Podcast
Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
Booked, Blonde & Busy is for the girl with seventeen open tabs and one book on her nightstand collecting dust… and for the girl who just finished her third book this month.
Hosted by model, reader, and cultural chameleon Olivia Ponton, each episode uses books as a lens to explore identity, ambition, culture, and everything in between - with authors and public figures who remind us that the most interesting people are always the hardest to put in a box.
Because everyone is more than one thing, and the best books have always known that.
- Episodes
- 38
- Releases
- Every two weeks
- Typical length
- 41 min
- On air since
- 2025
- Latest episode
- 1 day ago
Episodes
38 episodes, newest first
-
54 min
Inside the Anaverse with Ana Huang | Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
Season 2, Episode 12
Show notes
Hiii angels! Today I'm sitting down with my BookTok crush, the queen of steamy romance and the mastermind behind the Anaverse, Miss Ana Huang!! 👸
The Twisted series has had a hold on me for YEARS (Twisted Games forever… princess and bodyguard, iykyk), and her newest book The Keeper is out October 27th and closes out the Gods of the Game series.We get into the one TikTok that launched her career, which morally gray man would actually make the best real-life boyfriend, and where all the Dante Russos in New York are hiding.
This is our last episode until the new year, so you DO NOT want to miss this one!
xoxo,
Olivia 🎀
#booktube #anahuang #twistedseries #bookish
-
5 min
Colleen Hoover Prescribes You A Book Rec | SPOTIFY EXCLUSIVE Bonus
Show notes
Not sure which Colleen Hoover book to pick up next, or even where to start? I gave Colleen a few real-life situations and she matched each one to the book she'd recommend, plus she reveals the couple she loves most and a secret connection hiding between some of her books! 🎀🪽
What would she recommend for YOU?
xoxo,
OliviaTimestamps
00:04-00:23 - Which Colleen book should you read?
00:24-01:48 - Going through a breakup (November 9 & All Your Perfects)
01:49-02:10 - Why she ends every writing day on a funny note
02:11-02:58 - Falling in love (Heart Bones)
02:59-04:19 - The secret Finding Cinderella connection -
52 min
Colleen Hoover Is Booked, Blonde & Busy... w/ Olivia Ponton
Season 2, Episode 11
Show notes
Hiii angels!! 🪽
I genuinely cannottt believe I'm typing this, but today I am sitting down with THE Colleen Hoover 🎀🎀 ...the author behind 26+ books and the reason so many of us became readers in the first place!
With the Verity movie finally here, we are obviously getting into Dakota, Anne and Josh, plus the secret origin of Woman Down, her next thriller, and why her husband is banned from reading her books. And yes… I finally asked her: letter or manuscript?? iykyk
You DO NOT want to miss this one!
xoxo,
Olivia 🎀
-
4 min
Inside the Divergent Movie Set w/ Veronica Roth (SPOTIFY EXCLUSIVE) Bonus
Show notes
Veronica Roth got to watch the idea she wrote in college get built in her own city - gravel poured over the streets, the Ferris wheel painted to look worn, and an entire El car built from scratch by the crew.
She's taking us behind the scenes of Divergent, including the one set that made her cry the first time she saw it.
xoxo,
OliviaTimestamps
00:00-00:06 Can we talk about the movie?
00:07-00:26 On the set in Chicago
00:27-00:44 Turning Chicago into a dystopia
00:45-01:08 The Ferris wheel & Shailene Woodley
01:09-02:11 Watching the cast and crew work
02:12-02:38 Building the pit
02:39-03:04 Rebuilding an El car
03:05-03:40 Her favorite scene: the choosing ceremony -
30 min
Returning to Divergent with Veronica Roth | Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
Season 2, Episode 10
Show notes
Hi angels!
Today I'm sitting down with the woman who built the world that raised me - Veronica Roth!! She wrote Divergent over winter break of her senior year of college, and I have been waiting YEARS to ask her my Tris and Four questions.
Her new book The Sixth Faction comes out October 6th, and it takes Tris back to the choosing ceremony and sends her somewhere else entirely.
We hold a choosing ceremony for our beverages (we agreed on nothing), she tells me why she went back to this world after all these years, and then I make her sort Xaden, Hermione and Katniss into factions.
You DO NOT want to miss this one!
xoxo,
Olivia -
5 min
Exclusive!! Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett sat down with me to talk all things Verity
Show notes
SURPRISE, ANGELS!!! This is an exclusive sit-down Booked, Blonde & Busy conversation with the incredible cast of Verity. I had the honor of sitting with Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson & Josh Hartnett to talk about the headboard bites, their favorite scenes they filmed, and the way they got into the twisted world of Verity.
xoxo
Olivia 🎀
-
15 min
Why Do People Cheat? w/ Licensed Therapist Kier Gaines Bonus
Show notes
I've been cheated on in nearly every relationship I've ever had...so I asked a licensed therapist the question I can't stop thinking about: why do people do it?
