On Display with Melissa Gorga - Thirdwheelin' It (w/ Jenny Mollen)

Episode Date: June 9, 2022

Melissa invites comedian, writer, podcast host, and funnier half of the Biggs' power couple, Jenny Mollen, onto the show to chat about stalking your partner's ex, pet peeves, and haphazard hookers.  Jenny also shares her inspiration behind her new book, City of Likes, which is set to be this summer's hottest read, available June 14th!   This week's sponsors:  BetterHelp - Online Therapy: betterhelp.com/gorga (10% off first month) Brooklinen - Luxury Bed Sheets and Loungewear: brooklinen.com, promo code: DISPLAY ($20 off order of $100 or more) Chime - Internet Banking: chime.com/melissa OSEA - Natural Skin Care: oseamalibu.com, promo code: MELISSA (10% off first order)

You're listening to Melissa Gorga on display with me, Melissa Gorga on podcast one. Definitely a Gemini in that I have one nanny that like takes care of my kids and one nanny that takes care of me. I'm so excited to talk to you guys. My last episode we did a best of. So I feel like we haven't spoken a while and I'm so excited to have a beautiful human with me today. She's an actress, she's a comedian, she's a writer, she's a podcast host, and she's so many other things. She has two new books coming out this year.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's Jenny Mullin. Hi. Hi, thank you for having me. Did I say your name, right? Mullin? Yes, you did. Okay, good. I feel like I butcher everyone's last name.

So I just decided to own that I butcher it and just get corrected. Perfect. How many people ask me that like is it Mullen? Is it Mullen? I'm like, I don't care. It's either. Right. That's just being like individual, an individual that's not just like Jason Vicks is guest

when I go places. Oh my God. See, I love that. At least you're honest about it. Because he has, I mean, obviously your husband, you know, we'll add this in for anyone who's just tuning in and doesn't know, like this is Jason Biggs wife that we're speaking to today. And that's a huge, that's a huge name too, just, you know,

just because of American pie. Let's be honest. That was like crazy, right? So do you get that a lot? Do you get the fact that? Well, you too. When we first met, I mean, I didn't want to date him because I felt like I was very jealous.

I couldn't handle that he, I didn't like that he was famous. It like really got under my skin because I felt at 28 years old, when I walked into a room, I was like, I'm still getting some attention and now all I'm invisible and all anybody wants is to like talk to attention. And now all I'm invisible. And all anybody wants is to talk to Jason. And so that has for his picture

and give him all this attention. And I'm right here. I'm like, I as an overachiever, this really irks me. That's somebody who's always been sort of my father's daughter. I mean, it was like redux with marrying a man that like also sort of eclipsed me on some level. And Jason's always like,

what did I ever do to you? Because I'd support you all the time. Your entire career is like try to like rip me down. But it's like I'm driven by like this insatiable need to have like some sort of triumph over him and he's really done nothing but support me ever. It's so fucked up. Oh my God. Well, that's actually a really cute story and I can understand because I'm super jealous too. And just in our own, I obviously Joe and I are kind of, we became famous together on this reality show. So I feel like we're pretty equal when it comes to walking

into a room, but there's definitely times where, you know, if it's definitely a lot more women that watch this show, I would say than men. Yeah. So, you know, we walk into a room full of women. They're like flock to him, you know, and I'm like, Oh, that makes me nuts. Yeah.

Yeah. So I totally feel like I'm cooler than him, guys. Like, come on. Yeah. I'm like, no. Yeah. Yeah, so I totally feel like, I'm cooler than him guys. Like, come on. Yeah, I'm like, wait a sec. Housewives, like, I'm the housewife. Hello. Like what's happening here? No, but he loves it.

And they all know it's to know him is to know that he's such a ham. And he loves the attention. So they like, you know, they're gonna go where they're gonna get the most bank for their buck. They'll get the most attention going that way. So I totally...

I just started watching your show. I just started watching Housewives and you guys really sucked me and I have to say that you guys remind me a lot of Jason and I. Really? I'm obsessed. Yeah, and I love that you're with a man that can gossip with the ladies,

that can get into the drama, that you can gossip with the ladies that can like get into the drama that you can sort of, you know, I always feel like Jason and I are like LeVernin Shirley. And or he's if we're I love Lucy, then he's more my Ethel than my Jezzi. And I love that in a man. I look for that. Do you?

Okay, good. Yeah, I feel like Joe gets sucked in for so many reasons. Obviously because he is a sister on the show. Because he is a wife on the show. Because his nieces are on the show Obviously because he is a sister on the show, because he has a wife on the show, because his nieces are on the show, because he has a daughter on the show, his parents. So he gets sucked in, I would say, a lot more than the other house husbands,

because there's just so many different subjects. You can approach with him, but he's such like, you know, he wears his heart on his sleeve. He's a big supporter, like you're saying Jason is like, very big at like lifting you up. Whatever you want to do is there to

back you up. So I wait, what season are you on? Are you starting like from season one? No, I started on this season and now I have to go backwards. Oh, that was the wrong way to do it. But it was just I did not break it

working my television. And so what was on was on. And I couldn't really get out of it. Got it because there is so much family history. I was really afraid of working my television and so what was on was on and I couldn't really get out of it. Because there is so much family history. Exactly. But I'm not just seeing it.

The dynamics are wild. It's wild. I would love for you to go back and watch from starting like season three when we joined the show and then talk to me in like six months when you're done with all of that. Tell me how to do that. That's I'm in for that. Yes. That's like, you know,

just start binge watching when you guys are bored at night. That's hysterical. Where do you guys actually live? Where are you? We're in Manhattan. But Jason is from Jersey. Jason Grobenhazberg.

He did. That's right over here in Bergen County. That's right by me. That's where I am over here. I'm there all the time. My in-laws still live there. And do you go visit?

