Listening to the podcast feels a lot like sitting in a coffee shop and accidentally (and then purposefully) eavesdropping on a pop culture conversation between three really thoughtful and genuinely kind friends. You get the sense that the podcast hosts, Doug, Katie & Vicki, genuinely listen to one another and aren’t just waiting for their chance to talk— it’s super refreshing how mindful they are about everyone getting a chance to talk. It’s like the Great British Bake-off of pop culture podcasts: come for the delicious discussions of books & video games— stay for the gentle vibes.

The Novel Gaming hosts vibe incredibly well together and have a really pleasant, easy-to-listen-to energy, and they’re full of thoughtful insights! I’ve found some solid recommendations for books, games, and even TV shows based on their discussions. I also love how their topics often intersect with various angles of social justice, but they never sacrifice their feel-good presence even when discussing heavier subjects.