**Podcast Summary: "Relationships, Reruns & Regrets"
Episode: Relationships, Reruns & Regrets
Release Date: March 17, 2025
Hosts: Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna

Introduction

In the March 17, 2025 episode of The Book Lisp, hosts Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna delve deep into the intricate dynamics of relationships as depicted in the book Alice Forgot. Alongside, they engage in a lively discussion about the controversial endings of various beloved TV shows. This episode, aptly titled "Relationships, Reruns & Regrets," offers listeners a blend of heartfelt insights and humorous banter.

Exploring Relationships and the Book Alice Forgot

The Evolution of Relationships

The core of this episode revolves around how relationships—be it romantic, familial, or friendships—evolve over time. Drawing parallels from Alice Forgot, Jon and Sarah discuss the profound impact a decade can have on personal connections.

• Jon Ryan ([05:25]): "This book is about relationships, right? And how they evolve... Friendships, relationships with your family, with maybe a romantic partner. How they change, like in the book."

• Sarah Colonna ([06:09]): "In that 10 years to me, was sort of jarring. It's almost like a lot can go wrong in 10 years... Feeling that you don't realize or don't think about."

They highlight how life changes—such as moving away, career shifts, or personal growth—can strain or strengthen bonds. Sarah shares personal anecdotes about friendships formed in the hospitality industry, emphasizing how shared experiences can both solidify and dissolve connections over time.

• Sarah Colonna ([08:06]): "Some of them stick and some of them, they dissolve. They don't do it on purpose."

Jon reflects on his time in professional football, noting how transient relationships can be in high-turnover environments but cherishes the enduring friendships formed over a decade.

• John Ryan ([10:11]): "I played with over a thousand players... some are for a week, some are for two or three years... But all my closest relationships in football, those are guys I had like a 10-year relationship with."

Familial Bonds and Distance

The discussion also touches upon familial relationships and how physical distance can affect emotional closeness. Sarah recounts her relationship with her father, illustrating how life transitions can distance or bring family members closer.

• Sarah Colonna ([16:51]): "I'm really glad I did because I lost him last year very unexpectedly."

Jon adds a philosophical angle on how our relationships with parents evolve as we age, often reflecting on the limited time and memories shared.

• John Ryan ([12:46]): "By the time you finish high school, you have already spent 92% of the time you're going to spend your entire life with your parents."

Personal Growth and Changing Priorities

Both hosts emphasize that personal growth leads to shifting priorities, which can either mend or break relationships. They discuss how shared life experiences and facing real-life challenges can deepen connections.

• John Ryan ([23:17]): "As you get older, you talk about more real things... like, your dad died, your friend's dad died... It makes people closer."

TV Show Endings: A Double-Edged Sword

Transitioning from personal relationships, Jon and Sarah delve into the often-contentious topic of TV show finales. They debate why many series endings leave audiences divided, contrasting them with the generally more accepted movie conclusions.

Iconic Endings and Listener Reactions

• Friends: Both hosts reminisce about the finale of Friends, with Sarah appreciating the closure it provided for the characters.

  • Sarah Colonna ([28:59]): "I thought they ended it perfectly. They built it up perfectly and closed everyone's chapter."

• The Sopranos: They discuss the infamous, ambiguous ending of The Sopranos, highlighting its polarizing reception.

  • John Ryan ([29:07]): "People are still mad about it."

• Seinfeld: The conversation shifts to Seinfeld, noting how the departure of Steve Carell's character changed the show's dynamic.

  • Sarah Colonna ([39:31]): "Imagine how confused Alice would have been if she woke up and Steve Carell wasn't on the Office anymore?"

The Debate on Closure vs. Open-Endedness

Jon and Sarah explore the merits and drawbacks of providing closure in series finales. While Sarah appreciates definitive endings in shows like Friends, Jon expresses frustration with ambiguous conclusions that leave viewers yearning for more.

• Sarah Colonna ([33:02]): "I liked it because there wasn't anything I need closure on."

• John Ryan ([32:18]): "I don't like leaving it open-ended. I watched an entire series and I want to know that Ross and Rachel are getting together."

Highlighting Recent Favorites

The hosts commend the ending of Breaking Bad as fitting and satisfying, contrasting it with the often disappointing conclusions of other series.

• John Ryan ([38:01]): "I thought it ended the only way it could. It was a perfect ending."

They also touch upon other contemporary shows like Better Call Saul, The Office, and Ted Lasso, sharing personal preferences and lamenting prematurely ended series.

• Sarah Colonna ([41:36]): "If I got hit on the hat and woke up and he was not on my television anymore, I'd be real pissed off and confused."

Closing Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Jon and Sarah reflect on the importance of cherishing relationships and the bittersweet nature of endings—both in personal lives and beloved TV shows. They invite listeners to engage with their content through Patreon and social media, ensuring a continued community of book and pop culture enthusiasts.

Notable Quotes

• John Ryan ([05:25]): "This book is about relationships, right? And how they evolve... Friendships, relationships with your family, with maybe a romantic partner. How they change, like in the book."

• Sarah Colonna ([06:09]): "In that 10 years to me, was sort of jarring. It's almost like a lot can go wrong in 10 years... Feeling that you don't realize or don't think about."

• John Ryan ([12:46]): "By the time you finish high school, you have already spent 92% of the time you're going to spend your entire life with your parents."

• Sarah Colonna ([28:59]): "I thought they ended it perfectly. They built it up perfectly and closed everyone's chapter."

• John Ryan ([29:07]): "People are still mad about it."

• John Ryan ([38:01]): "I thought it ended the only way it could. It was a perfect ending."

Conclusion

"Relationships, Reruns & Regrets" offers a thoughtful examination of the fluid nature of human connections and the challenges of providing satisfying conclusions in long-running narratives. Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna blend personal experiences with literary and pop culture analyses, delivering an episode that resonates with listeners navigating their own evolving relationships and media preferences.

Next Episode: The hosts tease their upcoming full review of Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell, promising more engaging discussions and insights.