In the Lobby Podcast
Lobby Level: The Tale of Becoming Co-hosts, Platonic Friendship, and the Austin Dating Scene
Our heartfelt tale begins in the unlikeliest of places – a lobby where the buzz of conversation re-sparked a friendship destined to weave through career failures, the comfort of platonic friendship, and the laughter that only a great podcast co-hosting duo can share. As we share the origin story of 'In the Lobby,' join us for an episode that's part confessional, part celebration of the connections that come to define us. From impactful introductions to the awkwardness of denied podcast co-hosting that became a stepping stone to this very collaboration, our journey is as serendipitous as it is sincere.
Navigating the emotional baggage of breakups, the quirks of Austin's dating scene, and the importance of voicing our stories, we've discovered the therapeutic rhythm in sharing life's ups and downs. Whether it's the laughter that comes from recalling a Chili's date that somehow felt right or the introspection of differing dating expectations between the Big Apple and the Lone Star State, we've tackled it all. Each tale is a thread in the complex tapestry of modern relationships, where the line between personal and professional facades is as delicate as it is necessary.
There's a vibrancy in the stories we're set to share, the diverse perspectives of our guests, and the deeper connections we're eager to create with every one of you. So, whether you're here for dating insights, entertainment, or just to feel like you're part of the gang, remember: “In the Lobby” is where it's going down!
As the lobby doors slide open to welcome our listeners to our first season, we're rolling out a weekly invitation to join us every Thursday "In the Lobby".
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
You can follow In the Lobby Podcast: @inthelobbypod
You can follow Cassandra Jean:
@paininmycass_
You can follow Roger Braxton:
@arrogee
Our heartfelt tale begins in the unlikeliest of places – a lobby where the buzz of conversation re-sparked a friendship destined to weave through career failures, the comfort of platonic friendship, and the laughter that only a great podcast co-hosting duo can share. As we share the origin story of 'In the Lobby,' join us for an episode that's part confessional, part celebration of the connections that come to define us. From impactful introductions to the awkwardness of denied podcast co-hosting that became a stepping stone to this very collaboration, our journey is as serendipitous as it is sincere.
Navigating the emotional baggage of breakups, the quirks of Austin's dating scene, and the importance of voicing our stories, we've discovered the therapeutic rhythm in sharing life's ups and downs. Whether it's the laughter that comes from recalling a Chili's date that somehow felt right or the introspection of differing dating expectations between the Big Apple and the Lone Star State, we've tackled it all. Each tale is a thread in the complex tapestry of modern relationships, where the line between personal and professional facades is as delicate as it is necessary.
There's a vibrancy in the stories we're set to share, the diverse perspectives of our guests, and the deeper connections we're eager to create with every one of you. So, whether you're here for dating insights, entertainment, or just to feel like you're part of the gang, remember: “In the Lobby” is where it's going down!
As the lobby doors slide open to welcome our listeners to our first season, we're rolling out a weekly invitation to join us every Thursday "In the Lobby".
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
You can follow In the Lobby Podcast: @inthelobbypod
You can follow Cassandra Jean:
@paininmycass_
You can follow Roger Braxton:
@arrogee
Okay, you ready to do this? I'm ready, I'm excited, I'm so nervous. Okay, welcome to In the Lobby podcast. I'm so pumped to be sitting here doing this with you. I'm Cass this is Roger over here so excited that we're doing this podcast together. Are you excited?
Speaker 2:I think the biggest thing is that it's been a long time coming. I'm happy to have a stage and a platform where we get to enjoy some of the conversations we have in private and put it on a camera.
Speaker 1:For sure. I feel like I've already known you for a long time. How many?
Speaker 2:years now.
Speaker 1:Like two or three years. That's crazy. And we met here in Austin at Wanderlust Wine Company.
Speaker 2:I feel like COVID just makes me forget how much time has gone by. I mean, what three years? And before that we were enjoying ourselves grabbing wine at Wanderlust.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, that was like three years ago and I just have to give a huge shout out to Sammy who runs Wanderlust. Oh, yeah great guy. Yeah, like the things that they're doing there with their tap wine is so cool have you been to the second location. I have yeah, I have not yet. I mean the Wine Wednesday event that he was having for a while there. It was such a good networking event and that's where I met you and that's where we kind of became friends. I was prospecting.
Speaker 2:I was at work, off of work, like you were in my book of business at a CRM company I was at and I was trying to get you to become a client. You've got to talk louder. I was trying to get you to become a client.
Speaker 1:Yeah, hold on. Sorry, I'm going to breathe there for a second, but you've got to talk louder, really, okay.
Speaker 2:Maybe I should move it closer. Oh, interesting.
Speaker 1:It's like you're no, it's fine. Okay, yeah, we'll just jump back into it. Yeah, so we are at Wanderlust and you were trying to prospect me as a client for a CRM company that you were working for.
Speaker 2:I was hunting when I was off of work? Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1:So I said, roger, if you're going to try and have me use your CRM that you were trying to sell me, then you're going to have to buy me a drink and I use that tap to my advantage. Yeah, the wine tap for sure, and I don't even think you were drinking wine, you were drinking like the Margarita mix Margarita. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Big tequila guy over here.
Speaker 1:Yeah, do you not drink wine?
Speaker 2:I'm a red wine guy, but I just have a hard time to chug it or enjoy it any other way than over some good music at home watching a movie. If I'm chugging red wine, we have a problem.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I mean I know that even when I met you at Wanderlust you were like talking to another chick kind of and I just came up in there. I was like you know what this guy's trying to sell to me, so I know I can get a free drink out of him. Absolutely. And sure enough. You were a gentleman and you bought me a drink because I was a little bit pushy.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think that was one of my friends while I was there. But either way, you took the authority from that conversation and you definitely got yourself a drink, for sure, yeah.
Speaker 1:So I mean we kind of became friends there, yeah.
Speaker 2:I mean, I met somebody that I definitely respected the way in which you engaged in conversation and I definitely was for sure trying to get you to become a client while I was at the other company. But I think the more important thing was I agreed to respect you. I think you have a presence to you, you're not afraid of anybody and you don't really take any shit. So I mean, I mean that's somebody. I want my company to be honest with you.
Speaker 1:It was funny because, like we hung out then and then we kind of stopped hanging out for a little bit.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And then you needed a job at one point.
Speaker 2:I sure did.
Speaker 1:And I did my best. I helped you get a job. We kind of became coworkers.
Speaker 2:I feel like you set me up with a conversation with someone you knew I would get along with and it just hit off. I mean huge respects to that guy. I have a lot of respect for him and for him to give me the opportunity, but I don't want to talk about it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, I hear you cutting it Right.
Speaker 2:I think it was just more you network appropriately and you connect your connector. I think that's another thing why I definitely enjoy you in my company and my community of people, your connector and so am I. We know a lot of people and it's always nice to connect people you know will get along, and I think we both kind of have that answer sometimes.
Speaker 1:No, I love that you're saying that, because I feel like I'm such a connector. And it cracks me up, though, because I feel like all peace people I know together and then they'll make so much money from like the connections I've like thrown their way.
Speaker 2:What about me?
Speaker 1:I'm really leaving money on the table, like I should be charging referral fees.
Speaker 2:I feel like you're just doing it for the right reasons.
Speaker 1:I am Otherwise it becomes a manipulation. Oh, for sure, yeah, but then you know our podcast, the premise of it, yeah, the name.
Speaker 2:Well, I think we got to give some more history right. Like you, you know, I did ask to be on your podcast when it was just you.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You had your own show going and I told you, I really wanted to be a part and you told me a flat out hell, no.
Speaker 1:I forgot about that because when we were coworkers at the tech company, we were working for it together. I think this was like two, three years ago. No, it was like two years ago.
Speaker 2:Two years ago now.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I was developing my own podcast and you asked me. When I told you that I was doing this, you were like can I be a co-host? And I was literally like fuck, no.
Speaker 2:Oh, I was super excited. I thought I thought I had the answer. Yeah, no, you were so ready to go.
Speaker 1:I thought it was sweet that you asked me. But I was like, look, this is a one woman show and I'm going to make this happen, and at the time I was putting so much like equity and sweat and blood and tears sweat equity into this little podcast that I was building. You know, like I was watching all of these YouTube videos about how to do a podcast.
Speaker 2:But was this like something you always knew you wanted to do? Because I feel like podcasting is something that's kind of like hitting off.
Speaker 1:Yeah, really recently.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but is this more of like a passion project, or you just were that kid, that kind of like, had a microphone in front of you when you were younger?
Speaker 1:No, that's a good question, but I first started trying to do a podcast in 2019 actually and I recorded a clip like a little podcast intro and I posted it and I got such like negative feedback from my friends. They were really mean.
Speaker 2:Was this on YouTube, or what?
Speaker 1:It was, I think it was hosted on like Spotify, like I was doing it through a hosting platform, and it really affected me getting negative feedback on something that I was so excited about, so then I just kind of scrapped it, which is, you know, not the best thing to do.
