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Elliot In The Morning

EITM: Page Names 4/10/26

·31 min·3 clips
Bestselling author Frida McFadden reveals she's actually a doctor named Sarah Cohen who wears wigs to maintain her secret identity.
The episode begins with the crew discussing author Frida McFadden, known for books like The Housemaid. They reveal McFadden recently disclosed her real identity as Sarah Cohen, a doctor who wore disguises during public appearances. The conversation explores why she maintained this secret, with speculation about separating her medical career from her writing. The discussion expands to why authors use pseudonyms, particularly regarding gender expectations in different genres. Examples include men writing domestic thrillers under female names and vice versa. The crew compares McFadden's deception to other public lies, like cyclist Floyd Landis denying doping. Radio hosts share personal experiences with fake names, including Elliot as 'Russell the Love Muscle' and Sarah being told to pretend she was single. They discuss fabricated backstories, including a radio personality who got a Drexel University tattoo despite never attending. Callers contribute information about Anne Rice writing erotic literature under a pen name and J.K. Rowling publishing as Robert Galbraith. The episode touches on various radio aliases and the challenges of maintaining alternate identities. Throughout, the conversation blends publishing industry insights with personal anecdotes about deception in entertainment.

As heard by us

A book-chat mix-up opens into fake names, a Drexel tattoo, and a lie that goes farther than it should.

The episode starts in a messy but recognizable tangle around The Housemaid, Frida McFadden, and Sidney Sweeney, then keeps tightening around who has actually read what and who only thinks they have.

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Why you'd press play

You get Housemaid mix-ups, fake names, and a Drexel tattoo in one meandering radio conversation.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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