Kier Gaines breaks down what's really going on in a cheater's brain (spaghetti and a dirty chicken wing are involved), then we get into over-functioning and why so many of us work ourselves into the ground.
xoxo,
OliviaTimestamps
00:04-02:25 Olivia's cheating hot take02:26-04:10 Why do people cheat?
04:11-05:33 What's going on in a cheater's brain?
05:34-06:44 Would you stay?
06:45-07:42 A reason, not an excuse
07:43-08:49 Trust & miscommunication
08:50-10:19 What is overfunctioning?
10:20-12:18 When work bleeds into everything
12:19-14:52 Finding the root of overfunctioning
-
46 min
Claiming Your Baggage with Kier Gaines | Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
Season 2, Episode 9
Show notes
Hey Angels!
Today I'm sitting down with a licensed therapist who has DEFINITELY been on your For You page - the one and only Kier Gaines!
His new book It All Starts When You Do: How to Do the Real Work of Self-Healing just came out, and it had me rethinking my own life choices (in the best way)...
We get into claiming your baggage, why "have healed" hits different than "healed," and I get real about a friendship breakup I still can't shake. Then I put Xaden, Maven and Johnny on the therapy couch, and Kier does NOT go easy on our book boyfriends.
You DO NOT want to miss this one!
xoxo,
OliviaTimestamps
Intro/Bev of the Day
00:29-01:39 Sour Apple Is Bad ?
01:40-02:42 Who is Kier Gaines?
02:43-03:33 The biggest misconception about Kier03:37-06:41 60-second pitch of It All Starts When You Do
06:42-09:34 What's your pebble?
09:35-11:04 How do you slow down in NYC?
11:05-12:42 Getting asked for a pic mid-fight
12:43-14:17 How to tell a fan "not right now"
14:18-15:03 Practice saying no
15:04-18:05 How social media targets men vs women
18:06-20:23 Men with feminine energy
20:24-21:16 Most of Kier's clients are women?!
21:17-23:07 Why men talk shoulder to shoulder
23:08-24:17 What do men vs women talk about in therapy?
24:18-26:50 "Healed" vs "have healed"
26:51-27:53 Living with depression
27:57-30:30 Olivia's friendship breakup
30:31-33:22 Kier's follow-up questions
33:23-34:01 Drinking friends vs sober friends
34:02-36:09 Should Olivia reach back out?
36:13-37:10 What is a book boyfriend?
37:11-39:37 Book boyfriend 1: Xaden (Fourth Wing)
39:38-41:01 Book boyfriend 2: Maven (Red Queen)
41:02-43:25 Book boyfriend 3: Johnny (Binding 13)
43:26-44:28 The best-friend-of-the-month friend
-
3 min
The Art World + What The Rich Really Do With Their Time... w/ Author Alexandra Andrews | Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton Bonus
Show notes
Growing up on the Upper East Side, author Alexandra Andrews is all too familiar with the secret lives of the ultra-wealthy, and is not afraid to write about it in her book The Fine Art of Lying.
From art auctions, archaeology, and a lifestyle so absurd it will have you asking… is this actually what people do with their free time??
xoxo,
Olivia
Timestamps
00:04-01:30 Archeology
01:31-02:29 Art auction politics
-
38 min
The Fine Art of the Mystery Thriller with Alexandra Andrews | Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
Season 2, Episode 7
Show notes
Hi angels! 🪽
Today I am sitting down with one of the hottest authors on the market right now, Miss Alexandra Andrews! She writes sexy thrillers with complicated, morally gray women and we are so obviously here for it. 💁♀️
Her newest book The Fine Art of Lying has not only consumed my brain for the last few weeks, but is also Reese’s Book Club pick for the month of May AND an adaptation is already in the works with Scarlett Johansson attached.
Watch while we discuss Alexandra’s writing process, from plotting out all the crazy twists to how her daughter inspires her.
xoxo,
Olivia 🎀
-
6 min
Danielle Robay's 'No Phones Allowed' Talking Circles w/ Gloria Steinem | SPOTIFY EXCLUSIVE Bonus
Show notes
This week, we get a rare peek behind the curtain of women’s HERstory.
