This week we are joined by Zaib Pirani! Zaib is a stand-up comedian in New York City, who makes jokes about his life; especially about growing up in a family of previously-undocumented Indian-Muslims in Sugar Land, Texas.

In this episode, Zaib shares his journey from Texas to New York, exploring his experiences with religion, community, and comedy. He discusses the challenges of fitting into traditional religious communities and how comedy helped him find a sense of belonging in New York. The conversation delves into the nuances of religious identity, the impact of cultural expectations, and the importance of finding one's own path.

Recommendations From This Episode: 

A Nice Indian Boy

The Religion Business

Follow Zaib: @zaibpiranicomedy

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod

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This week we are joined by Alex Falcone! Alex Falcone is a comedian and writer living in Los Angeles. He’s appeared in several episodes of Portlandia, performed standup on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and his videos have racked up over 300 million views online. He’s also the author of a best selling young-adult romance novel, Unwrap My Heart: or It's Time For Mummies. Despite these modest accomplishments, he’s somehow remained down to earth and approachable. 

In this episode, Alex, Emily, and Carly discuss the quirks of social media fame, the challenges of stand-up comedy, and the unexpected paths their careers have taken. Alex reflects on his journey from comedy clubs to TikTok stardom. You don’t want to miss Alex recounting a wild school story about a compatibility test. 

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Myth Busters

The LEGO Neighborhood Book

Follow Alex: @Alexfalcone

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod
 

Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! 

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This week we are joined by Jamie Harrow! Jamie Harrow was born and raised at the Jersey Shore. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Villanova University and lives in New Jersey with her family. Her debut novel, One on One, was published by Dutton in 2024. Fun at Parties, her second novel, is available now.

In this episode, Jamie Harrow discusses the importance of embracing non-linear career paths and the valuable lessons learned from diverse experiences. She discusses her experience growing up on the Jersey Shore, being the “nerd” in a sporty family, being soft spoken in school, and her experiences with identity and motherhood.

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Little Giants  

The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search For The Happiest Places In The World

Follow Jamie: @jamieharrowbooks

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod
 

Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! 

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This week we are joined by Anika Fajardo! Anika Fajardo is an award-winning writer born in Colombia and raised in Minnesota. Her debut novel for adult readers is The Many Mothers of Dolores Moore. She is also the author of the middle-grade books What If a Fish and Meet Me Halfway, as well as the memoir Magical Realism for Non-Believers.

In this episode, Anika Fajardo shares her journey from growing up in Minnesota to exploring her Colombian roots. She discusses her path from teaching to becoming a librarian and eventually a published author. Anika delves into her writing process, the inspiration behind her memoir and novels, and the challenges of navigating cultural identity. The conversation also touches on themes of motherhood, personal growth, and the influence of family heritage on her work. Join us for an insightful discussion on creativity, identity, and the power of storytelling.

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Evolving Vegan

Reading Rainbow

In Cold Blood

Follow Anika: @anikawriter ; anikafajardo.com

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod
 

Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! 

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Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we are joined by Kristi DeMeester! Kristi is the author of Dark Sisters, Such a Pretty Smile, which was selected as a Georgia Author of the Year finalist, and Beneath. Her short fiction has appeared in publications such as The Dark, Black Static, multiple volumes of The Year’s Best Horror, Year’s Best Weird Fiction, and in her short fiction collection Everything That’s Underneath. She lives, writes, and makes horror-themed candles in Atlanta, Georgia. Find her online at www.kristidemeester.com.

In this episode, Kristi shares her love for Halloween and horror, reflecting on her upbringing in a fundamentalist church and how it shaped her fascination with the spooky. She discusses her transition to public school, the impact of her parents' divorce on her faith, and her journey to self-discovery through writing. Kristi's upcoming novel, Dark Sisters, draws from her personal experiences and explores themes of purity culture and the complexities of belief. 

Recommendations from this episode: 

Alone Being in a Christian Homeschooling Cult with Natalie Naudus

The Hunting Wives

Sister, Sinner: The Miraculous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson

Follow Kristi: @kristimdemeester

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod
 

Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! 

Email us: [email protected]

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we are joined by Jilberto Soto! Jilberto is a first-generation Mexican American comedian who produces and runs two standout comedy shows: Purple Park Comedy, which spotlights rising POC and female comics, and Mariposas Comedy, an all-queer showcase. Jilberto is also the host of I Hope This Ages Well, a podcast where he interviews fascinating seniors in NYC, and co-hosts Together We’re Straight with Liz Glazer. He has opened for Ralph Barbosa and has been featured at the New York Comedy Festival (2022-2024), Netflix Is a Joke Fest, and Limestone Comedy Festival in 2024. He was also a finalist in the NYC Queer Comedy Festival.

