Episode 3: Rejection, Redirection & Buff Jesus

What do layoffs, comedy, job searching, and a ripped version of Jesus have in common?

This week on Crying in Chili's, Courtney sits down with comedian, writer, and former coworker Anthony Cusumano to talk about rejection, redirection, and what happens when life forces you to rethink the path you thought you were on.

From navigating layoffs and today's chaotic job market to pursuing creative dreams outside of corporate America, Anthony shares how he's balancing freelance work, comedy, and his latest creative project: Buff Jesus—a comedy short film about a conservative priest, a queer graffiti artist, and an unexpectedly effective piece of church marketing.

Along the way, Courtney and Anthony swap interview horror stories, discuss why personality still matters in hiring, debate whether anyone actually enjoys Applebee's, and explore the idea that sometimes rejection isn't a dead end—it's simply redirection toward something better.

Whether you're job hunting, chasing a creative dream, questioning your career path, or just here to find out why Buff Jesus exists, this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• Navigating layoffs and career uncertainty
• The realities of today's job market
• Why rejection isn't always a bad thing
• Recruiter and interview horror stories
• Anthony's original musical
• The story behind Buff Jesus
• Why Chili's will always beat Applebee's

Guest: Anthony Cusumano
Comedian, writer, performer, and creator based in Chicago.

• Follow Anthony on Instagram
• Check out the first scene of Buff Jesus on Youtube!