The Book Lisp with Jon Ryan & Sarah Colonna Episode: The Motel 6 & Cringey Date Pics
Release Date: May 12, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode titled The Motel 6 & Cringey Date Pics, hosts Jon Ryan and Sarah Colonna dive deep into a mix of personal anecdotes, book discussions, and entertainment insights. Skipping the usual introductions, they promptly jump into their primary topics, offering listeners a blend of humor, relatability, and insightful commentary.

Current Book Discussion: Beach Vibes by Susan Mallory

The episode centers around their current read, Beach Vibes by Susan Mallory. Sarah expresses her enthusiasm, noting, “I really enjoyed Beach Vibes. I think it's a fun read” (00:55). Jon adds, “I thought a fun topic that we could talk about was unusual living circumstances...” (11:43), linking their personal experiences to the book's themes without revealing spoilers.

Key Themes:

• Unconventional Living Arrangements: Inspired by the book, Jon shares his experiences of living with family and in non-traditional settings.
• Family Dynamics: They delve into how overprotective family members influence personal relationships, a recurring theme in Beach Vibes.

Upcoming Reads and Patreon Content

Looking ahead, Sarah announces their next selection, A Beautiful Couple by Leslie Wolf, stating, “It is not one that I have read yet” (02:10). She also highlights exclusive content available on Patreon, including short stories like “The Answer is No” by Frederick Bachmann. Sarah encourages listeners to support the podcast by subscribing to Patreon for access to bonus material and upcoming personal appearances in Salem, Oregon, and Las Vegas.

Personal Anecdotes: Unconventional Living Arrangements

John Ryan’s Motel 6 Experience

Jon shares a compelling tale of perseverance during his off-season in the Canadian Football League (CFL). At 18:05, he recounts, “I moved into a Motel 6 in Phoenix, Arizona. $27 a night.” This period was pivotal, as he prepared for an NFL career while living in a modest setup with only essential possessions.

He humorously reflects on his time there, saying, “Trust me, I've done it once. I'm not going to do it to anyone else” (19:23), highlighting the challenges and resilience required to pursue his athletic ambitions.

Sarah Colonna’s Move to California

Sarah echoes similar sentiments, describing her move to California post-college. At 21:39, she shares, “I moved in with my dad and stepmom because rent in LA is crazy.” She discusses the emotional and financial strains of relocating, emphasizing the importance of family support during transitional phases.

Movie Discussion: Exterritorial

The hosts transition to discussing a recently watched film, Exterritorial, a German action movie available on Netflix. Sarah remarks, “It's a lot like John Wick” (08:37), praising the intense fight scenes and unexpected twists. Jon adds, “She’s walking down the hallway, all normal... it was a good movie” (08:52), appreciating the protagonist's resilience.

Key Highlights:

• Action-Packed Storyline: Comparisons to John Wick underscore the film’s high-octane action.
• Cinematic Techniques: They note the dubbing choices and international flair, enhancing the viewing experience.

Sibling and Friend Dynamics in Dating

A significant portion of the episode delves into the complexities of dating within tight-knit friend and sibling circles. John shares his apprehensions about friends dating his sisters, stating, “...if he's dating your sister, I'd be like, oh, I don't know” (31:01). Sarah relates with her own experiences, discussing how dating friends can strain relationships but shares a positive outlook on maintaining friendships post-dating.

Notable Insights:

• Overprotective Families: Jon mentions, “They got really protective... especially when I played in Green Bay” (39:46), highlighting how success can alter family dynamics.
• Maintaining Friendships: Both hosts emphasize the importance of communication and boundaries to preserve friendships despite romantic entanglements.

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, Jon and Sarah reiterate their book recommendations and encourage listeners to support their Patreon for exclusive content. They reflect on the importance of sharing personal stories to connect with their audience, leaving listeners with a sense of camaraderie and anticipation for future episodes.

Closing Remarks: Sarah concludes, “Don't forget, your June read is A Beautiful Couple by Leslie Wolf” (46:14), while Jon adds, “It was fun. Thank you guys for listening” (46:15), reinforcing their commitment to offering valuable and entertaining content.

Notable Quotes

• Sarah Colonna: “I didn't have my straight weather girl hair anymore. I know people aren't going to be able to take me seriously anymore.” (00:50)
• John Ryan: “I literally had my first NFL contract faxed to the front lobby of a Motel 6 in Arizona.” (18:54)
• Sarah Colonna: “I put my phone down and didn't touch it. It's my new thing that I'm going to try.” (09:33)
• John Ryan: “Trust me, I've done it once. I'm not going to do it to anyone else.” (19:23)
• Sarah Colonna: “There's too much media happening.” (09:53)

Time-Stamped Highlights

• 00:00 - 02:10: Introductions and overview of current and upcoming books.
• 11:43 - 16:31: Discussion on unconventional living arrangements, including Jon’s Motel 6 experience.
• 18:05 - 20:21: Detailed recounting of Jon’s time in Phoenix and transition to the NFL.
• 21:39 - 28:00: Sarah’s move to California and living with family.
• 08:04 - 10:38: Movie review of Exterritorial.
• 31:01 - 45:19: Exploration of dating dynamics among friends and siblings.
• 46:14 - 47:14: Closing remarks and promotion of Patreon content.

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This summary captures the essence of the episode, reflecting the hosts' humorous and candid conversations while providing valuable insights into their lives and literary interests.