Best Aughts Podcasts (2025)

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Tumblereads 4: Let's avoid thinking about the state of the world by talking about stabby smut 28:12

Play Pause

15h ago28:12

28:12

The title pretty much says it all. Links to the books we're reading at smutreport.com/podcast. Have thoughts? Leave us a comment or drop us a line on bsky.By TSR

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177 - Cozy Cats 50:09

8d ago50:09

50:09

Matt and Gillian celebrate the coziness of cats, from the feline friends in their own lives to the glamour pusses of pop culture. They also share their experiences at CatCon and Fierce! The Story of Cats, a special exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Cozy in the News The National Cat Award 2025 nominees Vote for the Stamp Y…

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Tumblereads 3: Extremely Problematic but So Fun / Dating Advice from Romance Books / The Physics is the Problem 30:32

15d ago30:32

30:32

This week on Tumblereads, we're talking about what we're reading and how we're feeling about those books. Honestly, the conversation went all over the place. And ended with madlibs. Our current reading, all the show notes, and a link to the madlibs can be found at smutreport.com/podcast. If you like what we're doing, please rate or recommend us to …

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Tumblereads: AI and Cold Buckets of Water 25:37

21d ago25:37

25:37

We're Tumblereading again, and this time we started talking about those things that just pull us out of books when we read—and also about AI (and reader responses to it). Some links to things we talked about at smutreport.com/podcast. Have a question or a discussion point for us? Leave us a comment!By TSR

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176 - Gush Over Plush 58:07

22d ago58:07

58:07

Gillian and Matt cuddle up with plushies past and present, from the Beanie Babies of their youth to the Build-A-Bear they birthed in the Glendale Galleria. They also stuff in facts about the history of stuffed animals and weigh-in on trending plushies like Labubu, Squishmallows, and JellyCat. Tea Time Autumn Mist Green by Adagio Tea Brown Sugar Sha…

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Tumblereads #1 25:05

29d ago25:05

25:05

We're trying something a little different here at The Smut Report Pod, where we just talk about whatever we're reading and see where it takes us. What we got was 30 minutes of unedited chit chat, mostly about Romantasy. For a list of all the books we talked about, go to smutreport.com/podcast. Like the format? Hate it? Have a question you'd like us…

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175 - Not Another Cozy Teen Movie 46:51

1M ago46:51

46:51

Matt and Gillian try to make fetch happen with a double feature of Freaky Friday (2003) and its long-awaited sequel Freakier Friday (2025) before whipping out their Blockbuster cards to revisit formative teen classics like Clueless, The Princess Diaries, and more. It’s all that and a complimentary bag of popcorn from IPIC. Cozy in the News Every Da…

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174 - Autumn in the Aughts 1:01:24

2M ago1:01:24

1:01:24

Gillian and Matt take a walk to remember what fall felt like in the aughts, reminiscing about the millennial music, movies, TV shows, fashion, and trends that had them fallin’ like Alicia Keys from 2000 to 2009. Tea Time Strawberry Matcha Strato Frappacino Adagio Tea’s Autumn Sampler Autumn in the Aughts Spotify Playlist Candle Review Big Shiny Tun…

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The Criminal Archetype 1:02:43

2M ago1:02:43

1:02:43

The Smut Report Team is back, and this month we're talking about the criminal archetype in romance books. What characteristics does a criminal love interest have—and what makes them so dang sexy? For our conversation, we read Hard Time by Cara McKenna. Full show notes at smutreport.com/podcastBy TSR

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Metaromance 1:07:01

4M ago1:07:01

1:07:01

This month, the Smut Report team is talking Metaromance. Not romances that take place at Facebook, but romance books that are talking about romance books. To prepare, we all read Unromance by Erin Connor. Full show notes at smutreport.com/podcast.By TSR

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173 - Cozy Summer Blockbusters 1:02:57

4M ago1:02:57

1:02:57

Before the credits roll on this season and they head off on their summer hiatus, Matt and Gillian go to the movies and revist their favorite cozy hits with all the excitement and fun of a summer movie marathon. They share which blockbuster films they think provide the kind of comfort that deserves a sequel along with which movies always make them c…

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172 - Cozy Myths and Legends 59:04

5M ago59:04

59:04

Gillian and Matt embark on an odyssey through the world of cozy myths and legends. They spill the ambrosia on heartwarming tales like the hospitable Baucis and Philemon and the gift-giving goodness of Italian legend La Befana. They also dream up TV shows based on cozy legends like the Washington D.C. Demon Cat and reveal which mythological universe…

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Hoedown Showdown: Final Thoughts 1:00:03

5M ago1:00:03

1:00:03

We're wrapping up our Hoedown Showdown! Holly, Erin, and Ingrid all share their Yee Haws and Hell Naws from this project, talk about their favorite microtropes, and share recommendations of other Western Romances. Full show notes at smutreport.com/podcast.By TSR

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Hoedown Showdown: Queer Westerns 1:07:02

