Alone At Lunch

This week we are joined by Cantor Laura Stein! Laura Stein is a cantor, licensed clinical social worker, and PhD candidate in the psychology of religion, blending spiritual care, mental health, and research on how to live a meaningful, whole life. Growing up knowing she was a lesbian gave her an outsider’s view of the world, and after experiencing abuse at her cantorial seminary, she turned from singing in pulpits to studying trauma, reclaiming one’s voice, and how personal healing and collective justice can drive change. She’s now writing a book that weaves that research with her story of overcoming spiritual harm. She stays connected to sacred Jewish music by officiating weddings and lifecycle events, work that landed her in Vogue and on a list of NYC’s Top 20 Wedding Officiants.
In this episode, Laura joins Carly and Emily to discuss her work as a cantor, social worker, and PhD researcher studying how justice is taught in clergy training. She reflects on how harm and silencing during her own seminary experience inspired her research and became part of a longer journey toward healing and reclaiming her voice. The conversation also explores queer identity, growing up in the 1990s, and how moments of loneliness can shape who we become.

Recommendations From This Episode:
Kissing Girls on Shabbat
The Jews of Summer
Alone Kissing Girls On Shabbat with Dr. Sara Glass

Follow Laura: @cantorlaurastein
Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag
Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh
Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod
Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends!
Email us: aloneatlunch@gmail.com



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This week we are joined by Tanya Grant! Tanya Grant writes twisty thrillers packed with secrets, murder, and gossipy group dynamics. Her essays have appeared in Writer’s Digest and CrimeReads, and she’s spoken about creativity on various podcasts.
Tanya lives in Seattle with her family and a herd of cute but messy guinea pigs. When she’s not writing or conducting highly suspicious web searches (for research!), you can find her gardening in her foxglove-filled yard or dreaming up her next plot twist over a cup of cinnamon tea.
In this episode,Tanya Grant joins Carly and Emily to discuss her new psychological thriller, *A Beautiful Lie*—a queer story of obsession set in a Newport mansion, where intimacy, trust, and privilege shape the characters’ lives. She shares how her journey from romance writing to thrillers, her love of research, and her hyperfocus influenced the book, alongside reflections on her later-in-life ADHD diagnosis and the role of burnout in understanding herself. The conversation also explores handling reader feedback, motherhood, and taking risks.

Recommendations From This Episode:
Count My Lies
You

Follow Tanya: @tanyagrantbooks
Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag
Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh
Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod
Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends!
Email us: aloneatlunch@gmail.com


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This week we are joined by Cole Brauer! Cole Brauer is a record-breaking American professional sailor who finished second in the grueling 2023–2024 solo race around the world. Brauer and her work have been featured in The New York Times and on Today and CNN. A University of Hawai‘i graduate, she is a sought-after speaker for companies and organizations ranging from PJT to Kaiser Permanente, known for her candid storytelling and a philosophy of unvarnished grit. When she isn’t sharing her story on land, she is back on the water as a co-skipper for an IMOCA 60 team.
In this episode, Cole Brauer shares her journey from sailing around the world to writing a book about her experiences, including the creative process behind designing fonts for accessibility and recording your own audiobook. She also addresses the importance of authenticity, gender identity, and resilience in pursuing one's passions.
Recommendations From This Episode:
A Marriage At Sea
Young Woman And The Sea
Follow Cole: @colebraueroceanracing
Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag
Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh
Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod
Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends!
Email us: aloneatlunch@gmail.com



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This week we are joined by Ellen O’Clover! Ellen O’Clover is the author of If Not You, The Heartbreak Hotel, and other stories for teens and adults. Her books have been selected for Book of the Month, appeared in outlets like NPR and Rolling Stone, and been nominated for multiple states' book awards. She lives in a little green house under a giant aspen tree near Boulder, Colorado, with her rocket scientist husband and two perfect bulldogs.
In this episode, Ellen discusses her journey from copy writing to romance novels, the importance of authentic storytelling, and the themes of friendship, love, and self-doubt in her latest book 'If Not You.' She shares insights on writing for different age groups, her creative process, and her experiences balancing her career and personal life.

Recommendations From This Episode:
How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days
Great Big Beautiful Life

Follow Ellen: @ellenoclover
Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag
Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh
Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod
Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends!
Email us: aloneatlunch@gmail.com

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This week we are joined by Maggie Gates! Maggie Gates is an author who writes raw, relatable romance novels packed full of heat and humor. Maggie calls North Carolina home. In her spare time, she enjoys daydreaming about her characters, jamming to country music, and eating all the barbecue and tacos she can find! Her e-reader is always within reach due to a love of small-town romances that borders on obsession. Make sure to check out her latest novel, Blue Jean Summer!
In this episode, Maggie shares her journey from culinary school to becoming a successful romance novelist, discussing her writing process, character development, and the influence of her personal life on her books.

Recommendations From This Episode:
Sterling Point
The Wrong Paris
Follow Maggie: @authormaggiegates
Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag
Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh
Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod

Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends!
Email us: aloneatlunch@gmail.com

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