Best Commiseration Podcasts (2025)

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“There’s Someone Out There...I just Have to Find Them." — Christine Kalafus tells the story of FLOOD 30:27

10d ago30:27

30:27

Send us a text Christine tells the story of FLOOD and talks about: Westport Writers Workshop Christine Pakkala Copy editing your own work Thinking about text structure like architecture Agent shenanigans Woodhall Press Shampoo and sugar as essential writing tools Combatting perfectionism Jaclyn Gilbert and Drift(less) Literary Poets and their memoi…

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Two Things That Are Anathema in Publishing — Deesha Philyaw tells the story of The Secret Lives of Church Ladie 40:38

15d ago40:38

40:38

Send us a text Deesha Philyaw tells the story of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies Along the way she covers: Being in the Norton Anthology of Literature Jamaica Kincaid's story Girl The ways Church Ladies is proudly Black Ways white supremacy shapes the stories we read and tell Misconceptions about race in publishing Revision for her novel Boundari…

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Uni Boobers- A Single Mastectomy Perspective with Florence Moon 43:09

19d ago43:09

43:09

Kris and Cass hang out with Florence Moon, founder of ENO, a brand providing sustainable bras and swimwear for people with one breast who do not wear a prosthesis. Florence addresses topics like shame, societal expectations of women, the impact a mastectomy has on mental health, and how she has arrived at a place of acceptance and pride in her body…

1
"Your Life Can Be Set Up Like An Artist's Residency" — Sasha Hom tells the story of Sidework 28:55

24d ago28:55

28:55

Send us a text Sasha Hom tells the story of Sidework. Along the way she covers: Profluence Including multiple nows in your writing Making appreciation a discipline Polyphonic nature of restaurants and motherhood (especially when living in a tent!) Living life as an artist's residency Black Lawrence Press (Immigrant writing series) Learn more about …

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A Safe Place to Explore — Jennie Case tells the story of We Are Animals 29:44

30d ago29:44

29:44

Send us a text Jennie Case tells the story of We Are Animals. Jennie talks about: - control, safety, and risk in the creative process - speaking to the current moment - how to gesture toward the place beyond concepts in writing - agent troubles - writing a letter to your book - publishing with a university press (Trinity) Find out more about Jennie…

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Moving your body pre and post treatment- An Oncology & Lymphedema Physiotherapist Perspective 35:26

1M ago35:26

35:26

This week, Kris and Cass hang out with the wonderful Hope Spencer, an Oncology and Lymphedema Physiotherapist. Hope discusses all things prehab, rehab, and why a physiotherapist should be considered an essential part of the healing process. You’ll love Hope’s holistic and patient-centered approach to care. She is incredibly knowledgeable and shares…

1
Impact of Cancer & Mastectomy on Libido, Sensuality and Desire- A Sexologist Perspective 50:11

2M ago50:11

50:11

Kris and Cass interview Richelle Menzies, an Australian Sexologist, LGBTIQ Inclusivity Consultant, and breast cancer survivor. Richelle is an absolute leader in her field, and in this episode, no topic is left off the table. They discuss sex, sensuality, menopause, spontaneous and responsive desire, and what you can do with the biggest sex organ in…

1
"Are You All In?" — Rebe Huntman tells the story of My Mother in Havana 26:08

2M ago26:08

26:08

Send us a text Rebe talks about: querying (and querying again!) hiring a publicist writing about grief art vs archiving enjoying the ride the changing publishing industry Monkfish Press Find out more about Rebe here Buy My Mother in Havana hereBy Brianna Avenia-Tapper

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The Dignity of Small Things — Libby Maxey tells the story of Indwelling 32:25

2M ago32:25

32:25

Send us a text Libby Maxey talks about: - using sonnets to put the pandemic in a box - writing 'off of' other writers - the ancient tradition of starting a book with an author's address to the book - poetry land vs. fiction land, and how time doesn't matter - editing other poets' poems - giving dignity to small things - being 'bad' at 'pub days' Le…

1
When Cancer and Culture Collide- An Indonesian Perspective 52:28

2M ago52:28

52:28

Kris and Cass have a fascinating conversation with Kathryn, an Indonesian woman who has undergone a cancer diagnosis and subsequent single mastectomy. Kathryn is incredibly knowledgeable and offers unique insights as a volunteer with the Bali Pink Ribbon Foundation. The girls discuss the challenges Indonesian women face, including the influence of …

