What if the person who’s supposed to make you feel safe is the reason you can’t trust your own mind?

For today's episode, I talk about Jagged Mind (2023), the queer psychological thriller from director Kelley Kali, starring Maisie Richardson-Sellers and Shannon Woodward. It follows Billie, a woman dealing with blackouts and fractured memories, and the devoted new partner who seems like her safe space. The film is best watched going in blind, so this conversation is spoiler-light.

Grab your tea and settle in, because this one’s a short and sweet catch-up. I’m sharing an update on the Top Host competition and how it’s going, plus a few housekeeping notes.

I’m also floating an idea I’ve been excited about: starting an online book club together (shout-out to Grace!!)

You can vote for me as your next Top Host here: https://tophost.org/2026/persis-abraham

This week, I'm unpacking Khaled Hosseini's devastating 2007 novel A Thousand Splendid Suns, following Mariam and Laila, two women from very different worlds who are forced into the same household and the same marriage as Afghanistan's history collapses around them. This is a full spoiler episode. I cover the complete plot, including the heartbreaking ending.

Content note: This episode discusses domestic violence, suicide, war, and death.