The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna
Episode: Dinners and Losers
Release Date: April 7, 2025
Introduction
In the April 7, 2025 episode of The Book Lisp, hosts Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna delve into the intricacies of blending family dynamics with the challenges of moving forward after a tragedy. Titled Dinners and Losers, this episode explores the emotional landscape of divorced parents navigating new relationships while attempting to maintain familial bonds.
Episode Overview
1. Welcoming Remarks and Personal Updates [00:00 - 02:40]
Sarah opens the episode with her characteristic humor, discussing her shiny appearance and playful banter with Jon about the term "Dewey." They briefly touch upon a bonus interview with Susan Powder from March's extended schedule, highlighting the vibrant community in their Book Lisp Facebook group.
Notable Quote:
Sarah Colonna [00:46]: "It's just shiny. But if you're watching, people want to be dewy."
Jon expresses his enthusiasm for revisiting "She Was Gone" by Lisa Jewell, the current month's book, emphasizing its popularity among their listeners.
2. Selecting May's Book: "Beach Vibes" by Susan Mallory [05:28 - 07:00]
Jon announces the selection of "Beach Vibes" by Susan Mallory for May, signaling a shift towards fresh authors and new narratives. Both hosts discuss the significance of book covers in their selection process, with Jon advocating for judging a book by its cover to appeal to genre-specific audiences.
Notable Quote:
Jon Ryan [06:02]: "I always judge a book by its cover. Always."
Sarah appreciates Jon's approach, reminiscing about her own books and their impressive covers. They both agree that the visual appeal plays a crucial role in attracting the right readers.
3. Podcast and Patreon Enhancements [03:14 - 04:00]
Sarah elaborates on their expanding content offerings through Patreon, including extra episodes, short stories, and video recordings of their podcasts. She highlights the upcoming short story, "The Fall Risk" by Abby Jimenez, slated for the 15th of the month.
Notable Quote:
Sarah Colonna [05:46]: "We've had listeners suggesting short stories and people were like, oh, I don't know if you have too many choices... I said, please, please suggest because it helps us."
In-Depth Discussion
4. The Allure of True Crime vs. Fiction [09:06 - 17:53]
The conversation shifts to the popularity of true crime, with both hosts sharing their preferences. Sarah admits her fascination with true crime shows, contrasting it with her preference for reading psychological thrillers. Jon adds that while he hasn't read true crime books, he consumes the content through television and podcasts like Dateline.
Notable Quotes:
Sarah Colonna [09:38]: "If you got a date line, I mean, I've watched all 450 Datelines... we love all that stuff."
Jon Ryan [16:15]: "It's almost more like you're learning from it."
They delve into the psychological aspects of consuming true crime content, discussing its educational value and the viewers' need for closure in unresolved cases. The hosts also critique shows like Fear Thy Neighbor for their reenactments and predictable outcomes.
5. Personal Anecdotes on Family Dynamics [18:29 - 34:43]
Sarah shares personal stories reflecting the episode's theme—blended families and the complexities of post-divorce relationships. She recounts experiences from her own life, such as the awkwardness of her parents and step-parents dining together, paralleling the book's narrative.
Notable Quotes:
Sarah Colonna [21:53]: "I don't want to put any type of weird dynamic on it, but it's always weird for me."
Jon Ryan [26:27]: "He never made anything awkward."
They discuss the challenges of maintaining harmony in blended families, especially during significant events like weddings. Sarah humorously describes her mother's attempts at humor and the resulting awkwardness, while Jon praises her father's ability to keep situations comfortable.
6. Reflections on Parent-Child Relationships [34:07 - 35:35]
The hosts contemplate the emotional burden children bear when parents divorce, especially in the face of a family tragedy like the one portrayed in "Dinners and Losers." Sarah reminisces about her childhood experiences, balancing visits between divorced parents and step-parents.
Notable Quotes:
Sarah Colonna [34:07]: "It's almost like the kids, even no matter how old you are, are the ones that still act weird about the parents."
Jon Ryan [35:22]: "How am I doing? And then I like canceled everything."
These reflections highlight the enduring impact of parental relationships on children, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding within blended families.
Technological Integration and Lifestyle
7. Leveraging Technology for Reading [38:19 - 41:37]
Jon and Sarah discuss integrating technology into their daily routines to enhance their reading experience. They explore using Kindle apps on treadmill screens, allowing them to read while exercising. Sarah mentions her switch from Audible to Spotify for audiobooks and the challenges of managing multiple apps.
Notable Quote:
Jon Ryan [39:16]: "You just flip through them and read them while you're on your podcast or while you're on the treadmill."
8. Upcoming Events and Personal Plans [41:50 - 42:52]
The conversation takes a lighthearted turn as Sarah reveals plans to attend a pool party in Vegas, humorously highlighting Jon's efforts to maintain his physique. They tease listeners about upcoming discussions and events exclusive to their Patreon subscribers.
Notable Quote:
Sarah Colonna [42:00]: "After pimping you out, I will be hiding under a cover-up giant hat and not letting anyone see what my situation is."
Closing Remarks
In wrapping up the episode, Jon reiterates the selection of "Beach Vibes" by Susan Mallory for May, aligning with the approaching beach season. Sarah encourages listeners to join their Book Lists community on Facebook and Patreon, emphasizing the value of suggested short stories and the benefits of exclusive content.
Notable Quote:
Sarah Colonna [42:52]: "Thank you guys for being here again. Join the book listeners. We keep a features tab running of everything that we're reading."
Conclusion
Dinners and Losers offers listeners a heartfelt exploration of family dynamics amidst personal loss, enriched by Jon and Sarah's candid conversations and relatable anecdotes. Their seamless blend of humor, personal insights, and literary discussions makes this episode a compelling addition to the Book Lisp series.
Join the Conversation:
- Facebook Group: Book Lisp Listeners
- Patreon: Exclusive episodes, short stories, and bonus content for only $5 a month.
- Instagram: Stay updated with featured books and community highlights.
Thank you for tuning into The Book Lisp!