(She/her) Summer date. Fresh outta Texas in my late 20s. I'm living in Harlem. 2011. Pre-apps (well pre-safe apps that didn't leave u murderer after a meal). Middle of the week, I'm at a cute cake shop, the one opposite the building where New Jack City was set (gotta love NYC). Sweltering heat outside. A biker gang of rolls in. Leather jackets and all. In this heat. Mkay. One guy, very handsome. Muscles and all that. Standing behind me. I spark up a conversation because he's wearing and Nigerian hat. One of those felt ones that looks like an upside bowl. Think yamaka but the sides are more rectangular and raised. Anyways a red hat is for chiefs. So I ask him boldly "Why are you wearing a chiefs hat ... when you aren't a chief". Confrontational flirtation at its best. And it worked. He denied being a chief and said the hat was more of a brown color. Yada yada yada. We end up going on a dinner date that weekend in Harlem. He shows up in his black leather AND African fabric ties around his jeans AND a gold beaded African head dress crown AND a beaded white African "chief-man clutch" (the bag's implication being that he's super important and caring wads of cash in it.) Why was I even surprised. He then proceeds, over falafel and hummus, to explain to me that he is the CROWN PRICE OF DELTA (an region in Nigeria). Meanwhile he fully knows that I am Nigeria and familiar with the area. So, yeh, sideye and eyeroll. He goes on and on and on as if his royal status made him super wealthy. As loud and as he was boasting his royal status, I knew that either he 1) was telling the truth but not wealthy (therefore big whoop) or 2) lying out of his beeep. Anyways, I'm fully entertained until the insults start. He also tells me he's a boxer and is quite competitive and I should google him (2011 pre Instagram and Twitter. Basic Facebook). I google him and see he does box. And makes very rudimentary YouTube videos. I tell him he can google me also. He scoffs and says "googling nobodies is a waste of time. You are not famous". Yeh. Mkay. (Neither I'm not famous nor delusional, yes. But really my dude!) I go to the bathroom and call my friend and dish. She thinks I'm just "being so picky and want to be forever single". I knew I would be forever taunted at future brunches unless I could provide receipts. So we plan to met after dinner at a desert cafe on the other side of Harlem. He's more than willing to continue the date because, I mean, he loves talking about himself and loves an audience. Thirty odd min later, my friend is at the cafe with four other people! (Her boyfriend, his friend, and two other of her female friends). We all cozy up at a table. And surprisingly my friends BF knew my date as a boxer. As a prince.... not so much. My date proceeds to highjack the table conversation and continues to tell everyone how great he is etc etc. And launches into how basic human beings we are and royalty this royalty that. Meanwhile everyone at the table is Nigerian. Yeh. And as we are trying to refute his lofty claims he just gets more emboldened with delusion upon delusion. I forget how the date ended but it ended with leaving with him seperate from the group (sigh ... ) walking me to near but not in front of my Harlem apt. And he pulls me into a phone booth (it's 2011) that smells like stale urine. And proceeds to kiss me and grope on me. Very yuck. Very gross. I push him away and force a smile then scuttle off into the night never to see him again. Gross. But ... if you search him on YouTube, the dude is consistent making videos of him princely and royal status with nothing really tangible to show for it. God bless. Long live the PRINCE. It's rough out in these dating streets!

When I heard Naomi and Andy on Sam Sanders’s (love him!) October podcast Into It, I felt an immediate friendship with them. Naomi and Andy remind me so much of great people you’d love to hang out with over spirits, snacks, and general get-togethers for no other reason other than you enjoy each other’s company. That and they have great snacks. And spirits. And they love their furbabies. Their honest and introspective conversations with new and long-time friends always has me nodding and answering as if I’m part of the conversation. (Which I would love to be so if y’all are interested in talking to a former trauma nurse turned saucy romance author, who also has fur-babies and kids, please contact me. :) ) Always fun and enlightening, Naomi and Andy are a weekly audible treat for anyone who loves to laugh and needs a bit more joy in their lives. PS-I was totally serious about coming on the show. :)

