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The SSR Podcast

Alli Hoff Kosik
Mental Health
Franny and Zooey
Children's Literature
How To Eat Fried Worms
Mayflower
Family Dynamics
The Two Princesses Of Bamarre
Friendship
J.D. Salinger
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn
Suicide
Diary Writing
Dear America Series
Indigenous People
Historical Fiction
Death
Grief
Spirituality
Morgan Matson
1970s Literature

Each week, freelance writer and lifelong bookworm Alli Hoff Kosik will challenge a guest to reread a literary throwback or to experience for the first time ever a book they may have missed as a kid. After that, they'll be asked to spill all the feels and all the opinions about that book on the air for your podcast-listening pleasure. Every Tuesday, you can find us breaking down an old school read ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes321Founded7 years ago
Categories
BooksArtsPersonal JournalsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The SSR Podcast

Latest Episodes

It has been a wild, amazing ride and I couldn't be more grateful for all of your support over the years. Please enjoy this reflective last episode, which includes some of my thoughts on podcasting more broadly, a bit of housekeeping, and a whole lot ... more

For the last-ever guest episode of SSR, Alli is thrilled to revisit a book by one of her personal favorites, Sharon Creech. The book is Absolutely Normal Chaos, a diary-style read from the '90s that serves as a fascinating entry point to grief and lo... more

Add this to the list of Alli's favorite SSR reads of all-time—and just in time for the show to say goodbye in a couple of weeks! Nearly 20 years after it was published and won a Newbery Honor, Shannon Hale's Princess Academy was a delight to read and... more

On this last installment of our monthly SSR: WTF (WriTing Friends) series, Alli and Abby look to the future!

In anticipation of the 2026 publication of Alli's debut novel, they discuss all things book promotion: book events, PR boxes, social media i... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Rebecca Fishbein
Writer and author of 'Good Things Happen to People You Hate'
Episode: Episode 317: Absolutely Normal Chaos (with Rebecca Fishbein)
London Sperry
New York-based author of Sad Girl Romances with Happy Endings, whose debut novel, Passion Project, is set to release soon.
Penguin Books
Episode: Episode 316: Princess Academy (with London Sperry)
Saumya Dave
Author of The Guilt Pill
Author
Episode: Episode 314: Stacey's Big Crush (Baby-Sitters Club #65) (with Saumya Dave)
Asha Elias
Debut novelist of 'Pink Glass Houses' and columnist for Miami New Times
Episode: Episode 313: The It Girl (with Asha Elias)
Emma Alban
Author and screenwriter, who lives in Los Angeles and is known for her books
Episode: Episode 312: Flowers for Algernon (with Emma Alban)
Jamie Harrow
Author and writer, known for her debut novel 'One on One' and her upcoming book 'Fun at Parties'
Independent Author
Episode: Episode 311: The Case of the 202 Clues (The New Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley) (with Jamie Harrow)
Christina Cooke
A writer to watch by CBC Books and Shondaland; author of Broughtupsy.
Author, Broughtupsy
Episode: Episode 309: The Tower Treasure (The Hardy Boys #1) (with Christina Cooke)
Kirsty Greenwood
Previously a book editor and now a full-time writer of love stories
Episode: Episode 308: The Hundred Dresses (with Kirsty Greenwood)
Lucy Jane Wood
Online content creator, avid reader, and debut author of 'Rewitched'
Episode: Episode 307: Girls in Love (with Lucy Jane Wood)

Host

Alli Hoff Kosik
Freelance writer and lifelong bookworm

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 456 ratings
  • Great Books, Great Discussions, Great Community!

    Revisiting anything tied to nostalgia is always an interesting undertaking, but books especially because so many of us have such treasured (and sometimes complicated) memories of the words we read as children. Alli does a fantastic job at balancing both the nostalgia and relevance of beloved books with great discussions with great guests! The Patreon community has also been a wonderful and welcoming place to connect with others about books and beyond. It’s so great to have SSR back in the weekly... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jediane99
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great bookish convos!

    This is such an interesting format to discuss books - I love the questions Alli asks about childhood favorites and new works. She doesn’t shy away from re-examining beloved books with a critical eye. And plus, the banter is so fun! What more could you ask for from a book podcast?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    G6PDorbust
    United Statesa year ago
  • SSR is a delight!

    I love tuning into SSR every week. Looking back at the books that defined my childhood is illuminating and oftentimes surprising. Alli has a great selection of guests on, and I appreciate that they also share current adult books that they’re enjoying. There is also a great Patreon community that has connected bookish people around the country.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shira243
    United States2 years ago
  • I adore the SSR Podcast!

    I adore this podcast!! As a lifelong reader and elementary school teacher, I’ve definitely found my people here. Alli is a wonderful host and the conversations she has with her guests are always informative, well-researched, enlightening and often very funny. This podcast is the perfect mix of entertaining and informative, and I always leave it feeling like I’ve had an intelligent conversation with great friends. It’s lovely to find so many people who share my interest in revisiting childhood cl... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Danavante
    Canada2 years ago
  • A warm hug!

    SSR is like a warm hug from your childhood! I love to see all the books I loved from my childhood covered as well as ones that are new to me. Alli is a great interviewer and her excitement for the topic of revisiting childhood literature shows through!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    caga7911
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the nostalgic themes and thoughtful discussions, often feeling a sense of community among fellow book lovers.
Some listeners express a desire for less emphasis on contemporary societal critiques and more focus on the books themselves.
The host is commended for her engaging interview style and ability to elicit personal reflections from guests.
Overall, the podcast is celebrated for its welcoming atmosphere and relevance to both past and present literary discussions.
The podcast balances lighthearted conversations with critical analyses of literary themes, appealing to a broad range of listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#56
Taiwan/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#165
Taiwan/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 318: xoxo, SSR (Goodbye for now!)
Q: What common theme or themes have you found looking back through children's literature that seem universal?
Alli identifies themes of coming of age, feelings of being an outsider, and the fallibility of adults as consistent elements throughout the literature explored on the show.
Episode 318: xoxo, SSR (Goodbye for now!)
Q: Do you ever think you will return to podcasting?
Alli mentions that she and her co-host Abby have brainstormed ideas for future collaborative projects, potentially including a podcast but note there are no specific plans yet.
Episode 318: xoxo, SSR (Goodbye for now!)
Q: What are your top three favorite episodes of SSR and why?
Alli shares her favorites include episode one on Harriet the Spy for its depth of conversation, episode 234 with Meg Cabot about Judy Blume's Blubber for the star power and nostalgia, and episode 289 with Claire Lombardo for the joy of discussing a Sweet Valley High book.
Episode 317: Absolutely Normal Chaos (with Rebecca Fishbein)
Q: Rebecca, this experience of coming back to Absolutely Normal Chaos, a book that meant a lot to you, how does that experience compare to your memories of the book?
This book went by a lot faster than I remember. It's still a fun book, but I'm curious to see whether or not Walk Two Moons is as emotionally mature as I remember it.
Episode 313: The It Girl (with Asha Elias)
Q: How do you compare your children’s experiences with the youth depicted in this narrative?
While this book's themes might seem outdated, the societal reflections on toxic masculinity remain relevant, and the way youth culture is shown has drastically changed.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The SSR Podcast

What is The SSR Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content explores nostalgia through a literary lens, with each episode featuring discussions about beloved childhood books, from classics like *The Baby-Sitters Club* and *Nancy Drew* to contemporary works. Guests range from authors to educators, providing insights into the significance of these readings on identity and growing up. The host, with her comedic and conversational style, interviews guests who share personal anecdotes and reflections that resonate with listeners, making this a delightful auditory trip down memory lane. Unique to the series is its focus on examining these texts through a modern perspective, encouraging critical conversations about gender roles, societal values, and issues present in these classic narratives, a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The SSR Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The SSR Podcast:

1. Overdue
2. The Daily
3. The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
4. Pop Culture Preservation Society
5. The Ryen Russillo Podcast

How many episodes of The SSR Podcast are there?

The SSR Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 321 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The SSR Podcast?

Recent guests on The SSR Podcast include:

1. Rebecca Fishbein
2. London Sperry
3. Saumya Dave
4. Asha Elias
5. Emma Alban
6. Jamie Harrow
7. Christina Cooke
8. Kirsty Greenwood

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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