Best Smut Up And Listen Podcasts (2025)

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talk lit with us 3 - responding to bookish hot takes from our listeners 28:48

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5d ago28:48

28:48

send us questions, things you want us to speak about or just say hi! choose our next podcast read by going here and voting in the first week of each month! make sure you subscribe to hear our groundbreaking thoughts as soon as they are unleashed. if you want to be on the same page as us, follow us at talklit.gethit on Instagram and TikTok. theme mu…

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babel by r. f. kuang 56:45

19d ago56:45

56:45

grab your plaid blazers, light a candle, and cue the rainymood.com soundtrack - we’re diving headfirst into the moody, mesmerising world of Babel by R. F. Kuang. in this episode, we explore the rich layers of dark academia (think crumpled parchment and candle-lit libraries) while unpacking the novel’s powerful themes of colonialism, racism, languag…

1
bonus chapter: 50 1:30:39

1M ago1:30:39

1:30:39

we’ve been reading and recording talk lit, get hit podcast since November 2022 and we’ve hit the milestone of releasing 50 episodes! we’re shocked and delighted to have so many hours of podcast episode released for you (and let’s face it, us) to listen to and enjoy. we’ve picked out some of our favourite bits from the 50 episodes gone by - things t…

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magnolia parks by jessa hastings 53:27

2M ago53:27

53:27

this episode, we wade into the emotionally unstable, couture-drenched world of Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings… and, well, we have some thoughts. if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to witness a slow-motion relationship implosion between two wildly codependent people—while surrounded by designer fashion, public spats that feel like a highschool…

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bonus chapter: sunrise on the reaping by suzanne collins 32:07

2M ago32:07

32:07

if you can understand what we're saying through the tears, then in this episode you will find a heartfelt and nostaliga-tinged chat about Suzanne Collins's latest release, Sunrise on the Reaping. we talk all about Panem's 50th Hunger Games (the second Quarter Quell!), things that made us cry, Haymitch's role in the games, our favourite quotes, fan …

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S4E4. The Evolution of Fandom Etiquette from Quizilla to TikTok with @tinawithana (Or, Imagine Being Normal About the Media you Consume!) 1:15:58

2M ago1:15:58

1:15:58

In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Blayne (@btelling) are joined by their very first guest of 2025—TikTok creator and fandom commentator Tiana (@tinawithana)! If you’ve spent any time in fan spaces on TikTok, chances are you’ve come across Tiana’s funny, sharp, and often brilliantly blunt takes on all things fandom and fanfiction. From tagging e…

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yellowface by r. f. kuang 1:01:01

2M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

Athena Liu had everything Juniper Hayward wanted... and then she died. and so begins the story for Juniper 'June' Hayward, our completely despicable and unhinged (white) protagonist who can't. stop. lying. in this month's episode, we dig into Yellowface by R. F. Kuang. we talk about books written about influencers in the age of influencers, the mur…

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bonus chapter: bridget jones's diary (movie) 34:13

3M ago34:13

34:13

If you were alive in the 2000s you knew three things: Renee Zellweger is a horrifically misguided casting choice for our British icon Bridget Jones The character Bridget Jones is roughly the size of a house Colin Firth and Hugh Grant are hot After reading and discussing Bridget Jones’s Diary for a previous podcast episode, we decided it’s only fair…

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S4E3. Crossovers, AU Rewrites and AI (Or, If You're Our Employers, Don't Listen To This) 1:14:12

3M ago1:14:12

1:14:12

In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Blayne (@btelling) settle in for a more casual, catch-up style episode where we ramble about a few different fanfiction-related topics. We answer two great Tumblr questions from listeners - first up, from an anon who asked us for advice about writing crossover fics. We share our takes on why crossovers are so t…

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bridget jones's diary by helen fielding 1:12:13

4M ago1:12:13

1:12:13

this episode we are taking a dive into the diary that defined a generation! for our April book and the theme "haha that's so funny", we're talking about Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding. we spend some time cringing at our own adolescent diary entries and talk feminism, fad diets and try to decide if this novel is a depressing glimpse into th…

