If there ever was an example of following your passion, it has to be Lizz Winstead. In an industry that regularly relegates women to novelty acts, she has carved out a long and considerable career as a comedian. And she's done so without censoring her wit or her political ideology, even though managers told her that would be the death knell to her career.

Born the youngest in a conservative Catholic family in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Lizz bristled at the conventions and restrictions of her upbringing. She didn't know what she wanted to do, but she knew that it didn't involve getting married, having kids and moving to the suburbs. A natural performer, Lizz discovered her calling in college, when a friend suggested that she perform at an Open Mic night at a local comedy club. But her stand up found a real voice after the first Gulf War and her outrage at the political propaganda swirling around was only topped by her exasperation at the media. That led to the creation of The Daily Show, where they tweaked both politicians and the journalists who covered them by imitating them. Lizz was the Head Writer for The Daily Show, without any television experience. But even without a resume behind it, she changed the media landscape. And then she did it again, by co-founding Air America and the show Unfiltered with the wonderful Chuck D and a little radio newbie named Rachel Maddow.

All this and more are chronicled in her first book, Lizz Free or Die. Lizz has written essays covering her childhood, relationship with her church, her siblings, her parents, her dogs, friends, lovers, and bosses and the process of finding her way and her voice. It is funny, raw and always indomitably Lizz.

Lizz Free or Die will be released on May 10, but you can pre-order her book at indiebound now.

And best of all, Lizz Winstead is here to talk to us about her experiences and her book. Please join me in welcoming Lizz to C&L, and let's talk Lizz Free or Die.

(Warning: May not be safe for work or children)

I have met many people through this job: politicians, pundits, journalists and other movers and shakers. Some people I've met make little impression, some I've written off as self-interested above all else. And then there are people you get to know who you just wish you could call a friend in real life.

Lizz Winstead is the latter. I cannot tell you how much I want to tell you that Lizz and I are BFFs. She is simply one of the warmest, funniest, most genuine people I've met through the blogosphere. Blue Gal and Driftglass were lucky enough to meet her at Netroots Nation last year and can confirm just how great she is. As a matter of fact, Lizz kindly offered to let me couchsurf at her place to join them--based on nothing but our single degree of separation of John Amato--but I was stuck at home with the kids.

However, I'm going to boost my degree of separation by one by hosting a book chat on Lizz's new book "Lizz Free or Die" this Thursday, May 3, at 11:00 am Pacific/ 2:00 pm Eastern. The book is a collection of autobiographical essays on finding her voice, confronting and questioning the institutions of her upbringing and finding humor in it all. Lizz's sense of humor and sharp political wit has enabled her to reshape the national dialog as the co-creator and former head writer of The Daily Show and one of the founding voices on the late, lamented Air America and the Unfiltered show, with Chuck D and Rachel Maddow. You can catch her now regularly on The Ed Show on MSNBC.

Lizz's book will be released May 10 and she'll be here to answer your questions on Thursday. Mark your calendars.

Lizz Winstead: The Opposite Happened