1
Have The Audacity — Dori Lumpkin tells the story of Antenora 22:45

2M ago22:45

22:45

Send us a text Dori Lumpkin talks about: Comp titles and queries Creature Publishing Religious tea drinking Setting up a book signing Method writing (like method acting) Book tattoos Learn more about Dori here Buy Antenora hereBy Brianna Avenia-Tapper

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"I Learned the Hard Way" — Emma Pattee tells the story of TILT 31:33

2M ago31:33

31:33

Send us a text Emma Pattee talks about Postpartum creativity Writing by hand Navigating the distance between one's own vision and feedback and finding one's breaking point with a project Confusing a desire to make art and a desire to be famous Going on sub for only 24 hours Helen Phillips The Need Julia Phillips Margaret Malone Lidia Yuknavitch and…

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The Nipple Tattoo- A Deep Dive with Aleisha Gannon 43:58

3M ago43:58

43:58

Kris and Cass interview Aleisha Gannon, founder of Pink Lotus Australia (a charity supporting breast cancer survivors in restoring their physical wholeness and emotional well-being), award-winning Paramedical 3D Nipple Tattooist, and exceptional Body Art Tattooist. The girls talk about the difference between cosmetic and body tattooing, the financi…

1
"Charge into the Messiness" —Wayne Scott tells the story of The Maps They Gave Us 35:06

3M ago35:06

35:06

Send us a text Wayne Scott talks about Writing well-rounded characters that can surprise us Trying to sell a book that publishers don't think will sell to women Marriage as a story EM Forrester's Aspects of the Novel Publishing a Modern Love piece, getting an agent and then having your agent lose steam Memoir as coping strategy Rayhané Sanders Corp…

1
"It's really annoying to write a novel" — Mariam Rahmani tells the story of Liquid 33:47

3M ago33:47

33:47

Send us a text Mariam Rahmani talks about: Preserving voice How to know when you are ready to bring editors and other readers in to your process Racialized pay gaps and racialized double-standards in publishing Streamlining of stories in publishing Putting a manuscript of 7 years aside Challenges of short story versus novel Danielle Bukowski (agent…

1
Do what you have to do to get the work done — Cally Fiedorek tells the story of Atta Boy 31:20

3M ago31:20

31:20

Send us a text Cally talks about: Hardware and software in a story A need to detox from the marketplace Woeful inefficiency in the writing process Zadie Smith and 'obsessive perspective disorder ' Furious throat-clearing Pregnancy creating writing urgency Sewanee review Keeping a manuscript under wraps and writing as solitary The sense in which app…

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Commemorations and Commiserations: Marking Cancer and Mastectomy Anniversaries 31:27

3M ago31:27

31:27

Kris and Cass discuss the celebration of cancer and mastectomy anniversaries and how deplorably bad they are at it. Is that a bad thing? This podcast episode explores the different ways they have reflected on their experiences over time and how they've celebrated their wins along the way. What are Kris and Cass loving at the moment? Kris referenced…

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Questioning Assumptions — Nicole Graev Lipson tells the story of Mothers and Other Fictional Characters 27:33

3M ago27:33

27:33

Send us a text Nicole Graev Lipson tells the story of Mothers and Other Fictional Characters. Along the way we talk about: Sexism in publishing The 'mother shelf' Microscopic truth and Brenda Ueland Writing from "low-grade embarrassment" and "both-and-ness" Growing up with with the belief that you can be anyone you want to be and do anything you wa…

1
Once I found the voice and the mode of the narrative, I could just PLAY — Shubha Sunder tells the story of Optional Practical Training 24:25

3M ago24:25

24:25

Send us a text Shubha Sunder talks about: Constructing a narrative through the things that people say to the main character Characterization as a "portrait in the negative" Writing through divorce and Covid lockdown Writing from an immigrant perspective and immigration as a step in one's path to becoming an artist Characters as caricatures and the …

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"I DO belong over here on this side" — Nanda Reddy tells the story of A Girl Within A Girl Within A Girl 36:21

3M ago36:21

36:21

Send us a text Nanda Reddy talks about: Deadlines and focus Manuscripts in drawers Querytracker critiquematch.com Accepting previously rejected parts of ourselves as part of the process of writing fiction Assimilation Belonging Identity BookPage review by Stephanie HarrisonBy Brianna Avenia-Tapper

