182 episodes

After years of wide-eyed blogging about the surreal 1980s perfection of Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High book series (and the surprising psychodrama that lurks below the town's perfectly-tanned surface), host Marissa Flaxbart is now forcing people to read the series with her.

But beyond its obsession with the ubiquitous-yet-obscure book series, SWEET VALLEY DIARIES is a podcast about nostalgia — '80s nostalgia in particular — and the ways this nostalgia can (spectacularly, hilariously) fail us. It's a riotous cultural conversation about which parts of the past we long for and which ones we want to leave behind for good. It's about friendship, honesty, and learning to speak your truth in the face of a boyfriend-stealing cheerleader or an evil triplet. It's all the life lessons you could ever hope to learn from two size-6, blonde-haired, aqua-eyed, identical 16-year-old twins. Strap in.

Sweet Valley Diaries Marissa Flaxbart

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 7 Ratings

After years of wide-eyed blogging about the surreal 1980s perfection of Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High book series (and the surprising psychodrama that lurks below the town's perfectly-tanned surface), host Marissa Flaxbart is now forcing people to read the series with her.

But beyond its obsession with the ubiquitous-yet-obscure book series, SWEET VALLEY DIARIES is a podcast about nostalgia — '80s nostalgia in particular — and the ways this nostalgia can (spectacularly, hilariously) fail us. It's a riotous cultural conversation about which parts of the past we long for and which ones we want to leave behind for good. It's about friendship, honesty, and learning to speak your truth in the face of a boyfriend-stealing cheerleader or an evil triplet. It's all the life lessons you could ever hope to learn from two size-6, blonde-haired, aqua-eyed, identical 16-year-old twins. Strap in.

    SUPER STAR: BRUCE'S STORY w/Jack & Tanner

    SUPER STAR: BRUCE'S STORY w/Jack & Tanner

    Oh-h My-y God, we've got an EXTREMELY special episode at long last! As only the Super Star books can, BRUCE'S STORY brings you a ridiculous Sweet Valley Saga from the POV of one of its richest and least likable characters. Bruce Patman (or, if you prefer, "Pac-Man") sits at the center of this one, looking really dumb but in a way that's unsettlingly...endearing? Maybe? STRANGE BEDFELLOWS co-hosts and past chaos-agent guests Jack Shepherd and Tanner Greenring are back to help us see the real Bruce at last.


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    • 1 hr 26 min
    Mini Extra-Drama #80: Double the Sweetness

    Mini Extra-Drama #80: Double the Sweetness

    Don't forget about the Reader of the Month letter from book 80!


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    • 8 min
    Episode #80: THE GIRL THEY BOTH LOVED

    Episode #80: THE GIRL THEY BOTH LOVED

    It's another mis-titled misadventure of random characters, and this time All Time Favorite guest Don Flaxbart is here to simultaneously despise the book and read deep into the twisted heart of its male lead. A thrilling, dirt-bike filled mega finale to Season 8 of Sweet Valley Diaries!


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    • 1 hr 30 min
    Extra #79: Maybe Elizabeth Isn't the Best Character Judge

    Extra #79: Maybe Elizabeth Isn't the Best Character Judge

    Bryanna McGeough joins Marissa again and shares her criteria for choosing with Sweet Valley books to read and her personal tales of being an Elizabethan high school journalist. Plus, Reader of the Month for October 1991!


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    • 18 min
    Book #79: THE LONG-LOST BROTHER

    Book #79: THE LONG-LOST BROTHER

    What could be worse than having a twin brother who stole a car? For Sarah Eastborne, the answer is: that twin brother getting clean, being released from his rehab facility, and coming to live with you. Social worker and BSC/SVH reader Briana McGeough joins us to discuss this book, which also shoehorns in some info about 12-step programs.


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    • 1 hr 5 min
    Extra Drama #78: Jackson's Funtime Fashions

    Extra Drama #78: Jackson's Funtime Fashions

    Claire and Marissa explore the dreamworld of Jessica Wakefield. Plus, a particularly lyrical Reader of the Month essay. Come along, if you choose!


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    • 20 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
7 Ratings

7 Ratings

RD8123 ,

Perfect WFH podcast

Found this on the podcast recommendations on the Go Fug Yourself website and it’s great! Thank you 😀

Amethyst Beloved ,

Blast from the Past

As a 90s girl I was devoted to the BSC but my older cousin passed down her SVH books to me and I immersed myself in the picture perfect world of the Wakefields that was submerged in drama. There were some holes in her collection so I was especially excited to discover this podcast via the BSCC podcast. Marissa is a bubbly host and she spoils us with great guest stars who never fail to carry out a colourful conversation about the books and extra drama. Looking forward to Season 3!

HGBites ,

Perfect for any 80s/90s kid who was obsessed with SVH/SVT

This podcast had a license plate, that plate would be 1SWEETVALLEYDIARIES1 that's how awesome it is. If you ever read the SVT or SVH books, this podcast is a must listen for you.

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