

Learning The Tropes: A Reading Podcast
Erin Leafe and Clayton Gumbert
Longtime friends Erin and Clayton sit down for a monthly chat about all things books.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 23, 2026 • 1h 3min
Erin & Clayton read The Wall by Marlen Haushofer
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Please Rate, Review and Follow us on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.
Interested in more bookish thoughts? Subscribe to Erin's Substack, Lonesome Animals.
Find us-
Email: learningthetropespodcast@gmail.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learningthetropespodcast
Instagram @learningthetropes
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Feb 16, 2026 • 1h 21min
Erin and Clayton read Lonesome Dove!
We're back!
A little older, wiser and with a whole new vibe. In this episode Erin and Clayton discuss where they've been, what they've been reading and why they're back!
Full episode also on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@learningthetropespodcast
Erin's Best Reads of 2025
These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean
Our Song by Anna Carey
You Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrigue
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa
Clayton's Best Reads of 2025
The Wall Marlen Haushofer
Sky Daddy by Kate Folk
Blue Light Hours by Bruna Dantas Labato
Breaking and Entering by Joy Williams
Stainless by Todd Grimson
--
Please Rate, Review and Follow us on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.
Interested in more bookish thoughts? Subscribe to Erin's Substack, Lonesome Animals.
Find us-
Email: learningthetropespodcast@gmail.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learningthetropespodcast
Instagram @learningthetropes
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Aug 29, 2024 • 1h 5min
It Ends With Us (2024) Movie Review (w/Clayton Gumbert)
Clayton & Erin return to discuss the Colleen Hoover adaptation It Ends With Us!
See Clayton and Producer Patty live onstage in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 8:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bo-boys-present-box-office-save-america-tickets-908516526387
New York City live show on Oct 22! Get your tickets:
https://events.humanitix.com/the-b-o-boys-in-box-office-save-america
Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.
MERCH!
Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE:
http://tee.pub/lic/learningthetropes
Instagram @learningthetropes
Facebook Learning The Tropes Podcast
Join The Learning The Tropes Troop!
Email: learningthetropespodcast@gmail.com

Apr 10, 2024 • 1h 14min
Interview with Yulin Kuang!
This episode I chat with romance author Yulin Kuang about her debut novel How to End a Love Story, adapting romance novels for film and her writing process!
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See Clayton and Producer Patty live onstage in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 8:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bo-boys-present-box-office-save-america-tickets-908516526387
New York City live show on Oct 22! Get your tickets:
https://events.humanitix.com/the-b-o-boys-in-box-office-save-america
-----
Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.
MERCH!
Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE:
http://tee.pub/lic/learningthetropes
Patreon Learning the Tropes
Instagram @learningthetropes
Facebook Learning The Tropes Podcast
Join The Learning The Tropes Troop!
Email: learningthetropespodcast@gmail.com

Feb 28, 2024 • 1h 36min
Lucky with Andie J. Christopher!
This week I'm joined by author Andie J Christopher to discuss the truly, marvelously bonkers Lucky, by THE Jackie Collins.
Is this a romance?
debatable.
Is it a very fun book to read?
most definitely.
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See Clayton and Producer Patty live onstage in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 8:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bo-boys-present-box-office-save-america-tickets-908516526387
New York City live show on Oct 22! Get your tickets:
https://events.humanitix.com/the-b-o-boys-in-box-office-save-america
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Want more Jackie Collins?
Check out Fates Mates Trailblazer episode with Jackie Collins' daughters, Rory Green and Tiffany Lerman.
Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.
MERCH!
Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE:
http://tee.pub/lic/learningthetropes
Patreon Learning the Tropes
Instagram @learningthetropes
Facebook Learning The Tropes Podcast
Join The Learning The Tropes Troop!
Email: learningthetropespodcast@gmail.com

Jan 17, 2024 • 1h 15min
A Heart of Blood and Ashes with Kelly Noonan!
This week I'm joined by colorist and dear friend Kelly Noonan as we read her first romance - Milla Vane's A Heart of Blood and Ashes. We chat about fantasy vs. fantasy romance expectations, matching hair color to book series and more!
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See Clayton and Producer Patty live onstage in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 8:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bo-boys-present-box-office-save-america-tickets-908516526387
New York City live show on Oct 22! Get your tickets:
https://events.humanitix.com/the-b-o-boys-in-box-office-save-america
-----
Check out Kelly's instagram, and if you're in NYC and would like to book with the most talented colorist, you can find her at Frederic Fekkai Soho until the end of February, and starting March 5th at Maison Seventy-Seven!
Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.
MERCH!
Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE:
http://tee.pub/lic/learningthetropes
Patreon Learning the Tropes
Instagram @learningthetropes
Facebook Learning The Tropes Podcast
Join The Learning The Tropes Troop!
Email: learningthetropespodcast@gmail.com

Dec 20, 2023 • 58min
Love At First Sight (2023) Netflix Movie Review (w/ Clayton Gumbert)
The prodigal podcast host Clayton Gumbert returns to talk about the Netflix movie Love At First Sight!
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See Clayton and Producer Patty live onstage in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 8:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bo-boys-present-box-office-save-america-tickets-908516526387
New York City live show on Oct 22! Get your tickets:
https://events.humanitix.com/the-b-o-boys-in-box-office-save-america
-----
Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.
MERCH!
Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE:
http://tee.pub/lic/learningthetropes
Patreon Learning the Tropes
Instagram @learningthetropes
Facebook Learning The Tropes Podcast
Join The Learning The Tropes Troop!
Email: learningthetropespodcast@gmail.com

Nov 29, 2023 • 58min
Red, White and Royal Blue THE MOVIE with Rob Johnson!
This week I'm joined by Rob Johnson to chat about the Amazon adaptation of Casey McQuiston's novel, Red, White and Royal Blue!
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See Clayton and Producer Patty live onstage in Los Angeles on Tuesday October 8:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bo-boys-present-box-office-save-america-tickets-908516526387
New York City live show on Oct 22! Get your tickets:
https://events.humanitix.com/the-b-o-boys-in-box-office-save-america
-----
Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.
MERCH!
Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE:
http://tee.pub/lic/learningthetropes
Patreon Learning the Tropes
Instagram @learningthetropes
Facebook Learning The Tropes Podcast
Join The Learning The Tropes Troop!
Email: learningthetropespodcast@gmail.com

Nov 15, 2023 • 26min
Interview with Harlequin Editor, Stacy Boyd!
Harlequin editor Stacy Boyd discusses romance publishing, including cartoon covers. They explore editors' criteria, favorite books, and the impact of romance novels on real-life relationships. The launch of Harlequin's new imprint afterglow and the switch from traditional to cartoon covers in romance novels are also discussed.

Nov 1, 2023 • 1h 6min
Night Hawk with Danielle Jackson!
This week I'm joined by author Danielle Jackson to discuss the old west, roadtrip romance Beverly Jenkins' Night Hawk! We discuss it all including- Is Maggie Freeman one of the great heroines? (yes).
Please Rate, Review and Follow on Apple Podcasts. It helps the podcast grow.
MERCH!
Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE:
http://tee.pub/lic/learningthetropes
Patreon Learning the Tropes
Instagram @learningthetropes
Facebook Learning The Tropes Podcast
Join The Learning The Tropes Troop!
Email: learningthetropespodcast@gmail.com


