On this week’s episode, Dan finally claws his way out of the novel-writing fog long enough to pour a drink and have an honest-to-God conversation with someone who isn’t a fictional character. Fortunately, that someone is Danielle Frank, author of the hilarious and sharply observed new book A Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting.

Danielle and Dan get into it: wine, love, parenting… though not necessarily in that order, because nothing in parenting (or podcasting) ever goes in the intended order. They swap stories, compare emotional scar tissue, and break down the fine line between “a well-deserved glass of Pinot” and “is this childproofed?”

Dan also rambles about what it’s like to be so deep into writing a novel that he’s started talking to his characters more than to actual humans. It’s part confession, part therapy, part cry for help.

All that, plus the usual laughs, sips, and questionable wisdom. Cheers.