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Sex. Love. Literature.
Ayanni Cooper and Corinne Matthews
68 episodes
1 week ago
SLL is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature. on your favorite podcast platforms! You can find us on our website, SexLoveLitPodcast.com, and on Bluesky, Instagram, and Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast. (Love the show? Take the SLL Listener Survey! Closes April 30th, 2025: ⁠⁠https://forms.gle/AJhFuMDzjSZeTE1f8⁠)
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TV & Film
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All content for Sex. Love. Literature. is the property of Ayanni Cooper and Corinne Matthews and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
SLL is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature. on your favorite podcast platforms! You can find us on our website, SexLoveLitPodcast.com, and on Bluesky, Instagram, and Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast. (Love the show? Take the SLL Listener Survey! Closes April 30th, 2025: ⁠⁠https://forms.gle/AJhFuMDzjSZeTE1f8⁠)
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TV & Film
Episodes (20/68)
Sex. Love. Literature.
E59 KPop Demon Hunters - "Is this part of my personality now...?

Mirror, mirror on my phone, who's the baddest? (Us, hello?) This episode, we are joined by a very special guest, Audrey Hall, to talk about the Netflix animated film, KPop Demon Hunters!

We get into productive intersection of idoldom and demon hunting that allows the film to explore internalized–and externalized–shame, particularly through the romance of Rumi, the leader of  KPop group Huntr/x and Jinu, our kpop demon boy. 

Because no discussion of KPop Demon Hunters would be complete without a little consideration of sexy demons.




What's Sparking Joy this episode: The Law According to Lidia Poet (Netflix), K-Pop concerts, BTS's return


Episode was recorded July 4th, 2025


Show Notes:

  • Support us on Ko-Fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/sexlovelitpodcast⁠⁠⁠
  • Check out Audrey's Poetry!: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:7suo4ius6oeyzjt3jttcwjo5 & https://www.instagram.com/audreyy8771/
  • Listen to our Joy Sparked: SLL Song Recs playlist: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50MNBI1kYKdJgxh8CzEJF1?si=d9df62854c684557⁠⁠
  • Concept Art of Rumi's Mom: https://www.tumblr.com/sexlovelitpodcast/788116129167065088
  • Concept Art of the Saja Boys: https://www.tumblr.com/sunshine-of-rebellion/787102616182308864/new-saja-boys-concept-art-just-dropped-and-you
  • BTS "Pied Piper" MV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5CFyri4dLg
  • F.D. Signifier's "Beyonce is Everything" Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1-bigFD3E8


Other lit mentioned this episode: The Mitchells Vs the Machines, Spider-verse, Castlevania, Lost You Forever

Check out SLL Live in 2025:

  • July 2025 - RomantiConn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.romanticonn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


On Future SLL Episodes: Dying for Sex part 2 (on Hulu), Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SexLoveLitPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; on Instagram , Tumblr, and BlueSky @SexLoveLitPodcast. Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/sexlovelitpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr;Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US.


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
3 weeks ago
1 hour 28 minutes 21 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E57 Dying for Sex (Hulu) - "Cancer sucks, but life remains ridiculous."

Back after a mini, unexpected hiatus, we’ve got a new hot-and-ready episode for you!

Prepare yourselves because we’re about to get deep in our feelings as we begin our discussion on the show Dying for Sex starring Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate, and Rob Delaney.

In this first of two episodes, we start off with our initial, non-spoilery reactions, think about how the show works from a genre and form perspective, and maybe rant a little about why one of the characters really sucks. 

Content warning: Dying for Sex deals with terminal illness and trauma related to SA. Because these themes are so woven into the show, we won’t be able to provide specific timecodes for when they come up in our own discussion, but wanted to make sure you know going in. 

What's Sparking Joy this episode: Sinners and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (Crunchyroll, Netflix)

Episode was recorded April 20th, 2025


Show Notes:

  • Support us on Ko-Fi: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/sexlovelitpodcast⁠⁠
  • The Dying for Sex Podcast: wondery.fm/DyingForSex
  • Listen to our Joy Sparked: SLL Song Recs playlist: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50MNBI1kYKdJgxh8CzEJF1?si=d9df62854c684557⁠


Other lit mentioned this episode: Lost You Forever, The Fault in Our Stars, Fanta G Spot (Hit the Spot) K-drama

Check out SLL Live in 2025:

  • July 2025 - RomantiConn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.romanticonn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


On Future SLL Episodes: Dying for Sex part 2 (on Hulu), Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity, Frieren: Beyond Journey's End


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SexLoveLitPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; on Instagram , Tumblr, and BlueSky @SexLoveLitPodcast. Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/sexlovelitpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr;Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US.


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
1 month ago
44 minutes 58 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E56 Ever After: A Cinderella Story - "We have solved fairytales"

We’re taking a trip back in time this episode to do a deep dive on the classic fairy tale retelling, Ever After: A Cinderella Story. We consider what makes something a Cinderella story and how Ever After maps onto those criteria; our reactions to the main romance; and the tour de force performance that is Angelica Huston as the Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent.


