The Fake Ass Book Club
The Book Club is Fake but the Talk is REAL! The F.A.B. Podcast serves cocktails while also serving up stories with a side dish of humor, a sprinkle of sarcasm, and an occasional expletive as garnish. Every hump day, tune in as Moni and Kat playfully and thoughtfully explore compelling books and topics as they relate to the human experience, filtered through the lens as black women in the midwest. Let each episode illustrate the power of storytelling and how it connects us all. This podcast is a reason for them to connect as friends, as individuals, and...
Moni and Kat review “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros
This week, the hosts dive into The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros and for once, they don’t see eye to eye. In a rare twist, one host connected with the book while the other didn’t, not because of the story itself, but because of its unique vignette-style format. Even with that divide, the conversation proves why this modern classic continues to resonate, sparking thoughtful discussion around voice, identity, and storytelling. You’ll have to tune in to find out who was on which side. Cheers!!Â
*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult a...
April Fools in the News
This week the ladies didn't read a book, they read the headlines. In this perfectly timed “fake book club” episode, the hosts showed up ready to connect, laugh, and unpack what’s happening in the world. The episode leans into current events, and pop culture shaping the timeline, from global tensions and viral AI-generated propaganda circulating out of Iran and the US, to the cultural conversation sparked by Druski’s Erika Kirk parody. They also touch on the recent Verzuz matchup  between Tyrese and Tank, insights from Jay-Z’s recent interview with GQ, and much more. Just a reminder that this “book...
Moni & Kat review "Into the Manosphere" on Netflix
In this episode, the hosts dive into Louis Theroux's: Inside the Manosphere, Netflix documentary exploring the rise of online spaces centered around modern masculinity and “red pill” ideology. They unpack what the manosphere is, why it resonates with so many men, and how its messaging around success, relationships, and identity can be both appealing and concerning. The conversation takes a thoughtful turn as they examine the broader implications of this rhetoric,not just for men, but for women and society as a whole. Blending curiosity, critique, and real conversation, the hosts reflect on what the documentary reveals, what it leaves unan...
The 4th Annual F.A.B. Awards
Awards season is in full swing and while Hollywood is busy polishing statues and rolling out the red carpet for the Oscars, over here at the Fake Ass Book Club the ladies are getting ready for something just as prestigious… or at least as entertaining. This week they are looking back at the past year and handing their own F.A.B. Awards for the best books, looks, moments, and highlights. So grab your imaginary red carpet fit and join them as they celebrate the best, the boldest, and the most unforgettable books and episodes of the year at the 4th...
March Fakeness
In this episode titled March Fakeness, the hosts switch things up with one of their signature Fake A$$ episodes. With no book on the agenda this week, they dive into a mix of the headlines, pop culture conversations, and internet moments that have been making noise lately. From current events to the latest cultural chatter, the hosts share their reactions, questions, and hot takes on what’s been showing up in their feeds. After sorting through the week’s mess, they wrap things up with a palate cleanser, talking about what they’ve been watching lately and what’s worth adding t...
Moni & Kat review "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi
This week, the hosts review Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, a sweeping multi-generational novel that traces the descendants of two half-sisters from 18th-century Ghana into the modern era. One sister, Effia, lives above the dungeon of Cape Coast Castle; the other, Esi, is imprisoned below and sold into American slavery. From that pivotal separation, the book follows their children and grandchildren across centuries, continents, and systems of power. Through alternating chapters, Gyasi explores the legacy of slavery, colonialism, identity, belonging, resilience, and generational trauma. Each descendant wrestles with the inherited shadows of the past, from plantations and Jim Crow to migration...
Moni & Kat review "Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model"
This week, the hosts revisit the cultural chaos of early 2000s reality television through the lens of the documentary Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model on Netflix. What a time to be alive! From the era that brought viewers Flavor of Love, I Love New York, Jersey Shore, The Real World, and Paris Hilton’s reality TV dominance, the conversation explores how shock value, humiliation, and boundary-pushing became entertainment staples. At the center of the discussion is Tyra Banks’ assertion that she was simply producing the content audiences wanted more of. The hosts critically examine that defense, questi...
Moni & Kat review"Relationship Goals" on Prime Video
Welcome back! With Valentine’s Day serving as the perfect backdrop for the conversation, the ladies review Relationship Goals, the Prime Video film inspired by the bestselling book by Pastor Michael Todd. They examine the movie’s portrayal of love, faith, and personal transformation, breaking down what resonated and what felt oversimplified.The discussion expands beyond the film into a broader exploration of purity culture, prosperity-based messaging, and how spiritual teachings can shape expectations around dating and marriage. From performative preaching styles to the idea of faith as a formula for relational success, the hosts thoughtfully unpack how influence, charisma, and...
