Podcast
The Fake Ass Book Club
Hosted by Moni & Kat · EN
The Book Club is Fake but the Talk is REAL! The F.A.B. Podcast serves cocktails while also serving up stories with a side dish of humor, a sprinkle of sarcasm, and an occasional expletive as garnish. Every hump day, tune in as Moni and Kat playfully and thoughtfully explore compelling books and topics as they relate to the human experience, filtered through the lens as black women in the midwest. Let each episode illustrate the power of storytelling and how it connects us all. This podcast is a reason for them to connect as friends, as individuals, and with their listeners. It’s like therapy you didn't know you needed...along with some laughs! You may come for the books but you'll stay for the vibes!!
36episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Moni & Kat Answer Reddit AITA Questions
6d ago01:08:08Tap to summarizeThis week on Fake Ass Book Club, Moni and Kat are stepping into the role of judge and jury...for fun, of course! Before diving into Reddit's most dramatic dilemmas, the hosts kick off the episode with a conversation about honorary degrees. What purpose do they serve? Who should receive them? And does fame alone make someone worthy of the honor? Then it's time for one of the podcast's most requested and fan-favorite formats: AITA (Am I The A**hole?) stories from Reddit! Listeners know these episodes always deliver plenty of laughs, spirited debates, and unforgettable takes, and this installment is no exception. From family feuds to relationship drama, they break down each scenario, share their opinions, and decide who deserves sympathy, and who deserves the side-eye. Whether you're a longtime AITA fan or tuning in for the first time, get ready to play along, pick a side, and see if your verdict matches theirs. This episode proves once again why AITA episodes are some of the most anticipated conversations in the F.A.B. universe. Cheers!🥂*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni: To the summer time, June holidays, June baddies, my baby mommas, and loves of my life. (Gemini season)🥰🙌🏽💕💜Kat: To Floyd Norman Disney's first black animator. https://d23.com/walt-disney-legend/floyd-norman/Robin Thede "Hertep" Charater: https://www.facebook.com/share/RobinThedeHerTepIndy Radio Segment mentioned on the show:The Legendary 1990s WZPL "Double Trap" Radio SegmentThe Setup: A wife suspects her husband of cheating and sets up a fake "War of the Roses" flower delivery trap on Indianapolis’s 99.5 WZPL.The Husband's Joke: The husband realizes it is a radio prank. To mess with his wife, he fakes being guilty by ordering the roses for his secretary with a scandalous note.The Backfire: Believing the fake affair is real, the wife loses her temper live on the air and screams out her own genuine confession: she has been sleeping with his brother.The Fallout: The husband tries to explain he was just joking, but he accidentally tricked his wife into exposing a massive family secret on live drive-time radio....🫠🤯**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!
Transcribe →"Nerding While Black": Kat interviews Basi Affia of Sensiil Studios
2w ago00:36:30Tap to summarizeThis week, Kat takes the mic solo for a special live interview recorded at the exciting atmosphere of Indy Comic Con. Sitting down with a talented Black comic book creator Basi Affia, they dive into a conversation celebrating Black nerdhood, creativity, and a shared love of comics, science fiction, fandom culture, and storytelling. From the power of representation to the joy of creating art that inspires others, this discussion explores what it means to embrace geek culture while carving out space for diverse voices in the comic book world. It is a fun, thoughtful, and energetic conversation that showcases Kat's passion for a few of her favorite topics and highlights the creativity that fuels the worlds we love to escape into. Tune in for a lively conversation about art, imagination, fandom, and the importance of seeing yourself reflected in the stories that shape us. Cheers! *Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only.Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!About our guest: Basi Affia https://www.sensiilstudios.com/abouthttps://www.instagram.com/sensiilstudioshttps://www.youtube.com/@sensiilstudios**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!