What's Sparking Joy this episode: The Residence on Netflix, Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim, and "The Hills of Tanchico" from The Wheel of Time season 3.


CW: Brief mention of the potential of SA from (1:14:58-1:15:10)


Show Notes:

  • Take the SLL Audience Survey! Closes April 30th, 2025: ⁠⁠https://forms.gle/AJhFuMDzjSZeTE1f8⁠⁠
  • Support us on Ko-Fi: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/sexlovelitpodcast⁠
  • Linda Holmes's "A Girl, A Show, A Prince": https://www.npr.org/2015/03/13/392358854/a-girl-a-shoe-a-prince-the-endlessly-evolving-cinderella
  • "The Hills of Tanchico" Clip: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIANPQJSAet/?igsh=MWhoczk0aHl4ZW92Zw==
  • Listen to our Joy Sparked: SLL Song Recs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50MNBI1kYKdJgxh8CzEJF1?si=d9df62854c684557


Other lit mentioned this episode: The Little Mermaid, Cinderelle, Spiceworld, Prince of Persia, The Great

Check out SLL Live in 2025:

  • April 2025 - Romance in CNY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://romanceincny.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
  • July 2025 - RomantiConn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.romanticonn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


On Future SLL Episodes: Dying for Sex (on Hulu), Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity.


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SexLoveLitPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; on Instagram , Tumblr, and BlueSky @SexLoveLitPodcast. Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/sexlovelitpodcast⁠⁠⁠


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr;Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US.


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
3 months ago
1 hour 8 minutes 14 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E55 Trope Spotlight: Red Flag vs Green Flag Characters - "They match each other's freak"

We recorded a thicc episode for you this month with our special guest Sarah, one of the hosts of the podcast Afternoona Asks! Together, we get into the nitty-gritty of red flag and green flag characters and cover a lot of ground: from what makes a red flag red and a green flag green, to the surprising gender dynamics of “flagging” characters at all.


Along the way, we mention a lot of our favorite love interests, including Baek Seon of When the Phone Rings, Mr. Gu of My Liberation Notes, Captain Ri of gateway KDrama Crash Landing on You, and many, many more. 

(If you want an SLL drinking game, take a sip every time Ayanni says "interesting" 🙃)


CW: Mention of SA and r*pe from (15:13-15:58)


Show Notes:

  • Take the SLL Audience Survey! Closes April 30th, 2025: ⁠https://forms.gle/AJhFuMDzjSZeTE1f8⁠
  • Support us on Ko-Fi: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/sexlovelitpodcast
  • Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kdramathis/
  • Listen to Afternoona Asks: https://www.afternoonaasks.com/https://www.afternoonaasks.com/


Lit discussed this episode: Crash Landing on You, Taxi Driver Two, Love Like the Galaxy, My Liberation Notes, Twilight, Love Between Fairy and Devil, When the Phone Rings, A Sign of Affection, My Dearest, The First Frost, Blossom, Love Scout, See You in My 19th Life, True Beauty, Mickey 17, Future Diary, Lose You Forever, Just Between Lovers, Or Rain or Shine, Goodbye My Princess, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, It’s Okay To Not Be Okay, Motel California, Lovestruck in the City, One Spring Night, Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food, Love Next Door, DP, Connect, Prison Playbook, Flower of Evil, Mr. Sunshine, Hospital Playlist, Reply 1994, The Slime Has Left Your Eyes, Doom At Your Service, Shopaholic King Louis, Yumi Cells, Little Women, Extraordinary Attorney Woo


Some Choice Afternoona Asks Episodes

  • The History and Culture of South Korean Protest with Charles Kim - https://www.afternoonaasks.com/podcast/episode/2932457d/the-history-and-culture-of-south-korean-protest-with-charles-kim (Check out Dr. Kim's book - https://uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/youth-for-nation-culture-and-protest-in-cold-war-south-korea/)
  • The Shocking Burning Sun Scandal - Interview with Chloe Hadjimatheou - https://www.afternoonaasks.com/podcast/episode/1c7b49eb/the-shocking-burning-sun-scandal-interview-with-chloe-hadjimatheou (Find Chloe Hadjimatheou's podcast here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001n9kv)
  • Heartriders Unite! All About the Fallen for Seo In Guk US Fan Meets - https://www.afternoonaasks.com/podcast/episode/5bf07d2e/heartriders-unite-all-about-the-fallen-for-seo-in-guk-us-fan-meets

Check out SLL Live in 2025:

  • April 2025 - Romance in CNY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://romanceincny.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
  • July 2025 - RomantiConn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.romanticonn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


On Future SLL Episodes: Ever After and Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity.


