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Hot and Bothered

Arts & Culture Podcasts

Hot and Bothered is all about the power of romance culture. We analyze romance novels and movies to better imagine our own happy endings. Episodes release weekly on Tuesdays. CURRENT SEASON: Hot and Bothered (Movie Edition) We make Hot and Bothered...

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United States

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Hot and Bothered is all about the power of romance culture. We analyze romance novels and movies to better imagine our own happy endings. Episodes release weekly on Tuesdays. CURRENT SEASON: Hot and Bothered (Movie Edition) We make Hot and Bothered because we are interested in the way that love stories have impacted our lives and culture. For our fifth season of the show, we’re turning our attention to romantic films. Vanessa and Hannah McGregor dig into the canon of romantic films, from Titanic to Twilight to When Harry Met Sally, (just to name a few). Every other week they do a close scene analysis of how each movie ends, always asking the question ‘what does this movie believe about love?’ SEASON 4: Live from Pemberley In Live from Pemberley, we continue our deep-dive into the classic texts of romance literature. This season we take a close look at the most famous Romance novel of all time: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Every episode, Vanessa Zoltan and Lauren Sandler read through the book, talk with experts, and ask themselves the question ‘is this still a story for our time?’ SEASON 3: On Eyre Vanessa Zoltan and journalist Lauren Sandler embark on the English class you always deserved, diving deep into Jane Eyre through the themes of power and desire. Discussions range from ideas of class and colonialism to sex and gender as Lauren and Vanessa explore the roles of oppression and inequality, empowerment and rebellion in the text. Major “Eyreheads” and first-time readers alike are invited into Lauren and Vanessa’s conversation as they grapple with this complicated work—and as they try to figure out if Jane Eyre is a book they want to pass on to their daughters, and to future generations. SEASON 2: Twilight in Quarantine You may remember BFFs Vanessa & Julia from their all-star advice giving in Hot and Bothered Season 1. In this season they’re sheltering in place in different cities, but they’re getting on the phone three times a week to read and talk about Twilight. On Twilight in Quarantine, they work their way through the Twilight saga one chapter at a time, giving brilliant well-informed advice to Stephenie Meyer’s characters along the way. Advice like: “have you considered talking to each other about your feelings?” and “maybe you shouldn’t kidnap people.” SEASON 1: Writing Romance Season one of Hot and Bothered follows ten first-time romance writers as they try to write their own romance novels. Each episode explores a particular romance trope and why we love it so much. Along the way, Julia Quinn, writer of the Bridgerton series, gives weekly assignments so listeners can follow along in the process. Season one was made in collaboration with Spoke Media. Hot & Bothered is produced by Not Sorry Productions, a feminist organization that produces podcasts, educational content, live shows, and immersive experiences with the explicit goal of addressing the spiritual needs of its participants. Through community, rigor, and ritual, we treat traditionally secular things as if they were sacred. To learn more about what we do, visit https://notsorryworks.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Ending Of: Love & Basketball

3/10/2026
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Love & Basketball. Vanessa explains the implications of the one-on-one basketball game and Hannah talks about how careers get prioritized within heterosexual relationships. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of Love & Basketball with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:30:31

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Love & Basketball

3/3/2026
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up on the courts to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Love & Basketball. This week we discuss double standards, bodies as commodities, and Title IX. We finish the episode by calling Dr. Samantha Sheppard to talk to us about women's roles in sports movies. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Hannah and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:16:11

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Ending Of: Desert Hearts (with Carmen Maria Machado)

2/24/2026
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Carmen Maria Machado analyze the ending of Desert Hearts. They discuss femme expression, the bittersweet quality of the ending, and what they would want to see in a sequel. If you'd like to join Vanessa and Carmen in Cornwall on their Rebecca pilgrimage, you can find more information about that here. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of Desert Hearts with Vanessa and Carmen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:26:06

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Desert Hearts (with Carmen Maria Machado)

2/17/2026
Vanessa Zoltan and author Carmen Maria Machado meet-up on a dude ranch in Reno, Nevada to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Desert Hearts. This week we discuss Westerns, risk as a condition for love, the 'closet' in queer media, and briefly sidetrack into Heated Rivalry discourse. We finish the episode by calling Dr. Michael Higdon to talk to us about why people went to Reno for divorce. If you'd like to join Vanessa and Carmen in Cornwall on their Rebecca pilgrimage, you can find more information about that here. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Carmen and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:56:13

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Ending Of: The Princess Bride

2/10/2026
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of The Princess Bride. They discuss violence as an expression of love and Buttercup's passivity. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of The Princess Bride with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:28:59

