#433 - Book Club: A Court of Thorns and Roses

This week’s Book Club might be our most divided one yet because we finally read A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) by Sarah J. Maas. One of us loved the fantasy world, the romance, and the drama and some of us absolutely could not get past the growling, the flowery language, and the “sheathing” scene. We also get into why fantasy resonates so deeply with readers, the appeal of escapism, and how books like this become gateway reads for people who normally don’t read at all. Whether you’re Team Rhysand, Team Tamlin, or completely confused by fairy smut, this was such a fun discussion. Sponsor Shopify - Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/wife Our Next book club will be My Friends by Fredrik Backman Amazon - https://amzn.to/4u33YsT Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9781982112820 Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Tickets bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eliza Reid never expected to become First Lady of Iceland which is exactly what makes her story so interesting. We talk about growing up in Canada, traveling the world alone, proposing to her husband, moving to Iceland without speaking the language, and eventually stepping into one of the most public roles imaginable. What I loved most about this conversation was how much we talked about trusting yourself, taking chances, and learning to take up space. Eliza also shares what it was really like becoming First Lady with no rulebook, no staff, and no preparation for the role. Iceland Writer’s Retreat Promo Codehttps://hosted-checkout.straumur.is/paymentLink/6b1ntc4ozt0ov7m9r63w to pay the ISK 60,000 deposit (about $490 US). When the full balance is (due two months before the event), you will get ISK 40,000 (about $325) off the final balance. Terms and conditions and details of what is included are on our website, www.icelandwritersretreat.com Sponsor RoBody - Go to https://ro.co/WIFE to see if you qualify Our Next book club will be A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Amazon - https://amzn.to/48yYu0T Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9781635575569 Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Tickets bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Dombrowski is back and now he’s officially in his Dad on Arrival era. We talk about everything from becoming a parent through surrogacy to how fatherhood completely changed the way he looks at comedy, touring, and life in general. Joe opens up about how hard it was going back on the road after having his son, the identity shift that happens when you become a parent, and why he’s intentionally slowing down his career to focus on family. We also talk about his comedy special Dad on Arrival and how becoming a dad has shaped this next chapter of his comedy. Joe shares why he’s stepping back into comedy clubs, finding his voice again, and focusing on building a career that feels sustainable for both him and his family. Watch Dad On Arrival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAMe4YEWxas Follow Joe https://www.instagram.com/joe_dombrowski/?hl=en Sponsor Butcher Box - As an exclusive offer, new listeners can get their choice between chicken breast or top sirloin for a year OR ground beef for life, PLUS $20 off when you go to https://ButcherBox.com/wife Our Next book club will be A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Amazon - https://amzn.to/48yYu0T Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9781635575569 Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Tickets bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Art and Ashton from Trilogy Media join me to break down how modern scams actually work. From romance scams, fake customer service calls to AI voice scams, crypto fraud, and the psychology behind why people fall for them. What shocked me most is how sophisticated and emotional these scams have become, especially for older people and anyone going through a vulnerable time in life. We also talk about how Trilogy Media went from making viral scam-bait videos to working with the FBI, Homeland Security, and law enforcement to expose international fraud rings and help stop scammers in real time. Some of these stories are unbelievable. Follow Trilogy Media https://www.trilogymedia.com/igotscammed https://www.instagram.com/trilogymediainc Sponsors BetterHelp - Sign up and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/wife Shopify - Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/wife Our Next book club will be A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Amazon - https://amzn.to/48yYu0T Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9781635575569 Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Tickets bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeanne, Cathy, and I get into what it actually feels like to be in this empty nest stage. Missing your kids while also being proud of them, navigating the shift in your role as a parent, and figuring out who you are when your day-to-day life looks completely different. We talk about friendship, community, grief, and how this phase can feel both freeing and disorienting at the same time. There’s also a lot of conversation around slowing down, being more present, and not feeling the need to constantly fill your time just to avoid sitting with what you’re feeling. Our Next book club will be A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Amazon - https://amzn.to/48yYu0T Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9781635575569 Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Tickets bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From interior design to HGTV star, Alison Victoria built her career by trusting her instincts and staying true to who she is. This conversation is full of real moments, smart perspective, and a lot of honesty about what it actually takes to grow. I loved talking with Alison about her journey, the risks she took, and how she’s built a career across design, television, and business while staying authentic. We also get into design — from timeless vs. trendy to what actually makes a home feel good to live in. It’s a perspective I really connected with. She’s funny, grounded, and this turned into such a meaningful conversation about trusting yourself and building something that lasts. Follow Alison https://alisonvictoria.