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Don't Revise, Explode — Elyse Durham tells the story of Maya and Natasha 31:08

4M ago31:08

31:08

Send us a text Elyse Durham talks about: Remaining open and flexible in the process Following your fascinations Focusing Most adorable book deal celebration Ballet, Greek Orthodoxy, and the body Historical fiction Writer to agent AWP Alison Hunter Trellis Literary Cameos from Brianna's kiddo Andy (he would like you to know that he DOESN'T have cand…

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"Oh, you want a plot? I'll GIVE you A PLOT" — Emily J. Smith tells the story of Nothing Serious 38:16

4M ago38:16

38:16

Send us a text Emily J. Smith talks about: Graphing plot points and clues That whole job/money/housing/social class/art tangle Validation, connection, tech, and writing Bouncing back from failure Bringing an engineer mindset to writing and bringing a tech mindset to publishing "Prestige thrillers" Writing friends Interesting theory about relative c…

1
"Take Your Time" — Olufunke Grace Bankole Tells the Story of The Edge of Water 35:12

4M ago35:12

35:12

Send us a text Olufunke covers: - Tin House -The importance of the relationships in the process of publishing your work -Elizabeth Demeo (editor) -Danya (agent) -What makes her a 'real' writer - Savoring -How good feedback can shift your relationship with your own writing Learn more about Olufunke here More Writing Stories here…

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"You Don't Suck" — Lidia Yuknavitch tells the story of Reading the Waves 37:29

4M ago37:29

37:29

Send us a text In this episode, Lidia talks about -story-telling space as a magical shape-shifting place of healing and growth -how to talk to yourself when your writing is lousy - pillow forts - creative coping strategies -being trained to retell the same story -how we and our stories change over time -writing a fable from something that happened …

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"It Took 8 Years To Write" — Susan Barker Tells the Story of Old Soul 26:59

5M ago26:59

26:59

Send us a text Why write 'bad' characters? Why write 'bad' female characters? Being patient and having faith The line between good and evil exists within every man Stephen King and kinds of fear It Follows directed by David Robert Mitchell (film about sexually transmitted haunting!) Dracula Picture of Dorian Gray (please excuse my terrible pronunci…

1
"Please Stop Me if This Is Going Terribly" — Erika Swyler tells the story of We Lived on the Horizon 32:50

5M ago32:50

32:50

Send us a text Along the way, Erika covers: Pacing Best moment of the book making process Editing that works with an author's vision Adrian Tchaikovsky and Service Model Atria (publisher) Michelle Brower (agent) Loan Le editor Icky-post-pub emails Treadmill desk

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"Making art is a lot like making a kid—It is just this really intense expression of being alive" 10:58

5M ago10:58

10:58

Send us a text Season 4! Coming up! You'll hear from Erika Swyler Emily J Smith Deesha Philyaw Lidia Yuknavitch Susan Barker Nicole Graev Lipson Jennie Case Emma Pattee Elyse Durham Shubha Sunder Dori Lumpkin Sasha Hom Cally Fiedorek Libby Maxey Grace Bankole Nanda Reddy Wayne ScottBy Brianna Avenia-Tapper

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RERELEASE! A Major Problem with Publication 32:16

5M ago32:16

32:16

Send us a text In this episode, Yael Goldstein-Love talks about The Possibilities. We cover: Heretic barbies Putting away ten years of work on a manuscript (possibly the best thing you've ever written) 'A genteel form of homeless' Genre and its discontents Feedback and recognizing a need for a POV shift in a draft How women are socialized to priori…

1
RERELEASE! The most hardcore writing hack ever 31:37

5M ago31:37

31:37

Send us a text Elle Everhart talks about Hot Summer. Along the way, Elle covers: Hinge A particular kind of single parenting experience The most dangerous writing app Writing as a way to try on alternative selves Collaborating with agent and editor on a contracted second book Romance novels Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin (My dog Pretzel makes a…

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RERELEASE! Shannon Sanders talks about her award-winning story collection Company 32:09

5M ago32:09

32:09

Send us a text In this episode, I talk to Shannon Sanders about her linked short story collection, Company. We talk about: - writing your own murder mystery parties - writing through your feelings about others' offhand comments - signing with an agent a week before COVID lockdown - persisting in your writing through the birth of twins - finishing y…

1
RERELEASE! Letting Go of What You Can't Control 28:34

5M ago28:34

28:34

Send us a text In this episode, I talk to Christina Consolino about her most recent novel, The Weight We Carry. We discuss: - NaNoWriMo - Prioritizing writing - The oozing guts of dead things - Controlling what you can and letting go of what you can't - The idea that not all characters are capable of substantial change - Publishing with a small, in…

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"The Blank Space Became the Book" — Amy Wilson Tells the Story of Happy To Help 29:46

5M ago29:46

29:46

Send us a text 'Burn charts' for writing Linking essays the way one links chapters in a novel Writing and mom guilt Boundaries (and the lack thereof) as they relate to gender socialization Letting a manuscript die Sarina Bowen #AmWriting podcast What Fresh Hell podcast Zibby Books Andrea Robinson — developmental editor When Did I Get Like This Jenn…

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RERELEASE! "I Had to Do Whatever Was Necessary to Communicate" 31:55

5M ago31:55

31:55

Send us a text Elizabeth Hilborn tells the story of her memoir Restoring Eden. Along the way she covers: Moving from scientific writing to memoir Notes and research for nonfiction Honey bees, pesticides, and environmental degradation Mindfulness and writing Jill Rothenberg - editor Dinty W Moore and the river of the story Find out more about Dr. El…

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"Traditional Publishing Industry Bullshit" — Amanda Fields tells the story of My Caesarean 31:55

6M ago31:55

31:55

Send us a text Editing an essay collection Organizing an essay collection Literary Mama C-sections Blurbs Working with mothers Julie Stevenson (agent) Labor Day (collection of birth stories including one from Cheryl Strayed) Writing your spouse (or not) launch parties The Experiment press Buy My Caesarean here Learn more about Amanda here Follow Wr…

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The One Percenters- A Male Breast Cancer Experience with Phil Alderson 51:17

6M ago51:17

51:17

Kris and Cass finally got to meet Phil Alderson, arguably the world’s most well-known male breast cancer survivor. Breast cancer is largely associated with women, but we often forget that men can also develop it. It makes sense when you think about it—after all, both men and women have breast tissue. Although uncommon, breast cancer in men accounts…

1
"If You're Not Getting the Dopamine Boost, Then Why Bother?" — Terese Svoboda tells the story of Roxy and Coco and The Long Swim 32:57

6M ago32:57

32:57

Send us a text The key to being able to write a lot YADDO and writing 50 pages a day (????) What makes a 'real' writer Writing groups that last 40 years In-person author events and signings "The sad wilderness of selves calling out for publication" Launch pad from The Authors Guild Getting an editor on Reedsy Learn more about Terese here Buy The Lo…

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Flab to Fabulous- An Interview with Damian (AKA Mini Bypass Guy) 49:15

6M ago49:15

49:15

Kris and Cass hang out with Damian, aka "Mini Bypass Guy," who candidly and honestly shares his weight loss journey following a Mini Bypass surgery and subsequent procedures to remove excess skin. Although Damian hasn’t been diagnosed with cancer or undergone a mastectomy, he now lives in a body that feels fundamentally different from the one he wa…

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This Very Sacrificial Thing — Jaclyn Gilbert Tells the Story of Late Air 36:16

6M ago36:16

36:16

Send us a text In this episode Jaclyn tells the story of Late Air. Along the way she covers: goal orientation Running Driftless Literary upcoming course on navigating the indie publishing landscape David Ryan (and his revision ideas) the denial of pain Marya Spence Buy Late Air here Learn more about Jaclyn here…

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"What If We Free Ourselves?" — Vera Blossom Tells the Story of How To Fuck Like A Girl 26:05

6M ago26:05

26:05

Send us a text In this episode Vera Blossom tells the story of How To Fuck Like A Girl. Along the way she covers: Gender/genre crossover Diary writing Dopamine Press Queer zine culture Building a queer utopia How great editors are like spiritual teachers and therapists Publishing as a trans writer in today's political climate PEN America fellowship…

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The Flat Life- An Interview with Robyn Smith 45:30

7M ago45:30

45:30

Kris and Cass bring you an interview with the incredible Robyn Smith this week. Robyn shares her inspirational story about her prophylactic mastectomy, her subsequent reconstruction, and her experiences with breast implant illness, leading to her eventual decision to go flat. Through her work with Pink Hope Australia (now called Inherited Cancers A…

