Ever thought about walking away from a 6-figure job to go do something fun? Meet someone who did: Lauren Thomas. From our serendipitous Pretty Funny Women meetup to our shared hatred for San Diego parking, Lauren brings her charm, wit, and incredible life experience to the mic. She has a backstory that’ll blow your mind and we cover everything from comedy classes and corporate escapes to life lists and family secrets.
Episode Timeline Highlights
[2:22] – Meeting Lauren at Pretty Funny Women and how her jazz-singer style won me over
[6:15] – Lauren’s wild birth story and childhood across five continents
[11:00] – From Fortune 500 marketing exec to full-time creative—why Lauren walked away
[17:33] – The beauty (and curse) of being a well-dressed comedian in a sausage fest
[25:45] – Growing up Black abroad vs. navigating “liberal” California
[33:01] – Atsuko, Neil Brennan, and Lauren’s comedy inspirations
[43:18] – Comedy, aging, and writing from real life
[51:05] – The power of a “life list” and how Lauren’s using hers to build an intentional life
[1:03:55] – The struggles and wins of San Diego open mics (tiny dick jokes and all!)
[1:14:02] – Family secrets, heritage reveals, and discovering who we really are
[1:22:00] – Suzi’s mic mishaps and Lauren’s best/worst shows
[1:33:55] – Advice for new comedians and honoring the craft
Links & Resources
Closing Note
If this episode made you laugh, think, or just gave your brain a break—please rate, review, and follow the show. And don’t keep it to yourself! Share it with a friend who needs a good story and a good giggle. See you next time!