Moni & Kat review “The Trees” by Percival Everett
This week, in honor of Black History Month, the ladies review Percival Everett’s powerful and provocative novel The Trees. They begin with the book’s gripping premise: when detectives from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation arrive in Money, Mississippi to investigate a series of brutal murders, they discover something unsettling at each crime scene, a second body resembling Emmett Till. Met with resistance from local law enforcement and racist townsfolk, the detectives begin to suspect these killings are acts of retribution. As eerily similar murders begin unfolding across the country, it becomes clear that the past refuses to stay buri...
Moni & Kat review "His and Hers" on Netflix
This week, the hosts dive into His & Hers, the Netflix series adapted from the popular novel. They break down the twists, turns, and tangled relationships at the center of this messy murder mystery while raising a few questions about the plot along the way. From unreliable narrators to layered motives, the conversation balances critique with curiosity as the ladies unpack what worked, what confused them, and why the story was still fun to dissect. It is a lively, thoughtful discussion that leans into the chaos and keeps things entertaining from start to finish. Cheers!
*🚨SPOILER ALE...
Moni and Kat review "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms"
In this episode, the hosts start with HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, sharing their early thoughts on the series before branching out into other shows currently on their radar, including Industry, Bridgerton Season 3, Beauty, and Landman.The conversation then circles back to last week’s read, Francine’s Spectacular Crash and Burn. Kat reflects on how deeply she connected with Davie, the neurodivergent ten-year-old whose intense fixations felt familiar, sparking a thoughtful discussion about why certain topics, especially slavery, can become fixation-worthy. Along the way, the hosts laugh at their differing lingering fixations from the previous episode, includ...
Moni & Kat review "Francine’s Spectacular Crash and Burn" by Renee' Swindle
In this episode, the hosts kick things off by unpacking the viral Druski mega-church skit, debating whether the satire crosses the line or simply holds up an uncomfortable mirror. Then, the hosts dive into this weeks book, Francine’s Spectacular Crash and Burn by Renéé Swindle. This is a novel about grief, longing, and the chaos that follows when good intentions collide with poor boundaries. The ladies walk through the story of Francine Stevenson, unpacking her relationships, her unraveling sense of self, and the complicated choices that turn connection into consequence.The discussion includes how grief can blur judgment, how desi...
The FAB Burnout Episode: AITA Work Edition
This week, burnout is the starting point and everything else flows from there. The hosts unpack the exhaustion that comes from juggling work, life, and the constant pressure to stay functional in a world that rarely slows down. What begins as a conversation about overwork quickly expands into a broader discussion about labor, fairness, and preserving one’s peace. Inspired by a Reddit post about a Dutch employee pushing back against an American boss’s expectation to work nights and weekends, the ladies dive into a series of AITA: Work Edition scenarios. They weigh in on office culture, work...
A Very Unofficial Episode
This week’s episode takes a different shape. Due to scheduling conflicts and real-life responsibilities, the hosts dip into archived Patreon clips to create an unconventional, raw, and unfiltered listen. The result is a collage-style episode that feels less like a traditional show and more like a peek behind the curtain. Pulled from conversations before recording, the ladies share side commentary, candid reflections, and off-mic moments that listeners don’t usually hear. The episode may be all over the place, but in a way that mirrors real life, creative process, and the kind of conversations that happen when the pressure is o...
Moni & Kat say goodbye to 2025
Happy New Year FAB FAM! On this New Year’s Eve episode, the hosts kick back and decompress with a conversation about 2025 coming to an end, media, and the escapism helping them unwind as the year comes to a close. The ladies share what they’re watching and indulging in as a form of rest, reflection, and survival. Along the way, they weigh in on Dave Chappelle’s latest comedy special, unpacking its impact, intent, and reception, and discuss Nicki Minaj’s increasingly controversial public and political turn, what they jokingly refer to as her dark side era, and what it says...
Moni & Kat review "Lady Sings the Blues": A Holiday Episode
On this Christmas Eve episode, the hosts dive into Lady Sings the Blues (1972), the biographical drama inspired by the life of jazz icon Billie Holiday and starring Diana Ross in her film debut. The ladies discuss the film’s portrayal of artistry, trauma, addiction, love, and the ways both the music industry and the justice system shaped her life. The movie reminded the ladies that music makes us feel something, and our hosts gave a glimpse into their holiday feels with their own Top 10 facorite Christmas song "soundtrack". The contrast between their lists adds humor, personality, and a lot of ho...