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bonus chapter: anti-intellectualism - the decline of deep reads 25:37

4M ago25:37

25:37

welcome to our latest talk lit, get hit bonus chapter! in this episode we attempt to disentangle our thoughts and feelings on the supposed rise of anti-intellectualism in the literary world. we discuss the modern manifestations of this ancient concept - trope titles, simplistic narratives, audiobooks vs physical books, social media echo chamber dri…

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the housemaid by freida mcfadden 55:40

5M ago55:40

55:40

join us for our first shift at the winchester's mansion. this episode we put up a big, fat, "help wanted" sign and sent out a plea for books centred around the perspectives of maids, butlers, groundskeepers, governesses, and any all of the domestic service staff who keep the wheels turning and whose eyes see all... in this episode we discuss nina w…

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S4E2. Fights! (Or, Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!) 1:14:37

5M ago1:14:37

1:14:37

This February, Jo (@pebblysand) and Blayne (@btelling) celebrate Valentine's Day/Month with a dive deep into writing arguments and fight scenes! Because what’s more romantic than a well-crafted battle of words (or wands)? In this episode, we discuss the purpose of fights in fiction, the importance of tension leading up to them, and how to make them…

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the spanish love deception by elena armas 1:09:55

6M ago1:09:55

1:09:55

over the last few years, our tastes have changed and our minds have been opened to the likes of bride by ali hazlewood and the hating game by sally thorne. this month we are reading the spanish love deception by elena armas. we talk tropes like workplace romance, one bed, enemies to lovers and big man x tiny woman. we also discuss disney adults, ma…

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S4E1. Canon-Compliance (Or: AO3, Written by People Who Can't Write, Read by People Who Have No Taste) 1:01:07

6M ago1:01:07

1:01:07

In this episode, we kick off 2025 with an exciting new chapter for The Fanfic Writer’s Craft! This marks our first episode with my new co-host, Blayne (@btelling, aka Nargles15 on AO3), who you may remember from her fantastic guest episode in Season 2 on writing dystopian hellscapes. We chat about what’s ahead for the podcast, our evolving format, …

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talk lit with us 2 - responding to bookish hot takes from our listeners 29:06

6M ago29:06

29:06

in this episode, we once again weigh in on your hot takes and unpopular opinions and dish out some unexpected life advice. we dig into the Goodreads vs Storygraph debate and also discuss the latest Booktok-island bombshell (Fabel) and its recent AI roasting controversy. the internet's faves like Colleen Hoover, Sally Rooney and SJM'S A Court of Tho…

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atomic habits by james clear 1:11:15

6M ago1:11:15

1:11:15

in this podcast episode we are starting the year fresh and making brazen attempts to overhaul our lives and identities. our podcast book selection for January 2025 is Atomic Habits by James Clear. this is a book that promises to 'reveal practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones and master the tiny beha…

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bonus chapter: life and death by stephenie meyer 1:40:23

7M ago1:40:23

1:40:23

this episode we are bringing the cringe and chaos of a work christmas party to talk lit, get hit podcast for our annual “talk lit, get lit” drinking and podcasting extravaganza. for our last bonus chapter of the year, we are discussing none other than life and death by Stephenie Meyer. the booktok twilight renaissance continues as we pull apart the…

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S3E8. 2024 Wrap-Up (Or, Stop Treating Fanfic Like Social Media) 50:44

7M ago50:44

50:44

In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) & Lani (@copper-dust) reflect on their 2024 fanfiction journeys and podcast highlights. They discuss notable shifts in fandom dynamics, including the growing conversation around engagement and the impact of binge-reading culture on commenting. They share their favourite reads and writers of the year, personal writi…

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bride by ali hazlewood 1:20:37

