Podcast Summary: The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna

Episode: “Do Tell Mama”

Date: December 15, 2025
Hosts: Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna

Episode Overview

This week on The Book Lisp, Jon and Sarah share a lively, laughter-filled discussion focusing on December's book club pick ("Christmas Presents" by Lisa Unger), along with candid talk about holiday stress, book cover trends, strip club stereotypes, memorable musicals, and stories of friend groups torn apart by bad romance. The episode is peppered with the couple’s trademark wit and married-couple banter, touching on broader themes of judgement, trust, and marketable book covers—all with zero spoilers for the book’s plot.
Tone: Playful, open, self-deprecating, and conversational.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Holiday Stress & Hosting Woes

(00:22–03:46)

• The couple is hosting their annual holiday bash, which has ballooned to 150 guests with 30 out-of-towners and five houseguests.
  • "I'm stressed right to the freaking nuts." — Jon [00:25]
  • Sarah teases Jon for pretending he's not stressed.
  • “It’s almost like how I felt before a football game…” — Jon draws comparisons between party-prep nerves and game-day jitters [02:52]
  • They discuss podcast crossover with listeners from other shows attending.
• Plans to share party recaps on future episodes and possibly Patreon.

2. Book Club Logistics and Upcoming Reads

(03:49–06:10)

• December's book is "Christmas Presents" by Lisa Unger; no spoilers in this episode.
• January’s pick is "Summer Island" by Kristin Hannah (a hit with their Facebook "Book List Spinners" group).
• Extra content on Patreon: reviewing Lisa Unger’s short story "The Kill Clause," recommended by a listener.
  • "It was a super fun one. It was different." — Sarah [06:03]

3. Bookstore Business & Cover Trends

(08:36–15:14)

• Jon and Sarah riff on the fictional bookstore in "Christmas Presents," focusing on book sales:
  • “Runaway bestsellers with foil embossed type and foreboding images... those are the ones that I talk about.” — Sarah [10:29]
  • Jon:
    • "They all look the same right now..."
    • Playfully claims Kindle algorithms think he’s a “desperate housewife from the Midwest or a gay cowboy from West Hollywood” [12:01]
    • Sarah laughs about the types of book covers Jon gets recommended.
  • Jon and Sarah joke about his actual book tastes compared to what the algorithm thinks.

4. Advent Calendar Shenanigans

(08:54–09:45)

• Jon keeps notes on paper bags left from their Christmas Advent calendar, which has unexpectedly drawn over 4 million views.
  • “It’s not fun... We don’t get anything out of it, except we just have fun.” — Sarah [09:28]

5. Strip Club Stereotypes & Realities

(15:14–37:05)

• Inspired by a scene in “Christmas Presents,” they discuss the common stereotype that women working in strip clubs are “broken,” and why that’s misplaced.
  • “For the most part, the most women that I have encountered... are just women that are smart and know what to do with their assets.” — Sarah [17:17]
  • Jon, on the male fantasy of “saving” a stripper: “It’s a freaking sexist male thing... It’s not like that.” [20:03]
  • Candid sharing of their own strip club experiences:
    • Jon genuinely dislikes strip clubs and prefers musicals (“Jersey Boys” over lap dances). [23:16]
      • “I’m a fucking 44 year old man... You’re not going to peer pressure me.” — Jon
    • Sarah went to more clubs than Jon—prefers the social, bar-like atmosphere over “water and full nude” clubs.
    • Both agree trust is at the core; neither would object to the other going for a bachelor/ette event.

Notable Anecdotes:

• Jon recounts his first strip club at 18: “I was named first team all Canadian... my coaches took me to a strip club and they were all like 500 years old.” [23:21]
• Sarah talks about the “Stripper Express” SW flight from LA to Vegas [25:38].
• They discuss famous strip club goers (e.g., Mark McGrath) and share a story about spotting glitter-laden breakfast patrons in Dallas [31:15].
• On boundaries and trust:
  • “It’s a trust thing... If you wanted to go to one, I truly wouldn’t give a shit.” — Sarah [25:18]
  • Jon relays how he requested not to have a bachelor party—the only one he ever attended was his brother’s, and he planned it [33:10].

