SPEAKER_04 0:02

Welcome, welcome, welcome to another episode of the Stripes and Stories podcast starring Jacob Meisner, the Stripe Daddy, aka Daddy. AKA Dad D'Zeke.

SPEAKER_01 0:18

AKA My Daddy.

SPEAKER_04 0:20

Yeah. And me. C baby.

SPEAKER_01 0:25

The beautiful, the gorgeous, the smart, the intelligent, everything.

SPEAKER_04 0:31

Wow. That's quite the introduction.

SPEAKER_01 0:33

Catherine.

SPEAKER_04 0:34

Very nice.

SPEAKER_01 0:35

Aileen Meisner.

SPEAKER_04 0:38

Whoa. By the way, I got alert an alert that my social security number is now associated with my new name. So I think it's a good thing. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 0:50

Well why did um you not do it again?

SPEAKER_04 0:53

Because I had to do it so close to Zeke being born, and they wouldn't let me do it online. I had to actually go to a social security office. And you know, those can take like hours to be like between all the people that are there trying to get a social security card or whatever.

SPEAKER_01 1:08

Um see that's what's so wild to me is that you know it's like the DMV. It's but like what's crazy is this is like the most important number in your life, right? And there's clearly people getting new ones. Why are there so many people getting a new Social Security number?

SPEAKER_04 1:26

Which is crazy too, because like when you look at how many offices are like in the like Oakland County, there's like three in Pontiac. There's like a couple in Clarkston. So like there's like What is going on? There's like quite a few areas.

SPEAKER_01 1:41

Dwight Truth. What what what are you doing? What is going on?

SPEAKER_04 1:45

I think the Social Security Administration is actually for like Social Security as well. So I don't think it's just like social security cards. I think it's the whole like old people applying for social security, all that crap. So like I think it's all of that encompassed, which in that if you look at it that way, it makes sense, but still I guess too.

SPEAKER_01 2:03

There are a lot of people getting married all the time.

SPEAKER_04 2:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:05

And there's a lot of people getting divorced all the time. Yep. So if you change your last name, you get divorced, and you go back to your maiden name. You have to get a new social security card.

SPEAKER_04 2:17

Yes. Because you're a lot of pain in the ass.

SPEAKER_01 2:19

It's great being a man.

SPEAKER_04 2:21

I know. It's you have to get a whole new license, you have to get a whole new um uh social security card, you have to go through the whole like name change process at your employer. You have to like make sure that by the time you get it done, your new tax returns reflect your new name because if you don't, you have to apply for your um taxes with your old name.

SPEAKER_01 2:45

And then they'll arrest you for tax evasion.

SPEAKER_04 2:48

Yeah, it's just like it's a whole it's a whole thing.

SPEAKER_01 2:51

So um you just took a bath, how was it?

SPEAKER_04 2:54

Amazing.

SPEAKER_01 2:55

So relaxing.

SPEAKER_04 2:56

I love taking a bath.

SPEAKER_01 2:57

And now just plain water?

SPEAKER_04 2:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:59

Bubbles?

SPEAKER_04 2:59

Nope.

SPEAKER_01 3:00

And no um bath bombs or anything like that?

SPEAKER_04 3:04

Nope. I'm just like a warm water gal.

SPEAKER_01 3:06

Who doesn't love a warm bath?

SPEAKER_04 3:08

I know. It was so refreshing.

SPEAKER_01 3:10

And then you're rocking my robe.

SPEAKER_04 3:12

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 3:12

Just just ultimate coast. Just stealing from me now?

SPEAKER_04 3:17

Yeah, but like it's okay. Because what's yours is mine and what's mine is mine. So 100%.

SPEAKER_01 3:22

Yeah. Yeah. At least I'm in the know.

SPEAKER_04 3:23

Yeah. Well, let's uh get right into it.

SPEAKER_01 3:29

Guys, Catherine came downstairs. It's Friday night. Like, we both put in some work this week.

SPEAKER_02 3:36

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 3:36

And she's like, babe, we have to film or we have to record a pod.

SPEAKER_02 3:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 3:41

I've I we gotta talk about this. God's putting this on my heart.

SPEAKER_04 3:44

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 3:45

So, guys, buckle up. Buckle up because I don't even know where this is gonna go.

SPEAKER_04 3:52

And also, like, trigger warning for anybody. We're gonna be talking about mental health. So, like, if that's a trigger for you, maybe just like skip this episode.

SPEAKER_01 4:01

I know why would this be a trigger?

SPEAKER_04 4:03

Because like some people, when you talk about it, it like brings up a lot of like emotion and feelings that they may have.

SPEAKER_01 4:10

So you wouldn't want anybody to like you know, maybe get triggered or um fall back maybe into certain things just by like I feel like in today's society everyone gets triggered, and I use quotations around that so easily, and just uh it it's just people are soft.

SPEAKER_04 4:34

I don't really agree with that because to me, like having being in like still partially, I feel like the postpartum depression, like if I was listening to somebody or watching somebody who has is currently dealing with postpartum depression or has dealt with it, I feel like it would kind of take me back to like that time in my life, and it's it's not a good like feeling to have. So on that aspect, I disagree with you.

SPEAKER_01 5:03

Um well, I'll just shut the F up.

SPEAKER_04 5:07

Well, no, I'm just like bringing in a different perspective because like that's just the reality of talking about something that maybe is like or maybe you're not over it or whatever, you know, you just never know what people might feel about certain things.

SPEAKER_01 5:22

So I don't know, but like when I hear people bring up like emotional distresses that maybe I've gone through, I just feel bad for the person that they're going through that. It doesn't take me back to the raw emotion. It's just like, oh man, that like I've I feel really bad that that person's going through that. Like that stinks.

SPEAKER_04 5:42

Yeah. Well, everybody's different.

SPEAKER_01 5:44

So that's so like literally if someone brings up postpartum depression, you literally can just feel it like attack you almost.

SPEAKER_04 5:52

Not feel it attack me, but it starts to get me thinking about like how bad it was when it was really bad. And then it kind of gets you into that mindset of like then you're thinking about it, and then you're like, oh my god, and then you start thinking about what it was like, and it just like kind of can like spiral downwards.

SPEAKER_01 6:12

Gotcha.

SPEAKER_04 6:13

Yeah. So um, yeah, just like for anybody listening that like this may not be your episode, that's totally okay. Um, but I just felt like and Jake and I have been having a lot of like heavy conversations recently, and they seem to be encompassing like mental health and like um emotional struggles that people deal with. And I've been feeling like this tug for the past couple days, like it's something that we need to talk about, and just like if it can help one person, then like that's that's good. Like that's you know the goal. So um we are not doctors, obviously. We don't, you know, we know what we know from our personal experiences with like mental health and emotional, what did you call it?