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SexLoveLitPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; on Instagram , Tumblr, and BlueSky @SexLoveLitPodcast. Support us on Ko-fi: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/sexlovelitpodcast⁠⁠


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr;Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US.


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
4 months ago
1 hour 36 minutes 3 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E54 Sparking Joy in 2025: A Pop-Culture Roundup: "Symbiotic Crying on the Couch 😭"

It's time for our annual SLL tradition of rounding up the pop culture of the previous year! We start with what pop-culture is "sparking joy” in February,  our favorites of 2024, and what we’re looking forward to in 2025.


As a treat, Corinne's snark levels were very high this episode (lol).


CW: Brief mention of S*icide from (1:06:51-1:06:54)


Show Notes:

  • Take the SLL Audience Survey! Closes March 28th, 2025: https://forms.gle/AJhFuMDzjSZeTE1f8
  • Support us on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/sexlovelitpodcast
  • Check out Corinne's 2024 drama round ups on Tumblr:
    • Korean Dramas: https://www.tumblr.com/starcrossed591/770716418956312576/kdrama-year-in-review-2024?source=share
    • Chinese Dramas: https://www.tumblr.com/starcrossed591/771029764525916160/cdrama-year-in-review-2024?source=share
  • Lit Mentioned By Section:
    • What's Sparking Joy Feb 2025: The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater, and My Old Ass
    • Joy Sparked in 2024 - Yoga with Kassandra (https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithkassandra), Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan, My Sweet Mobster (KDrama), As If Love Does Not Exist (Webtoon), Blossom (CDrama), Kaos, True Detective (Season 4), Someone to Build a Nest In by John Wiswell, Poor Things, Challengers, Build Mama a Coffin: An Old Gods of Appalachia story (https://www.oldgodsofappalachia.com/episodes/2020-02-06/build-mama-a-coffin-trailer/202002061153231909)
    • Joy Sparked in 2024, Deep Dives - Lovely Runner (KDrama),The Princess Royal (CDrama), Look Back, Flow, Nosferatu (2024)
    • Future Joy Sparked in 2025: Back After This by Linda Holmes, Wheel of Time (Season 3), Witch Hat Atelier anime, Sinners
    • Others: Extraordinary You, Goblin, Romance of Tiger and Rose, Love Like the Galaxy, Flourished Peony, Abbott Elementary, Blue Box, My Happy Marriage, Apothecary Diaries, Toilet Bound Hanako-Kun, Perfect Marriage Revenge, Marry My Husband, The Wild Robot


Check out SLL Live in 2025:

  • April 2025 - Romance in CNY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://romanceincny.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
  • July 2025 - RomantiConn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.romanticonn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


On Future SLL Episodes: Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, and Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity.


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SexLoveLitPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; on Instagram , Tumblr, and BlueSky @SexLoveLitPodcast. Support us on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/sexlovelitpodcast⁠


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr;Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US.


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
5 months ago
1 hour 30 minutes 37 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E53 A Court of Thorns and Roses & of Mist and Fury (Part 2, Spoiler Filled): "The mandatory fairy f*** festival!"

Joined once again by our younger siblings, Erin and Akinde, we dive right into Sarah J Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Mist and Fury spoilers in part two of our discussion.

To kick things off, we start with our complicated feelings on main character Feyre. We also ask the hard hitting questions, like: are these sex scenes sexy? Why is there so much growling? And what would actually happen if the wings of the Illyrians were really that sensitive?

As a heads up for people who adore these books: we’re not here to kill your vibe! Still, while we do appreciate a lot of what Maas is doing, as well as her wider influence on pop culture, we do have some bones to pick. Also, we drop a few spoilers for some of the later books, so if you care about spoilers for books 3, 4 or 5, please be forewarned!

Sorry for the delay on this one, folks! January was a month...but we left a treat for you at the end of this episode to make up for it.

Show Notes:

  • What's Sparking Joy (music edition): "Guess" by Charli XCX featuring Billie Eilish; Sable by Bon Iver; Keeping Company by Bill Laurance and Michael League; Rosie by Rosé; "Symptom of Life" by Willow; "Otokonoke" by Creepy Nuts. Listen to these (and other) songs that have sparked joy on our Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50MNBI1kYKdJgxh8CzEJF1?si=TA6c98XGQ2acsAC83BVfPA
  • Other lit discussed this episode: Twilight & Fourth Wing
  • The first ACOTAR episode: https://www.sexlovelitpodcast.com/e52-sarah-j-maas-romantasy-and-introducing-acotar-part-1-spoiler-free-theyre-fairies-and-the/
  • Correction: our yearly pop culture roundup will be recorded and posted in February, based on feedback from listeners.


Check out SLL Live in 2025:

  • April 2025 - Romance in CNY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://romanceincny.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
  • July 2025 - RomantiConn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.romanticonn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠


On Future SLL Episodes: What's Sparking Joy: 2024 Pop Culture Roundup, Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, and Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity.


