Best Alexandra Virginia Podcasts (2025)

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Exodus 10: When Darkness Falls 6:27

11h ago6:27

6:27

Send us a text In Exodus 10, the plagues of locusts and darkness descend: Egypt's land is stripped bare, and even Pharaoh begins to fear death. As the world darkness, host Alexandra reflects on her own moment of panic and discovery, finding new light and a fresh way to tell the story. Beeswax Garden Explore the garden for natural candles crafted to…

1
Greece Lightnin': My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell 1:02:47

19m ago1:02:47

1:02:47

SLoB is turning 1! To celebrate, Sophie and Jonty re-read one of their all time favorites, My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. My Family and Other Animals (1956) is the beloved, hilarious, brilliant chronicle of a childhood idyll — which is also a series of comic disasters — set on the Ionian Greek Island of Corfu. The memoir is the firs…

1
BARD - Strange Bedfellows and Shifting Perspectives 17:04

5d ago17:04

17:04

Mark and Gary unpack global and domestic headlines, from Israel’s controversial role in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict to a shocking $10 million verdict after a six-year-old shot his teacher. The hosts explore how social media reshapes tribal loyalties, how negligence meets justice, and why even the Supreme Court’s balance could soon shift. Watch …

1
Exodus 9: Echoes of Mercy 20:15

2d ago20:15

20:15

Send us a text In Exodus 9, the Lord warns Egypt before the storm, revealing mercy even amid judgement. Pharaoh hardens his heart, as evildoers often do once danger passes. This episode reflects on divine patience, and how the G-d of Israel, and Israel itself, still mirror that mercy in times of conflict. Beeswax Garden Explore the garden for natur…

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American Horror 3: Salem's Lot by Stephen King 1:10:00

2d ago1:10:00

1:10:00

Salem’s Lot (1975) is Stephen King’s second published novel, and many would say it's his best. It tells the story of a plague of vampires running amok in a blue-collar town in New England and the band of heroes who come together to fight them. We’re aware that many listeners may not have read a Stephen King novel, although they will probably have s…

1
BARD - Dodgers Drama, Baseball Rules, and the Golden Era of the Postseason 14:27

12d ago14:27

14:27

Mark and Gary kick off this episode with a deep dive into one of the wildest Dodgers finishes in recent memory, a game-ending double play for the ages and a ball wedged in the wall that had fans (and umpires) scrambling for the rulebook. They break down the bizarre play, the brilliance of Kike Hernández, and why this postseason feels like baseball’…

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Exodus 8: Patience, Persistance, and Trusting The Plan 15:24

9d ago15:24

15:24

Send us a text In Exodus 8, the Lord sends the plagues of frogs, gnats, and flies, revealing His power and Pharaoh's stubborn heart. This episode explores the lessons of patience, consistency, and trusting the bigger plan when facing difficult people. Join us as we reflect on how steady faith can cultivate light in challenging moments. Beeswax Gard…

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American Horror 2: Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin 51:57

9d ago51:57

51:57

Chocolate Mouse, anyone? Rosemary’s Baby was a smash hit on release - the best selling horror novel of the 1960s, eventually selling over 4 million copies. The year after publication it was adapted into one of the greatest films of the decade - directed by Roman Polanski with Mia Farrow as the eponymous heroine. At first glance, it seems that Ira L…

1
BARD - Inside NYC’s High-Stakes Election and NBA Gambling Scandal 19:32

19d ago19:32

19:32

Mark and Gary welcome new Los Angeles Magazine contributor Lauren Conlin to break down New York’s most chaotic headlines, from the polarizing Mamdani-Cuomo race to the mob-linked poker scandal entangling NBA names. Also: Dodgers World Series updates, Twitter trolls, and magic glasses that reveal more than just cards. Watch Beyond A Reasonable Doubt…

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Exodus 7: The Staff of Power 15:38

16d ago15:38

15:38

Send us a text In this episode of Sacred Garden, Moses steps into his calling, still trembling but obedient. Before Pharaoh, the shepherd's staff becomes the staff of power, first transforming before the court, then turning the Nile to blood. It's the beginning of the Lord's mighty works in Egypt, when divine authority flows through human hands. To…

