Épisodes

  • Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

    Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
    Sep 16 2025
    In this episode, Jennifer and Courtney celebrate the power of trans visibility with a discussion of Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (starting around the 58 minute mark). Before lifting up this groundbreaking YA urban fantasy, they confront the devastating and recent gun violence and the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death—naming the hateful rhetoric he and the MAGA movement have fueled for far too long.

    Sources:    Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
    Rewards, Reviews, Challenges
    Parents of children killed in Annunciation Catholic school shooting speak out - ABC News
    Evergreen High School shooting victims remain hospitalized; one's condition improves
    Charlie Kirk shooting suspect is in custody. Here's what we know about the investigation. - CBS News
    Sean Watmore Poetry
    Tyler Robinson: Groyper, Nick Fuentes | Charlie Kirk Shooter
    Charlie Kirk has a history of violent and bigoted rhetoric. He was the first guest on California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s podcast. | Media Matters for America
    Murder and Extremism in the United States in 2022 | ADL
    Far-right anti-immigration protests in London lead to clashes with police | CNN
    Tommy Robinson Invokes Charlie Kirk's Murder For Major Far-Right Rally - Newsweek
    Two Black Men Found Hanging in Mississippi Hours Apart
    6 HBCUs Were On Lockdown Following ‘Terroristic Threats’ After Charlie Kirk’s Death
    From Lynchings to “Alligator Alcatraz”: Smiling at Suffering in the Name of God and Country
    Teachers face discipline for Charlie Kirk comments | Jacksonville Today




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    1 h et 19 min
  • Blackbirds in the Sky by Brandy Colbert

    Blackbirds in the Sky by Brandy Colbert
    Sep 12 2025
    In this week’s episode, Jen and Courtney review just a few of today’s overwhelming—and unacceptable—world events before turning the discussion towards the Tulsa Race Massacre and Blackbirds in the Sky by award-winning author Brandy Colbert. (The book discussion starts around the 39 minute mark.)World topics range from the Gaza-bound Flotilla, who refuse to be intimidated by Israeli drone strikes as they attempt to deliver food, baby formula, and medicine to besieged and deliberately starved Palestinians, to the “Unconscionably Irreconcilable” SCOTUS decision permitting the racial profiling of Hispanic people. See sources below for more topics discussed. Please note: This episode was recorded on September 9, 2025—before the death of Charlie Kirk. We will discuss this in our next full episode. Sources:Palestinian authors grapple with a wave of censorshipBuy Blackbirds in the Sky by Brandy ColbertThat in turn led to Lee asking: “Do you know what the Tulsa race massacre is?” McMahon replied: “I’d like to look into it more.”Why Trump’s ‘anti-woke’ attack on the Smithsonian matters | Kimberlé Crenshaw and Jason Stanley | The GuardianFootage shows second claimed attack on Greta Thunberg Gaza flotillaChristian Smalls (United States) - Freedom FlotillaOperation Warp Speed - WikipediaTrump calls Florida's vaccine mandate elimination a 'tough stance' | Fox NewsTrump's 'Chipocalypse Now' is no joke, though it absolutely sounds like oneTrump rebrands Department of Defense as Department of War Hundreds of struggling Arkansas farmers ask federal government to save themBefore-and-after photos show changes Trump has made to the White House decor, so far‘Most expensive gardeners in history’: What the National Guard are doing in DCBaltimore Mayor Brandon Scott discusses how the city has brought violent crime downJudge Rules that Trump Deployment of National Guard to LA was IllegalSotomayor Blasts Supreme Court's 'Unconscionably Irreconcilable' Decision - NewsweekSupreme Court lifts restrictions on LA immigration stops set after agents swept up US citizens - OPBU.S.-born American citizen under ICE hold in Florida after driving from GeorgiaMore than 300 Koreans detained by ICE at Georgia Hyundai plant heading home - CBS NewsTrump vowed to deport the 'worst of the worst' -- but new data shows a shift to also arresting non-criminals - ABC News"Undocumented immigrants have substantially lower crime rates than native-born citizens and legal immigrants across a range of felony offenses."NRA says it opposes idea of banning transgender Americans from owning guns | CNN PoliticsMap of Countries That Have Stopped Weapons Exports to Israel - NewsweekUAE warns White House that Israeli annexations could unravel Abraham AccordsExplainer-Was the deadly US attack on the Venezuelan vessel legal? By ReutersThe Voice of Hind Rajab - Where to Watch and Stream - TV GuideBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/moms-into-literary-freedom--6617805/support.
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    1 h et 13 min
  • JR Episode: When Aidan Became a Brother (and an Alligator Gender-Reveal!)

    JR Episode: When Aidan Became a Brother (and an Alligator Gender-Reveal!)
    Aug 22 2025
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    Jennifer and Courtney look for rainbows in the storm of LGBTQ+ erasure stirred up by the bloated orange Fanta himself. From rainbow-chalk resistance at the Desantis-erased Pulse memorial to lawsuits torching the unconstitutional bans on gender-affirming care—and, because it’s Florida, an alligator and Jello gender reveal—they spotlight resilience, resistance, and joy, topped off with a heartwarming read of When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff and Kaylani Juanita.


    Regarding the recent court ruling about Florida’s Book Banning/Don’t Say Gaw Law:
    • On August 13, 2025, a federal court struck down key parts of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” HB 1060 law, saying books can’t be banned just for including LGBTQ+ content.
    • That doesn’t automatically put books like When Aidan Became a Brother back on shelves, but it gives parents, students, and teachers stronger legal ground to fight for them.
    • It’s a big reminder of why intellectual freedom matters and why students should be able to read diverse stories.
    • Action step: Check with your child’s school media specialist—do they have this book? If not, ask them to get it!