SPEAKER_01 7:04

Distress, yeah, mental distresses. Yeah, yeah. Um emotional distresses, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 7:10

So like we know what we've experienced, so that's what we're mainly speaking of is like our personal experiences, not like trying to diagnose anything or whatever. Um so yeah, that's kind of the backstory as to why I felt like this was something that we needed to talk about and just kind of make people feel like that they're maybe not alone if they're if this is something that they're dealing with as well. I think you can speak to it from like a men's like business perspective and just like being a man in general, but like on the women's side, it's completely different when you you know talk about that. So um for me, I've never really dealt with anything like mental health related until this past year having Zeke and then like going through pregnancy and postpartum. Um so for me, it was something that uh when you talk about like people who deal with mental health or just like struggles in general, I felt like it kind of just hit me like a ton of bricks, like it wasn't something that I expected to have. Like my mom, she had great pregnancies, she never really dealt with like any type of um like mental not illness because it's not really illness, but yeah, like never really dealt with anything like that. So I think from a perspective of being like a Christian person, you feel a little bit ashamed for dealing with like mental um mental anguish because you're like, oh my god, I'm so blessed with everything that I have. I have this, you know, great life, I have a great job, and you feel like you shouldn't feel this way.

SPEAKER_01 9:04

The striped dad is your husband.

SPEAKER_04 9:06

Yeah. Well, with like anything in life, right, it ebbs and flows. So one day, you know, you're feeling like super, super grateful.

SPEAKER_01 9:16

I'm sorry to interrupt you. Is the turn I've heard you use this a couple times, is it ebbs, yes, yes, and flow?

SPEAKER_04 9:22

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 9:22

What does that mean?

SPEAKER_04 9:23

It just means like up and down.

SPEAKER_01 9:25

Interesting.

SPEAKER_04 9:26

Like when like water or when you're like looking at something, it can like just like ebb and flow. So the mirage going, yeah, like every which way.

SPEAKER_01 9:35

I'm gonna start using that. Yeah. But it'd be like in a landscape quote or a a consultation. Yeah, you know, just kind of ebbs and flows. They're gonna think I'm the smartest guy in the world.

SPEAKER_04 9:43

You have to use it in like proper context. I know, I know.

SPEAKER_01 9:47

Okay, sorry.

SPEAKER_04 9:48

Yeah, you know, this payment is just gonna ebb and flow.

SPEAKER_01 9:51

So basically the 50% the 50% down will just ebbs and flows.

SPEAKER_04 9:55

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Um so life just, you know, kind of ebbs and flows. So some days you can be feeling super, super great about it, and then some days you can be feeling like, oh man, like I wish this was better. I thought maybe I'd be at this phase in my life. And um, before you and I met, I feel like I kind of struggled with like having a negative mindset. And I still fall into that sometimes, but I feel like before we met, it was always like I was always striving for something else. And that's not to say that striving for something else is bad, but it was more like I was having a hard time like just being grateful for what I had and being content in that versus always like looking for the next thing, like being like, oh no, I should be this, I should be at this place in my job career because you know, so many other people my age are at this place or whatever. Or, you know, like okay, I've had my house for you know eight years. I think maybe it's time like I think about you know upgrading to something else, or because other people are doing, you know, whatever the case.

SPEAKER_01 11:07

The social pressure.

SPEAKER_04 11:08

Yeah. So um this was the first time that like I've really had to look back and be like, oh wow, like this is kind of something that can just hit you at any time. And it wasn't something that I expected, but when it happened, I felt really bad because I felt like I have this great life and God has blessed me with so much, so I feel ashamed for even like having a hard time with it. And I think a lot of people feel that way. Where, you know, because mental health is like such a taboo topic, I feel like most people when you talk about mental health, they immediately think you have like bipolar disorder or what's the other one? Um anxiety and depression, severe anxiety and depression, whatever. Um, but sometimes it doesn't come like that, it just comes into like your daily life. And when I like think about what I struggle with sometimes, I don't think that I'm to the point to where I would ever need to be like medicated, and there's nothing wrong with that if that's where you're at.

SPEAKER_01 12:20

Um, but I think there's nothing wrong with when your brain chemically can't produce something.

SPEAKER_04 12:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 12:26

And there's no shame in that.

SPEAKER_04 12:27

Yeah. And when, you know, there is something out there, like thank God we're in this phase of life with modern medicine where there is something that could help um somebody who is struggling with that. You know, back what, like in the 60s, they were doing what, like a lobotomies, or is that what they were called?

SPEAKER_01 12:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 12:45

For people who were like struggling with like mental health.

SPEAKER_01 12:48

Yeah, those were uh not a good thing.

SPEAKER_04 12:51

No. And so we've come such a long way in like recognizing that people do like struggle with this kind of stuff.

SPEAKER_01 12:58

And I just feel like I think we're quick to throw out a diagnosis too.

SPEAKER_04 13:03

Yes, I agree.

SPEAKER_01 13:04

And that's kind of frustrating.

SPEAKER_04 13:06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 13:07

Like everybody has bad days, bad months, bad years. And I just get a little bit frustrated when you know you just hear someone say, like, oh well, I have anxiety. Yeah, I we all have anxiety to some of the things.

SPEAKER_04 13:24

Well, I think it's it's hard because some people use it as like an excuse or like a crutch versus actually trying to like treat the problem, right? Like if you do struggle with severe anxiety, like you can go on like an antidepressant, like there is like things that can help you. Yeah, but also life is so fast paced now. Like, life is anxious.

SPEAKER_01 13:46

Like I would remember at Bronx.

SPEAKER_04 13:48

The Bible says do not be anxious in anything. And so, like, for that to be something that happened all the way back in biblical times, like it's been a thing forever. So the the thing is is that you can't let that overtake you.

SPEAKER_01 14:03

We were when we were at brunch, and I was like, we were making a joke about it, but like we were kind of like, yeah, like Jake has really bad OCD.

SPEAKER_03 14:10

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 14:11

And then I was saying, like, oh, I definitely have also, like, I'm a high functioning ADHD person. Like, I have a huge ADHD problem. And my dad's just like, no, you don't. You're just an entrepreneur and you're busy. And it's like, well, yeah, but like, dad, I I have a hard time like focusing on certain like dad, I'll be doing something, and then like something catches my eye, and I'm literally lost in the thing that I'm doing. I come back and I'm so confused. Like, where was I at? And he's like, Oh, that's just you just have to work on that. It's like I I've tried working on this for years.

