I found Buffy a few years ago when I was in a late 90s early 2000s tv show phase (mind you I was born in 1997) and honestly I still love shows like Dawson’s Creek, Buffy, and ER like no other shows I’ve seen, so when I was recommended this book by a publisher as an advance reader copy, I knew I would accept it! I couldn’t put it down, it’s paced so well, it’s funny, it’s filled with scenes and connections to the show as the authors discusses their personal lives and the connections to their Buffy podcast and how it all ties together with the Buffy plot lines. I loved the behind the scenes of creating this podcast, but also with the songs for each episode and the fun the authors had while writing it as they were also married. This book also covers their divorce, the drama of working together post divorce, and dating others and how they stayed friends through it all.

This is a book that I now want to read as an audiobook because knowing the authors are podcasters, I know the audiobook likely has all the best aspects of that in it too, and so I’ll need to go check that out! But if you loved Buffy, highly recommend checking out this book, it’s perfect for the fans!

Kristen and Jenny, co-hosts of podcast "Buffering the Vampire Slayer", tell the story of their relationship interspersed with passages about each season of <i>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</i>. Kristen and Jenny take turns providing insight into their relationship and its highs and lows from their own perspectives, all while connecting back to <i>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</i> and the time spent working together on their podcast. Also included are the lyrics to the Buffy-themed songs that * has written and composed for each of their "Buffering" podcast episodes. I really enjoyed reading about some of the background and thought that was put into these original songs/lyrics.

This memoir is best suited for those who are fans of the "Buffering" podcast, as the content of the book is primarily focused on the lives and experiences of the co-hosts. However, those who are die-hard <i>Buffy</i> fans or are part of the LGBTQIA+ community may also enjoy this read. Given <i>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</i>'s history of depicting one of the first long-term lesbian relationships on television, I felt that this memoir also honored that history and provides an analysis of just how significant <i>Buffy</i> was (and continues to be) for fans of the show. As a huge <i>Buffy</i> fan myself, my experience has been that it is hard for those who are not as familiar with the show to understand the significance of its themes and character relationships, and in 2025, there are fewer and fewer people talking about <i>Buffy</i> or watching <i>Buffy</i> for the first time: reading this memoir felt like chatting with a friend who loves the show as much as I do, and I really appreciated that! I would have appreciated even a tad bit more about the show or the content of the podcast itself, but I am also keeping in mind that this is primarily meant as a memoir at the end of the day.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Kristin Townsend, and Jenny Owen Youngs for providing an advance digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This title is available for purchase beginning April 8th, 2025.

Rating: ★★★½ (Kindle), expected ★★★★ (Audiobook)

As a longtime supporter of the Buffering the Vampire Slayer podcast (yes, I was a proud Patreon backer for years), I went into this memoir with high hopes—and a preordered audiobook.

I first discovered Jenny and Kristin back in season 2, when they were still married, and remember the heartbreak I felt when they announced their split. I feared the podcast would fizzle out, but they blew me away by continuing all the way through Buffy's seventh season and beyond—while maintaining the heart, creativity, and depth that made it so special in the first place.

One of the most mind-blowing elements of the podcast was always Jenny's original song for each episode. That alone set it apart, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at how that all came together was one of my favorite parts of this two-person memoir.

In Slayers, Every One of Us, they both—especially Kristin—share some deeply personal and difficult experiences with vulnerability and honesty, though it’s clear there are emotional boundaries they chose not to cross. It’s a book written for fans, through and through. I don’t think it would resonate quite the same with someone unfamiliar with the podcast, but it might just be enough to pique their curiosity and turn them into a listener.

While I received a free Kindle version from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, I had already purchased the audiobook—and truly think that’s going to be the definitive experience. This story is about two podcasters and the community they built, and it’s only fitting to hear it in their voices. The Kindle version earns a solid 3.5 stars from me, but I fully expect the audiobook to land at a strong 4.

If you’re a Buffy fan and haven’t checked out the podcast yet, what are you waiting for? I recommend it to every Scooby I meet. Jenny and Kristin should be incredibly proud of what they’ve built—on mic, and now on the page.

This review has been posted on my Goodreads.

I watched Buffy back in the day (with my Superfan mom of all people), but I haven’t watched in 20 years and I definitely haven’t listened to this podcast. I am, though, a huge fan of basically any memoir and this book is an excellent revisiting of these two formerly-married, Buffy-superfan podcast hosts and their lives throughout the creating of what appears to have been a hit.
I was initially sent the kindle version of this book and truly didn’t realize it was more of a memoir about podcasts hosts instead of a book about Buffy The Vampire Slayer. I’m a big YouTube deep diver and I seriously just watched a 1hr 42min video, so I wasn’t apprehensive to accept this book for review. But once I realized it was a memoir, I was very relieved to find there was an audiobook to request.
The audio version of this book is especially important since the hosts wrote songs for every episode and preform quite a few of them throughout the narration. And even having no familiarity with these two women, I related to much to their passion for a TV show, for each other, for the political climate in the past years, and their cross-country moves throughout adulthood.
I’m sure anyone who listened to this podcast will fully love this book. It makes me sad that I wasn’t a part of this community while it was active, but I’m happy for the joy I can feel radiating throughout this book.

