Episode 101: Eminem With a Clipboard

We've finished “Summer Sisters”! Can you believe it? Join Alison and Jody for chapters 45-46 (and the Epilogue) of Judy Blume’s 1998 novel. No spoilers here, but tune in for a shocker ending, dramatic reenactments, chat about Key West architecture, Postman Pat, bathtub revelations, Teen Mom tie-ins, and a Lockerbie bombing follow-up. The gals also read a great letter from a New Mexico listener who found life inspiration in Tiger Eyes. And FINS UP to Blume Head/Parrot Head of the week, Jessica! P.S. Due to a technical error, the first few minutes of this episode sound terrible, and we sincerely apologize. If you absolutely can’t stand it, fast forward to around 15 minutes. You won't miss any of the story!

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Alison Michael
Episode 100: Bru-Haha

Our 100th episode, baby! And yikes, this one’s a doozy. Alison and Jody cover chapters 43-44 of “Summer Sisters,” written by Judy Blume in 1998. Ex-boyfriend sexy times, BFF betrayal, and a doomed Martha’s Vineyard wedding – it’s all here. Will Vix and Caitlin's friendship survive? Listen in for some iconic dramatic readings, classic early '90s TV commercials, and a lovely Blume Head letter. Ginormous congrats to Blume Head of the Week, Dara!

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Alison Michael
Episode 99: Barefoot at the Airport

It’s finally Now Times! Jody and Alison break into chapters 41-42 of Judy Blume’s 1998 grown-up novel, “Summer Sisters.” Vix gets an invite to celebrate Caitlin’s nuptials… with who? Bru! She jets to Martha’s V, dons a commemorative tee, and proceeds to get snockered at the Pre-nup Din Din, while Gus and Dan have a very bro-ey convo on a beach log. Alison and Jody learn what Mike Dukakis is up to, recap their experience at Create and Cultivate, write a new ‘90s rom-com, and perform all sorts of dramatic readings. All hail Crabby Eurypterid, this week’s Blume Head of the Week!

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Alison Michael
Episode 98: Got Godivas?

This week’s a hot mess but Alison and Jody overcome adversity to bring you chapters 39-40 of Judy Blume’s “Summer Sisters.” Vix meets a gentleman(?) at the charity ball and jumps out of his car two weeks later, Ed has a health scare, Lanie’s kids are terrible, and Caitlin makes her way back to Martha’s Vineyard! Jody and Alison chat VCSO girls, velvet suits, bowling ball finger condoms, and middle age. Super congratulations to this week’s Blume Head of the Week, Trina!

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Alison Michael
Episode 97: Li'l Lucky Luke

Bust out your rollerblades and skate with us through chapters 37-38 of Judy Blume’s 1998 best-seller, “Summer Sisters.” Vix quits her job and meets some city folk who make her ponder the meaning of luck. Then she takes a secret trip to Atlantic City for a poker junket. She also has some erotic dreams involving peonies. Caitlin plans the opening of Eurotrash and takes care of her dying pal Donny. Gus seems confused about practically everything. Jody and Alison talk about the Lockerbie plane bombing, Whitney Port, and drugs that make you want to be celibate. And there are plenty of the usual dramatic re-enactments. Congratulations to this week’s Blume Head of the Week, Elizabeth B.!

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Alison Michael
Episode 96: My Wife

Put on your best pinstripe suit and settle in for chapters 35-36 of “Summer Sisters” by Judy Blume, published in 1998. Vix, Paisley, and Maia move to NYC to share a flea market hospital ward and start their careers. Caitlin swoops into town for some shrimp fettuccine and an awkward solo flamenco dance. Gus takes a trip to Seattle and has a regrettable meetup. Abby invents Facebook. Alison gives some good Loehmann’s goss, Jody finds a Martha’s V connection with The Carlyle, and they read an incredible letter from Blume Head Robyn about the Billy Madison clown. There’s also an international audio dispatch from Blume Head Becky, retelling her wild dream involving Jody, Alison, and the Weston Bellagio. Finally, hooray for Blume Head of the Week, Sarah B.!

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Alison Michael
Episode 95: Peonies! Peonies! Peonies!

Pop some echinacea and join us in the Cocoon for chapters 32-34 of “Summer Sisters,” Judy Blume’s gorgeous adult novel published in 1998. Vix channels her inner Werner Herzog and lands a PR job in New York City! Bru proposes! Vix says nicht-nicht! Caitlin sends some more weird postcards. Jody and Alison read two great Blume Head letters and talk about early-20s relationships, seven minutes in heaven, and the Teacher’s Pet podcast. Sorry for the accents. They reenact some crucial scenes and of course, discuss every minute detail. Lastly, yay for this week’s Blume Head of the Week: Kitchens and Contemplations!

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Alison Michael
Episode 94: Sort Your Life Out

Alison and Jody try not to drown in the Charlie Swamp as they cover chapters 30-31 of Judy Blume’s fan-favorite novel, “Summer Sisters” (1998). Vix and Bru take a fateful road trip to Santa Fe and we learn that you really can’t go home again. Sharkey may or may not be conducting mouse experiments, Maia proves to be a nice friend, and Caitlin visits LA to reconnect with her TV star molester. The girls receive a wonderful letter from a Tiger Eyes fan, and a hilarious Catcher in the Rye Communiqué from Sara and her sisters. Jody replays her iconic conversation with the Walgreen’s beauty consultant, and Alison talks about hypochondria and STYLE REMIX. And finally, hooray for Cherries and Hens, this week’s Blume Head of the Week!

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Alison Michael
Episode 93: We Are the World

Leave your egos at the door and come inside the Cocoon for chapters 28-29 of Judy Blume’s spectacular 1998 novel, “Summer Sisters.” Vix has a rough Thanksgiving and is questioning her relationship, Caitlin finally comes home with some thigh high boots after an abortion in Paris, meanwhile Lamb turns 50 and realizes his kids are the WORST at speeches. Settle in for Jody’s in-depth Special Report on celebrity charity supergroups and the songs they spawned: “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” “We Are the World,” “Voices That Care”... and just maybe... "Their Voices Call." There’s also a mind-blowing Hills tie-in. Thank you Blume Heads Sue, Megan and Chrissy for their awesome letters, and congratulations to Heather B. for being Blume Head of the Week!

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Alison Michael
Episode 92: Hot Inside

It’s “Summer Sisters: The College Years” in chapters 26-27 of Judy Blume’s seminal adult novel. Vix is finally at Harvard, hating her roomie Maia and struggling with all the BS analytical chit-chat that surrounds her. Caitlin is still in Your-Up, making all sorts of late night calls and having dalliances with a woman who cuts up panties (hello, Rusty’s diaphragm!). Alison and Jody talk about freshman year dorms and roommates, celebrity charity supergroup pop hits, Charleston accents, and gonorrhea of the mouth. Big felicitations to this week’s Blume Head of the Week Samantha WM!

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Alison Michael
Episode 91: Makin' Bacon

Come inside the Cocoon for chapters 23-25 of “Summer Sisters,” written by Judy Blume in 1998. Vix and Caitlin graduate high school, get into fancy colleges, and (gasp!) part ways for the summer! Caitlin jets off to Your-Up, while Vix spends her leisure time in Bru’s sexy lean-to. Abby and Phoebs finally meet and picture each other in bed with Lamb. Tawny continues to be extremely lame. Lanie gets knocked up. Bru reveals his tragic past and does NOT wear a deep V-neck to the Flying Horses. Jody and Alison slosh rosé and chat toilet snacks, SATs, poetry, The Hills, carousels, anxiety-inducing kids’ games, and senior quotes. Radio plays and literary critiques ensue. Congratulations to Sara Stars, this week’s Blume Head of the Week!

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Alison Michael
Episode 90: Abalone Juice

Pour yourself some juice and grab a donut for chapters 21-22 of Judy Blume’s riveting adult novel, “Summer Sisters,” published in 1998. Vix runs away to Trisha’s houseboat, starts a new waitress gig, and loses her V in the V on the V. But a terrible family tragedy brings it all crashing down. You’ll have to listen to find out what happens. The gals answer some Blume Head questions, chat about the Hills, Teen Mom, and the Blume Saloon origin story. Alison presents two special reports on Victoria’s Secret and the historic Homeport restaurant, and Jody reads aloud yet another unsexy sex scene. Congratulations to Blume Head of the Week, Tiffany Louise!

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Alison Michael
Episode 89: Rose in the Cleve

We’re baaaack! Jody and Alison present chapters 19-20 of Judy Blume’s gorgeous adult novel “Summer Sisters,” published in 1998. Vix finally turns 17 and Caitlin plans a very intimate beachside gathering. She gets a weird machine washable garden party dress (could be a nightgown?) but the night does NOT go as planned… or DOES it?! The gals read FOUR (4) letters from some badass Blume Heads, discuss laundry safety tips, Jody does a Special Report on the Chappaquiddick Incident, and Alison tries a freaky mint that turns to liquid. Kudos to this week’s Blume Head of the Week, Becky T!

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Alison Michael
Episode 88: Dry Humping to Van Halen

Settle in for a real humdinger episode of assorted content! Alison and Jody read chapters 17-18 of Judy Blume’s fan favorite novel “Summer Sisters,” written in 1998. Vix is doing private things with Bru in his shaggin’ wagon. The gals get a couple awkward talks from Abby. We discover that Dan is basically an incel and Sharkey might be having some GSA (dare you to look it up!). Jody and Alison drink sparkling rosé and talk about their thieving compulsions, aggressive kissing, baby-naming controversies, Bradley Cooper’s Lolita fetish, and gibberish '90s cyber sex. There’s a primo letter from Jo about her Fiat NOT named after Grandad, an update from Rebecca Kate Mate, and a Blume Head of the Week: Mandy Sutton!

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Alison Michael
Episode 87: Mountain Day Mates

In chapters 14-16 of Judy Blume’s “Summer Sisters” (1998), our gals Caitlin and Vix are seventeen, just like the Dancing Queen! They’re all grown up, cruisin’ the island in their pickup truck, flirting with all the boys, and dabbling in some garden variety existential terror. Abby and Lamb have an epic fight and poor Sweetie crosses the Rainbow Bridge. But most notably, BRU KISSES VIX!!! Alison and Jody read all the juicy bits and chat about Roomba meat disasters, boy stink, otherworldly realms, and terriers named Jake. A big woohoo to Blume Head of the Week Brie Williams!

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Alison Michael
Episode 86: Orlando

It's 1980, baby! Alison and Jody read chapters 12-13 of Judy Blume's riveting 1998 novel, "Summer Sisters." Caitlin and Vix are now 15 and their friendship is tested when they end up at the same high school. The Countess makes her grand entrance with casually discarded cigarettes and a strange bathtub scene. Our heroines end up babysitting for a celebrity couple but it does not end well. All we can say is: YOU STAY AWAY TIM CASTELLANO! Jody does Special Reports on the quintessential '70s perfume, Charlie, and days of the week as first names. Meanwhile, Alison tries not to black out inside the steamy Cocoon. There's also lots of dramatic reading, a Blume Head of the Week (congrats, Kate P!) and plenty of errors in need of correction.

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Alison Michael
Episode 85: Plenty of Spunk

Chapters 9-11 of “Summer Sisters” (1998) by the one and only Judy Blume! It’s 1979, the hottest summer ever on the Vineyard. Vix wins a bet, the Chicago boys get rude at the movies, Tawny pays an unexpected visit, Dorset pines for her Magic Pole, and Grandmother Regina Mayhew Somers plays the whole fam. Alison and Jody read an incredible letter from Blume Head Maria, Alison learns some new British slang, while Jody analyzes her deep hatred of the jigsaw puzzle. And finally, congrats to Blume Head of the Week, Panicked Jibberish!

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Alison Michael
Episode 84: Dream On

Jody and Alison delve into chapters 7-8 of Judy Blume's essential nostalgic beach read, "Summer Sisters" (1998). Bitchy Grandmother Somers and flaky Dorset pay a visit to Martha's Vineyard and we learn about Lamb's tragic past. Vix and Caitlin practice a new toothbrushing technique, become tiny witches, bury their alter egos, and vow to only use their Powers solo. Come inside the cozy Blume Cocoon for talk about dirty nicknames, pervy peeping packages, ‘90s eau de toilette, and the usual dramatic readings. All hail this week's Blume Head of the Week, Tracy Brisson!

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Alison Michael
Episode 83: Sun Bleached Tongue

I’ve got the POWER! Hello and welcome to chapters 5-6 of the spectacular “Summer Sisters” by Judy Blume. It’s still 1977 in Martha’s Vineyard and Vix and Caitlin are weathering storms, having tantrums, flirting with boys, and – in true Judy fashion – getting periods. There’s a new woman in Lamb’s life, Abby, and Caitlin is not having any of it. Join Jody and Alison for talk about Doggie Bjorns, golf, ghosts, and keen literary analysis. Lastly, good on ya to this week’s Blume Head of the Week, Chrissy Field!

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Alison Michael
Episode 82: Little Lambs Eat Ivy

NBO or die! Alison and Jody discuss chapters 3-4 of Judy Blume’s beloved adult novel “Summer Sisters” (1977). So much is happening at the Psycho House in Martha’s Vineyard: Vix and Caitlin discover their Power and get up to some secret shenanigans, Sharkey speaks, Von and Bru turn heads, Trisha makes her debut, and the whole gang hits up a nude beach. Jody and Al talk about Pogs, wearing children’s clothing, and long-haired men. They read a near-perfect listener letter from Ellen and play some vintage ‘70s-era commercials. Shout out to Iron Betty, this week’s Blume Head of the week!

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Alison Michael