Speaker 2:No, I don't think it's the worst thing, yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but then I feel like what happened for me and why I really got re-involved in the podcasting space is I talk, I swear, swear. This is the last time I'm talking about this, but I went through a really, really bad breakup, like it literally broke me as a person and we've got them all. Yeah, it took me to the lowest lows I've ever been in my entire life and it still, like, deeply affects me to this day, and so I was trying to pull a Taylor Swift, olivia Rodrigo situation where I was like and then negative energy is something positive.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:I feel like when you're sad, that's when, like, some of the best songs come out, that's when artists make some of their best music. You know, and I was like I can utilize this sadness to express myself in a creative way.
Speaker 2:Do you feel like you talked about your ex a lot when you first started podcasting, or that was just purely your gas to your engine?
Speaker 1:So yes. I know um, the first episode I did on that podcast was a situation ship, and it was the first Situation ship after my ex, and so it was me telling that story.
Speaker 2:I don't know this. Did you like this guy? What's going on?
Speaker 1:Yeah, but he was weird, okay, and so I know some weird ones out there. There's some weird ones. So I feel like it was me talking a lot about Relationships and dating and things of that sort, you know.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think For me it's a little different, right, I definitely have experienced exes and breakups and dating. I think dating in Austin is a whole different animal.
Speaker 1:It's one where no one's really from here.
Speaker 2:You happen to be a little bit of that unicorn right.
Speaker 2:I won't get into where we're from, but For me I like to just talk about it from the other side of it, and it's less of me and my dating experiences and more of like I think Austin dating has offered me to realize places where I had shortcomings and places where I wasn't the best. Um, I think I have this tendency to want to keep people in my life under any means necessary, just for the idea of people are always growing like. You're learning about people always, and I like to give grace the same way I want to be given grace, but as that's going on, sometimes you got to learn less in the hard way and I think I I've been humbled. Honestly, I've been humbled by some of those experiences where people needed to remove me from their life, and I've been lucky enough to be in the city and experience some awesome people, but also people that aren't from Austin, and Stay away from holding those people in when it's not good or healthy.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and be humbled and accept it because guys really don't learn until they put their hand in the fire. Sometimes, right Right, getting some of that advice is kind of like through life lessons and learning experiences. So I think I've had those and those fair share of those have been great and I've done my reflection and it's made me a better person. I'm happy.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, I mean, and that's that's what it was for me, like as a woman, my podcast was like a therapeutic love kind of outlet, love, but being like a business professional. You know, I didn't want to have like a call her daddy type podcast where I was talking about my sex life and my relationships and having sex in a car or whatever was going on, you know.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean caller, caller. Daddy can get pretty explicit.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and so I was like, you know, I kind of took a break from doing my podcast, yeah, because I was like how is this going to affect my professional career, career, yeah, with the things that I'm putting out? So I took a pause.
Speaker 2:You and I kind of, you know, you left the company that I was working at one of those life lessons, yeah and uh, that pause like where you and I Really didn't speak for a while. I think that was almost a half a year.
Speaker 1:I was really mad at you. I know, I know, and rightfully so. I just I deserved it and I. For everybody here.
Speaker 2:It's the. It was the moment that helped to create where we are today. Though, right, like there's, there's a sense of beauty behind it because After that six months stint of us not communicating, it ended up turning into you and I reconnecting and rekindling in in the lobby. Right, we were in a lobby. I, cassandra, had not talked to me for half a year. I was so excited to see you but so afraid to say hi. Of course, you know I did Went up to you and just really went right in to just say hey, like I miss you. I miss my friend Um, you and I, we're not those friends that have been sexual.
Speaker 1:There's no Weirdness here, there's nothing behind it, and that's what Packs me up is because you always bring this up. Like anytime we've pitched our podcast so far, roger's always like we're not fucking. Though I'm like, I'm like, why is he bringing this up? Because, like it doesn't even like. As a female, I just like don't even think about these things.
Speaker 2:But as a male like I guess you're seeing, like how people would perceive us perceptions, reality, right, like there's a version of that where people will take stuff and run. They can hear half the story or A version of it or just what you look like, and I'd like to think we both represent ourselves well. So if we're representing ourselves well, hanging out all the time, yeah, people are gonna at some point have their own assumed version of who we are and with us not.
Speaker 2:I think it's so much better for the idea of I tell you everything, you tell me everything, and Having a woman in my court, but, more importantly, a woman that gives me great counsel and corrects me when I'm wrong. It's pretty fun.
Speaker 1:Honestly, I'm growing every day. Yeah, and I love it. I feel like we have like a great like business, like partnership relationship.
Speaker 2:You're my dog, I know.