SPEAKER_04 14:47

I think that's the tricky part of it too, is like generationally, like our parents, you know, it was just like it was the generation of like, don't cry, don't don't show emotion because it's weakness.

SPEAKER_01 15:01

Yeah, you're a man, just suck it up.

SPEAKER_04 15:03

And instead of like acknowledging that people do struggle with things, yeah. They just say, like, and there is something too like being a man, right? Like, you're the head of our household, you have to be the strong one when I can't be emotionally, or when I'm struggling, or when Zeke is struggling. Like, you have to be the strong one, which is a very tough cross to bear. But like, that's what God entrusted you with as a husband and a father and as a leader of our family, is like that's what you have to do. But by no means does that like dismiss any feelings that you have. I mean, in the winter when you were struggling with like just being at home all the time, like it was depressive outside because we it was don't get any sunlight. Yeah, you don't get any sunlight, you know, you can't really do activities because we had such a young baby, seasonal depression as a tourist. So we were stuck inside. So, I mean, you even struggled with like not like mental, um, you know, mental stuff, but you had a hard time just like in the winter being like, okay, I'm home all the time, like we can't really do much. Like, you know, and then at that time we were both like trying to get back to our like gym routines. So like life was difficult.

SPEAKER_01 16:18

Yeah, but then you feel guilty for leaving your partner with a newborn, yeah. And then you're like, well, maybe today's just not a good day to do it. Yeah, and then you just it's this cycle of like you want to help and you wanna be supportive to your partner, but then you're not taking care of yourself, and then you're mad that you're not taking care of yourself, and it's just like this cyclone of just it, it it's horrible. Being a new parent is tough, but then like also going into uh for me, going into winter and that change in season for me, it's like oh it's it's really hard, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 17:03

Yeah, I think it's like it gets really hard around like January, like because you know, obviously November, December, you're looking forward to the holidays. So like you're gathering with people, you're socializing, but then like January, February comes, which are typically like the coldest months that we have, where it's literally like not dangerous, but like not fun to go outside for any type of time, whether it's you know, five minutes to go running.

SPEAKER_01 17:31

Yeah, like when your wind chill is negative five, negative ten, like that's just that's dangerous. Yeah, it's not fun to be in that.

SPEAKER_04 17:39

Um and then it's like so much effort to go outside because you're like, okay, I have to warm up my car for like 15 minutes, so I have to plan ahead for that. I have to dress according to whatever the weather is. So like, you know, I know these are small things in in the pale of things to like say can affect you, but like they do. They affect, you know, your um, you know, your your mental state in the winter time. And like everybody in Michigan jokes about it, like seasonal depression is a thing because you literally have two months where you really like can't do it's more like three. Yeah, much at all. And you're just waiting for something like the weather to break so that you can actually like do something fun.

SPEAKER_01 18:24

Do you ever feel because I feel this like every Christmas? Like you're at the final celebration, whether you're at home or you're with family, and like you know, do you do the gifts for the kids and all this kind of stuff, and then like it's done. Do you ever just feel like so empty? Just like, well, what's next? Do you ever feel like that at the holidays? Because I do every single year.

SPEAKER_04 18:53

Not since we've been together, but before that I would, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 18:57

Yeah, like don't get me wrong, like I love being around you and Zeke around Christmas time, but like every time like Christmas comes and goes, since I've been a kid, it's just like okay, yeah, it's over. But like some people just carry this joy like for days, and I'm just like, yeah, like it's great, you know, we're recognizing that Christ was born and everything, but like, all right.

SPEAKER_04 19:26

But I think it'll be different now that we have Zeke, because I remember when I was younger, I didn't feel like that because like obviously Zeke will have a break from school, right? So like he'll be home. So our days will be filled with like doing fun stuff with him because he'll be on break, whether that's like family being in town or like him hanging out with his cousins, because they're also on break. So I feel like that will like be more fun.

SPEAKER_01 19:53

Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 19:54

Because I remember like every Christmas break, like our family when my brother and si or when whoever would be in town, um, we would go to like the shops that are in downtown Detroit and like walk around. And like that was one of the days that we would have to do.

SPEAKER_03 20:09

Those little like igloo things.

SPEAKER_04 20:10

Yep. Oh, that's cool. And then like one day you like go and do all your Christmas returns and like all that. So like that kind of stuff like filled the time. But um before we met, I did feel like, oh, is that that's it? It's just like the one day like you prepare so much, and especially like if you're a woman and you're like cooking a meal, you're like, oh my god, I spent the entire day cooking and we ate in 25 minutes. I'm like, now it's just a now.

SPEAKER_01 20:38

I get to do all the dishes.

SPEAKER_04 20:39

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 20:40

Um, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas time, I have no idea what day it is. Yeah, I can obviously Thanksgiving's not a Thursday, right? Right, but like come the 23rd, 24th, the 27th, even into the new year, I have no idea what day it is. It could be like, yeah, it's Friday, right? Nope, it's Wednesday. Like not even close.

SPEAKER_04 21:07

It's also hard too because I feel like so many, there's so many like family celebrations, right? And like that can even be tough on like people mentally is like dealing with the family dynamic.

SPEAKER_01 21:21

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_04 21:22

You know, that's really hard in and of itself. Like we struggled with like family dynamics when we first had Zeke because Double Dorce families, by the way. Yeah, people didn't like understand boundaries, they didn't, you know, understand that like we weren't gonna take this fresh baby that's two months old to like all of these different kinds of events. Like it just wasn't like that's like the main time when people get sick. Like it just wasn't a good situation.

SPEAKER_01 21:48

And also we're all exhausted.

SPEAKER_04 21:51

Yes, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 21:52

Yeah, I'm I'm running on 90 minutes of sleep. Yeah, like probably not in the mood to have your Shitty casserole.

SPEAKER_04 22:01

Exactly. You know? Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 22:03

Thanks. And in your snotty kids that got boogers everywhere and they're all sick.

SPEAKER_04 22:08

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 22:08

Not really my vibe right now.

SPEAKER_04 22:10

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 22:10

Hate to hate to let down the party, but not really feeling it.