8M ago1:20:37

1:20:37

here comes the Bride - fair, fat and vying for a chance at redeeming Ali Hazelwood in the eyes of Bridget and Laura. coming off the back of our somewhat negative reading experience of The Love Hypothesis, we are back for another slice with Bride by Ali Hazelwood. in this episode we contend with vampire and were customs, Ali Hazelwood's writing proc…

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bonus chapter: sally rooney 40:04

8M ago40:04

40:04

welcome to rooney-verse... where all your dreams come true... niverse. in this bonus episode we discuss all things sally rooney. from 'normal people' and 'conversations with friends' to 'beautiful world, where are you' and her latest grown-up work, 'intermezzo' - no thin grey cardigan or email chain is left unturned! heralded as "salinger for the s…

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divergent by veronica roth 1:36:00

9M ago1:36:00

1:36:00

hold on tight to your zip lines because we're taking a trip back to the world of divergent for this special throwback/nostalgia episode! in honor of nostalgic november (coined just now, by us), we’re diving into Veronica Roth's iconic dystopian debut, a novel that once had us all choosing between factions and fantasising about fear landscapes. in t…

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bonus chapter: manacled by senlinyu 28:18

9M ago28:18

28:18

this episode we dip into the dark, mysterious and deeply online realms of fan fiction to tackle one of the most popular and controversial fan fictions of all time - Manacled by SenLinYu. we discuss the enduring appeal of Dramione, the good girl x bad boy trope, and navigating a post-J.K. Rowling Harry Potter World. special mentions to the internet'…

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S3E7. Writing Emotion (Or, Not Everybody Has To Have Trauma) 51:26

9M ago51:26

51:26

In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) discuss the art of evoking emotion in fanfiction, focusing on how to craft narratives that resonate deeply with readers. They explore the importance of allowing readers to connect with characters through their positive traits, rather than relying solely on trauma, with Lani emphasizing the "…

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a good girl's guide to murder by holly jackson 58:20

10M ago58:20

58:20

this episode has us feeling spooked to the core as we dip our toes into the bone-chilling waters of the mystery/thriller genre. for the month of October we are reading A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson and asking ourselves the age old question: how spooky is too spooky? we explore a variety of accents, apologise for past and present (a…

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bonus chapter: slump city, b*tch - book slumps and beyond 48:32

10M ago48:32

48:32

one slump to rule them all, one slump to find them. one slump to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. if you, like us, have found yourself caught in the shackles of a mid-year reading slump then find comfort in this episode. we discuss our respective months-long slumps, the perfect formula to finding a book that will lift us out of the mur…

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S3E6. Money, Business & Economics (Or, Here's The Link To Our Ko-Fi) 43:04

10M ago43:04

43:04

In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) discuss the significance of writing about money, business, and economics in fanfiction. They explore how these themes can add depth and realism to stories by reflecting the financial decisions and social class differences between characters. Lani touches on how class dynamics and poverty are…

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the hating game by sally thorne 1:05:18

11M ago1:05:18

1:05:18

this episode we dive into the immaculately shiny and mirrored world of Sally Thorne's debut novel, The Hating Game. this book won the vote for our Australian fiction month and we are left to answer the question: will the charms of an Australian author be enough to save this book from our better judgement? we talk smurfs, the tiny girl x big man tro…

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talk lit with us - responding to bookish hot takes from our listeners 46:41

11M ago46:41

46:41

welcome to our inaugural talk lit with us episode! this episode we asked you for your controversial opinions, hot takes or just something you needed to get off your chest and boy, did you deliver. in this episode we weigh in on colleen hoover and it ends with us, beyonce, suzanne collins’ new novel, red, white and royal blue, heartstopper, a little…

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fifty shades of grey by e.l. james 1:49:08

12M ago1:49:08

1:49:08

in this, our longest episode ever, we call upon strength from our subconsciouses and inner goddesses to do a merengue with some salsa moves thrown in and tackle the mammoth task of discussing fifty shades of grey by e.l. james (aka. snowsqueens icedragon). we once again find ourselves discussing the twilight saga and its associated fan fiction, saf…

