From Medusa to Aphrodite: Rewriting the Women of Myth with Lauren J.A. Bear

What happens when we stop treating the women of mythology as symbols, villains, mothers, or objects of desire, and start asking who they actually were?In this episode of Judging By The Cover, I’m joined by Lauren J.A. Bear, author of Medusa’s Sisters, Mother of Rome, and the upcoming Aphrodite in Pieces.Lauren and I dive into the women behind some of mythology’s most famous stories, starting with Rhea Silvia (the mother of Romulus and Remus) and the way Mother of Rome gives a voice to a woman who has so often been reduced to her role in someone else’s legend.Then we turn to Aphrodite.I was lucky enough to read an ARC of Aphrodite in Pieces, and this book genuinely made me reconsider how I’ve viewed (and judged) Aphrodite. We talk about internalized misogyny, the ways women are taught to turn on one another, what love actually means, and why self-love is such an important part of Aphrodite’s story.We also get into the politics of art and storytelling, motherhood, magical realism, Lauren’s evolution from Medusa’s Sisters to Mother of Rome to Aphrodite in Pieces… and, yes, why Aphrodite is basically Sabrina Carpenter.📚 BOOKS MENTIONEDMedusa’s Sisters by Lauren J.A. BearMother of Rome by Lauren J.A. BearAphrodite in Pieces by Lauren J.A. Bear💬 QUESTION OF THE EPISODEWhich woman from mythology do you think has been the most misunderstood?If you enjoyed this conversation, follow Judging By The Cover so you don't miss future episodes. I'm sitting down with a different author every month to talk about their books, their writing, and the stories behind the stories.And if you loved the episode, rating the show, leaving a review, or sharing it with another reader helps more book lovers find the podcast.00:00 - Intro00:38 - Lauren Bear’s writing journey01:55 - From Medusa to Mother of Rome03:55 - Rhea Silvia & re-centering women in myth10:36 - Why Aphrodite?11:32 - “Aphrodite is basically Sabrina Carpenter” 12:18 - Love, identity, & self-perception14:00 - Women's internal misogyny16:44 - Choosing the book title21:57 - Rapid fire questions22:54 - Audience Q&A