It’s December 19th, and the holiday movie delusion is at an all time high so i’m doing a holiday audit of the Christmas movie tropes we keep romanticizing every year, from the big city girl who “finds herself” in a small town to the unrealistic miracles that only exist in fake snow.
We’re talking classics like Home Alone, staples like The Holiday, and the newer Netflix gems that somehow recycle the same sweater in different fonts.
So grab a drink, stop refreshing your tracking number, and settle in.
The Zero-Effort Escape is finally here! Adena is officially too tired to discover new things this December, so she's leaning into the chaos and celebrating the Accidental Aesthetic of being cozy and lazy. This episode is your permission slip to stop stressing and re-embrace familiar comfort media that requires exactly zero brain cells. Join me for the ultimate soft escape and quietest comforts this week. Zero effort required.
This episode is me slowly gliding into December. Not quite a Christmas episode yet, but the energy is creeping in. Today, I am sharing some of the stories that shaped me. The childhood books and movies that built my imagination and raised me more than I will ever admit. Enid Blyton. Babysitters Club. Goosebumps. Parent Trap. Home Alone. All the fun stuff that take me back to cozy memories.
Think of this as a soft December reset. A gentle reflection before the holiday episodes begin. If you love nostalgia comfort and a little Christmas whisper, this one is from me to you 🫶
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I reread Sweet Valley High book 7 “Dear Sister” and let me tell you; this book is pure mayhem from start to finish. I talk about the characters, the drama, the unhinged moments and why this story hits very different as an adult. If you grew up on Sweet Valley or you love classic teen books this episode will feel like a throwback and a reality check at the same time.
New listeners this one is a perfect place to start🫶
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@firsttimeagainpod
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Diving back into Sweet Valley High book three “Playing With Fire” with adult brain commentary, because apparently I can’t stay away.
We talk about teenage drama, retro romance, and how the 1980s YA culture still resonates in 2025.
Whether you're here for book discussions, revisiting your childhood favorites, or you just love storytelling podcasts, this one is for you. Let's explore the hilarious characters, the manipulation, heartbreak,
....and the abomination that is Bruce Patman.
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Instagram: @adenasphere
In this episode, we revisit Sweet Valley High: Double Love, the book that introduced many of us to high-school drama, identical blonde twins, and the wild chaos of the Wakefield universe.
I reread this iconic Y2K-era classic with adult eyes and wow… too many things hit different.
I talk nostalgia, a misjudged affair, teen drama, twists, character tropes, and whether this book still holds up today.
If you grew up reading Sweet Valley High or love revisiting childhood books, movies, and shows, this is your cozy throwback.