Highkey Obsessed

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The Highkey Obsessed Awards 2025

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:49:48 GMT

On this month's episode of Highkey Obsessed, Cassie and Thomas host their first ever Award Show! They talk about some of the best content they enjoyed in 2025, their best experiences, and have a lot of fun doing it. All this, plus their latest obsessions on the best podcast in the Multiverse!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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The Great Dramione Debate

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:51:56 GMT

On this month's episode of Highkey Obsessed, Cassie and Thomas are joined by their friends Rebekah and Jacklyn to talk about Dramione fan fiction. For those not in the loop Dramione is an incredibly popular fanfiction pairing that sees the worm Draco Malfoy and the brilliant Hermione Granger fall in love... or at least into one another's beds. An idea Thomas finds absolutely repulsive, but which brings immense joy to Cassie, Rebekah and Jacklyn. Tune in to see if they can persuade Thomas to see the vision, or if he remains Draco Malfoy's biggest hater. All this, plus their latest obsessions on the best podcast in the Multiverse!

Follow Rebekah on Instagram @RebekahReadsBooks

Follow Jacklyn on Instagram @Jacklyn.the.Bibliovert and find The Bibliovert Podcast everywhere you find podcasts!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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Highkey Obsessedables: A Knight's Tale

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

On this month's episode of Highkey Obsessed, Cassie and Thomas breakdown 2001's iconic, way too popular to be a cult-classic, A Knight's Tale. They break down the best scenes, best characters, best quotes, talk a little modern casting if they were forced to remake the movie, and more!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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A Very Supernatural Halloween

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:57:26 GMT

On a very special bonus Halloween Episode... Cassie and Thomas talk about Supernatural, one of their favorite shows of all time! They discuss how it waffles between some of the best television out there, to some of the absolute worst, and the best episodes for your Halloween Binge. All that plus the things they've been Highkey Obsessed with on another incredible episode of the best podcast in the multiverse.

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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The Salem Witch Trials

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:50:47 GMT

On today's SEASON FINALE EPISODE of Highkey Obsessed: Toil and Trouble, Cassie and Thomas are diving deep into the most famous American witch panic, the Salem Witch Trials. They discuss the circumstances and context leading up to the trials, whether this was an example of mass hysteria, the potential motives of the accusers, the families of the accusers, the mess, the tea! All that plus their latest obsessions on another episode of the greatest podcast in the multiverse!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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Witch Hunts by Other Names

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

On today's episode of Highkey Obsessed: Toil and Trouble, Cassie and Thomas are dredging up all sorts of terrors as they chat about panics surrounding werewolves, vampires, aliens, and even... dancing? They discuss some of the similarities and differences between these other paranormal panics and witch hunts, before wrapping with a discussion of James Islington's The Will of the Many. All that plus, their latest obsessions on another incredible episode of the greatest podcast in the multiverse!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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The Torsaker Witch Trials

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

On today's episode of Highkey Obsessed: Toil and Trouble, Cassie and Thomas discuss the Torsaker Witch Trials. They talk about the origins of Sweden's witch hunts aka the Great Noise, the similarities and differences with witch hunts and panics they've covered so far this season, the horrible events of the Torsaker Witch Trials, before wrapping with a discussion of the movie Sinners. All this plus their latest obsessions on this week's episode of the best podcast in the multiverse!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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Witch Trials and the Reformation with Dr. Kristin Bezio

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

On today's episode of Highkey Obsessed: Toil and Trouble, Cassie and Thomas are joined by Dr. Kristin Bezio to talk about the relationship between the Witch Trials of Early Modern Europe and the Reformation! Their conversation covers such illuminating topics as... Why was England so witch hunt light? What exactly was the impact of the Reformation on witch panics? How did people react to MacBeth back in the day? All that and much, much more on another episode of the greatest podcast in the multiverse!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Learn more about Dr. Bezio here: https://jepson.richmond.edu/faculty/bios/kbezio/

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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The Basque Witch Hunt with Dr. Jan Machielsen

Tue, 27 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

On today's episode of Highkey Obsessed: Toil and Trouble, Cassie and Thomas are joined by Dr. Jan Machielsen to talk about his recently published book The Basque Witch-Hunt: A Secret History and the Basque witch hunt itself. Their lively conversation covers the origins of the Basque witch hunt, the witch hunters involved, Dr. Machielsen's stunning research in compiling his book, and their latest obsessions! All this and more on another episode of the best podcast in the multiverse!

