PODCAST · arts
Sweet Valley Diaries
by Marissa Flaxbart
After years of wide-eyed blogging about the surreal 1980s perfection of Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High book series (and the surprising psychodrama that lurks below the town's perfectly-tanned surface), host Marissa Flaxbart is now forcing people to read the series with her. But beyond its obsession with the ubiquitous-yet-obscure book series, SWEET VALLEY DIARIES is a podcast about nostalgia — '80s nostalgia in particular — and the ways this nostalgia can (spectacularly, hilariously) fail us. It's a riotous cultural conversation about which parts of the past we long for and which ones we want to leave behind for good. It's about friendship, honesty, and learning to speak your truth in the face of a boyfriend-stealing cheerleader or an evil triplet. It's all the life lessons you could ever hope to learn from two size-6, blonde-haired, aqua-eyed, identical 16-year-old twins. Strap in.
Episodes
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Sweet Valley News & Help Rebuild the Palisades Library/Support LAPL Staff
Support the Palisades Branch Recovery Fund Support the LAPL Staff Emergency Support Fund Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Extra Drama #82: A Legend of Readin'
A correction email about ROSA'S LIE and truly the most epically hyperbolic Reader of the Month winner to date! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #82: KIDNAPPED BY THE CULT!
When there's an exclamation point in the name of the book, you know it's going to be a good one. But will KIDNAPPED BY THE CULT! ever deliver on the promise of its title? Find out with filmmaker Sam Wineman as he falls in love with every character in Sweet Valley and Marissa dreams up some new...
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Extra Drama #81: Becoming Rosalita
Christian Dueñas is back for more on Rose Jameson/Rosa Jimenez. We also imagine an all-boys Jesuit version of Sweet Valley High and read a particularly purple Reader of the Month letter. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #81: ROSA'S LIE
Welp, Season 9 is starting with a bang. We've got another racism book on our hands. Thankfully, no one gets hurt this time (though a certain Nana Jimenez would probably be pretty darn hurt if she found out what her granddaughter did with her cake!). Christian Dueñas, host of the brand new music...
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SUPER STAR: BRUCE'S STORY w/Jack & Tanner
Oh-h My-y God, we've got an EXTREMELY special episode at long last! As only the Super Star books can, BRUCE'S STORY brings you a ridiculous Sweet Valley Saga from the POV of one of its richest and least likable characters. Bruce Patman (or, if you prefer, "Pac-Man") sits at the center of this…
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Mini Extra-Drama #80: Double the Sweetness
Don't forget about the Reader of the Month letter from book 80! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Episode #80: THE GIRL THEY BOTH LOVED
It's another mis-titled misadventure of random characters, and this time All Time Favorite guest Don Flaxbart is here to simultaneously despise the book and read deep into the twisted heart of its male lead. A thrilling, dirt-bike filled mega finale to Season 8 of Sweet Valley Diaries!…
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Extra #79: Maybe Elizabeth Isn't the Best Character Judge
Bryanna McGeough joins Marissa again and shares her criteria for choosing with Sweet Valley books to read and her personal tales of being an Elizabethan high school journalist. Plus, Reader of the Month for October 1991! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #79: THE LONG-LOST BROTHER
What could be worse than having a twin brother who stole a car? For Sarah Eastborne, the answer is: that twin brother getting clean, being released from his rehab facility, and coming to live with you. Social worker and BSC/SVH reader Briana McGeough joins us to discuss this book, which also...
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Extra Drama #78: Jackson's Funtime Fashions
Claire and Marissa explore the dreamworld of Jessica Wakefield. Plus, a particularly lyrical Reader of the Month essay. Come along, if you choose! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #78: THE DATING GAME
At long last, we will find out if Scott Trost is as sexist as he seems. Or, we'll at least find out if his TRUE self is sexist. Like, maybe society made him sexist? Or something? Todd will explain it to you, ladies. With special guest Claire Sharood! Advertising Inquiries:...
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EED #77: Listener of the Month, July 1991
I got my hands on a US edition of CHEATING TO WIN, but it didn't arrive until after last week's extra drama came out. I'm between two short weekend trips, so please accept this dramatic reading as this week's little episode! Follow Sweet Valley Diaries on Instagram and TikTok Advertising…
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Extra Drama #77: They Never Did Sweet Valley Babies
Guest Tabatha Myers tells us about her history with Sweet Valley; then, a close look at the copyright pages of a British edition of CHEATING TO WIN, and a call for ghostwriter intel. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #77: CHEATING TO WIN
The latest in our series of Very Special Episodes, this is the one about accidentally being on sports enhancing drugs some shady dude sold you in a baggie. Lifelong SVH reader Tabatha Myers joins Marissa to get super serious on this very serious and seriously handled subject. Advertising…
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Extra Drama #76: Yo!
Let's rap about the ethical implications of beauty pageants! Plus, the second Reader of the Month wants to make sure you know she doesn't LOOK like a bookworm. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #76: MISS TEEN SWEET VALLEY
In this book, Jessica asks Elizabeth how being named the prettiest, smartest, and most talented can be demeaning. And she has a point. Kind of. In a book that is both frivolous and substantive, and which is unafraid to let a gray area issue be solidly gray, we find identical twins once again at...
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Extra Drama #75: Amy Regulation Disorder
More excuses for Amy's behavior, tips for how to look like you're paying attention, and the first ever SVH Reader of the Month! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #75: AMY'S TRUE LOVE
"Tennis" anyone? Marissa is joined this week by Brian Duss for a Very Special Episode. Why so special? For starters, we learn Amy Sutton has some hidden depth of character. But mostly it's because we're getting some **sound trumpets** explicitly gay characters! Alas, "explicit" only in one sense…
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Extra Drama #74: Why We're Like This
Mary Kate and Marissa share stories from middle and high school and beyond about the effects of diet culture, generational baggage around eating and weight, and trying not to perpetuate a cycle. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #74: THE PERFECT GIRL
Only the very best of friends agrees to read the Robin books. This week, Marissa's BFF since high school, Mary Kate Battles, is back for more punishment as we watch Robin destroy herself. Fully 70 books after her maltreatment in POWER PLAY, this one attempts to atone for that sin, but fails at...
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Catch Up With: ROBIN WILSON (and Book 46: DECISIONS Replay)
Episode 74 has been delayed by a week, so this seemed like a great time to try something new! Marissa catches you up on a character's arc over the series. In this case, Robin Wilson, whose first appearance in Book 4 made a thud so resounding that it's echoed through the entire series. Robin is…
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Extra Drama #73: I Don't Know If This Was Handled Well
As our first Gen Z guest, Phoebe explains the concept of "Warrior Cats" to Marissa. Also, how is Sweet Valley High like the Duggar Family? What's Jessica really up to? And more questions Marissa's guests can't stop asking her/answering for her. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #73: REGINA'S LEGACY
It's a camera. Regina's legacy is a Nikon film camera. And when you take a photo with the camera, and squint at the negatives just so, maybe you'll see Regina's ghost giving you a thumbs up for thwarting a drug cartel. Phoebe Danaher is here to help Marissa explain all this, and to spotlight our...
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Extra Drama #72: Two Cool Cats, Not Interested in Drama
All of the name-dropping, none of the star-fucking Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #72: ROCK STAR'S GIRL
Sometimes when a rock star has a teen girl living in his house it's actually not an issue. How is this possible? Well, the teens of Sweet Valley might have it twisted, but Gabe Mara and Marissa will explain it all. Some music in this episode comes from Purple Planet. "Toumani Diabate Plays the...
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Extra Drama #71: How to Make Jessica Wakefield Famous
Is being famous really so great? What IS Eric Parker's talk show? Can one night on television launch a whole career in entertainment? These are the kinds of questions Jessica Wakefield should have been asking, but instead Marissa and actual professional actor Alex Jennings are asking on her…
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Book #71: STARRING JESSICA!
Don't let the apparent middle-agedness of the cover model fool you -- that's 16-year-old Jessica Wakefield all dolled up for her star turn on the Eric Parker's national evening talk show. Or, at least it's one of those Wakefield girls. Actor Alex Jennings (THE GOLDBERGS) returns (#7: DEAR SISTER...