Moni & Kat review "Yellowface" by R.F. Huang
In this episode, our hosts dive into R.F. Kuang’s explosive novel Yellowface, a messy, chaotic, and painfully accurate takedown of the publishing world. The ladies unpack June Hayward’s wild decision to steal a dead woman’s manuscript, the delusion that carries her into literary fame, and the way the industry protects, rewards, and excuses certain voices over others.They break down the book’s themes of cultural appropriation, white feminism, internet backlash, and how far people will go to be seen as “the good one” while doing the absolute most. It’s sharp, it’s unhinged, and it had the ladies...
Moni & Kat review "Sean Combs: The Reckoning"
Welcome back! In this episode, our hosts dive deep into Netflix’s explosive new docuseries Sean Combs: The Reckoning, executive-produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and award winning director Alexandria Stapleton. The ladies break down the four-part series, unpack the allegations, explore the fallout, and ask the big question: is this accountability… or a high-budget revenge project? They’ll walk you through the doc’s most shocking moments, the legal issues, the cultural commentary, and the origin of the beef between Diddy and 50. They also examine how power, celebrity worship, and industry complicity created the perfect storm around Sean Combs, and why this sho...
Moni & Kat review "Being Eddie"
This week the ladies review the Documentary “Being Eddie” which explores the extraordinary life and career of Eddie Murphy, one of the most influential comedians and entertainers of all time. From his explosive rise on Saturday Night Live to his era-defining stand-up, blockbuster films, and iconic characters, the film paints a vivid picture of an artist whose talent reshaped American comedy.Through archival footage, behind-the-scenes stories, and cultural analysis, the documentary highlights Murphy’s innovation, his impact on Black representation in Hollywood, and the legacy he continues to build. It’s a look at the highs, the challenges, and the genius t...
F.A.B. Podcast AITA Holiday Edition
The ladies are back with another hilarious round of holiday-themed AITA posts! With Thanksgiving right around the corner, our hosts jump into Reddit’s messiest stories about seasonal stress, family tension, in-law drama, boundary-setting, and all the chaos that kicks off the holiday season. And yes, Moni showed up working through a hangover like a true podcasting professional. The ladies soldier on anyway, delivering their signature Fake Ass Book Club energy reading, reacting, and deciding who’s really the asshole when holiday expectations collide with real-life personalities. Tune in for a fun return to one of their favorite episode styles as t...
Moni & Kat review "Yellow Wife" by Sadequa Johnson
 Welcome back!! !n this episode, our hosts review "Yellow Wife", Sadeqa Johnson’s powerful historical fiction novel inspired by the real horrors of Richmond Virginia's Devil’s Half Acre, and Lumpkin’s Jail. They explore the journey of Pheby Delores Brown, a young enslaved girl whose promised freedom is stolen when she’s taken to a notorious slave jail and forced into becoming the coerced “yellow wife” of its violent jailer. As they unpack the novel, they discuss themes of survival, motherhood, resilience, and the emotional weight of navigating cruelty while trying to protect your children. Moni and Kat also touc...
Moni and Kat review “Black is the New White" by Paul Mooney
🎤In this week's episode, the ladies review Paul Mooney’s book, "Black Is the New White", a memoir that’s equal parts comedy, truth, and cultural education. Mooney, known for his sharp tongue and unflinching honesty, embodies what our hosts like to call “pimp energy”, not in the literal sense, but in the way he was an impenetrable force who made his own rules and refused to let the world take advantage of him.The ladies love Mooney’s authentic voice, his raw comedic genius, and his refusal to dilute his truth for anyone. They explore his behind-the-scenes stories and deep freidnsh...
Moni & Kat review "Nobody's Girl" by Virginia Roberts Giuffre
Up Next:Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice. 🚨Trigger Warning for SA, incest and violence, spoilers🚨 In this week’s episode we review Nobody’s Girl, the powerful and unsettling memoir by, Virginia Roberts Giuffre the woman who helped expose Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s global web of sexploitation. Through Giuffre’s own words, we explore her journey from a vulnerable teen caught in a system of abuse to a fierce advocate for justice and survivor empowerment. Hear our hosts unpack this heartbreaking yet inspirational story of survival and finding your voice. Cheers!
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Witch Way to Redemption: Moni and Kat do a Cosplay
In this spontaneous pre-Halloween freestyle episode, the hosts begin with a light catch up session before getting into their full cosplay costumes (Kat as Storm from the Marvel comic books, and Moni as Dionne Davenport from Clueless). They share memories of Halloween traditions growing up, their favorite Halloween memories, and how those childhood rituals shape how we feel about the holiday as adults. The conversation pivots to Kanye West’s “betrayal list,” which they use as a springboard to improvise their own betrayal list. This leads to a deeper discussion about what redemption really looks like after betrayal. The hosts playfu...
