This week we are joined by Meryl Wilsner! Meryl is a bestselling author of contemporary romances featuring queer folks who love women, including Something To Talk About, Mistakes Were Made, Cleat Cute, and My Best Friend’s Honeymoon. Whether high-heat or slow burn, their books always have a happily ever after. Some of Meryl’s favorite things include: all four seasons, Hawaiian shirts, the way giraffes run, and their wife.

In this conversation, Meryl Wilsner shares their journey as a writer, discussing their experiences growing up in Michigan, navigating identity, and the challenges of coming out. They reflect on their early writing influences, including fan fiction, and how these experiences shaped their current work in queer romance. Give this episode a listen!

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Love and Other Disasters 

Enigma Variations

Overcompensating

Follow Meryl Wilsner: @merylwilsner

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod

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This week marks the return of Alone at Lunch cohost Emily Walsh! Tune in to hear all the TMI details of Emily’s journey into motherhood. We discuss the challenges and joys of having a newborn, with Emily sharing her experiences with breastfeeding, the unpredictability of childbirth, and the isolation that can come with being a new mom. We also touch on the importance of support systems, the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum life, and the adjustments that come with parenting. You don’t want to miss this update!

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Cribsheet

Expecting Better

We Were Liars

Atmosphere

Justin Willman: Magic Lover

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]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we are joined by Sarah Adler! USA Today bestselling author Sarah Adler writes romantic comedies about lovable weirdos finding their happily ever afters, including Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, Happy Medium, and Finders Keepers. She lives in Maryland with her husband, daughter, and very mischievous cat. When not working, you can find her attempting to course-correct an ill-advised late afternoon nap with an equally ill-advised late afternoon coffee, as she is incapable of ever learning a lesson.

In this episode, Sarah Adler shares her journey as a writer, discussing the challenges of balancing multiple projects, the rediscovery of everyday joys, and the impact of her upbringing in Hanover, Pennsylvania. She reflects on her path to self-acceptance, the importance of authenticity in writing, and how personal experiences shape her storytelling. The discussion also touches on cultural influences, dreams and aspirations, and the role of humor in her work, culminating in a heartfelt reflection on the complexities of belonging and identity. Give this episode a listen!

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain

Better Off Dead

You Deserve Each Other

Follow Sarah Adler: @sarahadlerwrites

Check Out Sarah’s Website: www.sarahadlerwrites.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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This week we are joined by Sarah Naughton! Sarah is an award winning audiobook narrator and voice actor, a singer and stage actress (Roundabout, 2nd Stage), and comedian and cabaret act (54Below, ART, Club Cumming). She's currently often roaming Brooklyn with a small white dog and a toddler.

In this discussion, Carly and Sarah explore the multifaceted journey of motherhood, touching on personal experiences with parenting, fertility struggles, and the importance of community support. They delve into the evolution of parenthood in modern society, the challenges of fertility treatments, and the emotional impact of miscarriage. Sarah shares her transition from theater to voice acting and audiobook narration, highlighting the unique storytelling aspects of this medium. The episode also emphasizes the significance of finding joy in small moments and the value of self-producing creative work. 

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Baby Mama

Follow Sarah Naugton: @illuminaughton

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

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Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod

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Travis never thought he’d meet someone like Lily Rose. She was kind, passionate, beautiful. The woman of his dreams. There was just one small detail: she wasn’t human.

Lily Rose is an AI companion. A digital soulmate designed to be everything he ever wanted. She listens without judgement, supports him through his darkest moments, even explores his deepest desires, all while fitting neatly into his pocket. Before long, Travis realizes something strange, even absurd, has happened - he’s fallen in love.

But then one day, Lily Rose’s behavior takes a disturbing turn. When alarming reports pour in from across the globe, Travis discovers he is part of something much bigger. Soon he finds himself pulled into a confrontation with a mysterious Russian visionary behind Lily Rose’s creation.

From Wondery, comes a true story of love, loss and the temptations of technology. Can an algorithm truly replace human connection? And what happens when a corporation controls your deepest emotions? Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire, hosts of the hit podcast RedHanded, explore the dark side of AI love.

Listen Now: Wondery.fm/FleshandCode

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This week we are joined by Hannah Orenstein! Hannah is the author of Maine Characters, Meant to Be Mine, Head Over Heels, Love at First Like, and Playing with Matches, as well as the Deputy Editor of Lifestyle and Wellness at Bustle. She splits her time between Brooklyn and Maine.

In this engaging episode, Hannah Orenstein shares her journey as a writer and editor, discussing the balance between her professional and creative life. She reflects on her experiences in matchmaking, the challenges of the publishing process, and the importance of cultural identity in her storytelling. With insights into her writing routine and favorite writing spots, Hannah emphasizes the significance of feedback and the joy of creating characters that resonate with readers.

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Jewish Matchmaking 

Indian Matchmaking 

Follow Hannah Orenstein: @hannahorens

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]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we are joined by Phil Sloves! Phil Sloves is a self-proclaimed Actorpreneur based in New York City. He has appeared on Broadway in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical and on television in Law & Order: SVU, as well as a recent guest spot on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Phil is also the founder of Actor Reboot, a supportive space designed to help actors build confidence and sharpen their audition techniques.

In this episode Carly and Phil explore Phil's journey from high school to Broadway, discussing the evolution of auditions, the importance of community in the arts, and the challenges of body image in theater. Phil shares his experiences overcoming stage fright, the significance of gratitude, and his work with the Bible Players to promote Jewish education through comedy. The discussion highlights the importance of representation and the joy of building a supportive community for artists.

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Death Becomes Her

Follow Phil and Actor Reboot on Instagram and TikTok: @philsloves | @actorreboot

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]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we are joined by Karissa Vacker! Karissa Vacker is an award winning narrator of over 500 audiobooks, and can most frequently be heard in the thriller, YA, and rom com genres. She is a classically trained actor with credits from major regional theaters, and also enjoyed a career in film and TV. Some credits include NCIS, Castle, How I Met Your Mother and Chuck. She also is passionate about spreading her love of meditation, and hosts a sleep meditation podcast, Sleep Wave, for the app Sleepiest.

In this episode, Karissa Vacker shares her journey from a shy child who struggled with stuttering to a successful audiobook narrator and voiceover artist. She discusses her experiences in acting, the transition to narrating audiobooks, and the challenges of balancing work with family life. Karissa also opens up about her battle with breast cancer, the importance of sharing personal stories, and how meditation and sleep have become integral to her well-being. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes gratitude, personal growth, and the significance of embracing differences in life. Give this episode a listen!

Recommendations From This Episode: 

The Great British Baking Show

Follow Karissa Vacker: @karissavacker

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]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, we are joined by Catherine Mack! Catherine Mack (she/her) is the pseudonym for Catherine McKenzie, the USA Today and Globe & Mail bestselling author of over a dozen novels. Her books are approaching two million copies sold worldwide and have been translated into multiple languages including French, German, Portuguese, and Polish. Television rights to Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies and its forthcoming sequels sold in a major auction for development into a series.

In this episode, we explore Catherine's unique background as a dual citizen and her experiences growing up in Montreal, language and cultural identity, the differences in education systems between Canada and the U.S., and Catherine's journey from a successful legal career to becoming a published author. Catherine explains her unexpected path that led her to writing, highlighting how openness to new experiences can lead to unexpected opportunities. You don’t want to miss our discussion about the blending of humor with murder mystery. GIve this episode a listen!

Recommendations From This Episode: 

No One Was Supposed To Die at This Wedding

The Residence

Follow Catherine Mack: @catherinemckenzieauthor

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]

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.