This book will be an absolute delight to fans of the Buffering podcast. Kristin and Jenny are wonderful storytellers. They are lovely humans and have built such a wonderful podcast and community. This is a story of love and heartbreak in many forms. I'm not sure how it will land for those that aren't fans of the podcast but I ate it up. I cried and laughed out loud multiple times. I read the ebook but look forward to doing an audio reread soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Finished Reading
DNF @ p33

Pre-Read notes

When I was a teenager, I really loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the movie and the show, both from the 90's. When I was offered a chance to read this one, written by two fans, I jumped at it!

Final Review

Review summary and recommendations

I'm not quite the audience for this book. Buffy ran originally before most of the stuff in this book existed, which is when I watched it and loved it. Back on the 90's, before the internet was widely available. I thought this book would be an analysis of a very good show that broke boundaries, but it's more like a love letter to a Fandom that formed years after Buffy did.

Reading Notes

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. [...All] of a sudden you find yourself wondering, just what are these weird wiggly things jutting out from where your wrists end, and where do they go? Into your pockets? Jauntily resting upon your hips? Steepled below your chin as though you might be moments away from tying someone to the train tracks in a silent film?! p24 A really brilliant description of how overwhelming anxiety can make the smallest and most familiar things, like tour own hands.


Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. DNF @ p33 I am not the audience for this book.

Rating: DNF @ p33
yes, to today's Buffy fans
Finished: Mar 30 '25

Thank you to the author Kristin Townsend and Jenny Owen Youngs, publishers St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an accessible advance digital copy of SLAYERS EVERY ONE OF US. All views are mine.
---------------

Thoroughly enjoyed and preordered the hardcopy!! An excellently written book with insight I appreciated.

How art unites us and can save your world… a lot.

This book is a deeply emotional - and often hilarious - exploration of how certain works of fiction anchor themselves into us. How these works can help us feel seen, show up as echoes in our daily lives, and provide a great escape mechanism, all in one. Jenny Owen Youngs and Kristin Russo’s lives
are inextricably linked to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They forged a community with Buffy fans in a time when a supportive, queer-friendly community was really needed (2016). And little did they know, they would need that community right back as their marriage dissolved. 

Yes, this is a love letter to the Scoobies, fans of the Buffering podcast and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s also an exploration of the end of a public marriage from the inside.

You could pick up this book and not have to know any of the source material(s) but it’s much more rewarding if you do. As an avid fan of both Buffy, the TV show, and of Jenny and Kristin’s podcast Buffering the Vampire Slayer, lets just say reading this has a lot of alternating laughing out loud and weeping involved.

Profoundly feminist, heartfelt, and unabashedly queer. Slayers, Every One of Us, like Buffy, runs the whole gamut of emotions at whiplash speed and you’ll love keeping up with it. “Are you ready to be strong?”


Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

I am a big fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but had never heard of the Buffering the Vampire Slayer podcast before I picked up Slayers, Every One of Us. Honestly, I missed that this book was a memoir, and assumed it would be written in essay format. Since that was the case, I had no background information about the podcast's hosts, nor did I know what to expect from this book. I initially chose to read it because I thought it would be equal parts memoir and essay, discussing the lessons Buffy taught the authors and how they applied them to their lives.
I was not prepared for the divorce. Actually, as someone who does not know these two women personally, I was utterly blindsided by the divorce. Devastated. Enraged. Jenny? Yeah, hate her.
"Somewhere in the middle of all those noes, Jenny got back in the car and drove away." Ugh, good, f*** Jenny anyway.

Anyway, after that, Jenny became the villain in the story, and I really didn't want to read her POV, so I mostly skipped through parts of it. It was really hard to read her matter-of-fact recount when Kristin's portions still sound hurt and betrayed. Jenny is not for me. Nah.

I'm genuinely surprised that the podcast continued after the divorce, but I think it is nice that the two were able to remain friends after their marriage was dissolved. I'm not sure I could keep doing something that involved with my ex when the hurt was that deep.