Transcribe →Moni & Kat LIVE @PopCon 2026
3w ago00:49:24Tap to summarizeThis week, the hosts take the stage at PopCon Indy for another live podcast adventure! Returning for their third year on the podcast stage, they bring the audience into the fun with a fun trivia game hosted by Kat. Filled with pop culture questions, friendly competition, audience participation, and plenty of laughs, this special live episode captures the energy and spontaneity that listeners have come to love. Whether you're testing your own trivia knowledge or just along for the ride, this episode is a celebration of community, fandom, and having a great time together. Cheers!*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you! Thank you to https://www.instagram.com/brandon4kuhd/brandonpetersand https://www.instagram.com/popconnation for the opportunity!Moni: To the sunshine!Kat: To the Panda Fest Indy**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!
Transcribe →Moni & Kat review "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches" by Sangu Mandanna
4w ago00:52:02Tap to summarizeWelcome back! This week the ladies review The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna. It is a cozy fantasy novel about Mika Moon, a lonely witch who must hide her magic but is recruited to teach three young witches at a mysterious house called Nowhere House, leading her to find a found family and a slow-burn romance with the prickly librarian, Jamie, while navigating the challenges of their secret society and a potential threat to their home.🚨SPOILER ALRET🚨 *Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We thank you!Moni: To Andrew Joseph III (2014): The 14-year-old in Tampa, Florida, was removed from the Florida State Fair by Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies and dropped off on the side of an interstate, where he was struck and killed by a car. BLM organizers have campaigned for justice and policy changes regarding this incident. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] His father recently died of what has been discribed as a broken heart. 👉🏾https://blacklivesmatter.com/actions/demand-congress/Andrew Joseph and on a lighter note to my seamlessly blended leave out! 🙌🏽Kat: To Ghana, thank you for listening. To good entertainment and those accused of being a witches throughout history. About the author: Sangu Mandanna was four years old when an elephant chased her down a forest road and she decided to write her first story about it. Seventeen years and many, many manuscripts later, she signed her first book deal. Sangu now lives in Norwich, a city in the east of England, with her husband and kids.About the book: First published August 23, 2022 by Berkley, 336 pages, PaperbackLiterary awardsGoodreads Choice Award Nominee for Fantasy (2022), Swoon Award for PNR/UF Romance (2022), RUSA CODES Reading List Nominee for Relationships (2023)**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!
Transcribe →Moni & Kat review The Drama
May 2001:13:56Tap to summarizeWelcome back! This week the ladies dive into "The Drama", the uncomfortable, anxiety-inducing A24 film starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. What starts as an awkward romantic drama about an engaged couple heading into their wedding week, quickly spirals into something much darker after a “worst thing you’ve ever done” conversation goes completely off the rails. Emma reveals a disturbing part of her teenage past, and that one confession detonates the relationship, the "friend"group, and the entire wedding weekend. We break down the film’s tense atmosphere, uncomfortable chemistry, and the bigger conversations surrounding alienation, radical honesty, identity, and whether people should be permanently defined by their teenage years. We also discuss how the movie intentionally challenges audience expectations by centering a Black woman in a narrative typically associated with a very different demographic, and whether that changes the level of empathy viewers are willing to extend. If you watched this movie and immediately needed to unpack all of that emotional chaos with somebody, this episode is for you. Cheers! 🥂🚨SPOILER ALERT🚨*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the film for entertainment purposes only.Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We appreciate your continued support.Moni: To the month of May. Whew busy, busy!Kat: To elephants for puttiing in work! This article explains it all!