Lifelong feminist Dannielle Robay joins us today to give us ALL the details about Gloria Steinem's Talking Circles, a tradition that's shaped generations of feminist conversation, and why it still matters today.
xoxo,
Olivia -
46 min
Turning the Tables w/ Danielle Robay | Booked, Blonde & Busy with Olivia Ponton
Season 2, Episode 7
Show notes
Hi angels! I couldn't be more excited about this week's guest, Danielle Robay!👸👠Known as the Queen of Questions, she hosts not one but TWO iconic podcasts: Reese Witherspoon's book club podcast "Bookmarked" and her own show "Question Everything," where she interrogates the most interesting people alive. Today, we're flipping the script and putting HER in the hot seat.We're asking her about her love of books, how she's developed her interview style, and where her curiosity comes from — and maybe I'll pick up a few nuggets of wisdom for my own interviewing along the way.You don't want to miss this one, babes!coxo,Olivia 🎀Timestamps:00:28-02:45 Intro/Bev of the Day02:46-05:06 Danielle’s likes & hobbies05:44-08:54 What’s it like interviewing for a living?08:55-11:55 Favorite authors to interview11:56-14:55 Learning from others vs experience14:56-19:44 Advice for interviewing Chapter 119:48-25:06 Danielle’s reading journey 25:07-27:37 Hosting Bookmarked (Reese’s Book Club podcast)27:38-30:06 Getting into fantasy booksChapter 230:10-35:35 Booktok vs “institutional” book world35:36-37:18 What Danielle’s reading now37:19-40:12 How do you read 100 books a year??40:13-41:41 Books every girl should readChapter 341:46-45:22 Rapid fire book recs45:22-45:51 Wrap up!#booktube #booktok #bookish
-
2 min
The Type of Reader Who NEEDS 'Red Queen' | SPOTIFY EXCLUSIVE Bonus
Show notes
Not sure if Red Queen is for you?? Let us help!
Victoria Aveyard and I describe the type of girl who would love this book so you’ll know exactly whether it belongs on your TBR
(Spoiler: it probably does...)
-
46 min
Victoria Aveyard Spills 'Red Queen' Secrets + Her New Adult Fantasy | Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
Season 2, Episode 6
Show notes
Hi angels!!!
Today I am joined by the one and only Victoria Aveyard, the BRILLIANT mind behind Red Queen... the only book I have ever reread in my entire life 😭📖
We get into her film school background and how 'Game of Thrones' shaped her writing, why dystopian fiction feels more relevant than ever, and how to actually write a plot twist that makes your readers lose their minds 👀✨
Plus we dive into her newest book Tempest, the Pirates of the Caribbean inspiration I did NOT see coming, and a very important conversation about women and power.
This one is for the girls who aren’t afraid of a strong female character....
xoxo,
Olivia 🎀
#authorinterview #romantasy #bookrecommendations #fantasybook #bookish #booktok
-
3 min
Behind-the Scenes of The Housemaid Movie w/ BookTok's Caitlin Bea Bonus
Show notes
This week's guest, Caitlin Bea (the QUEEN of BookTok) went on the set of The Housemaid and is here to spill her behind-the-scenes secrets... everything from the hidden details you missed from the film and yes… what Freida McFadden is really like in real life!
Your all access pass to The Housemaid starts NOW!!
xoxo,
Olivia
-
50 min
BookTalk with Caitlin Bea
Season 2, Episode 5
Show notes
Hey angels!!
Today I am joined by a certified Booktok baddie with the BEST book recs — the iconic Caitlin Bea!We are getting into everything — what we love AND hate about BookTok, our full Colleen Hoover spiral (Verity specifically… iykyk), and dropping some hot takes that might just break the comments section.
You DO NOT want to miss this one!