Overall, I found this memoir to be a really emotional read. The alternating POVs will appeal to fans of the podcast, but I do wish the book related more to the actual podcast and Buffy so it was more friendly for those of us who don't have the background of the podcast episodes to fill in the blanks. Most of the events surrounding the podcast itself are glossed over, and I know that it's because this is a memoir, but I want to know more about the good things that happened because of the podcast. I want the happy to be mixed in with the heartbreak so that the gut punch doesn't hurt so bad. Tell me about the conventions, and the people you met, and the fun things you did. Tell me why the title of this memoir makes sense, because as a person new to this fandom, I don't think it does. Slayers, Every One of Us feels like the title of a book of essays revolving around the Buffy brand of feminism, which is definitely not what this book is giving.
The lyrics were a nice inclusion, though. And I will say, Jenny got one thing right. "It's gayer than you." Amen.

I want to thank Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Kristin Russo for providing me with an ARC of Slayers Every One of Us in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the authors and publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

To be honest, I am the target audience for this book. I've been listening to Buffering the Vampire Slayer since their first season, and since then have been listening to their music, coverage of Buffy, other fandoms and their lives.

Kristin and Jenny have a way of reaching their listeners that makes you feel like family. Their empathetic approach to talking about a "problematic fav" itself, the show Buffy, makes one of my all time favorite shows even more fun to watch and share with others.

Them being so open and responsible to so many fans for so long, has led to a passionate community, and I know this book will mean so much to so many. So much of Kristin and Jenny's lives and hearts are laid open in this book with grace and compassion for themselves and each other. Their vulnerability with each other and us readers is impressive as hell, and I know so many people will relate to parts of their story, while others are unique to them, probably, as ex wives who host a super popular podcast.

I can't wait to keep listening and following these creators in each new adventure they invite us to join them for.

This was a totally random read for me. I've never listened to Kristin & Jenny's podcast, but I love Buffy so I gave it a chance and am happy I did. Their total Buffy devotion is obvious and their songs to go along with every episode are hilarious, but the (emotional) story of their relationship's deterioration and how they found a path forward is what was most memorable for me. Buffy has faced the absolute darkest things that can happen in life and kept going and kept sharing her gifts with others, which is what Kristin and Jenny did, too, in the face of political upheaval, a breakup, trying to remain coworkers, global pandemic, etc. etc.
I really enjoyed this and it was a quick read.

"A memoir reflecting on heartbreak, perseverance, and life lessons learned from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, from the hosts of the hit podcast Buffering the Vampire Slayer."

What an emotional read! I love Buffy and remember watching it in real time with great fondness, but I'd never heard of the podcast because I'm not really a podcast listener, and I just had to find out how the TV show could be applied to relationships, and just life in general. I was immediately drawn in by the writing of Kristin Russo and Jenny Owen Youngs. They alternate chapters between themselves, and then include chapters written together, as well. The vulnerability they showed in sharing the details of their relationship, from how they met, through their divorce, and then how they found a way to keep and strengthen their friendship in the end. I was amazed at how huge the podcast following grew, and more importantly, how they were there for every one of their listeners through all of the turmoil of their personal lives. Buffering the Vampire Slayer become a family where members of the queer community were welcomed and given the support they didn't even know they needed in some cases.

All in all, I enjoyed this emotional story very much and highly recommend it.

5/5 stars.

*** I wouuld like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the authors, Kriste Russo and Jenny Owen Youngs, for the opportunity to read and review Slayers, Every One of Us.

This was nostalgia at its finest, with a harsh dose of reality. I loved revisiting the Buffy episodes, which now of course I want to watch again, and it was nice to see that there are parallels to art throughout time. The experiences Kristin and Jenny shared were heartbreaking and brutal, but also healing. Seeing that you aren't alone in trauma is a huge thing, an important thing.

This is releasing in a great time politically as well. Some of the issues they were dealing with are issues now today, or are bigger issues today, and I can only hope that it will help people find comfort and solace in their trauma, knowing that others experience the same things too.

Check on your friends, make sure the people you love know it, and be unapologetically you, always.

As a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I just had to dive into Slayers, Every One of Us by Jenny Owen Youngs and Kristin Russo. I’ve caught a few episodes of Buffering the Vampire Slayer, and I’ve always appreciated their clever and heartfelt perspective on the show.

At its core, this memoir explores queer love and community—how two women created something special together, how it evolved, and how they persevered even when things fell apart. It’s honest and deeply personal, which I really valued, but there were moments when it felt a little too raw for my likes.

Honestly, I would have loved to see more emphasis on the podcast itself and the Buffy discussions that initially drew me in. Those moments where they reflect on how Buffy has influenced them and their audience were the highlights for me.

If you’re into memoirs that celebrate queer love, resilience, and chosen family, this is definitely worth a read. But if you’re primarily looking for Buffy-related content, you might find yourself wanting a bit more.

This still ended up being a solid read for me. The cover is fire, and even if it wasn’t quite what I expected, it definitely made me wanna go back and start listening to Buffering from episode 1!