Speaker 1:Uh, and just so, uh, any guys know I'm single, so we are putting sandra on the market, so so funny, yeah, I mean, and that was like kind of where this like idea sparked from us doing this podcast together was after like we rekindled things in the lobby. We were like we're gonna call our podcast in the lobby, because A lobby is where you hear a lot of different conversations, we hear a lot of people talking, and we were like we want to hear people's stories at a deeper level, you know.
Speaker 2:I mean you accepted mine right, like you accepted mine at a deeper level in that lobby, and it was one where that was like our moment and it was like that light bulb went off and we reconnected what day or so later and just thought to really go on with this podcast, and I think that was the day you accepted me to Quarterly be your co-host.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, and like it's. I'm tough, like I'm not like an easy person to like get into, like my inner circle, my inner world. And you know, maybe some of that comes from like hurt and like being hurt by people in the past, um, but when I decided to do this with you, that was like a big thing, saying like Rogers in my circle and we're gonna do this together. Yeah, you know.
Speaker 2:I think there's a version of like you've just been somehow directly associated with my circle by knowing people who have been in my circle or just being around the right moments, whether it be a co-worker, wonderlust, where we first met in my book of business when I was hunting you to become a client, um you just always have been associated with the right circles around me and I again, I respect you for it. Yeah, everyone respects you and I'm very happy to be associated with you.
Speaker 1:That is so nice. Yeah so sweet, yeah, and I mean, I feel like that's what makes Austin so special. Is like this. It is like a small we would have never met.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it wasn't for Austin.
Speaker 1:I know it's like a very special Small network that's growing, yeah, but that's what I wanted our podcast to kind of encompass. Together, it's like I've lived here since I was three years old and I'm 29.
Speaker 2:Well, I'm at like six years now.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that's what I'm saying, is like living here so long I feel like I know everybody and I do feel like I'm a connector, like I have friends Brad, amy and Justin. Justin, they went on Shark Tank, did beatbox beverages, had mark Cuban invest in their business. Um, I was right investor right, investor right, but they're out of Austin.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I have friends, joe and Travis and Becca, who are one of the couples that, like pitched their idea on Shark Tank, or how'd they know, mark Cuban?
Speaker 1:So Brad, justin and Amy, they went on Shark Tank and pitched it to mark Cuban I gotta go watch this episode. Yeah, it's a really good episode. Um so I know them. Like you know my friends Joe and Travis, who are amazon sellers they're a top hundred amazon seller. Their company did a hundred million, I think, last year. I mean even this podcast studio we're sitting in. My friends Jake and Ryan have built out this business pouch six studios.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's great guys, those are really good they're such good guys and I'm so proud of them.
Speaker 1:Like seeing the way that they've grown their business and if anyone ever needs a studio, pouch six studios they got a nice Batman robin thing going on. They really do. Yeah, and that's what I feel like is so nice.
Speaker 2:I'm not sure who's who. I feel like they switch. They do switch yeah.
Speaker 1:I feel like having this network in Austin and just seeing my friends and growing up with them and seeing this successful circle of people that really is in Austin.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, for me it's like I definitely have similar Circles. I mean, we've already discussed a version of that, but I mean I feel as if I have the bug. A lot of my friends are on dating shows and and one just most recently one, the Bachelorette Nate.
Speaker 2:What's going on, man, miss, you Shoot your boy. Tex, I'm tired of reaching out. You need to make this even and fair. Man, and One of our guests for this season, mike Johnson Uh, great guy, totally close to my circle. We know a lot of the same people, but, more importantly, I think you meet people that you're supposed to know for a long time here in Austin. I don't feel as if any of the friendships that I've had have been short-winded or even on a version of fake or false. You get to really meet some genuine people here, because a lot of people aren't from here and they're looking for their own version or sense of community.
Speaker 2:So in the lobby, you're going to be able to meet some other great people that might inspire you for an idea or two for your own.
Speaker 1:I mean, I'm just with what you're talking about. I'm even just thinking we're sitting like literally in the collective gym here in Austin within the studio. But just even the collective is such a sphere of networking and connection and community. So it's such a cool place to kind of get to host our podcast out of yeah, so I'm really excited about that, are we?
Speaker 2:working on after this.
Speaker 1:I gotta get swole Already, yeah, but I mean that's what this is all about. And like people kept asking me they're like what am I going to get out of this show? What is the premise of in the lobby? And what I want it to be is where people can really authentically share their stories, like no bullshit. Like I want people to be vulnerable and really like tell the story of who they are and how they got their success, and that's what's going to really inspire other people to achieve their own success.