Great Show!! Worst date on one warm night: We went to get ice cream. I’m a they/he gay. He was a he/him gay. He questioned but did not let me explain my gender identity then proceeded to talk about his ex who he called crazy. While we are ice cream, we had to sit in his Tesla so that its software could update. And then after an half hour of waiting on Myrtle Ave in the Tesla we briefly talked when he explained more about his ex and how his friend was on a date with a hot religious woman. We then parted ways but not before he complimented me for opening the Tesla’s door the first time and then asked if I’m a top or bottom.

Hilarious takes on life, love, and living in the hellscape. Thanks Naomi & Andy (guests and pets)

As a forever Andy & Naomi fan (and current NYC resident) I went and supported Megan Gailey at Union Hall. I was blown away by her killer jokes and professionalism. Peak post-sorority life realness. What a performance! Thank you Naomi, for bringing Megan into my world. Ya’ll were a whole mood. Bring back the Pod or maybe an HGTV show where you design (or cast) kitchen/ homes for lifetime movies…

The episode with Samantha Irby was fantastic! It was so emotionally thought provoking. My brain cells popped & my heart expanded. Absolute perfection… THANK YOU!

I love Andy and Naomi so so much. Which might seem weird because I don’t know them personally. But they are the best dynamic duo ever?? I love their pets too!!

the perfect balance of insightful conversation, humour & existential dread 🤓

I’ve listened to every episode. This show is a soothing mental balm and a hilarious delight. The guests are great, the host questions are thoughtful and you always learn something. Highly recommended.

Love Naomi but Andy is pathetic. He doesn’t add anything to the conversation and only takes away from the podcast. He only adds despair and wallowing in his own misery without a hint of redemption. His constant lamentations are a dreary monologue that only deepens his isolation. Listening to him is an exercise in enduring relentless sorrow, leaving you drained. Love Naomi and would love to hear a podcast with her and someone else.

My cousin’s wedding was - unfortunately one of the strangest experiences I have had. The day of the rehearsal dinner, Lightning struck a tree directly beside the venue. This should have been our first sign that something was amiss, but alas, we ignored it. During the ceremony, the bride was visibly shaking. The father of the groom (a minister, who, incidentally, was NOT officiating the ceremony, but simply felt called to stand up and speak during it) brought out a wooden triangle visual aid to explain how the bride and groom must grow closer to God at the same rate if they want to grow closer to each other. This went on for an uncomfortably long time. At the reception, there was absolutely no dancing (though, weirdly, there was a DJ). The only food that my sister - a lifelong vegetarian-could eat was the garnish. And to cap off the evening, another tree was struck by lighting directly outside the reception hall, a separate venue and on a different day, from the prior lightning strike.

Please keep doing this podcast! It helps me get through the work day with a smile on my face.

TYSM for this gift of a podcast! Also, Naomi I had no idea about the Interview with a Vampire podcast until you mentioned it on a previous ep, went back and listened and was immediately obsessed!! The guests you brought on were incredible! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on season 2 in whatever form they take! Also side note-I work in the woods and frequently listen to this podcast from my tent (sometimes when I’m having anxiety about being in the woods 😅)and it’s always soothing and perfect! TY!!!!

Love y’all so much 👑👑👑

I love this podcast! If Andy and Naomi had a baby, it would be me. I play the pods everywhere and it feels like family. This quirky Black and award writer who teaches gives five stars!

Andy and Naomi are both so hilarious and thoughtful and great! I literally laugh out loud each ep. My fav podcast for sure!