Constantly, yes. Oh, I love that. And you guys have two kids. You have two sons, yeah. And we've been back here for probably seven years before that we were in LA for 19, 19 separately and then together. And we moved to New York when, 19 separately and then together.

And we moved to New York when Sid was about six months old. Wow. So when you met him, was it the height of his career? And you were also writing and what were you doing at the time when you guys had? No, we were auditioning for a movie. And I, it was this Kate Hudson, Dane Cook movie. And my sister was dating a guy that wrapped the writer. And so he said, oh, your sister's an actress, she should come in on this film.

And then I, so I went in on the movie. She's like, I got you an audition for this thing. And I went in, then I like went to, you know, you go to the next round, the next round. And he's like, hey, thanks for making me look good. Cause like he didn't know, I could have been, you know, terrible, but he'd run into my sister. So he's just like, sure, here's an audition.

So he calls me when I use like, hey, you want to see the audition tape? Do you want to see the other girls you're up against? And that as an actress was like a dream come true. I don't know. They're like apps of freaking lootly I do. Like, what fucking tape?

Yes. You know, so I'm watching these girls and it was like so enlightening in retrospect because you realize there's nothing anybody's doing that's that different. It's just a vibe. And now as a writer and somebody who's like cast people and things and like, no, it's just like you have divide.

You remind me of this person or you have an essence that I'm gravitating towards. It's not really about like who performed the best scene, you know, as a theater major I was like, I'm going to be the lead. So coming out of college and like, you know, going to getting into this world was really just a mind-fuck. So I'm watching the team. And he goes, well, you're at it. Watch the two guys. We're choosing between one is Jason Biggs and one is, I don't know, I think his name was Todd Grinnell, that's other actor, and we actually knew,

but he wasn't famous. And I said, you've got to give it to Todd, you've got to give it to the underdog. You can't give it to Jason Biggs. Like, look Jason Biggs, he's like that guy from like, there was like team comedy. You know, I was so snobby. Like he gets everything, like,

give you someone else a chance. And I'm like, totally projecting him, like give it to the underdog like myself. So he's like okay, so I hang up the phone and I watched the tapes and Jason gave like the best audition of his life. I I did his day tell him like you were better than that audition that you even were in the movie. You were so good.

So all the back and I said I'm so sorry to tell you this, you have to go to Jason. He's such a talented actor. I'm shook. I was so surprised. And a few weeks went by and then I love this story. Wait a second. You guys don't even like, you're not even attracted to each other.

This way is there flirtatious things happening. Why didn't even met him? Oh, oh my god. I'm really talented. He was like the actor to you at this point. Like you never ever seen American pie. I just said all these like preconceived. Got it.

Got it. Pregnant is against him. Yes, he's even more famous than me. And so, so I literally, you know, I just remember thinking I'm just that guy's just really talented. Right. So then a few weeks later, my sister calls and she's like, well, you've got a double date

with me and Doug and Jason. And that threw me because I wasn't thinking I was going to date him. But I also like, wait, is this a test? Am I getting it? If I say no, am I not in this movie? Exactly. And at this point, what do you have to lose?

I mean, I know. And I know you two are in everything, but I was like, is this a casting out situation? And like, I guess I'm gonna go. Look how many years later here you are, two kids later, and how many years later has it been? My whole life, you might. And now it's been 15 years.

Wow. This isn't just a couple of pre-sushi, just come, it's been 15 years. Wow. Wow. Just come. It's pretty sushi. So I went and I met him. And we hit it off. We were definitely like, I thought, you know, he was funny, but it wasn't like fireworks, you know, and then what happened was he got in the movie first, and then I went back to hating him. Corpus, this is just who I am. Is your working together or because he got it? I didn't get in the movie, yes.

And he did, we didn't even, fuck that guy again. Right? He's annoying, right? He was everything. And then a few weeks later, I found out I was in the movie. So we were in Boston together for three months, Ish.

And that's when we fell in love and we were married nine months later. It was very nice. Wow. You know, that is very similar. Joe and I got married within 10 months of dating and meeting. I think that's the best way.

You know what, for me, it was your relationship. Yes, and it's like when you know, you know, and when you're both in that mind frame, it's just that point, or you dated people before, you just know what you're looking for. And that's everyone's like, how could you guys get married within 10 months? I'm like, here we are 17 years later, three kids later.

It, yeah, it was literally, we got engaged within four months and we were married within that year. So with it, it was like 10 months. Yeah. So we are similar. You see this? When you come to Jersey, we have to do a good Bergen County dinner somewhere. Yes, please. Oh my God. That's, that's really crazy. So, um, so you mentioned you helped Jason and supported like his auditions. Has he ever auditioned like for anything that you're like, eh, maybe this is not like your best one, honey. Oh, yeah, all the time. I'm like, don't do this. Like you're torturing yourself.

You're not gonna get this role. Like you're dead honest with him. Yes. And I think you appreciate. Well, he says, he's the hardest critic. But now sometimes I just say it because I don't want to run lines of it. I mean, he's so known.

He is so, right, what you're gonna have to do all the time. Does he do this for you? You're not trying to do this just because I'm busy. Are you still acting? What are you doing in the acting world? No, I try not to. I try, I really, I mean, I'm like involved. I have some things that like we have to do, but other than that, I really, I mean, I'm like involved. I have some things that like we have to do,

but other than that, I really try to not have to like get dressed. I really like being at home and just being like the master of my own universe in front of my computer. I'm like, I started writing. I was like, why would I ever like be on anybody else's schedule again? Like the years I spent acting, waiting in a trailer for like, oh, you're not up. It's the fucking worst.

