Name: Teresa Strasser
Age: 29 (LOL)
Title: Writer/TV Host
Married/Single: married
Kids: two boys, 9 and 6
City you live in: Phoenix
A typical day in my life includes…
a hazelnut coffee (don’t judge me), a carpool, a fitness class that doesn’t involve too much sweating, writing and deleting and writing and deleting, going to the studio to tape segments for “The List,” some sort of flag football or Little League game or practice, yelling at my kids to put their screens down while clutching mine, reading a parenting book, not returning a dozen emails but feeling shame about it, hiding in the garage to eat some Halo Top out of the carton, reading to my kids while they snuggle in bed, watching a Netflix documentary with my husband and two tabby cats.
I was born…
in Panorama City. It’s the least glamorous part of the San Fernando Valley, and that’s saying something. My dad was working for Los Angeles County at the time. He was an “investigator” for the Health Department, chasing down dog bites and alerting citizens who may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease. Meanwhile, my mom was driving a school bus for LAUSD. Obviously, I was destined for greatness. I mean, my dad was the Chlamydia Whisperer.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
allow me to be unoriginal here. The sunsets in Arizona never get old. It’s like watching God paint the sky every night.
I’m listening to…
things that aren’t true crime podcasts. I may have overdone it listening to dozens of hours detailing horrific crimes. For a couple months, every time I cleaned the house, folded laundry or took a walk, I was also walking into the mental state of various psychos and serial killers. I’ve now made a hard turn into the land of happy, Zen, upbeat podcasts that enlighten me on my oneness with all things. A few episodes of “Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations” can make you forget there were ever evil-doers in your ear buds. “You Made it Weird” with Pete Holmes is another favorite. Even though he’s a comedian, he has a dazzling way with words and isn’t afraid to parse the Big issues. And of course, I love The Adam Carolla Show, a podcast I helped launch (in my own small way, as a news girl/sidekick/co-host) a decade ago in Adam’s home office. It’s now one of the most downloaded podcasts in the world. When I visit his studio these days, and see a staff of 20-25 running around, it just warms my heart.
My family…
consists of all dudes at the moment. In general, I roll with my husband, my dad (who lives ten minutes away) and our two sons. Let’s just say no one’s real excited for quality time with me at Sephora.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
Amy. I just really love her organic frozen goods.
One thing I cannot live without…
fancy skin care. Thank you Jamie Comstock at MD Skincare Lounge in Scottsdale. You are basically like family now!
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
a character in the movie “Fame.” Or just generally, someone who required leg warmers.
I’m inspired by…
comeback stories, underdogs and unexpected second acts.
The one person who motivates me is…
even though she’s in the Great Beyond, I’m still trying to impress my mom.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
myself. I’d like to be more patient, more tolerant, more graceful, more diplomatic, more present, more giving, more knowledgeable, more open-minded and more care-free.
My first job was…
working at a sporting good store, in the shoe department. I was a sophomore in high school. I’ve fitted many, many people for white Reebok high-tops to wear to Jazzercise.
My favorite escape…
definitely involves the Royal Palms Resort and Spa.
My life…
is not the best Billy Joel song. But it’s not the worst. The worst is “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” I say this as a huge fan. I will nerd out about Billy Joel all day. It’s embarrassing to admit this, but I’m just being honest and as you know, honesty, is such a lonely word.
I’m currently working on…
launching a new podcast with Podcast One, which hosts the Adam Carolla Show. I’m also working on a second book, which will be comedic essays about grief and loss. I know, hilarious! By “working on,” I mean, opening a new file on my computer and writing 6,000 word chapters then deciding the chapters are terrible, then starting over, then cleaning the pantry, then feeling guilty for not writing, then deciding I’m only “meh” as a writer anyway, then totally giving up, then writing a decent chapter and deciding I’m now ready for greatness. And back to one.
Always…
buy two of something you love, one in each color.
Never…
read the comments section.
Favorite Quote…
“You don’t get another chance, life is no Nintendo game.” — Eminem
Biggest Dream…
live long enough to see my grandkids and go nuts at their ballet recitals and baseball games. I had kids pretty late in life, so it’s my dream to stick around for the next generation.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
I correct my kids when they use “good” instead of “well.” Correcting people is annoying and sanctimonious. It’s not good. And it’s not well.
More about Teresa…
Teresa Strasser is the Emmy-winning feature reporter at syndicated lifestyle show, “The List” produced by E.W. Scripps. Radio audiences know her as Adam Carolla’s sidekick and cable audiences know her as the host of TLC’s “While You Were Out.” She won a Daytime Emmy Award for her work as a writer on Comedy Central’s “Win Ben Stein’s Money” and has earned two additional Emmy Awards for her work on-camera. In addition, she has garnered three Los Angeles Press Club Awards for her work as a columnist. She has been a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times, US Weekly and The Arizona Republic. Her pregnancy memoir, “Exploiting My Baby” (Penguin) made the LA Times Bestseller List and was optioned for television by ABC.
