The JTrain Podcast: Best Apps For Date Night! ft. Marissa Mullen - CHIT CHAT WEDNESDAY

Host: Jared Freid
Guest: Marissa Mullen (That Cheese Plate)
Date: March 11, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively Chit Chat Wednesday episode, comedian and host Jared Freid welcomes repeat guest and friend Marissa Mullen—author, cheese and appetizer expert, and founder of That Cheese Plate—to talk all things entertaining, "snacky parties," and her latest book, I'll Bring the Apps. Together, they explore the role of appetizers in fostering community, practical tips for hosting approachable gatherings, dating as a transplant, and play a rapid-fire game of app-centric party planning, all while serving up plenty of laughs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marissa Mullen’s “Snacky Party” Evolution

• Transition from Cheese Boards to Appetizers:

  • Marissa explains her shift from solely creating cheese boards to a broader focus on appetizers in her new book, citing a desire for social hosting that doesn’t tie her to the kitchen.
  • “I just hate cooking dinner for a crowd, hate doing dishes, hate being in the kitchen while I'm roasting a chicken and all my friends are hanging out without me.” (02:40, Marissa)

• Trademarking Snacky Party:

  • The term "Snacky Party" was organically coined, and both hosts joke about trademarking it for future merch (03:11–03:23).

• Move to Hudson Valley:

  • Marissa describes relocating from Brooklyn to the Hudson Valley, drawn by burnout and a disruptive wine bar, and Jared compares leaving New York for Delray Beach, Florida (03:37–08:00).
  • Shifting environments reflected a change in creative energy and lifestyle.

2. Building Community Through Food

• Creating Connection:

  • Marissa recounts making friends in a new town through invitations to her snacky parties: “I made it my mission to be super extroverted... I started hosting these monthly snacky parties.” (07:10–08:59)
  • The book was written in tandem with hosting these events, making it both a practical and personal evolution.

• The Modern Problem of Solitude:

  • Jared and Marissa riff on phone addiction and how easy it is to pursue solitude over community, emphasizing the importance of gathering (09:02–10:29).

• Actionable Advice for “Breaking the Ice”:

  • Marissa gives a real example of meeting future close friends at a hotel pool and inviting them over on the spot: “I think it was after like 10 minutes... ‘hey, you guys should come over next weekend. I’m throwing a party.’” (11:12, Marissa)

3. How to Host a “Snacky Party” (Taters & Teenies Theme)

• Theme Example – Taters and Teenies:

  • Marissa gives a detailed breakdown of her “Taters & Teenies” party:
    • Ambiance: Candles, dim lighting, soulful/jazz playlist (15:05–15:44)
    • Presentation: Martini glass tower featuring mini potatoes
    • Pairings: Starchy, briny, cheesy, savory, tangy apps—bites, bowls, and boards
    • Space: Central snack table for flow, DIY martini garnish bar
    • “Now we're expanding to the apps method, which tells you how to host a snacky party step by step.” (15:05, Marissa)
    • Playlists for party types found on That Cheese Plate’s Spotify (15:47)

• Practical Hosting Tips:

  • Make batch martinis, allow guests to customize (17:17–18:08)
  • Taking pressure off elaborate spreads: “You can have a bowl of chips and it’s fine.” (22:12, Marissa)
  • Focus on “set it and forget it” hosting so the host can socialize

4. The Social “Muscle” and Overcoming Party Anxiety

• Both discuss how most people dread social events but nearly always leave happy they attended (19:07–20:16).
• Parallels between socializing and physical exercise: awkward to start, rewarding once done.

5. Book Tour & Creative Promotion Advice

• Book Promotion:

  • Marissa advises creators: “Take control of your narrative, of the promotion of your book.” (25:58)
  • She designed a “snacky party” book tour at 1 Hotels and Hoxton Hotels instead of standard bookstore signings.
  • Importance of crafting an immersive experience over “just selling.”

• Standing Out on Social Media:

  • Finding creative, authentic ways to cut through the online noise (27:52–28:40).

6. Appetizer Logistics and Wedding Revolution

• One-Handed Eating:
  • Marissa considers handheld, bite-sized options so guests can socialize, drink, and snack effortlessly—“my biggest concern is that I can drink with one hand and eat with the other.” (24:24, Jared; 24:43, Marissa)
• App-Only Wedding:
  • Jared proposes a “snacky,” passed-app wedding instead of a traditional dinner (33:56–36:49).
  • Marissa: “I think that's a great idea...people are afraid to break the mold because what if it doesn't work? But what if it's actually the best idea ever?” (35:55–36:49)

7. Dating & Life Transitions

• Moving Single to a New Town:

  • Marissa moved single, most locals were couples; she focused first on building community, only later resuming dating (29:33–31:09).
  • Used Hinge’s location features creatively—claiming to “split time” between upstate and NYC as a conversation starter.

• City vs. Suburban Social Life:

  • Moving often driven by burnout, relationship transitions, or big life events (32:36, Jared).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jared on Hosting:

  • “If you feed them, they will come.” (08:59)

• Marissa on Socializing:

  • “You forget that you actually need socialization in order to be human and remember why we’re in this simulation.” (20:16, Marissa)

• Jared Skeptical on Burrata as an App:

  • “How do you do burrata as an app? Burrada is an app? I don't know about that one.” (41:09, Jared)

• Marissa Platitude on Hosting:

  • “People just want to get together. You can have a bowl of chips and it's fine.” (22:12, Marissa)

• Marissa’s Book Promotion Advice:

  • “Invite people into your world versus trying to sell them this book.” (26:39)

• On Handheld Snacks:

  • “Everything is literally bite-sized... when I'm crafting my menu, I like to do an array of bites, bowls and boards just so there's kind of like differentiation happening.” (24:43–24:55, Marissa)

• On Social Dread vs. Satisfaction:

  • “9.9 out of 10 times people go, I'm happy I went.” (19:11, Jared)

Game Segment: "What App Would You Bring?"

(Starting at 37:14)

Marissa fields rapid-fire scenarios, picking on-theme appetizers from her book for various party settings.

1. Super Bowl Party (Quiet Snacks Only) [37:41]

• Buffalo chicken meatballs (on toothpicks, no crunch)
• Chicken sausage, pepper & onion bites (soft, minimal crunch)
• Caramelized onion dip (everyone has onion breath = less chatter)

2. Bunless BBQ: "No Buns in the Sun" [39:50]

• Tajin watermelon & halloumi skewers (grilled theme, gluten-free)
• Pineapple cowboy caviar (dip full of veggies and beans)
• Summer burrata board with pesto, prosciutto, and roasted red peppers (allowed for garden-fresh flavors)

3. Girls’ Night After a Breakup: "Men Suck Soirée" [41:48]

• Red wine poached pears (elegant, hand-held, thematic “revenge” vibe)
• Swirled roasted beet whipped feta with maple carrots (pretty, conversation-starting color)
• Savory s’mores (brie, apple & fig jam; smoked mozzarella, salami & spicy honey; gouda, apple & honey on crackers or baguette)
• “Just take her out of the moment… get your mind off this guy, we’re going out back, I’m lighting a fire, and we’re gonna roast some cheese over the fire.” (43:41, Marissa)

4. Monthly Book Club (Sexy Murder Thriller, Friend Re-thinking Life) [45:43]

• Maple candied bacon deviled eggs (luxurious but “kill the sexy” food)
  • “Nobody would eat a deviled egg and then want to go hook up afterwards.” (47:08, Jared)
• Snacks for dinner cheese plate (quirky, back-to-reality snack selection)
• Dark chocolate tequila espresso martini “to wash down her sorrow” (48:43, Marissa)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–02:00: Introductions, history between Jared and Marissa, evolution to “apps”
• 02:40–08:59: Snacky party philosophy & Hudson Valley move
• 09:02–10:29: Phone isolation vs. in-person connection
• 14:54–18:17: Taters & Teenies party, playlist and hosting logistics
• 19:07–20:16: The social “muscle,” anxiety about gatherings
• 22:12–25:41: Accessible recipes, importance of simplicity in hosting
• 25:43–28:40: Book promo strategy, standing out online
• 29:33–32:36: Dating and friendship realities after moving
• 33:56–36:49: Snacky/appetizer-only wedding radical idea
• 37:14–48:53: Game: “What App Would You Bring?”—app selections for specific parties

Episode Tone & Style

The conversation is light, playful, filled with self-deprecating humor, quick banter, and practical wisdom for modern social lives. Marissa’s approach makes hosting feel approachable, focusing on joy, community, and delicious simplicity.

Final Recommendations

• Book: I’ll Bring the Apps by Marissa Mullen—ideal for anyone looking to level up their hosting game and make gatherings fun & stress-free.
• Follow: Marissa on Instagram (@thatcheeseplate)
• For aspiring authors/creators: “Invite people into your world versus trying to sell them this book” (26:39, Marissa)

For those who haven’t listened:
This episode is a blend of witty comic banter, practical hosting tips, a fascinating perspective on post-pandemic socializing, and all the inspiration you need to throw your own unforgettable snacky party. Skip the stress, grab the apps, and feed your friends—community will follow.