It makes me insane. Now I'm not an actress, but even just doing like a couple random, like commercials and things I've done, I sit in that trailer for hours. They come call me, I'm out there for four minutes, say whatever it is I need to say,

they put me back in the trailer. You sit in the trailer for, I'm like this kind of sucks. I always say that now. I'm like, why would you want it whenever my kids are like, I want to be an actor. I was like, why? What is good about it? It's a lot of travel. It's not as glamorous as you think that it's just not, right? It's really not. I think people are like very misinformed or they have like these misconceptions about what it really, there's a lot of sit-around and wait, you know. So much, so much sit-around and wait. And you don't have control, like you're a small cog in the wheel. You're basically like Shemu and everybody

else is like Kimu's trainer. And like at any moment, like you might like snap and like pull somebody under water by their braid, but let eventually you have to like jump through the fucking you and that makes me insane. I agree. Let's hear it for the dads, whether they're new dads, with Brooklinn's cozy bedding towels and other home essentials. Brooklinn's home of the internet's favorite sheets was created in 2014 to give customers luxury hotel-level home essentials that don't break the bank. They offer everything from snugly sheets to cozy towels and robes, loungewear, accessories, and so much more. First time trying Brooklyn in, they're best selling luck sheets are the perfect place to start,

featuring an irresistible soft feel and buttery smooth finish. And for those of you listening in New York, come see and feel the comfort in real life. You can now shop Brooklyn in sheets, towels, and more in store in Williamsburg and in real life. You can now shop Brooklyn in Sheets, Towels and more in store in Williamsburg and in West Village. So give all those dads the comfort and refresh that they deserve and get it for less at Brooklyn in. Go to Brooklynin.com and use promo code display to get $20 off your purchase of $100 or more. That's BROOKLo-o-k-l-i-n-e-n.com and enter promo code display for $20 off Brooklyn in. Brooklyn in, the Curators of Comfort. I think we've all struggled finding the perfect skincare product. Something that has clean

effective ingredients that actually works. That's why I want to tell you about Ocea. Ocea has been making clean and ultra effective skincare and body care products for over 25 years, and they're vegan and climate neutral certified. They have award-winning cleansers, serums, and face moisturizers, and they're known for creating incredible body products like their famous body oil.

Guys, they have this ocean cleansing milk, which I love and it's perfect for a makeup remover. It's gentle, it's soft on your skin and when you really need to get the makeup off, this does the trick. They also have these toning mist that are perfect for giving your skin a toned extra boost of moisture.

I love to mist my skin. Since 1996, Ocea has been creating clean, vegan, and cruelty-free products that are safe for your skin and for the planet. And they've done it again. Ocea's new body butter is softening, nourishing, and has the most amazing citrus scent. It's even clinically proven to moisturize skin for up to 72 hours. Find your new skincare and body care favorites at ocamalibu.com and get a special discount code just for our listeners. Get 10% off your first order site-wide with promo code Melissa at ocamalibu.com.

You'll get a free sample with every order and orders over $50 get free shipping. You're going to want it all go to OS EA Malibu dot com and use code Melissa. You have such a good energy. Are I'm a leaper of rising. So I feel a little bit more balanced, like, than maybe a normal Gemini. But I'm definitely a Gemini in that, you know, I mean, I have a one nanny that like takes care of my kids and one nanny that takes care of me. I'm fucking mess.

I love your honesty though. Wait, so tell me what you talk about on your podcast. What is the name of your podcast? It's called Third Wheel of Jenny Molen. Okay. Basically, well, it started out. I wanted to, my mom's in Mary Six times, my dad's been married four times. I've seen a lot of, wow, relationships. And I find it so, and I was always one foot out the door leading with Jason. I'm like, I think I'm in this and he's like, well, we've been married for fucking four two years. But I just commitment is scary to me.

But for whatever reason, I've been able to make it work. And I am always questioning like why that it just smelled like I had any kind of foundation. So I love interviewing couples and just really getting in there. Almost like a couple's therapist, but you know, I tried it. When I try to pull back what I feel like the people like aren't ready for it, but I love just hearing like, what was your family of origin like, and you know, like how was love modeled for you growing up? And just to see like why certain people work, I find it so fascinating.

But now I'm also doing individuals because not everyone wants to have their like marriage pride in too, you know. Put on blast on your podcast right. Yes. I I feel like you could dig into Joe and I so do. Oh my god I more love it. First of all we wrote a whole book about like how to keep marriage alive and like how to keep it sexy and then from that point that I wrote that book I feel like I've changed my views so much much just from the beginning, because at first I truly just wanted to be like, that girl, I graduated college, I was gonna be a teacher,

I wanted to be a stay at home mom. I loved that he worked, he ran everything, and I was just like, dial up my child and go to an even Marcus, and decide who I was gonna eat for lunch, and have dinner ready when he got home. And then like three to five years pass, and I'm like, this is for the fucking birds. Like, I have a life too.

I have things I need to accomplish too. I'm going to open my store. I'm going to be a business woman. I went to college for a reason, like, gadi, gadi, gadi. I love that. And I like flip the switch on the poor guy. And yeah, so we've been like really more.

For example, we like when the switch gets on them. Yes, our new normal has been, you know, special. And you'll, you know, as you watch the Real Housewives, you'll definitely see that play out a little bit on the show. But I would love to jump on and have you really dissect Joe and I, we like it. We, you could open us right up. There's no.

And the real. Yes, like we have no boundaries at all because we just say it. We don't we don't have any boundaries. It's such a problem. Oh, no, that would definitely be that would be awesome for you to do. I didn't know you did like relationship talk. That's a whole other thing that I love. Have you ever like done one and then they got upset with you when you were done or was it like a little? No, but you know what's happened. I've interviewed people that I really admire

as individuals and then I see their relationship, dynamic play out and I'm like, oh, fuck. This is not what I thought it was. Oh, really? This marriage is what I thought it was. Yeah, and not necessarily in like such a terrible way, but just sort of shocking, you know, sometimes it's like, whoa, okay. Um, yeah, it's wild. It's really wild. I mean, have you ever, do you ever pull Jason on and do like couples podcasts or no? This is more just your thing. I know Jason on, but what happens when Jason comes on is that then, uh, well, so Jason might have a serious radio show a few years ago. Basically, which evolved every episode, which is he and I fighting. Oh, I hear you.