SPEAKER_04 22:15

Yeah. And I think that's one of the things that like we um that like kind of affected us as well. Because being from like double divorced families, you don't want to disappoint anyone, right? So like people will reach out and they try to, you know, see you or whatever, and you're just like, I kind of just want to like create my own family traditions. I don't really want to like do all of these things with all these other people and then look back and be like, oh my God, it's almost Christmas Day. And like, what do we have planned? Because we've been focusing so much on everyone else, you know? So all that to say, if like family dynamics aren't serving your mental health, like it's okay to be like, yeah, I think I'm gonna take a break from that for a while. Like the life is way too short to be like unhappy or stressed because of like family dynamics. Like you can per it's perfectly acceptable to like take yourself out of the equation for a couple months while you just kind of like figure out what your life looks like, you know, that's totally okay.

SPEAKER_01 23:15

And like that's what's so weird too. Is like you could say to a mom or to a dad or to a grandparent, yeah, you know, I'm just not feeling it this year for Thanksgiving. Yeah, why? I I just I don't want to do it.

SPEAKER_02 23:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 23:32

Well, why did somebody say something? Is is there drama I don't know about?

SPEAKER_02 23:35

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 23:35

No, I I legit just want to be alone or I just want to be with my spouse, my fiance, whatever it is. Yeah, and like I think I just kind of I don't even want to have a a Thanksgiving meal. Well, you gotta you gotta have it. Yeah. You have to it's tradition. It's tradition. Yeah, you gotta do it. Why?

SPEAKER_02 23:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 23:54

Why is there this social pressure for like birthdays, holidays, for like everybody to get together? Don't get me wrong, like that's great, but like get together on a weekend randomly in June.

SPEAKER_04 24:13

Like, yeah, if the holidays are the only time that you're getting together, you really don't have a good family dynamic. You don't have a good family dynamic. Like the one time a year that everybody gets together. Like, come on.

SPEAKER_01 24:24

You're telling me of like the two most important holidays. So you have 363 other days to get together. Yep. And like you you you have to go. You have to. Uncle Tony's gonna be there.

SPEAKER_04 24:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 24:39

Aunt Susie's gonna be there. Yeah, you know Aunt Susie. She loves you, she makes you those sweaters.

SPEAKER_04 24:44

I know.

SPEAKER_01 24:45

Like, okay, well, tell Aunt Susie that I love her and I'll see her some other time, maybe next year at Christmas.

SPEAKER_04 24:52

Or maybe they can be like a normal person and we can meet somewhere for dinner one night in like February, you know.

SPEAKER_01 24:57

Yeah, how long's Aunt Susie in for? Well, she's in for two weeks. Yeah. Okay, so I'll just see her for a dinner or something. I just don't want to do it. Just yeah, the press the Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 25:11

And it's like And it's also the pressure that people put on like new parents or just parents in general. It's always like, well, we want to see the kids. Like that's the excuse that people say.

SPEAKER_01 25:22

Like you know what? Excuse drives me up a wall. What? Well, I I'm their grandmother.

SPEAKER_04 25:28

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 25:30

Yeah, well, I'm their father or I'm their mother.

SPEAKER_04 25:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 25:34

And I'm I'm making the decision for the family.

SPEAKER_04 25:36

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 25:37

Last I checked, you don't run my household.

SPEAKER_04 25:40

Well, and like being a grandparent, that doesn't entitle you to anything.

SPEAKER_01 25:43

It doesn't tell you shit.

SPEAKER_04 25:44

No.

SPEAKER_01 25:45

Thanks for raising me.

SPEAKER_04 25:46

I was watching a video today on um, I don't know if it was Instagram or TikTok, but it was about like parents, and it was like parents will often use the excuse of like, um, after all I've done for you. And this guy was saying, like, parents after all the mental health problems you've given me.

SPEAKER_01 26:05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 26:06

Like, parents can never say after all I've done for you because they literally brought you into this world. It is their job to do things for you because they brought you into the world. So to say, like, after all I've done for you, it's like, yeah, you should have. You're my parent. Like, you brought me here. I didn't come here willingly. You brought me here. Like, what the hell? You know? And it's almost like you don't really realize how messed up it is that people will say things like that, like, oh, I'm their grandparent, or I'm your parent, and you should do it because life is too short. Like, what?

SPEAKER_01 26:42

Mm-hmm. Or the parents that uh have control problems. And they'll say, Oh, well, you know, I we're doing this for grandma or grandpa. Oh, yeah. Oh, they use them as the pawn face. Oh my god. Um kiss my ass.

SPEAKER_04 27:01

Yeah, I know. Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_01 27:03

I I would much rather hang out with them alone. Yeah and like actually have a conversation with them and ask them what whatever it is, like about their childhood or their traditions.

SPEAKER_04 27:12

Like the, oh hey, how's it going? How's your week then?

SPEAKER_01 27:16

Because then they're talking, you know, everyone wants to talk to the grand surface level. And they're so overstimulated because they're so used to being alone, anyways.

SPEAKER_04 27:24

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 27:25

And like you're giving them a social attack, basically. They're so out of their element, they're so uncomfortable. Now, don't get me wrong, grandparents love seeing their grandchildren, their great-grandchildren.

SPEAKER_00 27:36

Of course, but that is a huge, huge, like almost social experiment for them.

SPEAKER_02 27:41

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 27:42

Because they're so used to their routine of, all right, so I'm gonna get up at 7 o'clock, have my coffee, then I'm gonna have my breakfast. Oh, you better believe the price is right is on at 10 o'clock. Then we've got Judge Mathis and this and that. Like, you're you're throwing a whole day at them.

SPEAKER_01 27:59

And like, for instance, Papa Meisner, that guy gets so anxious.

SPEAKER_04 28:05

Yeah, he's very he gets very overstimulated for him.

SPEAKER_01 28:07

Overstimulated and anxious. And but he loves being with family. That's the most important thing. But you wouldn't guess it because you can smell the anxiety on him. Yeah. Because he just wants what's next, what's next?

SPEAKER_04 28:19

And the you know, the like the thing with the Christmas cards this past Christmas.

SPEAKER_01 28:24

But like the main thing is he's like, when am I going home?

SPEAKER_04 28:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 28:27

All he wants to do is go back home to his shell. Yeah. You know, because he's a creature of habit. We all are.

SPEAKER_02 28:32

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 28:33

But like when you challenge the holiday or the narrative, you see some people's true colors.

SPEAKER_04 28:41

Oh, 100%.

SPEAKER_01 28:42

What their true intentions are.

SPEAKER_04 28:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 28:44

It's pretty wild.

