Kris and Mads

Kristen and Maddie
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We’re Kris and Mads—sisters, readers, and the creators behind a thriving book and screen club that explores the stories that shape us. On this podcast, we deep dive into the books we’re reading, the shows and films we’re watching, and the bigger themes behind the stories we love. We interview authors, talk with fellow creators, and share honest conversations about storytelling, creativity, and what it means to live a full, meaningful life. Our mission is simple: Share meaningful stories. Seek what matters most. Be joyfully authentic. And empower people to be free and aim high.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    The Great War (WWI) Overview - Part 2

    In case you missed it, check out Part 1 here:    • The Great War (WWI) Overview - Part 1  While we are mostly a fiction-loving show, the more we read classics and historical fiction, the more we want to know the context of what really happened. One HUGE gap we have is the First World War, a.k.a. the Great War. Lucky for us, Mitch loves to read nonfiction history books and listen to history podcasts and has been amassing knowledge for like 20 years! He's joining us for a three-part series on the war to give us a little insight and fill in those gaps, so we can be prepared and knowledgeable going into our other fiction reading. Plus, our favorite fiction author of all time, J.R.R. Tolkien, fought in the First World War, so this gives us some insight into the lives of authors as well.Hope this episode is fun, approachable, and entertaining, and that you'll join us again next week as we wrap up in Part 3!Timestamps0:00 - Intro1:41 - Recap of Part 12:47 - Germany invades Luxembourg4:58 - The Beginning of the War21:35 - The First Battle of the Marne26:45 - The Hells of WW129:03 - Propaganda32:04 - What happened to the bodies?35:08 - What everyone else is up to37:25 - Power struggle in Germany42:23 - In Austria47:41 - The Ottoman Subplot50:46 - 191554:44 - Mental health & mindset of soldiers1:02:00 - In the trenches1:03:32 - Tipping the scales (The Battle of 1915)1:09:05 - What’s happening on the Eastern front?1:13:36 - Going into 19161:14:44 - Germany breaks the rules1:17:32 - The US gets involved1:23:50 - The Sinking of the RMS Lusitania1:29:09 - 19161:33:30 - 19171:37:35 - Wrap-upBook Referenced for this overview:The Sleepwalkers by Christopher ClarkThe World Remade by G. J. MeyerStorm of Steel by Ernst Jünger A World Undone by G. J. MeyerTrench by Stephen BullLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club:   / krisandmadssisterhood  Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  This episode was edited by Daniel Pena: https://danielpena.carrd.co#booktube #HistoryBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #worldwar1 #thegreatwar #historypodcast

    1hr 40min

  2. 17 MAR

    New Media and The Good Story Guild with Kyle Prue

    This interview was made possible by ‪@GoodStoryGuild‬ in partnership with their project In Media Res, a full-cast podcast story, nominated for the Ambie Awards. Thanks so much to The Good Story Guild and Kyle Prue for making this episode possible!We're so honored to chat with ‪@kyleprueofficial‬, the star of In Media Res from ‪@GoodStoryGuild‬. This full-cast drama podcast was nominated for the Ambie Awards for good reason! We loved listening to it and discovering this new form of storytelling. Tune in for a peek behind the curtain of bringing this project to life, and get to know Kyle better as a creative across mediums, from books, to television, and voice acting! Timestamps0:00 - Intro1:04 - The Ambies!2:30 - About ‘In Media Res’13:12 - Kyle’s Background17:16 - Audiobooks19:42 - Kyle’s Book Recs24:00 - The acting process on ‘In Media Res’35:05 - Reminiscing on the project38:12 - Kyle’s upcoming projects39:53 - Kyle’s 2 Truths & 1 Lie48:54 - Impersonations!51:35 - Wrap-upYou can check out In Media Res for FREE anywhere you listen to your podcasts!In Media Res Trailer:    • In Media Res - Trailer  In Media Res on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5JiCDwh...Check out the other projects from The Good Story Guild:https://goodstoryguild.co/listenConnect with Kyle here: https://www.instagram.com/kyleprue/?h...https://kyleprue.com/Check out his YouTube show Rabbit here:    • RABBIT EPISODE ONE: BREAK MY NOSE  Check out Kyle's book "How to Piss Off Men" here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-...Other Books Mentioned:Butter by Asako YuzukiThis Is Your Mind on Plants by Michael PollanOn Beauty and Being Just by Elaine ScarryThis episode was edited by Daniel Pena: https://danielpena.carrd.coLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club:   / krisandmadssisterhood  Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #BookClub #Reading #Books #NewMedia #KylePrue #InMediaRes #goodstoryguild

    52 min

  3. 13 MAR

    The Great War (WWI) Overview - Part 1

    This is usually a fiction-loving channel, but the more we read classics and historical fiction, the more we want to know the context of what really happened. One HUGE gap we have is the First World War, or the Great War. Lucky for us, Mitch loves to read non-fiction history books and listen to history podcasts and has been amassing knowledge for like 20 years! He's joining us for a three-part series on the war to give us a little insight and fill in those gaps, so we can be prepared and knowledgeable going into our other fiction reading. Plus, our favorite fiction author of all time, J.R.R. Tolkien, fought in the First World War, so this gives us some insight into the lives of authors as well.Hope this episode is fun, approachable, and entertaining, and that you'll join us again next week as we dive into Part 2!Timestamps0:00 - Intro3:02 - What we already know about WW16:32 - Where to start with WW1 (Pre-War Context)7:37 - Here’s why you should care about WW113:00 - Setting the stage (The Major Players)17:51 - What classifies a “World War”? 19:34 - What started The Great War (The Murder of Franz Ferdinand)29:37 - The Central Powers: The Austrian-Hungarian Empire33:29 - The Central Powers: Germany43:14 - The Allied Powers: Russia46:08 - The Allied Powers: France52:40 - Initial Aftermath of Ferdinand’s murderBook Referenced for this Deep Dive:The Sleepwalkers by Christopher ClarkLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club:   / krisandmadssisterhood  Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  This episode was edited by Daniel Pena: https://danielpena.carrd.co#BookTube #HistoryBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #worldwar1 #thegreatwar #historypodcast

    1hr 14min

  4. 5 MAR

    all the books we read in feb

    Is Maddie in her first EVER reading slump? We gotta get her some 5-star reads in March, or at least make her cry! Overall, Kristen had an AMAZING reading month, rating four books 5 stars! We have lots of books to discuss in this episode across genres. Grab your tea and a sweet treat for this one!Timestamps0:00 - Intro1:05 - Our February Reads3:24 - Maddie’s Reading Slump9:03 - A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin14:41 - The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow17:00 - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 21:28 - Extremity by Nicholas Binge23:12 - I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman 26:41 - ACADIA by Sterling Nixon31:30 - Cibola Burn/Nemesis Games/Babylon’s Ashes by James S.A. Corey35:34 - Pachinko by Min Jin Lee42:22 - Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones49:14 - The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky53:51 - Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte58:08 - Wrap-up!Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club:   / krisandmadssisterhood  Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  This episode was edited by Daniel Pena: https://danielpena.carrd.co#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

    1hr 1min

  5. 25 FEB

    Kris and Mads Reading Starter Pack

    Welcome back, readers! 📚✨In today’s podcast episode, we’re creating the ultimate Reader Starter Pack — a guide designed to help you fall in love with more genres and get the most enjoyment out of your reading life.We’re breaking down 12 popular book genres and sharing:✔️ the best entry-level book to start with✔️ the book you can work your way up to once you’re ready✔️ how to approach each genre so you don’t feel overwhelmedWhether you’re new to reading, trying to expand beyond your comfort zone, or building your next TBR, this episode gives you a clear path into fantasy, classics, sci-fi, literary fiction, romantasy, and more.Think of this as your roadmap to becoming a well-rounded reader — without forcing yourself through books you’re not ready for yet.Timestamps0:00 - Intro0:54 - Our Starter Pack!2:52 - Historical Fiction6:43 - Romantic Historical Fiction8:51 - Fantasy: Start Here!15:31 - Fantasy: Don’t Start Here…19:20 - Dystopian25:43 - Contemporary Fiction29:48 - Magical Realism36:21 - Lit Fic43:05 - Memoirs48:49 - Classics54:33 - Romantasy1:00:33 - Sci-Fi1:06:40 - Techno-Thrillers1:10:15 - Wrap-UpBooks Mentioned The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Pachinko by Min Jin Lee The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion Outlander by Diana GabaldonShowdown and Bone and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Blood over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins The Broken Earth trilogy by N. K. Jemisin Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Secret History by Donna Tartt The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young V. E. Schwab The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen ChboskyIntermezzo by Sally Rooney Green Lights  by Matthew McConaugheyMan’s search for Meaning by Viktor FranklLittle Women by Louisa May AlcottEast of Eden by John SteinbeckSerpent and the Wings of Night Sarah J Maas Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, Crescent City Red Rising by Pierce Brown Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio Techno ThrillerArtificial Wisdom by Thomas WeaverDark Matter by Blake CrouchAscension by Nicolas Binge Favorite: Silo by Hugh HoweyLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhoodHave a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  Post production provided by Doppler Cow Studioshttps://dopplercowstudios.com#BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

    1hr 13min

  6. 19 FEB

    What if reading gets boring?

    In this episode, we're coming at you like a defibrillator for your reading habit, to revive your passion for stories, in case you're in a reading slump! It can happen. Sometimes we read too much of the same thing, and it all starts to run together. That's when switching up genres, or reading something in your favorite genre that breaks the mold, is perfect! We've got ten book recommendations for you today, across genres. These books were able to subvert our expectations, do something fresh, and hook us! If you're headed toward a slump or want something to have on hand when it comes, we hope this list helps you out.Timestamps0:00 - Intro0:53 - Why we need Slump-busters3:41 - 11/22/63 by Stephen King10:45 - The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie17:03 - The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower23:54 - The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin30:55 - I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harper37:15 - Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild40:39 - The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig44:56 - Ghosts by Dolly Alderton48:16 - Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wong51:33 - Ascension by Nicholas Binge54:13 - Wrap-upLet’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club:   / krisandmadssisterhood  Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

    55 min

  7. 12 FEB

    Romance Book Recs!

    It's time to talk about spicy books...and more mild ones too. We're finally broaching the romance genre. What do we like? What do we hate? Which ones actually do it for us? And why!In this episode of the Kris and Mads Podcast, we’re talking about the love stories that go far beyond meet-cutes and tropes. Yes, we joke about sex (because obviously), but at the heart of this episode are powerful, unconventional romance book recommendations that explore enduring love, self-discovery, sacrifice, healing, and second chances.These are love stories that linger. Stories about choosing each other again and again. About intimacy, vulnerability, and connection — emotional and physical. Whether you love romance, literary fiction, fantasy with romantic elements, or books that blur genres, these recommendations are for readers who want big feelings and meaningful love stories.If you’re looking for romance books with depth, unconventional love stories, or book recommendations about healing, longing, and transformative relationships, this episode is for you.Books Mentioned by Category:SELF DISCOVERYAlone With You in the Ether by Olivia Blake Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid TRANSCENDENT LOVEThe Invisible Life of Addie Laure By V.E. Schwab Masters of Death by Olivie Blake The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon JimenezSECOND CHANCE HEALINGSeven Days in June by Tia WilliamsHappy Place by Emily Henry SACRIFICIAL LOVESense and Sensibility by Jane Austen The Wolf Den by Elodie HarperMORE THAN ONE LOVEThe Lost Queen by Signe Pike Outlander by Diana GabaldonCONTEMPORARY ROMANCE First Time Caller by B.K. Borison Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club:   / krisandmadssisterhood  Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music, which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books

    1hr 6min

  8. 4 FEB

    January Reading Wrapup: STARTING BIG SCI-FI & FANTASY SERIES

    We started reading some chunky sci-fi and fantasy series in January, and had such a good time! We're embracing the "quality over quantity" mantra this year, and that means fewer books, but hopefully bangers only! Off to an amazing start with these series: A Song of Ice and Fire, The Expanse, Stormlight Archive, Malazan, and Hierarchy! And we had time for a couple stand-alones too.BOOKS MENTIONEDThe Midnight Feast By Lucy FoleyLeviathan Wakes, Caliban’s War, and Abaddon’s Gate(Books 1-3 of the Expanse Series)By James S. A. CoreyThe Way of KingsBy Brandon SandersonGardens of the MoonBy Steven EricksonStrength of the FewBy James IslingtonStonerBy John WilliamsGame of ThronesBy George R. R. MartinTimestamps0:00 - Intro2:00 - Getting into our January reads!3:10 - Our new Patreon Spreadsheet4:03 - The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley12:20 - The Expanse Series by James S.A. Corey25:27 - The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson37:02 - Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erickson43:41 - The Strength of the Few by James Islington49:29 - Stoner by John Williams54:26 - A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin1:05:30 - Wrap up!Let’s connect!Join our Patreon read-and-watch club this month for Wuthering Heights:   / krisandmadssisterhood  Have a business inquiry? Email our manager: nancy@farq-media.comTikTok:   / kris.and.mads  Instagram:   / krisandmads  All our other links are here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.madsTo check out our brother C.Ray's music which we use in all our episodes, you can find him here:   / @seerayhardly  #BookTube #FantasyBooks #BookClub #Reading #Books #stormlightarchive #malazan #theexpanse #asongoficeandfire #gameofthrones

    1hr 8min
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About

We’re Kris and Mads—sisters, readers, and the creators behind a thriving book and screen club that explores the stories that shape us. On this podcast, we deep dive into the books we’re reading, the shows and films we’re watching, and the bigger themes behind the stories we love. We interview authors, talk with fellow creators, and share honest conversations about storytelling, creativity, and what it means to live a full, meaningful life. Our mission is simple: Share meaningful stories. Seek what matters most. Be joyfully authentic. And empower people to be free and aim high.

Information

  • Creator
    Kristen and Maddie
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Kristen and Maddie
  • Show Website
    Kris and Mads

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