We’re kicking off our Alchemised miniseries with our first-ever guest—Emily (@emily.reads.alot)! This week, we begin our deep dive into Alchemised by SenLinYu, exploring the book’s overarching story, core themes, and the concept of alchemy itself.

This episode focuses on the holistic story and background of Alchemised: what makes it so emotionally complex, the symbolism of transformation, and why this fan work continues to resonate deeply with readers.

Your favorite SJM-obsessed hosts (joined by Emily!) discuss:

✨ The emotional and thematic depth of Alchemised

✨ What alchemy means within the story—and symbolically

✨ The historical and mythological roots of its worldbuilding

✨ Why Alchemised has become a defining piece of transformative fiction

📚 A thoughtful start to our 3-part Alchemised series.

👑 Subscribe & join the conversation—this one’s for readers who love layered stories and big feelings.

📩 Contact us: ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.com

💫 Thanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR

It’s officially cozy season! For the first week of November, we’re kicking off the holidays SJM-style with a game of “What Would We Gift These Characters?” From Rhysand to Aelin (and maybe even Tamlin 👀), we’re getting creative with holiday presents for our favorite fantasy icons.

Then we shift from fictional shopping lists to real-life holiday book recommendations—for both adults and kids. Whether you’re gift shopping or just want to curl up with something festive, we’ve got you covered.

Your favorite SJM-obsessed hosts talk through:

✨ The most unhinged (and perfect) SJM character gifts

✨ Holiday book recs for cozy adult reads & magical kid picks

✨ What’s on our bookish wish lists this season

✨ A healthy dose of chaos, warmth, and holiday spirit

📚 Weekly bookish chaos, fandom spirals, and cozy seasonal vibes.

👑 Subscribe & join the chaos—it’s giving fae Christmas morning.

📩 Contact us: ACourtofCortisolandChaos@gmail.com

Thanks for spiraling with us, now get back to your TBR!

📚 Books Mentioned:

Alaskan Holiday- Debbie Macomber

Starry Night- Debbie Macomber

Royal Holiday- Jasmine Guillory

The Christmas Tree Farm- Laurie Gilmore

Eight dates and Nights- Betsy Aldredge

Bullets and Mistletoe- CJ Lucci 

The Matzah Ball- Jean Meltzer 

Frostfully Yours- Breanne Bergie 

Three Holidays and a Wedding- Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley

Five More Sleeps Till Christmas- Jimmy Fallon 

Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal- Meghan Quinn 

Holiday Ever After- Hannah Grace 

Good Spirits- BK Borison

Sugar and Sin- Nova B Quinn 

Mistletoe Missus- Breanne Bergie

The Very Hungry Caterpillar's, Peekaboo Christmas 

How My Neighbor Stole Christmas- Meghan Quinn 

You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie- Natalie Marshall 

You’re My Little Christmas Cookie- Natalie Marshall

There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow- Lucille Colandro

Poke a Dot the Night Before Christmas

Our Table- Peter H Reynolds

Wreck the Halls- Tessa Bailey

Little Blue Truck’s Christmas- Alice Schertle

A Court of Frost and Starlight- Sarah J Maas

Harry Potter- JK Rowling

The Snowy Day- Ezra Jack Keats

Santa Bruce- Ryan T Higgins

The Polar Express- Chris Van Allsburg

Ten Ways to Hear Snow- Cathy Camper

We’re getting into the spooky spirit! Episode 17 is a cozy (and slightly unhinged) chaos episode where we talk about the scary movies that absolutely traumatized us as kids—and shaped us into the delightfully unhinged adults we are today.

And because no A Court of Cortisol and Chaos episode is complete without it, we’re finishing off with some delulu Maasverse headcanons that would make even SJM raise an eyebrow.

Your favorite SJM-obsessed hosts discuss:

✨ Childhood horror movies that lived rent-free in our nightmares

✨ How we became the well-adjusted adults we definitely are

✨ The most unhinged Maasverse crossover theories yet

✨ The perfect balance of spooky and delulu energy

📚 Weekly deep dives, fandom spirals, and chaos disguised as conversation.