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The Princess Bride

2/3/2026
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up at The Cliffs of Insanity to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about The Princess Bride. This week we discuss frame narratives, parental vs. romantic love, and why literally everyone loves this movie. We finish the episode by calling Dr. Thomas Doherty to talk to us about the legacy of Rob Reiner. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Hannah and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:01:55

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Ending Of: The Wedding Singer

1/13/2026
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of The Wedding Singer. They discuss grand gestures and how well Billy Idol aged. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of The Wedding Singer with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:28:55

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The Wedding Singer

1/6/2026
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up in New Jersey to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about The Wedding Singer. This week we discuss Adam Sandler's star power, the importance of silly bits, and the cultural construction of beauty. We finish the episode by calling Dr. Deborah Anthony to talk to us about the history of marital surname changes. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Hannah and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:04:43

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Ending Of: White Christmas

12/30/2025
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of White Christmas. They discuss 50's nostalgia and why ballerinas are 'Christmas' coded. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of White Christmas with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:25:12

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White Christmas

12/23/2025
Happy holiday season! We're interrupting our mini-season on the wedding industrial complex to bring you our (now) annual holiday movie. Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet at an inn Vermont to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered about White Christmas. This week, we discuss the trope of the 'tricky Jew', minstrelsy, and nostalgia. We finish the episode by calling Dominic Broomfield–McHugh to talk about the connection between this movie and President Eisenhower. --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus scene study from Vanessa and Hannah about White Christmas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:20:00

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Ending Of: Bridesmaids

12/16/2025
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Carvell Wallace analyze the ending of Bridesmaids. They discuss Helen's questionable taste level, the way the film frames romantic love vs. friendship, and how class performance constrains emotion. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of Bridesmaids with Vanessa and Ariana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:34:57

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Bridesmaids

12/9/2025
Vanessa Zoltan and Carvell Wallace meet in Milwaukee to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Bridesmaids. This week we discuss female friendship, class politics, and The Hangover. We finish the episode by calling Nick Marx to talk to us about how SNL movies get made. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Ariana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:03:22

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The Best Man

12/2/2025
Vanessa Zoltan and Dr. Simone Drake meet at an NYC bachelor party to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about The Best Man. This week we discuss Black movies of the 90s, the Moynihan Report, and movie soundtracks. We finish the episode by calling Tyler D. Parry to talk to us about jumping the broom. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Ariana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:50:56

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Ending Of: My Big Fat Greek Wedding

11/25/2025
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. They continue to discuss the movie's relationship to 'tackiness' as well as the promised future for Ian and Toula's daughter. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of My Big Fat Greek Wedding with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:30:05

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My Big Fat Greek Wedding

11/18/2025
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up at Dancing Zorbas to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about My Big Fat Greek Wedding. This week we discuss Canadian multiculturalism, "tackiness", and the cultural construction of whiteness. We finish the episode by calling Susan Katz Miller to talk to us about interfaith families. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Hannah and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:04:15

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Ending Of: The Wedding Planner

11/11/2025
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of The Wedding Planner. They discuss Matthew McConaughey's masculinity, the role of dancing in the movie, and the how important it is to wear a helmet. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of The Wedding Planner with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:32:22

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The Wedding Planner

11/4/2025
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up at an outdoor movie in Golden Gate Park to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about The Wedding Planner. This week we discuss the leading man's declaration of love, anxieties particular to the early 2000s, and Lauren Berlant's concept of Cruel Optimism. We finish the episode by calling Karen Dunak to talk to us about wedding ceremonies. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Hannah and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:00:51

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Ending Of: My Best Friend's Wedding

10/28/2025
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of My Best Friend's Wedding. They interrogate the constraints of monogamy and introduce a new segment to the show where they ask 'does this movie hate women?' Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of My Best Friend's Wedding with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:26:33

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My Best Friend's Wedding

10/21/2025
It's time for our next mini-series of Hot and Bothered, all about The Wedding Industrial Complex. Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up on a Chicago River tour to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about My Best Friend's Wedding. This week we return to our on-going conversation about post-feminism – can a woman in the 90s truly have it all? We finish the episode by calling Zoe Hendon to talk to us about royal wedding dresses. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Hannah and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:01:02:05

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Introducing: When We All Get to Heaven

10/15/2025
Co-founder of Not Sorry, Ariana Nedelman, has a new podcast project out today! When We All Get to Heaven is a 10-episode series that tells the story of one of the first gay-positive churches, the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco, and how it faced the personal, social, and political trials of the AIDS epidemic, including the deaths of hundreds of its members. The series is releasing over on Slate's Outward podcast and the second episode is already out. Subscribe to Outward to hear the whole series! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:26:34