SPEAKER_04 28:45

And it's like just because that's something that you look forward to every year and something that you want does. Does not mean that I does not mean that that's what everybody else wants to do. And I think that like we both have had like a lot of emotional trauma from like both of our sides of the family, as far as um, you know, just having to deal with that with parents always like feeling entitled to time. And it's like you guys made the decision to not be together anymore. We did not. So, like, if certain things work better for our schedule and maybe it's only seeing one side of the family versus both or whatever, or the opposite, like that's just what we're gonna do.

SPEAKER_01 29:26

This is why like I'm so looking forward to like our goals and ambitions coming to fruition. Um like having to be able to have this like bang and big house, bang in big property, and like everyone's invited.

SPEAKER_04 29:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 29:45

Dad and Deb, Lee and Gus, you know, like everyone is just invited. And if you're not coming, totally fine. Yeah, you're invited. Um, this is what we're doing for Thanksgiving or for Christmas. It's not like we're gonna do this for every holiday, and like, hey, you have to, you know, like do the opposite. Like now we're controlling the narrative. Oh no, we just, hey, this works really well for us this year, and we would like to host 35 people. Please let us know who's coming.

SPEAKER_02 30:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:12

So we make enough food and whatever, but like, we're not traveling this year.

SPEAKER_04 30:16

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:17

So this is what we're gonna do, and we would love to have all of you. And if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. No problem.

SPEAKER_04 30:24

And also when you have a child, it just changes you. Like, you don't want to cart your kid around everywhere. You don't want to have to like work around nap schedules and all of that just because like people want to see your kid. And like I get it. Like, you know, people want to see family and grandparents want to see grandchildren or whatever, but also like you can, like you said earlier, you can see them any other day of the year. But like, if that's the one time that you choose to spend quality time with them, then like that means nothing to me.

SPEAKER_01 30:57

His posh.

SPEAKER_04 30:58

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 30:59

Be honest.

SPEAKER_04 31:00

Yeah, be honest, be honest. Be honest. Um, so yeah, I mean, family dynamics are also a huge contributor to people's like mental um anguish that they may have. Um, work is also something, and I think the important, like what what I'm really trying to get at is just like we live in a society where like everything is at your fingertips, right? You can look at um all it takes is for you to go on social media and you can see 50 people who are farther ahead in life, or who you or what you deem as farther ahead in life. Or you can go online and you can see 50 different people who have a bigger house than you do, or have the appearance of more money than you do, or whatever. And I think that's what a lot of people struggle with now mentally is because there is everything at your fingertips. So it's easy to look down on yourself and being like, oh, I'm not where I want to be, or um, I'm struggling here because so many other people are not. And it what you have to remember in all of that is that like what people show you is what they want to show you. They don't show you the nitty-gritty of life, and I think that's the real point of like why I felt like we needed to talk about this kind of stuff is because people may see your Instagram and be like, oh man, like this guy is like always happy go lucky all the time, like his business is booming, like all of this, which is true, but at the same time, like you and I have regular struggles just like anybody else.

SPEAKER_01 32:43

Like, oh, there's days where you know, anything Murphy's Law, anything that could have gone wrong went wrong, and like I could just cry in the truck. Yeah, what a tough fucking day. And like I just want to break down and just either scream, punch something, or just cry.

SPEAKER_03 33:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 33:01

But like it's just those are the days that kind of shape you. And again, like we've talked about in the past, like you just you don't fixate on those 12 things that went wrong. Like, you gotta look at the good that was in the day, and like that helps you. Oh, you were pissed today about the vet bill for potentially doodle.

SPEAKER_04 33:24

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 33:25

I mean I literally I just had a text channel like, babe, it's fine. Like bills extra bills suck, but like whatever.

SPEAKER_04 33:31

Well, it's just hard for me because like in my life as a single person, I always had to like what's the what am I trying to say? I always had to look at everything with like a fine-tooth comb because I was by myself. Like I didn't have anybody to save me if anything were to happen. And so when these kinds of things would come up, like it is easy to focus on the negative of it because you're like, oh my god, I had planned this money for this goal that I wanted, but like now I've got this bill coming in that I've got to pay or whatever. And I mean, it's hard to kind of like adjust your entire way of thinking to be like, okay, like we're good, we can handle any unexpected expenses because like in all reality, when I was a single person, like it was hard for me to handle unexpected expenses. Like I was on my own, you know, you get like the standard 3% raise every year unless like you freaking threaten to quit, and then you can get some some money in there. But you know, being on your own, it's hard to um account for all of these like unexpected things. Like now that we're married and like everything is together, I am more comfortable now with like unexpected stuff, but it's still sometimes hard for me to not focus on that. Especially as we're in this season of life where like my my job is pretty much diminishing slowly by the by personal choice. Yeah, by personal choice, yes. Um, but that's happening, so it's kind of like a lot's going on all one time. So when these unexpected things come up, it's e it's hard to not feel overwhelmed and like oh my god. It's like what I was saying the other day about like is God testing me? Is God really trying to get me to like trust him that I'm making the right decision and that this is all gonna work out? Or is this like a sign that like I shouldn't be doing this, you know? So you kind of immediately go to the negative because you're like, can I use this as an opportunity to say, like, what is God trying to show me?

SPEAKER_01 35:50

Or like, am I just making it or is it God just telling you weather the storm? Yeah, or that ride it out, Catherine. Yeah, you know, like yeah, there's gonna be a couple storm clouds. Do you trust in me to get through the storm? Or you know, yeah, I that's how I think of it.

SPEAKER_02 36:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 36:12

Well, that could just be me being just like a golden retriever. You know, everything's gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay. Like, I don't know, but like for me, it just it always does work out.

SPEAKER_04 36:23

But yeah. Yeah, I think it's just, you know, life is hard. And I think not a lot of people talk enough about how hard life is. And it's exponentially harder than I feel like it was for our parents because like, you know, everything is so digital now. You're having to learn an entire new system if you have like a job other than like any industry that you would be in, or any related industry, like you have to deal with AI. So you have to learn a completely different thing that like you probably didn't even wasn't even on your radar five years ago. And now like all of this is new, you have to learn how it integrates, and so like it's really phasing out a lot of people in um corporate jobs that are older and just can't can't get the hang of it. Yeah, and so like that's a thing, and then like life is just hard because life is expensive and it's getting increasingly expensive, more expensive every single year. It's hard to afford any type of like comfortable lifestyle because of the cost of everything.

SPEAKER_01 37:32

Yeah, just everything goes up every year, electricity, insurance, yeah, food, gasoline, interest rates.

