The Blume Saloon: A Judy Blume Book Podcast

The Blume Saloon

A hilarious and nostalgic journey through all the Judy Blume books, hosted by Jody Worthington and Alison Michael. With Scotch-fueled dramatic readings and deep dives into '70s and '80s nostalgia, boobs, boners, and bullies, this show ain't for kids.

  • 58 minutes 50 seconds
    246. Courtney Love
    "Beginner's Love," chapter 17. Norma Klein's 1983 YA novel is going off the rails and we're here for it. Berger and Ingrid "play doctor" and he reveals his secret with a truly bananas twist. Meanwhile Joel has the worst birthday imaginable thanks to an ill-advised card from Leda. Seriously, what were you thinking, Lee?! Molly and Jody talk about Courtly Love, laundry tips, and frenemies. Thank you to Blume Head Angela for a great letter! It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week! 
    10 December 2025, 1:08 am
  • 57 minutes 10 seconds
    245. When We Grow Up...
    "Beginner's Love," chapter 16. Folks, we tried to make this one a Thanksgiving shorty with one chapter, but in true Molly and Jody fashion, we somehow filled an hour! Joel and Leda go cowgirl and have another post-coital misunderstanding. And we STILL don't know if Leda is pregnant. Molly presents a David Niven Special Report, and Jody reveals the latest *crystals* discovery from Kleinstein. Last but not least, thank you to Blume Heads Jill and Dawn for their truly outrageous Yearbook Club entries. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week! 
    26 November 2025, 2:06 am
  • 1 hour 19 minutes
    244. Yearbook Club
    "Beginner's Love," chapters 14-15. Hope you don't mind this one being a real yap-fest, y'all! Jody and Molly read through this 1983 Norma Klein YA novel and discuss egg babies, Jody's ancient stash, and Molly's online beefs – with a couple vintage teen pregnancy PSAs thrown in. In the book, Berger finally meets his lady doctor and cusses out the PE teacher, while Joel learns that Leda is... LATE. Tune in for the usual dramatic readings, listener letters, and lively discussion. And don't miss our new segment, "Yearbook Club!" It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!
    12 November 2025, 3:04 am
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    243. A Boing-Boing Spring
    "Beginner's Love," chapters 12-13. Molly and Jody immerse themselves in Norma Klein's YA novel about sexual awakening in 1983. Leda frees the nipple for Joel's fam, Angelica cries over her nun-addled past, and Berger thinks he's found his lady doctor. Jody and Molly talk about diaphragms, Girl Scouts, and a visit to Judy's (and Sally's!) childhood home in Miami Beach. Thank you to Blume Heads Lisa, Attia, and Anonymous for their great letters! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!
    29 October 2025, 12:00 am
  • 57 minutes 4 seconds
    242. Volitional Faculties
    "Beginner's Love," chapter 11. In this 1983 Norma Klein novel, Joel and Dad visit Yale and do weird things in the hotel room, Leda lives her best drag nun life, and Berger sets himself up for a lifetime of prank calls. Join Molly and Jody as they do dramatic readings, talk about antiquated psychiatric diagnoses, and solve a perplexing Joy of Sex mystery. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!
    14 October 2025, 11:42 pm
  • 52 minutes 39 seconds
    241. Foartin and Fawkin and Foightin
    "Beginner's Love," chapter 10 (sorry, we yapped too much before getting to chapter 11). Join Jody and Molly as they analyze this juicy Norma Klein 1983 novel, in which Joel and Leda enjoy their boneymoon with a side of laundry. We listen to vintage ads and chat '80s Happy Meal toys, post-boning movies, and diaphragms. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!
    30 September 2025, 3:35 am
  • 1 hour 27 minutes
    240. Show PJs
    "Beginner's Love," chapters 8-9. Well, folks, we finally made it to the big sleepover in this 1983 Norma Klein novel about first-time S-E-X. Berger plans a future with his lady Doogie Howser, Mom and Dad shred their friend group, and Joel and Leda score a home run. Molly and Jody talk about diary snooping, high school prudes, and ghost art. Molly presents a fascinating Special Report on The Joy of Sex. Thank you to Blume Head Geniene for her Age Gap Yap, and to Kleinstein for our latest look into the mysterious life of Norma. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!
    9 September 2025, 8:59 pm
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    239. Bivalve Curious
    "Beginner's Love," chapters 6-7. It's getting a tiny bit steamy in this 1983 Norma Klein novel about first love, age gaps, and getting lost at Simon and Garfunkel. Jody and Molly scrutinize Joel and his antics, Dad and his defenses, and Danny's summer reading. There's dramatic readings, vintage ads, and another installment of our Para-Norma Investigations. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week! 

    *** This episode contains discussions of suicide and mental illness. If you'd like to skip it, head to our main book discussion at the 15:00m mark.
    19 August 2025, 8:46 pm
  • 59 minutes 55 seconds
    238. Lassie Bligen
    "Beginner's Love," chapters 4-5. Molly and Jody amble through this 1983 Norma Klein teen romance AND kick off their "Para-Norma Investigation" thanks to an anonymous tipster. Meanwhile, Joel and Leda touch tongues, Berger dispenses bad advice from his cigarette bed, and Hopie gets exactly what she wants. The gals talk Inferiority Complexes, glasses makeouts, humans with dog names, and perform radio plays. It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!
    5 August 2025, 3:50 am
  • 57 minutes 23 seconds
    237. Unnecessary Analysis
    "Beginner's Love," chapters 2-3. It's starting to get a li'l weird and uncomfy in this 1983 YA classic by Norma Klein (what else did we expect?!). Joel might be a robot, Leda makes an unprecedented move, and Hope is ELEVEN. Molly and Jody perform dramatic readings and learn all about Salome, that lusty wench. Thank you Lisa W. for her Special Report on gulls! It's a (sometimes) Judy Blume book club. Join us every other week!
    15 July 2025, 5:35 am
  • 1 hour 21 minutes
    236. Wounded Water Buffalo
    "Beginner's Love," chapter 1! Welcome to 1983, a world of minivans, Chicken McNuggets, Return of the Jedi, and Norma Klein of course! Molly and Jody highlight the pop culture, music, TV, movies, and noteworthy inventions of that epic year and plunge into the first chapter of this racy YA novel. Join us for dramatic readings, nostalgia, comedy, and a couple wise moments here and there. Thank you Blume Heads Lisa B. and Attia for their amazing letters! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!
    8 July 2025, 4:53 am
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