Bestselling thriller author Samantha Downing joins Kail Lowry to talk plot twists, messy marriages, and creating characters you love to hate. Known for My Lovely Wife, He Started It, A Twisted Love Story, and her upcoming 2025 release Too Old for This, Downing reveals how she went from hobby writer to landing a Penguin Random House deal after 12 unpublished books. They discuss early-chapter bombshells, naming unforgettable characters, and the fine art of misdirection to keep even the savviest readers guessing.

If you love twist-heavy thrillers that pull you out of a reading slump, this episode is a must-listen.

Get Too Old For This

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You might know her as Paige from WWE, but Saraya is so much more than that and she’s not holding back. On this episode of Barely Famous, Kail and Saraya dive into everything from her new book Hell In Boots, to surviving the darkest moments of her life in the public eye. She opens up about addiction, trauma, leaked sex tapes, and how WWE literally saved her life. Saraya also talks about her new podcast Rule Breakers; part Jackass, part Simple Life, and all chaos.

This one’s raw, emotional, hilarious, and shows you what it means to be a survivor, not a victim.

Purchase Hell In Boots here

Check out Rule Breakers on youtube and all podcast platforms!

Watch Kail's Rule Breakers Ep Here

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Content warning: This episode discusses sexual assault, trauma, and abuse.

This week on Barely Famous, Kail speaks with psychologist and former model Kaja Sokola, one of the first women to publicly come forward against Harvey Weinstein. At just 16, Kaja endured assault while navigating the modeling industry alone in NYC. Now, she shares her journey of survival, healing, and advocacy.

Kaja opens up about the trauma, her battle with eating disorders, family betrayal during the trial and how becoming a mother gave her the strength to speak out. Her unique perspective as both a survivor and a psychologist offers powerful insight into abuse, resilience, and the long road to recovery.

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