👉🏾 https://www.peta.org/news/trophy-hunter-trampledAbout the Movie:The Drama (2026) Directed and written by Kristoffer BorgliProduced by Ari Aster, Lars Knudsen, Tyler CampelloneMain cast: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, Hailey Gates, Zoe Winters and more, Cinematography by Arseni Khachaturan, Edited by Joshua Raymond Lee & Kristoffer BorgliAbout A24: An independent entertainment company and film studio known for stylish, psychologically tense, auteur-driven films that tend to lean weird, emotional, and deeply uncomfortable in the best way possible. A24 films you may know: Everything Everywhere All at Once, Moonlight, Midsommar, Uncut Gems, Euphoria.Notes:https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/16/fire-louisiana-nottoway-plantation-houseStranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you! UP NEXT: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches: Sangu Mandanna
Transcribe →Moni & Kat review "The Cult of Nature Boy" on Hulu
May 1301:05:27Tap to summarizeWelcome back! This week the ladies jump head first in the "The Cult of NatureBoy", a four-part docuseries that premiered on Hulu (and Disney+) on April 28, 2026. The series, produced by ABC News Studios and Zandland, chronicles the rise and fall of Eligio Bishop, a social media influencer known as "NatureBoy," who founded a controversial cult called Carbon Nation. We break down the rise and fall of NatureBoy, the formation of Carbon Nation, the cult dynamics at play, and how social media helped build a following in plain sight. From charisma and community to manipulation, control, and criminal consequences, this docuseries raises big questions about internet influence, vulnerability, and what happens when “finding yourself” turns into something much darker. If you watched the doc and needed somewhere to process all of that chaos, this episode is for you. Cheers!🥂*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. 🚨SPOILER ALERT🚨Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni: To the sunshine!Kat: To Indy POPCON @popconcation and Brandon Peters https://www.instagram.com/brandon4kuhd and to the nice weather.About the show:https://www.hulu.com/series/the-cult-of-natureboyEligio Bishop (NatureBoy), who recruited followers online starting in 2016 for a self-described "Black Utopia," which later evolved into a group described as a sex cult involving violence, coercion, and manipulation.Content: Features firsthand testimony from survivors and investigators, along with extensive footage captured by the group itself.Director: The series is directed by Ben Zand, known for his work on The Cult of Conspiracy: QAnon.Release Date: April 28, 2026, on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.Duration: The four-part series has a total running time of approximately 170 minutes.**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!
Transcribe →Moni & Kat review "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan
May 601:05:46Tap to summarizeJust in time for Mother’s Day, the hosts explore The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, a moving and multigenerational novel that examines the beautifully complicated relationships between mothers and daughters. Through the stories of four Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters, this episode unpacks themes of love, sacrifice, identity, cultural expectations, and inherited trauma. The discussion reflects on generational differences, communication gaps, and the challenge of understanding the women who shaped us. Timely, thoughtful, and relatable, this episode offers listeners a great conversation on family, legacy, and connection ahead of Mother’s Day. Cheers!*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni: To all the mothers out there doing the work. Happy Mother's Day.Kat: To all the moms, also to Druski and Mike Epps for bringing "Coulda Been Records" to Indy, and to Angel Reese and her excellence. About the Author and Book: Amy Tan Genre: Literary fiction / historical fiction / family sagaOriginal Publication Date: March 22, 1989 Publisher (first edition): G. P. Putnam's Sons Later publisher/common paperback edition: Penguin Books / Ballantine BooksPage Count: Varies by edition 288-352 pages, Awards/Recognition: Finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction and adapted into the 1993 film The Joy Luck Club.**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!