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    42 min
  • Fired for Being an Ally: An Interview with Miss Annie!

    Fired for Being an Ally: An Interview with Miss Annie!
    Aug 19 2025
    Join the MILFia!

    Courtney and Jen sit down with @missannie.schoolcounselor to hear her story about being fired for being an ally. How dare Miss Annie give LGBTQ students a sense of belonging and self worth?! From imposter syndrome to feminist nuns, they dive into the messy intersections of faith, education, and advocacy—proving that creating safe spaces for kids is always worth the fight.

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    40 min
  • Is AOC Our Coin? The Mockingjay Dilemma

    Is AOC Our Coin? The Mockingjay Dilemma
    Jul 29 2025
    Join our Patreon so we can start a monthly Book Club!

    Get ready for the third and final Hunger Games episode. Courtney and Jennifer have already compared Panem to America, President Snow to Netanyahu/Trump, and now it's time to draw some parallels between President Snow and AOC…Yes, they went there.

    Using The Mockingjay (Book 3 of Suzanne Collins’ YA dystopia) as a lens, they explore performative leadership and the complicated dynamics of rebellion by trying to make sense of AOC's most recent vote in favor of defensive military aid to Israel. Do today's "disruptive" political figures mirror the Capitol’s tactics more than they’d like to admit?

    Sources:
    Why Did Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Vote Against Cutting US Aid To Israel? NYC Rep Issues ExplanationCongressional Democrats criticized for wearing Kente cloth at event honoring George Floyd | CNN Politics2 Israeli startup entrepreneurs played roles in rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | The Times of Israel

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    1 h et 3 min
  • Cankles, Coldplay, and "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

    Cankles, Coldplay, and "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins
    Jul 18 2025
    Join our Patreon so we can start a monthly Book Club!

    Courtney and Jennifer have a lot to catch up on — from Trump’s cankles and Netflix’s “woke” reboot of The Babysitter’s Club to the chaos of K-Pop Demon Hunters and the great Coldplay scandal of 2025 (don’t worry, they have opinions).

    But things get serious when they dive into the heart of this episode: a raw, unapologetic comparison between President Snow, the fictional fascist of The Hunger Games, mass-murder, Benjamin Netanyahu and our very own fascist-in-chief, Donald Trump.

    Using Catching Fire (Book 2 of Suzanne Collins’ YA dystopia) as a lens, they explore themes of propaganda, collective punishment, media control, and the weaponization of fear — and what happens when truth becomes a casualty of power.If you're ready for dystopian fiction meets disturbing reality (with a side of pop culture chaos), this episode is for you.

    Donate to AT LEAST one of these GoFundMes


    Show Notes:
    Netflix’s Baby-Sitters Club Stuck to the Books by Staying Woke | Observer
    Advocates Warn Arizona Woman Could Die of Cancer If She’s Not Released from ICE Jail Democracy Now!
    Donald Trump's Biggest Allies Split With Him Over Jeffrey Epstein - NewsweekIsrael-Palestine war: Why fans are comparing the new Hunger Games film to the war in Gaza | Middle East Eye
    Trump Administration Will Burn 500 Tons of Food Meant to Feed 1.5 Million Children
    Trump's Cankles
    Trump Denies Graphic Epstein Letter by Saying He's 'Never' Doodled. Then His Past Drawings Resurface
    MAGA Church Leader Charged with Sexually Abusing Children - Newsweek
    Book Banner Faces Child Molestation Charges15-year-old boy ended up in Alligator Alcatraz | Miami Herald

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    1 h et 36 min
  • Do YOU know Ruby Bridges? 'Cause the US Sec. of Ed does NOT

    Do YOU know Ruby Bridges? 'Cause the US Sec. of Ed does NOT
    Jul 11 2025
    Join our Patreon page so we can do monthly book clubs!

    In this episode, Courtney and Jennifer talk about Ruby Bridges (and how the Secretary of Education/Human Garbage Pail did not know who she is), tacky coffee mugs, gun control, Trump's $6B Ed funding freeze, Norman Rockwell, the KKK, and Lexus-driving white moms drinking coffee (its all connected, we swear). Subscribe to the @MILF4Books YouTube page to see the terrible mug Courtney is drinking her coffee from.
    • A woman who called a Black child a slur has raised a backlash but also thousands of dollars |
    • AP NewsLinda McMahon Doesn't Know About Tulsa Or Ruby Bridges?
    • Parents criticize Ruby Bridges book in debate over CRT, Tenn. curriculum
    • Frazzled about Education: What the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Means for Education and Families
    • School Funding Map Shows States Most Impacted by Trump Freeze - Newsweek
    5 Star Story! Gov. Stein vetoes anti-DEI and transgender rights bills in North Carolina | AP News




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    55 min
  • The Hunger Games Might Not be Dystopian

    The Hunger Games Might Not be Dystopian
    Jun 24 2025
    IMPORTANT EDIT AT THE END
    What if dystopia isn’t just fiction? While “dystopia” means an imagined world, the themes in The Hunger Games—oppression, inequality, and state control—feel eerily familiar in our real world. From Venezuela distributing food only to government loyalists, to North Korea’s blackout zones outside Kim Jong Un’s elite capital, to the U.S. tax code favoring the ultra-wealthy under legislation like Trump’s “Big Egregious Bill”—real-life echoes of Panem are everywhere. In this episode, Jen and Courtney explore how The Hunger Games mirrors reality—and why that might be the reason it’s one of the most frequently challenged books of this century. Tune in and decide for yourself.

    Sources

    Edit: Courtney describes Katniss as a tribute from District 11, we know she is actually from District 12, but Courtney is a New Hunger Games fan, so give her grace. ;)

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    1 h et 14 min