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Episodes
March 16, 2023
Book #70: MS. QUARTERBACK
Today's esteemed guest, is Jordan Crucchiola is the host or co-host of several podcasts -- AUGHTSTERION , DISASTER GIRLS , and of course, the one that Marissa produces, FEELING SEEN ! And she's the perfect person to discuss t...
March 9, 2023
Extra Drama #69: Ms. Jacobi's Experiment in Prejudice
This is how it feels...to be discriminated against.
Sept. 1, 2022
Book #69: FRIEND AGAINST FRIEND
What could be better than a kind of hamfisted '90s attempt at tackling racism? Almost anything? Well, good (if shocking) news: that's not what this is. Neil Freemount and Andy Jenkins star in a very special episode of Sweet V...
Aug. 4, 2022
Book #68: THE LOVE BET
High school juniors Dana Larson and Aaron Dallas have sworn off of love forever. To address this crisis, Elizabeth and Todd concoct a scheme as disappointingly chaste as it is poorly conceptualized, then take sides on a bet o...
July 15, 2022
Extra Drama #67: The Parent Ruse
Now that The Parent Plot is behind us, Marissa, Rebecca, and Sommer talk about their relationship to a film that, despite its similar title, was clearly NOT the source material for Sweet Valley High #67. Apologies to the Loha...
July 7, 2022
Book #67: THE PARENT PLOT
Rebecca Russell and Sommer Austin are back for one last ride as we bring the Wakefield Trial Separation Saga to an end...and say a fond farewell Ned Wakefield's mayoral bid, too! Will Jessica and Elizabeth join forces to tric...
June 24, 2022
Extra Drama #66: A Trio of Elizabeths Fails to Run Away
The cover of WHO'S TO BLAME? suggested that it was going to be a big running away book. It wasn't (only a little running away was involved), so Marissa, Rebecca Russell, and Sommer Austin are sharing their own failed runaway ...
June 16, 2022
Book #66: WHO'S TO BLAME?
It's a Chicago Ladies in Comedy Reunion, with Rebecca Russell returning and now comedian Sommer Austin joining the Wakefield Separation Arc zoo crew. Jessica's finally going to meet the guy she met on the Teen Party Line, Eli...
May 12, 2022
Extra Drama #65: Comedy in the 2000s & Divorce in the '90s
Ned and Alice Wakefield don't get a lot of love here at Sweet Valley Diaries, but they're both hurting now, so...eh, we still have some criticisms. Everyone's a great fictional parent in hindsight! PLUS learn the exciting com...
May 5, 2022
Book #65: TROUBLE AT HOME
Rebecca Russell joins Marissa for the first book in the Great Wakefield Divorce (!?) Trilogy. Everything's on the line (and/or the party line) and no questions will be answered! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/br...
April 21, 2022
Extra Drama #64: Tell a Friend
Marissa, Katie, Kat, and Kyle cram in all the YA book and book podcast nerdiness that will fit into the 10 minutes we had left in the recording studio! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
April 14, 2022
Book #64: THE GHOST OF TRICIA MARTIN
Steven/Tricia/Cara love triangle expert Katie LaDue is back, joined by Kat Rebar and, to a lesser extent, Kyle Rebar to talk about this book and its stunning lack of ghosts. But what it lacks in ghosts, it makes up for in han...
March 31, 2022
Extra Drama #63: The New [Insert Name Here]
Inspired by Elizabeth's attempts at reinvention in book 63, Caitlin and Marissa compare notes about times they've made big change (plus a lengthy tangent about high school theater typecasting). Advertising Inquiries: https://...
March 24, 2022
Book #63: THE NEW ELIZABETH
Now who's new? Elizabeth is reinventing herself, and this time it goes way beyond a two-week perm. Caitlin McCann is back to dissect Liz's meteoric rise to the top of the local surfing beat, and the self-sabotage that sends h...
March 17, 2022
Extra Drama #62: The Valentine's Day Dance
Marissa and Julia compare notes on their respective high school dance experiences; 20-year-old crush gossip is spilled. Sweet Valley Diaries on Instagram and Twitter Marissa's Substack, Metaforia Advertising Inquiries: https:...
March 10, 2022
Book #62: WHO'S WHO?
At long last, it's an all-Elizabeth-and-Jessica book! No school (almost)! No friends (almost)! No teachers! Just our twins and the most ridiculous dinner date disguise debacle since Mrs. Doubtfire. Julia Kenney Smith joins Ma...
March 3, 2022
Extra Drama #61: It's All Jim's Default
Did you notice how there was no big, lusty "Boys" description of Patty's boyfriend, Jim Hollis, in BOY TROUBLE's main episode? Even though he's the boy that's the source of the titular trouble? It's because he doesn't really...
Feb. 24, 2022
Book #61: BOY TROUBLE
Patty Gilbert is having a scheduling nightmare! Her boyfriend is home from college for the first time in a month...and her sister is home from NorCal for the first time in 6 months! This is a bigger crisis than it sounds like...
Dec. 23, 2021
SUPER STAR: LILA'S STORY
Picture this: it's December 1989. You're at the Walden Books inside the mall. As you browse the latest soapy middle-grade serials, what to your wondering eyes should appear but an ENTIRE book all about the elusive, elegant, r...
Oct. 22, 2021
BONUS: Think Twice! The Sweet Valley High Dolls
On this very special narrative-style hiatus bonus episode: A listener’s email leads down an internet research rabbit hole of ridiculous proportions. Caution: there will be dolls. Watch the Bandai Sweet Valley High Dolls ad on
Sept. 30, 2021
Extra Drama #60: The Ken Matthews Story
In which two professional filmmakers/screenwriting professors attempt to break story on a film adaptation of Sweet Valley High Book 60: THAT FATAL NIGHT.
Sept. 23, 2021
Book #60: THAT FATAL NIGHT
It's the (main episode) Season 6 finale and all the stars are out: Terry Adams! Zack Johnson! Skip Harmon! You know, all your favorites. Oh, and the Wakefields and such are there too. But let's quit beating around the bush: this is the book where Ken...
Sept. 16, 2021
Extra Drama #59: Luxury Compact Disc Players
Sweet Valley High may not be historical fiction, but it IS fiction from history. Novelist Libbie Hawker is back to talk rich historical details like in-car CD players and VHS recording. Plus: What's up with Dominique Roy? The metaphorical resonance...