Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre
Episodes
Bonus: The Worst Celebrity Self-Help Books
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta talk to This Is Critical host Virginia Heffernan about the worst celebrity self-help books.Join the By The Book Patreon Community!...
Bonus: Are All Celebrity Memoirs Really Self-Help?
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta talk to comedy writer and Celebrity Book Club host Chelsea Devantez about her favorite books by celebrities — self-help or not!J...
Bonus: Should Celebrities Talk About Tough Issues?
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta talk to Celeste Headlee about whether celebrities should speak up about social issues.Join the By The Book Patreon Community! For ...
Bonus: What Makes Someone a "Real" Celebrity?
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta talk to Love to See It's Emma Gray and Claire Fallon about who is (and is not) a real celebrity. Join the By The Book Patreon Com...
Bonus: The Best Advice From Celebrities
26 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta talk to writer Gretchen Rubin about the best advice she’s received from celebrities.Join the By The Book Patreon Community! For ...
Bonus: The History of Celebrity Self-Help
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta talk to cultural and literary historian Trysh Travis about the development of celebrity self-help.Join the By The Book Patreon Com...
Bonus: Season Eight Wrap-Up
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies reflect on the latest season! Do Kristen and Jolenta have any new revelations since living by the star-studded books of Season 8? What stuc...
Epilogue: I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight, by Margaret Cho
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight, by Margaret Cho.Join the By The Book Patreon Community! For $5 ...
I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight, by Margaret Cho
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta live by I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight, by Margaret Cho. Will they find the courage to use their voices?Join the By The Book Patreo...
Epilogue: How to Be a Bad Bitch, by Amber Rose
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about How to Be a Bad Bitch, by Amber Rose.Join the By The Book Patreon Community! For $5 per month, y...
How to Be a Bad Bitch, by Amber Rose
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta live by How to Be a Bad Bitch, by Amber Rose. Will they learn to be strong in body, mind, and attitude?Join the By The Book Patreon ...
Epilogue: The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You, by Jessica Alba
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You, by Jessica Alba.Join the By The Book Patreon ...
The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You, by Jessica Alba
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta live by The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You, by Jessica Alba. Do they have what it takes to live a healthier and more ...
Epilogue: Everybody’s Got Something, by Robin Roberts
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about Everybody’s Got Something, by Robin Roberts.Join the By The Book Patreon Community! For $5 per...
Everybody’s Got Something, by Robin Roberts
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta live by Everybody’s Got Something, by Robin Roberts. Will they learn they're stronger than they think?Join the By The Book Patreon...
Epilogue: The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help, by Amanda Palmer
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help, by Amanda Palmer.Join the...
The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help, by Amanda Palmer
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta live by The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help, by Amanda Palmer. Will they learn to let go of shame ...
Epilogue: How to Be Famous, by Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about How to Be Famous, by Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag. Join the By The Book Patreon Community! For...
How to Be Famous, by Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta live by How to Be Famous, by Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag. Will they learn the recipe for fame from one of America's most loved (a...
Epilogue: Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever: The Making of a Happy Woman, by Judge Judith Sheindlin
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever: The Making of a Happy Woman, by Judge Judith Sheindlin.Join the B...
Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever: The Making of a Happy Woman, by Judge Judith Sheindlin
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta live by Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever: The Making of a Happy Woman, by Judge Judith Sheindlin. Will they learn what it takes to be t...
Epilogue: Dream More: Celebrate the Dreamer in You, by Dolly Parton
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about Dream More: Celebrate the Dreamer in You, by Dolly Parton. Join the By The Book Patreon Comm...
Dream More: Celebrate the Dreamer in You, by Dolly Parton
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta are back with season 8, this time exploring celebrity self-help books! To kick things off, they're living by Dream More: Celebrate...
Bonus: Ask Us Anything
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta answer all your burning questions, addressing everything from their least favorite self-help books to unconventional celebrity crush...
Bonus: Kate Black
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta talk to Kate Black about the book she co-authored with June Diane Raphael, called Represent: The Woman’s Guide to Running for Offi...
Bonus: Rafer Guzman
18 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Film critic Rafer Guzman joins Kristen to talk all things television.Join the By The Book Patreon Community! For $5 per month, you receive a new book ...
Bonus: Satellite Sisters
04 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta talk to Satellite Sisters Lian and Liz Dolan about staying connected in a socially-distanced world.Join the By The Book Patreon Comm...
Bonus: Roman Mars
21 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Roman Mars joins Kristen & Jolenta to talk about his book The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design. Join the By T...
Bonus: Tammy Tibbetts
07 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta talk to Tammy Tibbetts about her book Impact: A Step-By-Step Plan to Create the World You Want to Live In Join the By The Book Patr...
Bonus: Home with the Husbands
24 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta are joined by America's Favorite Husbands to reflect on this past season. The gentlemen are always involved in the show, but what wa...
Bonus: Season Seven Wrap-Up
10 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies reflect on the latest season! Do Kristen and Jolenta have any new revelations since living by the books of Season 7? What stuck and what wa...
Epilogue: This is Where You Belong
26 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about This is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is ava...
This is Where You Belong
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta live by This is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick. As they wrap a season focusing on hearth & home, will this book help them reigni...
Epilogue: Martha Stewart Entertaining
12 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about Entertaining by Martha Stewart Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now [...
Martha Stewart Entertaining
05 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta live by Entertaining by Martha Stewart. Will it be everything they dream it can be? Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine ...
Epilogue: The House Witch
29 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about The House Witch by Arin Hiscock-Murphy Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is availab...
The House Witch
22 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta live by The House Witch by Arin Hiscock-Murphy. Will they find themselves living their own version of Practical Magic? Let's find ou...
Epilogue: 5 Ingredients: Quick & Easy Food
15 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about 5 Ingredients: Quick & Easy Meals by Jamie Oliver Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine...
5 Ingredients: Quick & Easy Food
08 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta live by 5 Ingredients: Quick & Easy Food by Jamie Oliver. Will they start contributing in the kitchen? Or will America's favorite hu...
Epilogue: New Plant Parent
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about New Plant Parent by Darryl Cheng Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is available now...
New Plant Parent
24 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta live by New Plant Parent by Darryl Cheng. Will Jolenta better understand her husband's plant passions? Can Kristen even get any bett...
Epilogue: So You Want to Talk About Race
17 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine is ...
So You Want to Talk About Race
10 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta keep on with the theme of hearth and home, living by So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. Will it help the conversations t...
Epilogue: Homebody
03 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about Homebody by Joanna Gaines Check out Kristen's other podcasts!The Pursuit of Happier on Knowable...
Homebody
27 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta continue their focus on hearth and home, living by Joanna Gaines' Homebody. Will the ladies be able to fix up their homes while av...
Epilogue: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
20 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta respond to listener questions about The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson Kristen and Jolenta's new book ...
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
13 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta are back with season 7, this time focusing on hearth and home! They start with The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margare...
Bonus Episode: A How to be Fine Book Party
30 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta bring the How To Be Fine book party to YOU! In this bonus episode, they share highlights from the virtual book party hosted by Anne ...
Bonus Episode: Calm Your Overthinking with Anne Bogel
16 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Author and noted reader Anne Bogel joins Kristen & Jolenta to help all of the overthinkers out there! Kristen and Jolenta's new book How to be Fine i...
Bonus Episode: Celeste Headlee Wants You to Do Less
02 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Renaissance woman Celeste Headlee joins Kristen for a conversation that should make you feel better about being at home. Kristen and Jolenta's ne...
Bonus Episode: Jane Marie Joins!
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jane Marie, host of The Dream, joins Kristen and Jolenta to chat about where MLMs, self-help, and wellness collide. Kristen and Jolenta's new book H...
Bonus Episode: Nora Tells EVERYTHING
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Super producer Nora joins Kristen and Jolenta to tell all and everyone tells so much more than expected! (This bonus episode was recorded before COVID...
Bonus Episode: The Husbands Return!
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dean and Brad join Kristen and Jolenta in the studio to answer your listener questions about living by the decades! (This bonus episode was recorded b...
Bonus Episode: How Is Everyone Doing?
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta fill us in on what they’ve been up to during stay-at-home orders, share advice about how to stay sane right now, and check in wi...
Bonus Episode: Season Six Wrap-Up
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta reflect on the latest season! What stuck since living by the books of Season 6? What new revelations did they have? What was pure ...
Bonus Episode: Professor Travis Tells All
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta chat with By the Book’s resident historian and fairy Godmother Trysh Travis. Professor Travis answers listener questions about t...
Epilogue: Gifts of Imperfection
26 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta respond to listener letters about The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. Plus, Trysh Travis, cultural and literary historian in...
The Gifts of Imperfection
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies live by the New York Times best-seller The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. Will Jolenta cultivate self-compassion? Will Kristen learn...
Epilogue: Who Moved My Cheese?
12 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta dive into listener feedback for the New York Times best-seller Who Moved My Cheese?: An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change in Your W...
Who Moved My Cheese?
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta live by the New York Times best-seller Who Moved My Cheese?: An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life by ...
Epilogue: Dance of Anger
27 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies reply to listener comments about The Dance of Anger: A Woman’s Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships by Harriet Lerner...
The Dance of Anger
20 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta continue their romp through self-help history. This week, they dance their way into the 1980s with Dr. Harriet Lerner's The Dance ...
Epilogue: The Joy of Sex
13 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen is joined by special guest host and our By the Book producer Nora Ritchie to talk about listener reactions to The Joy of Sex: A Gourmet Guide ...
The Joy of Sex
06 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies live by Alex Comfort’s The Joy of Sex: A Gourmet Guide to Lovemaking, an international bestseller since it was first published in 1972. ...
Epilogue: Phyllis Diller’s Housekeeping Hints
30 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies respond to listener voicemails and emails about Phyllis Diller’s Housekeeping Hints. Plus, Trysh Travis, cultural and literary historian...
Phyllis Diller's Housekeeping Hints
23 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta continue their jaunt through self-help history. This week, the ladies dig into the 1960s with Phyllis Diller's Housekeeping Hints....
Epilogue: The Power of Positive Thinking
16 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta dive into listener feedback about The Power of Positive Thinking. Plus, they call up Trysh Travis, cultural and literary historian...
The Power of Positive Thinking
09 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta continue their journey of living by a classic self-help book from each decade. This week, they live by the international bestselle...
Epilogue: On Being A Real Person
02 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta dive into listener feedback about The Power of Positive Thinking. Plus, they call up Trysh Travis, cultural and literary historian...
On Being A Real Person
26 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta continue their romp through self-help history by living by On Being A Real Person by Harry Emerson Fosdick. Will Jolenta accept he...
Epilogue: How to Win Friends and Influence People
19 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies respond to listener voicemails and emails about How to Win Friends and Influence People. Plus, they learn about the history of self-help wi...
How to Win Friends and Influence People
12 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta are back for Season 6, and they are trying something new! For this season, the ladies take us on a historical romp through self-he...
Bonus Episode: Transformations w/ Elna Baker
28 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta are joined by storyteller, comedian, and This American Life producer Elna Baker for their live show in Brooklyn. The ladies chat wit...
Bonus Episode: Speaking Out & Giving Advice w/ E. Jean Carroll
14 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta are joined by advice columnist and journalist E. Jean Carroll for a spirited conversation about her new book What Do We Need Men For...
