Blocked and Reported: “Premium: You Are A Bitter, Untalented Mean Girl”

Date: March 25, 2026
Hosts: Katie Herzog & Jesse Singal

Episode Overview

In this premium episode, Katie and Jesse return to the ongoing internet drama surrounding Lindy West and the explosive fallout from her new book, Adult Braces. The discourse has captured the attention of both critics and fans, as well as prominent media voices. The episode dives into the book's reception—especially among West’s former allies—and explores her personal reactions and those of her husband. The hosts also examine the cultural significance of the story, the evolution of internet feminism, and the dynamics of online hate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Viral Headlines & Tangents (00:53-01:48)

• Jesse reads an attention-grabbing headline:
  “Quadruple amputee cornhole player fatally shoots man, authorities say.”
  • Katie: “I have questions.” (01:00)
  • Jesse: “Isn't the headline enough?” (01:24)
  • Light banter sets the tone for their mix of irreverence and commentary.

2. Seattle Area Meetup Announcement (02:20-03:36)

• Katie announces an upcoming Puget Sound Blocked and Reported meetup:
  • April 25th, at a scenic, slightly remote location, requiring effort to reach
  • “It will probably require getting on a ferry or making a very long drive to the peninsula, but…a delightful location.” (03:17, Katie)

3. Adult Braces: Why the Discourse Won’t Die (03:36-06:23)

• The duo discusses Lindy West’s new book and its dominance in online culture:
  • Recommendation to check out Katie's episode with Helen Lewis, and Lewis's Atlantic article on the saga.
  • Helen’s term “rapid onset bisexuality” draws particular notice (“It's so good.” – Katie, 03:56).
  • The hosts point out the paradox of Lin

4. Reception—Dream, Nightmare, or Both? (04:33-06:23)

• Debate: Is the controversy a blessing or a curse for an author?
  • Jesse: “This is exactly what you want for a book. You want it to just blow up the discourse. It's not a dream and a nightmare. It's a dream.” (04:36)
  • Katie: “No, the dream is that the book blows up the discourse and everybody loves it. This is the opposite.” (04:53)
  • Speculation about West’s sales, noting a low number of Amazon reviews (around two dozen) and substack subscribers (now ~36,000).
  • “She's not a bestseller.” (06:04, Katie)

5. Reflections on Lindy West’s Internet Persona (06:23-07:58)

• Katie admits her personal stakes and schadenfreude:
  • “I’m enjoying this story because I’m a petty, jealous bitch and Lindy’s sister-in-law tried to publicly…humiliate me multiple times…” (06:23)
  • Observes that much discussion, including from Roxane Gay, now comes from Lindy’s former circle, not conservative critics.
• Jesse and Katie discuss why the book provides “so much there” for discourse:
  • “She’s obviously a good writer—she’s a funny writer. The book gives you just enough to hate…” (07:05, Jesse)
  • Critiques West for “vapid MSNBC-pill” takes on America and an overuse of “bloggy” writing tics (07:50).

6. The Discontents: Structure & Substance of Adult Braces (07:58-09:43)

• Criticism of the book’s narrative:
  • Heavy focus on road trip and drama, with the core story of joining a throuple deferred to the final pages
  • “It reads as lazy…sort of half-baked.” (08:32, Katie)
  • Lack of introspection on West’s sexuality (“rapid onset bisexuality”) and contempt toward “America” (09:43, Jesse)

7. Contradictions in Body Politics (09:43-11:13)

• Referencing Kat Rosenfield’s piece, Katie and Jesse probe the contrast between West’s body-positive narrative and her attitudes toward “fat America.”
  • Katie cites that despite West’s self-love messaging, “in Adult Braces you learn that’s all basically bullshit.” (09:48)
  • West’s lack of curiosity or empathy toward the people across “red America,” particularly in contrast to her experiences in Seattle or Brooklyn (10:32-11:13).

8. The Backlash: Who’s Criticizing Lindy, and Why? (11:51+)

• The most vocal criticism comes not from conservatives but from liberals, progressives, and West’s natural readership
  • “Now it’s coming from inside the house.” (12:18, Katie)
• Blocked and Reported situates the phenomenon as a shift from trolling and “men’s rights” hate to more nuanced, sometimes pity-driven backlash
• Lindy’s public response: She goes live for long stretches on Instagram, “savaging her readers,” while she’s alone on book tour in a van.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Katie: “Imagining Ijomo Luo opening threads and seeing Roxane Gay talk. Her brother is my Christmas. It’s my Roman Empire. It’s my Keane gay.” (06:52)
• Jesse: “This is exactly what you want for a book. You want it to just blow up the discourse. It’s not a dream and a nightmare. It’s a dream.” (04:36)
• Katie: “Now it’s coming from inside the house.” (12:18)
• Jesse: “There’s no actual. Rapid onset bisexuality. She had identified as straight. You would think that would require some degree of…personal transformation...and there’s no fucking exploration of that.” (08:57-09:43)
• Katie: “She has such contempt for a lot of the people she meets and it comes across as so grating.” (09:43)
• Jesse: “I thought she was like super famous.” (06:23)
• Katie: “Apparently a lot of people, this is the first they are hearing about her.” (06:24)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---|---|---| | Viral headline cold open | “Quadruple amputee cornhole player…” banter | 00:53-01:48 | | Meetup Announcement | Seattle Puget Sound details | 02:20-03:36 | | Lindy West Discourse Begins | Book, cultural impact, Helen Lewis | 03:36-06:23 | | Controversy: Dream or Nightmare? | Book reception debate | 04:33-06:23 | | Petty Joy & Social Dynamics | Katie’s personal schadenfreude & Roxane Gay’s involvement | 06:23-07:58 | | Book Review & Criticism | Bloggy style, lack of introspection, narrative structure | 07:58-09:43 | | Contradictory Body Politics | West’s self-love vs. disdain for “fat America” | 09:43-11:13 | | Backlash & Author Responses | From fans, readers, West’s IG lives | 11:51+ |

Final Thoughts

The hosts approach the Adult Braces saga with their signature blend of irreverence, cultural critique, and personal anecdotes, unpacking why Lindy West’s latest work has become a Rorschach blot for millennial feminism’s demise. They highlight the unique pain of backlash from one’s own ideological camp, and reflect on the enduring power of online controversy in shaping literary and cultural reputations. The episode closes with a hook encouraging premium membership for the full deep dive into the West family’s email drama and further discussion.

For extra context and full access, join as a premium subscriber at blockedandreported.org.