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American Horror: The Haunting of Hill House 1:10:38

18d ago1:10:38

1:10:38

Who's afraid of American horror? Sophie and Jonty, for starters. To celebrate halloween, SLOB is taking a deep dive into three classics of the American Horror genre. We've chosen novels published after 1945, and we're asking how the war - and its many aftershocks and resonances in American domestic and political life - transformed horror as a liter…

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BARD - Otani’s Masterpiece & the Shifting Legal Landscape 17:50

26d ago17:50

17:50

Mark and Gary kick off with awe over Shohei Otani’s historic postseason dominance, especially in Friday's Game 4, which included 10 strikeouts, 3 home runs, and a performance that may go down as one of the greatest in baseball history. From there, the conversation pivots to the latest legal fireworks: John Bolton’s classified docs case, the DOJ’s q…

1
Exodus 6: The Promise Remembered 22:19

25d ago22:19

22:19

Send us a text In this episode we enter Exodus 6: a moment of renewal after despair. Moses doubts, but the covenant is reaffirmed, reminding Israel that deliverance begins not with power, but with remembrance. Before the miracles come, the promise is remembered and hope is restored. Beeswax Garden Explore the garden for natural candles crafted to i…

1
Montaigne pt2: A Montaigne out of a mole hill (with Rowan Tomlinson) 48:32

24d ago48:32

48:32

Jonty and Sophie were separated by an ocean while Sophie and her family went back to New York and Jonty stayed in Sydney - so they made lemonade out of life's lemons, and created two miniature episodes about the great 16th-century French essayist Michel de Montaigne. Montaigne isn't just any old essayist — he's the man who invented the form, with t…

1
Montaigne pt1: Climb Every Montaigne (with Stephen Greenblatt) 35:28

24d ago35:28

35:28

Sophie talks to one of the world's leading literary scholars, who co-founded a whole branch of literary studies known as "The New Historicism," before reinventing Shakespeare for new generations of readers, and then turning the Roman poet Lucretius into an (almost) household name. Stephen Greenblatt is professor of English at Harvard University, he…

1
BARD - Facing Trial: Fear, Federal Power, and a Nine-Figure Crypto Scandal 20:34

1M ago20:34

20:34

Mark and Gary dive deep into the emotional and legal realities of facing trial, whether it’s the City of Los Angeles or the full weight of the federal government. From two high-profile indictments (James Comey and Tish James) to a jaw-dropping $188M crypto windfall tied to a presidential tariff leak, they dissect this week’s legal chaos and touch o…

1
Exodus 5: Hope Under Pressure 23:00

1M ago23:00

23:00

Send us a text Moses begins his mission full of faith, but Pharaoh's refusal brings only stress and setback. In this episode, we explore what happens when hope meets resistance, and how trusting the Lord means holding steady, even when the weight of obedience feels too heavy to bear. Beeswax Garden Explore the garden for natural candles crafted to …

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SLoB's Four (literary) weddings and a funeral 59:38

1M ago59:38

59:38

The label says what's in the tin: Secret Life of Books dives deep into weddings and funerals in literature, asking why they become iconic moments to hang a story on. Family strife, betrayal, love, passion, disappointment and hope are all bound up in these major life events where we see characters' true colors and desires writ large. -- To join the …

1
BARD - Diddy’s Sentence, Sentencing Guidelines, and What Comes Next 21:10

1M ago21:10

21:10

Mark and Gary break down Sean “Diddy” Combs’ 50-month sentence, explore the legal strategy behind sentencing guidelines, and weigh the potential for early release, appeal, or even clemency. Plus, insight into how the judge factored in acquitted conduct, reactions from the courtroom, and what Puff’s next steps may be. Watch Beyond A Reasonable Doubt…

1
Exodus 4: Equipped in Our Weakness 22:58

1M ago22:58

22:58

Send us a text Moses hesitates, but the Lord does not abandon him. In Exodus 4, we discover how divine provision meets human doubt, reminding us that the Lord's strength works through our weakness. Support the show Each story we reflect on comes from the Tanakh. I encourage you to read it in your own time — to let the words meet you where you are a…

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Wilkie Collins 2: The Moonstone 1:11:54