Andy tends not to give serious advice to the caller and also harps a lot on the hellscape that is today’s society. I agree, but can we talk about something else for once? I would follow Naomi to the end of the earth that girl is HILARIOUS

I never miss an episode, these two never fail to make my day. Have gained so much wisdom and insight from these two 💕❤️

Cancel or don’t schedule another session. Email: “I’ve decided to go in another direction and won’t be scheduling any further sessions. Thank you for work with me.” Easy peasy don’t give it another thought! You don’t sign a term contract with a therapist. Deuces.

The Mekki Leeper episode was truly a revelation of brilliance. He was clear and completely present. I greatly appreciated everything he had to say and the demeanor of his delivery. I am thoroughly impressed with the human that he is. Thank you!

Everything he talked about hit home. Especially the stuff about his parents. So helpful to bring these stories to light. This is why I listen. Love this show.

Hi Naomi & Andy!! First, thank you for putting yourselves and your hearts (and butts) into this podcast every week and on Patreon( forever a paetch pal!). It makes me laugh, sigh, and shout back like I’m gabbing with my besties who get it. Anywhooo… I’m a therapist in Portland, OR and I heard Andy ask about advice on how to break up with a therapist and thought well this may be a good time for me to write a review instead of just giving 5 stars like I have before. So…Termination with a therapist is largely for the client and not really for the therapist at all (unless your therapist is making the sessions about them- red flag boos!), it can be a really lovely and connective way to have an ending that feels intentional to the work you did together, especially since life doesn’t often give us the kind of endings that we want or need. We go into this field knowing that we may not get to have endings with our clients. While there are countless reasons why clients leave therapy, I make sure to do my own work not to internalize the termination or why the client needs to leave therapy. I have worked with clients for years that at a certain point, need a different type of therapy, perspective or modality. It’s about the best fit for the client’s needs and if my clients need something different, I absolutely want them to terminate and go find what they need! All of that is to say, if you feel it would be beneficial for YOU to have a termination session with your therapist, by all means do that. If you don’t think it would benefit you, you can absolutely send an email. The therapist’s feelings are not your responsibility! 😉💕 Thanks for all you do, much love from Portland!!

Let go of the pressure to manage your therapist’s emotions. If you need closure, that is one thing. I don’t even think you need an email. Just don’t book another appointment. If she is a professional, she will understand and work her way through her own emotions. Not your problem.

Andy, be compelled to listen to Naomi and break up with your therapist via email. Buh-bye!

Andy and Naomi (and esteemed guests) never fail to make my day and mood better!

This podcast gives me many laughs and just enough to think about without spritzing into hopeless despair. Super love the Covid conscious discussions. It a nice reminder people do care when wearing a mask in public gets you off looks and the occasional “do you think that helps” with a side eye. Love the hosts love the pod love the guests!!! Thank pals

Hey y’all Love the podcast! You bring happiness & joy to my life every week. Thanks for bringing Jay Jurden back, he’s hilarious & makes me laugh so much. Really enjoyed the episode this week. Keep doing what you doin!!!! -D

You two wake me up at work. You’re my new favorite couple (don’t tell my bff since jr. high). I love that you have furrbabies. Thank you for the verbal shot of caffeine during the work week.

Thank you, Andy and Naomi, for always brightening my day with the lolz!

So, so compelling.

My cheap and easy meal du jour is a pack of mi goreng ramen noodles with a fried egg on top.

Go-to easy and delicious vegetarian meal: frozen cheese ravioli + frozen peas + 1/4 c water - microwave for 6ish mins. After taking out of the microwave, add Boursin cheese (amount and flavor is your choice!)

Pasta with spinach stirred in (no need to cook the spinach, just let the heat from the pasta wilt it). Also stir in lots of Parmesan and black pepper. Great comfort food but still has some veggies in it. Also love the pod!!! 💙🩵❤️💚you guys are the best

Fruit & Granola Wrap: wheat wrap with peanut butter, granola, sliced banana and strawberries. Easy & delicious 🙂

Sometimes I will have an entire can of corn for lazy-no groceries-dinner that i will make into “off the cob” elote (Mexican Street corn). You can blacken the corn on med/high heat for just a few minutes and then add mayo & elote seasoning (i like trader joe’s). Bonus points for adding parmesan/cotija on top, sprinkle of chili or cayenne, and lime juice!! spicy, a little sweet, creamy, cheap, and but still technically a vegetable loll

Rice cereal: cooked white rice, milk of choice, lots of sugar, cinnamon.

