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The best way to discover your progress as a writer, is to go back and edit old stories. I have been forced to confront my own tense switches, and horrible grammar from years past as I edit my stories for The Jarlena Collective. Sometimes I'm astounded with my wild ideas for the storylines we know and love, and occasionally I'll reread a sentence, and marvel at my own brilliance. More often, I'm left thinking: How the f*ck did I ever think that sentence made sense? Or I realiz

What the Hell Is Fanfic? If you’ve ever wondered why smart, grown women are out here writing 120 chapters of Jarlena angst, this episode is for you. Rachael, Jenn, and guest Sion get into how fanfic pulled them in, the wildly specific internet rabbit holes that kept them there, and why soap fans started rewriting the stories they weren’t getting on screen. They talk fluff, fix-its, AUs, porn with plot, and the emotional payoff fanfic delivers when the show absolutely refuses

Roman, Ew - Let it go already! The writers want to pair Roman and Marlena — again. Jenn and Rachael are here to explain exactly why that's a hard no. In this episode, the girls break down the full history of Roman Brady on Days of Our Lives: from Wayne Northrop's original Irish-Catholic detective who arrived in Salem in 1981 alongside the whole Brady family, to Drake Hogestyn's wildly popular recast that had audiences on Good Day America begging for him to be Roman, to Josh T

From Chaos to Calm: What Marlena Evans Teaches Neurodivergent Fans About Emotional Stability If Marlena Evans feels like a feminist North Star for neurodivergent women, you’re not imagining it. In this follow‑up to last week’s deep dive, Rachael and Jenn explore how Marlena—and characters like her—don’t just soothe our nervous systems, they quietly rewrite the rules of what strength, stability, and womanhood can look like. This episode zooms in on the feminist backbone of Mar

From Chaos to Calm: What Marlena Teaches Neurodivergent Fans About Emotional Stability Most neurodivergent folks gravitate toward strong, calming female characters like Marlena in Days of Our Lives—not just for the drama, but because she embodies emotional stability and resilience we deeply crave. In this episode, we unravel why neurodivergent viewers imprint on characters like Marlena, Olivia Benson, and Dana Scully—and how these women serve as feminist icons and stabilizing

Why Soap Operas? (Why Soaps Are a Safe Space for Neurodivergent and Marginalized Communities) Most of us are drawn to soap operas because they offer more than just entertainment—they're a complex blend of community, emotion, and identity. But why do soaps resonate so deeply, especially for neurodivergent audiences—and why are they often dismissed or misunderstood in mainstream culture? In this eye-opening episode, Jenn and Rachael unravel the hidden power of soap operas: how

How Deidre Hall Became the Heart of Salem—and Why It Matters More Than Ever Most soap fans overlook the magic behind their favorite shows — but this episode peels back the curtain on the passionate fans and storytellers shaping Days of Our Lives’ 50th anniversary. Discover the surprising ways fans celebrated, the heartfelt tributes that almost didn't see the light of day, and how social media is redefining fan influence in soap operas. In this candid conversation, Jenn and Ra

Happy 50th Anniversary Deidre (or why Scenes and Storylines are not the same thing!) Most fans debate over favorite scenes—but did Peacock really capture what truly made Deidre Hall iconic? With her 50th anniversary on Days of Our Lives just around the corner, this episode dives deep into the moments that defined her legendary career—and the ones that fans care about most. Join us as we unpack the fan poll that sparked the conversation and compare the scenes picked by Peacock

I grew up in a small town in rural Ohio. I spent my summers drinking Kool-Aid, and sweet tea. While most kids were spending their time outside, coming home for bologna sandwiches and Spaghetti O's, I was slightly different. Daily, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm I was glued to my television set watching Days of Our Lives, Another World, and Santa Barbara. My siblings knew not to bother me. This is funny to me now, because, I wasn't usually an aggressive child, but interrupting my soap op