Advertise on podcast: Put Your Books Down

If you put a corpse in a deep freeze for nine months, can you still claim you're just a sweet, misunderstood people-pleaser? In this episode of Put Your Books Down, hosts Natalie Sanderson Jones and Angela Bingham dive headfirst into Richard Linklater's 2011 dark comedy Bernie, starring Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey.     The duo debates whether the real-life funeral director Bernie Tilden was a genuine victim who snapped under intense pressure or simply a calculating grifter exploiting wealthy Texas widows. They unpack Jack Black's standout performance, dissect the townspeople's shockingly lenient moral compass, and explore the bizarre real-life legal twists that followed the film's release.     Tune in for a hilarious, energetic breakdown of true crime, small-town dynamics, and incredible movie moments.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Angela's Website:  https://angelabingham.net/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

Sometimes you just need to put your books down and ask: When did reality TV contestants become "stars"? Natalie Sanderson Jones and Angela Bingham kick back for a full-on pop culture catch-up covering the new Dancing With the Stars lineup, Julia Stiles' return to the dance conversation, and the increasingly questionable definition of celebrity.     They also dive into celebrity ghost stories, including Loretta Lynn and Harry Hamlin's bizarre haunted-hotel engagement story. Then it's on to Sister Wives, the latest family shakeups, and why Angela remains inexplicably invested in a show she admits is incredibly boring.     Natalie also shares her reaction to Ryan Murphy's gruesome Lizzie Borden series, her personal battle with misophonia-inducing sound effects, and her new strategy for sharing every hilarious movie and TV clip she remembers without opening YouTube every five seconds. Plus, they revisit Amy Poehler's memorable conversation with Robert De Niro and hear from listeners who actually went and watched the movies they recommended.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Join Angela's Kickstarter Here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/angelabingham/help-angela-bingham-make-her-new-record     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Angela's Website: https://angelabingham.net/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

What happens when a teenage valley girl is chosen to save the world from vampires? Apparently, she gets cramps, killer reflexes, fabulous clothes, and absolutely zero parental supervision. Natalie Sanderson Jones and Angela Bingham revisit the gloriously bizarre 1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie and discover that it may be even more entertaining now than it was back then.     They talk Kristy Swanson's iconic Buffy, Luke Perry's peak-Dylan energy, Donald Sutherland's extremely questionable trench-coat introduction, David Arquette's surprisingly creepy vampire, and the unforgettable Paul Reubens death scene. Along the way, they unpack the movie's very 90s approach to teenagers, adult situations, fashion, boundaries, and the complete absence of concerned parents.     Then the conversation takes a detour into Practical Magic 2, Sandra Bullock's comeback, and the kind of female-powered movie Natalie wishes Hollywood would make. It's nostalgic, ridiculous, surprisingly thoughtful, and exactly the kind of pop-culture therapy Put Your Books Down was made for. Grab your favorite 90s memories and come laugh with Natalie and Angela.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Join Angela's Kickstarter Here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/angelabingham/help-angela-bingham-make-her-new-record     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Angela's Website: https://angelabingham.net/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

What do you get when you mix Ryan Gosling, Sandra Bullock, murder, thumb rings, bad hair, and one deeply disturbing baboon? Somehow, you get a comfort movie.   Natalie Sanderson Jones and Angela Bingham put their books down and dive into Murder by Numbers, the 2002 psychological thriller starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Gosling, and Michael Pitt. They unpack the movie's deliberately confusing plot, the shifting power dynamic between its two teenage killers, and the unmistakable psychological and erotic tension lurking beneath the murder plot.     They also revisit the movie's very early-2000s fashion and hair choices, Sandra Bullock's tough-cop persona, the film's Hitchcockian influence, and the real-life Leopold and Loeb case that inspired the story.     Plus, they debate Ryan Gosling's early acting chops, the movie's bizarre baboon subplot, why this isn't really a traditional whodunit, and why Murder by Numbers somehow works as the perfect Saturday-afternoon comfort thriller. It's nostalgic, ridiculous, surprisingly thoughtful, and exactly the kind of movie discussion you expect from Put Your Books Down.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Join Angela's Kickstarter Here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/angelabingham/help-angela-bingham-make-her-new-record     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Angela's Website: https://angelabingham.net/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

Nobody asked for these opinions, which is exactly why Natalie and Angela absolutely had to share them.     In this hilarious episode of Put Your Books Down, the co-hosts unleash their fall 2026 hot takes on everything from overused "narcissist" diagnoses and the obsession with being busy to backing into parking spaces, outrageously loud restaurants, QR-code menus, and the emotional-support water bottle epidemic. They debate whether brunch is overrated, whether everyone who makes one fancy chicken recipe qualifies as a foodie, and why zucchini noodles will never, ever be pasta.     Then things get a little deeper as Natalie and Angela tackle "protect your peace," spiritual bypassing, forgiveness, relationships, and the idea that you don't have to forgive someone just because you want to heal. Of course, there's plenty of pop culture shade along the way—including opinions on Beyoncé, Ryan Reynolds, Leonardo DiCaprio, Keke Palmer, Goodfellas, and more.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

Matthew McConaughey walked into Little Rock, and Natalie walked out with enough Hollywood stories to fill a book—and naturally, she put the book down!     On this episode of Put Your Books Down, Natalie Sanderson Jones gives Angela Bingham the inside scoop on seeing McConaughey in person at the Arkansas Cinema Society's Filmland event. They dig into his career, from Dazed and Confused and Mud to A Time to Kill, Interstellar, The Wolf of Wall Street, Dallas Buyers Club, and True Detective. They unpack McConaughey's "launch pad lines," his one-take performances, his approach to rom-com characters, and the creative process behind some of his most memorable scenes. They also debate his Oscar-era career transformation, his friendship with filmmaker Jeff Nichols, Greenlights, and Natalie's favorite McConaughey movie, Killer Joe.     Plus, they discuss what it felt like to see a major Hollywood star bring his stories and creative process to Little Rock. Expect plenty of movie nostalgia, celebrity culture, laughs, and the kind of pop culture deep dive that makes Put Your Books Down so much fun.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

Pop culture meets hilarious chaos as Natalie and Angela throw Hollywood's biggest names onto a fictional Survivor island—and the results are anything but predictable.     This week on Put Your Books Down, Natalie Sanderson Jones and Angela Bingham kick things off by swapping favorite book recommendations before diving headfirst into a wildly entertaining game of Celebrity Survivor. From Pamela Anderson and Walton Goggins to Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Martin Short, Stanley Tucci, and Colman Domingo, every celebrity must be voted off, saved, or chosen as the ultimate island companion.     As the game escalates, nothing is off limits. Kid actors, infamous criminals, horror villains, and iconic movie bad guys all make unexpected appearances, leading to ridiculous debates, questionable survival strategies, and nonstop laughs. It's the perfect blend of humorous commentary, pop culture references, and shared personal stories that makes every episode feel like hanging out with your funniest friends.     If you love celebrity debates, ridiculous hypotheticals, and laughing at completely unnecessary arguments, this episode is for you.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

A week of pop culture, hilarious recommendations, and one absolutely unbelievable bat story proves that laughter really is survival mode.     After a much-needed summer break, Natalie and Angela reunite to catch up—and Natalie shares the unbelievable reason she's currently receiving a series of rabies shots after an unexpected encounter with a bat. Once the shock wears off, the conversation shifts toward the movies, TV shows, comedians, and stand-up specials that helped them laugh through difficult weeks. From The Invite and Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey to Robbie Hoffman, Larry David, Neil Brennan, Louis C.K., Mike & Molly, and more, the hosts dive into TV & film analysis, humorous commentary, and plenty of personal recommendations. Along the way, they celebrate the joy of laughing together in a crowded movie theater and remind us why comfort entertainment still matters.     If you need your next binge-watch, comedy special, or feel-good distraction, this episode has you covered.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

Pop culture nostalgia doesn't get much bigger—or funnier—than revisiting the night 46 music legends somehow shared one recording studio without complete chaos.     Originally released in February 2024, we're bringing back one of our favorite conversations in this special reprise episode.     Natalie and Angela revisit Netflix's The Greatest Night in Pop and relive the unforgettable recording session behind "We Are the World." From Michael Jackson's quirky songwriting habits and Lionel Richie's hilarious behind-the-scenes stories to Prince's absence, Quincy Jones' impossible task of managing dozens of superstar egos, and the unforgettable personalities that filled the room, this episode celebrates one of the most iconic moments in music history.     The hosts mix humorous commentary, behind-the-scenes trivia, and plenty of laughs as they discuss legendary performances, awkward celebrity moments, surprising friendships, and the unforgettable magic that happened during one extraordinary night in 1985.     Whether you grew up with "We Are the World" or you're discovering the documentary for the first time, this reprise episode is packed with nostalgia, music history, and classic Put Your Books Down fun.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

Would you ever keep a 7-foot Komodo dragon in a studio apartment? In this episode of Put Your Books Down, co-hosts Natalie Sanderson Jones and Angela Bingham dive headfirst into HBO Max's docuseries Chimp Crazy and the wild world of exotic pet obsession.     Serving up their signature humorous commentary, the duo offers sharp TV & film analysis on the viral docuseries while dissecting the dangerous delusion of trying to domesticate wild animals like chimpanzees and tigers.     Through shared personal stories & generational perspective, Natalie  reflects on her late rescue dog, Pete, contrasting true pet bonds with the tragic hubris of wild animal hoarders. Plus, the co-hosts clean the slate with a heartfelt tribute to national treasure Dolly Parton, share behind-the-scenes stories of playing live music with her, and wrap up with a reminder to respect nature.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

Natalie and Angela are joined by superfan Jane for a hilarious deep dive into HBO Max's unforgettable Neighbors episode, "Yellow Thong Bikini." What starts as a quirky story about a free-spirited neighbor quickly spirals into one of the most bizarre hours of television they've ever watched. From awkward neighborhood confrontations and nudist colonies to questionable dating choices and unforgettable reality TV moments, the trio breaks down every shocking twist with their signature humorous commentary and plenty of laughs.     Along the way, they debate where personal freedom ends, whether Danny deserves sympathy, and why this episode somehow becomes impossible to stop watching. Expect outrageous opinions, shared personal stories, plenty of side tangents, and more than a few moments where everyone wonders, "Did that really just happen?"     If you love TV & film analysis, ridiculous documentaries, and conversations that go completely off the rails, this episode belongs at the top of your playlist.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

Pop culture nostalgia, horror movies, and lifelong friendships collide in one hilariously chaotic conversation you won't forget.     Natalie and Angela welcome Natalie's longtime friend Jane for an episode packed with laugh-out-loud stories, unforgettable New York memories, celebrity encounters, scary movie obsessions, and decades of friendship. From bartending in Manhattan and brushing shoulders with famous faces to surviving bedbugs, ghost stories, questionable movie choices, and horror-film marathons, nothing is off limits. Along the way, the trio shares hilarious personal stories, debates classic horror films, revisits nostalgic favorites like Top Gun, Poltergeist, and Friday the 13th, and even tries to help Jane find love. It's equal parts humorous commentary, friendship therapy, and TV & film analysis wrapped in the signature Put Your Books Down energy.     If you've ever laughed until you cried with your best friends or bonded over movies that still haunt you decades later, this episode is for you.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

If pop culture had a midlife crisis, this movie would be its therapist—and its worst nightmare.     This week, Natalie Sanderson Jones and Angela Bingham dive headfirst into The Substance, the wildly disturbing, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional film starring Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid. What starts as a movie review quickly becomes a candid conversation about aging, beauty standards, self-worth, body image, and why women are often taught to believe their value has an expiration date.     The hosts unpack the film's unforgettable body horror, debate its deeper meaning, laugh through some truly outrageous scenes, and explore how Hollywood, celebrity culture, and society shape the way women see themselves. Along the way, they share personal stories about confidence, cosmetic procedures, self-acceptance, and learning to appreciate every version of yourself.     If you love TV & film analysis, honest conversations, and a healthy dose of humorous commentary, this episode is equal parts insightful, hilarious, and unforgettable.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

Pop culture nostalgia hit different when your "kids' movies" casually handed you lifelong emotional damage.     Natalie and Angela revisit the devastating films and TV episodes that somehow became comfort rewatches for an entire generation. From My Girl and The NeverEnding Story to Little House on the Prairie, they unpack why children of the '80s and '90s willingly returned to stories that left them sobbing.     Along the way, they dive into humorous commentary about Macaulay Culkin crushes, Michael Landon obsessions, and whether emotional resilience was secretly built through fictional trauma.     Was it character development... or collective generational conditioning? Either way, we're laughing through the tears.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com

Nothing says pop culture nostalgia quite like revisiting the movie that accidentally traumatized half of Generation X and Millennials.     This week on Put Your Books Down, Natalie Sanderson Jones and Angela Bingham revisit the 1993 cult classic Fire in the Sky—the "based on a true story" alien abduction thriller that left viewers sleeping with one eye open. The duo unpacks the infamous Travis Walton case, debates whether they would actually believe a loved one claiming to have encountered extraterrestrials, and revisits the horrifying abduction scene that still ranks among the most disturbing moments in TV and film analysis.     As if UFOs weren't enough, Natalie launches an impromptu Unsolved Mysteries segment featuring the bizarre "Rain Man" case involving spontaneous indoor downpours, demon theories, and Robert Stack nostalgia.     Join Natalie and Angela for humorous commentary, generational perspective, and the kind of viral-culture rabbit holes that remind us why sometimes the smartest thing you can do is put your books down.     👉 Subscribe to Put Your Books Down 👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube 👉 Follow us on social @putyourbooksdown 👉 Check out our website here:        https://putyourbooksdown.com     Watch the show on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb18ywHqVOG_d2BKfy_-XS3MaDi6dz6s7     Follow Put Your Books Down on social media:     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/putyourbooksdown     Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/putyourbooksdown/     Natalie on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/nataliecsandersonjones/     Angela on IG:  https://www.instagram.com/angelabinghamofficial/     Podcast produced by http://clantoncreative.com