1M ago1:11:54

1:11:54

With The Moonstone, Wilkie Collins published yet another giant sensation, this time pioneering the detective novel and mystery/heist genre. It was published in 1868 and serialised - just as The Woman White was - in Dickens’ All the Year Round, making it one of the most popular books of Victorian Britain. Jonty and Sophie will show how The Moonstone…

1
BARD - Comey Indicted, Kimmel Reinstated: Two Worlds Collide in the Court of Public Opinion 24:06

2M ago24:06

24:06

Mark and Gary break down the bombshell indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, examining the grand jury dynamics, legal strategy, and political theater, before turning to the unexpected reinstatement of Jimmy Kimmel and what it reveals about corporate pressure, cancel culture, and Hollywood loyalty. Watch Beyond A Reasonable Doubt and all Re…

1
BONUS: Jennifer Egan on the Woman in White 37:37

2M ago37:37

37:37

As part of our ongoing “That’s Classic!” series, we're joined by the wonderful Jennifer Egan to chat about the sensational thriller The Woman in White. Jennifer is one of the most loved, admired and critically acclaimed writers in America, with fans all over the world. Jennifer is a Pulitzer Prize winner and was President of the vitally important P…

1
Exodus 3: Moses' Call on Holy Ground 23:17

2M ago23:17

23:17

Send us a text In Exodus 3, Moses encounters the Lord in the wilderness, where a bush burns without being consumed. Called by name, he is invited into a mission of freedom on holy ground. This episode of Sacred Garden explores how the sacred can break into ordinary places and awaken us to purpose. Beeswax Garden Explore the garden for natural candl…

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Wilkie Collins 1: The Woman in White 1:19:36

1M ago1:19:36

1:19:36

The Woman in White was a sensation when it was serialised in Charles Dickens’ magazine All The Year Round in 1859 and 1860. It begins with an uncanny late-night meeting on the road to London between a young man and a woman dressed entirely in white. It ends with a sensational cat and mouse game between a villain and his pursuers. One of the unsung …

1
BARD x 2AM - America Is Dying: Kimmel Silenced, Free Speech Under Attack 36:47

2M ago36:47

36:47

Jimmy Kimmel’s indefinite suspension from ABC has sparked nationwide backlash and fierce debate over free speech, censorship, and the state of American democracy. In this episode, we break down why Kimmel was pulled off the air, the legal and cultural fallout, and whether this marks a turning point for late-night TV and the First Amendment. From pu…

1
SLOB Reads: The Sonnet with Paul Muldoon 38:24

2M ago38:24

38:24

For several weeks we've been recording a subscribers-only mini series on the history of the sonnet in English. Sonnets are crowd-pleasers - short, sometimes sweet, and they always deliver a lot of bang for the reading buck. Today, one of the world's great living poets, Paul Muldoon, Pulitzer Prize winner and former poetry editor of the New Yorker, …

1
Exodus 2: Moses' Beginnings 27:04

2M ago27:04

27:04

Send us a text Step into Exodus chapter 2 with us and discover how courage, compassion, and quiet providence weave through the birth of Moses. From a mother's daring to a princess's kindness, redemption begins to stir in hidden places - the tender beginning of Israel's deliverance. Beeswax Garden Explore the garden for natural candles crafted to in…

1
The Secret Life of Trains: how rail travel changed fiction - for ever 1:04:19

2M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

It was five o’clock on a winter’s morning in Syria. Alongside the platform at Aleppo stood the train grandly designated in railway guides as the Taurus Express. So Agatha Christie began her sleeper [car] hit, Murder on the Orient Express (1934). All aboard! In the latest of SLoB's much-loved special episodes on surprising, fun, and always deeply re…

1
BARD - Charlie Kirk, Civil Discourse, and the Edge of Outrage 24:44

2M ago24:44

24:44

Mark and Gary confront a grim week in American politics following the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. They explore the unraveling of civil discourse, rising extremism, and the eerie role of video in shaping public reaction—before ending with a provocative clip from E. Jean Carroll’s post-trial interview that sparks its own debate. Watch Beyond A Re…

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BONUS: Writing Virginia Woolf's life (with Hermione Lee) 43:40

