Julianna Forlano is a writer, radio host and recovering overthinker who uses humor to wrestle meaning out of life, politics and the daily circus of parenting and purpose.
Her work has appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times, HuffPost and Crooks and Liars, and her essays are featured in the book anthologies Letters to President Obama and Letters to the American Voter.
She holds a master's degree in social work in clinical practice and public policy, and leads groups on the use of compassion and nonviolence in interpersonal relationships and social justice work. A former Reader’s Digest Official Chicago’s Funniest Comedian, she’s also the creator of the award-winning news parody series "Absurdity Today."
She teaches media and storytelling at Montclair State University and writes on Substack at Olive on the Apple Tree, where depth, humor and heritage mingle freely — and occasionally argue over the sauce.