The Story Is – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to "The Story Is Podcast" by Katie and Amanda! Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, we're two women who love all things pop culture, tiktok, and of course, romance books. Subscribe for weekly episodes!

0:00-5:47 intro and catch up

5:48-11:59 TikTok news and Alexander Skarsgard  

12:00-17:16 Cannes Film Festival and Pedro Pascal

17:17-20:30Justin Bieber

20:31- 24:05 All American Rejects House Parties

24:06-32:54 Onyx Storm theories *spoilers*

32:55-41:40 Where is SJM? *series spoilers*

41:41 Silver Elite drama // Who is Dani Francis?

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In episode 2 of The Story is Podcast, Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle discuss the latest pop culture and booktok news including- the Caught Up/Teddy Hamilton audiobook drama, how romance authors write acrobatic spicy scenes, and the best reasons to start an unfinished book or tv series. 

Weekly Book Report: The Ravenhood Series by Kate Stewart and her author event at Trope Bookshop in Charlotte, North Carolina 

TIME STAMPS:

(0:00-0:30) Intro

(0:30-6:35) Internet crushes for the chronically online

(6:36-10:05) Can men write romance novels?

(10:06-14:28) Sebastian Stan is perfect

(14:29-17:03) What’s on our summer tv/movie watchlist

(17:04-25:06 Why you should read an unfinished book series

(25:07 - 34:47)The Ravenhood Series by Kate Stewart thoughts *spoilers* at 28:39

(34:48-39:23) spicy scene choreography

(39:24-45:47 Fourth Wing/ACOTAR/Harry Potter adaptations

(45:48- 50:50) Caught Up by Navessa Allen audiobook drama

(50:51-)Final thoughts and outro 

Kate Stewart Event Waitlist- https://forms.gle/kGo4dnvsi9HB2eQZ6

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In this episode of The Story Is, hosts Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle sit down with USA Today bestselling author Kate Stewart! Known for the Ravenhood series- including Flock, Exodus, and Finish Line, this North Carolina local shares more about her latest novel in the Ravenhood Legacy, Severed Heart. 

Tune in as Kate shares the inspiration behind her most talked-about books, how she balances romance with real-life themes, and some MAJOR tea for upcoming works, including the film adaptation of her modern day Robin Hood retelling.

Thank you to Kate Stewart and her team for the interview! Severed Heart is now available at all major book retailers.

*Please note: Spoilers for Severed Heart included throughout the episode*

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In episode 4 of The Story is Podcast, Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle discuss the latest pop culture and booktok news including- The Karen Read verdict, The Ravenhood Series adaptation news, Aaron Taylor Johnson, and Morning Glory Milking Farm.

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Time Stamps:

(0:00- 2:14) Intro 

(2:15- 9:25)Karen Read

(9:26-12:54) Book Adaptation News: Kate Stewart and Brynne Weaver

(12:55-15:53) Jane Austen dramatized audio on Audible, cast Harris Dickinson for Mr. Darcy

(15:54-19:00) Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson

(19:01-21:15) Internet crush(es) of the week: Aaron Taylor Johnson and Corenswet

(21:16-25:44 Rachel Zeigler in Evita

(25:45- 34:05)Ali Hazelwood “bullied off” Instagram

(34:06-37:59) FanFic added to the Library of congress

(38:00-42:19) Book Report: Monster Smut and Morning Glory Milking Farm *spoilers* 

(42:20-46:23) Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube

(46:24- )What we’re reading right now

In episode 3 of The Story is Podcast, Katie Mitchell and Amanda Earle discuss the latest pop culture and booktok news including- Sabrina Carpenter's new single, "Manchild", Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood, and their favorite beach reads for 2025. 

Time Stamps:

(0:00-0:44 ) Intro

(0:45-3:20) Get to know Katie and Amanda

(3:21-7:33) Sabrina Carpenter new single, “Manchild”

(7:34-10:32) Dakota Johnson 

(10:33-13:10) Wait, he's engaged?

(13:11-17:39) Tiktok Hot Goss

(17:40-20:31) Taylor’s Independence Day

(20:32-28:47 ) Book Report: Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood *spoilers*

(28:48-32:12) The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid and Caught Up by Navessa Allen 

(32:13-34:36) Double Speed Audio Books

(34:37-38:33) Is every book a beach read?

(38:34-43:34) Love Sick by Deidra Duncan and Book Adaptation

(43:44-45:25) The Tony Awards 

(45:26-) Final Thoughts and Outro

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We’re back with your regularly scheduled programming to talk Taylor Swift’s 12th album, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s breakup, Bad Bunny Super Bowl, and what we’re reading this week. Stay tuned for the latest in bookish news, too!

Time Stamps: 

(0:00) Intro and catch up

(0:30) Panic! At the silent disco 

(5:17) The Life of a Showgirl: We have thoughts

(27:22) Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun

(30:39) Louis Tomlinson’s new music 

(33:59) Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban split after 19 years

(41:13) Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini break up

(42:52) Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Announcement 

(44:41) SNL is back with cast shakeups

(47:29) Book News: Opalite is Fourth Wing coded, PWMOV trailer, Navessa Allen’s Book 3, Alchemised* and Tourist Season numbers

(57:07) Amanda’s Book Report: Wild Card by Elisie Silver, Freeing Luka by Victoria Aveline, Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti, and Love’s a Witch by Tricia O’Malley

(59:53) Katie’s Book Report: People Watching by Hannah Bonam-Young, Zom Rom Com by Olivia Dade, On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn, The Reckoning, and The Knight and The Moth by Rachel Gillig. 