What you’ll need to buy for the week: prewashed spinach box, almost ripe avocados, mini cucumbers, slices of cheddar cheese, hummus and bag of bagels of your choice (these can be frozen sliced). Any combination of these items can be thrown on a toasted bagel at any time of day; and you can also do a big salad (minus the bagel and hummus) with like balsamic glaze (widely available in a squeeze bottle), olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon. 🫶🏾✌🏾

Salt + crunch: toss chickpeas with a little olive oil, salt and paprika. Roast at 425 for 15-20 min.

I always have cooked rice so I’ll broil a piece of salmon with salt (3 minutes each side) make miso (or buy the packets) and steam cauliflower in the microwave and serve room temp with miso or sesame dressing. You’re in LA so you can find sesame or miso dressing at any Asian market. Replace salmon with grilled tofu (get them pregrilled at the grocery store) and slap some sesame dressing on it. Dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes.

Instant oatmeal with ground walnuts (grind chopped walnuts in a food processor) and pure maple syrup. Fruit of your choice on the side. Yummy, nutritious, staying power!

10 minutes and a dream!I got you! Easy Bibimbap! Snag your fav frozen veggies (I do broccoli, mushrooms or Asian stir fry ) sauté in pan with sesame oil and right near the end crack an egg on top and cover. Serve with Gochujang sauce (bought)and instant rice. Adore you both!

Melt cheese on tortilla in pan and add microwaved “just egg” add any veggies, salsa, or just ketchup if you have energy. Put frozen fake meatballs, frozen broccoli in bowl, heat then add Rao’s marinara. Love you two!

Delighted to have found these hilarious comedians and this podcast. I knew that Naomi is amazing, but learning to love Andy their chemistry and riffs are so amazing. Do not miss.

Microwave nachos, no toppings. Just Tostitos and shredded cheddar.

They are such good listeners. They don’t forget that we are very curious as the audience so they keep track very carefully of all the ideas. Also brilliant and funny and kind.

Love the pod love you guys! My go to meal is Black bean burritos. 1 can of black beans, 1 can og rotel, 1 cup instant rice. Cook until rice is tender and throw in a tortilla!

Y’all are missing out on a Midwest delicacy! You basically combine browned hamburger (sorry Andy), cream of mushroom soup, corn, and green beans in a baking dish. Top it with tater tots and cheese, bake at 350 for an hour, and you have accessed true happiness. Green bean casserole (typically a Thanksgiving food) is a similar meatless alternative.

My go to meal is homemade French onion soup if I feel like cooking. If I don’t feel like cooking my snacks turn into a meal and that’s usually kemps cottage cheese with chives and Annie’s white cheddar bunnies. Or a poke bowl if I want to pick something up while I’m out in the world (I live just outside of the delivery area for most delivery services).

My go to dinner, quesadilla (corn tortilla), made on a comal or pan (don’t you dare warm up a tortilla in the microwave). If you want to be fancy, add some chicken, meat for some protein. Then throw a bag of popcorn and ta-da, dinner is served. If you want to be extra fancy, add some pickled jalapeños into the popcorn for some zing.

Simple meals for when I just can’t: 2 fried eggs with salt and pepper (the smell of them cooking immediately lifts my mood a smidge), a bowl of cereal, a PB&J, or boxed mac and cheese. I love this podcast so much, I am so grateful you talk about Covid, and I’m sending love to the animals! PS. I’m a therapist and have recommended this podcast to some of my clients.