
SHE WELL READ
Alana Baumann and Samra Michael·172 episodes·Bi-weekly
For well read baddies who love books, pop culture, and everything in between. Best friends Lana and Sam are figuring out how to fit reading into their busy lives—and they know they’re not alone.
That’s why they created a book club on the go: a seasonal podcast with bite-sized episodes where listeners vote on what they read each season. In the off-season, bonus episodes feature conversations with authors, creators, and storytellers.
Whether you read all the time, once in a while, or are just picking up your first book in years, this show celebrates all types of readers. Being well-read is more than just books, it’s a way of life.
Episodes
Latest Episode

May 25, 2026 · 37m
Hey Well Read Baddies, we’re back with another solo bonus episode! Today we give you all of our updates including what we're consuming media wise, book updates, and prepping for Black Romance Book Festival! Tap in then leave us a voice note and let us know your updates :) Follow Lana on Tik Tok for her giveaway! Check your voter registration status and ballots! We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to shewellread@ OR leave us a Voice Note at Follow SHE WELL READ! Instagram: TikTok: Threads: Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread Bookum- Bookshop Storefront- More links including discount codes: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
More Episodes

May 11 · 44m
Hey Well Read Baddies, we’re back with another bonus episode! Today we’re ridin solo with no guests this week! We update y'all on all the things going on in our lives right now, what we've been reading/ getting in to, and the latest in pop culture (WE LOVE YOU MEGAN!!) Tap in then leave us a voice note and let us know your updates :) Shoutout to our latest paid substack subscriber!! Thank you so much for supporting the show, it means so much! Follow Lana on her content journey :) Substack, Tik Tok, Threads We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to shewellread@gmail.com OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread Follow SHE WELL READ! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread Bookum- https://app.bookumapp.com/clubs/668ad565858c97a7faafafb1 Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 27 · 1h 30m
Hey Well Read Baddies, we’re back with another bonus episode! Today we’re joined by the ladies of the Refined and Ratchet podcast Charlee and Nisha! Let's just say, this was the kiki session of all kiki sessions, we had ourselves a timeee, be ready to literally LOL!! We talk about how they got their start, the book community and of course what we're all reading and getting into. This convo goes deep and is definitely one we're going to have run back again. And remember, don't be a send out! IYKYK Tap in then leave us a voice note with your favorite moment from the episode, trust there's plenty to choose from ;) It's Book Vote time!! Cast your vote on what you'd like for us to read on the next season of the show here Learn more about Refined and Ratchet and their work here Be sure to tune in and check out the But What Do I Know podcast hosted by one of our pod sisters Chid! We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to shewellread@gmail.com OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread Follow SHE WELL READ! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread Bookum- https://app.bookumapp.com/clubs/668ad565858c97a7faafafb1 Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 13 · 1h 7m
Hey Well Read Baddies, we’re back with another bonus episode! Today we’re joined by author Danielle Allen discussing her upcoming release Big Girl Blitz, the final book of The Curve Series, available April 14th! We talk about her journey through the series, walking with faith and not fear, spoiler free thoughts on Big Girl Blitz, and what's next... ;) Tap in then leave us a voice note with your favorite moment from the episode. We want to hear what stood out to you! :) It's Book Vote time!! Cast your vote on what you'd like for us to read on the next season of the show here Learn more about Danielle and her work here and the last book she read here Be sure to tune in and check out the But What Do I Know podcast hosted by one of our pod sisters Chid! We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to shewellread@gmail.com OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread Follow SHE WELL READ! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread Bookum- https://app.bookumapp.com/clubs/668ad565858c97a7faafafb1 Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 30 · 1h 4m
Hey Well Read Baddies! We’re back with another bonus episode closing out Women's History Month with one of our faves in the space! Today we’re joined by one of our podcast sisters, Eboné Almon who is the host of the Pretty Private podcast. We talk about her building her podcast and brand, reinvention/ pivoting, and what it means to lean in to your purpose. Tap in to the kiki session, then leave us a voice note with your favorite moment from the episode. We want to hear what stood out to you! :) Learn more about Eboné and her work, including her coloring books! (use code SHEWELLREAD15 for 15% off ;) ) here and the next book on her tbr here We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to shewellread@gmail.com OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread Follow SHE WELL READ! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread Bookum- https://app.bookumapp.com/clubs/668ad565858c97a7faafafb1 Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 16 · 1h 16m
