The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna Episode: Gut Instincts, Creepy Kids, & Family for Hire Release Date: April 21, 2025

I. Book Picks and Club Updates

In this episode, hosts Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna discuss their current and upcoming book selections for their weekly book club. They are currently reading Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewel and are excited to dive into their next month's pick, Beach Vibes by Susan Mallory.

Sarah:
“We are excited to continue this month with Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewel... May's book is Beach Vibes by Susan Mallory.”
[00:29]

Jon shares his enthusiasm for Beach Vibes, noting its fresh release and various availability options, including Kindle, paperback, and library lending apps like Libby.

II. Reading Habits and Podcast Impact

The hosts reflect on how starting the podcast has influenced their personal reading habits. Jon mentions that he feels he has read less since the podcast began, as he now listens to the same books he reads, effectively doubling his engagement time.

Jon:
“When I know I read the books now that we're going to cover, I read them like very thoroughly and read it once and then listen to it again.”
[03:00]

Sarah concurs, explaining that their commitment to the podcast sometimes limits her ability to explore other books she’s interested in.

III. Listener Meetups and Vacation Reading

Jon and Sarah brainstorm the idea of hosting listener meetups during their vacations, suggesting that it could add a new dimension to their podcast experience. They mention previous interactions at events like Chump Con in Las Vegas, where they held listener meetups that were humorously quiet and focused on reading.

Jon:
“We just got back from Chump Con in Las Vegas… no one's allowed to talk. They just have to read and then go home.”
[05:20]

IV. Patreon and Community Support

The hosts emphasize the benefits of joining their Patreon community, highlighting exclusive bonus content available on specific dates each month. They encourage listeners to support the podcast through Patreon, Facebook groups, and by rating and reviewing the podcast on platforms like Spotify and Apple.

Sarah:
“Patreon, $5 a month for that extra content... join the book listeners on Facebook... rate, review and subscribe is a great way to support us.”
[06:14]

V. Analysis of Then She Was Gone: Gut Instincts and Creepy Kids

A significant portion of the episode delves into the themes of Then She Was Gone, particularly focusing on the character Poppy and her unsettling interactions with adults. Jon describes Poppy as "really creepy" due to her overly inquisitive nature and unnaturally mature demeanor for her age.

Jon:
“This Poppy kid's real creepy. It really creeps me out the way she asked, like, so many questions.”
[08:39]

Sarah adds that while some maturity in children is admirable, Poppy's behavior crosses into discomfort, drawing parallels to real-life examples of kids who are too close to adults.

Sarah:
“...it feels like someone’s robbing them of their childhood.”
[18:22]

VI. Family Dynamics and 'Hiring Family'

The conversation shifts to the dynamics of hiring family members for tasks, such as cleaning and cat-sitting. They discuss the nuances of paying friends and family versus hiring strangers, highlighting the potential pitfalls and benefits of such arrangements.

John:
“We prefer to give you the money than a stranger... it's your friend being a personal assistant, that's tricky.”
[25:34]

Sarah shares personal experiences of their parents hiring cousins to clean and feed cats, illustrating the balance between convenience and maintaining personal relationships.

VII. Friendships and Gender Stereotypes

Jon and Sarah tackle the topic of gender stereotypes in friendships, challenging the notion that friendships between men and women are inherently complicated or suspect. They express frustration with the idea that having friends of the opposite sex implies ulterior motives.

John:
“If you don’t think you can have a female friend without trying to get with her, you’re a creep.”
[16:16]

Sarah:
“Everyone should have friends they can trust and that they don’t think... It should be a nice mix of both.”
[16:22]

VIII. Personal Anecdotes on Cleaning and Staying Over

The hosts share humorous anecdotes about their family routines, particularly regarding cleaning and overnight stays. Sarah jokes about her discomfort staying at her parents' house due to their cleaning obsession, while Jon expresses his preference for hotels when visiting family.

Sarah:
“I don’t feel weird sleeping in your parents house... we just get a hotel room.”
[32:58]

John:
“I always stay in a hotel... my mom has a four-bedroom house, but we don’t stay together.”
[34:18]

IX. Trusting Gut Instincts: Personal Experiences

Jon and Sarah explore the concept of trusting gut instincts, both in the context of the book and in their personal lives. They discuss instances where following or ignoring their instincts led to various outcomes, touching on relationships and financial decisions.

Jon:
“My gut reaction is like, this isn’t a good investment.”
[43:21]

Sarah:
“I have plenty of male friends that never tried to get with me. Everyone should have friends they can trust.”
[16:22]

X. Aviation Stories: Near Miss Experience

Towards the end of the episode, Jon and Sarah recount a harrowing near-miss experience on a flight. Jon describes a sudden maneuver by the pilot to avoid another plane on the runway, leading to a dramatic landing delay.

Jon:
“We switched our flight time, and as we land... there's a Southwest airplane on the runway.”
[46:11]

Sarah reflects on the anxiety such situations can cause and shares their mutual relief when the landing gear finally deployed safely.

Sarah:
“But we all made it. We're all fine.”
[51:15]

Conclusion

Jon and Sarah wrap up the episode by reiterating their upcoming plans, including a full review of Then She Was Gone and promoting their Patreon for exclusive content. They emphasize community engagement and express gratitude to their listeners for their continued support.

Sarah:
“Thank you guys so much, and we will talk to you next week. Can't wait.”
[52:10]

Jon:
“Bye.”
[52:10]

Notable Quotes:

• Jon on Poppy’s Behavior:
  “This Poppy kid's real creepy. It really creeps me out the way she asked, like, so many questions.”
  [08:39]

• Sarah on Friendship Trust:
  “Everyone should have friends they can trust and that they don’t think... It should be a nice mix of both.”
  [16:22]

• Jon on Financial Gut Decisions:
  “My gut reaction is like, this isn’t a good investment.”
  [43:21]

• Sarah on Staying Over:
  “I don’t feel weird sleeping in your parents house... we just get a hotel room.”
  [32:58]

This episode of The Book Lisp offers a blend of book discussions, personal anecdotes, and deep dives into character analysis, all delivered with the hosts' characteristic humor and candidness. Whether you're a regular listener or new to the podcast, this episode provides valuable insights into trusting instincts, navigating complex relationships, and the dynamics of family and friendships.