SPEAKER_04 37:39

Yeah, like there's just so it's hard for it's like nobody talks about how like life is hard. Like it's easy to go on social media or like find your favorite YouTuber who's like making t $20 to $30,000 a month doing you know, ads on Instagram or YouTube or whatever. Um, and to look at that like that's normal or that's where you should be, instead of like, okay, I've got all this grit. I'm working for myself, I'm doing these things that um like I am in a good place. It's just you know, you just have to look back and realize like how far you've come compared to what you see on social media from other people.

SPEAKER_01 38:22

And I I say this quite a few times, but like you actually have to take a step back and realize where you're at. And like there's I'm sure dozens of people, myself included, where it's like I've dreamed of like a quarter of the stuff that I have, the blessings that I have. And don't get me wrong, I've worked very hard to get to where I'm at. But like that young, aspiring entrepreneur, like if I had 10% of what I had, I was like, I thought, man, I'm big time. And like, don't get me wrong, we're hungry for even more, but like that's how life is. You should be ambitious, you should be excited, you should be wanting that next big thing, but like you also do have to take a moment to reflect on one, all the blessings that you have, but pat yourself on the back because you you worked so hard and tirelessly, and there's those nights where you were maybe laying in bed because you didn't know how you were gonna pay for this or that, like you had, like you said, an unexpected expense that comes up, or you had you lost like one of your biggest accounts, and you're you're you're thinking you're gonna drown, but like you figured it out, and like the worst thing that's ever happened to you, it's the worst thing that's ever happened to you. And if you're in if you're in the trenches right now fearful of like something is around the corner, and you're like, this is gonna be the worst thing of my life.

SPEAKER_04 39:59

Or like one thing, if one thing happens, it's gonna break me.

SPEAKER_01 40:03

Yeah, or but like let's just say you know this is coming, like this is inevitable, and like this is gonna be the worst thing of your life. Then it's the worst thing of your life. It you will get through it, whether it's a day from now, 12 hours from now, or a month, or a year. Like you will get through it. Yeah, you you will, I promise you.

SPEAKER_04 40:26

I think that one of the major things that we can speak to with that is like both going through divorces. Like when you're going through it, you almost like can't see a way out because you're like, This is so hard. I've never been not only like publicly embarrassed like this, I've never felt like more of a failure in my life.

SPEAKER_01 40:47

I've never shame.

SPEAKER_04 40:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 40:49

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 40:49

Feeling shame, feeling like you're like, oh my god, am I gonna lose everything?

SPEAKER_01 40:53

Everything I've worked for, is it gone?

SPEAKER_04 40:55

Everything is up in the air.

SPEAKER_01 40:57

You know, you just you know, going through like you get notices from your attorney that uh um what is it called when like they they file something? What is it called?

SPEAKER_04 41:07

Oh, emotion.

SPEAKER_01 41:08

Like a m you oh great, there's another fucking motion that I gotta read through.

SPEAKER_04 41:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 41:11

And then you got nine pages of shit you don't understand.

SPEAKER_02 41:15

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 41:16

And then you have to read it 15 times to understand it, and then you feel like a fucking idiot. Yeah. And yeah, it's so it's so stressful, but like you get through it.

SPEAKER_04 41:28

Yeah, it's like you could then you can look back and be like, wow, that is one of the hardest things I've ever done.

SPEAKER_01 41:33

And I'm fucking proud of myself that I got through it.

SPEAKER_04 41:36

Yeah, I got through it, and now like looking back, I know I can speak on myself at least, like looking back on going through that at like such a young age, I was like, oh my god, like if I can get through that, like I can pretty much get through anything. Like nothing else after that happened really phased me that much to where I was like, I don't think I can do it until I, you know, went through postpartum depression. But prior to that, like there was nothing that I was like, okay, I got through that. Like I legitimately felt like I like God was on my knee, like God was right next to me when I was on my knees, just wondering like if I can do this. Yeah. And he was right there.

SPEAKER_03 42:24

Yep.

SPEAKER_04 42:25

And so, you know, what I really would like to like end this episode with is just letting everybody know that like there is hope. And if you are somebody that is struggling, like I struggled so much in that area of my life. I've also, you know, struggled with postpartum depression, but there is hope, and the hope is like God, and it's looking above and like realizing that there is a higher power in this life that all they want to do is love you and comfort you and care for you and show you who they are through other people, through works that you see, um, through just meeting you exactly where you're at. And so if you are struggling, like that's who you should look to, whether it's you know, even starting small and like just listening to worship music when you start to feel depressed, or um saying a quick prayer. Saying a quick prayer, or just like crying out to God and being like, God, like this is hard because he understands, like he is walking with like right there beside you. And that was one of the things that when I was dealing with postpartum depression, I had to like constantly remind myself of is like God is right next to me. I'm not doing this alone. He's right there. And while walking through this is very, very hard, and it's very hard on my mental health, it's hard on my relationship with Jake, it's hard on me being a mother. It's hard on me, like going through all of these changes with like my emotions and my hormones and like my body changing and all of that. Like there is somebody who's right there who's walking with me and who is telling me like it's gonna be okay. You will get through this. And then, like you were just saying about like looking back on how far you've come. Now I look back and I'm like, wow, I was really in the trenches. And even though I'm not completely out of it yet, I'm like, I'm so proud of how far I've come since then. So if there's anybody that's struggling, like you will get out of this.

SPEAKER_01 44:36

And I think too, the most important thing is because you know, not everyone's gonna have faith, right? That listens to this, but like there are so many people that I don't even think you realize that are in your life that want to help you. Like there would be people that would be so upset with you if they found out years later that you were going through this and you didn't ask for help. Like there are so many special people in your life, and some of them you don't you might not even think of because maybe you're you're distanced because of, you know, maybe somebody moved to a different state or whatever.

SPEAKER_02 45:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 45:15

But like there are people who one want to help you, but there are people that want you around. Yeah. So like there's like I understand that like there's some people really, really, really down a dark road.

SPEAKER_02 45:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 45:29

And like I just want to remind you guys that like no matter how hard it gets, you're never out of the fight.

SPEAKER_04 45:37

You're never like it's never it does as long as you are on this earth, you're still in it.

SPEAKER_01 45:43

Yeah. And like if you got if you're breathing air, like you still got fighting you. Yeah. And there's a lot of people that love and care about you, and don't be afraid to reach out to those people.

SPEAKER_03 45:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 45:55

Because they they want you to. That's why they're your friends, your family.

SPEAKER_03 45:59

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 46:00

Because they want to see you at your best and they are willing to see you at your worst.