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bonus chapter: bridgerton (revisited) 34:22

1y ago34:22

34:22

dearest gentle listeners, it is with the greatest pleasure that we invite you to revisit the latest chapter of the bridgerton saga in this special episode of our esteemed podcast. in this episode, we peel back the layers of bridgerton season three: part two, and examine its every scandal, intrigue, and triumph. we touch on important points such as …

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everything I know about love by dolly alderton 1:11:21

1y ago1:11:21

1:11:21

in this episode we discuss 'everything i know about love', dolly alderton's heartwarming memoir about the beautiful messiness of love and life. join us as we explore dolly's journey through her tumultuous twenties, the ins and outs of myspace etiquette, sharehousing, suspiciously bougie mac and cheese recipes, a bizarre mention of jacob's creek win…

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bonus chapter: funny story by emily henry 32:29

1y ago32:29

32:29

grab your headphones and your hot beverage of choice and join us for a new talk lit, get hit bonus chapter where we dive into the cosy world of Emily Henry's latest novel, "Funny Story." we explore the superiority of housemates to lovers, fake dating and the timeless “are they looking? let’s KISS” tropes as well as how Tourism USA should really put…

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cemetery boys by aiden thomas 54:11

1y ago54:11

54:11

join us for a spooky journey through the pages of Aiden Thomas' spellbinding novel, "Cemetery Boys." in this episode, we dive deep into a world where the living and the dead mingle and schoolyard bad bois can be summoned on whim. from the allure of sexy ghosts to the vibrant tapestry of young adult fiction, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance, we…

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bonus chapter: bridgerton 30:05

1y ago30:05

30:05

say hello to our new bridgerton bonus chapter! with the help of our friend and part-time bridgerton fan maddy, we discuss the ins and outs of the steamy bridgerton book series written by julia quinn (of 'the weakest link' fame). we talk about the bridgerton glow-up, soft-boi poetry, daphne bridgerton’s micro bangs and all the magic of shonda-land. …

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S3E5. Motifs & Symbolism (Or, We're Okay Being Associated With S&M) 43:47

1y ago43:47

43:47

In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) discuss motifs and symbolism in writing. Lani goes through the different motifs she either intentionally or unintentionally uses in her own work, and they both caution against the use of clichéd symbols, like relying on weather to reflect a character’s emotions. They also address misconcepti…

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pride and prejudice by jane austen 1:06:12

1y ago1:06:12

1:06:12

dearest listeners, it is our greatest pleasure to cordially invite you to join us this autumn for a meeting of the minds of the highest order. this month we hold our teacups with our pinkies out as we drink from the fount of old school barbz, considering the inherent romance of staring and the unyielding burden of having no propriety. while some ma…

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S3E4. Use of Time in Narrative (Or, Defending the Artistic Merit of your Vampire Smut) 1:01:05

1+ y ago1:01:05

1:01:05

In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) delve into the use of time in narrative, focusing on techniques such as flashbacks, foreshadowing, and non-linear storytelling. Lani discusses her approach to incorporating time in her fanfiction, emphasizing the importance of moments of emotional intensity. They explore the use of non-linea…

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talk lit done juicy - a discussion on mona awad 31:48

1+ y ago31:48

31:48

say hello to our very first talk lit, get hit bonus episode! we had the pleasure of talking to jade from literature done juicy - a podcast all about literature (you guessed it) and its intersection with pop-culture, science, history and so much more. we took the time to chat a little deeper about the author mona awad and two of her most popular boo…

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my brilliant friend by elena ferrante 57:49

1+ y ago57:49

57:49

ciao, brilliant friends! get ready to talk about translated fiction and dive into the world of Elena Ferrante's "My Brilliant Friend”. join us for a whirlwind discussion where we navigate through poorly pronounced Italian words, questionable cover designs, and the magical art of translated fiction. from dissecting the brilliance of Ann Goldstein's …

