Bad On Paper Podcast
November 2025 Three Things
Date: November 5, 2025
Hosts: Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter
Episode Overview
In this light-hearted and engaging “Three Things” episode, Becca and Olivia each bring three topics to the table for an entertaining mix of pop culture gossip, bookish recommendations, seasonal chat, and personal reflections as they round out October and head into November. Topics include reality TV highs, podcast recommendations, celebrity gossip, supernatural beliefs, expensive liquids, and cozy fall favorites. The conversation stays true to Bad On Paper’s blend of laughter, book banter, and candid friendship, offering listeners a dose of inspiration and plenty of relatable moments.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Highs and Lows
[01:07-11:29]
Highs
- Olivia (“B”): The latest Real Housewives of Salt Lake City episode, especially the wild and operatic yacht crossover with Below Deck. Olivia raves about the cast's personalities and recounts dramatic scenes, particularly Lisa Barlow’s on-dock meltdown—"It is art. It is cinema." (01:07)
- Becca (“A”): Shares excitement about receiving her new author photos and the relief at saving her printer from water damage after repeated mishaps—"My printer has been marked safe from rain." (07:30)
Lows
- Olivia: A rough week due to lack of sleep (her dog Winnie pulled a muscle). She marvels at how new parents survive with little sleep.
- Quote: "I just didn't feel totally like myself. I felt a little bit, like, undisciplined when it came to work and like being on my phone and stuff." (08:49)
- Becca: Outrage about the imminent expiration of SNAP (food) benefits being used as a political bargaining chip.
- Quote: "I am fucking pissed about the imminent expiration of SNAP benefits... the current administration is using people's food benefits as a bargaining chip..." (09:51)
- Both discuss finding and supporting local food banks.
2. Book Gossip: "Doug Cheese" & Celebrity Fake Names
[13:47-20:03]
- Olivia details Emma Straub’s Substack gossip about David Harbour (Lily Allen’s ex-husband) shopping at Books Are Magic under the ridiculous alias “Doug Cheese.”
- The name sparks a lively debate: If you had to use a fake name, what would it be?
- Olivia’s pick: “Martha Monique Von Slatterhorn” (17:40)
- Becca would use book character names (16:13)
- They relish the absurdity and imagine alter ego scenarios, especially with future fame or career pivots.
3. Current Podcast Lineups & Writing Podcast Recs
[20:06-29:49]
- Olivia's recs:
- Book Gang with Amy – thoughtful author interviews (21:38)
- Pen Pals – real-time writing journey with weekly goals (22:05)
- Glamorous Trash – Chelsea Devontes recapping celebrity memoirs (23:43)
- Becca's recs:
- "Shooting the Shit" from The Shit No One Tells You About Writing (25:36)
- Books Beach and Beyond (27:48)
- Open Book With Jenna and others
- Both mourn the loss of “First Draft Pod” and “A Thing or Two”
- Both invite listeners to share new writing podcast recommendations, noting how tricky it is to discover quality book and writing podcasts.
4. Spooky Season: Ghosts, Astrology, and Psychics
[29:51-39:55]
- Olivia asks: "Do you believe in ghosts or the supernatural?"
- Becca: “90% no. 10% sometimes.” (30:18)
- Olivia: Leans toward skepticism but likes the possibility. Shares a story about leaving the front door open and “seeing” a mysterious figure at night (33:20)
- They discuss astrology and psychics—both are skeptical, but Olivia enjoys the “magic of possibility." Becca is most intrigued by accounts from skeptics with wild psychic experiences.
- Notable moment: “I like believing that there’s, like, room for magic, you know, even if it’s...probably not real.” – Olivia (37:08)
- Fun anecdote: A psychic once (correctly) predicted Grace’s relationship on the podcast.
5. Expensive Liquids Game
[41:51-48:19]
- Becca quizzes Olivia: “What’s the most expensive liquid you can buy legally, without a special permit?”
- Answer: Scorpion venom ($39 million/gallon, for research/medical use). Printer ink ($12,000/gallon) is surprisingly high on the list. (43:42)
- They riff on creating "million-dollar soup" with the world’s priciest substances, Olivia’s dark new alter ego, and dangerous kitchen antics.