Speaker 2:I mean how many people have misconceptions about them, have versions of a story being told how they reached their level of success, or even their greatest hiccup or their greatest pitfall in life? Is their stories being told about them about from someone else, right? So it's going to be a great platform where people really do get the ability to tell their side of the story, separate of their side of the story, let people know a version of them that you just not going to be able to get exposure on.
Speaker 1:I love that you said that, like especially the misconception piece. Yeah, because I feel like, personally, there's so many misconceptions that I hear about myself all the time Join the club. I mean, it's difficult, because I feel like people look at me a lot of times and they're like, oh, she's blonde and she's pretty and she dresses well, so she must come from money and I have to do my own self up. I do believe in myself, I really do.
Speaker 2:You have to believe in yourself, but you hear that y'all, you both, starts with you.
Speaker 1:It does. But like I feel like there's so many misconceptions about me and it's like there's so much more than what people see than, like, what meets the eye, Like I've been through a lot of hard things in my life and a lot of struggles that people would have no idea about because I don't talk about them for sure. You know, and I think sometimes people who don't talk about their struggles are some of the people who have had the hardest struggles.
Speaker 2:And their story gets told by someone else. I mean I feel like almost like a broken record because I'll repeat that. But there's versions of you. Like, as I get to know you more over the years, I mean I just get more and more surprised. I mean I'll bring it to one point. I mean I know you're an Austin unicorn and have been here a majority of your life, but maybe get into a little bit about like where you're originally from, because I think that's also that's a part of your story that I think the rest of the world really should have access to.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's kind of fun.
Speaker 1:That's because, like I do, consider myself like an Austin unicorn.
Speaker 2:But I'm really I do. I've been here six years. I can't even get the version of Austin Night Out.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I consider myself an Austin unicorn, but I was born in Sydney, australia, and then I've lived here since I was three, grew up like Lake Travis area, went to high school out there.
Speaker 2:Who's from Sydney, mom dad neither, neither.
Speaker 1:Yeah, my there, no, like I really have. No, I have no claim to Australia other than me thinking that I kind of look like Margot Robbie and maybe could take a run, but just like cast calm down.
Speaker 2:I will say this for the Margot Robbie comment. She's the one that played Barbie, right?
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:I mean, everything you have other than the shirt on today is typically pink. It's very fitting for you. That is the case.
Speaker 1:I'm very big. I mean, aren't your nails pink right now they're red. I'm very big into like branding, like even personal branding.
Speaker 2:So, like.
Speaker 1:Everything in my place is like pink Barbie playboy with Margot Robbie, for you See, there we go. But no, I have no claim to Australia. Okay, other than my parents were over there for three years. My dad was over there for work, franchising chilies. Yeah, like back in the 90s when chilies was like cool.
Speaker 2:Is it weird I feel like you think of chilies and you don't really probably associate it with Australia. No, I always thought of like chilies is only here domestically in the US. That's a fun fact for me, right? Like I may use that as my fun fact in a board game or something like. That's just interesting to know.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean I think he was franchising them in Asia to like Kuala Lumpur. It's crazy because I mean chilies is very like American.
Speaker 2:I don't know what you're, what you go to dish at chilies. I got one.
Speaker 1:Are they just the queso? Whatever that queso is.
Speaker 2:So is good, I don't really eat there. Oh my god, my first date was at chilies and I'm I thought I was doing something. I really thought I was onto it. I think I got like a Shirley Temple for both of us. You know had the big baller budget and I had to go with like they had this hot plate where they just like grill everything right there in front of you what steak shrimp? And I was like, all right, you know, maybe she she'll be impressed, she's not.
Speaker 1:Have you seen the video clips of women saying that, like, don't take me to the cheesecake factory for a date?
Speaker 2:Oh, I stopped with those. I turned into a coffee date guy after.
Speaker 1:But I feel like, I feel like chilies is on the same playing field as like a cheesecake factory date.
Speaker 2:I mean we, could we let's bring this back to dating to ask you a question Where's your date spot in Austin? Yeah, and maybe you don't have a date spot. I know I used to have a good old, faithful date spot. It's changed over the years but, yeah, I want to hear from you. I wonder what it's like on the, on the woman's end, like do you have?
Speaker 1:well, I shouldn't be planning dates, Okay that's fair.
Speaker 2:Let's say, you do plan a date.
Speaker 1:Do you want to know something? I'm supposed to go on a date tomorrow, okay, and the guy texted me. He was like what are you thinking? Or something like that. And I was like I have to be somewhere at seven, but I'll let you take the lead. You can plan whatever we're doing.
Speaker 2:So he's getting, he's letting you plan.
Speaker 1:No, no, no no no, I told him. He asked me what I wanted to do and I said I'll let you take the lead. Good, because I'm not I think that's important.