👑 Subscribe & join the chaos—it’s giving haunted book club.

Thanks for spiraling with us, now get back to your TBR!

Episode 16 is a quick minisode packed with chaos and strong opinions. We’re touching on the Throne of Glass rankings that our views gave us crap about (because of course we are), chatting about our reading journeys, and checking in on our emotional stability after Alchemised. Spoiler: it’s questionable.

Your favorite SJM-obsessed hosts break down:

✨ Our Throne of Glass rankings—prepare to be shocked

✨ How our reading journeys have evolved (and unhinged)

✨ A quick Alchemised update—Amy’s finished, Lindsay’s almost there

📚 Weekly deep dives into fantasy books, fandom spirals, and bookish chaos.

👑 Subscribe & join the chaos—especially if Alchemised also broke your brain.

Thanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR!

Episode 15 is dedicated to a book that completely wrecked us (in the best way): Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair. This one snuck up on us, landed in everyone’s top reads of the year, and honestly? It deserves way more recognition than it’s getting.

We’re breaking down what made this story so powerful- from its world-building and romance to the emotional gut punches that left us staring at the wall afterward.

Your favorite SJM-obsessed hosts talk through:

✨ Why Terror at the Gates hit harder than we expected

✨ The moments that broke (and healed) us

✨ Why this book deserves more hype

✨ A little chaos, a lot of feelings, and zero chill

📚 Weekly deep dives into fantasy books, fandom spirals, and unfiltered friendship.

👑 Subscribe & join the chaos- this one’s a love letter to underrated fantasy greatness.

Thanks for spiraling with us- now get back to your TBR!

In Episode 14 of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we take a thoughtful look at the conversation surrounding Alchemised- a recently published book with origins in fanfiction. We discuss whether we plan on reading it, whether we read Manacled, what this means for fan creators, and how J.K. Rowling’s harmful transphobic views continue to affect both fandom spaces and the publishing world.

This episode explores:

• The connection and distinctions between Alchemised and Manacled

• The ethics of transformative works in fandom

• How J.K. Rowling’s rhetoric has reshaped the conversation around fanfiction

• Whether or not we plan to read Alchemised

We approach this discussion with care, compassion, and a commitment to standing with the LGBTQIA+ community.

Disclaimer:

While we’re discussing fan works inspired by the Harry Potter universe, we do not support J.K. Rowling or her transphobic views.

If you’re a trans or nonbinary listener—or someone looking to learn and support—we’ve included resources in the description from organizations doing vital work for the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide:

🌈 United States

• The Trevor Project — Crisis intervention & suicide prevention for LGBTQIA+ youth

https://www.thetrevorproject.org• Trans Lifeline — Peer support hotline run by and for trans people

https://translifeline.org🇨🇦 Canada

• Trans Lifeline Canada — Support line available to trans people in Canada

https://translifeline.org/clarifying-misinformation-about-our-hotline-number/• Egale Canada — Promoting LGBTQIA+ inclusion and rights

https://egale.ca🇬🇧 United Kingdom

• Mermaids UK — Support for transgender and gender-diverse youth & families

https://mermaidsuk.org.uk• Stonewall — Campaigning for LGBTQIA+ equality across the UK

https://www.stonewall.org.uk🇸🇪 Sweden

• RFSL — The Swedish Federation for LGBTQIA+ Rights

https://www.rfsl.se/en/• Transammans — Organization supporting trans people and their families

https://transammans.se

Thank you for joining us for this important conversation. However you choose to engage with these works, we encourage compassion, awareness, and active support for the trans community.

Trans rights are human rights. Always. 🌈

— Adrianna, Amy, Dominique & Lindsay

✨ Subscribe for weekly bookish chaos, SJM spirals, and unfiltered friendship.

🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss an episode.

📌 Follow usTikTok & IG: ACourtofCortisolandChaos

Listen on Spotify, Apple & more: https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos

📌 Listen on Spotify, Apple, & everywhere you get your bookish chaos.

Thanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR.

Episode 13 is pure chaos- in the best way. We’re talking celebrity crushes, who we’d cast as our favorite MMCs, and sprinkling in more of our unhinged bookish hot takes. From fantasy fan-casts to strong opinions you didn’t ask for, this one’s equal parts fun and fiery.

Your favorite SJM-obsessed hosts break down:

✨ Which celebs we’d cast as MMCs in our favorite books

✨ Celebrity crush confessions (no shame here)

✨ More bookish hot takes you may or may not agree with

✨ Laughs, tangents, and plenty of chaos

📚 Weekly dives into Sarah J. Maas books, fandom debates, and bookish fun.

📌 Listen on Spotify, Apple, & everywhere you get your bookish chaos.Thanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR!

Episode 12 is a mix of cozy book talk and Crescent City chaos. We’re catching you up on our recent reads, what’s currently on our nightstands, and what’s next on our TBRs. Then we dive into our favorite Crescent City scene of all time- and spiral about the plot points we’re desperate to see clarified (or expanded on) in future books.

Your favorite SJM-obsessed hosts break down:

✨ Our latest, current, and next reads

✨ The Crescent City scene that lives rent-free in our heads

✨ A plot point we need more answers about

✨ Tangents, laughter, and (of course) chaos

📚 Books Mentioned:

• Crescent City series — Sarah J. Maas

• Terror at the Gates — Scarlet St. Clair

• Katabasis — RF Kuang

• Six of Crows — Leigh Bardugo

• Crooked Kingdom — Leigh Bardugo

• A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping — Sangu Mandanna

• Crown of Midnight — Sarah J. Maas

• Heir of Fire — Sarah J. Maas

• Warrior Princess Assassin — Brigid Kemmerer

• Wild Card — Elsie Silver

📚 Weekly deep dives into Sarah J. Maas books, theories, and fandom chaos.

👑 Subscribe & join the chaos-you’ll never read alone again.

Thanks for spiraling with us- now get back to your TBR!

It’s game time! In Episode 11 of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we’re playing a “what if” game- imagining what our favorite characters would be like in real life. From what jobs they’d have, to what playlists they’d blast, to where they’d call home, we’re spiraling into hilarious (and surprisingly accurate) headcanons.This episode is part chit-chat, part chaos, and all Crescent City love.💬 Tell us in the comments:• What real-life job would you give your favorite SJM character?• Who has the most unhinged music taste?✨ Subscribe for weekly bookish chaos, SJM spirals, and unfiltered friendship.🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss an episode.📌 Follow usTikTok & IG: ACourtofCortisolandChaosListen on Spotify, Apple & more: https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos📚 Books Mentioned:• Crescent City series – Sarah J. Maas• Other SJM favorites (ACOTAR, Throne of Glass)📌 Listen on Spotify, Apple, & everywhere you get your bookish chaos.Thanks for spiraling with us—now get back to your TBR.

We’re back with another round of chaos- Episode 10 of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos starts with a “Yes/No/Maybe” game featuring our recent reads (spoiler: some unpopular takes were made). Then we shift gears to a deeper discussion about neurodivergence and disability in fantasy: from Dain’s potential neurodivergency to Sawyer’s accommodations and Andarna’s unique struggles, plus our own personal experiences as readers.This one is part book game, part fandom analysis, and part real-life reflection.💬 Tell us in the comments:• Which book would be your instant “Yes/No/Maybe”?• Which fantasy character do you think deserves more love for their representation?✨ Subscribe for weekly bookish chaos, SJM spirals, and unfiltered friendship.🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss an episode.📌 Follow usTikTok & IG: ACourtofCortisolandChaosListen on Spotify, Apple & more: https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos📚 Books Mentioned:• ACOTAR series – Sarah J. Maas• Throne of Glass series – Sarah J. Maas• Crescent City series – Sarah J. Maas• Fourth Wing series – Rebecca Yarros• Den of Vipers – K.A. Knight• Silver Elite – Dani Francis• Knight and the Moth – Rachel Gillig• Lights Out/Caught Up – Navessa Allen• Consider Me – Becka Mack• White Rose Painted Red – Blake Lawson and Elena Lawson• L.O.R.D.S Series – Shantel Tessier📌 Listen on Spotify, Apple, & everywhere you get your bookish chaos.Thanks for spiraling with us- now get back to your TBR!

We’re keeping things laid back this week with a little bookish catch-up! In Episode 9 of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we’re chit-chatting about our latest reads, sharing the books that stole our hearts (and the ones that didn’t), and delivering some controversial takes.💬 Tell us in the comments:• What’s the best book you’ve read recently?• What’s your hottest take in the fantasy/romantasy world?✨ Subscribe for weekly bookish chaos, SJM spirals, and unfiltered friendship.Rate us 5 Stars- it helps!📌 Follow usTikTok & IG: ACourtofCortisolandChaosListen on Spotify, Apple & more: https://linktr.ee/acourtofcortisolandchaos📚 Books Mentioned:• ACOTAR series – Sarah J. Maas• Throne of Glass series – Sarah J. Maas• Crescent City series – Sarah J. Maas• Fourth Wing series – Rebecca Yarros• The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn – Valerie Bowman• The Spellshop – Sarah Beth Durst• Terror at The Gates –Scarlett St. Clair• Blood Sweeter than Honey – Chiara Forestieri• Beautiful Venom – Rina Kent• Den of Vipers – KA Knight• Consider Me – Becka Mack• God of Malice – Rina Kent• A Study in Drowning – Ava Reid• Ice Planet Barbarians – Ruby Dixon• Anathema – Keri Lake• Shield of Sparrows – Devney Perry• Knight and the Moth – Rachel Gillig• Nocticadia – Keri Lake📌 Listen on Spotify, Apple, & everywhere you get your bookish chaos.Thanks for spiraling with us- now get back to your TBR!

Violet may be one of the most talked-about heroines in fantasy right now- and in Episode 8 of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we’re soaring into Fourth Wing. We kick things off with a chaotic “This or That” game before diving into Violet’s journey, her character growth, and the importance of disability representation in the series.

Your favorite SJM-obsessed hosts break down:

✨ Our unhinged Fourth Wing “This or That” choices

✨ How Violet’s disability shapes her as a heroine

✨ Why her representation resonates with readers

✨ The dragons, drama, and debates that make this book addictive

If you love fandom games, thoughtful character discussions, and a healthy dose of chaos, this episode is for you.

Creators mentioned:

@The.Page.Sage

@EmmaHalbrook

@AntoinetteCeaLopes

📚 Weekly deep dives into Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and the fantasy worlds we can’t stop screaming about.

👑 Subscribe & join the chaos- you might even pick a side in Fourth Wing’s biggest debates.

Thanks for spiraling with us...now get back to your TBR!

Dain gets a lot of hate in the fandom- but in Episode 7 of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we’re taking a softer look at his journey. From the red flags that actually make sense, to the repressed feelings that shape him, to the courage it takes to finally join the revolution- we think Dain might deserve a little more credit than he gets.

Your favorite SJM-obsessed hosts break down:

✨ Why Dain’s “red flags” aren’t the whole story

✨ His repression—and the very human reasons behind it

✨ What his role in the rebellion really means

✨ Why we actually like him (yes, we said it)

If you love character redemption arcs, nuanced fandom debates, and a little chaos along the way, this episode is for you.

📚 Weekly deep dives into Sarah J. Maas books, theories, and fan-favorite (and controversial) characters.

👑 Subscribe & join the chaos- you might even end up defending Dain too.

Sarah J Maas podcast, Crescent City Dain, ACOTAR podcast, SJM podcast, booktok podcast, A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, Dain redemption, Crescent City theories, Dain character analysis, SJM Crescent City

This week on A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we’re finally diving into Fourth Wing- how we discovered the series, the characters we can’t get enough of, and the scenes we’re most excited to see brought to life on screen.