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SexLoveLitPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; on Instagram , Tumblr, and BlueSky @SexLoveLitPodcast.


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). TheSLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr;Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US. ACOTAR synopsis background music is "Nice Surprise" from Purple Planet Music (www.purple-planet.com).


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
6 months ago
1 hour 18 minutes 33 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E52 Sarah J Maas, Romantasy, and Introducing ACOTAR (Part 1, Spoiler Free): "They're fairies and they like to f***."

You’ve asked, you've waited, and now, we’re finally delivering! Welcome to our two-part deep dive on the international best selling Romantasy novels A Court of Thorns and Roses and a Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas. 

In this first, spoiler free episode, we touch on our initial reactions to the series, and think a bit about what romantasy is and why it’s so appealing to so many readers.

Plus, we’re joined by some very special guests for these two episodes: our younger siblings!  They may claim to have been manipulated into coming on the show, but we’re glad to have them both on for this discussion 💛


Show Notes:

  • What's Sparking Joy: Silo (on Apple TV+) , Blue Lock (on Crunchyroll), Puzzmo, When the Phone Rings (on Netflix)
  • Other lit discussed this episode: Fourth Wing
  • Listen to Corinne and Ayanni as guests on the Tea and Soju podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-romance-of-tiger-and-rose-review-with-corinne-and-ayanni/id1640521377?i=1000679145440
  • The first Last Night at the Telegraph Club episode, featuring Stripe: https://www.sexlovelitpodcast.com/e49-last-night-at-the-telegraph-club-episode-1-of-2-spoiler-free-easter-eggs-of-historical-nugg/
  • The excellent romantasy article we kept referencing: "Romantasy All Along!" by Tansy Rayner Roberts, published in Uncanny Magazine: https://www.uncannymagazine.com/article/romantasy-all-along/


Check out SLL Live in 2025:

  • April 2025 - Romance in CNY: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://romanceincny.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠
  • July 2025 - RomantiConn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.romanticonn.com/⁠⁠⁠


On Future SLL Episodes: Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, and Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity.


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SexLoveLitPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; on Instagram , Tumblr, and BlueSky @SexLoveLitPodcast.


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). TheSLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr;Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
7 months ago
46 minutes 17 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E51 Comfort Media for Interesting Times: A Pop Culture Round Up

In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a lot going on *gestures everywhere*, so rather than get into anything too tragic, as we’re wont to do, we’ve instead gathered some Comfort Media for Interesting Times (™)–that is, the pop culture we turn to when things are rough and we’re in need of a boost to help us make it through.

This episode, in the style of our Pop-Culture Round Ups, we trade off sharing cozy books, music, and TV shows that bolster our spirits and help us feel warm inside.

Lit "rounded up" this Episode:

  • Howl’s Moving Castle (1986) by Diana Wynne Jones
  • On a Sunbeam (2018) by Tillie Walden
  • Eva Ibbotson’s 5 romance book set in the early 1900’s, but especially The Reluctant Heiress (1982)  A Countess Below Stairs  (1981)
  • The Discographies of Maaya Sakamoto (Shounen Alice and Single Collection: Nikopachi (2003)) and Hikaru Utada (Bad Mode (2022) and Ultra Blue (2006)

Show Notes:

  • What's Sparking Joy: Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree, Blue Box (aka Aoi no Hako) on Netflix
  • Other lit discussed this episode: Spinning by Tillie Walden, My Happy Marriage, The Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Diana Wynne Jones, First Love (J-Drama)
  • Correction: Tessa from The Reluctant Heiress is a staunch "republican," not "communist."


Check out SLL Live in 2025:

  • April 2025 - Romance in CNY: ⁠⁠⁠https://romanceincny.com/⁠⁠⁠
  • July 2025 - RomantiConn: ⁠⁠https://www.romanticonn.com/⁠⁠


On Future SLL Episodes: A Court of Thorns and Roses/A Court of Mist and Fury, Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, and Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity.


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SexLoveLitPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠; on Instagram , Tumblr, and BlueSky @SexLoveLitPodcast.


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). TheSLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr;Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
8 months ago
43 minutes 14 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E50 Last Night at the Telegraph Club (Episode 2 of 2; Spoiler Filled): "It's queer futurity!"

Sorry for the delay on this episode folks - October and November have been a lot. But, without further ado, here's Last Night at the Telegraph Club, episode two!

Joined once again by Dr. Kai Chen, we dive right into Last Night at the Telegraph Club spoilers, starting with our feelings on Kath and Lily’s relationship and the high-key stress of classroom makeouts. From there, we consider the queer space of the Telegraph Club, Lily’s complicated and not always likable bestie Shirley, and our thoughts on the admittedly fraught ending.