In this episode, Jilberto shares his journey of self-discovery, cultural identity, and the challenges of moving to New York during the pandemic. The discussion touches on the importance of therapy, family support, and the impact of media representation on personal identity. Jilberto also opens up about his experiences with dyslexia, coming out to his family, and how comedy serves as a platform for cultural commentary. The conversation highlights the complexities of navigating life as a member of the LGBTQ community while embracing one's heritage and identity. 

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Alone Being A Goof At Camp with Julia Lindon - Season 3, Episode 32

The Spinach King

Follow Jilberto: @jilbertos

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod

Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! 

Email us: [email protected]

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we are joined by Caroline Palmer! From 2014 to 2019, Caroline Palmer was the director of editorial, video, and social media at Amazon Fashion. Prior to her tenure at Amazon, she spent seven years as the editor of Vogue.com. Her work has appeared in various publications, including The New York Times, Life, Seventeen magazine, and Vogue. She lives in Montclair, New Jersey, with her husband and three children. WORKHORSE is her first novel.

In this episode, Caroline discusses her journey from a high-powered career to becoming a novelist while navigating the challenges of motherhood. The conversation explores themes of identity, ambition, and the impact of technology on relationships, as well as the nostalgia for pre-digital life. Caroline shares her experiences with writing complex female characters and the importance of female friendships.

Recommendations From This Episode: 

How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days

Mixed Before It was Trendy with Sydni Beaudoin - Season 1, Episode 85

Alone Being a Voice Actor with Helen Laser! - Season 4, Episode 29

Follow Caroline Palmer: @carolinepalmer_workhorse

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod

Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! 

Email us: [email protected]

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we are joined by Kelly Taylor! Kelly is an NYC based comedian. Check out Kelly on instagram @hellothisiskelly and check out her podcast I Feel Fat Today on instagram @ifeelfattoday & subscribe to the show on Youtube.

In this episode, Kelly Taylor shares her experiences growing up in New Jersey, navigating college life, and the impact of family dynamics on her personal growth. The discussion touches on the challenges of adulthood, the influence of social media, and the journey into the workforce, particularly in the fashion industry. Kelly reflects on her friendships, the importance of community, and the lessons learned along the way. Give this episode a listen!

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Alone Writing Jersey-Shore-Set Rom-Coms with Betty Corrello - Season 4, Episode 23

Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead

Follow Kelly: @hellothisiskelly

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod

Email us: [email protected]

Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we are joined by Rachel Linden! Rachel is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie and Recipe for a Charmed Life and several other novels, including her latest The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake. The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie was turned into a Hallmark movie in 2024. Currently Rachel lives with her family on a sweet little island in the Pacific Northwest where she enjoys creating stories about strong women facing big challenges, food, travel, and second chances at love, all with a happy ending and a touch of magical realism.

In this episode, Carly and Rachel Linden explore personal transformations, the impact of homeschooling, and the journey of becoming an author. They discuss the significance of embracing change in one's 40s, the challenges and joys of working with women in crisis, and the art of storytelling through magical realism. Rachel shares her experiences as an expat, her writing process, and the excitement of having her book adapted into a film. The conversation also touches on the importance of nurturing a love for reading in children and the joy of connecting with readers.

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Alone Writing Romance with a Paranormal Twist with Author Ashley Poston - Season 5, Episode 16

A Second Chance Scottish Summer

Follow Rachel Linden: @rachellinden_writer

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod

Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! 

Email us: [email protected]

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we are joined by Hannah Nicole Maehrer! Hannah Nicole Maehrer—or as TikTok Knows her, @hannahnicolemae—is a BookToker and fantasy romance author of Assistant To The Villain, Apprentice To The Villain, and Accomplice To The Villain. Her biggest passions in life include romance, magic, laughter, and finding ways to include them all in everything she creates.

In this episode, Hannah shares her personal experiences with her parents being romantic and in love, having Disney princess loving brothers, managing ADHD, coping mechanisms for productivity, and the creative process behind writing. We explore character development in literature, the importance of relationships, and personal growth, including reflections on social media presence and the joys of everyday life.

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Alone Being The Voice of ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and Crescent City with Narrator Elizabeth Evans - Season 5, Episode 21

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Follow Hannah Nicole Maehrer: @hannahnicolemae 

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod

Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! 

Email us: [email protected]

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.