You can follow Dr. Machielsen on Bluesky and you can find his book here.

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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An Interview with Author Stacie Murphy

Tue, 20 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

On today's episode of Highkey Obsessed: Toil and Trouble, Cassie and Thomas are joined by Stacie Murphy author of The Witches Secret ! They discuss her books, her writing process, the best witches in popculture, her latest obsessions and MUCH MORE!

You can follow Stacie on Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook, and stay up to date on her website.

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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HER SISTER WAS A WITCH BRO

Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

On today's episode of Highkey Obsessed: Toil and Trouble, Cassie and Thomas are joined by their friend Ivana to talk about the storied history of witches in pop culture! They fall into rabbit holes, discuss which famous magical women are and aren't witches, chat about their favorite witches, and much much more!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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The Great Scottish Witch Hunt(s)

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

On today's episode of Highkey Obsessed: Toil and Trouble, Cassie leads a discussion on the Great Scottish Witch Hunt(s)! She leads Thomas through a discussion of the many Great Scottish Witch Hunts all bearing the same name, King James' involvement in the trials, his decision to write a demonological text book, the Royal Succession and much, much more!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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Who's Afraid of Little Old Me

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

On today's episode of Highkey Obsessed: Toil and Trouble, Thomas and Cassie discuss the anti-woman sentiment of the witch trials, the ways that being anti-witch was really a means of being anti-woman. They talk about some examples of the push and pull of women's rights, the ways that the witch panics of the period were in some ways a response to advancements women made during the Middle Ages, how the women they covered last season were victims of the same attitudes that brought about the witch hunts and much, MUCH, more!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

In Defense of Witches by Mona Chollet

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Helena Scheuberin and the Malleus Maleficarum

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

On today's episode Highkey Obsessed: Toil and Trouble, Thomas and Cassie discuss the witch trial of Helena Scheuberin and the villainous demonologist Heinrich Kramer whose infamous work the Malleus Maleficarum would be the architect of centuries of pain to follow. They discuss Helena's life, what led to the accusations of witchcraft being levied against her, Kramer's life, why he was a weird incel obsessed with witches, who nobody really liked. All this and more on the latest episode of the best podcast in the multiverse!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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What is a W.I.T.C.H.?

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Hello and Welcome to... a brand new season of Highkey Obsessed!

Today, Thomas and Cassie kick off Highkey Obsessed: Toil and Trouble, a whole new season of the greatest podcast in the multiverse dedicated to diving deep into historic witch trials and witch hunts. They break down what exactly is a witch, why they're covering this topic, and what to expect on this season of the pod.

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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The Which Witch Fantasy Draft

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 04:00:41 GMT

On this, a special Halloween Bonus episode of Highkey Obsessed...

Cassie and Thomas give some updates on the next season of Addicted to Heroines aka Highkey Obsessed: Toil and Trouble, where the two will dive deep into everything witches and witch trials. Next they engage in a hyper competitive draft of witchy content from pop culture, before discussing their latest obsessions!

All this and more on another episode of the best episode in the Twilight Zone!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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Unstoppable

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 04:00:09 GMT

On this, the final episode of the best podcast in cinema, Thomas and Ben talk about the greatest movie of all time Unstoppable, Tony Scott's 2009 train movie epic masterpiece. They discuss the movie's best scenes, characters, quotes (make up some fake expressions), dish out some tidbits and discuss their latest obsessions.

All this and more on another episode of the greatest podcast on turf.

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @howlerpod

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Source Code with HowlerPod and Cassie

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 10:34:53 GMT

On this episode of the best podcast in cinema... it's a crossover episode! Thomas is joined by his cohost Cassie AND the dynamic duo Erin Ayers and Ben Reinert from HowlerPod for the penultimate episode of the extravaganza that is Train Movie Summer! Up this week is Source Code the 2011 sci-fi thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright and Michelle Monaghan. They discuss their issues with the movie and chop it up into the categories we all know and love, plus a few more invented on the spot! All this plus what they're highkey obsessed with this and more!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @howlerpod

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Train to Busan with Ben from HowlerPod

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 12:06:13 GMT

On this episode of the best podcast in the multiverse...

Thomas is joined by Ben from HowlerPod as continue Train Movie Summer with a discussion of 2016's South Korean Zombie Train Movie Epic Train to Busan, an incredible and lasting movie. The pair discuss their favorite scenes, characters, the epic zombie action, and conclude with a discussion on Deadpool & Wolverine.

All this, plus our latest obsessions on this week's episode of Highkey Obsessed!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @howlerpod

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Snowpiercer with Ben of HowlerPod

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 04:00:38 GMT

On this episode of the best podcast in the multiverse...

Thomas is joined by Ben from HowlerPod as the pair kick off Train Movie Summer with a conversation on Snowpiercer, Bong Joon-Ho's 2013 dystopian sci-fi masterpiece. Join them for a discussion of the movies best moments, characters, quotes, the brilliant performances, insane cast, dynamic action, and incredibly poignant themes and messages.

All this, plus our latest obsessions on this week's episode of Highkey Obsessed!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @howlerpod

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The Life and Love of Kitty Genovese

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 04:00:10 GMT

On the finale of Highkey Obsessed: Addicted to Heroines, Thomas and Cassie discuss Kitty Genovese whose tragic murder has been used as an anecdote in countless psychology courses and textbooks throughout the years. On this episode we focus on the life of Kitty, the person at the center of the story and try to paint the full portrait of who she was before being turned into a morality tale. They also discuss their latest obsessions, Train Movie Summer, and what's next for the pod!

All this and more on another episode of the best podcast in the universe!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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Gamer Girls with Dr. Kristin Bezio

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 04:00:50 GMT

On this episode of Highkey Obsessed Thomas and Cassie discuss video games, the experience of female gamers and streamers today, and the gaming industry. They are also joined by Dr. Kristin M. S. Bezio, a historian, Shakespearean Scholar, pop-culture critic, and gamer, for an incredible dive into the history of women in video games and the gaming industry.

All this and more on another action packed episode of the best podcast in the cyberverse!

Dr. Bezio's Bio: https://jepson.richmond.edu/faculty/bios/kbezio/

Dr. Kristin M. S. Bezio, professor of leadership studies and associate dean of academic affairs at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, integrates the study of literature into the leadership studies curriculum. Her areas of specialization include leadership in literature, video games, and film; leadership in performance; and cultural and political history in early modern England (including Shakespeare).

Her teaching and research focus on the ways in which literature, drama, film, and video games have influenced society and the way people think about issues of leadership and followership. Her interests include 16th- and 17th-century literature and spycraft, women’s literature, comparative literature, drama and performance, directing, acting, rhetoric and composition, and new media.

She is the author of "The Eye of the Crown: The Development and Evolution of the Elizabethan Secret Service" and "Staging Power in Tudor and Stuart English History Plays: History, Political Thought, and the Redefinition of Sovereignty." She also is a company member and technical director for Host of Sparrows Aerial Circus.

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

The Women Behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott

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Rosa Parks and the Women of the Montgomery Bus Boycott

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 04:00:31 GMT

Today, Cassie and Thomas talk about the life of Rosa Parks, including both before and after the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Reconstruction, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott with an emphasis on the women who made it possible including Claudette Colvin and Joann Robinson.

All this and more on another episode of the best podcast in the world!

