The Beautiful and Banned Podcast By Christine Renee Miller and Jessica Goudeau cover art

The Beautiful and Banned

The Beautiful and Banned

By: Christine Renee Miller and Jessica Goudeau
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About this listen

A weekly conversational podcast with Christine Renee Miller and Jessica Goudeau about banned books, plays, and films now and throughout history--with occasional guests.

© 2025 The Beautiful and Banned
Art Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • S3, Interlude 2
    Jun 24 2025

    In this short interlude, Jessica and Christine are together at the Creative Writing MFA program Wilkes University, where they met and they both teach. They tell you why there will be a one-week delay on the season finale--which gives you time to read George Orwell's 1984 along with them! Join us next Tuesday for the final episode of season 3!

    Join the conversation on Substack! If you'd prefer to be a Patreon subscriber, you can join now for just $3 a month. Thank you for your support! The success of this podcast depends on you!

    "The Beautiful and Banned" is produced by Jessica Goudeau and Christine Renee Miller. Follow us on social media: @beautifulandbannedpod, @christinereneemiller, and @jessica_goudeau.

    If you have questions for us, visit the "Contact Us" page on our website. If you liked our show, please rate and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts. The best way to support our podcast is to share it with your friends!

    Our co-producer, Rob Heath, wrote and performed our theme music. Kalin Siegwalddesigned our logo. Jillian Benedict is our amazing podcast assistant. This is A Sisters By Different Misters Production.

    Interlude 2 link:

    • Find out more about the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Wilkes University

    We'd love to hear from you! Send us a text to suggest books, plays, films, or guests, or just share your thoughts!

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    11 mins
  • S3, E8: Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
    Jun 10 2025

    Christine and Jessica discuss Red, White, and Royal Blue, one of the most banned books in recent history: a royal romp with political overtones and a heart of gold. Jessica's life goal of getting Christine to read contemporary romance is unlocked! And even though Jessica was less than hopeful about Texas politics in this episode, just a few days after it was recorded, the first lesbian, Asian-American mayor of San Antonio was elected in a decisive victory despite being the outspent underdog, proving why McQuiston's book remains so timely--because Texas will always, always surprise you.

    Join the conversation on Substack! If you'd prefer to be a Patreon subscriber, you can join now for just $3 a month. Thank you for your support! The success of this podcast depends on you!

    "The Beautiful and Banned" is produced by Jessica Goudeau and Christine Renee Miller. Follow us on social media: @beautifulandbannedpod, @christinereneemiller, and @jessica_goudeau.

    If you have questions for us, visit the "Contact Us" page on our website. If you liked our show, please rate and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts. The best way to support our podcast is to share it with your friends!

    Our co-producer, Rob Heath, wrote and performed our theme music. Kalin Siegwalddesigned our logo. Jillian Benedict is our amazing podcast assistant. This is A Sisters By Different Misters Production.

    Join us in two weeks in the season 3 finale as Christine and Jessica discuss 1984 by George Orwell!

    Episode 8 Links:

    • Red, White, and Royal Blue
    • Casey McQuiston's website
    • A 2022 Publisher's Weekly interview with McQuiston
    • The Texas Tribune on one of the Texas lege bills we mention

    We'd love to hear from you! Send us a text to suggest books, plays, films, or guests, or just share your thoughts!

    Show more Show less
    57 mins
  • S3, E7: Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
    May 27 2025

    For the first time on this podcast, we're reading a book that is not banned: Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin is controversial and challenging, but not challenged--at least not yet. But it's such a seminal book for understanding where we are in the country, and how we can both criticize and love our country, that we decided to read it anyway. Listen in to this important conversation about Baldwin whose every word is incredible, the roots of racism and how it hurts all of us, and how we can move forward as a nation. This book is deeply critical and holds well-earned hope--we promise, this conversation will change you.

    Join the conversation on Substack! If you'd prefer to be a Patreon subscriber, you can join now for just $3 a month. Thank you for your support! The success of this podcast depends on you!

    "The Beautiful and Banned" is produced by Jessica Goudeau and Christine Renee Miller. Follow us on social media: @beautifulandbannedpod, @christinereneemiller, and @jessica_goudeau.

    If you have questions for us, visit the "Contact Us" page on our website. If you liked our show, please rate and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts. The best way to support our podcast is to share it with your friends!

    Our co-producer, Rob Heath, wrote and performed our theme music. Kalin Siegwald designed our logo. Jillian Benedict is our amazing podcast assistant. This is A Sisters By Different Misters Production.

    Join us in two weeks as Christine and Jessica discuss Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston!

    Episode 7 links:

    • Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
    • Baldwin's biography
    • Info about Baldwin's relationship with Lucien Happersberger


    We'd love to hear from you! Send us a text to suggest books, plays, films, or guests, or just share your thoughts!

    Show more Show less
    55 mins
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