Every time I pull Joe on this podcast with me, which is like once a month, we bicker literally like for real. We're not like we start. We're not playing. It's making people uncomfortable. I know. Totally.

We do the same. Literally we start bickering and everyone laughs at it. I have to be honest, they actually like it. But I'm like, no, we're legit looking at each other and like, we'll stop the podcast. And I'm like, oh, like, why would you say that? That's how you feel before we're legit bickering. The whole time we're on this podcast.

We really are. We would like go home from it was that brand new and we go home like it's so bad. Are you kidding me? This is where to go. No, I talk, but by the way, I totally believe you because I feel like and sometimes I have to look at him during the podcast. I'm like, listen, this is my podcast. I run this show and I'm like, you need to stop getting so heated during it. Like because he gets embarrassed. So I'll say something to him and I'm like, you need to stop getting so heat and during it like because he gets embarrassed. So I'll say something to him and I kind of call him out a little bit on my podcast for

certain things and he gets really red. I watch his face and he can't believe that I'm calling him out. But I'm like, this is called unfiltered. We are unfiltered. We got to be honest with these people and tell them like our real relationship and he gets so mad at me.

Exactly. Oh my god, I relate to this totally. Oh my god. It's actually like funny like we're done with the pockets and we're still like growling at each other. Oh my god. Oh my god. Totally.

I'm believe it. I just try to game show with Jason when I was pregnant, the Plaslow. And I mean every episode of contestants are watching and we're just walking ready to kill each other. Oh my god. And I mean, every episode, the contestants are watching and we're just walking ready to kill each other. Oh, yeah. And say, especially being pregnant, I mean, you know, like being pregnant, I was like, don't step to me. I'll fucking crush you. I'll bury you. Yeah.

Do you know, when I was pregnant, Joe used to say like he wanted a divorce. Like every pregnancy, I'm not kidding. He was like, you're unbearable. Like, I would say the word divorce. Like, he would literally say, Oh my God. I was just like, in my bath bath, he's like, you're unbearable. Like, I am the worst, hormonal pregnant person.

I hate the people in the world that they're like, oh, I love being pregnant. The most beautiful thing. I'm like, oh my God, never could I ever do it again. Like, I just, it's just not for me. God bless all the women who have like these beautiful, happy. I love this child inside of me pregnancies because I was like, evil with every single one.

Oh my God. I'm like, don't even touch me. Don't even look at me. Like even you, even you're like looking at me is bothering me. Yeah, like your eye contact is under one. Contact is looking, pissing me off. It's crazy, but that was me completely.

And then I watch like Courtney Kardashian that just like loves to be pregnant on TV. And she loves to like push the baby out and pull the baby out. And she just, I'm like, what? I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, This was not my experience at all. No, me neither. Never. Crazy. So, okay, so you also, so you write. I mean, you're like, you do a lot of things.

Like, damn, you really do. Like, I could see like, it's kind of crazy. So you write books, you've written two already, right? Yes. What were they about? What is the one, it's called, I like you just the way you are. Is that what you write? I like you just the way I am.

It's like a Chelsea handler, comedic memoir. That's sort of my like manifesto for all women to be like crazy bitches everywhere. It's like embrace your crazy, don't deny it. Any woman that tells you that she's not crazy is lying to you. Like this is what, this is reality. And so it's like me, I like was very obsessed with Jason's ex-girlfriend,

like to a point where like I had to like befriend her using a fake identity on Facebook and then like make her love me more than she ever liked him. Like it was a really sick shit. But I also, again, a lot of time on my hands, I didn't have kids at the time. This is when you guys first started dating. Yeah, and got married. And there's like this story that like kind of, I guess is the thing that, like, bloom up like was the reason I started writing a column for Playboy early on. Because when I writing her a sort of started because I was on Twitter and I was just like, angry enough to be funny, I guess.

So I was reading. And at that time, like Twitter, like, really democratized comedy for just like female writers in LA specifically. And so I was able to just kind of accrue this like following of really cool people. And I wrote this story that was true, but was about me hiring this prostitute in Vegas, like, we're Jason, one of his birthdays. I don't remember when.

Wait, it's a true. You said this is true. It's a true. And it was like a fucking Larry David episode. Like, it sounds like a hotter than it is, but it was amazing. And like, you know, I thought I was the coolest wife there was.

I'm just saying, like, I thought I was so coolest way there was. I'm just saying, like, I thought I was so cool. And that Joe and I had this crazy, amazing relationship. You are killing. I am like mother Teresa right now speaking to you. You like top the cake. I can't even like your energy. You're you're you're you're it's crazy to me right now.

Wait, so you I'm not like he hates me. I'm also someone who I mean, so like, you know, it was horrible because she came and that she was like what you were like in the picture and then Jason was like she needs to go. And I'm like, how do I say that to her? And so then we had like another one came and then we didn't have like enough money because we had like, I don't know, they told me what the time it was like 300 bucks cash. And she's like, that's just to walk in the door. And I'm like, Jason, you don't need need more money like you're embarrassing me in front of the hooker now Like so like we're running downstairs. Yeah, it was just like nightmare like comedy bearers insanity like ending with like

Me like eating chips in a corner and like some like really like Habhazard blowjob happening like before my eyes. It was just like insane. So that was a hooker fail. It was like a hooker fail. It was like a hooker fail, but it was like also like a priceless story. I was like, God, and I love to chase the stories. I'll just like go to the bitter end

just to have the stories. Right. Like Jason, I mean, I was like the least hot experience of Jason's life for sure. Wait a second, wait a second. Let me just clear, in case I'm a little confused. Was Jason getting the blow job? Yes.

And you were watching. Yes, and he was like, this is not fun, Jenny, please. Like, make it. Are you married at this point? Are you not married? Yes, and I was like going through the mini bar. He's like, could you like come and sit on the bed? What birthday was this for? What how old was he turning? I don't know. I mean, maybe 29 30.

This is unreal. Like, you like you. I'm interested in women. I've ever spoken to. Do you know how Jell, you can't be that jealous. I mean, I'm not jealous in that way. I want I was jealous more like that like his ex girlfriend like hated me because of him. And I was like, if she knew me, she would love me. Like, you were like, she needs to learn who I am as a person and have nothing to do with you. She needs to like me. Yes. So I would find little things of hers around the house and then like regift them back to her to like lure her in.

So it was that. But did it want her to have anything to do with Jason? Well, I didn't really care about that. Jason would want her to have nothing to do with like him. And so I felt like I had to take care of her my way. Oh my god. But Jason found out about it. It was bad.

And then like yours, like he's still finding things out that like I like just omitted about like my relationship with her. But yes, I promised to never write about her again because like I've written her like several different like amends and you know she doesn't answer me at this point, but is she so over you? Whoever she is. I'm sure she fucking is so over me. And like the beauty of it, the way it really ended my last final showdown with her was on the island of Nantucket because of course,

she's my Moby Dick and I'm Captain Ahead. And I see her crossing the street and she's like, it was like one of these moments where like my sister's friends with her sister, they go just pulling out. It was this whole crazy moment where when I got to like, you know, up close to

her after all these years, it was just like, I used to be the fuck out, which I she should have, you know, like, I mean, it's reminding me of like the Carrie Bradshaw, what we just watched on sex in a city where she was

obsessed with the ex girlfriend from big ex girlfriend. And even we, like, this is what this is room only. This is real but we just watched on Sex in a City where she was obsessed with the ex-girlfriend for Bigs ex-girlfriend. And even we, like, this is what this is, only this is real life. Yours is like real life. This is a real fucking life. And if you follow the, like, I mean, like, there was so much.

There was like me and my mom getting a, like, pedicure opposite her and her mom at like a nail salon just happened that way. Oh my goodness. Like, I mean, so many crazy things happened. And I mean, I really feel badly. I did like fuck with her too much. And I do actually really like her.

So that is the surprise. I did exploit her for my comedy, which like, I guess I should not have done it retrospect. I wouldn't do it that way now. But anyway, that's the first book. And then the second book is called, Live Fast I Hot. And that is about my reluctance to be a mom. It was when I first got pregnant

with Sid and it's sort of just this journey of like I call it like postpartum from the edge. It was all this crazy shit I did, you know, after I had him. Got it. You know, I did like Iawaska and Peru with Chelsea Hamler. I did like, I went and met the women who wove the Moroccan rug in my living room like in the Atlas Mountains because I thought that maybe they would bring me some sort of wisdom. I don't know, that was like also another crazy paper filled thing.

And then this new book is a novel. So it's totally different. Now a word from our sponsor, BetterHelp. Life can be overwhelming and so many people are burned out without even knowing it. Symptoms of burnout can be all sorts of things, including a lack of motivation, moodiness, fatigue, and more. I think we all associate burnout with work, but that's not the only cause for this kind of stress.

Any of our roles in life can lead us to feel burned out. Trust me, as a mom, as a business owner, and as a real housewife of New Jersey, I know firsthand what burnout feels like. You're juggling all the roles, wearing all the hats, just hoping nothing tips over and nothing breaks. And many of those times, we forget

about taking care of ourselves, too. Well, better help online therapy wants to remind you to prioritize yourself. Talking to someone can help you figure out what's causing all the stress in your life. Better Help is customized online therapy that offers video, phone, and even live chat sessions with your therapist. So you don't have to see anyone on camera if you don't want to. It's much more affordable than in-person therapy and you can be matched with a therapist in under 48 hours. Our listeners get 10% off their first month

at betterhelp.com slash gorgah. That's betterhelp.com slash gorgah. No one likes waiting on a paycheck, especially when you've got bills do. Good thing there's time. Now you get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit. That's up to two more days to save, pay bills, and generally just feel good about your money situation.

Trust me as a mom who runs a business and looks after her family, there's nothing better than getting money you earned early. But Chime is more than just about getting paid early. It's also an award-winning mobile app, checking account, debit card, and optional savings account. So what are you waiting for? Hopefully not your paycheck. Get started with chime today. Applying for a free account takes less than two minutes. Get started at chime.com slash Melissa. That's chime.com slash Melissa. Banking services in debit card provided by the bank,

corp bank or stride bank, NA members, FDIC. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the payer. So this new book comes out June 14th. Talk to me about this news because I want to know who you are now because I got the I think I got you down in the past. Talk to me what this new book is going to be about because that I'm interested in the new book happened because I came to New York. We moved to New York. I had finished the second book.

I was writing. I was writing the feature for the second book. So I was writing it as a movie for Warner Brothers at the time. And that was like my like, every day I had to be like just like fucking pounding on my computer. And so I didn't have much of a social life, but I managed to make a few mom friends in the city. I didn't like a young child.

And you know, then I was about to be pregnant. Oh, I was pregnant with Laslo. And what started to happen at that same time was like Instagram changed. And it changed into this place where like you could really like cash in on being a mom. And what, what, what was the crazy thing was that brands

and all these people started to just approach me and they wanted to sort of like pay me to do this or sell that and it was just this weird thing where my boundary kept getting challenged. Like, what are you okay with? What are you willing? Like, how, how far will you like sell out? And for me, like, I don't post my kids' faces. I'm also neurotic about that. So I felt that it was a really slippery slope and a hard line to walk because my entire livelihood was becoming about being somehow this voice of motherhood. And in LA, your only as popular as the last pilot you shot, but in New York, I had this audience already. I had this, like, audience of women between 18 to 25 with a little bit of buying power. And all of these companies wanted something from you. So all

of these doors opened. And I'm being invited to these, like, underground mommy supper clubs and asked for dogs and like fashion week, like, you know, crazy ass shit. And I guess what I started to notice was like the women around me, the other like quote unquote influencers, it's like the motherhood that they were portraying online and sort of selling the public wasn't the motherhood that they were actually living. And I had this question that sort of just ran,

ran into my head, which was, if you're so busy curating motherhood online, for other people, how present are you in your life for your own fucking kids? And so that just wanted me, and I thought to myself, like, if I don't write this book, first of all, I have to be fiction, because if I write it as a memoir,

I'll have to move out of town. Like, I will have learned every fucking bridge. But if I don't write this book, like, if I don't write it, a memoir, I'll have to move out of town. Like I will have worked every fucking bridge. But if I don't write this book, like, if I don't write it, I'm going to become it. And so for me, this book is like such a personal, it's such like more like personal than any of the other books because it's such a, I don't know, like a cautionary tale.

And it's my essentially you became influencer. You became a mommy influencer, essentially. Yeah. And then, you know, it was like a drug that I was like, I mean, it was the drug. That like, external validation from strangers was like, the other woman in my marriage, you know what I mean? Like, it was pulling me out of my life. And I had to like, put it on paper because like, I had to put it on paper. Because I had to at least, in this world, I had to say, I choose you to my kids. Because I'm just needed to be like concretized.

Wow. And then coming from a world that is so managed by social media. And it's such a big huge thing. It sucks you in like you wouldn't believe. Just it's like you're looking for your next post, you're looking for your next gig, your next, you're you're impressing this like outside world. And sometimes and it's funny. And and if this is what it's about, I can totally hear you because sometimes you're doing all these things and you're showing all these things, but did or even a mom

at the beach with her child just showing the child at the beach, but did you spend five minutes actually playing in the water with the child or just get the picture from the child for the last 30 minutes, right? That's like fucking damn Stan. Yes. I know. Okay, so that is the world we're living in. That's the world we're living in, which is like, I love that you're writing. That's the one that's gonna come out June 14th. Yes. Okay, and then you have another one. I'll try it out that book. Like this book was such a labor of love and it was not easy.

Nobody wanted this book for me like to get this published was hell on earth. It was, if everybody wanted another, you know, another funny book of essays. And I was like, no, this is the story I have to tell. So I hope that it's like my jaws this time it's personal. Like I need to spoke to you better than all of them. But because it's a personal story.

And so yeah, it hits home a little bit more. And then you have another one coming out in 2022 also, right? So then I have a book coming out in September that's a cookbook. It's like, I call my children, they're like dictators and I'm just living in like this autocratic society where I basically work for them. So this second book is about the lunches that I make for them because I, you know, I think that how we parent as mothers is just like a complete like reaction to like whatever mother

you had yourself. And for me, I'm sublimating my guilt by making them these little movable feasts that's just ended with them to school because I'm not the mom that's picking them up after school. I'm not always there. I do work. But I feel like shame and guilt for working because I was also a latch key kid. Like I'm the product of a mom who worked as well. So like I'm so torn. And I started making these lunches like just like, I don't know to entertain myself.

And then all of a sudden it grew into its own Instagram. And after a while I was like, I should, maybe, I don't know, maybe this is a book. So now it is now. Are they health conscious lunches? Yeah, I would wonder what it is. Okay, give me an example, like what is gonna be in your son's lunch

or your daughter's lunch? Okay, so like I could do like a grain-free chicken schnitzel. That's like, I use like cassava flour and like turmeric and like sesame seeds instead of maybe like a traditional type of breading. Okay. Or I do, I have like a spaghetti squash patai. That's not in the book, but I just recently,

I've been like doing that one a lot. I do a lot of, like I'll do like it, it's super easy, you get like a rotisserie chicken and then you take like coconut milk, you saute some onions and then do a little curry seasoning. So it's easy stuff too, because again, I'm like left-handed, I was dyslexic, anorexic and a theater major. Like I'm not chasing onions and then do a little curry seasoning. So it's easy stuff too, because again, I'm like left handed. I was dyslexic and a rexic in a theater major.

Like I'm not a cook. So, my God. I need fucking easy, but it's all very health conscious. And yeah, because I think that like, and I know this is like so, people will hate me for saying this, but I think that like, you know, it's just, it's neglectful to like not worry about your kids nutrition. We focus so much on like their piano lessons and they're fucking Latin.

And can they do this and that? And we're sending them to these private schools, but like we feed them like it's the 1980s. It makes no sense to me. So I'm really. Absolutely right about that. We're like heating up frozen chicken nuggets and like the french fries or whatever's like the fastest.

No, you're, you know, you have a lot of like, as crazy as some of the things sound, right? And the things that we're talking about, you make so much sense when it comes to, because listen, we all deal with working moms, we all deal with mom guilt, right? So, and I'm a big one on that. Like I have it constantly after travel a lot.

And so you're right now, I feel guilty right now. I'm sitting here like, wait, what did I actually give my child for lunch today? Like what did I actually give my child? Because it's true. And even like the quick little like snacks and things like that can feel like a little rush. Like did you eat something good? I don't care what you ate as long as you ate, right? And so that is like such a great point. And I feel like in some kind of way, you giving your child like a nutritious lunch where you know, like at least they're eating well, I'm not gonna be there to pick them up after school,

but I fed my child right today. It's my version of a ham Britain note, you know? It's like I just want him to know like I got you But you know also the thing the thing like the food, you know, so many people write me in the like well it's a socioeconomic issue It's like yes, there is a huge problem with our country where children who are on you know Provided lunches or the government only has a dollar forty per meal per kid. I mean, that's fucked up. And that is a huge problem in their food deserts and all sorts of things.

But I'm in lower Manhattan. I'm watching kids walk out of like $50 million townhouses with a lunchable in their hands. Like those aren't moms that can't afford it. Those are moms who are taking the path of the police resistance, because you don't want to have the argument, which I also totally get. Like, I don't want to have a fight either.

You know, the last thing you want to deal with, you want to shut them up, or like, like, please, make the sound stop, but it's not worth it. Like, this isn't battle, like, it's worth having. This is the stand that's worth taking. So, like, that's my message with Dictator Lunches. I get it, because you don't want to exactly guilt

the parents either, right? Because then you're going to turn everyone against you and they're going to be like, listen, like you're gilting them. And there's like a fine line between gilting the parents and trying to give like really great advice or. Oh my God. No, I'm at a private school and like I'm in a fight with the school because they're like still giving chocolate milk, which I'm like, what chocolate

milk? And then you expect the kid to sit in his chair? Like, what are you talking about? That's like bonkers to me. So yeah, no, I know, it's so hard. And I have like alienated people, but I'm just so passionate about it. And I think that like, I don't know. Maybe somebody will.

Well, listen, I definitely, I definitely need to read it. You just have, you're such a well-rounded, I feel like there's so many different sides to you. That, and I'm learning this all today, I'm just meeting you, but you have, you're very interesting. Can I say that? I feel like you're so sweet.

You really are, you're so interesting. I wanna hear everything you have to say. I do. Hi, I'm Jenny Molen. Join me for Third Wheel, my new podcast that prize into the private lives of different couples every week. This is a deep dive conversation into the real life struggles and triumphs

the Make Couples tick. I'm talking about the power dynamics, triggers, and all the issues in between, you know you have them. You'll hear from dating couples like Chelsea Handler and Jo Koi and Karamo Brown and Carlos Mendel and married couples like guitarist John Five and Rita Lowry and even friendship duos like comedians Annie Leiterman and Esther Povitsky. No relationship is left unjudged. So listen to and follow third wheel with me

Jenny Molen on Apple Podcasts Spotify podcast one and wherever you listen to and follow third wheel with me, Jenny Molen, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast One, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Okay, so I do this really fun thing on my podcast. It's called grilled with gorgah. Okay, so I want to play that with you right now. Okay. Rapid fire, quick question. Just give me your quick answers really quickly. now. Okay. Rapid fire, quick question. Just give me your quick answers really quickly, okay?

Okay. All right. Your first celebrity crush. Steve Martin. What? Really? I was obsessed with Steve Martin as a kid. I was like, oh my God, I don't know why.

I was just, I loved him. And three amigos. I was like, he's the one that I would love to see. You know what you're, you're right. In the three amigos, I could totally see that. Right? Or I could see that. I could see that.

Okay, your favorite, like 80 song. Give me your favorite 80 song. Oh my gosh, probably like echo in the bunny man killing Moon. I don't even know that song. How does that go Moon? I saw you. So cruelly you kiss me. I'm your only little baby. I love that. Okay, does that go? I saw you so cruelly, you kissed me.

I'm your darling, you're so mean to beg you. I love you. Okay, okay, okay, like it. What's your biggest regret? My biggest regret, it's one of my bigger, one of my bigger regrets is that I like, I shared some information about one of my kids.

And I think maybe like at the time I thought I needed to again, this was like going back to the social media thing. But when my younger son, when my oldest son was small, I dropped him. We were playing in the kitchen and I dropped him. And he fell and he fractured his skull. And like, I mean, it was obviously like the worst 48 hours of my life. And I posted about it, not a picture of him or anything, but just to say like, if you're a mom who's going through this, like I just went through this and like, you know, you're not alone and like whatever,

just trying to, but now I regret sharing it because I just don't, like it's so still so painful for me that like I did that, that I hate that it comes up, like when I went to my Google's me or like he'll see, I hate that it comes up like when I went to my Google's me or like he'll see I don't know just that's obviously he had a full recovery right full recovery. Oh, yeah, he was fine and nothing but you know, I do regret that night. And I guess I should say that I regret harassing my husband's ex for all those years because I don't think she'd like for she did it. Yeah, I think that's fair to say. I think that's it. That's

another good regret to just put out there into the world. Yeah, well, what? I heard a no. I hope if you're listening out there. What's the best decision you've ever made? Well, I think one of them would be finally having kids to do it. I was scared I didn't want to. And for me personally, another victory for me, my kids speak German and like forcing it has been amazing because now they speak. But I forced it from the beginning and you know, it was definitely there were times when I should it from the beginning and, you know, it was definitely there were times when I should have probably let go and given up. And I was like, no, guys, you're, you're doing it. So, wow. So now I need to get better lunches and I need to teach my children German.

By the time we got this, God has great. It was something, I was just like a dream of mine. And I was like, that's so insane. But I actually like really enforce it without living there. And like, I've just stuck with it and now makes me. So that's when they want something. They ask in German because they know that they can like probably get that.

OK, that's going to push you to the yes. Yeah, I'm like, OK. What's your biggest pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve. You know what my biggest pet peeve is? I am one of those people who like you had something whatever any of my friends I'm like a great height woman like you fucking need it whatever. And not nobody needs to ask me you know if one of my friends has something going on. I am like built for their PR like I made to be just like that megaphone. And what kills me is,

and maybe it's just because I'm going through it now, is seeing the people then that when you have stuff coming out that like don't show up for you in the same way, I'm just like really, I'm fucking shocked. Like huge pet peeve. I agree with this one so much. Right. You're just like, you're kidding? Of course, when you're out there supporting and supporting, and then you need the favor back, so to speak, in whichever which way, and they're not best. The worst.

Of course, I can't say, yes, I can't say that I haven't recently felt that way about certain people that they've asked me to come and support their, even books coming out, their events, their podcasts, their things, and I'm always, I always do doing, and I can't say it's always reciprocated. I've been noticing that. So pet peeve, yes, girl. Right. Because I feel the same.

Okay, tell me about the worst date you've ever been on. It doesn't have to be Jason, but it could be the worst date you've ever been on. The worst day I ever went on was probably, I have my sister's friend sent me up with this guy and we went to a restaurant. He was like a manager. So like first for part of the date,

he was like off-talking to somebody else like networking at the restaurant. And the next part of the date, he's back at the table getting wasted telling me about his ex-wife. The date ends with him laying on the floor in my like studio apartment at the time and like me like giving him therapy just about like his life. How was like the jambals? And I'm like anyway, good night. That was probably like one of the worst dates ever.

It sounds horrendous. That is like you always come back to giving people advice that which I kind of think is fine Before you leave here some of my thoughts. I'm like geez. Okay. What was your first concert? Ever been to eating next Oh Now there there's an 80s there's an 80s right there. Yes Tell us something about you that would surprise us um Tell us something about you that would surprise us. Well, yes, I mean, I guess that I see German is kind of random since I am a Jew. But I lived in Germany with this Yugoslavia family

that didn't speak English. And so yeah, I ended up learning German. Yeah, that's kind of shocking, definitely. And hence, when you're teaching your children, got it. What is your favorite late night snack? Like if you're on the couch at night, you're watching TV, what are you eating? Okay, so I was, so tiger nuts are probably,

I really obsessed with tiger nuts. They're very random, but I had this hyper thyroid thing happen after my second kid, and I had to go on this AIP diet, which is like autoimmune protocol. And I couldn't have nuts, which I'm obsessed with nuts, any kind of nut. But I started eating tiger nuts, which are actually a legume.

And anyone listening, just try them. Like don't give them to your kids because they're too hard to chew. But they're very satisfying and like kind of have like a sweetness at the end. Really, I've never even heard of these. And Joe, my high-end sits every night. Yes, they have nuts all night long watching TV.

So I'm going to have to find these now. Oh, yeah, try them. Try them. What was your first job? I worked at Mountain View yogurt, this yogurt shop in Scottsdale, Arizona. And I was fired because people would come in and I, again, I could not do math at all. And I would have to do it in my head on the register.

And oftentimes I would be like, just take it. You can have it because I couldn't break the register and I was just embarrassed. I was just giving away for yoga. You just gave it away all day long. Yeah, because I didn't know what to do. What is your favorite show that you're watching right now to binge watch? What are you watching?

Oh my gosh, I haven't watched anything that I watched your season. That ended very recently. And then what else have I seen? I watched that movie or the Tinder Swing Blur. That was interesting. Oh my god, so did I. Yes, I saw that. or the Tinder Swing Blur. That was interesting. Oh my God, so did I. Yes, I saw that. And I just watched the thing with our fathers where the guy artificially insinminates all of these women

and he created 100 of his own children. Because he was the doctor. Yes, and he took his office for me. Oh my God, no, I need to see this. No, I was like mortified watching. I was like, what am I watching right now? He made over 100 siblings. So every time a patient came in,

he would put his own semen in them instead of the husband. That is insane. It's crazy. Go ahead and watch that one tonight after you're done with the real housewives of New Jersey. OK. Oh my god. Yes, let me just, just because you're watching Housewives,

who's your least favorite housewife on the show? Who do you think is a little off? Would it just give me a real true thought? I mean, Teresa, I think she's a fun character to watch, but her social gauge, what normal is, is just, I don't envy you. I think that must be like a really tricky situation. Yeah, go back and watch all the

seasons. Yeah. I'm like, whoa, I couldn't. I mean, I might, my sister and I have like stuff, but not like that. Not to that level. I feel like all sister and laws have stuff. And we kind of just put it out there. Our seems to be a little bit larger stuff than the average.

I mean, world compass is just like so interesting. It's very interesting. Okay, well, I always end with, how do you treat yourself? So, if the day is all about you, Jenny, what do you do to treat yourself? Well, a lot of people go and get like, they're like pedicure and, nails done and all this stuff.

I don't, never, I don't do that because like, I feel like it takes up too much time. I can't like sit still that long. I need to do it. I'm like, yeah, other, it drives me crazy. So I'll usually go on like a really long walk. If I have the time, I love just like, I don't know, logging like eight miles or something like that.

And then I'm always hungry. So I'll usually order a bunch of things on like, you know, some sort of food app. And then also like come home and run the kitchen and like make things while I'm waiting for that other food to arrive. And this is the perfect day. That's the perfect day for me.

Yes. Oh my God. I love it. Listen, thank you so much for coming on today. You are actually so funny. I had no idea that Jason Biggs has a wife that's funnier than he is. Like I can. Oh, maybe.

I can. I can. Let me. No, don't. I actually love him. So sent that. No, don't. I actually love him. So sent in my love. He's a Jersey boy.

So, you know, we got to share the love in Bergen County over here. But we have to do dinner for sure. We have to do that. It's easy. Especially if you're always over here. Drop the kids off of your in-laws and we'll take you to like a good Italian spot over here. I love it. That's amazing.

Yeah. Like, and I cannot believe the story about his party that just you blow my mind. Listeners, do yourself a favor and check out both of her books, City of Likes coming out next week, June 14th. And Dictator lunches out in September. And be sure to check out her podcast on podcast one. We're sisters here because we're both on podcast one. So, and that is the third wheel with Jenny Mullen. Correct. And I'm going to have you guys on you guys are have to come do it. I definitely definitely. Definitely. Oh my

God, you are going to dissect us like you're going to have more you're going to have so much fun with us. You're not even going to know what hit you. You're going to be like, I can't wait. It's amazing. Oh, I'm so. Thank you so much for coming on. I appreciate you. And hopefully we'll see like, this is amazing. So, real. Thank you so much. You're coming on. I appreciate you. And hopefully we'll see you soon. I'll see you soon. Take care. Okay. Thanks. Bye. Oh you