xoxo,
Olivia 🎀
-
6 min
Queen of Beach Reads, Carley Fortune's Ideal Summer Day + Beach Read Recs Bonus
Show notes
Nobody knows a perfect summer day better than the queen of the beach read herself... Carley Fortune breaks down her ideal day and exactly what she's reading on it!!xoxo,Olivia 🎀
❤︎ Join The Conversation→ Patreon (it's free!): https://www.patreon.com/cw/OliviaPonton→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivia.ponton→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamoliviapontonTimestamps:00:04- 01:13 Carley’s ideal summer day01:14-02:54 Growing up on a lake02:55-05:33 The ideal beach read#bookish #beachreads #summerreading
-
37 min
Carly Fortune 'Talks Every Summer After', THAT Big Twist & Worst Ways to Breakup With Someone
Season 2, Episode 4
Show notes
Hi angels!! 🎀🪽Today I am joined by the CEO of beach reads, the one and only Carley Fortune! We are diving into her brand new book Our Perfect Storm (avail now!) and what it's actually like watching Every Summer After come to life on screen (Every Year After started streaming on Prime starting June 10th). And because we couldn't help ourselves... we also ranked the best and worst ways to break up with somebody... This one is so fun! Grab a drink and get your bathing suits on because it's time for a beach read! xoxo, Olivia Grab your copy of 'Our Perfect Storm!'https://go.shopmy.us/p-70324612❤︎ Join The Conversation→ Patreon (it's free!): https://www.patreon.com/cw/OliviaPonton→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivia.ponton→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamoliviaponton→ Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/olivia_ponton12Timestamps:00:37-1:28 Intro/Bev of the DayChapter 11:30-03:47 Our Perfect Storm03:48-07:09 Best friends to lovers?07:10-10:40 Building real people with backstory10:41-13:06 What is Tofino? 13:07-18:29 All of those whales?18:30-23:43 Tropes - and writing a beach read.Chapter 223:45-27:44 Every Summer After!!! 27:44-29:21 When Carley thought of the Every Year After casting29:22- 31:17 Building real words from the page Chapter 331:19-36:37 How to break up with someone, Carley Fortune style36:38-37:02 What's next for Carley?#booktube #bookish #bookreview
-
10 min
Confessing Our Toxic Traits | Booked, Blonde & Busy BONUS w/ Olivia Ponton Bonus
Season 2
Show notes
Who knows you better than your own friend group?? The girls and I sit down to *lovingly* call out each other's most toxic traits and honestly? It might be the most self aware we've ever been. Jojo, Aleska, Phoenix, and Hannah... thank you for keeping it real… I think? Cozy, chaotic, and weirdly therapeutic. You're going to love this one.
xoxo,
Olivia 🎀❤︎ Join The Conversation→ Patreon (it's free!): https://www.patreon.com/cw/OliviaPonton→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivia.ponton→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamoliviaponton→ Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/olivia_ponton12
Timestamps:00:00-02:05 - Jojo’s toxic trait02:06-03:30 - Aleksa and Hannah’s toxic trait03:31-05:57 - Pheonix and Olivia’s toxic trait05:58-10:11 - Toxic relationships
-
38 min
Booked, Blonde and Besties - my girls take over the podcast!
Season 2, Episode 3
Show notes
My own real life Sex and the City friend group just took over the podcast!!! 🎀✨Hi angels!Jojo, Aleksa, Phoenix, Hannah and I are here to spill what we've been reading, settle the book adaptation debates once and for all, and expose whoever has been faking their way through a book (you know who you are 👀)And because it's Pride month... we're talking queer reads, coming out stories, and how we're celebrating. 🏳️🌈💛Happy Pride!! xoxo, Olivia 🎀✦︎ Listen To 'Booked & Busy' Everywhere You Stream→ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Zf0lWdrYI61m3OTd80Bxp→ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/booked-busy-w-olivia-ponton/id1848952840→ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f5856969-999f-4aff-b523-ff96e1121a56/booked-busy-w-olivia-ponton❤︎ Join The Conversation→ Patreon (it's free!): https://www.patreon.com/cw/OliviaPonton→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivia.ponton→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamoliviaponton→ Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/olivia_ponton12Timestamps:00:00-03:32 Friend intros!Chapter 103:35-04:07 Guilty or Not Guilty 04:08-05:25 Lying about reading05:26-07:26 Jojo’s reading habits and Hannah’s rec07:27-08:56 DNF a book everyone loved08:57-12:12 is Booktok dead?12:13-13:00 Pheonix’s recent reads13:01-15:54 Favorite tropes 15:55-16:45 book that got you into readingChapter 216:46-17:51 Book adaptations bracket17:52-24:02 Off Campus 24:03-26:52 Divergent and Twilight 26:53-29:20 Harry Potter vs Hunger GamesChapter 329:21-30:59 Pride!31:00-32:37 LGBTQIA books (Evelyn Hugo playlist?)32:38-35:12 advice for coming out 35:13-37:21 Olivia’s coming out story 37:22-37:57 OutroBooks mentioned:It Ends with Us by Coleen HooverUgly Love by Coleen HooverThe Never King by Nikki St. Crowe (not “Lost King”)Just Kids by Patti SmithA Little Life by Hanya YanagiharaA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasBinding 13 by Chloe Walsh Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Martyr! by Kaveh AkbarPeople You Read on Vacation by Emily HenryNext to Heaven by James FreyThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins ReidCrave by Tracy WolffPercy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick RiordanThe Selection series by Kiera Cass#booktok #booktube #bookish #booklover #podcast
Books lists
More Books shows picked out from the charts
More in Books
Placed highest on Apple Podcasts' Books chart right now