P.S. Alchemised weighs a whopping 3.3 lbs!

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We're back for part 2 of our Zodiac Academy: The Reckoning recap! This week Katie and Amanda follow chapter 11-20- learning more about Diego's hat, Max's potential love interest, and a steamy scene between Darcy and Orion. What was your favorite part of this section? Let us know in the comments on social!

Time Stamps:

(0:00) Intro

(1:39) Chapter 11 Darcy

(10:10) Chapter 12 Tory

(18:19) Chapter 13 Darcy

(29:21) Chapter 14 Tory

(37:36) Chapter 15 Orion

(44:10) Chapter 16 Darcy

(55:88) Chapter 17 Tory

(1:05:47) Chapter 18 Darcy

(1:11:53) Chapter 19 Orion

(1:14:46)Chapter 20 Tory

(1:25:16) Theories for The Reckoning so far

Get your copy of Zodiac Academy (non-Charlotte locals): ⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/4fpCoAc ⁠⁠⁠

Zodiac Academy Charlotte: call Trope Bookshop and request a hold at (704) 724-6696!

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#bookpodcast #zodiacacademy #romantasy #fantasyromance #romancebookpodcast  

We're back with a Taylor episode! Sorry non-swifties, but we had to. In this episode, hosts Katie and Amanda discuss the breaking news of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement, exploring the details of the ring, fan reactions, timeline for the proposal and dream wedding guest lists. Also quick pop culture updates and what we’re reading including Dark Lover by JR Ward and Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn! 

Time Stamps

(0:00) Intro

(0:26) Taylor + Travis are engaged- ring, proposal and timeline

(21:30) Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz are dating

(28:20) Tayvis Wedding Guest list

(32:52) Katie’s updates on “The Summer I Turned Pretty”

(35:52) Amanda’s Book Report: Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

(37:03) Katie’s Book Report: Till Summer Do Us Part by Meghan Quinn and On Wings of Blood by Briar Boleyn

(38:23) You need to read Zodiac Academy (yes, seriously)

(40:59) Quicksilver re-release at Trope Bookshop

Get Tickets for our Brimstone by Callie Hart Midnight Release Party:⁠⁠⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brimstone-midnight-release-party-tickets-1510895803019?aff=oddtdtcreator ⁠⁠⁠

Join us for Zodiac Academy Book 2 starting 9/4/25!

Get your copy of Zodiac Academy (non-Charlotte locals): ⁠⁠http://bit.ly/4fpCoAc ⁠⁠

Zodiac Academy Charlotte: call Trope Bookshop and request a hold at (704) 724-6696!

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#bookrecommendations #sohighschool #romantasy #romancebooks 

In this episode, Katie and Amanda delve into chapter 17 until the end of Zodiac Academy Book One. We chat about the falling star reveal, the school dance, and that traumatizing pool incident. Our predictions for the next book include character growth, romantic couples and the orders of Tory and Darcy Vega. And we’re wrapping it up with a little more insight into the bonus chapter featured in the newly printed books! 

Join us for Book 2 starting 9/4/25!

Get your copy of Zodiac Academy (non-Charlotte locals): ⁠http://bit.ly/4fpCoAc ⁠

Zodiac Academy Charlotte: call Trope Bookshop and request a hold at (704) 724-6696!

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In this episode of The Story Is, we’re talking about everything, literally. From the newest mamacita Mille Bobby Brown to our favorite Jeni’s Ice Cream flavors to the chick who built the titanic set in her 400 square foot apartment. Of course, we’ve also got updates on everything happening in romance publishing and what we’ve been reading lately! 

Time Stamps:

(0:00) Intro and Catch-Up

(5:00) Gavin Newsom’s unhinged social media (complimentary)

(8:03) Logan Lerman Michael Kors ad campaign

(10:50) Lil Nas X hospitalizaed

(12:05) Millie Bobby Brown is a mommy mamacita

(17:10) The Gilded Age is top tier television

(22:35) Katie’s S1 The Summer I Turned Pretty Thoughts

(30:23) Food wars 

(36:00) Titanic apartment

(38:32) Book updates and announcements- Abby Jimenez drops new book, Elsie Silver’s newest series announced, Elle Kennedy’s March release, and more 

(41:45) Thoughts on an SJM release date

(51:30) Amanda’s Book Report: Bury Our Bones in The Midnight Soil by VE Schwab and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

(54:50) Katie’s Book Report: Zodiac Academy: The Awakening, Direbound by Sable Sorenson, Overruled by Lana Ferguson, Savor It by Tarah Dewitt, 

(59:49) What’s on our TBR

Get Tickets for our Brimstone by Callie Hart Midnight Release Party:⁠⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brimstone-midnight-release-party-tickets-1510895803019?aff=oddtdtcreator ⁠⁠

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