Podcast Summary: The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna
Episode: Indecent Proposals
Release Date: May 5, 2025

Introduction

In the "Indecent Proposals" episode of The Book Lisp, hosts Sarah Colonna and Jon Ryan dive into their latest book club selection, share personal anecdotes about engagements and proposals, and explore the dynamics of friendships post-breakup. The episode blends humor with heartfelt discussions, making it both entertaining and insightful for listeners.

Book Discussion: "Beach Vibes" by Susan Mallery

The episode revolves around May's book pick, "Beach Vibes" by Susan Mallery, chosen from Jon's romance library.

• Sarah's Perspective: Sarah mentions she's nearly finished the book, appreciating its "refreshing" take on psychological thrillers while still enjoying the romantic elements. (04:50)

  Sarah (04:50): "I'm almost done with this book, and I just started it two days ago because I keep wanting to know what happens."

• Jon's Perspective: Jon finds the book aligns well with his "wheelhouse", enjoying the character development despite some frustrating personalities as expected in any engaging narrative. (05:33)

  Jon (05:33): "It was a little refreshing. It felt like more up my, more in my genre. My wheelhouse."

• Group Dynamics: They touch upon the challenges readers face when starting a new book club selection, acknowledging that not everyone may be on the same page immediately. (06:13)

Engagement Stories and Proposals

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing how people choose to get engaged, highlighting both traditional and over-the-top methods.

Personal Engagement Stories

• Jon's Proposal to Sarah: Jon recounts his meticulously planned proposal during a football game, balancing the nerve-wracking aspects with the joyous outcome.

  Jon (10:57): "I just want it to be perfect for the person you love because they're going to remember this forever."

  Sarah adds humorously that despite finding extravagant proposals "cringe-worthy", she would have appreciated such a gesture from Jon.

  Sarah (08:37): "But when I see other people do it, I cringe worthy. So it's like it's all sort of relative."

Cringe-Worthy Proposals

The hosts discuss various over-the-top engagement methods, such as:

• Billboards and Jumbotrons: Critiquing public proposals, Jon sarcastically remarks on their lack of intimacy.

  Jon (16:31): "As an outsider, that's what you would definitely think. You're like, she…and I would have been like, why didn't you come up to me with sparkler shooting out of your…"

• Social Media Stunts: Both express frustration with proposals designed solely for online attention, referencing instances like ring drops in waterfalls and elaborate setups that prioritize Instagram aesthetics over genuine emotion.

  Jon (25:49): "I can never tell now if it's a real thing or a fake thing because the freaking social media world…"

Hosts' Views on Engagements

Sarah and Jon advocate for simple, intimate proposals, emphasizing the importance of personal connection over grandeur.

Sarah (25:26): "I am a big fan of simple engagement people."

Jon (25:42): "To each their own. But just, it is…it’s fun to watch other people."

Friendships and Breakups

Transitioning from engagements, the conversation delves into the complexities of maintaining friendships after romantic breakups.

• Navigating Friendships: Sarah shares her experience of losing friends post-breakup, highlighting how mutual friendships can be challenging to sustain when romantic relationships end.

  Sarah (29:57): "I think a lot of women sort of deal with things that way."

• Honest Support vs. Blind Agreement: Jon emphasizes the value of honest support in friendships, contrasting it with superficial affirmations often expected in social circles.

  Jon (35:09): "Being a good friend is having someone's back no matter what…sometimes helping a guy out is getting in his face and screaming at him and telling me he's being an idiot."

• Maintaining Integrity: Both hosts discuss the importance of integrity in friendships, especially when trust is compromised due to infidelity or other issues.

  Sarah (38:44): "So just don't do it, guys. Don't cheat."

Media References and Cultural Commentary

The episode touches on various media portrayals of relationships and the impact of social media on personal moments.

• TV Show Insights: They reference shows like "Vanderpump Rules" and "Friends and Neighbors", critiquing character behaviors and how these portrayals influence real-life perceptions of relationships.

  Jon (42:47): "It's like poor John Ham. Like John Ham."

• Impact of Social Media: A candid discussion on how platforms like Instagram have altered the authenticity of life events, making real moments blend with staged ones for public consumption.

  Jon (26:40): "It's like everything that's possibly funny is out there…everything's on video."

Conclusion

Sarah and Jon wrap up the episode by reiterating their book pick, "Beach Vibes", and encouraging listeners to engage with their content through Facebook, Instagram, and Patreon. They emphasize the importance of authentic relationships, both in romantic engagements and friendships, tying back to the themes discussed throughout the episode.

Sarah (44:25): "Well, thank you. Well, you guys, that was the book list, your first Monday of this month…rate review subscribe that is a huge way to help us out."

Notable Quotes

• Sarah (04:50): "I'm almost done with this book, and I just started it two days ago because I keep wanting to know what happens."

• Jon (05:33): "It was a little refreshing. It felt like more up my, more in my genre. My wheelhouse."

• Jon (16:31): "As an outsider, that's what you would definitely think. You're like, she…and I would have been like, why didn't you come up to me with sparkler shooting out of your…"

• Jon (25:49): "I can never tell now if it's a real thing or a fake thing because the freaking social media world…"

• Jon (35:09): "Being a good friend is having someone's back no matter what…sometimes helping a guy out is getting in his face and screaming at him and telling me he's being an idiot."

• Sarah (38:44): "So just don't do it, guys. Don't cheat."

Final Thoughts

The Book Lisp episode "Indecent Proposals" masterfully intertwines personal stories with broader societal observations, offering listeners a blend of humor, vulnerability, and critical insights into modern relationships. Whether you're navigating your own engagement or grappling with post-breakup friendships, Sarah and Jon provide relatable content that resonates on multiple levels.