured new book, Biography of X: a multilayered portrait of an inscrutable art and literary star as reported by her widow.Catherine shares the entry points into her chosen fictional biography form, reim…

For the season 3 finale, Crystal is joined by drag royalty Miss Peppermint! They talk about camp TV villains, tricking your grandma into helping you cross-dress, and the difficulty of navigating a trans identity before the internet was full of resources.

Crystal is joined by John Thomas to talk about how he became a porn star, what HIV is like today, having your brother watch you gogo dance, and the REAL Club 69!

In this thirty-third episode of Learned Hands, the Official Podcast of the Westerosi Bar Association, Merry & Clint ask: What are the horizontal Separations of Powers that exist in Westeros? What similarities exist between the Seven Kingdoms and the US Federal Government? What the hell does the Master of Laws even do????? Our analysis this week inc…

From La Rousse to Le Coucou, Michael Cecchi-Azzolina—Maitre d’ extraordinaire—has a birds eye view on some of New York City’s most historic, glamorous restaurants. After more than 35 years in the restaurant world, he’s sharing his behind the scenes tales in his delicious new memoir YOUR TABLE IS READY (Dec. 2022, pub: St. Martin's Press). This week…

Crystal is joined by multi-hyphenate Tom Rasmussen to talk queer joy, why they quit drag, and how to sneak fashion magazines into church.

Crystal is joined live by Tia Kofi at the London Podcast Festival. They discuss true queer icons, why you can't trust physiotherapists and which is gayer - tea or coffee?

This week on Lit Up, Angela chats with author Reid Mitenbuler, whose new book, Wanderlust: An Eccentric Explorer, an Epic Journey, a Lost Age (Mariner at HarperCollins) charts the true story of adventurer Peter Freuchen and his larger-than-life escapades. They talk about the origins of Freuchen’s adventurous spirit, the unexpected quirks you uncove…

Join Crystal for a ladyhunt with Lady Hunt. They discuss Ruth's time as CEO of Stonewall, how to influence people in the House of Lords, and why there's nothing better than a good suit.

In this thirty-second episode of Learned Hands, the Official Podcast of the Westerosi Bar Association, Merry & Clint ask: Is the Seven Kingdoms a Federalist System? Which has more power, a US State or a Westerosi Realm? Our analysis this week includes: The Westerosi Seven Kingdoms are compared and contrasted with real-life federal and confederate s…

In this episode, Crystal is joined by Kerri Colby to talk about growing up in a repressed community, overcoming trauma, and finding yourself on and off the stage.

This week on the podcast, we're re-releasing one of our favorite episodes from 2022, when we talked to Elizabeth Day about her book Magpie. Next month, Elizabeth is releasing a new book called Friendaholic: Confessions of a Friendship Addict, and seeing as she and Angie talked about friendship, we couldn't think of a better time to revisit this war…

Crystal is joined by Caveboy's Mint Simon to talk about lesbian bars, the gay stuff that happens at summer camp, and existing outside of gender labels.

Crystal is joined by celebrated theatre-maker and author Travis Alabanza - listen for a discussion on what it’s like being gender-confirming in the world, why they’re moving past the label of non-binary, and problematic queer faves.

This week, Angela chats with Kate Baer, the Pennsylvania-based poet and New York Times-bestselling author of the collections WHAT KIND OF WOMAN, I HOPE THIS FINDS YOU WELL, & AND YET. They talk about Kate's path to sharing poems about motherhood, in all its complexity, with strangers on the internet; pushing back against misogynistic takes on her w…

In this week's episode, Crystal and John Cameron Mitchell go through an anthology's worth of queer media, discuss the legacy of Hedwig, and the complicated label of non-binary.

In the Season 3 premiere, Crystal chats with Natalie Wynn aka CONTRAPOINTS about villainy, cringe, coming out twice and the power of self-actualization.

This week on Lit Up, Angela speaks with Tarajia Morrell, writer, born-and-raised New Yorker, and creator of the food and travel blog, The Lovage. They discuss Tarajia’s impactful collaboration with the late boundary-breaking chef Fatima Ali on her 2022 posthumous memoir Savor: A Chef's Hunger for More (Ballantine Books), which features writing from…