Pigheaded and Well Read

Ethan Rowley and Nate Skidmore
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

📚 Pigheaded and Well Read is a bookish podcast where two friends dive deep into great literature. Perfect for both first-time readers and longtime fans of the novels we read. 🤠 Season 2 explores Pulitzer Prize winner Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry - episodes coming Fall 2026! Season 1 tackled East of Eden by John Steinbeck in preparation for Netflix’s 2026 limited series adaptation, with deep-dive analysis, fresh takes, and zero spoilers beyond what we’ve read. 📩 pigheadedandwellread@gmail.com 📺 Also on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok

  1. Oct 7

    East of Eden: Did Netflix Get It Right?

    Netflix’s East of Eden has finally arrived, bringing John Steinbeck’s classic novel to the screen as a new limited series. In this anticipated episode of Pigheaded and Well-Read, we dive into the Netflix adaptation and ask the big question: Did Netflix get East of Eden right? How does the Netflix series compare to Steinbeck’s original novel? What did the show change, what did it keep, and what did it leave behind? We discuss Cathy Ames, Adam and Charles Trask, Cal and Aron, Lee, Samuel Hamilton, and the themes of good and evil, free will, and timshel that make East of Eden such an enduring story. We also break down the performances, characters, major changes from the book, the show’s interpretation of Steinbeck’s ideas, and whether the Netflix series captures what makes East of Eden so powerful. Spoilers throughout for both the Netflix East of Eden limited series and John Steinbeck’s novel.

    East of Eden: Did Netflix Get It Right?

  2. May 14

    East of Eden: Teaser Trailer Reaction!

    Netflix finally dropped the East of Eden limited series teaser... and we're concerned about the direction it's heading. From the puzzling choice to reframe antagonist Cathy Ames as an empowered antihero to Netflix styled visuals that don't quite match the scale of Steinbeck's epic, we're breaking down everything that has us worried, and whether there's still reason for hope. Spoiler warning for the novel and limited series!

    East of Eden: Teaser Trailer Reaction!

  3. Jan 20

    East of Eden Read-Along FINALE: Chapters 50-55

    In this episode we cover Chapters 50-55 of East of Eden. That’s it - that’s the end of the novel. Thank you for reading along with us! Content warning: due to the nature of East of Eden’s story and characters, throughout this read-along we’ll be touching on some mature and complex themes, including but not limited to violence, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, racism, war, death, and sex work. If those topics are difficult for you, please listen with care. Like, Subscribe, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @pigheadedandwellread. You can also find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Feel free to DM us or email us at pigheadedandwellread@gmail.com (0:00) Episode Introduction and 3 Sentence Summary (4:26) Chapter 50 (15:29) Chapter 51 (30:53) Chapter 52 (38:00) Chapter 53 (42:05) Chapter 54 (44:19) Chapter 55 (52:32) Nate’s Takes! Lee the Intercessor (57:27) East of Ethan: Our most important decisions (59:36) Musings on the Novel (1:02:25) Netflix Adaptation Notes (1:08:51) Nate’s Predictions Recap (1:09:48) Steinbeck Stats (1:13:10) Wrap Up

    East of Eden Read-Along FINALE: Chapters 50-55

  4. Jan 13

    East of Eden Read-Along: Chapters 45-49

    In this episode we cover Chapters 45-49 of East of Eden. We are committed to being a SPOILER-FREE podcast. We will only be discussing what has happened through Chapter 49.  From now through January 20, 2026, join us every Tuesday for a new episode where we break down the novel chapter by chapter in preparation for Netflix's East of Eden miniseries. Next week is the season’s finale! And we’ll be breaking down Chapters 50-55. Content warning: due to the nature of East of Eden’s story and characters, throughout this read-along we’ll be touching on some mature and complex themes, including but not limited to violence, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, racism, war, death, and sex work. If those topics are difficult for you, please listen with care. Like, Subscribe, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @pigheadedandwellread. You can also find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Feel free to DM us or email us at pigheadedandwellread@gmail.com (0:00) Episode Introduction and 3 Sentence Summary (5:20) Chapter 45 (25:45) Chapter 46 (36:14) Chapter 47 (52:47) Chapter 48 (59:03) Chapter 49 (1:18:48) Nate’s Takes! (1:23:21) East of Ethan (1:26:52) Netflix Adaptation Notes (1:30:52) Steinbeck Stats (1:32:37) Nate’s Predictions and Wrap Up

    East of Eden Read-Along: Chapters 45-49

  5. Jan 6

    East of Eden Read-Along: Chapters 39-44

    In this episode we cover Chapters 39-44 of East of Eden. We are committed to being a SPOILER-FREE podcast. We will only be discussing what has happened through Chapter 44.  From now through January 20, 2026, join us every Tuesday for a new episode where we break down the novel chapter by chapter in preparation for Netflix's East of Eden miniseries. Next week we’re breaking down Chapters 45-49. Content warning: due to the nature of East of Eden’s story and characters, throughout this read-along we’ll be touching on some mature and complex themes, including but not limited to violence, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, racism, war, death, and sex work. If those topics are difficult for you, please listen with care. Like, Subscribe, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @pigheadedandwellread. You can also find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Feel free to DM us or email us at pigheadedandwellread@gmail.com (0:00) Episode Introduction and 3 Sentence Summary (4:25) Chapter 39 (25:38) Chapter 40 (32:27) Chapter 41 (47:26) Chapter 42 (50:57) Chapter 43 (1:06:55) Chapter 44 (1:20:25) Nate’s Takes! (1:23:12) East of Ethan (1:25:46) Netflix Adaptation Notes (1:30:56) Steinbeck Stats (1:32:31) Nate’s Predictions and Wrap Up

    East of Eden Read-Along: Chapters 39-44

  6. 12/30/2025

    East of Eden Read-Along: Chapters 33-38

    In this episode we cover Chapters 33-38 of East of Eden. We are committed to being a SPOILER-FREE podcast. We will only be discussing what has happened through Chapter 38.  From now through January 20, 2026, join us every Tuesday for a new episode where we break down the novel chapter by chapter in preparation for Netflix's East of Eden miniseries. Next week we’re breaking down Chapters 39-44. Content warning: due to the nature of East of Eden’s story and characters, throughout this read-along we’ll be touching on some mature and complex themes, including but not limited to violence, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, racism, war, death, and sex work. If those topics are difficult for you, please listen with care. Like, Subscribe, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @pigheadedandwellread. You can also find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Feel free to DM us or email us at pigheadedandwellread@gmail.com (0:00) Episode Introduction and 3 Sentence Summary (3:33) Chapter 33 (19:51) Chapter 34 (30:20) Chapter 35 (41:45) Chapter 36 (52:11) Chapter 37 (1:04:04) Chapter 38 (1:20:31) Nate’s Takes! (1:24:26) East of Ethan (1:28:08) Netflix Adaptation Notes (1:31:27) Steinbeck Stats (1:34:12) Nate’s Predictions and Wrap Up

    East of Eden Read-Along: Chapters 33-38

  7. 12/23/2025

    East of Eden Read-Along: Chapters 28-32

    In this episode we cover Chapters 28-32 of East of Eden. We are committed to being a SPOILER-FREE podcast. We will only be discussing what has happened through Chapter 32.  From now through January 20, 2026, join us every Tuesday for a new episode where we break down the novel chapter by chapter in preparation for Netflix's East of Eden miniseries. Next week we’re breaking down Chapters 33-38. Content warning: due to the nature of East of Eden’s story and characters, throughout this read-along we’ll be touching on some mature and complex themes, including but not limited to violence, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, racism, war, death, and sex work. If those topics are difficult for you, please listen with care. Like, Subscribe, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @pigheadedandwellread. You can also find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Feel free to DM us or email us at pigheadedandwellread@gmail.com (0:00) Episode Introduction and 3 Sentence Summary (3:02) Chapter 28 (19:48) Chapter 29 (31:06) Chapter 30 (53:01) Chapter 31 (1:02:03) Chapter 32 (1:09:33) Nate’s Takes! (1:17:59) East of Ethan (1:22:59) Netflix Adaptation Notes (1:27:48) Steinbeck Stats (1:32:23) Nate’s Predictions and Wrap Up

    East of Eden Read-Along: Chapters 28-32

  8. 12/16/2025

    East of Eden Read-Along: Chapters 25-27

    In this episode we cover Chapters 25-27 of East of Eden. We are committed to being a SPOILER-FREE podcast. We will only be discussing what has happened through Chapter 27.  From now through January 20, 2026, join us every Tuesday for a new episode where we break down the novel chapter by chapter in preparation for Netflix's East of Eden miniseries. Next week we’re breaking down Chapters 28-32. Content warning: due to the nature of East of Eden’s story and characters, throughout this read-along we’ll be touching on some mature and complex themes, including but not limited to violence, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, racism, war, death, and sex work. If those topics are difficult for you, please listen with care. Like, Subscribe, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @pigheadedandwellread. You can also find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Feel free to DM us or email us at pigheadedandwellread@gmail.com (0:00) Episode Introduction and 3 Sentence Summary (2:54) Chapter 25 (30:34) Chapter 26 (42:46) Chapter 27 (1:08:38) Nate’s Takes! (1:15:16) East of Ethan (1:20:12) Netflix Adaptation Notes (1:24:47) Steinbeck Stats (1:29:03) Nate’s Predictions and Wrap Up

    East of Eden Read-Along: Chapters 25-27
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About

📚 Pigheaded and Well Read is a bookish podcast where two friends dive deep into great literature. Perfect for both first-time readers and longtime fans of the novels we read. 🤠 Season 2 explores Pulitzer Prize winner Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry - episodes coming Fall 2026! Season 1 tackled East of Eden by John Steinbeck in preparation for Netflix’s 2026 limited series adaptation, with deep-dive analysis, fresh takes, and zero spoilers beyond what we’ve read. 📩 pigheadedandwellread@gmail.com 📺 Also on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok

Information

  • Creator
    Ethan Rowley and Nate Skidmore
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ethan Rowley and Nate Skidmore
  • Show Website
    Pigheaded and Well Read

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