It’s not even April but, but it surely’s already been an enormous yr for Cup of Jo. This month, we welcomed Jannelle again from parental depart (and the WILD delivery of her third child!). And our great long-time contributor, Kelsey Miller, has formally joined the workforce as a senior editor. We had a bittersweet farewell with Maureen after seven great years with us, and our new partnerships director is none aside from my good friend, Alison Piepmeyer! Since we now have a brand new workforce stuffed with acquainted faces, we’d love to return out from behind the scenes to introduce ourselves…
Joanna Goddard
Founder & Editor
A former journal author, I began Cup of Jo in 2007 as a weekend interest however then developed it right into a large-scale each day web site, that includes a various array of writers and photographers. In 2023, I additionally launched Large Salad, our weekly e-newsletter about fashion, design, and relationships, which is the #1 style/magnificence publication on Substack. I dwell in Brooklyn with my two chatty boys.
Go-to breakfast drink: Cinnamon tea made at dwelling; or a stroll with my neighborhood dad good friend to get a espresso.
Childhood nickname: My dad nonetheless calls me Fofans, impressed by that “banana fana fo-fana” track. My siblings and cousins name me Jo. Now anytime another person calls me “Jo,” I immediately really feel near them.
Favourite after-work exercise: Hanging out with my two hilarious boys. The preteen/teen years have been my favourite thus far. They are often moody, after all, however additionally they make me snigger and watch Derry Ladies, share sensible observations about life, and nonetheless need bedtime chats and cuddles.
Superstar crush: Andy Samberg in Palm Springs. I’d gladly be caught in a time loop.
E book that modified my life: Once I learn The Catcher within the Rye in highschool, I noticed Holden Caufield as a horny dangerous boy. He grew up in Manhattan! He smoked! However once I reread it as a forty-something mother, my coronary heart ached for the misplaced, lonely 16-year-old. I noticed how a lot our views can change, relying on our personal lived experiences and life levels. I at all times attempt to maintain that in thoughts.
Kelsey Miller
Senior Editor
Kelsey is a tradition author, and the writer of three books, together with her memoir, Large Woman, and the bestselling pop-culture historical past e-book, I’ll Be There For You. Her first novel, Previous Cash, was printed in 2025. Amongst different issues, she typically writes in regards to the affect of eating regimen tradition and the evolution of the physique optimistic motion. She loves Polish cinema, bizarre historical past, and an extended swim. She lives in Brooklyn together with her husband and daughter.
Go-to weekday breakfast: On a great day, jammy eggs and buttered sourdough toast. On a typical day, my daughter Margot’s leftovers.
Childhood nickname: Wunkin. My dad made it up once I was born — it’s a mixture of “wunderkind” and “pumpkin” (I had jaundice!).
Favourite after-work exercise: As soon as every week, a pair school-mom buddies and I take our children to Shake Shack for dinner. It’s a mid-week breather; everybody will get some social time, and nobody has to do dinner once we get dwelling.
Superstar crush: Bowen Yang. I KNOW.
E book that modified my life: Holidays on Ice, by David Sedaris. Particularly, the essay, Santaland Diaries. My high-school English instructor had us learn it aloud in school the day earlier than winter break, and we had been all in tears with laughter. We had been astonished by how humorous it was — it appeared inconceivable. It was one of many moments that confirmed me how highly effective good writing could be.
Alison Piepmeyer
Partnerships Director
Alison has spent 20 years in advertising, working with manufacturers and influencers, and working her social media company. She and her household relocated from the West Coast to New York in 2021. She loves a great audiobook and can at all times say sure to internet hosting a bagel brunch. She lives together with her husband Zach, son Linus, and daughter Georgie. (Additionally, bear in mind her week of outfits and home tour?)
Go-to weekday breakfast: I like a bowl of Dealer Joe’s goat yogurt, with muesli, chia seeds, and a handful of berries.
Childhood nickname: Ali
Favourite after-work exercise: Watch crappy actuality reveals (like The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives!).
Superstar crush: Michael B. Jordan. When he received his Oscar, I turned to my husband and mentioned, ‘WOW, that man is enticing.’
E book that modified my life: I’m not normally a self-help girlie, however Mindset actually received me. It shifted how I take into consideration failure, criticism, and development — and actually, it’s helped me dad or mum higher than any precise parenting e-book I’ve learn.
Christine Pleasure
Race Issues Columnist
Christine is a author, editor and french fry fanatic. She labored in publishing for 20 years earlier than leaping to “the opposite facet” to jot down novels. She’s written two with Jo Piazza: We Are Not Like Them, and You Have been All the time Mine. Her solo debut, All The Males I’ve Beloved Once more, was printed in 2025. She additionally writes the e-newsletter, E book Ahead. Christine lives in Harlem, New York.
Go-to weekday breakfast: I don’t eat breakfast! It’s not intentional; I simply by no means get hungry till midday.
Childhood nickname: My household calls me Christie.
Favourite after-work exercise: Watch all of the TV. And I imply all of it.
Superstar crush: Woman: Tracee Ellis Ross. Man: Rege-Jean Web page — he had me at Bridgerton.
E book that modified my life: My very own first novel, We Are Not Like Them. It modified the course of my profession and my entire life.
Jannelle Sanchez
Senior Editor
Jannelle has at all times liked speaking to individuals and listening to their tales. After graduating with a journalism diploma, she wrote on the advertising groups of assorted tech corporations, earlier than becoming a member of Cup of Jo in 2021. Jannelle lives within the Bay Space together with her husband and three kids.
Go-to weekday breakfast: Espresso (with a splash of half-and-half and a teaspoon of sugar!), and toast with butter and strawberry jam.
Childhood nickname: Rising up, my entire prolonged household referred to as me Jannelley (Janelle-eee) — and nonetheless do to at the present time. Typically when a stranger reads my title aloud, they’ll pronounce it “Jannelley,” and I immediately really feel like a four-year-old.
Favourite after-work exercise: Per week in the past, my five-year-old daughter Ella and I planted some Cup of Solar seeds, and now we love watering the backyard and seeing new sprouts pop up every day.
Superstar crush: Jess Mariano from Gilmore Ladies. He is aware of how one can yearn and writes notes within the margins!
E book that modified my life: Little Girls. It was the primary basic e-book I learn as a child, and I return to it each few years. It’s taught me a lot about girlhood, household, friendships, and love.
Kaitlyn Teer
Senior E-newsletter Editor
Kaitlyn is the senior editor for Large Salad, the place she interviews writers like Barbara Kingsolver, Catherine Newman, and Roxane Homosexual. Her essay assortment, Little Apocalypses: Essays on Motherhood, Local weather Change, and Hope on the Finish of the World debuts subsequent month. She lives in Washington State together with her husband and two youngsters.
Go-to weekday breakfast: Peanut butter toast — ideally freshly floor peanut butter, the gloppier the higher.
Childhood nickname: I’m going by Kaitlyn professionally however almost everybody who is aware of me outdoors of labor calls me Kaity. Having mentioned that, the Cup of Jo workforce sometimes refers to me by my initials, KT, which sound identical to ‘Kaity.’ So, wherever I’m going, there I’m!
Favourite after-work exercise: I joke that I’m going to crush it in retirement as a result of my favourite issues to do are both outdoorsy adventures, like birding and mountain biking, or chill solo hobbies, like knitting and dealing on my vegetable backyard.
Superstar crush: Cillian Murphy, particularly when he’s doing press junkets. An interviewer as soon as requested for his ideas in regards to the dissatisfied Cillian Murphy meme, and he mentioned he didn’t know what a meme was.
E book that modified my life: Annie Dillard’s A Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. It’s a shocking instance of how an unusual place, like a neighborhood creek, comes alive if you method it with curiosity and a spotlight. At any time when I decide it up, I discover one thing completely different.
That’s our workforce! We’re all thrilled to be right here with you. xoxo
P.S. 10 classes I’ve discovered in my profession, and the very best profession recommendation I ever received.