Say My Name: Live from Polk Studios
Recorded live from Polk Studios in the Brightwood–Martindale neighborhood of Indianapolis, Moni and Kat showed up as ambassadors for IN Podcast, aka Podcasts and Platforms, for a special unscripted episode. In this free-flowing conversation, the duo celebrates local podcasters, community, and the art of authentic storytelling. The beautiful Polk Studios gave them a chance to simply show up and create with no producing, no pressure, just real talk. Moni and Kat dive into how both given names and social labels, like parent, friend, or professional, impact our sense of self. The ladies discuss how these identities can serve as bo...
Moni and Kat review:The Conjuring of America by Lindsey Stewart
In this episode, Moni and Kat dive into The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic by philosopher and author Lindsey Stewart. The conversation explores how Black women’s spiritual traditions rooted in healing, intuition, and resistance, have shaped the nation’s cultural and moral fabric. From the granny midwives who guided generations of births with wisdom and ancestral power to the mermaids who symbolize freedom, survival, and transformation.They also explore how conjure lives on today in Beyoncé’s music and visual art, where Oshun’s energy, water rituals, and Southern Black mysticism flow throug...
Between Hope and Headlines
In this week's episode of The Fake A$$ Book Club, hosts Moni and Kat skip the book review and slide into a conversation about surviving the heaviness of today’s world. From political tension and cultural shifts to the nonstop flood of heartbreaking headlines, they discuss the struggle to stay informed without being consumed by it. This is an episode for anyone trying to hold space for both heartbreak and hope. Cheers!
*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show fo...
Moni & Kat review "Everyone is Lying to You" by Jo Piazza
In this episode, our hosts review Jo Piazza’s new thriller "Everyone Is Lying to You", a sharp look at friendship, betrayal, and the dark side of influencer culture. From the curated perfection of “tradwife” aesthetics to the unsettling overlap with alt-right messages and nostalgia, we ask: what’s the cost of glamorizing a past where women had little autonomy? Join them as they unpack the lies behind the content, the gap between online personas and real life, and why this story feels so timely. Cheers!
*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult la...
Moni and Kat review "Unknown Caller: The High School Catfish"
Welcome the F.A.B. Podcast!! This week the hosts review Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, a true-crime documentary Released by Netflix August of 2025, details a real-life cyberbullying case in Beal City, Michigan, where a teenage couple was tormented by thousands of text messages from an anonymous sender and a plot twist that will leave your head spinning! Tap in to hear the ladies drag the culprit of this unthinkable betrayal! 🚨SPOLIER ALERT!🚨
*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for ent...
Shots Fired
Welcome back to the show. No book this week, just headlines that can’t be ignored. The hosts break down the shooting of Charlie Kirk, the Evergreen High School tragedy, and the political assassinations in Minnesota. Whew, all this white on white violence has to stop! Then they dig into the Epstein files: what’s been revealed, what’s still sealed, and what it all says about power and privelige in America.Â
*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are expressing opinions on the show for entertainment purpose...
Moni and Kat review "You're Embarrassing Yourself" by Desiree Akhavan
This week on the show, the hosts tackle Desiree Akhavan’s sharp and darkly funny essay collection You’re Embarrassing Yourself. From her “platonic soulmate” friendship with Chacillia to the nose job her Iranian-immigrant parents encouraged, Akhavan’s deadpan humor and raw honesty shine through every page.The discussion covers her awkward search for love (including the bleached-hair reinvention phase), the creative compromise of making a film she might not even like just to pay off student loans, and her reflections on shame, identity, body image, and belonging.The hosts also connect Akhavan’s themes to today’s cultural and political clim...
Moni & Kat Give Reddit Relationship Advice
In this episode of The Fake Ass Book Club, the hosts dive into the world of Reddit relationship questions...because sometimes strangers on the internet have the juiciest stories. Before the advice-giving begins, they unpack Snoop Dogg’s out-of-touch reaction to seeing a seemingly loving lesbian couple raising children in Pixar’s Lightyear. From there, things get delightfully messy as they offer their own takes on complicated love dilemmas, messy breakups, and “what would you do?” moments. It’s unfiltered, hilarious, and always a good time at the F.A.B. podcast. Cheers!*Please be advised this episode is intended f...