Speaker 2:Is that for all dates, or is that only like first date, second date, third date, fourth date, like do you have a day where that stops, or is that just an always thing for you and that's okay? If it is yeah, it's your autonomy, do whatever the hell you want.
Speaker 1:But I like the man to lead. Okay, yeah.
Speaker 2:Love that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I just want to be walking around like all stupid and they're just like, oh no, this way, cass, and I'm like, oh okay.
Speaker 2:It's funny because you're definitely not stupid. No, I'm not. You are, you're this maybe one of those misconceptions you're like a marketing guru, that's sweet, you're very good at what you do, but I think I think it's more like turning off right, like you get to have that comfortability factor that you can turn off with somebody, yeah, and do you think that's kind of like something that benefits you to like that person if you can turn off with them?
Speaker 1:Or does that?
Speaker 2:take time.
Speaker 1:No, I want to be able to turn off with someone. I saw this meme the other day and it was like I want my man to treat me like a pet and that sounds so bad I'm gonna get it for that.
Speaker 2:I don't think it's the name of the guy. That's not what I mean.
Speaker 1:I think it's funny yeah because I do want to be pampered like a pet First of all, like it's not even pampering, it's like I feel like I'm in my masculine so much like with work. Oh yeah that I just want a man that for once, is like oh no, I'm gonna make dinner reservations here, be there at seven, gonna pick you up. I don't even think that's asking a lot.
Speaker 2:I think that's the bare minimum.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:I can also say I understand, because for you, you're really doing a lot of balancing during the day and it feels like the tech world is really male dominated and seeing you operate and move in certain rooms in the tech space, I feel as if it could be tiring sometimes. Just the way in which you have to, like, really not only shoot your shot but make every single one. And you do, but you make sure it's known when you do. That's okay, that's okay, and that's only because I've had access to work with you. Right, right, that's really my bias. I'm speaking off of my experience with you, but I relate that to your answer and I could see where you would just want to get off of work and have somebody else handle it. Yeah, and that's the end of the day.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's all I want. I mean, you came to Austin from New York, yes.
Speaker 2:Yes, I did. I came from New York. I moved here for work at the time. It was a company that's like has some ties to my family, one where I thought it was gonna be the place I forever worked at and I retired, didn't work out that way, ended up really contemplated if I wanted to stay in Austin and I was in this version of reflection. Also, I was in a relationship at the time and really didn't know what was next and trying to figure out am I gonna stay in Austin or leave?
Speaker 2:I swear to you cast, every single time I tried to leave Austin, there was always something pulling me back, whether it be a job offer, a new experience, a way in which I could graduate to a new level of mental clarity or a better sense of self or a better sense of mental health. Like this city has just done a lot for me. It's been a stomping ground, a healing ground, and it's also really just expanded my perspective on a lot. So I've been thankful to be here. For what? Six years now, and coming from New York, I feel like in New York, everything's due yesterday, like there's nothing, to, where you're kind of sit there, enjoy things for a little bit. And plus, I like to talk. I don't know how many people were my biggest fan in New York. I'm a talker, you know. I wanna get to know people. I wanna go into depth and just try to hear a little bit more about your story. So Austin's been real well for me, but yes, originally from New York.
Speaker 1:I mean, I think that's interesting because I feel like you're talking a little bit about the hustle and bustle of New York culture. Oh yeah, but I feel like Austin. I feel like Austin like Austin's getting there for sure.
Speaker 2:I mean, I'm comfortable here for a reason let's put it that way, right Like I still have that New York hustle to me, Right, and I think Austin offers me a lot of that comfortability. But there's also some perks and sides of it that are very different and not like New York. So I'm thankful for that Right Cause it allows me to be a little bit more present and also experience some things that I don't know if I would have experience in New York.
Speaker 1:Truly, Were you when you were in New York, were you dating at the time? Cause I'd be curious to know what the dating is like, different between New York and Austin, because the one thing I would think about New York is there's so many people. I would feel like people would be non-committal there just because of the population numbers.
Speaker 2:I think it's a good question and it's one where I'm happy the platform is a place where I can kind of answer it. I was in a seven year relationship when I was in New York. I was with somebody who was just really great right on time for my life. I really have no negative things to say about NEX, Unless a few, maybe a few but-.
Speaker 1:You would have some feelings you don't have to have.
Speaker 2:But yeah, I'll keep that to myself, right, I think at the end of the day.