Expect plenty of tangents, character crushes, and some strong opinions about what makes this world so addictive. Perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros, fantasy romance, and of course, dragons.

Thanks for spiraling with us- now get back to your TBR!

This week on A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we’re putting our villain knowledge to the test with a chaotic game of “Name That Villain” - where we hear a dark quote and try to guess who said it (spoiler: it gets messy).

Then, we dive into a full character breakdown of Amarantha from ACOTAR- what made her so terrifying, how she compares to other fantasy villains, and whether she’s as one-dimensional as people think.

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, fantasy villains, and unfiltered BookTok chaos.

Thanks for spiraling with us- now get back to your TBR.

Episode 4: SJM MASH, Crescent City Check-In & Spicy Scenes We’ll Never Forget

In this episode of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we’re bringing the chaos and the spice. First, we play a wildly unhinged round of SJM MASH, where the universe decides our fantasy fates - think Illyrian wings, magical powers, and some… questionable pairings.

Then, we check in on Lindsay and Addy’s Crescent City journey- reactions, theories, emotional damage, and all the Maasverse crossover feelings.

To wrap things up, we each share the most memorable spicy scenes that have permanently imprinted on our brains. From slow burns to downright unhinged moments, nothing’s off-limits.

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, BookTok romance, and spicy fantasy reads. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks for spiraling with us- now get back to your TBR.

In this episode of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, we’re putting on our defense caps for two of Sarah J. Maas’s most divisive characters: Nesta Archeron and Chaol Westfall. Love them or hate them, we’re breaking down their arcs, their trauma, and why they deserve more than just internet hate.

We also play This or That: Fantasy Edition, where we decide which SJM characters would have a podcast, fall for an MLM, or go viral on TikTok.

Plus:

    •    Our honest take on the Empire of Storms + Tower of Dawn tandem read

    •    A quick walkthrough of the SJM Maasverse timeline

    •    Unfiltered opinions, bookish banter, and plenty of spiraling

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, fantasy romance, and BookTok-level bookish chaos.

Thanks for spiraling with us- now get back to your TBR!

Welcome back to A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, your new favorite fantasy book podcast! In this episode, we’re breaking down the most underrated scenes in Sarah J Mass books- those hidden gems that deserve way more hype from readers and BookTok alike. From quiet emotional moments to plot twists that hit harder than expected, we’re giving these scenes the spotlight.

We also kick things off with a hilarious round of Would You Rather: Fantasy Edition, where we’re forced to make impossible choices between morally gray book boyfriends, magical suffering, and questionable courts.

Then it’s time to talk tropes- the overused, the overhyped, the ones that make us scream (in good and bad ways). Think enemies to lovers, chosen ones, secret royalty, found family, and all the spicy, chaotic goodness in between. Which romantic fantasy tropes do we adore? Which ones make us want to throw the book?

If you love unfiltered bookish opinions, deep-dives into your favorite fantasy series (yes, there’s always SJM talk), and chaotic bestie energy, you’re in the right place. Grab a drink, settle in, and let’s spiral together.

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, BookTok recs, fantasy romance, and unhinged podcast energy. New episodes every week!

Welcome to the first episode of A Court of Cortisol and Chaos, your new favorite home for Sarah J. Maas (SJM) spirals, BookTok-level hot takes, and unfiltered fantasy fangirling.

In this episode, meet the four chaotic besties behind the mic as we play spicy icebreaker games and reveal the personalities, book boyfriends, and emotional damage that shaped our obsession with SJM’s multiverse- from A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) to Throne of Glass and Crescent City.

We talk:

    •    Our favorite SJM characters (yes, we argue about Rhysand)

    •    The most cortisol-spiking book moments

    •    How BookTok ruined (saved?) our lives

Whether you’re a new reader or long-time fan of Feyre, Rhysand, Nesta, Aelin, Bryce, and all the messy ships in between, you’ll feel right at home here.

Join us for laughs, trauma bonding, and chaotic theories. New episodes every Thursday!