Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast – Episode Summary

Title: Danielle Steel’s Memoir Pure Joy
Host: Chelsea Devantez
Guest: Sarah Wendell
Release Date: April 22, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast, host Chelsea Devantez delves into Danielle Steel’s memoir, Pure Joy, alongside special guest Sarah Wendell. While both women discuss the memoir, they also explore Danielle Steel’s tumultuous personal life, her prolific writing career, and her intense relationship with dogs. This episode provides an insightful and critical examination of Steel’s life and work, appealing to fans of celebrity memoirs and pop culture enthusiasts.

Guests and Background

Chelsea Devantez introduces herself as a TV writer, comedian, filmmaker, and author, passionate about deconstructing celebrity memoirs through a thoughtful lens. Sarah Wendell, co-founder of SmartTrashyBooks.com, has been hosting the long-running Smart Podcast Trashy Books for over 20 years. She is recognized for her in-depth discussions on romance novels and has been featured in numerous prestigious media outlets.

Overview of Danielle Steel

The conversation begins with Chelsea providing an overview of Danielle Steel’s illustrious career. Known as one of the best-selling authors of all time, Steel has sold over 800 million copies of her books by 2021, authoring 190 books, including more than 140 novels. Chelsea humorously notes, “You know Danielle Steele from her movie and TV adaptations or as I did, which is seeing her name across my favorite grocery store aisle” (01:20).

Danielle Steel’s Memoir Pure Joy

Sarah introduces Steel’s memoir, The Dogs We Love: Pure Joy, highlighting that Steel has authored two non-fiction, memoir-adjacent books. Initially hesitant to delve into a dog memoir, Chelsea confesses her reservations: “If I could ask you, Sarah, like ballpark, how many dogs do you think have been in and out of her life?” (16:26). Sarah estimates, “Oh my gosh, it's gotta be at least 50, possibly 60” (16:38), which Chelsea finds overwhelming given her own experience with pets.

Steel’s Personal Life and Marriages

The discussion shifts to Steel’s personal life, particularly her six marriages. Chelsea expresses shock upon learning Steel has been married six times: “Is it six? The Internet says five.” (26:00). Sarah confirms, detailing each marriage and highlighting the complexity and drama surrounding them. Notably, Steel’s marriage to an inmate who was later convicted of rape and robbery raises red flags about her personal choices and motivations: “Why would you tolerate that?” (23:28).

Obsessive Relationship with Dogs

A significant portion of the conversation centers on Steel’s obsession with dogs. Both hosts critique how Steel treats her dogs more as accessories than living beings. Chelsea points out inconsistencies in Steel’s memoir, such as claiming not to be a dog person while dedicating entire chapters to her numerous pets: “She is not a dog person. She just wrote, you cannot be.” (19:48). Sarah adds, “It's like they are almost like accessories,” emphasizing Steel’s lack of genuine empathy for her pets.

Prolific Writing and Work Ethic

Danielle Steel’s relentless work ethic is another focal point. Sarah discusses Steel’s ability to produce an astonishing number of books: “She just talks about how she writes a book for 20 hours a day” (11:34). Chelsea marvels at the sheer volume, questioning the feasibility and authenticity of Steel’s claims: “I wouldn't trust her writing her own memoir.” (10:20).

Critical Analysis and Personal Reflections

Throughout the episode, both hosts critically analyze Steel’s narrative style and personal disclosures. They highlight how Steel’s portrayal of her relationship with dogs often undermines the emotional weight of her experiences, such as her son's suicide: “Are you kidding me? That's... traumatic” (43:11). Chelsea relates personally, sharing her struggles with dog-related anxieties, which contrasts sharply with Steel’s detached recounting.

Notable Quotes

• Chelsea Devantez (16:26): “Do you need a Dog name. Because they're all here. You can just pick one of these.”

• Sarah Wendell (20:48): “So she's decided that she's gonna find a black miniature dachshund puppy who looked just like the one that he lost.”

• Chelsea Devantez (33:14): “I don't get into bed until I'm so tired I could sleep on the floor.”

• Sarah Wendell (54:10): “She has this massive lifestyle that just reeks of unhealthy obsession.”

Conclusion

In wrapping up, both hosts reflect on the impact of Steel’s memoir. Sarah acknowledges a fleeting positive moment from the book, appreciating the reminder to cherish relationships with dogs: “You don't always get a chair. And then it's up to us to figure out how to fill our time and make it a good life” (33:44). Conversely, Chelsea emphasizes the detrimental portrayal of pet ownership in Steel’s narrative, advocating for responsible and empathetic treatment of animals.

Final Thoughts: The episode provides a comprehensive critique of Danielle Steel’s memoir, blending personal anecdotes with an analysis of Steel’s life choices. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the complexities behind celebrity memoirs and the importance of authentic storytelling.

<a id="timestamp-0120"></a> Timestamp References:

• 01:20 – Introduction to Danielle Steel’s career.
• 10:20 – Chelsea’s skepticism about Steel’s work ethic.
• 11:34 – Discussion on Steel’s writing habits.
• 16:26 – Estimating the number of dogs in Steel’s life.
• 16:38 – Chelsea’s reaction to the number of dogs.
• 19:48 – Critique of Steel’s portrayal of herself as a dog person.
• 23:28 – Analysis of Steel’s unhealthy personal relationships.
• 26:00 – Revelation of Steel’s sixth marriage.
• 33:14 – Steel’s relentless work ethic.
• 33:44 – Reflection on cherishing relationships with dogs.
• 43:11 – Discussion on the traumatic aspects of Steel’s memoir.
• 54:10 – Additional critique on Steel’s lifestyle obsessive traits.

Connect with the Hosts:

• Chelsea Devantez: Follow on social media and join the conversation on Spotify, Instagram, and Patreon.
• Sarah Wendell: Listen to her podcast Smart Podcast Trashy Books, follow on Instagram @martbitches, and on Bluesky.

Support Independent Bookstores:
Visit Libro FM for audiobooks and support local bookshops. Use code Trash for two audiobooks at the price of one during your first month.

Note: This summary omits all advertisement segments and focuses solely on the in-depth discussion between Chelsea Devantez and Sarah Wendell regarding Danielle Steel’s memoir, personal life, and relationship with dogs.