Podcast Summary: "Speed Dating Fantasy Book Characters"

Podcast Information:

• Title: I'll Read What She's Reading
• Host(s): Michaela, Reggie, & Kennedy
• Episode Title: Speed Dating Fantasy Book Characters
• Release Date: February 12, 2025
• Description: Join Kennedy, Reggie, & Mikayla every Wednesday as they discuss everything from smash or pass on their favorite book characters, deep dives on their favorite authors, & more. Want to read & not sure where to start? Just read what they’re reading! Each month the girls will have a monthly book club book that they, along with their listeners, will read together & discuss.

Introduction and Episode Overview (00:00 - 01:06)

The episode kicks off with a brief advertisement for Roulee, a female-created, family-owned fashion brand. After the ad segment, Michaela welcomes listeners back to the podcast:

Michaela (01:06): "Hi guys. Welcome back to Aubrey. What she's reading. I'm Michaela."

Reggie and Kennedy introduce themselves, setting the stage for the episode's theme centered around relationship and dating topics, specifically a "speed dating" scenario featuring favorite fictional book characters.

Segment 1: Hosts' Personal Choices for Speed Dating (01:06 - 07:57)

The trio begins by discussing which book characters they personally would like to speed date. They emphasize that the focus is solely on book fictional characters, not random fictional personas.

• Kennedy expresses a desire to speed date Dorian Haviliar, highlighting his charisma:

  Kennedy (02:22): "He's got the charisma. I would walk into a room and just pass away if I saw Dorian Haviliar in the flesh."

• Reggie shares her interest in Azriel, appreciating his quiet and cute demeanor, though she anticipates challenges in engaging him in conversation.

• Michaela contemplates other charismatic characters but momentarily draws a blank.

• Reggie brings up Adrian from "Life's Too Short", noting his humor and ability to make a great first impression.

• The conversation touches on various characters, weighing their suitability for a speed dating environment based on traits like communication skills and charisma.

Segment 2: Listener Submissions and Character Pairings (07:57 - 25:00)

The hosts transition to discussing submissions from listeners, pairing different fantasy book characters and debating their compatibility.

1. Taryn (from "4th Wing, the Empyrean series") and Abraxos (from "Throne of Glass"):

   • Michaela and Kennedy argue that their personalities clash, with Kennedy suggesting:

     Kennedy (08:04): "Taryn and Abraxos would be horrible."

   • Despite Michaela's initial agreement, she later envisions a "match made in heaven" scenario, opening the door for playful disagreements.

2. Nesta (from "Manacled") and Draco Malfoy:

   • Reggie and Michaela debate their chemistry, with Reggie stating:

     Reggie (09:30): "I can only think of … ida… they would like to frick each other."

   • They acknowledge a potential for a tumultuous relationship characterized by strong emotions but doubt lasting chemistry.

3. Fenris and Danika:

   • Reggie appreciates their similarities but notes potential conflicts due to Fenris' passivity versus Danika's harshness.

   • Michaela later suggests their relationship might evolve into a strong friendship rather than a romantic bond.

4. Riddick and Cassian:

   • The hosts express enthusiasm for this pairing, envisioning a "bromance" rather than a romantic relationship.

   • Michaela elaborates:

     Michaela (19:58): "I think romantically they would not be together, but I think they would be like … best friends where they push it a little too far."

5. Miscellaneous Pairings:

   • Misery from "Bride" and Edward Cullen: The hosts predict awkwardness, with Kennedy remarking Edward's social awkwardness hindering the date.

   • Aen and Zaden: They foresee a friendship blossoming from shared traits like snarkiness and quick wit.

   • Feyre (from "ACOTAR") and Max (from "Daughter of the World"): A strong romantic connection is anticipated, with Reggie envisioning trauma bonding and mutual support.

   • Mustang from "Red Rising" and Rhysand: They discuss the potential for a power struggle, ultimately doubting a lasting romantic connection but acknowledging mutual respect.

Throughout this segment, the hosts emphasize the complexities of pairing characters from different narratives, considering factors like personality compatibility, existing relationships within their respective stories, and the inherent traits that define each character.

Segment 3: Future Episode Ideas and Personality Tests (25:00 - 36:22)

The conversation shifts towards brainstorming future episodes, particularly the idea of taking Myers-Briggs personality tests to determine which book characters align with each host's personality. They consider the potential for increased self-awareness and entertaining content based on the results.

• Kennedy proposes:

  Kennedy (35:06): "We need to do ... have us take the test, see what characters were similar to see what characters we would have chemistry with."

• Michaela and Reggie express enthusiasm, acknowledging that the results might lead to surprising or humorous revelations.

The hosts contemplate the benefits of such an episode, including deepening their understanding of themselves and offering listeners relatable content based on personality matches with beloved characters.

Segment 4: Hypothetical Scenarios Involving Hosts' Partners (36:22 - 41:32)

The discussion turns personal as the hosts consider how their own husbands might fare in speed dating scenarios with various fictional characters.

• Michaela believes her husband would clash with Nesta, citing Nesta's standoffish nature:

  Michaela (37:04): "I think my husband would absolutely hate Nesta."

• Kennedy suggests that her husband might not connect well with Elaine, describing the potential lack of conversation:

  Kennedy (37:56): "I think my husband would love Lissandra... because she’s a little bit more social, but she’s not harsh."

• Reggie envisions her husband appreciating Feyre's acts of service:

  Reggie (37:56): "He'd like one."

The hosts humorously navigate these hypothetical pairings, recognizing the challenges of aligning real-life personalities with fictional personas.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts (41:32 - 41:57)

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the enjoyment derived from analyzing fictional characters and expressing a desire to continue exploring such engaging topics in future episodes.

Michaela (41:38): "I really can't … disecting these different characters and if we thought they were going to work out or not."

They sign off with enthusiasm, anticipating the next episode's discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• Kennedy (02:22): "He’s got the charisma. I would walk into a room and just pass away if I saw Dorian Haviliar in the flesh."

• Reggie (05:20): "Why do I feel like I need to, like, say the definition of speed dating in case anyone listening doesn't understand."

• Michaela (09:16): "I'd read it."

• Kennedy (35:06): "We need to do ... have us take the test, see what characters were similar to see what characters we would have chemistry with."

• Reggie (37:56): "He'd like one."

Key Takeaways:

• Engaging Discussions: The hosts delve into the compatibility of various fantasy book characters in speed dating scenarios, blending humor with thoughtful analysis.

• Character Chemistry: Emphasis is placed on traits like charisma, communication skills, and inherent personality to assess potential romantic or platonic connections.

• Future Content: Plans to incorporate personality tests to further explore character alignments with the hosts' own personalities, promising deeper and more personalized content.

• Personal Insights: The segment involving the hosts' reflections on their partners introduces a relatable and humorous dimension, highlighting the challenges of aligning real-life relationships with fictional pairings.

This episode of "I'll Read What She's Reading" offers a delightful exploration of fantasy literary characters through the unconventional lens of speed dating. Michaela, Reggie, and Kennedy provide insightful and entertaining commentary, making it a must-listen for avid readers and fans of character-driven discussions.