This episode goes beyond style and into symbolism. Lara discusses how Michelle Obama used fashion intentionally during her time as First Lady and beyond: elevating emerging designers, redefining political image, and navigating public scrutiny with grace and confidence.

From the unforgettable purple Sergio Hudson inauguration look, to the soft elegance of her first inaugural gown, to the bold Balenciaga boots that reintroduced her to the world post–White House, this conversation highlights how clothing became language. Also, how Michelle Obama remains an icon and cultural architect long after her official role ended.

The episode also reflects on leadership, Black womanhood in public spaces, and the politics of presentation, closing with a curated Community Library of companion reads including Becoming, The Hill We Climb, and The Beautiful Ones.

Grab your favorite drink and settle in for a thoughtful conversation on power, legacy, and being unapologetically visible.

This episode was lit. ✨

A novel about wealth, ambition, romance, and the quiet cost of success.

In this episode, Lara Ashley reflects on power and performance, the masks we wear in our careers and relationships, and what it means to pursue ambition without losing ourselves. Using the spirit of Mardi Gras as a lens, she explores themes of indulgence, legacy, reinvention, and the tension between image and authenticity.

Lara also highlights a New Orleans–rooted author whose work deepens the conversation around power and inheritance, and closes the episode with a curated Community Library for readers drawn to stories of glamour, ambition, and identity.

Pour a drink, settle in, and enjoy a thoughtful Fat Tuesday read that lingers long after the celebration ends.

This episode was lit

In this episode of Lit with Lara Ashley, Lara unpacks the appeal of dark romance, the difference between fantasy and real-life relationships, and why stories filled with red flags can still be fun, compelling, and deeply entertaining on the page. She talks desire, obsession, chemistry, and what makes Aly such a strong and self-aware female lead, while being honest about who this book is — and isn’t — for.

This Valentine’s Day episode is playful, reflective, and a little unhinged, reminding us that not every love story has to be soft to be meaningful.

Grab your favorite drink, get comfortable, and let’s talk about a romance that leans into the fantasy, and owns it.

This episode was lit.

Lara shares how this book found her at the end of the year, why Mina resonated so deeply as a quiet but brave heroine, and what made this story the perfect place to begin the podcast. She explores themes of inherited narratives, love rooted in trust, and the power of choosing empathy in a world shaped by fear.

This episode sets the tone for Lit with Lara Ashley: thoughtful conversations about books that linger, personal reflections, and a growing community of readers who love stories that make them feel deeply.

Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and start at the beginning.

In this episode, I talk about:

• The vision for Lit with Lara Ashley
• How fear and perfectionism delayed my start
• The kind of bookish content you can expect going forward
• How Likeable Badass helped me reset my goals and confidence
• Why I believe your voice, like mine, deserves space

This podcast is for readers, writers, indie bookstore enthusiasts, and anyone seeking thoughtful conversations about books, creativity, and confidence. Thanks for being here from the beginning.

New episodes drop every other Tuesday, starting January 6, 2026.