Hot and Bothered
Hot and Bothered is all about the power of romance culture. We analyze romance novels and movies to better imagine our own happy endings. Episodes release weekly on Tuesdays.
CURRENT SEASON: Hot and Bothered (Movie Edition)
We make Hot and Bothered because we are interested in the way that love stories have impacted our lives and culture. For our fifth season of the show, we’re turning our attention to romantic films. Vanessa and Hannah McGregor dig into the canon of romantic films, from Titanic to Twilight to When Harry Met Sally, (just to name a few). Every other week they do a close scene analysis of how each movie ends, always asking the question ‘what does this movie believe about love?’
SEASON 4: Live from Pemberley
In Live from Pemberley, we continue our deep-dive into the classic texts of romance literature. This season we take a close look at the most famous Romance novel of all time: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Every episode, Vanessa Zoltan and Lauren Sandler read through the book, talk with experts, and ask themselves the question ‘is this still a story for our time?’
SEASON 3: On Eyre
Vanessa Zoltan and journalist Lauren Sandler embark on the English class you always deserved, diving deep into Jane Eyre through the themes of power and desire. Discussions range from ideas of class and colonialism to sex and gender as Lauren and Vanessa explore the roles of oppression and inequality, empowerment and rebellion in the text. Major “Eyreheads” and first-time readers alike are invited into Lauren and Vanessa’s conversation as they grapple with this complicated work—and as they try to figure out if Jane Eyre is a book they want to pass on to their daughters, and to future generations.
SEASON 2: Twilight in Quarantine
You may remember BFFs Vanessa & Julia from their all-star advice giving in Hot and Bothered Season 1. In this season they’re sheltering in place in different cities, but they’re getting on the phone three times a week to read and talk about Twilight. On Twilight in Quarantine, they work their way through the Twilight saga one chapter at a time, giving brilliant well-informed advice to Stephenie Meyer’s characters along the way. Advice like: “have you considered talking to each other about your feelings?” and “maybe you shouldn’t kidnap people.”
SEASON 1: Writing Romance
Season one of Hot and Bothered follows ten first-time romance writers as they try to write their own romance novels. Each episode explores a particular romance trope and why we love it so much. Along the way, Julia Quinn, writer of the Bridgerton series, gives weekly assignments so listeners can follow along in the process. Season one was made in collaboration with Spoke Media.
Hot & Bothered is produced by Not Sorry Productions, a feminist organization that produces podcasts, educational content, live shows, and immersive experiences with the explicit goal of addressing the spiritual needs of its participants. Through community, rigor, and ritual, we treat traditionally secular things as if they were sacred. To learn more about what we do, visit https://notsorryworks.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Update frequency
- every 9 days
- Average duration
- 34 minutes
- Episodes
- 271
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
Patreon Perk Unlocked: Bonus Scene Study
Ending Of: Bros
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Daniel Schroeder analyze the ending of Bros. They discuss Aaron's chocolatier ambitions, musical numbers, and rom-com endings in general.
Hot and Bot…
Bros
Vanessa Zoltan and Daniel Schroeder meet at New York's LGBTQ+ Museum to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Bros.
This week we discuss the political messaging of the movie, it's …
Ending Of: Kissing Jessica Stein
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa, Hannah, and Marcelle Kosman analyze the ending of Kissing Jessica Stein. They discuss curly hair, how friendship and romance intersect, and Jessica's u…
Kissing Jessica Stein
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor are joined by Marcelle Kosman in a literary New York apartment to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Kissing Jessica Stein.
This week we discu…
Ending Of: But I'm a Cheerleader
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of But I'm a Cheerleader. They discuss Graham's courage and Megan's passion for cheerleading.
Hot and Bothered is a Not Sor…
But I'm a Cheerleader
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up at True Directions to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about But I'm a Cheerleader.
This week we discuss heteronormativity and the film's …
Special Episode: Women Loving Women (with Kathy Tu)
While we're between mini-seasons, we wanted to bring you this special conversation with Kathy Tu. Kathy is the co-creator of the queer podcast Nancy and the Executive Producer of 99% Invisible. She's…
Ending Of: The Devil Wears Prada
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Avery Trufelman analyze the ending of The Devil Wears Prada. They discuss the film's relationship to the time-space continuum and whether Andy shoul…
The Devil Wears Prada
Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Avery Trufelman meet at Paris Fashion Week to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about The Devil Wears Prada.
This week we defend Miranda Priestly, le…
Obama, The Recession, and Sex and the City (with Stephen Metcalf)
We started our mini-season on 2008 with a question: why were chick-flicks so popular that year? To close out our season, we’re calling up one of our favorite cultural critics, Stephen Metcalf, to get…
Ending Of: Sex and the City
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Helen Zaltzman analyze the ending of Sex and the City! They continue to feel depressed by the film and discuss the 'compromise' of the final wedding…
Sex and the City
Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Helen Zaltzman meet at a resort in Mexico to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about the Sex and the City movie.
This week we discuss the politics of…
Ending Of: Mamma Mia!
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Mamma Mia! They discuss Rosie crawling after Bill, Harry coming out as gay, and Sophie's shifting relationship to the c…
Mamma Mia!
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up on a fictional greek island to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Mamma Mia!
This week we discuss melodrama, the female gaze, and Susa…
Ending Of: Forgetting Sarah Marshall
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Forgetting Sarah Marshall. They discuss Peter's puppet musical, Rachel's academic future, and Sarah's future as a pet p…
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up at a Hawaiian resort to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
This week we discuss cool girls, beta males, and…
Ending of: 27 Dresses
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Sophie Gilbert analyze the ending of 27 Dresses. They discuss Jane's wedding dress, her skill as a bridesmaid, and her chemistry with Kevin.
Hot and…
27 Dresses
Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Sophie Gilbert meet at a dive bar in upstate New York to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about 27 Dresses.
This week we discuss Katherine Heigl's c…
Ending Of: Twilight
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Twilight. They chat about Bella's ambivalence about prom, Edward's superstrength, and the cultural power of the gazebo.
…