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Extra Drama #70: Emotional Hostage Situation
Jordan Crucchiola is back, and she gets a dose of the Feeling Seen treatment as Marissa asks what Sweet Valley High student she felt most seen by. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #70: MS. QUARTERBACK
Today's esteemed guest, is Jordan Crucchiola is the host or co-host of several podcasts -- AUGHTSTERION, DISASTER GIRLS, and of course, the one that Marissa produces, FEELING SEEN! And she's the perfect person to discuss this tale of Claire Middleton, the girl who would be quarterback. Will Ken...
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Extra Drama #69: Ms. Jacobi's Experiment in Prejudice
Hey! It's a little more from Book 69, FRIEND AGAINST FRIEND! Instead of snappy conversation, today's episode is a little update on the show and an extended passage from the book. After Andy Jenkins was attacked, sociology teacher Ms. Jacobi takes it upon herself to teach her students that…
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Book #69: FRIEND AGAINST FRIEND
What could be better than a kind of hamfisted '90s attempt at tackling racism? Almost anything? Well, good (if shocking) news: that's not what this is. Neil Freemount and Andy Jenkins star in a very special episode of Sweet Valley Diaries: FRIEND AGAINST FRIEND. Huge thanks to Kali Baker Johnson....
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Extra Drama #68: Hold Me Till I Hate You
Andy Greene is back and we're talking bands, band battles, battles with band instruments, and bad band boys. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #68: THE LOVE BET
High school juniors Dana Larson and Aaron Dallas have sworn off of love forever. To address this crisis, Elizabeth and Todd concoct a scheme as disappointingly chaste as it is poorly conceptualized, then take sides on a bet over whether it will work. Meanwhile, Jessica and Lila agree to be…
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Extra Drama #67: The Parent Ruse
Now that The Parent Plot is behind us, Marissa, Rebecca, and Sommer talk about their relationship to a film that, despite its similar title, was clearly NOT the source material for Sweet Valley High #67. Apologies to the Lohan Stans, this one is for the Mills Maniacs. Advertising Inquiries:...
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Book #67: THE PARENT PLOT
Rebecca Russell and Sommer Austin are back for one last ride as we bring the Wakefield Trial Separation Saga to an end...and say a fond farewell Ned Wakefield's mayoral bid, too! Will Jessica and Elizabeth join forces to trick their parents into falling back in love? Or is all their scheming...
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Extra Drama #66: A Trio of Elizabeths Fails to Run Away
The cover of WHO'S TO BLAME? suggested that it was going to be a big running away book. It wasn't (only a little running away was involved), so Marissa, Rebecca Russell, and Sommer Austin are sharing their own failed runaway tales, such as they are. And yes, a high school mime troupe is involved....
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Book #66: WHO'S TO BLAME?
It's a Chicago Ladies in Comedy Reunion, with Rebecca Russell returning and now comedian Sommer Austin joining the Wakefield Separation Arc zoo crew. Jessica's finally going to meet the guy she met on the Teen Party Line, Elizabeth is making bad choices out of depression, and Steven can't stop...
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Extra Drama #65: Comedy in the 2000s & Divorce in the '90s
Ned and Alice Wakefield don't get a lot of love here at Sweet Valley Diaries, but they're both hurting now, so...eh, we still have some criticisms. Everyone's a great fictional parent in hindsight! PLUS learn the exciting comedy origin story behind Marissa's friendship with our fabulous guest...
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Book #65: TROUBLE AT HOME
Rebecca Russell joins Marissa for the first book in the Great Wakefield Divorce (!?) Trilogy. Everything's on the line (and/or the party line) and no questions will be answered! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Extra Drama #64: Tell a Friend
Marissa, Katie, Kat, and Kyle cram in all the YA book and book podcast nerdiness that will fit into the 10 minutes we had left in the recording studio! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #64: THE GHOST OF TRICIA MARTIN
Steven/Tricia/Cara love triangle expert Katie LaDue is back, joined by Kat Rebar and, to a lesser extent, Kyle Rebar to talk about this book and its stunning lack of ghosts. But what it lacks in ghosts, it makes up for in hang-gliding accidents and trauma responses! Advertising Inquiries:...
