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Available Episodes

5 of 9

The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Step into the shadows one last time this season as we close out Season One of Everyone Should Read with two of the most iconic Gothic masterpieces ever written: Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray and Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.In this finale, hosts Drew Sylva and Kate Watters explore the twisted dualities of morality, vanity, and the human soul. We unpack how Wilde and Stevenson use Gothic horror to reveal what happens when beauty, power, and repression collide — and why these stories still feel unsettlingly modern.From Victorian aesthetics to psychological horror, we trace the origins of the “split self,” the dangers of perfectionism, and how these timeless tales continue to influence pop culture today.Listen now to the season finale of Everyone Should Read — a deep dive into desire, decay, and the darkness within.Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube to catch upcoming bonus content and updates on Season Two!Trigger Warning: this episode discusses suicide. If you, or anyone you know are suffering from thoughts of self harm, or suicide, please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Text HELP for English or AYUDA for Spanish.
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1:10:33
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1:10:33
Mexican Gothic and Vampires of El Norte
In this episode of Everyone Should Read, hosts Kate Watters and Drew Sylva explore the dark beauty and haunting allure of Mexican Gothic literature through two standout novels — Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas. Join us as we discuss how these works blend Gothic horror, postcolonial themes, and feminist storytelling to challenge traditional narratives of power, race, and identity. From crumbling haciendas to blood-soaked battlefields, we unpack the symbolism, historical context, and modern resurgence of Latin American Gothic fiction.Perfect for fans of literary horror, cultural criticism, and dark romance, this episode delves into the enduring legacy of the Gothic tradition — reimagined through a distinctly Mexican lens.🎧 Tune in for insights on:The cultural and historical roots of Mexican Gothic fictionHow Moreno-Garcia and Cañas use horror to explore colonial trauma and genderThe evolution of the Gothic heroine in contemporary literature**The artist Drew mentions is Paloma Contreras Lomas**
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43:57
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43:57
The Yellow Wallpaper and Lovecraft
In this haunting episode of Everyone Should Read, hosts Kate Watters and Drew Sylva dive deep into the unsettling world of Gothic Horror. From Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper to the cosmic terrors of H.P. Lovecraft. They explore how each writer captures the fear of the unknown, psychological confinement, and the boundaries of reality itself.Through Gilman’s chilling portrayal of postpartum depression and female agency in a patriarchal world, and Lovecraft’s obsession with cosmic dread, Kate and Drew uncover how horror reflects both inner madness and societal control. Tune in for a discussion that blends literary analysis, feminist critique, and the psychology of fear, all wrapped in the eerie atmosphere that defines Gothic storytelling.Trigger Warning: this episode discusses suicide. If you, or anyone you know are suffering from thoughts of self harm, or suicide, please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Text HELP for English or AYUDA for Spanish.
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29:07
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29:07
Rime of the Ancient Mariner and The Raven
Step into the haunting world of Gothic poetry as Kate Watters and Drew Sylva unravel two of literature’s most iconic works: Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven. In this episode of Everyone Should Read, they explore how these poems capture the essence of the Gothic tradition—mystery, superstition, horror, and the sublime—while also shaping the way we understand fear, guilt, and the supernatural in modern culture.From the cursed voyage of Coleridge’s mariner to Poe’s hypnotic refrain of “Nevermore,” Kate and Drew break down key themes, historical context, and cultural impact. Whether you’re a fan of Romantic poetry, Gothic literature, or simply want to understand why these chilling verses remain unforgettable, this episode will guide you through the shadows of two masterpieces that defined the genre.
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23:56
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23:56
Beloved and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
In this episode of Everyone Should Read, hosts Drew Sylva and Kate Watters dive into the Southern American Gothic tradition, analyzing two iconic works: Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Beloved and Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize winning play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. They discuss how these masterpieces explore themes of haunting, memory, trauma, family secrets, repression, and desire while painting a vivid picture of the American South.From Morrison’s ghost story rooted in the legacy of slavery to Williams’ drama of power, love, and denial, Drew and Kate highlight how Gothic literature exposes hidden truths about American history, race, sexuality, and identity. Perfect for fans of classic literature, Southern Gothic stories, and cultural analysis, this episode connects the past to present conversations about resilience, legacy, and the ghosts that still shape our world today.Trigger Warning: this episode discusses suicide. If you, or anyone you know are suffering from thoughts of self harm, or suicide, please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Text HELP for English or AYUDA for Spanish.
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54:25
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54:25