Podcast Summary: Bad On Paper – "Desert Island Picks" Release Date: July 9, 2025

In this engaging episode of Bad On Paper, hosts Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter dive into a fun and introspective "Desert Island Picks" segment. Stripped of the usual advertisements and introductions, the conversation centers around personal highs and lows, as well as what they would choose to bring with them if stranded on a desert island. The episode is rich with personal anecdotes, thoughtful reflections, and playful banter, making it both relatable and entertaining for listeners.

1. Personal Highs and Lows

Becca Freeman's High: Family Time Becca shares a heartwarming highlight from her weekend spent in Boston. “Yesterday we went to the Cheesecake Factory with my friend's two kids... I taught my friend's son, who's the older one, thumbs up and thumbs down, which was a big hit” (00:49). She emphasizes the importance of maintaining relationships with her friends' children, even though she personally doesn’t desire having kids of her own.

Olivia Muenter's High: Avid Reading Olivia discusses her newfound passion for reading, attributing it to her disciplined approach to reducing phone usage before bed. “I've just found that my reading has gone up exponentially. I'm like averaging four or five books a week right now” (01:54). She details her routine of reading two hours every night and an additional hour in the morning, along with weekend reading sessions.

Becca Freeman's Low: Financial Uncertainty Becca opens up about missing her June income goal, marking the first time this year she fell short. “I kind of sent me into a little bit of a spiral... I just don't like the uncertainty” (04:21). She discusses the challenges of a non-traditional portfolio career, including inconsistent income and the stress of not having financial visibility.

Olivia Muenter's Low: Dealing with Allergies Olivia shares concerns about her partner Jake's severe allergies, which were recently diagnosed by an allergist. “Turns out he is quite allergic to dogs. Oh, no. And not only that, but trees. Like, all trees” (05:49). She expresses empathy for Jake's predicament and the impact it has on their daily lives, highlighting the difficulties of managing unexpected health issues.

2. Desert Island Picks

Books to Read for the Rest of Time

Becca Freeman's Choice: Becca deliberates on selecting a book that offers depth and the potential for repeated readings without growing tiresome. She considers The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer and The Wedding People by Alison Sbach, appreciating their complex characters and rich storytelling. “I need something that I can constantly be rereading and finding new layers to” (12:01).

Olivia Muenter's Choice: Olivia opts for titles that resemble modern classics with substantial content. She chooses Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver and The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, both of which she believes offer intricate plots and character development suitable for sustained engagement. “I savored it. There's so much to think about” (15:02).

Beach Reads

Becca Freeman's Pick: Becca selects People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry, praising its fun and romantic elements. “This book is Vacation in a Book. It's so fun. It's a little sexy” (17:53). She notes the upcoming Netflix adaptation as a testament to its popularity.

Olivia Muenter's Pick: Olivia chooses The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller, describing it as a "thinking man's beach read" due to its strong emphasis on place, water, and atmospheric beauty. She acknowledges the book's darker themes but appreciates its overall depth. “It's so much based on, like, place and water and sky and beauty” (17:09).

Favorite Books to Recommend

Becca Freeman's Recommendation: Becca advocates for The Idea of You by Robinne Lee, highlighting it as a top-tier romance novel that can serve as an excellent gateway into the romance genre. “If you're a romance reader, it really hits the marks” (18:40).

Olivia Muenter's Recommendation: Olivia recommends Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, praising its universal appeal and storytelling. “It's a very rare thing to be as universally appealing as I think this book is” (19:08). She discusses the allure of its trailer and the star-studded cast, expressing excitement for the film adaptation.

Movies to Watch Forever

Becca Freeman's Choice: Becca selects The Family Stone, appreciating its affirmation of the human condition and the balance of humor and drama. “It's about family loving each other... it feels like it has kind of a spectrum” (25:08).

Olivia Muenter's Choice: Olivia picks Ever After, admiring its romantic narrative despite some quirky casting choices. “It's just beautiful, too. And I also just love a poofy sleeve” (27:39). She humorously critiques Leonardo da Vinci's inclusion in the Cinderella story.

TV Shows to Watch Forever

Becca Freeman's Pick: Becca opts for New Girl, valuing its consistent humor and the density of jokes across episodes. “A lot of episodes... I laugh out loud at something every episode” (29:07).