Speaker 2:Everybody has their own experience and you want to respect that. But I had a seven year ex and my first time really putting myself out there in a dating market not like, oh, we broke up for a week, two weeks, I'm gonna go talk to a friend and I'm gonna date for a week and meet up with somebody. But no, seriously taking the lead on spearheading my experience of dating, my first time on a dating app was in Austin and I don't know if I'm really gonna be the best person to answer what dating was like in New York. I will say that my friends' experiences were very much so similar to how you explained it. There's just a. It's a fast moving revolving door, if you want it to be, but also at the same time, you can really meet some great people and do some of my friends. They're married now.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean Austin probably has a similar problem.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, I'd probably say so for sure.
Speaker 1:And we were talking about this. Yeah, and I feel like there's going to be times on this podcast where we're like, conflicted with our answers on things, because and that's what I love about having a co-host Cause I'm coming in with my own female perspective and then we got the male perspective over there and I was talking to you the other day about Peter Pan syndrome in Austin.
Speaker 2:And.
Speaker 1:I looked at you and I kind of started thinking about myself and I was like, do I have?
Speaker 2:I thought you were going to say. You looked at me and you're like does he have Peter?
Speaker 1:Pan syndrome. No, I wasn't going to tell you that I started. I was like I was like going to say something negative about, like you know, all the men have Peter Pan syndrome, but I was like I'm 29 and I'm single.
Speaker 2:No, but I mean, what's? What's the answer nowadays? Right, like, I think what you're doing is you're really putting your career first and you've had I think you've you've been in love before. If I could answer for you, is that correct? Yeah, yeah, and you've had some amazing experiences, but you've also been jaded by the bad ones, right, like we all get that way and it's just a matter of like, how fast do you want to be? Or like, how far do you want to go in that healing process? And I think, from what I know, you've really been focused on your career and it's paying off. I mean, look at you here today, like there's not one person that knows you in your professional world that wouldn't brag about you. So it's, it's what you make it.
Speaker 1:That's super sweet. I think the thing for me and like why I've stayed single for so long is it's like the person right and like I'll go on dates with guys in Austin and they'll do a lot of nice things, like they'll take me to Uchi or to dinner.
Speaker 2:Is Uchi the answer?
Speaker 1:No, this is what I don't understand.
Speaker 2:I feel like there's a big misconception around that.
Speaker 1:This is what I have a hard time with. The men that I go on dates with is like I cannot be bought.
Speaker 2:I love that. Like that is not that cast. I cannot be bought me either.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I think that they start realizing when they're taking me on dates. Yeah this is not gonna be an easy process. Yeah you know, and that leads out a lot of people what If you feel that someone is trying to buy you?
Speaker 2:What is, like, your natural, natural reaction? Is it to end the date or is it to like try to get them to snap out of it and just Be themselves and be a little bit more authentic?
Speaker 1:I have a hard time with this. Yeah, because I feel like, at the end of the day, Shoot.
Speaker 2:I have a hard time cutting people out of my life Like. I know I've been the poison in other people's lives like I've had to recognize that yeah reflect on it and get better at this. It's not easy to become better. But at least you notice it, like you noticing that I think that that's a game changer for you.
Speaker 1:Well, I feel like, at the end of the day, like we're manipulative People yeah right or human beings are manipulative, absolutely so. It's like you know, there's probably something I want out of this person and there's probably something they want out of me. Yeah, and I'm not saying that's the right way to look at it, but there is kind of like a value trade.
Speaker 2:It's reciprocity right. Right like you want to sit Among somebody and I feel like we have that right, like there's a version of reciprocity. I know that I can exist in a conversation with you and you're gonna tell me something or expose me to something that I Haven't been exposed to or don't know, or maybe I'm not considering in a certain way and I think we always want that in our relationships as well there's probably just some more silos of dynamic that it touches upon, but yeah, I think that that that can be true there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I mean I can. I can tell when someone's trying to buy me how.
Speaker 2:What's the first move?
Speaker 1:Take me to a nice restaurant. This just happened to me I had a guy take me to a nice restaurant.
Speaker 2:I want to know if my restaurant when I would go on dates was like I definitely was not this guy took me to a restaurant.
Speaker 1:He was talking to me and he was talking about like bags that he had bought for women, like purses, like what's your? He's asking me what my favorite designer brand was and in my eyes I this is just me personally I'm listening and thinking this man is trying to Pick up from me what brands I like, thinking he can buy me a bag that I'll sleep with him, which is absolutely not the case.
Speaker 2:I'd hope you take the bag though.
Speaker 1:No, there's. There's women that are very interested in that they really are, and sometimes I wish I was. Yeah, because I'm like go get your bag, but I want something deep. I want something meaningful, yeah, and About a piece of fabric, is not it? Well?
