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Romance novels have long had a reputation for being flimsy, sexist, trashy bodice-rippers. But there’s lots more to the genre than meets the eye. This hour, we look at what makes romance novels work – and why so many of us are devouring them.

GUESTS: 
Olivia Waite: The New York Times Book Review’s romance fiction columnist who writes queer and historical romance, fantasy, and critical essays on the genre’s history and future
Jason Rogers: Olympic medalist, journalist covering masculinity, and the founder of a now-defunct romance book club for men
Tony Horvath: Creative director for the long-time romance-novel publisher Harlequin, where he oversees production of about 80 book covers a month

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Romance novels have long had a reputation for being flimsy, sexist, trashy bodice-rippers. But there’s lots more to the genre than meets the eye. This hour, we look at what makes romance novels work – and why so many of us are devouring them.
GUESTS: 
<ul>
<li>Olivia Waite: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/olivia-waite">The New York Times Book Review</a><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/olivia-waite">’s romance fiction columnist</a> who <a href="https://www.oliviawaite.com/books">writes</a> queer and historical romance, fantasy, and critical essays on the genre’s history and future</li>
<li>Jason Rogers: Olympic medalist, journalist covering masculinity, and the founder of a now-defunct romance book club for men</li>
<li>Tony Horvath: Creative director for the long-time romance-novel publisher <a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/index.html">Harlequin</a>, where he oversees production of about 80 book covers a month</li>
</ul>
Join the conversation on <a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow">Twitter</a>.

The Colin McEnroe Show is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called The Nose for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/the-colin-mcenroe-show/about">The Colin McEnroe Show</a> is public radio’s most eclectic, eccentric weekday program. The best way to understand us is through the subjects we tackle: Neanderthals, tambourines, handshakes, the Iliad, snacks, ringtones, punk rock, Occam’s razor, Rasputin, houseflies, zippers. Are you sensing a pattern? If so, you should probably be in treatment. On Fridays, we try to stop thinking about what kind of ringtones Neanderthals would want to have and convene a panel called <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/tags/the-nose">The Nose</a> for an informal roundtable about the week in culture.

The Colin McEnroe Show

We ❤️ romance novels

This hour, we’re joined in studio by seven-time Grammy Award-winning local musician Paul Winter.

Winter is known for his annual solstice concerts and his “earth music," which features music from around the world, as well as the sounds of animals like wolves, whales, or wood thrushes.

You can find details about his Winter Solstice Celebrations around New England here.

GUEST:


Paul Winter: Saxophonist, composer, and bandleader of the Paul Winter Consort

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Colin McEnroe, Dylan Reyes, and Isaac Moss contributed to this show, which originally aired on November 21, 2025.

This hour, we&rsquo;re joined in studio by seven-time Grammy Award-winning local musician Paul Winter.
Winter is known for his annual solstice concerts and his &ldquo;earth music," which features music from around the world, as well as the sounds of animals like wolves, whales, or wood thrushes.
You can find details about his Winter Solstice Celebrations around New England <a href="https://solsticeconcert.com/">here</a>.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>
Paul Winter: Saxophonist, composer, and bandleader of the Paul Winter Consort
</li>
</ul>
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode!
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters">Subscribe to The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.
Join the conversation on <a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow">Twitter</a>.
Colin McEnroe, Dylan Reyes, and Isaac Moss contributed to this show, which originally aired on November 21, 2025.

A (Paul) Winter’s Tale

You may know the Schuyler sisters, Angelica and Elizabeth (and Peggy!), from Hamilton. But the musical just scratches the surface of their fascinating lives. This hour, Amanda Vaill joins us to talk about her new book, Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution.

GUEST:


Amanda Vaill: Author, journalist and screenwriter. Her newest book is Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution

MUSIC FEATURED (in order):


Symphonie en ré (Presto) – André-Modeste Grétry


The Schuyler Sisters – Hamilton


Burn – Hamilton


Helpless – Hamilton


Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story – Hamilton

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.

The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired December 17, 2025.

Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today by visiting ctpublic.org/donate.

You may know the Schuyler sisters, Angelica and Elizabeth (and Peggy!), from Hamilton. But the musical just scratches the surface of their fascinating lives. This hour, Amanda Vaill joins us to talk about her new book, Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>
Amanda Vaill: Author, journalist and screenwriter. Her newest book is Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution
</li>
</ul>
MUSIC FEATURED (in order):
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCmge8aztAg">Symphonie en r&eacute; (Presto)</a> &ndash; Andr&eacute;-Modeste Gr&eacute;try
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://youtu.be/8da1KdwgwFE">The Schuyler Sisters</a> &ndash; Hamilton
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibiXMtfG6a8">Burn </a>&ndash; Hamilton
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OlrtMfd_x8">Helpless</a> &ndash; Hamilton
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppXigfLHZog">Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story</a> &ndash; Hamilton
</li>
</ul>
Join the conversation on&nbsp;<a href="https://facebook.com/ColinMcShow">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/colinmcshow">Twitter</a>.
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters">Subscribe to The Noseletter</a>, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show.
The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-colin-mcenroe-show/id714179884">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrzWounIoJyIqz003p">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6b3cee-f69b-4729-a78b-181f851d80e8/the-colin-mcenroe-show">Amazon Music</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/The-Colin-McEnroe-Show-p1208473/">TuneIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-colin-mcenroe-show-connecticut-public-lXR08dxQSM5/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.
Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show, which originally aired December 17, 2025.
Our programming is made possible thanks to listeners like you. Please consider supporting this show and Connecticut Public with a donation today by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/donate">ctpublic.org/donate</a>.

A look at the quiet power of the Schuyler sisters, Eliza and Angelica

Samuel Moyn joins us to talk about how older people are hoarding political power and resources, what that means for all of us, and how we could forge a new path with better representation for people of all ages.

GUESTS:
Samuel Moyn: Kent Professor of Law and History at Yale University. His latest book is Gerontocracy in America: How the Old Are Hoarding Power and Wealth — and What to Do About It

Music featured (in order):
End Of The Line – The Traveling Wilburys
Old Folks Boogie – Little Feat
It Was a Very Good Year – Frank Sinatra
Ballad of the Sad Young Men – Shirley Bassey
When You Are Old – Gretchen Peters
NEW BLOOD – ZAYDE WOLF

Samuel Moyn joins us to talk about how older people are hoarding political power and resources, what that means for all of us, and how we could forge a new path with better representation for people of all ages.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Samuel Moyn:&nbsp;Kent Professor of Law and History at Yale University. His latest book is&nbsp;<a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374607647/gerontocracyinamerica/">Gerontocracy in America: How the Old Are Hoarding Power and Wealth &mdash; and What to Do About It</a></li>
</ul>
Music featured (in order):
<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/UMVjToYOjbM">End Of The Line</a>&nbsp;&ndash; The Traveling Wilburys</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/nHcGkGdiEHc">Old Folks Boogie</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Little Feat</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/TeDfgUvyKHk">It Was a Very Good Year</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Frank Sinatra</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/cba5c3W3rpU">Ballad of the Sad Young Men</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Shirley Bassey</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/GW2RM_3bYNw">When You Are Old</a>&nbsp;&ndash; Gretchen Peters</li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/IwGEhEk_RrY">NEW BLOOD</a>&nbsp;&ndash; ZAYDE WOLF</li>
</ul>

We ❤️ romance novels

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