Lessons From Sweet Valley
“Lessons From Sweet Valley” is a podcast where we re-examine the Sweet Valley High series one book at a time and determine what lessons, if any, we can learn from them. Former SVH book nerd Kat Thomas will be joined by guests as they discuss the lives of twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield and all of Sweet Valley’s cast of characters through a modern lens. Episodes released every other Wednesday.
Episodes
33 episodes
End of the First Semester (but we'll be back!)
SCHOOLS OUT!! Yes, that's right, "Lessons From Sweet Valley" is going on semester break! Listen to Kat's honest thoughts about her decision and what the podcast has meant to her during these COVID times. Also, YES, the podcast...
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2:58
Book 27 - Lovestruck (w/ Luz Gipson)
It’s the jock appreciation episode! Even though Kat and her guest, former film school classmate Luz Gipson, don't know much about football, they can heavily relate to SVH quarterback Ken Matthew’s writer’s block and procrastination tec...
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Episode 27
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52:30
Book 26 - Hostage! (w/ Bettina Treviranus)
It’s time for a fun change of pace!! Something is up with Regina Morrow and the Sweet Valley Super Sleuth Team is ON IT! Kat’s guest, and mystery enthusiast from a young age, Bettina Treviranus, is impressed by how Jessica shines in th...
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Episode 26
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58:31
Book 25 - Nowhere To Run (w/ Spencer Hall)
It’s young adult author Spencer Hall’s first journey to Sweet Valley and he brings some great YA takes! He and Kat spend most of the episode with The Droids drummer Emily Mayer as she deals with an evil stepmother and a father who is p...
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Episode 25
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49:32
Book 24 - Memories (w/ Maria Zlotorzynska)
Kat’s guest, SVH fan and Canadian, Maria Zlotorzynska proclaims her love for the TV show Degrassi and contrasts it with how high school is portrayed in American media. Meanwhile, in Sweet Valley, Steven and Elizabeth are haunted by the ghost...
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Episode 24
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41:37
Book 23 - Say Goodbye (w/ Adina Verson)
Kat and childhood (and adulthood) friend Adina Verson, reminisce about the six person club that they had in junior high and if it indeed had a purpose. Over in Sweet Valley, Jessica is disturbed by her siblings (very natural) feelings ...
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Episode 23
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47:03
Book 22 - Too Much In Love (w/ Dana Maier)
This one is for all you sensitive artists out there! Kat and cartoonist Dana Maier speculate about DeeDee Gordon’s vague “design” class and empathize with her consuming fear of losing Bill. There is also the most involved high sc...
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Episode 22
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38:30
Book 21 - Runaway (w/ Kelly Keemer)
It’s the Jessica Wakefield appreciation episode!! Kat’s guest, blond haired, blue eyed, twin Kelly Keemer, makes the case for why she resonated with Jessica growing up. They also discuss Elizabeth’s questionable journalism ethics and w...
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Episode 21
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39:59
Book 20 - Crash Landing (w/ Kat's Grandparents)
Guests Jack and Marilyn Thomas met when they were the same age as the SVH crew. Now, after 67 years of marriage, they join Kat (their granddaughter) to discuss the glamorous, yet sometimes cruel, world of Sweet Valley. They also share ...
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Episode 20
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35:18
Book 19 - Showdown (w/ Kelsey Cox)
It’s a battle of the titans as Jessica and Lila fight over a construction worker with a mysterious backstory. Kat and, SVH fan, Kelsey Cox track their moves and wonder why these two are even friends in the first place? Also, the ...
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Episode 19
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40:48
Book 18 - Head Over Heels (w/ Kate Boisseau)
Kat and her friend Kate Boisseau chat about Sweet Valley’s latest odd couple, Regina Morrow and Bruce Patman. Just how did these two get together in the first place?? They also break down two ridiculous fights and which SVH characters ...
