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

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This week we are joined by Alice Fishbein! Alice Fishbein is a Brooklyn-based comedian. Her solo comedy show, "Leo Still Dies in the End," premiered at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2025. She can be seen performing comedy in NYC and her writing and viral videos can be found all over the internet.

In this episode, Alice shares her experiences from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, her one-woman show about the Titanic, and her journey through comedy and creative writing. The discussion touches on the challenges of performing, the unique atmosphere of the Fringe, and the personal connections formed through shared artistic experiences. Alice reflects on her childhood obsessions, the impact of various cultural phenomena, and her aspirations for future projects. 

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Titanic

Titanic: The Digital Resurrection

Alone Being a History Nerd with Author Sarah Adler - Season 5, Episode 23

Alone Making Floral Estrangements with Rebecca Fishebin - Season 4, Episode 46

Follow Alice Fishbein: Insta: @afishcalledalice TikTok: @afishb

Website: www.alicefishbein.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 Myka Fox! Myka Fox is an NYC-based writer and comedian who has written jokes for multiple Comedy Central Roasts, The MTV Movie Awards w/ Nikki Glaser, the Independent Spirit Awards, and SNL’s Weekend Update.

Myka is/was one half of the cult favorite Gas Digital Podcast “Shame On” with Kerryn Feehan, and currently hosts the popular podcast "Great Hang with Myka and Tim" with her illiterate boyfriend Tim McLaughlin. Her debut standup comedy special "My Joke, My Choice," premiered in 2024 through Comedy Dynamics.

In this hilarious episode, Myka Fox shares her journey from growing up in Arizona to pursuing a career in comedy and writing in New York City. She discusses her daily routines, how her life experiences have shaped her creative process, and the unique challenges faced when filming a comedy special on short notice. The discussion also touches on the challenges of friendship, the metaphorical dumpsters we find ourselves in, and the joys of solitude. Myka also reflects on her identity as a twin and the dynamics of sibling relationships. Give this episode a listen!

Recommendations From This Episode: 

Marc Maron: Panicked

Rachel Feinstein: Big Guy

Follow Myka Fox: @mykafox

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod

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This week we are joined by Samantha Downing! Samantha Downing is an internationally bestselling thriller author whose books have appeared on the Sunday Times and USA Today. 

Her debut novel, My Lovely Wife, was nominated for Edgar, ITW, and Macavity awards in the US, the CWA award in the UK, and was the winner of the Prix des Lectrices award in France. Her latest thriller, Too Old For This, was released in August 2025 in the US.

In this episode, Samantha Downing shares her unique approach to writing, emphasizing the importance of morning routines and the creative process. She discusses her journey to publication, the influences that shaped her writing, and how her personal experiences have impacted her work. We discuss how personal struggles can shape characters in literature, particularly in the context of Samantha's latest book featuring a retired serial killer. We also explore challenges of writing crime fiction in a modern world filled with technology and surveillance, and the importance of research in creating believable narratives. Give this episode a listen!

Recommendations From This Episode: 

The Thursday Murder Club

Murder She Wrote

Look Closer 

Follow Samantha Downing: @smariedowning

Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag

Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh

Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod

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This week Carly is on vacation, and Emily talks to her husband and cohost Danny Moss. They host the Yeet the Rich podcast together, where they research uber rich companies and families, what they claim to have contributed to the world, what the reality is. Danny also works full time as a scenic carpenter, building an engineering scenery for film and tv, having worked on projects like In the Heights, Fleischman is in Trouble, She Says, and Inside Amy Schumer.

On this episode we discuss what its like to start a new creative pursuit when you're solidly in your career, trying to fit in a side hustle when you're a new dad, always pursuing intellectual curiosity, and more! Enjoy!

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Autumn and back to school vibes are just around the corner! This week we bring you a special episode that reconnects you with the hosts of the show. In this episode of Alone at Lunch, hosts Emily and Carly dive into the nostalgic feelings of back to school, discussing their love for the season and how it inspires them to set new goals. They explore the challenges of balancing creativity and motherhood, the importance of consistency in personal growth, and the impact of comparison on self-worth. The conversation highlights the significance of defining success on one's own terms and the role of self-care in achieving personal and creative aspirations. Give this episode a listen!

Recommendations From This Episode:

1Q84

The Life Impossible

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 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

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

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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]

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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

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.