Hey Well Read Baddies, Happy Women's History Month! We’re back with another bonus episode, and today we’re joined by Beatrice Dixon, co-founder of The Honey Pot Co. and author of The Soul Instinct. Yes, THE Honey Pot. The brand that has been holding us down through many a cycle. We talk with Beatrice about building a category-defining plant-based feminine care company, the journey that led her to write her memoir, and what it really means to trust your instincts in business and in life. We also get into women’s health, advocating for yourself medically, the importance of body literacy, and why listening to your gut can change the entire trajectory of your life. And of course, Beatrice leaves the Well Read Baddies with some very real advice for navigating your twenties, figuring it out as you go, and remembering that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be. Tap in, then leave us a voice note with your favorite moment from the episode. We want to hear what stood out to you! :) Learn more about Beatrice and her work here and the next book on her tbr here We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to shewellread@gmail.com OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread Follow SHE WELL READ! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread Bookum- https://app.bookumapp.com/clubs/668ad565858c97a7faafafb1 Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 2 · 58m
Hey well read baddies! We’re back with another bonus episode, and this one is for the girls who are fans of Gone Girl and are impatiently waiting for season three of P-Valley to drop. We’re joined by New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone to talk about her latest release, Boom Town. We get into what it was like for Nic to step into adult fiction after writing dozens of YA books (many of which have been challenged and banned), why she wanted to expand the thriller genre to include characters we can actually relate to and root for, and the real-world conversations the book taps into, from missing persons cases involving Black women to power, privilege, and who society decides is “worthy” of concern. We also revisit the Dear Martin series and talk book bans, censorship, and what it feels like when your work becomes both celebrated and targeted. Tap in, then leave us a voice note with your reaction to the episode and your favorite moment :) Learn more about Nic and her work here and the next book on her tbr here We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to shewellread@gmail.com OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread Follow SHE WELL READ! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread Bookum- https://app.bookumapp.com/clubs/668ad565858c97a7faafafb1 Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 16 · 1h 16m
Hey well read baddies! We’re back with another bonus episode, and the devil tried us today BUT we powered through, and it was sooooo worth it! We’re joined by acclaimed YA author Liara Tamani to talk about her latest release, This Ain’t Our First Rodeo. We get into the Houston Rodeo as the backdrop of the story, all the Texas references that made Lana feel right at home, and why Black cowboys and land legacy in the Black community need to be talked about more. Tap in, then leave us a voice note with your reaction to the episode and your favorite moment :) Learn more about Liara and her work here and the next book on her tbr here It's Lit Literary Awards Voting We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to shewellread@gmail.com OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread Follow SHE WELL READ! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread Bookum- https://app.bookumapp.com/clubs/668ad565858c97a7faafafb1 Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 2 · 44m
Hey well read baddies, Happy Black History Month! On today's bonus episode, we sit down with the author of River Sing Me Home Eleanor Shearer to talk about her upcoming novel Fireflies in Winter—a powerful blend of historical fiction, survival story, and queer Black romance. Eleanor shares how her family history shaped her connection to migration, exile, and belonging. She also takes us behind the scenes of her research process and the real history that inspired the novel. Fireflies in Winter is available 2/10 wherever books are sold! Learn more about Eleanor here and the next book on her tbr here Check out the Oh, Charlee Please! Podcast here Charlee's Book Rec In Covenant with Ezra by Love Belvin available here We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to shewellread@gmail.com OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread Follow SHE WELL READ! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread Bookum- https://app.bookumapp.com/clubs/668ad565858c97a7faafafb1 Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 20 · 41m
Hey Well Read Baddies! We’re kicking off 2026 and Year Seven of She Well Read with a bonus guest episode featuring Gatekeeper Press, one of our Season 6 partners. Joined by Director of Marketing and Business Development Luis Javier, we break down independent publishing, author ownership, and how writers can retain creative control without sacrificing professional support. This episode is a must-listen for writers at any stage—from idea to finished manuscript—and for anyone curious about indie publishing versus traditional routes. Plus, there’s a major 2026 announcement tied to our partnership with Gatekeeper Press that could be a game-changer for one writer in our community. If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your book in the world, make sure you listen all the way through. More info on Gatekeeper Press- https://gatekeeperpress.com/online-consultation/ We can’t wait to hear from you! :) Please send any questions or comments about this episode to shewellread@gmail.com OR leave us a Voice Note at https://www.speakpipe.com/shewellread Follow SHE WELL READ! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewellread/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeDCLdTX/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@shewellread Substack- https://substack.com/@shewellread Bookum- https://app.bookumapp.com/clubs/668ad565858c97a7faafafb1 Bookshop Storefront- https://bookshop.org/shop/shewellread More links including discount codes: https://bio.site/shewellread Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices