Picture a Portland bookworm who transformed her love for stories into a podcasting empire—meet Jolenta Greenberg! A New York-based comedian, podcaster, and pop culture commentator, Jolenta has carved a unique niche in the self-help world with her witty, relatable takes. As the co-creator and host of the hit podcast By the Book, she’s not just reading self-help books—she’s living them, one wild experiment at a time.
With her infectious humor and fearless vulnerability, Jolenta has become a beacon for those navigating life’s messiness. From her bestselling book How to Be Fine to her advocacy for women in podcasting, she’s redefining what it means to chase personal growth with a smile.
The Making of Jolenta Greenberg
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Jolenta grew up surrounded by books, fostering a lifelong passion for storytelling. This love led her to New York City, where she honed her comedic chops through stand-up and storytelling gigs across the city. A Moth StorySLAM winner, she held a comedic residency at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn from 2014 to 2016, captivating audiences with her sharp wit. Her early career also included producing for Freakonomics Radio and story editing for Risk!, setting the stage for her podcasting journey.
Jolenta Greenberg’s Unforgettable Stories
Jolenta’s breakout project, By the Book, co-hosted with Kristen Meinzer, is a delightful blend of reality show and self-help exploration. Each episode, the duo lives by the rules of a different self-help book for two weeks, from The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up to Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. Their candid audio diaries and hilarious banter reveal what works, what flops, and why self-help often overlooks women’s realities. The podcast’s success spawned How to Be Fine, a 2020 book that distills lessons from 50 self-help books into a heartfelt guide for personal growth.
Her comedic e-book, Modern Harpies, showcases her pop culture prowess, drawing scathingly funny parallels between Bravo’s Real Housewives and Greek mythology. Jolenta’s style is conversational yet incisive, blending humor with feminist critique. Whether she’s debunking self-help myths or celebrating reality TV, her work invites readers and listeners to laugh, reflect, and embrace imperfection.
Jolenta also co-hosts How to Be Fine with Friends, tackling the loneliness epidemic through experiments in friendship-building. Her ability to weave personal stories with universal themes makes her work resonate deeply, especially with women seeking authentic connection.
Why Jolenta Greenberg Matters
Jolenta’s impact lies in her fearless honesty and advocacy for women’s voices. By calling out the often male-dominated self-help industry, she’s created a space for women to share their experiences without judgment. Her podcasts and book challenge societal pressures to achieve perfection, encouraging listeners to find joy in their flaws. As a trailblazer in podcasting, she’s paved the way for more diverse narratives, proving that vulnerability and humor can coexist.
Her work has been celebrated in outlets like Time, The Washington Post, and Bustle, and her influence continues to grow as she explores new projects. Jolenta’s legacy is one of empowerment, reminding us that self-improvement doesn’t have to be serious—it can be a riot, too.
- Born: Portland, Oregon
- Key Works: How to Be Fine, Modern Harpies, By the Book podcast
- Notable Achievements: Moth StorySLAM winner, Amazon bestselling author
Ready to laugh and learn? Snag How to Be Fine or tune into By the Book for a dose of Jolenta Greenberg’s irresistible charm!