We start out 2019 with an explosion not a bang. Our guests are award-winning investigative journalist May Jeong, award-winning writer/stand up comedian Josh Gondelman and singular blues punk rock n’ roll bad ass musician Shilpa Ray. Along with special surprise guest Mitch The Enthusiasm Coach and Megan Fitzpatrick Gets It Off Her Chest.

Christian and Shonali catch up on the holidays, mom talk, Nancy Pelosi, Howard Schulz' signature and the opportunity which 2019 will hopefully bring.

Their first guest is investigative journalist May Jeong.  May is a wunderkind.  She's spent years living in Afghanistan covering the war and received high accolades for reporting from there.  We discuss her courage, smarts and as she calls it being "young and dumb" in terms of saying yes to every opportunity to get the real story.  Look for her upcoming work in the New Yorker regarding another explosive ground breaking story.

Shonali's new 2019 positive attitude is due to the new man in her life, Mitch The Enthusiasm Coach.  Mitch who also wears two headbands at one time shows Christian how to get inspired about the year and take charge of his life.  

The second guest in the lineup is award winning writer and stand up comedian Josh Gondelman.  He was a former writer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and currently write for the new late night show on Showtime with Desus and Mero.  What Christian and Shonali find most interesting about Josh is that he is from Boston, has no accent AND was a former preschool teacher. 2019 is going to be a big one for Josh.  He just recorded a one hour comedy live special and has written a new book "Nice Try - Story of Best Intentions and Mixed Results" to come out this year. Oh and Desus and Mero's show debuts on February 21st. 

Get It Off Your Chest with audience member Megan Fitzpatrick.  She comes forth with martini in hand.  Our problems stem mostly from the weather and inconsiderate people.  Whew, don't you feel better. 

Our last guest is the amazing multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter punk rock blues musician Shilpa Ray.  Wow.  Shonali bonds with Shilpa on being Bengali Female Desis who play rock n' roll.  Unbelievably she had a music pageant dad who had to force her to practice her harmonium and vocals at a young age.  Believably he also still wants her to go to med school.  Shilpa says she is actually shy which is shocking.  Shilpa kindly answers Christian's template musician question beautifully.  Please go see Shilpa play live at El Cortez on February 8th with James Chance to find out why people call her god. Shilpa performs two songs live on piano in the Red Room, 1) Same Sociopath and 2). Cry For the Cameras  Enjoy!  Happy New Year! Also special thanks to Matt Hunziker for coming in a crushing it as Mitch the Enthusiasm Coach!