1
"Too Many Emotions and No Tranquility" — Jessica E. Johnson Tells the Story of Mettlework 40:18

7M ago40:18

40:18

Send us a text In this episode, Jessica E. Johnson tells the story of Mettlework. Along the way she covers: Agent troubles Her poetry collection Metabolics A need for more poetry about motherhood Connections between form, content, and 'material conditions of creation' in her work Gathering your mentor texts The inheritance of motherhood and the sel…

1
"A Dream Come True" — Polly Rosenwaike tells the story of Look How Happy I'm Making You 31:43

7M ago31:43

31:43

Send us a text In this episode Polly tells the story of Look How Happy I'm Making You. Along the way she covers: - When your conversation partner for your book launch cancel at the last minute - Bathttub stories - Going to auction - Keeping your expectations low - Making Shapely Fiction by Jerome Stern - Finding an agent in Poets and Writers Find o…

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Writing From Post-Election Anxiety — Danny Goodman Tells the Story of Amerikaland 38:23

7M ago38:23

38:23

Send us a text In this episode, Danny Goodman tells the story of Amerikaland. Along the way he covers: - Anxiety as writing fuel - how sports can be literary, romantic, uniting, and a useful literary tool - writing a different gender - writing pro athletes - Leftover Books - Being married to a brilliant editor - Antisemitism Learn more about Danny …

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Putting Wonder into Bra Fitting- An Interview with Philippa Mitchell 49:35

7M ago49:35

49:35

Kris and Cass bring you an interview with renowned bra fitter Philippa Mitchell. Philippa is the founder of The Fitting Studio, where she fits women at every stage of life, including those who have had a mastectomy. Whether you have real boobs, implants, no boobs, or just one, this episode is for you! Philippa is a wealth of knowledge, and Kris and…

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Wonderful and Terrible — Jazmina Barrera Tells The Story of Linea Nigra 35:14

7M ago35:14

35:14

Send us a text In this episode, Jazmina Barrera tells the story of Linea Nigra. Along the way she covers: World-altering experience of becoming a parent Gendered double-standards in terms of what topics are worthy of books Radical empathy Publishing a book in translation, working with a translator Two Lines Press Foreign Body Linea Negra Ediciones …

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The Diep Hype Girl- An Interview with Joey Jamesley 56:51

8M ago56:51

56:51

Kris and Cass introduce you to who they call the ultimate “Diep Hype Girl,” AKA Joey Jamesley, whom they discovered while researching the Diep Flap procedure that Cass underwent after her mastectomy. Joey is an Arizona powerhouse who has documented her breast cancer journey and subsequent surgeries for her fast-growing social media audience. She ma…

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"No One Can Read It If It Doesn't Get Published" — Kate Brody tells the story of RABBIT HOLE (Paperback out Tuesday!) 30:26

8M ago30:26

30:26

Send us a text Kate Brody tells the story of Rabbit Hole. Along the way she covers: Choosing a genre container to move her plot along Selling fast in one country and slow in another Selling a book while in labor with her second child Writing a book while teaching and parenting Writing a second book when the first didn't sell Commercial ambitions an…

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"Nobody Can Write A Book Everyone Loves" — Brittany Means Tells the Story of Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways 35:43

8M ago35:43

35:43

Send us a text In this episode Brittany tells the story of Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways. Along the way she covers: - Taking care of yourself when writing hard things - The best way to protect yourself from post-publication despair and Zibby Books - The power of a good writing teacher - Complicating the popular 'homeless-to-Harvard' narrative - …

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Glimmers and God's Grace- An interview with Chris Berry 1:10:04

8M ago1:10:04

1:10:04

Kris and Cass share a very personal and somewhat emotional interview this week, so bring your tissues for this one. You may have heard them speak of Chris Berry, one of the girls' special mentors from whom they were lucky to learn, laugh, and receive support as they navigated "adulting" throughout their early teaching careers. Chris is one of those…

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Moving from Doubt to Self-Belief — Kate Weinberg tells the story of There's Nothing Wrong With Her 29:26

8M ago29:26

29:26

Send us a text In this episode, Kate Weinberg tells the story of There's Nothing Wrong With Her. Along the way she covers: why it is hard to live with a writer Stamina and persistence Having your book go to auction The emotional and financial uncertainty and fluctuation in an artist's life Chronic illness The importance of celebrating writing wins …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Commiseration Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen