Podcast Summary: The Stacks – Ep. 379 "I Gotta Keep Something Nasty" with Mandii B & WeezyWTF

Release Date: July 9, 2025

Introduction to Guests and Their New Book

In Episode 379 of The Stacks, host Traci Thomas welcomes Mandii B and WeezyWTF, the dynamic co-hosts of the popular Decisions Decisions podcast, who are also embarking on their journey as authors. They introduce their latest work, "No Holes Barred: A Dual Manifesto of Sexual Exploration and Power," a book that intertwines erotica with self-help, offering raw and honest narratives about sexual adventures and the lessons learned along the way.

Traci Thomas emphasizes the book's unique blend:

"It's hilarious, sometimes painfully honest, and full of the sexcapades you've come to know from Mandy and Wheezy." [02:07]

Choosing the Book Title and Cover Design

The conversation delves into the challenges of titling the book. Originally named Horrible Decisions, the authors faced pressure from publishers to rebrand. Wheezy expresses her reluctance to tie the book permanently to a restrictive term:

"That wasn't an option for me. I wasn't gonna write a book and ingrain horror on it for the rest of my life." [04:38]

Mandii and Wheezy discuss the symbolism behind the final title and cover design, highlighting how elements like zippers and lips convey both secrecy and sexuality without being overtly explicit.

Mandii B shares her perspective on the cover’s reception:

"I'm like, oh, I'm the sex girl. You read it." [05:19]

Balancing Erotica and Self-Help

Traci praises the book’s structure, which seamlessly integrates graphic sexual content with practical self-help advice. This approach provides a nuanced exploration of sexuality, ensuring the content is both engaging and educational.

Traci Thomas observes:

"There's chapters where you're describing, like, really hot sex, and then you're like, here's some lessons about protection." [12:07]

Mandii emphasizes that the book avoids being preachy by sharing personal stories and experiences rather than presenting rigid solutions:

"We haven't come off as preachy. Because we've been fucking up in this book." [13:06]

Navigating Vulnerability and Parasocial Relationships

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the vulnerability involved in transitioning from podcasting to authoring a book. The guests reflect on how committing personal stories to paper feels different from the transient nature of podcast episodes.

WheezyWTF shares her approach to writing:

"I was like, who I am right now wasn't who I was yesterday, ain't gonna be who I am tomorrow." [17:15]

Mandii discusses the emotional labor of writing intimate chapters and the fear of broader public reception:

"We joke that we have 28 white listeners. I'm sure it's 28,000 white listeners, but we joke about them being 28 because they're not the ones I see stopping me in the street as much." [21:05]

Addressing Sexual Identity and Community Gatekeeping

The authors open up about their sexual identities and the challenges of labeling within the LGBTQ+ community. WheezyWTF recounts an experience with an editor who challenged her bisexual identity, leading her to define herself more comprehensively in the book:

"I am a queer, bisexual, arosexual, hetero, romantic, cis hetero woman." [39:33]

Mandii shares personal anecdotes about facing prejudice and gatekeeping, both from men and within the queer community itself:

"It's very hard to be out and proud as someone who's non-monogamous. There's a lot of judgment there." [43:42]

Impact of Political Climate on Personal Narratives

Traci prompts the guests to discuss how current political and social climates influence their willingness to share personal stories, especially concerning sensitive topics like abortion and sexual assault.

WheezyWTF emphasizes the importance of being honest despite potential backlash:

"There was no way in hell with the current climate I wasn't gonna include my abortion story." [46:46]

Mandii highlights how external prejudices, particularly towards non-monogamous relationships, shape their narrative and the reception of their work:

"The general public doesn't think my relationship is real because I'm in an open one." [45:25]

Writing Process and Collaboration with Tempest X

The duo discusses their collaborative process with co-author Tempest X, who aided in structuring their narratives and ensuring coherence across chapters. Wheezy details their structured writing sessions:

"Tempest would come over, and we did four-hour blocks... she would talk me through chronologically how I wanted to narrate the story." [54:22]

Mandii contrasts her spontaneous writing style with Wheezy’s more organized approach, illustrating how their differences complemented each other in the creation of the book.

Favorite Chapters and Themes

Traci asks the authors to highlight their favorite chapters, showcasing the emotional depth and diverse themes covered in the book.

WeezyWTF mentions the abortion chapter and her Dom chapter as particularly impactful:

"The abortion chapter... I was like, oh, bitch, this sounds terrible. It's... something I needed to confront." [57:31]

Mandii B appreciates how the book addresses shame and empowerment, especially in discussing consensual non-consensual sex and personal growth:

"Seeing where your shame pops up is really interesting... it's about growth." [31:13]

Influential Figures and Desired Readership

When asked who they wish could read their book, Weezy expresses admiration for bell hooks and Marilyn Monroe, hoping that these icons would find empowerment in their narratives.

Mandii reflects on influential authors and figures who have inspired them, emphasizing the importance of diverse representation in literature:

"If any one of them could read it, I would want to know what they thought of how those sexual stories were told." [61:37]

Concluding Thoughts and Final Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Traci encourages listeners to engage with the book and join The Stacks community through Patreon and Substack for additional content and discussions. The guests express their gratitude for the opportunity to share their stories and the hard work that went into bringing their book to fruition.

Mandii B concludes with a powerful message on the importance of friendship and community in personal growth:

"We really do need friendship in order to get over and shit... What woman can openly say this without being scared that it'll be held against her?" [50:20]

Key Takeaways

• "No Holes Barred" uniquely combines erotica with self-help, offering candid narratives that empower women to explore their sexuality while providing practical advice.
• Vulnerability in authoring a book contrasts with the ephemeral nature of podcasting, presenting new challenges in public perception and personal exposure.
• Sexual identity and community gatekeeping are critical themes, with the authors advocating for a broader and more inclusive understanding of queer identities.
• Political and social climates significantly impact the way personal stories are shared and received, especially concerning topics like abortion and sexual assault.
• Collaboration with Tempest X was instrumental in structuring the book, ensuring that both authors' voices and experiences were cohesively presented.
• Favorite chapters reveal the depth of personal growth and the complex interplay between pleasure and pain in the journey of sexual exploration.
• Influential figures such as bell hooks and Marilyn Monroe are highlighted as ideal readers who could resonate with and be empowered by the book's narratives.

Notable Quotes

• Mandii B on the necessity of friendship in overcoming personal struggles:

  "We really do need friendship in order to get over and shit." [50:20]

• WheezyWTF addressing the challenge of maintaining authenticity in her writing:

  "I fucking hate how this reads. It was like three words, period. Four words, period." [55:26]

• Traci Thomas reflecting on cultural perceptions of effort and vulnerability:

  "Trying hard or caring is embarrassing or cringe." [27:10]

Listen to Episode 379 of The Stacks to delve deeper into Mandii B and WeezyWTF’s transformative journey through their groundbreaking book, No Holes Barred.