Episode 359

with Laurie Kilmartin, Gaby Dunn, and Chris Staples

Comedian Laurie Kilmartin talks about her new book Dead People Suck, in which she uses dark humor to process the death of her father; writer, podcaster and YouTube star Gaby Dunn spills about her problems with money and defining her sexuality in the age of social media; singer-songwriter Chris Staples reflects on being mistook for a popular country singer with a similar name; and host Luke Burbank is joined onstage by writer Elena Passarello to unpack a story about watching a tongue-in-cheek puppet show of actor Ethan Hawk… and how relaying the tale to the actor himself fell flat.

Laurie Kilmartin
Comedian

Death is not for the faint of heart, and sometimes the best way to cope is through humor. No one knows this better than comedian Laurie Kilmartin. She made headlines by live-tweeting her father’s time in hospice and her grieving process after he passed, and channeled her experience into a comedy special, 45 Jokes About My Dead Dad. Kilmartin’s new book, Dead People Suck is her hilarious guide to surviving (sometimes) death, dying, and grief without losing your mind. Website • Twitter

Gaby Dunn
Writer & Youtuber

A New York Times bestselling author, YouTuber, and comedian, Gaby Dunn isn’t afraid to tackle tough topics. Dunn is creator and host of the Bad with Money podcast, which candidly takes on all topics financial, and runs a YouTube channel Just Between Us with Allison Raskin that has garnered more than 120 million views. Dunn’s work has appeared in New York Magazine, Slate, NPR’s On The Media, and more. Website • Insta

Chris Staples
Singer Songwriter

Seattle-based singer-songwriter Chris Staples is a man who inspires devotion. His minimally adorned, dark and sometimes funny songs are imbued with nostalgia. Staples' newest record, Golden Age was a favorite of NPR’s All Songs Considered, and also a favorite of ours. Listen • Insta