- Quote: “If Olivia serves you soup, run.” – Becca (46:41)
6. Good & Bad Habits of 2025
[48:21-53:42]
- Olivia’s new habit: Regular exercise (walking and weightlifting).
- Bad habit to break: More takeout and online shopping than she’d like.
- Becca’s new habit: Long-form journaling (weekly or biweekly). She wants to kick her phone out of her bedroom and is shopping for an alarm clock with brown noise features.
- Quote (Becca): “I would like to kick my phone out of my bedroom… I’m thinking of buying one of those on Black Friday if they’re on sale…” (52:03)
7. Fall Flavor Debate: Pumpkin vs. Apple
[53:49-58:51]
- Olivia: Slight edge to pumpkin for scent, but apple for taste (“I love a cider, hot cider, chilled cider, apple cider donut.” 54:35)
- Becca: Firmly Team Apple (Macintosh apples, apple cider cocktails, apple crisp, and especially apple pie bars). “I’m anti pumpkin. I’m apple.” (55:31)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “It is a perfect episode of reality television. Perfect. It is art. It is cinema.” – Olivia, on Real Housewives of SLC ([01:07])
- “You can’t—you literally could not write this. It is so nuts and weirdly beautiful.” – Olivia, on the yacht scene ([02:40])
- “I have never heard of [publishers paying for author photos]... Like many things in author life, it is. It’s just us.” – Olivia ([07:22])
- “[Doug Cheese]...just the best and worst thing I have ever heard.” – Olivia ([15:07])
- “What would you choose as your fake name?” – Becca ([16:13])
- “I like believing that there’s, like, room for magic, you know, even if it’s, you know, statistically…not real.” – Olivia ([37:08])
Key Timestamps
- 00:17 – Episode intro and today’s three things lineup
- 01:07-11:29 – Highs and lows of the week
- 13:47 – Celebrity bookstore gossip: David Harbour as “Doug Cheese”
- 20:06-29:49 – Podcast lineups and writing podcast recommendations
- 29:51-39:55 – Do you believe in ghosts or supernatural? Astrology and psychics chat
- 41:51-48:19 – What’s the world’s most expensive liquid? Game and serial killer soup jokes
- 48:21-53:42 – Good and bad habits of the year
- 53:49-58:51 – Pumpkin vs. apple: favorite fall flavors and treats
What They’re Obsessed With
- Becca: Scored a near-new Vince coat on The RealReal—unexpectedly navy, but thrilled at the deal.
- “I feel like I got away with something finding a deal on this coat.” ([62:14])
- Olivia: Newly obsessed with the positive, light-hearted vibe of Dancing with the Stars.
- “It’s so low stakes…even when it’s bad, [the judges’ feedback is] kind of nice.” ([65:02])
What They’re Reading
- Becca:
- Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straub – Outlandish, high-stakes snake-shifter smut.
- Female Fantasy by Iman Harir Rekia – Meta romantic comedy with layered narratives, perfect for fans of quirky capers.
- Olivia:
- Sister Wife by Christine Woolley Brown – Memoir of polygamy, bravery, and Sister Wives drama. More detailed discussion on Olivia’s guest spot on Glamorous Trash.
Book Club Pick:
- The Correspondent by Virginia Evans – An epistolary novel about tough family relationships, letters, and finding meaning in correspondence.
Connect & Community
- Facebook Group: Bad On Paper Podcast
- Instagram: @badonpaperpodcast
- BFF app chat room
- Olivia: @oliviamenter | Substack | Preorder her novel Little One (coming February)
- Becca: @beccamfreeman | Substack
Summary
This episode encapsulates the essence of Bad On Paper—it’s fun, bookish, pop-culture savvy, and rooted in authentic friendship. From pop culture highs to fall treat debates and writer podcast deep dives, Becca and Olivia keep the banter lively, honest, and occasionally a bit unhinged (see: million-dollar soup and Doug Cheese). Listeners looking for podcast recs, a laugh, or gentle virtual company will find comfort and camaraderie here.
For more, join the community, share your writing or reading podcast recs, and mark your calendars for November’s book club!