Hello friends! I’m writing to you from a rainy day in Brooklyn, where I agreed to dogsit my best friend Morgan’s puppy in exchange for a beautiful Williamsburg crash pad and easy access to stand-up shows. Staying at Morgan’s apartment feels more like living inside an art installation designed by MOMA curators rather than a 31-year-old’s one-bedroom. It’s minimalist yet eccentric, and I’m having a real Carrie Bradshaw moment while writing this post and gazing out the window. That is, if Carrie Bradshaw were addicted to tuna melts instead of cigarettes (I’m a Miranda). I wasn’t able to get an email out in enough time to warn you all of my descent upon this trash-filled city of dreams. However, I will be performing in Philly before my annual pilgrimage to the Jersey Shore at the end of the month for any of my East Coast buds who’d like to catch a show.
I’m not much of a dog person, as I was raised with only hermit crabs and gerbils (Jersey Shore and divorce), but I’ve gotta say, after a week with Gwen, I get dogs now! The whole three-walks-a-day thing rocks. My daily steps are off the charts (15,000 a day, but who’s counting? ME! Checking my health app hourly!). While I’m away, my friend Sabeen (very funny, follow her), is watching Lucky for me and has already converted him to Islam (see below).
It’s felt nice to get away from Chicago for a quick trip to regroup and re-motivate. While Chicago is my forever love, I require at least two NYC per year to hug my sister, use a reliable train system, and be humbled by a more robust comedy scene.
I appreciate the creative freedom that radiates from New Yorkers. People wear what they want, when they want, and it all counts as fashion. In Brooklyn, almost everyone wears what my dad used to dress me in after my parents’ divorce in 2002. Wearing an AYSO jersey, oversized men’s jean shorts, and orthopedic shoes is SEXY in Bushwick. It’s incredibly liberating for my inner child to see.
However, after about a week of losing all my savings on a single breakfast and seeing enough human sh*t on the sidewalk to last me ten lifetimes, I usually feel ready to return to Chicago. And then I get home and remember how much I love alleys and legal access to freshwater.
Now, back to reality: we’re halfway through 2025, and it feels like I’ve lived through 3,000 different presidential administrations. The federal situation is having a direct impact on my day-to-day work as a grant writer in the environmental space, and it’s scary. As you may have heard, in an attempt to ban “woke” initiatives, federal agencies have flagged a giant list of words that take grants out of the running for approval.
On the flip side, there’s never been a more exciting time to be a grant writer! In fact, I’d like to take this time to thank our federal government for providing me with the incredible creative challenge of writing grants with a total of 12 words at my disposal. It’s like being on the show Chopped, but instead of being handed a basket of sardines and marshmallows with instructions to make a delicious appetizer, the challenge is to write a grant proposal about the environment without using the words nature, advocate, tree, increase, and, or the. Also, no commas or periods. Yum!
Here’s a lil joke about what it feels like working in environmentalism right now:
Despite the ongoing chaos of the world, May brought some unexpected joy to my little corner. I had the chance to open for the insanely talented Guy Branum (Chelsea Lately, The Mindy Project) at the Den Theater and shared a stage with Chicago author Alex Kotlowitz at Welcome to the Show in Lincoln Square. It’s peony season at the farmer’s market, and rose bushes are in bloom. I went on an early morning bird walk with a group at McCormick Bird Sanctuary, christened the 2025 Chicago beach season with my lovely friend Cora, attended the Chicago People’s Agenda, and did a lot of gardening with friends.
Also, Chicago is sinking. Normal stuff!
Here’s what else I’ve got on the horizon:
What a Waste Podcast
After a two-year hiatus, I’m relaunching my environmental podcast with new co-host, comedian, and all-around good guy Sohrab Forouzesh! We’ll be releasing weekly episodes starting in July and will be joined by a mix of experts and funny friends, so please subscribe on Spotify/Apple Podcasts and follow our Instagram. I’m giving you the early news, but we’re still in the process of rebranding, so stay tuned!
In the meantime, check out our most recent episode about why Chicago is the most dangerous city for birds.
New shows! Mark your calendars:
I’m producing two new shows starting in July -
On July 16th at the Hideout, I’ll be producing a variety show with Elsie Howe. Details are tbd
I’ve also joined Nick Mayer (the best head of hair in Logan Square) in producing the Justice for Laughs mutual aid fundraiser show at Lemon in West Town. Last month, all proceeds from the silent auction and show went to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. Next show is July 22!
June Shows:
6/11 - Laugh Factory 8 p
6/12 - Comedy is Dead with Marcella Arguello @ Lincoln Lodge 8 p
6/15 - Laugh Factory 9 p
6/18 - Comedians You Should Know @ Timothy O’Toole’s 8 p 6/20 - Don’t Tell Chicago 7 p, 9 p
6/21 - Laugh Factory 7 p, 9 p
6/22 - Laugh Factory 7 p, 9 p
6/25 - “First Night” Essay Reading @ Martyrs 7:30 p 6/27 - Don’t Tell Comedy Philly 8 p
6/27 - Next in Line Comedy Philly 8 p
Find more info on my website luciawhalen.com
PS: Listen to this album:
hey so i actually love everything about this. very much looking forward to more what a waste episodes!! Cheers to my favorite funny girl for being an absolute bad ass
I always enjoy catching up with you. Thanks for keeping me in the loop.