2M ago43:40

43:40

In this final episode in SLoB's series on Virginia Woolf, Jonty talks to literary biographer Hermione Lee whose Virginia Woolf (1996) is perhaps the most respected account of her life and art in a world not short on them. Hermione talks about the challenges in writing about somebody who had such firm views on what a biography should and shouldn't b…

1
Exodus 1: The Midwives' Courage 16:20

2M ago16:20

16:20

Send us a text Season 2 opens with Exodus 1: the Israelites suffer under Pharaoh's harsh decrees, yet they continue to grow in number. In the midst of fear, two midwives─Shiphrah and Puah─stand against the king's command, choosing life over death. Their quiet defiance becomes the first spark of Israel's redemption. Beeswax Garden Explore the garden…

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Virginia Woolf 5: The Waves 57:11

2M ago57:11

57:11

We thought we’d be concluding our Virginia Woolf deep-dive with "A Room of One’s Own," but we’ve enjoyed this series so much we decided to extend. Today we’re looking at the book which many Woolf obsessives consider her masterpiece. Woolf published The Waves in 1931, just two years after her string of masterpieces, Mrs Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, …

1
BARD - Faith in the System: Courts, Crisis, and Constitutional Calm 16:30

2M ago16:30

16:30

Mark and Gary dig into recent legal headlines and unpack why, despite rampant political division, America’s judicial system is still functioning as designed. They examine Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s comments on the rule of law, debate whether public fears of constitutional collapse are overblown, and dissect a federal ruling against Trump’s Nationa…

1
Between the Books: a Farewell to Genesis 2:33

2M ago2:33

2:33

Send us a text Between Seasons 1 and 2, I want to pause and say thank you ─ for walking with me through Genesis, for listening, and for letting these ancient stories speak into your lives. In this short bridge episode, I share a small change for how we'll connect going forward: instead of scattered social media updates, our conversations will happe…

1
Virginia Woolf 4: A Room Of One's Own 1:09:41

2M ago1:09:41

1:09:41

Thank God, my long toil at the women’s lecture is this moment ended. I am back from speaking at Girton, in floods of rain. Starved but valiant young women – that’s my impression. That’s what Virginia Woolf wrote in her diary after delivering the lectures that became “A Room of One’s Own,” arguably the most important feminist manifesto of the twenti…

1
BARD - Cardi B in Court: Comedy, Chaos, and Legal Lessons 14:09

2M ago14:09

14:09

On this holiday weekend edition, Mark and Gary dive headfirst into the courtroom circus that is the Cardi B civil trial—a case so absurd, it’s practically writing its own punchlines. From viral testimony and “Temu lawyer” comparisons to the plaintiff’s questionable motives and Cardi’s unfiltered charisma on the stand, they unpack the legal spectacl…

1
Mia interviews jo + bahar on Kink, BDSM, and Creativity

3M ago

—

bahar (they/them) is an Iranian, queer, trans, non-binary Intimacy Coordinator + bike mechanic based in NYC. Their background in theater and acting often explored themes of gender and sexuality, paving the way to their role as a Sex Educator & Consultant. They are passionate about biking, karaoke, and tinned fish. bahar is on IG @baharloo.intimacy …

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Virginia Woolf 3: Orlando 1:20:20

3M ago1:20:20

1:20:20

Virginia Woolf wrote Orlando, a gender-defying historical romance, in 1927, when her intimate friend and lover Vita Sackville-West left London to join her diplomat husband Harold Nicholson in Tehran. Orlando is a love-story set across 300 years of English history, starting in the Elizabethan court and finishing in 1920s England. It features an irre…

1
Genesis 50: The Lord Meant It For Good 17:31

3M ago17:31

17:31

Send us a text Jacob is laid to rest in Canaan, and a fearful and guilt-ridden reunion occurs between Joseph and his brothers. We will explore Joseph’s wisdom in the face of his brothers' guilt and fear and what it means for us today. Beeswax Garden Explore the garden for natural candles crafted to inspire peace and cultivate your sacred rituals. D…

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BARD - Maxwell’s Interview, Epstein’s Death, and a Parole Board in Chaos 27:14