Transcribe →Moni & Kat review "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston
Apr 3001:08:48Tap to summarizeWelcome back FAB friends, this week the ladies reviewed one of the most important and enduring books of the 20th century. "Their Eyes Were Watching God" brings to life a Southern love story with the wit and pathos found only in the writing of Zora Neale Hurston. Out of print for almost thirty years, due largely to initial audiences’ rejection of its strong black female protagonist, Hurston’s classic has since its 1978 reissue become perhaps the most widely read and highly acclaimed novel in the canon of African-American literature. The story follows Janie's journey from a voiceless teenage girl to a self-actualized woman through three marriages in the American South. Tune in to hear why this book is so beloved by the hosts. Cheers!*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni:To all of those in the commentt section after Steven Miller’s wife said Liberal men were unattractive. No notes...well done!🙌🏽😂💜🎤Kat: To Indiana's own Michael Jackson.About the Book:https://www.zoranealehurston.com/books/their-eyes-were-watching-god/About the Author:https://www.zoranealehurston.com/about/Audio Book: approx 7 hours read by the Legendary Ruby Dee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Dee Original Publication Year: 1937/ Original Publisher: J.B. Lippincott/ Genre: American Literature, Literary Fiction Setting: Central and southern Florida in the early 20th centuryPage Count: Typically 219 to 256 pages in modern paperback editions (e.g., Harper Perennial, Amistad) Current Primary Publisher: Amistad (an imprint of HarperCollins) Writing Context: Written in seven weeks while Hurston was in Haiti.**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!
Transcribe →Moni & Kat review Euphoria Season 3 Premiere
Apr 2200:52:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode, the hosts take a peek at the Season 3 premiere of Euphoria and immediately clock a dramatic tonal shift. With a 4–5 year time jump pushing the characters out of high school and into early adulthood, the glossy, dreamlike aesthetic of earlier seasons gives way to something more raw, gritty, and unfiltered. The episode feels less like stylized chaos and more like a stark plunge into the “wild west” of adulthood. The conversation unpacks the show’s signature graphic intensity, questioning whether this new edge signals deeper storytelling or leans too heavily into shock value. The hosts also wrestle with how the women are portrayed in this new chapter. Are these characters being developed with more nuance, or are they still framed through a lens of fantasy and fetishization? As always, the review balances humor, honesty, and cultural critique, asking whether Euphoria is evolving with its characters… or just getting darker with age.*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! We love you!Moni & Kat: Cheers to 50 years of love, Happy Anniverasy to the Barneses!! About the Show: Air date: April 12, 2026 on HBODirector: Sam LevinsonWriters: Sam Levinson, Ron Leshem, Daphna LevinProducers: Amy J Schmidt, Julio C. Perez IV, DrakeStars: Zendaya, Coleman Domingo, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeny *Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!
Transcribe →Moni & Kat review "There There" by Tommy Orange
Apr 1600:56:01Tap to summarizeThis week, the hosts explore There There by Tommy Orange. The book intertwines the stories of twelve urban Native characters in Oakland, California. It’s a powerful, character-driven novel weaving together lives that at first seem separate, but gradually reveal deep and unexpected connections, all leading to a pivotal and gut wrenching event. As the narrative unfolds, the book explores the lasting impact of generational trauma, cultural erasure, and the search for connection in a modern world. Did the ladies keep every detail perfectly straight? Not quite...but did that stop them? Not even a little. The discussion, much like the book, is layered, complex, and and a lot to juggle all at once. Tune in to hear how it all comes together, Cheers! *Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purposes only. Dedication: To our patrons as always!! Thank you, we love you!Moni: To Druski and his response to criticism about his recent comedy sketch. 🎤Kat: To Loudmouth Books (Indianapolis) https://loudmouthindy.com and the REAL book club event I attended there, and to my daughter for making the National Honors Society.💜About the Book:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There_There_(novel)About the Author: https://www.macfound.org/fellows/class-of-2025/tommy-orangePublished on June 5, 2018, by Knopf. Page Count: 290 -304 pages depending on the edition (hardcover, paperback, or Kindle). Genre: Literary Fiction, Urban Native Experience**Stranger than Fiction: 💜*Email us at thefabpodcast@gmail.com with your book suggestions and "Stranger Than Fiction" stories; we would love to share them on the show!! Please reach out and let us know how we are doing!! You can find us online by clicking here 👉🏾 https://linktr.ee/Fabpod Please subscribe to www.patreon.com/thefabpodcast.com to enjoy bonus content and weigh in on upcoming topics. Don't forget to follow, rate, review, and SHARE our podcast! Thank you!
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