Show Notes:

  • What's Sparking Joy: Bloom by (G)I-DLE, Crazy (feat Pink Pantheress) by LA SSERAFIM , You and I by Leon
  • Other lit discussed this episode: How Sweet by NewJeans, Forever by Judy Blume, Crazy Rich Asians, Fellow Travelers, My Favorite Thing is Monsters
  • Learn more about Dr. Chen's work on the UF University Writing Program website: https://writing.ufl.edu/directory/yukai-chen/
  • Support your local bookstore and Malinda Lo by getting Last Night the Telegraph Club and A Scattering of Light on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/search?keywords=malinda+lo⁠
  • Code Switch - "They Don't Say Our Names Enough" - https://www.npr.org/2020/06/26/884080764/they-dont-say-our-names-enough
  • The Evening Crowd at Kirmser's: A Gay Life in the 1940s - ⁠https://bookshop.org/p/books/evening-crowd-at-kirmser-s-a-gay-life-in-the-1940s-ricardo-j-brown/9374706?ean=9780816636228⁠
  • The Body and Its Dangers & Other Stories - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-body-and-its-dangers-other-stories-allen-barnett/20854353?ean=9781608642922


Check out SLL Live in 2025:

  • April 2025 - Romance in CNY: ⁠⁠https://romanceincny.com/⁠⁠
  • July 2025 - RomantiConn: ⁠https://www.romanticonn.com/⁠


On Future SLL Episodes: A Court of Thorns and Roses/A Court of Mist and Fury, Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, and Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity.


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠SexLoveLitPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠; on Instagram and on Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast.


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). TheSLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr;Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.


Show more...
8 months ago
1 hour 17 minutes 3 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E49 Last Night at the Telegraph Club (Episode 1 of 2; Spoiler Free): "Easter eggs of historical nuggets!"

In classic SLL fashion, I welcome you to another accidental two-part discussion. This time, we’re joined by Dr. Kai Chen to discuss Malinda Lo’s award-winning novel, Last Night at the Telegraph Club. This episode, we keep things spoiler free by first giving some context for the book and then our overall impressions. (Plus, we get a bonus visit from Ayanni's 20 year old family cat.)

Show Notes:

  • What's Sparking Joy: Kevin can F*** Himself (on Netflix), Mayonaka Punch (on Crunchyroll), Are You The One (on Viki), and Delicious in Dungeon (on Netflix)
  • Other lit discussed this episode: Goodbye My Princess, Evangelion, Ashe (by Malinda Lo), My Favorite Thing is Monsters
  • Learn more about Dr. Chen's work on the UF University Writing Program website: https://writing.ufl.edu/directory/yukai-chen/
  • Support your local bookstore and Malinda Lo by getting Last Night the Telegraph Club on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/last-night-at-the-telegraph-club-malinda-lo/16520139?ean=9780525555278
  • Learn more Pen America and their various initiatives: https://pen.org/

Check out SLL Live in 2025:

  • April 2025 - Romance in CNY: ⁠https://romanceincny.com/⁠
  • July 2025 - RomantiConn: https://www.romanticonn.com/


On Future SLL Episodes: Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity, and A Court of Thorns and Roses


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at ⁠⁠⁠SexLoveLitPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠; on Instagram and on Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast.


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). TheSLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr;Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
10 months ago
51 minutes 57 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E48 Lost You Forever Season 2 (Episode 2 of 2): "He is a messy b**** who loves drama."

Welcome to our second episode on the Chinese Drama Lost You Forever, part 2! We jump right into Tushan Jing and Xiao Yao’s relationship as the ostensible OTP of the show. From there, we consider just how sad our snake demon man Xiang Liu made us in his determination to push Xiao Yao away, as well as A’Nian’s surprisingly poignant maturation arc.


Lit Discussed this Episode: "Spring Snow" by 10 Centimeters, "Love Heart Cheat Code" by Hiatus Kaiyote, "Nightfalling" by John Park, Lovely Runner, Love Between Fairy and Devil


(Plus, check out our new Spotify playlist that rounds up songs we love and that have sparked joy: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50MNBI1kYKdJgxh8CzEJF1?si=SjvEqPF_RdS7Y5-AXDH5zg&pi=u-5IZPrM2xRc-N)


Show Notes:

You can listen to all the previous Lost You Forever episodes on your favorite podcast platforms:

  • ​Season 2, Part 1: https://www.sexlovelitpodcast.com/e47-lost-you-forever-season-2-episode-1-of-2-a-lot-of-sad-weddings-in-this-one/
  • ​Season 1, Part 1 (no spoilers): https://www.sexlovelitpodcast.com/e35-lost-you-forever-season-1-mini-series-part-1-spoiler-free/
  • ​Season 1, Part 2: https://www.sexlovelitpodcast.com/e36-lost-you-forever-season-1-mini-series-part-2-spoiler-filled/
  • ​Season 1, Part 3: https://www.sexlovelitpodcast.com/e37-lost-you-forever-season-1-mini-series-part-3-spoiler-filled/


Come see us LIVE at Romance in CNY: https://romanceincny.com/


Planning for RomantiConn 2025 is already underway! ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/351611412074474/⁠⁠⁠


On Future SLL Episodes: Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity, and A Court of Thorns and Roses


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at ⁠⁠SexLoveLitPodcast.com⁠⁠; on Instagram and Threads @SexLoveLit; and on Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). TheSLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr;Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
11 months ago
52 minutes 57 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E47 Lost You Forever Season 2 (Episode 1 of 2): "A lot of sad weddings in this one..."

