Here it is... a long-awaited Circle Time by yours truly, Olivia! This book changed her life and she couldn't wait to share it with everyone. In this episode, Lauren and Olivia discuss "the truth that lives there" and Michelle questions if Sugar's advice still stands in a marriage. Join them for some laughs, maybe some tears, and a whole lot of "horribly horrible true truths".

This book walked its way into Michelle's life and now she can't look back. The daily practices and Buddhist philosophies that Rinzler espouses here bring a renewed sense of meaning into work, and help calm the mind/body along the way. From setting intentions to focusing on the breath, we talk about how to slow down and be mindful at work. . . and the challenges that prevent us from doing so.

Are any of us married? Nope. Do we have any experience with marriage? Nope. Are we still gonna talk about it? Yup. Through information from relationship researcher John Gottman, we talk about the Four Horsemen as they relate to the demise of a relationship as well as the initial "seeds" or warning signs that may mean your relationship could use some TLC. Join us for this conversation that explores marriage, divorce, breaking up with long-term partners, and a whole lot more!

SPOILERS!!! Welcome back to the conversation about It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. In this episode Lauren spills all of her thoughts on the characters, the story, and the book as a whole. Michelle revisits her previous thoughts on what consequence and justice could look like for some characters in this book. Olivia and Lauren agree that they both don't like the ending. Join the circle for a long and energetic conversation about this book and all of the controversies that come with it.

Let's talk about sex, baby! This insightful book is one of our favorites. We *came* out of it knowing so much more about communication around sex, managing turn-ons and turn-offs, and dealing with stress healthily. Talking points include:

-completing the stress cycle
-inhibitors and excitors
-how religion may tie into our perceptions of sex
-tending your own "garden"

This is a 10/10 would recommend book for people of all ages and sexual orientations. It's the sex ed that we've all been missing, and leads us all to live a more pleasure-filled life.

TRIGGER WARNING: domestic violence. NO SPOILERS! This episode is all about Colleen Hoover's book It Ends With Us as well as the movie that stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The Circle Time ladies discuss social and emotional implications this book and movie has on its audience. Olivia describes the premise of the book, Lauren explains where she is at with reading it, and Michelle reaaaallllyyy wants to know the ending. Michelle and Lauren predict different endings the book could have and Olivia questions the backlash Lively and Baldoni received during publicity and advertising for the movie. This episode is packed with wonderings and questions that none of them have answers to, so join them for the ride.

Michelle and Olivia get wild in this episode on one of our favorite books to return to: Women Who Run with the Wolves. (And by "get wild" we mean, get pretty sidetracked and don't actually talk about the book all that much. . .whoops!) Conversation drifts from the meaning of nicknames, to the dangers of opening up your heart, to Olivia's current obsession with pregnancy and post-partum journeys. Tune in for a freshly-caught and unfiltered episode.

Welcome to Season 2 of Circle Time! We're back from summer break and we're kicking off the new season with a rare occasion - all 3 of us read and loved this novel! Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is a story about platonic love, the creative spirit, and, surprisingly enough, video games.

Discussion topics include:
-general gushing about why we loved this book
-what we value in a female main character
-Zevin's unique writing style
-coming back to the idea of forgiveness, as seen in a novel rather than nonfiction