I apparently did not read the description very carefully when I requested a review copy of this book. I did not realize the centerpiece of the story is a podcast I’ve never listened to; I thought it was a more general application of the philosophy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I quickly realized I was wrong but I kept reading. The writing is engaging and personal, and the story is well told. As a fan of BtVS, I enjoyed the back story of the podcast more than I expected to, and was impressed with creativity Russo and Young used in developing their podcast, writing and performing original music for each episode. The story of their relationship isn’t unique but as a reader I came to like them enough to care about what happens to them. And by the end, I did get the application of the philosophy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer I was seeking.

Thank you to #netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC.

This was a big disappointment. The book kind of covers the famous, "Buffering the Vampire Slayer" podcast and kind of covers the relationship between Jenny and Kristin by alternating chapters, but it seems half-hearted. I think if this book had come out years ago, it might have more of an impact.
For super fans only.
#NetGalley

As a queer person who grew up in the 2000s and was absolutely obsessed with Buffy the Vampire Salyer growing up (Thank you Mom!), I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love the journey of the relationship in relation to the journey through the Buffy seasons. Thank you for letting us readers into such a personal and difficult time in your lives. Well I have never been through a situation such as yours, I still felt myself emotionally attached to both of your experiences and I will admit I did cry. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to take a walk through other people's lives and the impact that a truly iconic show has had on it.

What an emotional read! This joint memoir really hit me in the feels. I enjoyed their openness and how candidly they spoke of their relationship, all with their love for Buffy at the center. The song lyrics were such a beautiful, personal touch. Great for fans of Buffy and their podcast!

Slayers, Every One of Us is “A [queer] memoir reflecting on heartbreak, perseverance, & life lessons learned from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, from the hosts of the hit podcast Buffering the Vampire Slayer.” I never realized how Buffy & the Scoobies are queer icons, apart from Willow & Tara. I remember as a kid feeling like Willow & Tara were completely natural, & the splash that their relationship made in the TV industry at the time went completely over my head. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that not everyone saw a gay couple as totally normal, & Buffy broke boundaries with their televised love.

In retrospect, I also recognize that Buffy & the Scoobies speak to every type of person who felt like maybe they were “one in all the world.” The beauty throughout the show is that Buffy is never truly alone. She has her watcher & her friends, without whom Buffy wouldn’t have been Buffy. At the end of the show (spoiler), when every girl who could be a slayer becomes a slayer, sends a message of community among those who may be different. I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who felt a connection with Buffy against the world, Xander finding his way, Willow discovering herself, or all the ways our beloved Scoobies lost themselves & were led back by their friends.

I’m actually so sad I never really got into podcasts & hadn’t heard about Buffering the Vampire Slayer until this book crossed my path, but reading about the creation, the success, the trials, & the outcome of this sensation of a show made me 100% look up the podcast (I do hope I listen someday) & listen to the music! Wow, the music! Jenny Owen Youngs is the songwriter & musician you didn’t know you needed in your life!

While Slayers is described as being about Jenny & Kristin’s divorce while continuing their creation, it’s also about Buffy. Buffy is my number one fandom, it raised me. I will read anything having to do with Buffy. This book was so beautiful because ultimately it’s a story about how Buffy brings people together & keeps them together. As described in the subtitle: How One Girl in All the World Showed Us How to Hold On, Buffy kept these two women who were wives as friends; honestly it seems like the most magical friendship. Along the way, they got to do incredible Buffy-related things, like Buffy Prom, teaching the cast of Buffy about Buffy, & interviewing members (my favorite: Seth Green), & I got to peek into that as a fangirl, so I appreciate Kristin & Jenny laying it all out there for me & creating yet another Buffy-related production for us.

Thank you St. Martin’s for this ARC, this book was five stakes!

I've never listened to the podcast Buffering the Vampire Slayer, but I do love Buffy and I know a little bit of Jenny Owen Youngs' music. As it turns out, that was enough to enjoy this tandem memoir, which was packed full of every emotion from joy to grief. Using the 7 seasons of Buffy - and their own show - as a framework, Kristin and Jenny take the reader through 7+ years of their lives, from marriage and moving to California, through the highs and lows of trying and failing to have a child together, through the breakup of their marriage and the myriad of emotions that accompanied it, through the pandemic, and finally to the point when they'd both finally healed and moved on, just in time to close out their podcast's run.

I really enjoyed this book, which was hilarious and heartfelt in turns, and that felt as much like sitting down with two friends as it did reading a memoir. I'm nosy by nature, and I appreciated how much the writers were willing to share - not just the gossip about their lives, but real insights and feelings, the kinds of things I'm sure it was hard to put down on paper. Also I finished my reading journey very much wanting to go rewatch Buffy - and maybe even listen to some Buffering. Probably the intended result.

4/5