While Juneteenth marks the delayed announcement of freedom for enslaved Black Americans, this episode explores what freedom looked like in the generations that followed, and how systems of labor, control, and survival continued to shape everyday life.

Lara shares the story of her great-grandmother, who worked in a strawberry field under harsh conditions, earning little pay while living in an environment that reflected the complexities of post-emancipation life. Through this reflection, she connects history to lived experience, highlighting resilience, endurance, and the quiet strength of Black women.

This episode also weaves in Lara’s current writing journey, as she begins to tell a loosely inspired romance story rooted in her family’s legacy, honoring not just what her great-grandmother endured, but how she lived, loved, and built a life within those realities.

This conversation is about more than history. It’s about memory, legacy, and the stories we carry forward.

Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and sit with this moment of reflection.

This episode was lit. ✨

Together, we discuss burnout, creativity, publishing pressure, women’s friendship, emotional healing, and what it means to return to yourself after life quietly breaks you apart.

We also dive into:

• Scarlett’s emotional journey throughout the novel
• The realities of writing and publishing
• Why Trina’s friendship is one of the book’s strongest relationships
• Ryan is the ultimate “book boyfriend.”
• Mental health, ambition, and rebuilding after burnout
• The paperback release is coming this June

As someone who doesn’t typically gravitate toward romance-heavy books, I was surprised by how deeply this story resonated with me — especially its conversations around identity, exhaustion, and starting over.

If you love emotionally layered stories about creativity, healing, friendship, and second chances, this episode is for you.

Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and join the conversation.

Inspired by the life and love story of her grandmother, Lara shares why she decided to begin writing a loosely based romance novel rooted in memory, legacy, and emotional truth. She reflects on the process of turning personal history into storytelling, the vulnerability that comes with it, and the desire to honor a story that deserves to be felt, not just remembered.

Lara also opens up about joining a writers’ group in Raleigh, North Carolina, what she hopes to learn from being in community with other writers, and the reality of starting something without having it all figured out.

This episode is about more than writing. It’s about healing, growth, and answering the quiet call to create.

If you’ve ever felt pulled to tell a story, this conversation is for you.

Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and join Lara as she shares the beginning of her writing journey.

This episode was lit. ✨

Through personal reflection and insights inspired by Nedra Glover Tawwab and her work in Set Boundaries, Find Peace, this episode unpacks the connection between perfectionism, boundaries, and self-worth.

Lara reflects on the pressure to perform, the fear of not getting it right, and the emotional cost of constantly trying to meet unrealistic expectations, especially in a world shaped by comparison and visibility.

This episode also includes accessible mental health resources and a curated Community Library of self-help books to support your journey toward a more aligned, less pressured life.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to be perfect to be enough; this conversation is for you.

Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and give yourself permission to just be.

This episode was lit. ✨

Through personal reflection and insights from Rest Is Resistance by Tricia Hersey, this episode explores the importance of rest, boundaries, and redefining productivity.

Lara also shares accessible mental health resources and a Community Library of books focused on healing and self-care.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or disconnected. This episode is for you.

This episode was lit. ✨

Whether you’re planning to attend or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode breaks down everything you need to know: from author panels and book signings to navigating the event like a pro and making the most of your experience.

Lara shares what she’s most excited about, how to prepare, and why events like BookCon are so important for building connection in a space that’s often experienced alone.

You’ll also hear insights pulled from the official FAQs, tips for first-time attendees, and ways to engage with the community — even if you’re not there in person.

If you’ve ever wanted to step deeper into the book world, this episode is your guide.

Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s talk BookCon.

This episode was lit. ✨

Set in an elite boarding school, The Academy explores what it means to enter new spaces and navigate identity, ambition, and social dynamics while trying to stay true to yourself. Lara reflects on the characters we root for, the ones we side-eye, and the universal experience of figuring out who we are when everything around us is new.

In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, this episode also highlights author Axie Oh and the importance of supporting culturally rich, emotionally grounded storytelling.

Plus, Lara shares a curated Community Library featuring dark academia and elite school reads like Babel, Ace of Spades, and The Secret History.

Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and join the conversation on identity, belonging, and becoming.

This episode was lit. ✨

In this cozy, reflective episode, Lara Ashley takes you inside her home library, shelf by shelf: sharing the stories behind her collection, what she’s loving, what she needs to read next, and where she’s learning to slow down.

From a romance shelf that’s almost full (and a reminder to read before buying more), to banned books, graphic novels like Lore Olympus, and nostalgic favorites like Harry Potter and Amari and the Night Brothers, this episode is a personal walk through a reader’s life.

Lara also shares her love for cozy fantasy (Legends & Lattes), thrillers, holiday reads, and the books that have shaped her, including memoirs like The Truths We Hold and her own unpublished novel, which holds a special place on her shelf.

This episode is about more than organizing books; it’s about reflecting on identity, growth, and the stories we choose to keep close.

If you’ve ever looked at your bookshelf and seen a version of yourself staring back, this one’s for you.

Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and come spring clean with me.

This episode was lit. ✨

In this Mardi Gras-themed episode, Lara Ashley explores how power operates behind polished facades, why ambition can both intoxicating and exhausting, & what it means to take off the masks we wear in our careers & relationships. She reflects on how the book’s exploration of legacy, money, & reinvention mirrors the spirit of Mardi Gras: indulgence, performance, & the reflection that comes before a reset.

Grab your favorite drink, settle in & enjoy a thoughtful Fat Tuesday read that lingers long after the celebration ends.

In this episode, Lara Ashley unpacks why stories like Lights Out work so well as escapism, the appeal of morally gray characters, & why it’s okay to enjoy red flags in fiction while still wanting healthy love in real life.

Grab your favorite drink, settle in, & let’s talk about romance that’s definitely not for the faint of heart

Lara Ashley shares how this book found her at the end of 2025, why it felt like the perfect story to open the podcast with, & what made Mina such a compelling and unforgettable heroine. Together, we explore themes of sacrifice, quiet bravery, compassion & the power of questioning the stories we’ve always been told.

Grab your favorite drink, get comfortable & settle in-this episode is lit.

In this soft launch episode, I’m stepping bending the mic to finally start something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time. No guests, no scripts; just me, sharing why this podcast exists, what will explore, & what finally pushed me to stop planning and start recording.

Whether you’ve been waiting to start something of your own, or you’re just here for the books-this one’s for you.