Brunch is Hell with Rico Gagliano and Brendan Francis Newnam

In Episode 9 of Season 2, we had the opportunity to speak with Rico Gagliano and Brendan Francis Newnam, the authors of Brunch is Hell. This was such a fun episode to record where we discussed everything from dinner parties to playlists to icebreaker jokes. Brendan and Rico shared the title they originally wanted to give their book and their most memorable dinner parties. Definitely an episode not to be missed. (Also, if you're a dinner party person, Brunch is Hell should absolutely be on your reading list.)

Meet Rico and Brendan The Dinner Party Download Icebreaker Small talk Guest of honor Cocktails Brunch Is Hell Their origin story The end of the podcast The start of the book Brunch is Hell The title of the book (and the almost title of the book) Why (restaurant) brunch is awful Dinner Parties Dinner party identifiers Helping people with guidance Etiquette rules Nights to throw dinner parties aka "Tuesdays are Dumb" Most Memorable Dinner Parties Brendan's Friday night dinner party Rico and Brendan planning to have a memorable dinner party because Rico doesn't actually have one to add to the list. Rico's childhood dinner parties Bakers vs. Cooks Rico and Brendan are cooks Great British Bake Show Icebreakers The hope of reviving the joke Why didn't the lifeguard save the hippie? Knock knock. Who's there? To. To who? Music Playlist Choices Sister Maryam Guebrou (Amazon / YouTube) Movie Soundtracks Blowup by Herbie Hancock (Amazon / YouTube) Cotton Club (Amazon / YouTube) Rico's belief that 70's Disco Music is perfect dinner party music The P.D.P.D.P. Quick Hit Inspiration Don't worry about it. What are you planning right now? Chrystina: My 30th birthday party. Rico: 90th birthday party in New Hampshire Brendan: Tuna melt Jessica: Blogger meet-ups What's happening in your kitchen? Jessica: Local 30 challenge, canning, freezing, and dehydrating Brendan: Brendan's refrigerator in New York Rico: Losing money because of extra cold refrigerator Chrystina: Alcohol How are you staying in touch? Rico: All the ways Brendan: Coffee, cocktails, and thank you notes Jessica: Girls' day Chrystina: Not doing so great. What are you into right now? Jessica: Nesting Rico: Ava Luna performs Serge Gainsbourg's Historie de Melody Nelson and Lina Waithe Brendan: Romaine hearts and Cate Le Bon's Are You With Me Now? Chrystina: Acai bowl from Oola Bowls in Lancaster, PA Find us online: Rico Twitter Safe for Work Brendan Twitter Instagram The Paris Review Gatherings Podcast Facebook Twitter Chrystina Noel Sweet Love & Ginger