Episodes

All of the name-dropping, none of the star-fucking

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Sometimes when a rock star has a teen girl living in his house it's actually not an issue. How is this possible? Well, the teens of Sweet Valley might have it twisted, but Gabe Mara and Marissa will explain it all.

Some music in this episode comes from Purple Planet.

"Toumani Diabate Plays the Kora"

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Is being famous really so great? What IS Eric Parker's talk show? Can one night on television launch a whole career in entertainment? These are the kinds of questions Jessica Wakefield should have been asking, but instead Marissa and actual professional actor Alex Jennings are asking on her behalf.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Don't let the apparent middle-agedness of the cover model fool you -- that's 16-year-old Jessica Wakefield all dolled up for her star turn on the Eric Parker's national evening talk show. Or, at least it's one of those Wakefield girls. Actor Alex Jennings (THE GOLDBERGS) returns (#7: DEAR SISTER was her last appearance) to talk all this out.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jordan Crucchiola is back, and she gets a dose of the Feeling Seen treatment as Marissa asks what Sweet Valley High student she felt most seen by.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 this tale of Claire Middleton, the girl who would be quarterback. Will Ken Matthews's head be turned (now that he can see again)? Is a supposedly nice girl who does shitty things more dangerous than an out-and-out Jessica? These questions and more are addressed in this long-awai...

This is how it feels...to be discriminated against.

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 Valley Diaries: FRIEND AGAINST FRIEND.

Huge thanks to Kali Baker Johnson.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Are you a suede man or a Baja boy?

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 over whether it will work. Meanwhile, Jessica and Lila agree to be roadies for a new band in town, sight unseen. Just another week in Sweet Valley, CA! Andy Greene (Gossip Guys, The Naked Man, Wanderings) joins Marissa to unpack it all.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcirc...

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 Lohan Stans, this one is for the Mills Maniacs.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 trick their parents into falling back in love? Or is all their scheming totally pointless and things just play out the same way as if they hadn't tried at all? Listen and learn! Plus, a Collinswatch to end all Collinswatches (but don't worry, we'll still have Collinswatch).

Ad...

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 tales, such as they are. And yes, a high school mime troupe is involved.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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, Elizabeth is making bad choices out of depression, and Steven can't stop coming home from college. Hijinks (and a pretty meager attempt at running away) ensue!

Some music in this episode comes from Purple Planet. Thanks for the music!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle....

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 comedy origin story behind Marissa's friendship with our fabulous guest Rebecca Russell.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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/brands

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

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 hang-gliding accidents and trauma responses!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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://redcircle.com/brands

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 her crashing back to status quo.

Check out Caitlin's The Lit Review
Follows SVD on Instagram and Twitter

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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://redcircle.com/brands

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 Marissa in the (actual) studio!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 get described.

This extra drama is kind of a thought experiment around why.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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. Also, there are handpainted t-shirts in this one.

Marissa Wasseluk returns to mark this auspicious Season 7 premiere!

Follow the show on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok
Subscribe to Marissa's Substack, Metaforia

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands