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Crystal pears, a mysterious family orchard, and the first love who returns fourteen years later. Author Ann Adams joins Sarah and Julie to talk about Under the Orchard’s Spell, her cozy fall romance blending magical realism, family secrets, grief, and a second chance at love.Ann shares the real Hood River pear orchard that inspired the setting, why Ali and Logan’s shared history changed the love story, and how her agent’s suggestion transformed a contemporary romance into a magical one. Under the Orchard’s Spell publishes October 6, 2026, from Dell.BOOK DETAILS & RETAILER OPTIONS:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/808106/under-the-orchards-spell-by-ann-adams/MORE FROM SUSPENDERS UNBUTTONED MEDIA:https://unbuttonedmedia.us/Subscribe for conversations with the authors, actors, and creators behind the stories you love.Tell us in the comments: What makes a book feel like fall to you?

Julie Gonzalo and James Trevena join Sarah from Suspenders Unbuttoned Media to talk about A Knight to Remember, making a fantastical romance feel real, laughing through filming, and the challenges of playing a knight in armor.We also discuss what they recognize in their characters and what they wish for audiences watching this magical love story.A Knight to Remember premieres Saturday, October 3, at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel and streams the following day on Hallmark+.Subscribe to Suspenders Unbuttoned Media for more conversations with actors, authors, and the people behind your favorite stories.#AKnightToRemember #JulieGonzalo #JamesTrevena

What does it take to make a school dance feel like a turning point for nearly everyone in the room?Director Alysse Leite-Rogers joins Sarah and Julie to take us behind her episode of Netflix’s *Crew Girl*, “Anatomy of a Fall Formal.” She shares how she met the cast at a lunch-hour dance party, planned the formal’s many overlapping story beats, and used camera movement, lighting and pace to bring its quieter romantic moments to life.Later, we revisit a Nathan and Elizabeth scene she directed for *When Calls the Heart*, including the wonderfully chaotic story behind its dreamy sunset shot.We also talk about her work on *Private Eyes West Coast* and *1874*.**Note:** This conversation discusses story moments from *Crew Girl* Episode 5.Watch *Crew Girl* on Netflix, and tell us which moment from “Anatomy of a Fall Formal” stayed with you.Subscribe to Suspenders Unbuttoned Media for more conversations with the people who bring your favorite stories to screen.

Actor, writer and producer Kristi Murdock joins Sarah and Julie to talk about making A Proper Christmas in her hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina. She shares how a British pub she worked at in Los Angeles inspired the film’s food and family traditions, why she wanted love stories for multiple generations, and how a personal loss shaped the movie’s honest portrayal of grief and hope. Kristi also takes us behind the scenes of Christmas Treehouse, her upcoming UPtv movie with Thomas Maden, and explains what creates believable chemistry with a scene partner. From starting out as an extra on Dawson’s Creek to writing, producing and starring in her own Christmas movie, this is a conversation about taking the leap and making room for more stories.The Christmas Treehouse premieres Thursday, December 17, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET on UPtv. A Proper Christmas is headed to streaming, with its platforms and release date still to be announced.Subscribe for more unbuttoned conversations with the people behind TV, film and books. Follow Kristi: https://www.instagram.com/kristi__murdock/ More from Suspenders Unbuttoned Media: https://unbuttonedmedia.us/

Filmmaker and author Kimber Leigh joins Sarah and Julie to talk about Echo: Conversations Across Consciousness, her nonfiction book shaped by months of conversations with AI. Kimber shares why she first resisted the technology, what changed her mind, how she separated her voice from the guide's, and why the title came from a cat she met on a Hawaii shoreline.The conversation also follows Kimber's storytelling across books, film, photography, and Pick It Up America. What can a new perspective reveal about our own stories? And where does the human voice remain essential?Tell us in the comments: Has a tool, conversation, or creative practice ever helped you see a familiar experience differently?📚 Echo: https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Conversations-Consciousness-Kimber-Leigh-ebook/dp/B0HHPWQG3X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CLW45VEABKQP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N4_adNAr4RJ7PgSm4lPEVrxugKTT2Oej9OkzspDOom96IzhLOmkUKyI89v8zPe2v.iUy22SPNR9Kdqg6AtSVm1FSFyFY6YzV02dsMweZqPqA&dib_tag=se&keywords=echo+kimber+leigh&qid=1790170973&sprefix=echo+kimber+leigh%2Caps%2C209&sr=8-1🔗 More from Suspenders Unbuttoned Media: unbuttonedmedia.us🎧 Listen to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suspenders-unbuttoned-media-entertainment-interviews/id1637868286

Does The Love Hypothesis preserve the characters, chemistry and romantic-comedy feeling that made Ali Hazelwood’s novel so popular? Sarah and Julie share a spoiler-conscious review of the Prime Video adaptation from the perspective of both readers and romance fans. We’re discussing the academic setting, fake-dating tension, costumes, spice level and thoughtful details included for book readers. We also explore the film’s warm rom-com energy, Olive and Anh’s friendship, and whether the necessary book-to-screen changes still preserve the heart of the original story. The Love Hypothesis begins streaming September 23 on Prime Video. What detail from the book were you most hoping to see onscreen? Share it in the comments—but please keep the discussion spoiler-conscious! Subscribe to Suspenders Unbuttoned Media for unbuttoned conversations and coverage of television, film, books and the creators bringing stories to life. **All photos and viedoes courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios**

The Minnesota State Fair has famous foods, fierce traditions, historic buildings, prize-winning art, and hundreds of thousands of visitors—but in Alec Fischer’s new documentary, the fair itself becomes the main character. In this episode, Alec joins Sarah and Julie to discuss THE FAIR, an observational feature documentary filmed over three years. With no formal interviews or archival footage, the film carries viewers through one full fair day, including the preparation before the gates open, the energy of the crowds, quieter moments among workers and animals, and the nightly reset after visitors leave. Alec explains how his team researched approximately 500 possible storylines, secured rare access to spaces cameras had not previously entered, and maintained editorial independence while collaborating with the Minnesota State Fair. The conversation travels through baking judging, crop art, historic architecture, handmade food, hidden gems, and the fair’s unique ability to unite urban and rural Minnesota. Julie also puts Alec through the essential Minnesota questions—from Pronto Pups to favorite buildings—and shares a little of her own blue-ribbon baking history. Follow THE FAIR at thefairdocumentary.com and @thefairdocumentary on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Join the newsletter through the film’s website for future festival, theatrical, and screening announcements.

What if you could watch a Christmas movie on a bus and then step into the real location where it was filmed?Producer Andrew Gernhard joins Ken and Deb Mayfield of Mayfield Tours to take Sarah and Julie behind the scenes of their immersive Christmas Movie Road Trips. They share how Deb's love of holiday movies sparked the original idea, why Andrew became the perfect storytelling partner and how screenings, filming locations, local restaurants, surprises and special guests turn a bus tour into a true fan experience.Explore Mayfield Tours and current trip information: https://www.mayfieldtours.com/Learn more about Andrew Gernhard and Synthetic Cinema International: https://www.syntheticcinema.com/Subscribe to Suspenders Unbuttoned Media for unbuttoned conversations with the actors, writers, authors and creatives behind the stories audiences love.

Anthony Jollett has built a life across business, film and music, but one idea connects it all: purpose.In this candid conversation with Sarah and Julie, Anthony opens up about surviving Synanon, building a people-first company, training as an actor, producing independent film and turning his own story into deeply personal music. He also shares the meaning behind “He Chose Love,” why creativity became a necessary outlet and what fatherhood taught him about doing hard things while still feeling afraid.Content note: This episode includes discussion of childhood trauma, violence, addiction, coercive control and forced medical procedures.Learn more about Tony by visiting https://linktr.ee/tonyjollett

Alvina August and Nathan Witte are falling into friendship, fall fun and possibly love in Hallmark Channel's Falling Into Place. We spoke with the stars about Kaia and James's unfinished fall bucket list, why an established friendship gave their romance room to develop naturally and what makes these two characters worth cheering for. They also shared what it was like working with Hallmark favorites B.J. Harrison, Stephanie Bennett and Geoff Gustafson during the movie's fast 12-day shoot. At the heart of the story is a timely reminder to slow down, put away the phone and ask whether the life moving so quickly around us is still the life we genuinely want. Falling Into Place premieres Saturday, September 12 at 8/7c on Hallmark Channel and streams the next day on Hallmark+. What is still waiting on your fall bucket list? Tell us in the comments! Subscribe to Suspenders Unbuttoned Media for more unbuttoned conversations with the actors and creatives behind television, film and books. #FallingIntoPlace #HallmarkChannel #AlvinaAugust

What happens when your college rival ghosts you... then turns up six years later as your Dungeon Master? Author Lenora Woods joins Sarah and Julie to talk about her new romance Level Up for Love, a fall-ready rivals-to-lovers story that blends contemporary romance with the fantasy world of Dungeons & Dragons. Lenora takes us inside Reagan and Wesley's complicated second meeting, the vampire-inspired D&D campaign at the heart of the story, writing flawed characters, building romantic tension through gameplay, and why fantasy and contemporary romance don't have to live in separate worlds. We also talk about found family, sisterhood, pop culture influences, the return of vampires, and why rivals-to-lovers may just be Lenora's favorite romance dynamic.📚 Level Up for Love by Lenora Woods is available September 8. Subscribe to Suspenders Unbuttoned Media for more unbuttoned conversations with the authors and creatives behind the stories we love.

K. L. Speer joins Suspenders Unbuttoned Media to discuss the remarkable evolution of the TikTok-famous dark romantasy Bones, from an independently written, designed and published novel to a new edition from Ballantine Books. A quick viewing note: Kelsey (K. L. Speer) experienced temporary bandwidth issues during the first portion of our conversation, which caused her video to drop in and out. Her audio remains clear throughout, and the video issue resolves as the interview continues, so please keep watching! Speer shares how Bones developed a passionate online readership, how quickly her traditional publishing opportunity followed and what it was like giving up some creative control after designing every element of the indie editions. She also explains why returning to the beginning of the series has strengthened its characters and world. We explore Bones’ extraordinary ability to heal others while carrying wounds of her own, the influence of rural Montana on the post-apocalyptic setting, the importance of found family and the challenge of balancing romance with danger, trauma and survival. Bones by K. L. Speer was published by Ballantine Books on September 1, 2026. Learn more about K. L. Speer: https://www.klspeer.com/ Read more interviews: https://unbuttonedmedia.us/ Subscribe for unbuttoned conversations with the actors, writers, directors, authors and craftspeople behind television, film and books. Please note: Bones is an adult dark romantasy containing mature themes. Detailed content information is available through the author’s website. #KLSpeer #BonesBook #BookTok

How did Netflix transform the open prairie into one of the most powerful characters in Little House on the Prairie?Cinematographer C. Kim Miles, ASC, CSC, MYSC joins Suspenders Unbuttoned Media to take us behind the camera of Netflix’s adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved books. Miles, who served as director of photography on four of the first season’s eight episodes, explains how the production used natural light, carefully planned backlight, camera movement, and purpose-built sets to create a world that feels both historically grounded and emotionally immediate.We discuss the advantages and challenges of filming outdoors, the visual influence of filmmaker Terrence Malick. Miles also breaks down the very different demands of filming the construction of the Ingalls home, large-scale fire sequences, and the emotional town celebration.Miles also shares why joining the series was a full-circle experience. The conversation also explores the responsibility of portraying the Osage people and their land, how cinematography can communicate emotion without dialogue, and Miles’s own path into filmmaking.Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie is now streaming.Subscribe for more unbuttoned conversations with the actors and creatives behind television, film, and books.Website: https://unbuttonedmedia.usInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/suspendersunbuttonedmedia/Podcast: https://tr.ee/ki6QVuDS0J

Niall Matter joins Suspenders Unbuttoned Media for a short conversation about his new Hallmark movie, Much About Love. Niall shares how his real-life rapport with costar Ashley Williams helped create the natural, lived-in connection between Benny and Bea. He also discusses leaning into Benny’s quirky physical comedy, finding the vulnerability beneath the humor, and filming the memorable crayon scene in which the characters communicate without saying a word. We also talk about the movie’s message of second chances and why some relationships may be worth the effort it takes to find your way back to one another. Watch Much About Love on Hallmark Channel. Subscribe to Suspenders Unbuttoned Media for more unbuttoned conversations with the actors and creators behind television, film and books. Website: https://unbuttonedmedia.usInstagram: @suspendersunbuttonedmedia #NiallMatter #MuchAboutLove #HallmarkChannel #AshleyWilliams #HallmarkMovie #Hallmark

Jep and Jessica Robertson join Suspenders Unbuttoned Media to talk about their new series, Jep & Jess: Beyond the Bayou, and the leap of faith that brought their family to a new adventure in Texas.The couple shares why Great American Media felt like the right partner, why this may be their most authentic television project yet and how they are helping build a lasting family legacy at Comanche Moon Ranch. We also talk about Mirador, the value of slowing down, the joy of getting their boys outdoors—and the construction skills Jep may still need to work on! Read about our interview here: https://unbuttonedmedia.us/jep-jessica-robertson-beyond-the-bayou-interview/ Jep & Jess: Beyond the Bayou streams Thursdays on Great American Pure Flix and airs Saturdays on Great American Family and GFAM+. Check local listings for airtimes.Read more from our conversation: Subscribe for more unbuttoned conversations with the actors, creators and storytellers behind television, film and books.