6. Bachelor/Bachelorette Party Alternatives

(35:35–36:34)

• Sarah opted for “male servants” (no stripping, just tuxes, guitars, and drinks) instead of strippers at her bachelorette, respecting Jon’s comfort level—illustrating mutual consideration.

7. Misdirection & "Don’t Tell Mama"

(37:16–39:19)

• Jon shares a funny “misdirection” story about taking his mom to a bar in NY called “Don’t Tell Mama,” expecting aspiring Broadway talent but discovering a lively gay bar instead.
  • “Don’t tell mama I’m gay...” — Jon [38:57]

8. Musicals and Memories

(39:41–41:15)

• Jon relives a NY trip with his mom: “Billy Elliot,” “Spider-Man,” “Lombardi.”
  • Sarah draws a connection to how musical/theatre logistics sometimes influenced touring acts (Bon Jovi wouldn’t perform in Arkansas because he couldn’t do his aerial tricks) [41:15ff].

9. Friendship Dynamics & Romantic Fallout

(42:33–47:36)

• Discuss high school friendship groups disrupted when a member dates someone toxic—mirroring events from “Christmas Presents.”
  • “Did you ever have a situation where a friend’s relationship tore your group apart?” — Sarah [43:45]
  • Jon and Sarah reflect:
    • Jon: “It was kind of incestual... Everyone always kind of, like, recovered from it.” [44:10]
    • Shared examples from “Vanderpump Rules” and personal anecdotes.
    • “Your gut feeling is usually right.” — Jon [47:33]
  • Sarah shares her own experience with a friend dating someone problematic.

Notable Quotes & Time Stamps

• Holiday Stress
  • Jon: “I'm stressed right to the freaking nuts.” [00:25]
• On Book Cover Trends
  • Sarah: “Those are the ones that I talk about. Those are my picks.” [10:29]
  • Jon: “They all look the same right now.” [11:24]
• Kindle Algorithm Riff
  • Jon: “Kendall thinks I'm a desperate housewife from the Midwest or a gay cowboy from West Hollywood.” [12:01]
• Strip Club Stereotypes
  • Sarah: “For the most part, the most women that I have encountered... are just women that are smart and know what to do with their assets.” [17:17]
  • Jon: “It’s a freaking sexist male thing... It’s not like that.” [20:03]
• Trust & Boundaries
  • Sarah: “If you wanted to go, if you're going with... I truly wouldn't give a shit.” [25:18]
  • Jon: “You're not going to peer pressure me into going.” [23:16]
• On Friendship Fallouts
  • Jon: “It was kind of incestual... Everyone always kind of, like, recovered from it.” [44:10]
  • “Your gut feeling is usually right.” [47:33]

Memorable Moments

• Sarah poking fun at Jon’s Kindle recommendations: “Gay cowboys on the front. Shirtless.” [11:50]
• Jon: “My wife has two of them. Like both of them a lot. The twins are great.” [24:12]
• The gay bar mix-up story: “Don’t tell mama I’m gay...” [38:57]
• Sarah’s bachelorette served by tuxedoed men playing “Whatever You Like” on tiny guitars.

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:22–03:46] – Holiday party & stress
• [03:49–06:10] – Book club picks & Patreon content
• [08:36–15:14] – Bookstore business, cover trends, and Kindle algorithm jokes
• [15:14–37:05] – Strip club discussion: stereotypes, boundaries, and anecdotes
• [37:16–39:19] – “Don’t Tell Mama” story (misdirection and fun)
• [39:41–41:15] – Broadway musical memories
• [42:33–47:36] – On friendships falling apart over romance

Looking Ahead

• Next week: Full spoiler review of "Christmas Presents" by Lisa Unger
• January book: “Summer Island” by Kristin Hannah
• Bonus Patreon short story: "The Kill Clause" by Lisa Unger (episode drops on the 15th)

For more fun, join their Facebook group (Book List Spinners) and check out Sarah's tour dates or their Patreon for exclusive episodes!