SPEAKER_04 46:05

Yeah. When I was talking to my boss yesterday about um me staying on just a little bit longer just because of how much the office is in complete turmoil. I was just telling her, I was like, you know, Jake said that like I can do this as long as it doesn't make my postpartum depression worse. And she responded and she was like, I I just have to apologize, Catherine. I'm so sorry. I didn't realize how bad it was for you. And I said, and she's like, shame on me for like not asking or not checking on you. And I was like, Well, you know, I appreciate that, but it is like a taboo topic that like nobody likes to talk about. I certainly don't like to admit defeat. I'm a very strong-willed person.

SPEAKER_01 46:53

And but you're not, but you're not defeated at all.

SPEAKER_04 46:57

Well, it feels like that.

SPEAKER_01 46:58

I know, but it's it's not, it's just how you know, but like saying emotion is never defeat.

SPEAKER_04 47:04

Well, to a person who's like when you're really happy, are you defeated?

SPEAKER_01 47:07

Because it's an emotion. You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_04 47:09

No, but like to a person who's been like very strong-willed and always had to put on like a happy face, like whether things have been super crappy or whether they've been really, really good, I think it's hard to um to like quantify that like it's not defeat by admitting that you have emotions. Because like after my parents divorced, and like after my own divorce, I was pretty stone cold on like emotion. Like I didn't really care about anything. Um so when you get to that point and you then you finally are like, okay, maybe I can start to show emotion like a little bit, and then like I tell you how I'm feeling. I open up to the office and I say, like, hey guys, I need to step down because like I'm struggling. And um, you know, to admit that is almost like admitting, like, yeah, like I I can't do what I normally can because of what's going on in my head and in my body and in my heart, like I I just can't. And so in that way, it feels like it's admitting defeat.

SPEAKER_01 48:18

Yeah, I got I understand.

SPEAKER_04 48:19

And I know that that's not I like I'm not the only person who's ever felt like that. And um, you know, like I said at the beginning of this episode, like if it if what we're talking about just helps one person feel like a little bit normal or like what they're going through is normal, then like that's worth it because it's not something that people like to talk about because immediately when you talk about it, you're labeled as a certain way. Yeah, and you're not like it's okay to struggle, like we all do sometimes. Nobody lives this perfect life where they never struggle. I mean, look at all of these super rich people who have like you know committed suicide because they had everything that you could objectively look at their life and say it still felt empty, yeah. That they had everything that they could have wanted, anything that they literally could buy with money, they could have, and they still felt like something was missing. So, you know, it it happens to people who are super poor, and it happens to people who are super rich. And um yeah, I feel like that's kind of like the purpose of why I like it was on my heart to like talk about this kind of stuff, is just because I feel like now that I'm somewhat on the other side of it and not completely through it, but at least like getting there, I feel like it can help other people to open up the conversation and feel like it's okay to struggle. Yeah. Because like we talk about our business all the time, we talk about how great things are going, but so many people often don't talk about the negative parts of it.

SPEAKER_01 50:06

And like obviously, you going through this and seeing it and living it, like one, you're my hero because like you're just so strong, and like spam, you're not afraid to admit how you're feeling and stuff, and not discounting what you're feeling or anything, or your emotions, or your experience, but like I can't imagine, and what breaks my heart is like there might be like the single woman who doesn't have any family, yeah, or like any too many friends, and like to feel that there's a like a woman out there that's doing this all by herself, yeah. She has the monetary pressure to provide, yep, and yet she's going through postpartum, like that breaks my heart. Like, I can't even imagine you going through this alone.

SPEAKER_04 50:59

Yeah, it really gives you empathy for other people who are, and you know, it's always it's so funny because people told me like before we had Zeke, like once you become a parent, it'll change you, and you'll never see other parents the same. And it's so true. Like, motherhood has changed me, and I'm sure it probably has for fatherhood as well. To where when I see a mother out, I'm immediately looking for ways I can help her if she's alone with her kids or whatever. Because I now that I've you know been through it, not even for you know, 10 months, I know how hard it is just at that age. So I can't imagine like walking by other women, like I see other women so differently now than I did before.

SPEAKER_01 51:49

And it's like that one dad I saw at Costco that was with the two kids. I was like, and I was like, that dad was just a solid dude, like he just won two kids, you know, they're probably seven and ten, or maybe five and eight, I don't know. But like he was just uh he was a stud. Yeah, like he wasn't letting their bean kids get to him. Yep, he was rock solid, and he's just like, yep, we're gonna do this and that. Oh, yeah, hey, hey honey, come here, honey. Remember, you guys stay close or whatever. Like, and you're just like, wow, like that guy's even keel.

SPEAKER_02 52:27

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 52:28

Like, that's what I want to be like. Like, good for him.

SPEAKER_02 52:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 52:32

And yeah, it's just you yet you look at things totally different.

SPEAKER_04 52:38

I do. I mean, anybody that I see, literally any parent that I see, I'm like, it's almost like a club that you feel like you're in, and now you're like, Yeah, like I see your sister so differently than I did before I had a kid because now I see all of the struggles that she's dealing with on a daily basis in a completely different way. I see her as a person completely differently. I feel like I, you know, people always say, like, does motherhood make you soft? Like, no, it actually makes me angry because I know how hard this world can be. And it makes me so much more fiercely protective of what I love.

SPEAKER_01 53:25

Like when I see whether they're married or not married, but I see like a mom with either one kid or multiple kids, there's like this little edge where I'm like, there's nobody creepy around, right? Like there's no like is she like you you do a double check for her because you're like or or you're you see them walking to their car and stuff, and like you slow your pace and you're kind of like you're so much more aware. Yeah, you're just like, no, like I yeah, like if something happens, like I'm I can see, you know, I'm here.

SPEAKER_04 53:56

Or like if you see them and they're with multiple kids and like one of their kids goes astray, like I now go towards that kid try to have a conversation with that kid to like rein them in so nothing bad can happen because it's almost like mama, I got you.

SPEAKER_01 54:12

Yeah, you stay with them, I'll get this little crazy one.

SPEAKER_04 54:15

Yeah, yes, that's exactly what it's like.

SPEAKER_01 54:17

And it's you got like your own little personal security guards now.

SPEAKER_04 54:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 54:21

Other parents are just your personal security guards. It's so cool.

SPEAKER_04 54:24

Well, you have to nowadays, I feel like with how scary the world is for just like parents and kids, um it's hard to not be like that. Like it's just so dangerous nowadays.

SPEAKER_01 54:38

Um I don't think it's more dangerous. I think it's so much more publicized.

SPEAKER_04 54:47

That's probably true.

