Dinner at Your Place?

If you're a host about to bring me up having a panic attack because you forgot how to say my last name then listen to the first ~45 seconds of this episode. You're doing a great job hosting too. Did I mention I like your shoes? And you can absolutely still ask me. It's all good. After that it's a regular Midnight Snack. It's hard to buy groceries when your accounts are frozen, so an episode will be coming later in the week when I'm free from Bank Jail.

Comedian Kelly MacFarland comes by and asks Danny to make a Grilled Cheese and a Tomato Soup. The two start with a cheese pull, Kelly telling us she graduated with 79 kids in the class of her Maine high school, and how going to college in Portland felt like a move to "The Big City." Kelly also tells us about taking her time to get married, how she wanted to be absolutely sure of her partner as well as herself, and what it's like being the mother of a child from a previous relationship. Kelly also tells us about her Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and how the fixations of death she had as a child finally confronted her when both of her parents passed in quick succession. Despite an entire life's worth of worry, Kelly found herself not only being able to handle it, but being able to live with it. Support Kelly: Upcoming tickets for shows can be found at kellymacfarland.com A message for Kelly's son I forgot to add during that part of the conversation: Even if you're a freshman, ask out that cute senior girl on the rugby team. Who cares if she says yes. Who cares if she says no. What's important is you took the gamble.

When multiple cancellations happen, sometimes you have to call in your knight in shining armor to save the day. Ryan Ellington hangs out for Game 1 between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers for the NBA playoffs. This is the new record for most names cut in an episode, and there probably should have been more. Support Ryan: Instagram: @ryan_ellington_ Ryan will be with Cash Cab's Ben Bailey this weekend at Roar Comedy Club in Springfield. Follow this link for tickets.

Covid free and in the studio again, Dinner at Your Place is back on track. Comedian Glenn Ginish comes by and asks Danny to make Pierogis in honor of his Babcia. Glenn is now many years sober after a wild battle with drugs. We bounce around the timeline first talking about how the word for Grandparent in any language sounds loving, hearing about Glenn's aptitude for swimming, and how he and Coach Dad butted heads. Glenn also describes two different upbringings between him and his sister. One where he knew the reality of what was happening, and the other where it was hidden. What ensued is a drug slide that includes selling cocaine for your father, an addiction to heroin, and a rehab restart to exonerate being a chip off the old block. Support Glenn: Instagram: Glenn: @ginishglenn Laughing Monks Comedy Shows: @laughing.monks Both Glenn and Danny will be performing at The Quencer in Newport, Rhode Island, April 26th at 9:00PM. Tickets can be found clicking this link

You can cook for people with one arm, but you can't cook for people if you have Covid. Plus we get an update and learn Susan's knee is in fact broken. Just something to help you pass the time with. I hope you don't have a broken knee and / or Covid.

Hooker Boy Studios is on the road this week! Former Anchor for WBZ-TV (and now Co-Owner of Newsmaker Marketing) Liam Martin welcomes "Dinner at Your Place?" into his home and asks for a fluffernutter. Up top we hear a little about Liam's grammy, how she had the ability to create a perfect ratio of peanut butter to fluff, and how a fluffernutter better be messy. Kiki, his dog, also ended up having one. That's my bad. A Massachusetts Man to his core, Liam tells us about his travels through the news world, the places it took him, and the adventurous spirit passed down from his mother that drove the journey. Liam tells us about Lansing, Michigan, producing entire broadcasts by himself, and we hear about how the number 2 ranked evening anchor (darn you, David Wade) didn't always want to be an anchor, let alone on the news even. Figuring out your dream job can be hard, landing it is harder, and walking away from it is the hardest of it all. Liam's time at WBZ he tells us truly was a dream, but there was something deeper bubbling: the OCD and anxiety he'd dealt with all his life were being exacerbated, he felt distant from his family, and if something didn't change the soldier who always said "yes" was finally going to break. Support Liam: Instagram: @liamwbz Check out the new team Liam is a part of and what they're all about over at newsmakermarketing.com

Past guest (and my mom) Susan Cascone dials in this week as the guest so her son can give an update on the state of his health. Why not turn it into content? The two talk getting an MRI, the anxiety it caused, and the inconvenience of having only one usable arm. Susan also gives advice on becoming more comfortable with a certain type of doctor, and the two contemplate something Danny heard about "humans acting the way they do because they don't have a natural predator" "Dinner at Your Place?" will continue to ride regardless of the MRI result. We can cook with one arm, and people have stories to share.