Your girls had a lot of feelings and a lot to say about the most recent installment of the Chinese drama Lost You Forever. So welcome to part one of our deep dive that starts with our overall reactions to the show. Then, we go into Cang Xuan and Xiao Yao’s complicated relationship, and especially how some of the changes in adaptation from the novel affect how it all ties together at the end.

Lit Discussed this Episode: Mayonaka Punch, The Earl Who Isn't, Love Like the Galaxy, Snowfall, Little Women (2019), Goodbye My Princess

Show Notes:

Come see us LIVE at Romance in CNY: https://romanceincny.com/

Planning for RomantiConn 2025 is already underway! ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/351611412074474/⁠⁠

You can listen to all the previous Lost You Forever episodes on your favorite podcast platforms:

  • Part 1 (no spoilers): https://www.sexlovelitpodcast.com/e35-lost-you-forever-season-1-mini-series-part-1-spoiler-free/
  • Part 2: https://www.sexlovelitpodcast.com/e36-lost-you-forever-season-1-mini-series-part-2-spoiler-filled/
  • Part 3: https://www.sexlovelitpodcast.com/e37-lost-you-forever-season-1-mini-series-part-3-spoiler-filled/


On Future SLL Episodes: Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity, and A Court of Thorns and Roses


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at ⁠SexLoveLitPodcast.com⁠; on Instagram and Threads @SexLoveLit; and on Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr; Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
11 months ago
50 minutes 39 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E46 Summertime Sparking Joy: A Pop Culture Roundup (CDrama Brain Rot Edition): "I don't know how you live like this..."

Due to circumstances entirely within our control, we interrupt your regularly scheduled SLL programming for a special summer edition of our What’s Sparking Joy: Pop Culture Round Up.  In addition to checking in about what we’ve been watching, reading, and listening to so far this year, we each share three pieces of media that continue to live rent free in our heads.

Lit Discussed this Episode: Lost You Forever Season 2 (no spoilers), Challengers, There's a Door in this Darkness, A Sign of Affection, The Princess Royal, The Bear, and The Midnight Romance in Hagwon Content Warning: Familial de*th is mentioned twice in this episode, at (26:12) and again at (48:40)


Show Notes:

Come visit Ayanni at the SLL table during RomantiConn this July! The vendors room is free to visit: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/romanticonn-2024-a-romance-author-signing-event-tickets-786820470207⁠⁠⁠ ; https://www.facebook.com/groups/351611412074474/

Other Lit Mentioned this Episode:

  • Love Between Fairy and Devil; Crash Landing on You; My Dearest; Red, White and Royal Blue; The Legend of Shen Li; Wedding Impossible; Captivating the King; Bitterblue; Silent; Romance is a Bonus Book; One Spring Night; Something in the Rain; Crash Course in Romance

On Future SLL Episodes: Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, Trope Spotlight: Forced Proximity, and A Court of Thorns and Roses


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us at SexLoveLitPodcast.com; on Instagram and Threads @SexLoveLit; and on Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr; Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
1 year ago
1 hour 5 minutes 41 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E45 Bridgerton, Season 3: "I do hope he washed his hands..." (Episode 2 of 2)

Welcome to our second episode on Bridgerton, season three! Picking up where we left off, we jump right into close reading Polin’s main sex scenes. From there, we think about what made us adore the side plots through discussion of Benedict, Francesca, and Violet’s storylines this season. 


Note: there are Bridgerton book spoilers from (37:36 - 38:14) and again from (39:27 - 39:47).


Make sure to listen to part one of our season three discussion- E44 Bridgerton, Season 3: "I need some f*replay, okay?!" (Episode 1 of 2): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sexlovelit/episodes/E44-Bridgerton--Season-3-I-need-some-freplay--okay---Episode-1-of-2-e2ldc1t/a-abd482b


Show Notes:

Come visit Ayanni at the SLL table during RomantiConn this July: ⁠⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/romanticonn-2024-a-romance-author-signing-event-tickets-786820470207⁠⁠

Hear Corinne repping for SLL over on the VoxPopCast: ⁠https://voxpopcast.com/wp/2024/06/24/e324-unpacking-bridgerton-season-3-penelope-queerness-and-fandom-reactions/⁠

Other Lit Mentioned this episode:

  • What's Sparking Joy: "Black Dog" by Taylor Swift, "Do 2 Me" by Kaytranada feat Anderson .Paak and SiR

On Future SLL Episodes: Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, and A Court of Thorns and Roses


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us on Instagram and Threads @SexLoveLit, and on Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr; Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
1 year ago
57 minutes 15 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E44 Bridgerton, Season 3: "I need some f*replay, okay?!" (Episode 1 of 2)

Members of the ton rejoice! Both halves of Bridgerton, season three have finally dropped. We had so many thoughts about this latest installment of the regency romance series that–just like Netflix–we split our conversation in two.

