Babe Cave

Hot take: That novel you're "too busy" to read? It might be the most radical act of resistance you can do right now. Amanda Polick is tired of fiction getting a bad rap. You know the types—"I only read TRUE stories" people who act like novels are somehow less valuable than self-help books. But here's the thing: while 40% of Americans didn't crack open a single book in 2025, our leaders are literally telling us not to believe what we see with our own eyes. Coincidence? Amanda doesn't think so. In this episode, you'll learn: Why reading rom-coms and fantasy actually makes you better at spotting BS in real life (hint: unreliable narrators aren't just in books) The surprisingly low bar for literacy in America—and why it matters when propaganda is everywhere How your brain on fiction is like your brain at the gym (30 minutes = stress relief equivalent to yoga, plus you get smarter) Real talk about why that 900-page book is exactly what your shrinking attention span needs Perfect for: Writers, avid readers, a