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S3E3. Outlining (Or, Is This Just An Ad For Miro?) 48:11

1+ y ago48:11

48:11

In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) come back to the topic of outlining, which they briefly touched upon in our first season. Outlining is defined as the process of creating a structured plan before drafting a story, and is seen as crucial for both original fiction and fan fiction writers. They discuss their individual approac…

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song of achilles by madeline miller 1:06:06

1+ y ago1:06:06

1:06:06

why did achilles go to therapy? to heel his emotional trauma. speaking of emotional trauma, our book for historical fiction month is the song of achilles by madeline miller and this episode is a doozy. historians have marvelled at and theorised about the man, the myth, the legend that is achilles for centuries but have never come close to the hot t…

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S3E2. Hot Takes & Nitpicks (Or, Pause This Podcast Right Now And Delete The Phrase 'Thin Cotton T-Shirt' From Your Fic With No Further Penalties) 49:44

1+ y ago49:44

49:44

In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) discuss their fanfiction hot takes and nit picks. Jo talks about engaging with comments, improving AO3, caring about statistics, and the misinformation that exists online about the monetisation of fanfiction. Lani expresses her desire for more creative additions to fanfiction, such as multim…

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romantic comedy by curtis sittenfeld 1:06:25

1+ y ago1:06:25

1:06:25

this month we are reading romantic comedy by curtis sittenfeld! dim the lights and cue the canned laughter because we are live in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… join us as we continue our fearless pilgrimage of genre and explore the sensual and smoochy category of romance. a book named romantic comedy surely couldn’t lead us astray! right? right??? [audience laugh…

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S3E1. Audience (Or, Chances Are: You’re Not Going to Win the Nobel Prize for Fanfiction) 1:07:02

1+ y ago1:07:02

1:07:02

In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) embark on an exploration of the intricate relationship between fanfic writers and their audience. They talk about navigating strategies for audience growth, emphasizing niche awareness, participation in fests, and the leveraging of social media. They delve into the importance of engagement, …

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rouge by mona awad 1:04:33

1+ y ago1:04:33

1:04:33

everyone knows the first step in every good skincare routine is cleansing. the second? listening to talk lit, get hit. this month marks the start of season two of the pod and what better way to kick it off than with a book that makes us question if we are but a slave to the beauty industry! join us as we try to figure out wtf happened in this book …

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talk lit, get lit - wildfire by hannah grace 1:31:44

1+ y ago1:31:44

1:31:44

'i hate it' laura cried, 'i don't know if i could read another book' eryn moaned, 'shit' we all declared! and yet, when the episode climbed to the highest of heights, we had to accept our fate. our listeners spoke and we heard you. so, to put the bow on top of season 1 and the festive season, we have reunited for one last, slightly drunken hoorah! …

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S2E17. 2023 Wrap-Up (Or, We Don't Need to Talk about MH370 Right Now) 54:17

1+ y ago54:17

54:17

In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) and Lani (@copper-dust) engage in a year-end roundup exercise, reflecting on their fanfiction writing, favourite reads, and their podcasting wins of 2023. They discuss their word counts for the year and talk about the lines or scenes they enjoyed writing. They highlight some great comments and reviews they’ve recei…

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breaking dawn by stephenie meyer 1:19:42

1+ y ago1:19:42

1:19:42

the traditional gift for a first anniversary is paper. for bella and edward, it’s a teenage engagement, last minute wedding and a scary demon-spawn baby! but for us at talk lit, get hit our gift has been this twilight saga megamix extravaganza. this episode sees us wrapping up our anniversary celebrations with one last episode on breaking dawn by s…

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eclipse by stephenie meyer 1:26:14

1+ y ago1:26:14

1:26:14

baby vampires and werewolves and confederates, oh my! as the moon overshadows the sun, so too does the romantic drama of some boring teenagers overshadow the very real (but very easily squashed) threat of an army of newborn vampires - but hey, that’s twilight, baby! this episode will have you questioning your status as a particular european nation …