Currently Reading Podcast: Season 7, Episode 50 - Best of Season 7

Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb
Release Date: July 21, 2025

Introduction to the Milestone Episode

In the landmark 50th episode of Season 7, Currently Reading hosts Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb celebrate their journey with a comprehensive "Best of Season 7" recap. This special episode serves not only as a reflection of their seven-year-long podcast but also as a testament to their enduring passion for books and the vibrant community they've cultivated.

Season Highlights and Listener Favorites

Meredith and Katie delve into the standout moments and most popular episodes of the season:

• Top Downloaded Episodes:
  • Episode 22: Top Books of 2024 – Meredith and Katie's own selections topped the charts.
  • Episode 24: Mary and Roxanna's Takeover – Featuring guest hosts Mary and Roxanna discussing their favorite books, this episode closely followed their own top picks.
  • Episode 300: Listener Press Episode – Celebrating a significant milestone, this episode explored the podcast’s journey over six seasons with over five and a half million downloads.

Meredith [02:04]: "Our most downloaded episodes of this season were our top books of the year for 2024."

Katie [02:49]: "Our 300th episode was right toward the beginning of the season, but we talked about the podcast journey as a whole. Over six full seasons, 300 episodes, which is a pretty big milestone in podcast country."

Podcast Growth and Community Impact

Both hosts reflect on the personal growth they've experienced through the podcast and the profound impact it has had on their lives:

• Personal Development:
  • Meredith shares how managing a successful podcast alongside her role as a CEO has fortified her resilience and confidence.
  • Katie discusses overcoming personal challenges, emphasizing the podcast's role in her emotional journey.

Meredith [04:49]: "I've gotten a much thicker skin, and that's been useful in a lot of areas of my life, and it's also given me a lot of courage to start new public facing things."

Katie [07:01]: "The podcast has grown me in ways that I never would have expected."

• Building a Supportive Community:
  • The hosts highlight the strong connection with their listeners, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.
  • Katie recounts the overwhelming support she received when she shared personal struggles, reinforcing that listeners are part of a larger, caring community.

Katie [09:45]: "It feels like, well, you're reading for yourself... but there's also this huge community of tens of thousands of other people who really care about things outside of our reading lives."

Favorite Episodes and Memorable Moments

Meredith and Katie reminisce about the episodes that resonated most with them and their audience:

• April Fools/No Prep Episode:
  • A test of spontaneity, this episode showcased their ability to discuss books without prior preparation, leading to authentic and candid conversations.
  • Meredith recounts nervously discussing Burn After Reading but receiving praise for her honesty.

Meredith [08:44]: "Catherine reached out to me immediately afterwards saying, like, we are so good, Meredith, I love your honest opinion."

• Non-Tragic Bookish Tragedies:

  • Exploring quirky literary mishaps, this episode was a fan favorite for its humor and relatability.

• Six Star Books:

  • A bold segment where they rated books above the traditional five-star scale, sparking lively discussions and debates within their community.

Katie [12:19]: "We don't shy away from strong opinions. We say that every week."

• Reading Life Temp Check:
  • An introspective deep dive that allowed listeners to connect on a personal level, fostering empathy and shared experiences.

Top Books of the Season

The hosts share their favorite reads from the season, highlighting a mix of fiction and non-fiction that left a lasting impression:

• Meredith’s Picks:
  • Ending Things – A gripping narrative that kept her enthralled.
  • The Discovery of Witches – A long-awaited favorite that continues to enchant her.
  • The Spell Shop – A cozy fantasy that rivals beloved titles like Legends and Lattes.

Meredith [15:06]: "The Spell Shop Cozy fantasy that rivaled Legends and Lattes, which is very, very hard to do."

• Katie’s Favorites:
  • Alice Forgot by Leon Moriarty – A poignant exploration of memory and choice, profoundly impacting her upon rereading.
  • Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa – A trans Pride and Prejudice retelling that beautifully marries classic literature with contemporary themes.
  • The Odyssey translated by Emily Wilson – Offering a fresh, feminist perspective on the ancient epic.

Katie [22:14]: "Most Ardently is exactly what I didn't know I needed. It is a little backlist at this point... it beautifully written... made me cry a little bit, which I loved."

Regrets and Personal Reflections

In keeping with their tradition, the hosts candidly discuss their biggest regrets from the season:

• Meredith’s Regret:
  • Struggling to balance work projects with her reading life, leading to a temporary dip in her literary engagements.

Meredith [23:08]: "I've been a little bit distracted, which has affected my reading. I've been distracted by work projects, including Currently Reading work projects."

• Katie’s Regret:
  • The personal toll of ending her marriage, initially keeping it private despite the supportive community, which later became a heavy burden.

Katie [23:20]: "I closed a part of myself off for nine of the 12 months of the season... It was a burden to carry, and that was difficult."

Looking Ahead: Season 8 and Beyond

As Season 7 concludes, Meredith and Katie outline their plans and exciting developments for the future:

• Podcast Evolution:
  • Introducing new segments to keep the show fresh and engaging for long-time listeners.
  • Continuing to solicit and incorporate listener ideas for deep dives, enhancing interactive engagement.

Meredith [13:44]: "It breathed a new life for me into that part of our show, which I really appreciated."

• Team and Support:
  • Acknowledging the indispensable contributions of their producer Megan Puttivong Evans and new team members like Chrissy from Sarah's Bookshelves, who steps in during Megan’s maternity leave.
  • Expressing gratitude to their Patreon supporters and indie bookstore partners who sustain the podcast's growth.

Katie [30:26]: "Without Elizabeth, Rebecca, Bumi, we would not [have indie bookstore partnerships]."

• Enhanced Content Offerings:
  • Expanding their Patreon with exclusive content for tiered supporters, ensuring all fans receive value and unique experiences.
  • Experimenting with social media to further engage their audience and attract new listeners.

Meredith [30:33]: "You'll see us trying new things and, you know, zigging when you think we're going to zag."

• Season Break and Return:
  • Announcing a short break before launching Season 8 on August 4th, promising continued excellence and new adventures in their literary explorations.

Katie [31:07]: "We are taking our month break because this is crush weekend... We will be back for Season Eight on August 4th."

Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Meredith and Katie close the episode with heartfelt thanks to their listeners, encouraging continued support through ratings, reviews, and Patreon. They emphasize the importance of their extended reading community and look forward to another year of shared literary journeys.

Katie [33:19]: "Bookish super friends are the super best friends. Thank you for helping us grow."

Meredith [33:26]: "May your coffee be hot and your book be unputdownable. Happy reading, Katie."

Connect with Currently Reading:

• Meredith: Instagram
• Katie: Instagram
• Show Notes & More: CurrentlyReadingPodcast.com
• Patreon: Support and access exclusive content
• Email: currentlyreadingpodcast@gmail.com

Stay tuned for Season 8, where Meredith and Katie promise more insightful discussions, engaging segments, and an ever-growing community of book lovers.