Friend and former teacher Emily Blodgett comes by and asks Danny to make Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting. It gets addressed how that's not really dinner and that Emily was just craving cake. Emily has recently switched careers from teaching and after attending one of the rowdier shows Danny has done, she made the comment, "that's what it's like dealing with middle schoolers every day." Emily talks the the history of teaching in her family, what it's like relating to 12 year olds, and that even though she loved it, she was too soft for teaching. Also Emily taught health so you know she had plenty of giggles. Emily is also getting married soon, and the lucky spouse is Danny's old roommate! The two talk Emily's excitement, she shares a bridal budgeting tip, and we get the story of how Emily's mantra "30 seconds of courage" lead to a mortifying first "I love you." Support Emily: She said don't follow her and follow "Dinner at Your Place?" instead. Throw a 5 star rating wherever you're listening too while you're at it.

Comedian Dan Boulger comes by and asks Danny to make a Keto friendly Chicken Tikka Masala. A bounce around episode starts with Dan talking about the cooking show he used to have and a culinary creation that, even if it was a recipe he made on his own, it was maybe only good enough to try the one time. The two talk eating on camera, the Connery Bonds not holding up, and how David Robinson could potentially have been inspired by The Village People. Danny also throws Dan a more beloved basketball conspiracy theory that gets shut down immediately. Throughout the ping ponging we do hear about Dan's diabetes, how learning at 28 made his life change, and now some of the things he had to cut out are back because the robots in his body help him. Support Dan: Instagram: @boulgerdan Dan will be opening for Chad Daniels at The Wilbur theater in Boston on April 12th. Click this link for tickets.

Comedian and Mysterious Figure Will Smalley comes by and asks Danny to make a Grilled Cheese and Strawberry Fribble. We're going back to Friendly's. Will really isn't all that mysterious as is discussed, but the two start with butter over mayo for a grilled cheese, a COVID honeymoon that was cancelled, and the Jim James concert Will and his husband are still hoping to see. The two then shift and discuss perception of self compared to the other's view of yourself. Will always saw himself as a shy kid, and struggled with the idea of being gay. He talks his path to coming out, how being the type to overthink caused him to put stakes on the situation that weren't there, and finally accepting what really made his heart beat. Will also talks about his feelings on the classic responses "Oh I knew" or "I don't care" when coming out, and while the intention is good, it may not be the best thing to say. Support Will: Instagram: @will_smalley

Audio issues and off the table topics getting in the way of a typical episode, past guest and my big sister is visiting. She hangs out and chats for a bit after seeing Danny talk on speaker phone to their DoorDash driver in the middle of a set, gives a 6 month recap of marriage, and some advice about sticking to your guns.

A solo recording that wasn't supposed to be solo but wow did I not want to talk to that person any more than I already had. And there was more. This is what I decided to fit.

Comedian Myq Kaplan comes by and asks Danny to make a Thai Noodle Bowl with Peanut Sauce. Myq became a vegetarian in college and wasn't going to revert back to a childhood meal of pizza or hot dogs. He talks about the decision to go vegetarian, how it actually expanded his palate, and poses a question that will make you rethink asking a vegetarian "do you ever want to break edge?" That however comes later. We begin the episode with Myq telling the story of him accidentally starting comedy when music was the original goal, how growing up in a musically oriented family felt forced at times, and how the love returned when he found an instrument of his own choice. Myq also gives some great advice on "looking backwards" if you're looking for what you're passionate about, and offers an alternative to the mindset "fake it till you make it." Support Myq: You can find Myq's tour dates, albums, and merch at myqkaplan.com Instagram: @myqkaplan Twitter: @myqkaplan

Comedian Laith Alsasah comes by and asks Danny to make Dolma (stuffed grape leaves) Laith grew up calling this meal Yebra and we learn about the variations of this recipe throughout the Middle East. Laith tells us a little of the family heritage, growing up Muslim and mixed race, as well as being taught never to waste and using the whole animal. Laith also talks about gender identity, talks about her path thus far, and tells us only a sliver of the opposition she's faced. We finish with Laith's first time having pork, some of the more interesting animal parts she's never wasted, and the two discuss their shared problem with Korean Barbecue. Support Laith: Instagram: @laith_tieleftshoe Latih will be at Bleacher Bar comedy tomorrow (1/30)

Head Chef of Gray's Hall returns and asks Danny to make Pork Tenderloin with Broccoli Mac and Cheese. Gabe grew up a fan of Kraft and had some harsh words off mic about Annie's White Cheddar Mac and Cheese so that's where the episode begins. After the debate, Gabe takes us through a few stories of firing people, someone trying to get him fired, and how now that he's in that position he wants to be a kinder Head Chef than ones he has dealt with in the past. We also hear an adorable story about a family that went to Gray's and how their 3 year old was treated to an off menu delicacy. Support Gabe: Instagram: @notmikegiant Restaurant: @grays_hall Make a reservation and say hi to Gabe!

Recovered from Friday's IPA / Steak and Cheese tummy ache, Comedian of the Year nominee Will Noonan is back in the chair and asks Danny to make Biscuits with Bacon (which some liberties were taken on.) Will sent a few nice texts after the award result and the original plan to talk about it all was back on. At least that was the plan. The two meander about old bay seasoning coming into their life only just recently and how weed shows aren't as easy as you think. Will also shares some great stories about the Red Sox, a few people he's become friends with, and how he feels he can geek out in those situations. Eventually the conversation does work its way back around to the original plan. Support Will: Watch Will's Special "50 Tik Toks at Once" on YouTube Instagram: @willnoonanthecomedian

The Boston Comedy Choice Awards have happened and while the original plan was to talk about it with a fellow nominee, they cancelled because surprise; they're sick. The sentiment remains the same: Win, Lose, or Draw, thank you to everyone who did vote. The support is appreciated more than you know.

To kick off 2024, comedian Carmen Lagala comes by and asks Danny to make Chicken Pot Pie. Before discussing Carmen's materialistic love for healthy food, the two wonder about the gym teachers of their past, the amount of work they had for the student's well being, and how those are also just people out there existing in the world now. Carmen then tells Danny about how she believed polyamory was the path for her until a hard 180 turn with her new partner. She talks about a previous polyamorous relationship she had struggles with, confronting the jealousy, and realizing she COULD have that type of open relationship but doesn't have to. Along the way Carmen also talks her first crush on a girl, gives a great rule in the bedroom, and celebrates 2 months of taking Zoloft. Support Carmen: Website: carmenlagala.com Instagram: @carmstagrams Podcast: Episodes Thursdays @incahootspodcast Carmen will be recording an album at 8:30PM and 10PM on Saturday, January 13th at The Gutter Bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Carmen's set from Late Night with Stephen Colbert Carmen's set from Don't Tell Comedy

A 2023 recap for Christmas where Danny talks 3 episodes from this year he liked, some goals set for 2024, and an opinion on a baked good that out of context sounds really bad. Happy Holidays to all the table guests. Thanks for hanging out. -Danny

Comedian Kathe Farris comes by and asks Danny to make skirt steak with a potato salad side. Kathe starts with a heads up that she's never had much of an appetite. Ever since childhood, she's always looked at food more as something that needs to be taken care of. Kathe talks how she loves everything SURROUNDING food like the connecting of people, but as far as for her own intake it resembles that of a bird. Kathe then takes us through an unfortunate situation with the Comedy club she viewed as home. She talks about still feeling like apart of it despite walking away, some of the areas she feels people can step up, and the difference between accountability and public shaming. In a world where everyone is trying to get ahead, Kathe offers this: You don't have to get ahead of someone else, and you especially don't have to put someone down; you just need to make enough room for yourself. Support Kathe: Instagram: @kathefarris Kathe's album "Have You Seen This Woman?" is streaming everywhere, and Kathe can regularly be found on SiriusXM Radio.