Moni & Kat Review “Fetishized”: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty by Kaila Yu
In this week’s episode of The Fake Ass Book Club, the hosts welcome author, journalist, singer, and cultural critic, Kaila Yu, to discuss her brand-new memoir-in-essays, Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty. The conversation is equal parts funny, insightful, and timely, as Kaila unpacks her personal journey through the lens of identity, beauty standards, and the harmful stereotypes that shaped — and often constrained — her sense of self. With unflinching honesty and reflection, she shares what it means to reclaim your story in a world that insists on defining you. From laughter to hard truths, this episode offers...
Moni & Kat's Pizza Party: The Hunting Wives Edition
In this episode of The Fake Ass Book Club, the ladies take on Netflix’s steamy thriller The Hunting Wives — with a twist. Moni only made it through to episode three, while cohost Kat powered through the entire series and the original book (which she had already finished before even suggesting this week’s review… not fair!). Before diving into the drama, the hosts celebrate a major milestone: reading eleven books this summer! Cue an old-school BOOK IT–style pizza party, complete with plenty of wine. 🍕🍷Fueled by good vibes and even better pours, the conversation meanders through their usual FAB tangents — f...
Moni & Kat Review "What in the World?!" by Leanne Morgan
In this episode, the hosts take a hilarious and heartfelt dive into What in the World?, the debut memoir by stand-up comedian Leanne Morgan. Known for her sweet Southern drawl and wisecracking take on motherhood, marriage, aging, and everything in between, Morgan delivers more than just laughs—she offers wisdom, vulnerability, and a reminder that women in midlife still have plenty of living (and loving) to do.Whether you're a longtime fan of Leanne Morgan or new to her charm, this episode offers a refreshing look at how comedy and authenticity can go hand in hand—and why it’s never...
Moni & Kat review "KPop Demon Hunters"
In this episode, our hosts dive headfirst into the glitter, gore, and girl power of K-Pop Demon Hunters, the animated Netflix movie. They break down the plot, animation style, action sequences, and of course—the music! Expect hot takes, laughs, and cultural commentary as the ladies explore how this genre-bending spectacle mixes fantasy, fandom, and fierce fashion into one wild ride. Is it a campy cult classic in the making or just flashy filler? Tune in to find out! Cheers!
*Please be advised this episode is intended for adult audiences and contains adult language and content. We are ex...
The Cost of Freedom: A Review: "Incidnets in the Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Jacobs
In this episode, the hosts review Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs, one of the first personal narratives to detail the specific experiences of enslaved Black women in America. Written under the pseudonym Linda Brent, Jacobs recounts her harrowing journey through abuse, resistance, motherhood, and the pursuit of freedom.The conversation explores key themes such as the sexual exploitation of enslaved women, the psychological toll of slavery, and the powerful role of family—particularly the strength and protection offered by Jacobs’ grandmother. The hosts reflect on the emotional weight of the text, its historical significance, and...
Moni & Kat review "The Girls Who Grew Big" by Leila Mottley
In this episode, the hosts review The Girls Who Grew Big, the powerful new novel by Leila Mottley.
Set in a small Florida town, the story follows a group of teenage mothers who form a fierce and unconventional sisterhood while navigating the challenges of young motherhood, fractured families, and societal judgment. With Mottley’s signature lyricism and emotional depth, the novel examines themes of identity, survival, and the resilience of girls growing into women in a world that often fails them. Through rich characters and poignant storytelling, The Girls Who Grew Big invites readers to consider what it means to...
Moni & Kat review "No Holes Barred" by Mandii B and Weezy WTF
In No Holes Barred, podcast powerhouses Mandii B and Weezy WTF — the unapologetic voices behind the hit show Whorible Decisions, now Decisions decisions  — deliver a raw, hilarious, and unfiltered memoir-meets-manifesto that redefines how we talk about sex, relationships, and womanhood.Told in alternating voices, Mandii and Weezy pull back the curtain on their personal journeys, from their upbringings and early sexual awakenings to navigating toxic relationships, career reinvention, and growing a sex-positive media empire. With raunchy storytelling, vulnerable confessions, and a hefty dose of humor, they challenge societal taboos and offer permission for readers — especially Black women — to own their pleasure...
Moni and Kat review Storm Issue #2 at PopCon Indy
The Fake Ass Book Club hit the PopCon Indy stage for a special live recording, diving into Storm Issue #2 – “Chapter 2: Death by Voodoo.” Moni and Kat break down the action-packed storyline, from Storm’s fierce confrontation with deadly enemies to the layered magic and mayhem at the heart of the comic. They explore Black representation in comics, the evolution of fandom culture, and why Storm remains one of the most iconic—and underappreciated—characters in the Marvel universe. Your favorite hosts also pitched their dream MCU storyline: a grown, goddess-level Storm crossing paths with none other than T’Challa’s son. The sparks...
