Book chat: exploring the life & work of Shirley Jackson with Sarah McGrath

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Book chat: exploring the life & work of Shirley Jackson with Sarah McGrath

This week on my podcast It’s a Lot, I joined forces with my friend Sarah McGrath, a bookstagrammer, avid reader, physical therapist, and mom, for a book chat about two of Shirley Jackson’s books that represent the two very different sides of her work: We Have Always Lived in the Castle and Life Among the Savages. Jackson is well known for her gothic/psychological horror; most of us read her famous short story “The Lottery” in school, and The Haunting of Hill House was adapted into a Netflix series a few years ago. But her domestic memoirs are lesser known in 2026, and I love them as much as her other writing!

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It's not about me, it's about telling stories, says Katie DeRaddo, creator of A Grave Attraction

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It's not about me, it's about telling stories, says Katie DeRaddo, creator of A Grave Attraction

On my podcast It’s a Lot this week, I chatted with Katie DeRaddo, the human behind A Grave Attraction. She spent years cleaning headstones for fun before deciding to start sharing the stories of the dead through social media. From there, she’s received tons of opportunities, met interesting people, and cleaned many more headstones along the way. During the first half of the show, we discuss proper headstone cleaning techniques, how she does her research, and some of her favorite cemeteries to work in. In the latter half of our conversation, we dive into the pesky comparison trap of social media, her feelings on long form video content, and fears of being a washed up content creator. I really appreciated Katie’s vulnerability in talking about these things that so many of us struggle with!

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Artist & mom Molly Darling refuses to let fear take the wheel anymore

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Artist & mom Molly Darling refuses to let fear take the wheel anymore

This week on It’s a Lot, I spoke to artist and mom Molly Darling, who has evolved quite a bit since I first interviewed her on I Heart Roc in 2018. In the first half of the show, we talked about leaving each of her marriages, deconstructing her faith, and how she eventually discovered she was nonbinary and a lesbian. During the second part of the episode, we explore her experiences as a mom over the past 14 years, from how difficult it felt to force herself into the mold she was expected to fit into as a young Christian mother to how she owns her own authentic version of motherhood now. Also, how amazing it is when your kids become more independent and can do cool things like make themselves a delicious veggie omelet!

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Champagne Manley says being a sober mom is her biggest flex

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Champagne Manley says being a sober mom is her biggest flex

On my podcast It’s a Lot this week, I chatted with Champagne Manley, owner of Cakedd by Champ, mom, and very creative human who has taken an unconventional path to where she is today. It was a fun recording session and felt like we could’ve talked for hours! We explored some of the low points of the years where they were deep in alcoholism, what it was like to attend their first AA meeting, and how working out has helped replace some of the feelings alcohol gave them. She also shared why she suddenly shut down her popular jewelry business, Pop Shop Jewelry (hint: running it wasn’t compatible with being present with her newborn in the NICU), and why becoming a cake and cookie baker and artist was actually a way better fit.

In the second half of our conversation, we discuss what happens when your baby shows up 10 weeks early, the joyful parts of raising a toddler, the lore of Baby Shark, and more.

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Shining a light on the good, the bad, and the ugly with Ashley Charbonneau

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Shining a light on the good, the bad, and the ugly with Ashley Charbonneau

This week on my podcast It’s a Lot, I spoke to my college friend Ashley Charbonneau, who is now a therapist, author, and podcaster. We met during our sophomore year of college and worked together on a research project about people's writing traumas and how they impacted their feelings about writing 🤓 It was so fun to have an in-depth conversation with Ashley over a decade and a half later. In the first half of the show, we discuss abusive workplaces, how AI is causing issues that therapists now have to determine how to deal with, the writing process for her new book, why she was inspired to start a podcast, and more.

In the second half of our conversation, we explore what it was like to become the guardian of a teenage sibling, how being the oldest of 8 affected Ashley growing up, her decision to be childfree by choice, and how to read more books you love!

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2016 nostalgia is misguided and perplexing

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2016 nostalgia is misguided and perplexing

For a fun little mini episode of my podcast It’s a Lot, I sat down with my producer, Chris Lindstrom, for a chat about how things are going with the show so far, some of our favorite episodes, and the bizarre 2016 trend that’s been everywhere on social media lately. Yes, 2016 was different, but it was not better. And neither were we! We both reflect on how we’ve grown and changed over the past 10 years—and how Rochester has changed too. It’s a fun discussion; I hope you’ll give it a listen!

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Author and sex & culture critic Ella Dawson on how capitalism makes it harder to create art

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Author and sex & culture critic Ella Dawson on how capitalism makes it harder to create art

After following Ella’s work for years, I was delighted when we struck up an online friendship after I reviewed an advance copy of her (fantastic) debut novel, But How Are You, Really. Since then, Ella has spoken to my college students twice, chatted with me about burnout and boundaries for my business blog, and now joined me on my podcast, It’s a Lot. In this episode, we talk about the mental health impact of the post-publication adrenaline crash, coping with feelings of disappointment through finding community and having honest conversations, and the joys of interviewing other progress romance writers for Ella’s podcast, Rebel Ever After.

In the second half of the episode, we explore how techno-optimists have ruined social media (and possibly the world) by never considering the consequences of their actions, and discuss how Ella has learned to use her privilege to speak up and uplift others’ voices.

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