Olivia Muenter's Pick: Olivia chooses Fleabag, lauding its sharp writing and memorable scenes. “I could watch that all the time” (28:53). She reminisces about iconic moments from the show, such as the "hot priest" scene.

Actors' Filmographies to Watch Forever

Becca Freeman's Choice: Becca decides on Julia Roberts, citing her extensive and beloved filmography including Notting Hill, Erin Brockovich, and Pretty Woman. “It gets me a lot of movies that I enjoy” (31:19).

Olivia Muenter's Choice: Olivia gravitates towards Cate Blanchett and Toni Collette, appreciating their versatile acting skills across various genres. “I always like everything that Cate Blanchett is in for the most part” (30:11). She also humorously mentions Jesse Plemons and Robin Williams as ideal picks.

Food Choices

Becca Freeman's Pick: Tacos Becca chooses tacos for their versatility and ability to be endlessly varied with different fillings and toppings. “I think that you could put in different fillings... I could keep it up for eternity” (39:16).

Olivia Muenter's Pick: Poke Olivia selects poke for its satisfying combination of flavors and textures. “I could do it all day, every day. Honestly. Send me to Hawaii, someone” (38:27). Despite Becca’s concerns about the monotony, Olivia remains enthusiastic about her choice.

Breakfast Choices:

• Becca Freeman: Chooses chilaquiles for their hearty and varied components, avoiding egg-based meals due to fluctuating preferences. “I'm going chilaquiles in this fictional world where I can only have one” (40:47).

• Olivia Muenter: Settles on a balanced meal of sourdough toast with butter, medium eggs, and jam, appreciating the mix of sweet and savory. “It was the exact thing I needed” (40:08).

Dessert Selections

• Becca Freeman: Opts for funfetti cupcakes, reveling in their simple joy and frosting. “I have never been not delighted when presented with a funfetti cupcake” (44:45).

• Olivia Muenter: Prefers dense, moist cakes like yellow cake with thin chocolate frosting and sticky toffee pudding. “I love a dense, moist cake” (45:07).

Beverage Choices

• Becca Freeman: Chooses grapefruit seltzer for its refreshing yet specific flavor. “I think that it is the most neutral tasting seltzer that isn't plain” (46:45).

• Olivia Muenter: Selects Diet Coke, balancing between practicality and personal preference. “I would have to go with Diet Coke” (47:28).

3. Additional Segments and Personal Obsessions

Personal Obsessions:

• Becca Freeman: Enthralled by Cozy Earth's temperature-regulating bamboo sheets, which help her maintain comfortable sleep despite her hot apartment. “I am obsessed with this. This was exactly what I needed” (53:16).

• Olivia Muenter: Fascinated by the Australian brand Dish, particularly their flowy linen dresses. She admires their timeless designs and high-quality materials, despite the limited sizing options. “I love discovering new brands” (55:07).

Book Club Selections:

• Olivia Muenter: Shares her recent reads, including Tilt by Emma P. Petit, Migrations by Charlotte McConaghey, The Turnout by Megan Abbott, and The Compound by Ashlyn Rawl. She highlights each book’s unique qualities and the emotional impact they had on her.

• Becca Freeman: Recommends Heart the Lover by Lily King and Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle, praising their deep narratives and exceptional writing. She also mentions choosing Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid for their upcoming book club.

4. Conclusion and Community Engagement

Becca and Olivia wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to join their community on various platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Substack. They invite audiences to engage in discussions, defend their unique choices (like grapefruit seltzer), and stay connected for future episodes.

Notable Quote: Olivia emphasizes the importance of community and shared experiences, saying, “Let’s get out of this and into some men matter” (53:16), illustrating their blend of seriousness and humor.

Key Takeaways:

• Personal Connections: Both hosts value meaningful relationships and personal growth, reflected in their highs and lows.
• Diverse Preferences: Their desert island picks showcase a wide range of tastes in books, movies, and food, highlighting their individuality.
• Community Focus: Engaging with listeners through social media and book clubs underlines their commitment to building a supportive and interactive audience.

This episode of Bad On Paper not only provides delightful insights into the hosts' personal preferences but also offers listeners a chance to reflect on their own choices and connect with a community of like-minded book and movie enthusiasts.

Feel free to join the conversation and share your own desert island picks on their social platforms!