Content Warning Time Stamps: Warning comes at 28 minutes 20 seconds and the conversation ends just before 31 minutes and 6 seconds

Resources for More Information:

At the Dark End of the Street

Resource List on Highkey Obsessed

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

To Shape a Dragon's Breath: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706010/to-shape-a-dragons-breath-by-moniquill-blackgoose/

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Flora MacDonald

Tue, 28 May 2024 04:00:23 GMT

Today, Cassie and Thomas talk about Flora MacDonald and the famous story of her rescue of the Bonnie Prince Charlie during the last Jacobite Rebellion. They also talk about women of the 45, the role of women in the Jacobite Rebellion, and men's reactions to an exhibit centered around these contributions.

All this and more on another episode of the best podcast in the world!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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Zheng Yi Sao

Thu, 16 May 2024 04:00:02 GMT

Today, Thomas and Cassie talk about THE pirate queen of the South China Sea, Zheng Yi Sao! A woman who would revolutionize piracy in the region, and bring the mighty Qing Dynasty to its knees.

Also, Thomas' mic came unplugged with around 20 minutes left in the episode, so you get to hear crappy audio, so extra fun!

All this and more on another episode of the best podcast in the MultiVerse!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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Fredericka "Marm" Mandelbaum

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 04:00:19 GMT

Today, Thomas and Cassie talk about the Queen of Fences: Fredericka "Marm" Mandelbaum an absolute unit of a woman who towered both literally, and figuratively over the criminal underbelly of gilded age New York City. Cassie leads Thomas through her life, some of her escapades, with some patented digressions along the way.

All this and more on another episode of the best podcast in the Milky Way!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

Witchcraft a History in Thirteen Trials by Marion Gibson

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The Connecticut Witch Trials

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 04:00:21 GMT

Today, Thomas and Cassie talk about the Connecticut Witch Trials, a truly understudied portion of American history.

They talk about the origins of witch trials in the early modern period, witch trials in North America, the Connecticut Witch Trials themselves, and the lingering legacy they have. All this and more on another banger episode of the greatest podcast on Earth!

Connecticut Witch Trials Exoneration Project

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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Julie d'Aubigny with Erin Ayers of HowlerPod

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 04:00:38 GMT

Today, Thomas and Cassie are joined by the AMAZING Erin Ayers, half of the dynamic duo that is HowlerPod a podcast dedicated to the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown.

After the intro, Cassie leads Erin and Thomas through the life of Julie D'Aubigny aka Mademoiselle Maupin, a swashbuckling, cross dressing, fencing, opera singing bad ass of history.

Erin and HowlerPod can be found on...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howlerpod/?hl=en

Website: https://www.howlerpod.com/

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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Jane Goodall with PB Doodles

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 04:00:50 GMT

Today, Thomas and Cassie are joined by the remarkable Peebs, a passionate conservationist, and the brilliant artist behind PB Doodles, Wild Brewed, and so much more!

The trio discuss Jane Goodall, her life, accomplishments, and of course her efforts around conservation. All this and more on another action packed episode of Highkey Obsessed!

Peebs can be found on...

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user/posts?u=74660976

Dr. Goodall's Hopecast interview with Robin Wall Kimmerer: https://news.janegoodall.org/2022/02/27/robin-kimmerer-hopecast-s2-ep14/

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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Agrippina the Younger

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 05:00:05 GMT

Hello and Welcome to... a brand new season of Highkey Obsessed!

Today, Cassie and Thomas kick off the first episode of Highkey Obsessed: Addicted to Heroines with a discussion on Agrippina the Younger. Cassie reveals some the origins, successes, failures, and misconceptions of the first Empress of Rome. All that, and more on Highkey Obsessed!

Dr. Emma Southon: https://www.emmasouthon.com/

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf

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Episode 0: Allow Us to Reintroduce Ourselves

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 05:00:27 GMT

Hello and Welcome to... a brand new season of Highkey Obsessed!

Today, Thomas is joined by his new cohost Cassie of Sharkbate's Bookshelf to introduce season five of Highkey Obsessed. They introduce the new season of the show, reveal the season's subheading, and ask each other a series of questions to help the audience get to know them a little better. All this, and more on Highkey Obsessed!

If you dig what you're hearing be sure to drop those 5 star ratings and reviews, and to follow the show on:

Instagram: @HighkeyObsessedPodcast and @sharkbatesbookshelf