3M ago27:14

27:14

Mark and Gary tackle a whirlwind of legal drama in this week’s episode. From Ghislaine Maxwell’s newly released “queen for a day” interview to her claims about Jeffrey Epstein’s death, the hosts unpack what’s fact, what’s speculation, and why the audio quality became a talking point of its own. Then, Mark dives into the messy Menendez parole hearin…

1
BONUS: Reading Mrs Dalloway (with Alexandra Schwartz) 29:39

3M ago29:39

29:39

"Throw that party. Go for it. It's worth it." In today’s Mrs. Dalloway special episode, Sophie talks to Alex Schwartz, writer, critic and co-host of the New Yorker Magazine’s Critics at Large pod. On “Critics at Large’ she discusses the most urgent cultural matters, ranging from Sesame Street to the Pope to Meaghan and Harry to Ancient Rome. Which …

1
Virginia Woolf 2: To The Lighthouse 1:09:44

3M ago1:09:44

1:09:44

50 is the new 25! “To the Lighthouse” is Virginia Woolf’s masterpiece about summer holidays and the passage of time. It’s perhaps the greatest novel ever written about middle-age, published when Viriginia Woolf herself was middle aged, and recorded by Sophie and Jonty at the height of their middle aged powers. The novel was published in 1927, after…

1
The Prophetic Blessing of Jacob's Sons: Genesis 49 25:56

3M ago25:56

25:56

Send us a text Jacob, on his deathbed, prophesies each over of his twelve sons, revealing the destiny the of their future tribes. Some are blessed, others are rebuked. This prophetic poem outlines the strengths and of the strategies tribes and Judah establishes Judah as the royal line, transforming the family into a nation. Beeswax Garden Explore t…

1
BARD - Menendez Brothers Face the Parole Board: A Defining Week Ahead 13:49

3M ago13:49

13:49

Mark and Gary discuss the upcoming parole hearings for the Menendez brothers, a pivotal moment in a decades-long legal battle. They reflect on the remarkable progress made over the past two years, the brothers’ rehabilitation behind bars, and the emotional weight carried by their family and supporters. Plus, they break down a jaw-dropping courtroom…

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BONUS: Virginia Woolf, the not-so-Common Reader (with Alexandra Harris) 34:55

3M ago34:55

34:55

‘Think of a book as a very dangerous and exciting game, which it takes two to play at.’ For Virginia Woolf, reading wasn’t a passive act. It requires guts and ingenuity. At times one is locked in combat with a book, at others one is the ‘accomplice’ of a writer, like an accomplice to crime, aiding an act of daring imagination. Few people read as cl…

1
Virginia Woolf 1: Mrs Dalloway 1:13:56

3M ago1:13:56

1:13:56

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Not the Secret Life of Books, as we joyfully immerse ourselves in four of Woolf's greatest books to celebrate what is probably the most extraordinary middle-aged flowering of literary talent in history. Virginia Woolf was 43 when she published Mrs. Dalloway, 100 years ago in 1925. She went on to publish To the Lighth…

1
Genesis 48: The Surprising Blessing of Ephraim & Manasseh 12:42

3M ago12:42

12:42

Send us a text Jacob, on his deathbed, adopts Joseph's sons and gives a surprising blessing, elevating the younger Ephraim over the elder Manasseh, highlighting God's unexpected choices. Beeswax Garden Explore the garden for natural candles crafted to inspire peace and cultivate your sacred rituals. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I…

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BARD - Uncle Sam on Steroids, Virginia’s Curious Law, and Malibu’s High-Profile Civil Case 17:03

3M ago17:03

17:03

Mark and Gary unpack ICE’s bizarre new recruitment ads hitting Los Angeles, examine a Virginia law raising questions about reproductive product privacy, and dig into a Malibu wrongful death case that’s drawn attorney Alan Jackson back to the spotlight. Watch Beyond A Reasonable Doubt and all Reasonable Doubt video content on YouTube exclusively at …

1
Smells Like Teen Spirit: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole 1:07:30

3M ago1:07:30

1:07:30

Martin Amis’ Money, Thomas Wolfe’s The Bonfire of the Vanities, Bret Easton Ellis’ Less Than Zero… These books are often cited as defining works of the 1980s - serious works of literature that captured the spirit of the age. They are all great books, but spare a thought too for Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾. Like The Diary…

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