In this first episode, we consider the season as a whole, break down Pen and Colin’s long awaited transition from friends to lovers, and start to craft "Bridgerton, Season Three: the Corinne and Ayanni Cut."

The second part of our conversation drops on Saturday, June 29th.


Show Notes:

Come visit Ayanni at the SLL table during RomantiConn this July: ⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/romanticonn-2024-a-romance-author-signing-event-tickets-786820470207⁠

Hear Corinne repping for SLL over on the VoxPopCast: https://voxpopcast.com/wp/2024/06/24/e324-unpacking-bridgerton-season-3-penelope-queerness-and-fandom-reactions/

Other Lit Mentioned this episode:

  • What's Sparking Joy: Last Night at the Telegraph Club and Meet Yourself (Chinese Drama)
  • Because This is My First Life, My Liberation Notes, Pop Culture Happy Hour

On Future SLL Episodes: Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, and A Court of Thorns and Roses


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us on Instagram and Threads @SexLoveLit, and on Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr; Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US


Sex. Love. Literature. is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Main episodes drop the last Friday of the month.

Show more...
1 year ago
47 minutes 42 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E43 Queen of Tears (Korean Drama) (Divorce Comedy Mini-Series, Part 3)

Time for the third installment of our divorce comedy mini-series! While we didn’t initially plan to include this show, we’re talking about the recently concluded Korean drama Queen of Tears. We consider whether or not the show is actually a divorce comedy at all, how it deploys divorce in the development of the main relationship, and what about this second chance romance really resonates. We also touch on some of the other things that did–and didn’t–work for us in the drama as a whole.


Content warning: Because of the nature of the show we’re discussing, there are mentions of fictional s*icide at 9:50, 11:41, and 40:44; discussion of a fictional miscarriage starting at 43:20; and discussion of fictional terminal illness throughout.


Show Notes:

Come visit Ayanni at the SLL table during RomantiConn this July: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/romanticonn-2024-a-romance-author-signing-event-tickets-786820470207

Read Corinne’s Tumblr post on Drama Recs for KDrama Beginners: https://www.tumblr.com/sexlovelitpodcast/747784569802080256/sex-love-lit-girlies-i-watched-crash-landing-on?source=share

Other Lit Mentioned this episode: Dungeon Meshi (Delicious in Dungeon), Twenty Sided Tavern, Baulder’s Gate, Dungeons and Dragons, The Guy She’s Interested in isn’t a Guy at All; Lovely Runner, Crash Landing on You, Cinderella and the Four Knights, My Love From Another Star, Legend of the Deep Blue Sea, Gaus Electronics, Let’s Talk About Chu, Mine, Little Women, Vincenzo, The Interest of Love

On Future SLL Episodes: Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, and A Court of Thorns and Roses


Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us on Instagram and Threads @SexLoveLit, and on Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast


Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr; Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US


SLL is a podcast relishing the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in pop-culture. English academics by day and podcasters by night, hosts Ayanni and Corinne take a semi-scholarly look at why the “sex-stuff” in media matters in the bedroom—and beyond.

Show more...
1 year ago
1 hour 9 minutes 46 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E42 Dr. Cha (Korean Drama) (Divorce Comedy Mini-Series, Part 2)

Welcome to the second installment of our divorce comedy mini-series! This episode, we’re talking about the 2023 Korean Drama Doctor Cha. We get into her messy, maddening marriage, why her husband belongs in the trash, and the rewards of watching our leading lady find herself again.

Content warning: brief mention of s*icidal ideation @ 32:03


Show Notes:

Other Lit Mentioned this episode: Apothecary Diaries, Lost Your Forever, Legend of Shen Li, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Because This is My First Life, Fight for My Way, Our Blues, A Witch's Love

On Future SLL Episodes: Strangers Again, Let's Get Divorced, and A Court of Thorns and Roses

Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us on Instagram and Threads @SexLoveLit, and on Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast

Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr; Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

SLL is a podcast relishing the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in pop-culture. English academics by day and podcasters by night, hosts Ayanni and Corinne take a semi-scholarly look at why the “sex-stuff” in media matters in the bedroom—and beyond.

Show more...
1 year ago
48 minutes 14 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E41 Divorce Comedies: An Introduction (Mini-Series, Part 1)

Welcome to our mini-series on Divorce Comedies! Over the next 4-ish episodes, we’re exploring this genre that caught us off guard with how much its makes us laugh, cry, and yell divorce! In this introductory episode, rather than focus on any one show, we get into the defining features of divorce comedies, why we wanted to talk about them, and whether or not they can be counted as rom coms.


Show Notes:

Other Lit Mentioned this episode: Lost You Forever, WWE: Wrestlemania, Nettle & Bone, The Legend of Shen Li, Romance is a Bonus Book, Grace and Frankie, Crazy Stupid Love, Let's Get Divorced, 500 Days of Summer, Stranger's Again, Mine, Rinko-San Wants to Try, Be Melodramatic

On Future SLL Episodes: Dr. Cha, Strangers Again, and Let's Get Divorced, and A Court of Thorns and Roses

Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us on Instagram and Threads @SexLoveLit, and on Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast

Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr; Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

SLL is a podcast relishing the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in pop-culture. English academics by day and podcasters by night, hosts Ayanni and Corinne take a semi-scholarly look at why the “sex-stuff” in media matters in the bedroom—and beyond.

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1 year ago
41 minutes 33 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
EP40 Hadestown

"See, on the road to Hell there was a railroad line..."

It's time for a deep dive into the Broadway musical, Hadestown. We get into how the musical adapts the Grek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice & Hades and Persephone for a modern setting; the love stories–and tragedy–of the two core relationships; and the productive ambiguity of seeing it all happen on stage. 

Content Warning: Discussions of S*xual Assault from (1:06:41 - 1:14:05)

Show Notes:

Other Lit Mentioned this episode: The Story of Ming Lang, Lore Olympus, When I Arrived at the Castle, Speak, Beka Cooper Trilogy, Alanna the Lioness Quartet

On Future SLL Episodes: Divorce Comedies (featuring Dr. Cha, Strangers Again, and Let's Get Divorced), and A Court of Thorns and Roses

Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us on Instagram and Threads @SexLoveLit, and on Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast

Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr; Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

SLL is a podcast relishing the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in pop-culture. English academics by day and podcasters by night, hosts Ayanni and Corinne take a semi-scholarly look at why the “sex-stuff” in media matters in the bedroom—and beyond.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:08 Opening Banter

03:40 What's Sparking Joy

9:43 Introducing Hadestown

18:07 Characters and Plot

33:45 What We Loved about Hadestown

41:50 Is Hadestown a Successful Myth Adaptation?

44:57 The Cycle of Hadestown

49:57 Intertwined Love Stories

1:14:07 Hadestown's Other Themes

1:25:31 On the Climax...

1:31:29 Last Thoughts

1:34:56 Next time on SLL


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1 year ago
1 hour 37 minutes 44 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
E39 Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2024) with Dr. and Mr. Cooper

Corinne wasn’t feeling well this week, so Ayanni called in the cavalry. This episode, she's joined by her spouse (and friend of the show) Andrew Cooper to talk about the new action-dramedy series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. They give their general impressions, think about the series’ adaptation choices, and muse about the show’s depiction of married life. 


Show Notes:

Other Lit Mentioned this episode: Jujutsu Kaisen, Spider-man: Into the Spiderverse, Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2009), Skip and Loafer, Dungeon Meshi, Tell Me That You Love Me, Let's Talk About Chu, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Ironman, Pen15, Blue Eyed Samurai, Pluto, Atlanta

On Future SLL Episodes: Hadestown, Divorce Comedies, and A Court of Thornes and Roses

Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature! You can find us on Instagram and Threads @SexLoveLit, and on Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast

Our cover art is by Charcooll (⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/charcooll/⁠⁠). The SLL Theme music is “Pluck It Up” by Dan Henig. What’s Sparking Joy BGM is "Candy-Coloured Sky" by Catmosphere | https://soundcloud.com/ctmsphr; Released by Paper Crane Collective; Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com; Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

SLL is a podcast relishing the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in pop-culture. English academics by day and podcasters by night, hosts Ayanni and Corinne take a semi-scholarly look at why the “sex-stuff” in media matters in the bedroom—and beyond.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:07 Saying Hi to Andrew

05:51 What's Sparking Joy

15:20 Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Smith

19:54 First Impressions

24:43 Spoiler Discussion Begins

1:05:47 Coming Up on SLL

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1 year ago
1 hour 9 minutes 42 seconds

Sex. Love. Literature.
SLL is a pop culture podcast that relishes the romantic, the sexy, and the scandalous in media. Join pop culture scholars (and besties) Ayanni and Corinne as they deep dive into why the “sex-stuff” in media matters. Don't forget to subscribe to Sex. Love. Literature. on your favorite podcast platforms! You can find us on our website, SexLoveLitPodcast.com, and on Bluesky, Instagram, and Tumblr @SexLoveLitPodcast. (Love the show? Take the SLL Listener Survey! Closes April 30th, 2025: ⁠⁠https://forms.gle/AJhFuMDzjSZeTE1f8⁠)