You know who should honestly be in charge of foreign affairs right now? Cher Horowitz.

In the 1995 cult classic Clueless, during a high school debate about Haitian refugees, she confidently declared:

“It does NOT say RSVP on the Statue of Liberty.”

Honestly? That line has aged better than most U.S. policy. Give this woman a cabinet position and a satin mini skirt. (Cue the AI-powered rotating closet we’ve all been waiting for since 1995)

Meanwhile, coordinated immigration raids are underway across the U.S., and they feel less like law enforcement and more like the government rage-quitting human compassion.

And that’s just domestically.

We’ve also got the usual geopolitical nightmare menu: international threats, simmering conflict, and a reality TV billionaire acting like he’s rebooting The Apprentice: End Times Edition.

I’m not trying to make light of it. I’m trying to make light in it.

If you’re still waking up, putting on your metaphorical pants, and trying to build a life while the world spirals — I see you.
Welcome to Hustle and Chill.

Because even in chaos, you’re allowed to create things. To laugh. To spiral in group chats. To build weird stuff. To soft-launch your existential dread via podcast. And yes, to sip your overpriced latte while wondering how capitalism still exists when the planet is actively melting.

Ever had a day or week so shitty that you get a moment to yourself amidst the chaos and bad news and just start uncontrollably laughing?

Yesterday, I was at a meeting in the West Loop. A nice one — good conversation, exciting stuff brewing on all sides.

I got back to my car with three minutes left on the meter, feeling smug… only to find two tickets: one for no front license plate, one for not having a city sticker. $260.

Dude. We just bought our fucking car. Give us a sec. And, Chicago? Maybe if you hadn’t sold your parking meter income to the UAE in what’s widely considered one of the dumbest municipal deals in U.S. history, you wouldn’t have to be so aggro about it.

Fuck the tickets who even cares. I got in the car and laughed. Like, truly cracked.

Not because it was funny.

But because it’s all so much — the news, the grief, the uncertainty, the to-do list that won’t quit. And a pair of parking tickets was just the cherry on top.

Sometimes it all gets so gnarly (yes I still say gnarly, elder millennials rise) that you just lose it — sheer overstimulation. And weirdly? It helps.

Sometimes your nervous system says, “you’re allowed to laugh now,” and you should probably listen.

The Hustle

There’s an art to thriving in constant global chaos with main character energy. Attempting to just get through the day-to-day while pretending you aren’t constantly side-eyeing the news.

Some days, my schedule is packed — and I’m simply trying to remember to hydrate — while the world feels like it’s held together by whatever the opposite of duct tape is.

Still, we keep going.

The truth? The world has always been in disarray. (Although now it somehow feels like a far worse level of it — or every generation just feels like that). But the comedians, creators, artists, doers, weirdos with messy Notes app rants — we keep building. We create, not because it’s easy, but because it’s how we process.

This week’s hustle isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about doing what you can anyway.

Not because you’re ignoring reality — but because making something in spite of it might be your most grounded move yet.

Hustle Reminders:

• Say yes to work that makes you feel alive — not just relevant

• Take a break from doom-scrolling (unless you’re gonna meme it later — in that case, go off)

• Burnout is not a personality trait

• Your weird little voice matters — yes, even in a newsletter 😉

• Make something that brings you joy. Post it. And then walk away like Bruce Willis in Die Hard — slightly unhinged, but couldn’t give a shit

The Chill

Despite what you may think, your sanity is a revolutionary act.

I’m not saying you need to go off-grid and make artisanal candles in the woods, but I am saying that you probably need a minute.

Lately, I’ve been trying to remember what it feels like to do nothing on purpose.

Like… actual nothing. Stillness.

You’d be surprised how many good ideas come when you let your brain stop tap dancing for a bit.

So if you're feeling crispy, overstimulated or like one more news headline might turn you into a glittery pile of nervous laughter — here’s your permission slip:

• You can pause

• You can go quiet

• You can opt out of discourse for the day and just… listen to birds like my Grandma

Stillness is not laziness. It's maintenance.

Rest isn’t retreat. It’s strategy.

And when you do speak again, it’ll mean more.

I’m constantly reminded how much the world needs comedy, humor and a good laugh. If you’re overstimulated this week, take a break from media and the news, mute the noise. Go to a comedy show. Laugh with strangers. Let someone else hold the tension for 60 minutes.

I promise, we need it as much as you do! (no really, we are total whores for your laughter)

🧃 What’s saving me this week:

• Long walks without a purpose or podcast

• This playlist called “Crisis But Make It A Vibe” — yes it has R.E.M. and Midnight Oil on it

• Old Daily Show clips where Jon Stewart loses his shit (still relevant, still cathartic)

• That video of the raccoon trying to wash cotton candy — still hits

Upcoming Shows

Fall tour still prepping full announcement, but late summer drips:

Aug 17 Headlining Funny Bone Columbus 

July 31st Headlining Funny Bone Kansas City 

Save the dates for Madison, WI early August for Madison Comedy Week, and Austin, Texas late August.

In the meantime, shows you should catch this week in Chicagoland (also, I don’t share every show here, only the ones I feel you should check out — you can always check my Instagram for day-of drops!):

Thursday 6/26 - Laugh Factory Chicago 7pm + 9pm

Saturday 6/28 - Laugh Factory Chicago 7pm AND Our second monthly edition of Certified Bangers Comedy at 8:30pm — last month was a true BANGER — CODE: NEIGHBOR for discount to my readers 

… and Sunday I’ll be walking in the Pride parade to support my LGBTQs

Love you all and cheers to the hustle + chill. We laugh in the face of impending doom.

xx NPH