In a world that often feels bleak, can a romance novel be more than just a fluffy distraction? This week on We Read Smut, Alesia sits down with author and sex culture critic Ella Dawson to discuss her podcast, Rebel Ever After, and the vital role of progressive romance in modern society. From debunking consumerism in book collecting to exploring why we need diverse stories now more than ever, this episode is a deep dive into the heart of the genre.Ella Dawson is an NYC-based sex and culture critic and the author of But How Are You, Really, a romance novel about college reunions and millennial angst. She is also the host of the Rebel Ever After podcast about progressive romance novels. She was once internet famous for having herpes, but that’s a whole other story. Ella is proudly bisexual, anxious, and addicted to Diet Coke. Follow her on social media as @brosandprose.Key Takeaways:The Buying Books Hot Take: Ella and Alesia tackle the idea that overbuying books is evil consumerism. They argue that being intentional with your money—like supporting Black debut authors or indie bookstores—is a net good for the industry.The Power of Progressive Romance: Romance isn't just escapism; it is a space to envision a world where everyone gets a happily ever after, regardless of marriage or children.Reading as a Window or Mirror: Alesia shares how reading diversely isn't a hardship but a way to learn about adjacent cultures and see oneself reflected in stories, moving away from boring high-level algorithm picks.Historical Romance as Political Commentary: Ella highlights how historical settings allow authors to engage with heavy topics like suffrage, classism, and colonialism with a unique sense of freedom.A Millennial Cranky Romance: Ella discusses her debut novel, which explores the specific generational experience of coming of age between the Obama and Trump eras while navigating burnout and economic precariousness."How you spend your money has a huge impact on what type of authors are given opportunities." This week, we challenge you to skip the major algorithm recommendation and pick up a book by a diverse indie or debut author!CONNECT WITH Ella Dawson:WebsiteBut How Are You, Really (Book)InstagramRunning list of books mentioned (Doc)Thank you for listening to the We Read Smut Podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag @WeReadSmut. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast.Connect with Alesia: StorygraphThis podcast was produced by Galati Media. Proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.