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Episode 18
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39:59
Book 17 - Love Letters (w/ Dorothy Mason)
Ever wonder what a current middle schooler would think of the world of Sweet Valley High? Kat’s guest, Dorothy Mason, keeps it real and reveals what she believes to be the true emotional age of the Wakefield twins. They also discuss wh...
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Episode 17
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28:56
Book 16 - Rags To Riches (w/ CJ Thomas)
Tragedy strikes Sweet Valley again this week and Jessica swoops in to cause chaos (as per usual). Kat’s cousin, endodontist CJ Thomas, shares his cryptic theories on Jessica and Elizabeth’s sibling relationship and predicts Roger’s future...
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Episode 16
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40:36
Book 15 - Promises (w/ Donna Wierzbicki)
We’ve got grieving and scheming in this week’s episode! Kat and SVH fan, Donna Wierzbicki, discuss Steven’s promise to Tricia and Jessica’s sociopathic lack of empathy. Also, the not so subliminal messaging that had both Kat and Do...
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Episode 15
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40:23
Book 14 - Deceptions (w/ Mike Berg)
Elizabeth weaves a tangled web in this book! Kat and her guest, TV editor Mike Berg, discuss the many flavors of SVH deceptions and the absurdity that is Nicholas Morrow. Also, a wonderfully vague hacking subplot signals the dawn o...
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Episode 14
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40:19
Book 13 - Kidnapped (w/ Ashley R. Smith)
Kat and horror scholar Ashley R. Smith delve into the first “thriller” of the series and discuss how kidnapper Carl stacks up against other infamous villains of our time. Plus, an unlikely clue sounds the alarm that Elizabeth is in troubl...
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Episode 13
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39:40
Book 12 - When Love Dies (w/ Emma Cozzi)
Kat and Sweet Valley superfan Emma Cozzi explore Steven Wakefield’s first main storyline, and per the book’s title, it’s a bit of a tragic one. They also get honest about some dodgy SVH themes that may have influenced their young minds, a...
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Episode 12
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40:16
Book 11 - Too Good To Be True - Part 2 (w/ Holly De Ruyter)
The Wakefield twin’s Spring Break takes a major dive in its second week. Kat and guest Holly De Ruyter are back to discuss the problematic events in the second half of this book where the East Coasters behave very badly! Is this the...
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29:11
Book 11 - Too Good To Be True - Part 1 (w/ Holly De Ruyter)
It’s SPRING BREAK ya’ll!! Elizabeth and Jessica are separated for two whole weeks and shenanigans ensue. Kat and filmmaker Holly De Ruyter talk nostalgia, uncomfortable teenage seduction tactics and Mr. Collin’s questionable decisio...
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Episode 11
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36:06
Book 10 1/2 - Epilogue - The Last Three Pages
Kat and Dave actually ended up a little confused about the final roster of the Sweet Valley High Cheering Squad. They dissect the last three pages of book 10, “Wrong Kind of Girl,” in this unedited analysis that didn’t make the final cut....
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9:52
Book 10 - Wrong Kind Of Girl (w/ Dave Walsh)
Kat and her good friend, Dave Walsh, discuss the romanticization of the high school cheerleading world and its extraordinary lure on Annie Whitman. Plus, how it really is GAME OVER when Jessica has you in her cross hairs, to sometimes tra...
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Episode 10
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38:40
Book 9 - Racing Hearts (w/ Joanna Veth)
Former high school runners Kat and guest Joanna Veth are big fans of Roger Barrett. Not only is he the most talented miler OF ALL TIME, but he also brings some welcome character depth to SVH. Plus, Jessica’s office rendezvous at Ned Wakef...
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Episode 9
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39:51
Book 8 - Heart Breaker (w/ Amanda Moss)
There is no shortage of surfing puns in this week’s episode. Kat and her horticulturist friend, Amanda Moss, discuss the waves of tears, jealousy and heartbreak. Plus, a high school production of "Splendor in the Grass!!"Visit Amanda's ...
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Episode 8
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35:51