5M ago1:07:02

1:07:02

We're in Week 4 of reading Romance Westerns, and this week we're focusing on queer and poly romances. We read: Heart and Hand by Rebel Carter (Amazon | Bookshop) They Ain't Proper by M.B. Guel (Amazon | Bookshop) Warning: This conversation includes ranting. Full show notes at smutreport.com/podcast.By TSR

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171 - Afternoon Tea & Other Delights 48:29

5M ago48:29

48:29

Matt and Gillian meet for afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. From delicate finger sandwiches to heavenly pastries (and the soothing sounds of a live harpist), they savor every moment and share their top tips for planning the perfect trip to a tea room. Cozy in the News Academy Awards Adds Achievement in Stunt Design Easter Egg V…

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Hoedown Showdown: Westerns from the Present 1:11:32

5M ago1:11:32

1:11:32

For the third week of the Hoedown Showdown, we're in the 2020s! What's changed in Western romance? What's stayed the same? We read: Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins (Amazon | Bookshop) Marrying Off Morgan McBride by Amy Barry (Amazon | Bookshop) Full shownotes at smutreport.com/podcastBy TSR

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Hoedown Showdown: Westerns from the Aughts 1:09:12

6M ago1:09:12

1:09:12

For the second week of the Hoedown Showdown, we read two books from the early 2000s: Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne (Amazon | Bookshop) Knight on the Texas Plains by Linda Broday (Amazon | Bookshop) Full show notes at smutreport.com/podcastBy TSR

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170 - Light for All Seasons: An Interview with Tru-Tone 44:04

6M ago44:04

44:04

The brilliant minds behind Tru-Tone (@trutonebulbs), David Andora and Sean Hunt, illuminate Matt and Gillian on how they're bringing back the warm, cozy vibes of vintage Christmas lights with an energy-efficient upgrade. They also shed some light on their journey as a small business, their observations about trends in the holiday decor industry, an…

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Hoedown Showdown: Westerns from the 90s 1:08:15

6M ago1:08:15

1:08:15

It's time for a Hoedown Showdown! Every Friday in April, we'll be dropping an episode where we talk about two western romances. We're starting things off Old School with two romances from the 90s: The Touch of Fire by Linda Howard (Amazon | Bookshop) and Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath (Amazon | Bookshop). Come for the dusty coats and the snake ven…

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169 - Hygge: Spring Edition 46:10

6M ago46:10

46:10

Matt and Gillian shake off the winter chill and step into a sunshine-soaked Hygge fest inspired by The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking. While this beloved book—previously explored in Episode 20—embraces candlelit coziness, they're flipping the script from fireplaces to fresh blooms. They share simple ways to sprinkle hygge into springtime from …

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168 - A Taste of Comfort: Chicken Soup for the Soul 47:49

7M ago47:49

47:49

Gillian and Matt stir up memories of the mid-'90s and revisit a book series that had readers sipping on inspiration: Chicken Soup for the Soul. They simmer in the nostalgia of what made this phenomenon boil over and taste-test two handpicked installments to decide if the Chicken Soup for the Soul series still warms the heart. Cozy in the News Bridg…

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167 - Pup Culture: Dogs on TV 44:12

7M ago44:12

44:12

Matt and Gillian change the channel to cozy canines on television. They sniff out the coziest moments four-legged stars fetch at the 2025 Puppy Bowl and the 149th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. They also decide which TV pup—real or fictional—they’d love to welcome into their pack. Tea Time Raspberry Royale by Bigelow Sensorio Candle Review Austr…

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Spoke and Wheel featuring Four Psychos by Kristy Cunning 57:57

8M ago57:57

57:57

Erin explains spoke and wheel romances (along with other forms of ethical non-monogamy…and non-ethical non-monogamy). Holly and Ingrid are along for the read. To prepare, we all read Four Psychos by Kristy Cunning, but we ended up talking about a ton of different books. Show notes and book list at smutreport.com/podcast.…

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166 - Timeless Treats 58:37

8M ago58:37

58:37

Gillian and Matt dive into the world of nostalgic desserts as they recreate childhood favorites (like Friendly’s Monster Mash sundae and Kudos bars), reminisce about iconic treats (such as Push Pops and Carvel ice cream cakes). Also, iconic goodies like Little Debbie’s Swiss Rolls and Gushers face off against rivals like Ho Hos and Scooby Doo Fruit…

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Enemies to Lovers, featuring The Hating Game by Sally Thorne 48:12

8M ago48:12

48:12

We're talking Enemies to Lovers this month, and in preparation, we all read The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. We talk about what we want from an Enemies to Lovers romance, whether The Hating Game is a good example of one, and whether it's creepy to paint your walls to match your crush's eyes. Full show notes at smutreport.com/podcast.…

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165 - Cozy Trends and Predictions for 2025 1:05:22

8M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

Gillian and Matt predict new cozy trends for 2025 and revisit the predictions they made for 2024. They also share which upcoming movies, books, TV shows, and music they're looking forward to most in 2025. Cozy in the News Volunteers Show Fire Victims They’re Not Alone Man Reunited with Dog, Oreo, After Wildfire Los Angeles Wildfire Relief Donation …