SPEAKER_01 54:48

You know, I I really don't think don't get me like maybe there's more, you know, child trafficking and such than there was back then, but like I don't know. Pedophile still existed, perverts still existed, you know what I mean? Like, I just feel like we have such quick access to information now.

SPEAKER_04 55:08

Um well, I think that's the part of the problem is why it's a lot worse than it was prior, because now with like AI, you can really do anything with any image. So, like you pull an image of a child online that you see, and you can do whatever you want with it. And I think that's like a lot of what people are referring to. It's I've really had to for the past about month like look back because I haven't really posted any pictures of Zeke in the past month. And it's because I've really been looking back and digesting what everybody has been saying about what you can do with AI and thinking like maybe I don't want to post any pictures of Zeke because what can some freak do with these things? And to the fact that I even have to think about that is sick, yeah. But the fact that like I think to myself now, like, what if, you know, I don't know, just like all of these people that know him in his real life that are like protective of him. What if I'm out somewhere and somebody's like, oh my god, is that Zeke? And it's just like kind of icky, you know, where you're like, I don't think I like it.

SPEAKER_03 56:28

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 56:28

And I was watching, I was um watching an Instagram story, and I think it was Dale, the girl that we like, Caden's wife.

SPEAKER_03 56:36

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 56:36

And she was talking, she was like, What because they were she used to post pictures of her kid all the time, and now they don't. They don't show their faces. And somebody asked her, and they were like, Why do you not show like pictures of your kids anymore? And she was just saying, um she said that the what you can do with child's pictures nowadays is so absolutely crazy. And what really scared her is she was out with her kids without her husband, and somebody came up and started talking to her kid by name. And she was like, That's it. Like I I can't, I can't keep showing their faces. And she's like, now it's been, I think she said like a year since she posted a picture of her oldest kid's face. And she's like, now people wouldn't even know what he looked like based on you know how much kids change so often. And that I saw that and I was like, oh my god, like could you imagine being somewhere and some random person that you have no idea who they are walks up to Zeke and is like, Hey Zeke, what's up? Hey buddy, how you doing? That would be so weird.

SPEAKER_01 57:50

That would be really weird. Yeah. Yeah, it's a crazy, sinful world that we live in. Yeah. And hopefully, like, you know, obviously, I hope that like Dale, that was a wake-up just call for her. Like, I hope it wasn't anything creepy or anything like that. Like, hopefully, it was just like, oh my gosh, such and such.

SPEAKER_04 58:11

I think it was, but I think it genuinely especially because she didn't have her husband, so like she didn't have any type of like protection with her if it went south.

SPEAKER_03 58:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 58:21

But I mean, you just have to think about stuff like that now. Like, I know you don't have a super large following, but you have a following, and so like if I was out somewhere and it was just me and Zeke and somebody that I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 58:34

Yeah, like for instance, there's well several hundreds of thousands of people that view my profile every month. Yeah, it's a lot of fucking people. That's a lot of people.

SPEAKER_04 58:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 58:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 58:47

So for like, you know, somebody to like if I'm out in public and I'm, you know, at Target, for instance, and somebody says, Oh my god, Zeke? Is that him? Yeah, like, no, I don't, I don't like that. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 59:03

Creepy.

SPEAKER_04 59:04

Yeah. So anyways, guys, we'll end the episode here, but I just um again, just if you are feeling some type of way, some type of way, whatever way that is, just know that you're not alone. There is somebody out there that feels the same way that you do. Everybody struggles with stuff in this life, and if you are struggling, reach out to people that are close to you because everybody cares. There's not one, you know, it brings me back to that thing that Jake showed me with um, what's his name? The guy that you showed me with when he was talking to the girl about oh, yeah, about the little girl who's gonna commit suicide. Yeah, what was his name?

SPEAKER_01 59:49

Um my gosh, you're making me.

SPEAKER_04 59:52

Mel Robbins? No.

SPEAKER_01 59:55

Mel Robbins, no, she's that other lady that we like. Oh my gosh. Um, his wife's name is Sage. Um, Tony Robbins.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:04

Tony Robbins.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:05

Jeez.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:05

And we're tired. He was interviewing a girl at a high school, and you can look up the um video if you want in full, but No, it was at one of his seminars. It wasn't one of his seminars, and she was talking about how um she was thinking about like killing herself.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:20

And she's tried multiple times.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:22

And she's tried. And he was like, What would that do to your mother? And he's and she was like, Oh, she'd be sad, and she's like, No, what would it really No?

SPEAKER_01 1:00:31

He said, Stop being cute with me for a minute.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:33

Yeah, he said, What would it really do?

SPEAKER_01 1:00:35

He said, You want to make adult decisions, then you're gonna talk to me like a fucking adult.

SPEAKER_04 1:00:38

Yeah. And she was like, She would not pretty much want to live anymore. And you know, it's I forget where I was trying to go with this whole story, but if you have a chance to listen to it, it's really good because when you're going through something, you may it's easy to feel like nobody else is experiencing this, or you know, the world would be easier without me in it, or you know, whatever you may feel. But I can assure you that there is somebody out there that cares. There's somebody out there who, and really the person who cares is upstairs, and all you have to do is like talk to him, and he will bring you peace, he will bring you guidance, he'll bring you other people in your life that can walk with you and support you.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:27

And um, yeah, like if you feel like you have no one, obviously you have God that it always wants you.

SPEAKER_02 1:01:36

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:36

But if you feel that there is no one else out there, reach out to Catherine, reach out to myself. Yeah, like we're here.

SPEAKER_02 1:01:44

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:45

Like you are never ever alone. But if if you can't come up with one friend or one family member, we're here.

SPEAKER_02 1:01:53

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:54

Like we would hate to not have the opportunity to talk to someone who's struggling.

SPEAKER_04 1:01:59

Yeah. Especially uh as people who have struggled ourselves. I mean, I'm so passionate about this type of stuff now going through this past year with becoming a mom and um going through all of this stuff postpartum. Like, I'm so passionate about other people feeling heard and their feelings being validated because, like I said, life is hard. And to know that you just have somebody that you can talk to that can just even have empathy for what you're dealing with is so huge.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:35

Yeah, there's people out there that love you.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:38

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:39

Don't ever forget up.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:40

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:42

All right.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:43

All right, guys. We love you.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:46

That's cute. Oh, that is sweet. Yeah, we do love you.

SPEAKER_04 1:02:49

Yeah, we do.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:51

You're so cute. You're a good person. Thanks. You're welcome. All right, tootles.