Lit with Lara Ashley

Lit with Lara Ashley

por Lara Ashley

Temporada 1

Spring Cleaning My Home Library

It’s time for a different kind of spring cleaning. In this cozy, reflective episode, Lara Ashley takes you inside her home library, shelf by shelf: sharing the stories behind her collection, what she’s loving, what she needs to read next, and where she’s learning to slow down. From a romance shelf that’s almost full (and a reminder to read before buying more), to banned books, graphic novels like Lore Olympus, and nostalgic favorites like Harry Potter and Amari and the Night Brothers, this episode is a personal walk through a reader’s life. Lara also shares her love for cozy fantasy (Legends & Lattes), thrillers, holiday reads, and the books that have shaped her, including memoirs like The Truths We Hold and her own unpublished novel, which holds a special place on her shelf. This episode is about more than organizing books; it’s about reflecting on identity, growth, and the stories we choose to keep close. If you’ve ever looked at your bookshelf and seen a version of yourself staring back, this one’s for you. Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and come spring clean with me. This episode was lit. ✨

Michelle Obama’s The Look — Fashion, Power, and Why She’s Still That Girl

In honor of Women’s History Month, Lara Ashley explores The Look by Michelle Obama; a powerful reflection on fashion, identity, and the cultural weight of being seen. This episode goes beyond style and into symbolism. Lara discusses how Michelle Obama used fashion intentionally during her time as First Lady and beyond: elevating emerging designers, redefining political image, and navigating public scrutiny with grace and confidence. From the unforgettable purple Sergio Hudson inauguration look, to the soft elegance of her first inaugural gown, to the bold Balenciaga boots that reintroduced her to the world post–White House, this conversation highlights how clothing became language. Also, how Michelle Obama remains an icon and cultural architect long after her official role ended. The episode also reflects on leadership, Black womanhood in public spaces, and the politics of presentation, closing with a curated Community Library of companion reads including Becoming, The Hill We Climb, and The Beautiful Ones. Grab your favorite drink and settle in for a thoughtful conversation on power, legacy, and being unapologetically visible. This episode was lit. ✨

Park Avenue — Power, Ambition, and the Masks We Wear

Released on Fat Tuesday, this Mardi Gras–inspired episode of Lit with Lara Ashley dives into Park Avenue. A novel about wealth, ambition, romance, and the quiet cost of success. In this episode, Lara Ashley reflects on power and performance, the masks we wear in our careers and relationships, and what it means to pursue ambition without losing ourselves. Using the spirit of Mardi Gras as a lens, she explores themes of indulgence, legacy, reinvention, and the tension between image and authenticity. Lara also highlights a New Orleans–rooted author whose work deepens the conversation around power and inheritance, and closes the episode with a curated Community Library for readers drawn to stories of glamour, ambition, and identity. Pour a drink, settle in, and enjoy a thoughtful Fat Tuesday read that lingers long after the celebration ends. This episode was lit

Lights Out-Dark Romance, Desire, & Why We Love Red Flags (on the page)

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Lara Ashley switches things up with Lights Out. A dark, spicy romance that’s addictive, chaotic, and impossible to put down. In this episode of Lit with Lara Ashley, Lara unpacks the appeal of dark romance, the difference between fantasy and real-life relationships, and why stories filled with red flags can still be fun, compelling, and deeply entertaining on the page. She talks desire, obsession, chemistry, and what makes Aly such a strong and self-aware female lead, while being honest about who this book is — and isn’t — for. This Valentine’s Day episode is playful, reflective, and a little unhinged, reminding us that not every love story has to be soft to be meaningful. Grab your favorite drink, get comfortable, and let’s talk about a romance that leans into the fantasy, and owns it. This episode was lit.

Episode 1

In the first official episode of Lit with Lara Ashley, host Lara Ashley reflects on The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea; a lyrical fantasy inspired by Korean mythology and centered on sacrifice, courage, and compassion. Lara shares how this book found her at the end of the year, why Mina resonated so deeply as a quiet but brave heroine, and what made this story the perfect place to begin the podcast. She explores themes of inherited narratives, love rooted in trust, and the power of choosing empathy in a world shaped by fear. This episode sets the tone for Lit with Lara Ashley: thoughtful conversations about books that linger, personal reflections, and a growing community of readers who love stories that make them feel deeply. Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and start at the beginning.

Letting Go of Perfection — Choosing Peace Over Performance

In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode of Lit with Lara Ashley, Lara Ashley explores the quiet weight of perfectionism: how it shows up in our daily lives, why it’s so hard to release, and what it looks like to choose peace instead. Through personal reflection and insights inspired by Nedra Glover Tawwab and her work in Set Boundaries, Find Peace, this episode unpacks the connection between perfectionism, boundaries, and self-worth. Lara Ashley reflects on the pressure to perform, the fear of not getting it right, and the emotional cost of constantly trying to meet unrealistic expectations, especially in a world shaped by comparison and visibility. This episode also includes accessible mental health resources and a curated Community Library of self-help books to support your journey toward a more aligned, less pressured life. If you’ve ever felt like you had to be perfect to be enough, this conversation is for you. Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and give yourself permission to just be. This episode was lit. ✨

Episode 0: Starting Somewhere

Welcome to the soft launch of Lit with Lara Ashley! In this special debut episode, I’m stepping behind the mic to share the heart behind this podcast — why I created it, what held me back from starting, and what I hope to build with this community. In this episode, I talk about: The vision for Lit with Lara Ashley How fear and perfectionism delayed my start The kind of bookish content you can expect going forward How Likeable Badass helped me reset my goals and confidence Why I believe your voice, like mine, deserves space This podcast is for readers, writers, indie bookstore enthusiasts, and anyone seeking thoughtful conversations about books, creativity, and confidence. Thanks for being here from the beginning. New episodes drop every other Tuesday, starting January 6, 2026.

More Than Romance: Allie Samberts on Burnout, Friendship & Not a Strong Enough Word

This week on Lit with Lara Ashley, I’m joined by author Allie Samberts to discuss her novel Not a Strong Enough Word: a story that goes far beyond romance. Together, we discuss burnout, creativity, publishing pressure, women’s friendship, emotional healing, and what it means to return to yourself after life quietly breaks you apart. We also dive into: Scarlett’s emotional journey throughout the novel The realities of writing and publishing Why Trina’s friendship is one of the book’s strongest relationships Ryan is the ultimate “book boyfriend.” Mental health, ambition, and rebuilding after burnout The paperback release is coming this June As someone who doesn’t typically gravitate toward romance-heavy books, I was surprised by how deeply this story resonated with me — especially its conversations around identity, exhaustion, and starting over. If you love emotionally layered stories about creativity, healing, friendship, and second chances, this episode is for you. Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and join the conversation.

Letting Go of Perfection — Choosing Peace Over Performance

In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode of Lit with Lara Ashley, Lara Ashley explores the quiet weight of perfectionism: how it shows up in our daily lives, why it’s so hard to release, and what it looks like to choose peace instead. Through personal reflection and insights inspired by Nedra Glover Tawwab and her work in Set Boundaries, Find Peace, this episode unpacks the connection between perfectionism, boundaries, and self-worth. Lara reflects on the pressure to perform, the fear of not getting it right, and the emotional cost of constantly trying to meet unrealistic expectations, especially in a world shaped by comparison and visibility. This episode also includes accessible mental health resources and a curated Community Library of self-help books to support your journey toward a more aligned, less pressured life. If you’ve ever felt like you had to be perfect to be enough; this conversation is for you. Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and give yourself permission to just be. This episode was lit. ✨

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