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Extra Drama #63: The New [Insert Name Here]
Inspired by Elizabeth's attempts at reinvention in book 63, Caitlin and Marissa compare notes about times they've made big change (plus a lengthy tangent about high school theater typecasting). Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #63: THE NEW ELIZABETH
Now who's new? Elizabeth is reinventing herself, and this time it goes way beyond a two-week perm. Caitlin McCann is back to dissect Liz's meteoric rise to the top of the local surfing beat, and the self-sabotage that sends her crashing back to status quo. Check out Caitlin's The Lit Review…
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Extra Drama #62: The Valentine's Day Dance
Marissa and Julia compare notes on their respective high school dance experiences; 20-year-old crush gossip is spilled. Sweet Valley Diaries on Instagram and Twitter Marissa's Substack, Metaforia Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Book #62: WHO'S WHO?
At long last, it's an all-Elizabeth-and-Jessica book! No school (almost)! No friends (almost)! No teachers! Just our twins and the most ridiculous dinner date disguise debacle since Mrs. Doubtfire. Julia Kenney Smith joins Marissa in the (actual) studio! Advertising Inquiries:...
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Extra Drama #61: It's All Jim's Default
Did you notice how there was no big, lusty "Boys" description of Patty's boyfriend, Jim Hollis, in BOY TROUBLE's main episode? Even though he's the boy that's the source of the titular trouble? It's because he doesn't really get described. This extra drama is kind of a thought experiment around...
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Book #61: BOY TROUBLE
Patty Gilbert is having a scheduling nightmare! Her boyfriend is home from college for the first time in a month...and her sister is home from NorCal for the first time in 6 months! This is a bigger crisis than it sounds like. Also, there are handpainted t-shirts in this one. Marissa Wasseluk...
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SUPER STAR: LILA'S STORY
Picture this: it's December 1989. You're at the Walden Books inside the mall. As you browse the latest soapy middle-grade serials, what to your wondering eyes should appear but an ENTIRE book all about the elusive, elegant, rich, and endlessly scheming Lila Fowler. Your favorite character in the...
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BONUS: Think Twice! The Sweet Valley High Dolls
On this very special narrative-style hiatus bonus episode: A listener’s email leads down an internet research rabbit hole of ridiculous proportions. Caution: there will be dolls. Watch the Bandai Sweet Valley High Dolls ad on YouTube Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
After years of wide-eyed blogging about the surreal 1980s perfection of Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High book series (and the surprising psychodrama that lurks below the town's perfectly-tanned surface), host Marissa Flaxbart is now forcing people to read the series with her. But beyond its obsession with the ubiquitous-yet-obscure book series, SWEET VALLEY DIARIES is a podcast about nostalgia — '80s nostalgia in particular — and the ways this nostalgia can (spectacularly, hilariously) fail us. It's a riotous cultural conversation about which parts of the past we long for and which ones we want to leave behind for good. It's about friendship, honesty, and learning to speak your truth in the face of a boyfriend-stealing cheerleader or an evil triplet. It's all the life lessons you could ever hope to learn from two size-6, blonde-haired, aqua-eyed, identical 16-year-old twins. Strap in.
HOSTED BY
Marissa Flaxbart
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Sweet Valley Diaries have?
Sweet Valley Diaries currently has 187 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Sweet Valley Diaries about?
After years of wide-eyed blogging about the surreal 1980s perfection of Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High book series (and the surprising psychodrama that lurks below the town's perfectly-tanned surface), host Marissa Flaxbart is now forcing people to read the series with her. But beyond its...
How often does Sweet Valley Diaries release new episodes?
Sweet Valley Diaries publishes regularly with 187 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Sweet Valley Diaries?
You can listen to Sweet Valley Diaries on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Sweet Valley Diaries?
Sweet Valley Diaries is created and hosted by Marissa Flaxbart.
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