Bonus Episode: Reading & Self-Care w/ LeVar Burton
31 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen & Jolenta welcome actor and activist LeVar Burton (LeVar Burton Reads, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek: The Next Generation) for a conversation abo...
Bonus Episode: Nora Tells All
17 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta's producer Nora answers listener questions! Is she a self-help believer or a skeptic? How did she become a producer? What was she ...
Bonus Episode: America's Favorite Husbands Tell All
03 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dean and Brad join Kristen and Jolenta in the studio to answer listener questions and dish on life as America's favorite husbands. How has being on th...
Bonus Episode: Ask Us Anything
19 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies answer questions from listeners! What celebrity do they wish would write a self-help book? Who would they cast for the 2019 version of Gold...
Bonus Episode: Season Five Wrap-Up
05 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta recap the latest season! What stuck since living by the books of Season 5? What was pure torture? For tickets to By the Book LIVE...
Epilogue: So You Want to Start a Podcast
22 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta recap living by Kristen’s new book So You Want to Start A Podcast: Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Story, and Building a Commun...
Introducing: We Love You (And So Can You)
20 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta pop in with a trailer of their new spin-off show We Love You (And So Can You). Plus, don't forget to grab your tickets to By the B...
So You Want to Start a Podcast
15 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta live by Kristen’s new book So You Want to Start A Podcast: Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Story, and Building a Community That...
Epilogue: Getting Things Done
08 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen calls in from New Zealand to chat with Jolenta about the listener reaction to Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by Davi...
Getting Things Done
01 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta live by Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen, an expert in the field of organizational and pers...
Epilogue: The Art of Dying Well
11 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta reply to listener comments about their experiences living by The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life by Kat...
The Art of Dying Well
04 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta live by The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life by journalist and end-of-life speaker Katy Butler. Will Kri...
Epilogue: The Sleep Revolution
27 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies recap living by The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time by Arianna Huffington. Plus, they are joined by sleep sci...
The Sleep Revolution
20 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta try to get a good night’s sleep when they live by The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time by Arianna H...
Epilogue: How to Hold a Grudge
13 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta read listener comments and feedback about living by How to Hold a Grudge: From Resentment to Contentment―The Power of Grudges to...
How to Hold a Grudge
06 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
To hold a grudge is too negative, right? Shouldn’t we just move on? The ladies try to answer these questions when they live by Sophie Hannah’s boo...
Epilogue: The Body Is Not an Apology
30 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies reply to listener comments and questions about their experience living by The Body Is Not an Apology. Plus, they announce next week's book!...
The Body Is Not an Apology
23 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta tackle body image when they live by Sonya Renee Taylor’s The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self Love. We love he...
Epilogue: The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom
16 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta answer listener questions about The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom, share listener’s money memories, and announce next week’s bo...
The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom
09 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
To kick off Season 5, Kristen and Jolenta live by Suze Orman’s New York Times bestseller The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom. Plus, Kristen and Jolenta...
Bonus Episode: Ask Us Anything!
25 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta answer all your burning questions! Plus, two very special guests make an appearance. To start listening to the Stitcher Premium s...
Bonus Episode: Husbands!
11 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Kristen and Jolenta are joined in the studio by America's favorite husbands: Dean and Brad. The husbands spill the tea on what books they loved and ha...
Bonus Episode: Season Four Wrap-up
28 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies rehash the season! Do Kristen and Jolenta have any new revelations since living by the books of Season 4? What stuck and what was pure tort...
Epilogue: The Four Agreements
14 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies discuss the aftermath of living by Don Miguel Ruiz's New York Times bestseller The Four Agreements. Plus, they have a surprise announcement...
The Four Agreements
07 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies live by Don Miguel Ruiz's New York Times bestseller The Four Agreements. We love hearing from you! Email us at [email protected]...
Epilogue: Astrology for Happiness and Success
28 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies read listener comments and feedback about living by Astrology for Happiness and Success by Mecca Woods. Plus, Kristen and Jolenta reveal th...