Alone At Lunch

This week we are joined by Jessica Levin. Jessica is an NYC based comedian. The daughter of a sanitation worker, with longshoreman genes, she has a blue collar mentality with white color taste. She released her first comedy special, Party Body, on YouTube in November 2025.In this engaging episode, Jessica discusses the importance of saying yes to opportunities, reflects on her childhood and family background, her transition from theater to stand-up, and the creation of her comedy special. She emphasizes the value of community in filmmaking and shares her aspirations for future projects.Recommendations From This Episode: Judy GoldDon’t Think TwiceFollow Jessica: @jlevcomedyFollow Carly: @carlyjmontagFollow Emily: @thefunnywalshFollow 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 Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. Emily and Austin met and fell in love in high school. Austin went on to graduate from Harvard, while Emily graduated from Princeton. Together, they are the authors of multiple novels including The Roughest Draft and Reese's YA Bookclub Pick Heiress Takes All. They are also two-thirds of USA Today bestselling author E.B. Asher. Now married, they live in Los Angeles, where they continue to take daily inspiration from their own love story. Check them out!In this episode, Emily and Austin discuss their unique journey as a couple and co-authors. They discuss the challenges and joys of writing together, balancing their personal and professional lives, and the inspiration behind their latest book, "Seeing Other People." The couple shares insights into their creative process, the influence of their backgrounds, and how they navigate the complexities of parenthood while maintaining their collaborative spirit. Recommendations From This Episode: The Ghost of UsNational TreasureFollow Emily: @wibbs_inkFollow Austin: @austins_bFollow E.B. Asher: @eb_asherFollow Carly: @carlyjmontagFollow Emily: @thefunnywalshFollow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpodPlease 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 Lucy Sandwick. Lucy Sandwick is a comic and sketch writer based in NYC. She's been a semi finalist in the NY Queer Comedy Festival and Comedy Mob Festival, and her videos have garnered millions of views across TikTok, Instagram, and her enemies' group chats. Follow her @lucysandwick!In this episode, Lucy shares her experiences growing up with brothers and how it influenced her career in comedy. She discusses the challenges and joys of adopting her dog, Cricket, and how it taught her valuable lessons about judgment and perseverance. Lucy also reflects on her time living in different cities, including New York and San Francisco, and how these experiences shaped her identity. The conversation touches on the importance of finding one's own path and the unexpected ways life can unfold. Recommendations From This Episode: The Dogist30 RockOh, Mary!Follow Lucy: @lucysandwickFollow Carly: @carlyjmontagFollow Emily: @thefunnywalshFollow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpodPlease 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 Rachel Van Dyken. Rachel Van Dyken the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching guilty-pleasure TV. Her new romantasy FALLEN GODS from Red Tower Books is out now.In this episode, Rachel discusses her diverse writing career, which spans multiple genres including fantasy, romance, and mafia stories, and explains the importance of research in her work. Rachel also opens up about the pressures of being an author, managing her own business, and the impact of stress on her health. Throughout the conversation, she reflects on her Norwegian heritage and how it inspired her latest book, "Fallen Gods," dedicated to her grandfather. Rachel's story is one of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of passion.Recommendations From This Episode: Girls5evaThe Vikings!: Crash Course World HistoryNathan Hill - The NixFollow Rachel: Instagram: @rachvd  TikTok: @rachvdRachel’s Facebook Group: Rachel’s New Rockin’ ReadersFollow Carly: @carlyjmontagFollow Emily: @thefunnywalshFollow 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 Ivi Demi! Ivi is a Brooklyn comic originally from Albania. He was voted the Best House Comic at the Laugh Index Theatre in DC for 2020 and 2021. He has performed at the DC Improv, DC Comedy Loft, Gotham, Comic Strip, the Riot Comedy Festival, and the Burbank Comedy Festival, where he was selected to the Best of the Fest for 2021. You can see him producing and performing in shows for Don’t Tell Comedy across the East Coast.In this episode, Ivi shares his journey from Albania to the United States, highlighting his experiences growing up in a small town in upstate New York. Ivi discusses his unique cultural background, blending Albanian heritage with American life, and how this has influenced his comedy career. He reflects on the challenges and joys of adapting to a new culture, the importance of community support, and his path to becoming a comedian. Ivi's story is one of resilience, humor, and the pursuit of personal and professional growth.Recommendations From This Episode: GlobleInto The WildFollow Ivi: @ivi.demiWebsite: https://www.ividemi.com/Follow Carly: @carlyjmontagFollow Emily: @thefunnywalshFollow 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.