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thealisonvictoria/ Alison’s Greek Goddess Glow Drops https://volitionbeauty.com/shop/products/greek-goddess-glow-drops/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=pmax&utm_campaign=b&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17347952846&gbraid=0AAAAADkvc0yeo08GcthuOGTettzBkBaGC&gclid=CjwKCAjwhqfPBhBWEiwAZo196oF14BsWgXWAcIGQ1g7KAEqYfwdm4QEnQoh_pdXYxZu-wyV8o9Y15hoC9egQAvD_BwE Sponsor Butcher Box - As an exclusive offer, new listeners can get their choice between chicken breast or top sirloin for a year OR ground beef for life, PLUS $20 off when you go to https://ButcherBox.com/wife Our Next book club will be A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Amazon - https://amzn.to/48yYu0T Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9781635575569 Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Tickets bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s Book Club, we’re diving into Stripped Down by Bunnie Xo. We talk about her journey, the resilience it takes to move through difficult experiences, and how she’s built the life she has today. There are so many moments in this memoir that highlight growth, self-discovery, and the importance of finding your own path. We also get into relationships, personal evolution, and the people and experiences that shape who we become. It turned into a really thoughtful and meaningful conversation, and I’m so glad we got to sit down and talk it through together. Sponsor Shopify - Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/wife Our Next book club will be A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Amazon - https://amzn.to/48yYu0T Bookshop - https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9781635575569 Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Tickets bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take two! I’m back with another Q&A and you guys brought some really thoughtful questions. In this episode, I talk through real-life situations around relationships, communication, parenting strong-willed kids, therapy, and figuring out what to do when you feel stuck. From navigating a friend’s relationship, to mismatched intimacy in marriage, to raising kids who don’t always respond to discipline, this one covers a lot. Sponsor When life feels overwhelming, therapy can help. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/wife. Our Next book club will be Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic by Bunnie Xo Amazon - https://amzn.to/3P1swn9 Bookshop https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9780063445192 Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Tickets bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour LeeAnn Kreischer talks to friends about marriage, family, and being married to the life of the party, comedian Bert Kreischer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I sat down to do a solo Q&A and then Bert walked in. What started as answering your questions turned into a conversation about pillows, knives, cigars, IQs, and more random topics along the way. This was a fun episode and I will definitely answer your questions next time.  Our Next book club will be Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic by Bunnie Xo Amazon - https://amzn.to/3P1swn9 Bookshop https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9780063445192 Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Presale bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Free Bert is officially renewed for Season 2 and we couldn’t be more excited to get back into production. In this episode, Bert and I answer your questions all about Free Bert. From behind-the-scenes moments to what you can expect in Season 2. You called in with your questions and we’re giving you an inside look at what it’s like working on the show, filming with Bert, and what’s coming next. Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We can’t wait for you to see what we have planned for Season 2. --------------------------------------------------- Sponsors Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/wife --------------------------------------------------- Our Next book club will be Stripped Down: Unfiltered and Unapologetic by Bunnie Xo Amazon - https://amzn.to/3P1swn9 Bookshop https://bookshop.org/a/97615/9780063445192 --------------------------------------------------- Call (818) 949-8536 to leave a voicemail with a question for LeeAnn (and sometimes Bert) that might be answered in a future episode! --------------------------------------------------- Fully Loaded at Sea 2026 Presale bertkreischercruise.com/presale Stream LUCKY on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/81713944 PERMISSION TO PARTY WORLD TOUR is on sale now: http://www.bertbertbert.com/tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices