by Alison Stewart

Liane Hansen left me a "post-it" note that says, "Welcome to our world, two words - HAVE FUN."

As a longtime listener of "Weekend Edition," it is a little surreal to be hosting the show. The weekend team has been so welcoming and aside from a few minor bumps (I couldn't find the audio booth), I'm ready to go for this Sunday and next Saturday.

On Sunday, we will speak with a true-life hero, Medal of Honor winner Retired Colonel Jack Jacobs about his new book. We will check in with a small business owner trying to slog it out during this tough economy. And we will answer a question that came to me while I was sitting on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport—who will fill the Senate seat or seats left open when the presidency is decided?

 

For next Saturday, I'm working on a story about Harlem gentrification, an interview with author and finance expert John Bogle about when is enough money enough — and a chat with an artist who custom writes love songs.

Okay, for those of you who at this point are thinking....who is this person? Or wow, the name sounds familiar.

I was most recently the host of NPR's online morning show, "Bryant Park Project" and I've been moonlighting as a panelist on "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me." I also spent the past five years at NBC News/MSNBC as a correspondent, anchor and host of my own show, "The Most." I started my news career 16 years ago, producing MTV's first election coverage.

Wish me luck this Sunday!