Speaker 2:I think the scarier thing for me is that people believe that that's it right, like people will Host it or boast and brag about getting somebody something to say they're deserving of more because of that. Like no, there's always an exchange of things and it's just it works out that way. It shouldn't be your be all end all for any experience right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, I Don't know. It's tough, like, how is dating been for you and your experiences in Austin?
Speaker 2:I feel like I touched on it the way I want to, okay.
Speaker 1:I'll leave you alone, yeah.
Speaker 2:I think for me it's just, it's been a little bit different, but I will say I've learned a lot, honestly, yeah, and it's probably probably back to that other point I made where I've had to Realize that I've been the poison for some other people before, right, and I have a little bit of a toxic trait where I I think it's it come from a good place, right. Like I believe in people, I believe that people are always growing to become their best version of themselves. I believe that you should give everybody grace, like you don't know what somebody deals with in their day or what's going on, and that should be live and well. But there should also be a version of boundaries in that, and I don't know how much I've always existed in that and I would hold people on for too long so to know that. And then other people had the authority and, honestly, the the ability to cut me out when it was probably rightfully so, not even probably it was rightfully so.
Speaker 2:I've really had to sit with that and reflect and become a better person and I, honestly, I'm always growing and I'm okay with it. So, just always in growth mode, that's all. Yeah, yeah, that's my, that's my, my answer on dating. Yeah, but I will say I would probably want to go into one thing about dating and it's the version of me picking out my restaurant. I always pick up one restaurant where I want to make sure I kind of get that Answer from everybody that knows me well enough there at the restaurant if, if I look like I'm comfortable.
Speaker 1:Do you have a spot where, like I did, they wouldn't like? The staff would know you it was Wu Chao.
Speaker 2:We found Austin. It just offered me this version of a New York vibe when I was in there, and it was kind of also one of the places I first went to when I got here. But they would just always give me that that head nod or something if I look like I was uncomfortable and your feelings and emotions can lie to you when you're in front of someone right, and they kind of would look out for me.
Speaker 2:But I have since changed. I no longer do that and I'm more of a coffee day guy if I ever did need to go on a date. But I don't need to go on dates anymore, so that's all that's awesome. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, you know, I think it's tough, like with the dating situation.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:You know how standard is, you know, but like it's a part of our history too, right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, this episode is so people can get to know more about us, and what better way to get to know somebody who's in this, this highlight of their life that's it's a highlight reel, right like you get to know who somebody is and how they've experienced life, and Maybe even like what their exposure has been here and also certain people like certain things. Right, I feel as if my dating experience here has led me to different sides of the city, like one one side was a little bit more active. The other side was a little bit more party-esque. It's it's us like people should get to know about our dating.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, I think it's interesting what you said about Wu Chao and, like the staff knowing from your expressions, I like now want it.
Speaker 1:But like I mean, when you're Happy with someone you're on a date with, it's so evident, like at least for me. Like I know I look like a giddy little schoolgirl and there's so many times I'll like go on dates, yeah, and I'll just like not even think about what I'm going to wear. And those are the times I know I'm not that interested, because if it's anyone I really like there's a lot of thought going into that outfit. And I know you like your fashion yeah.
Speaker 2:I will say everybody will get some exposure to my favorite outfits.
Speaker 1:Yeah, in each season.
Speaker 2:You have a lot of clothes. I'm a clothes guy, yeah well, sneakers to. I like the most big sneaker guy, my sister. She's got me obsessed with sneakers.
Speaker 2:I think that's like a New Yorker, like New Yorkers love sneakers my sister and brother I probably both of them, honestly, my older brother or the sister. They just always had great shoe selection and you know, I was the younger brother always trying to wear their stuff and they would help me out. My sister she was always fashionable with sneakers, so there's a time where I was the same size as her. For sure I would wear her stuff, but I'm not a heel guy. Now where are my sisters? Heels?
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, that's funny.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean the other thing I would want to say is what do you feel has been kind of like your greatest lesson? Maybe over the most recent time since COVID, because I think a lot of friendships have changed, a lot of people have Picked up new hobbies or whatever may have it. Do you think you've picked up a new hobby or something that has been Thrilling Like?
Speaker 1:I feel like the last few years have been some of the loneliest, yeah, years of my life and it's like the biggest gift that I've ever had, because I've never had to go so deeply Internally by myself and really face myself and I just, yeah, I feel like a lot of people don't do that or don't take the time to heal from things. Yeah, and I've spent so much time getting up early like I would go on walks at 4 am Listening to affirmation, like I literally look at myself in the mirror and like tell myself things, write the little sticky notes, do the vision boards, all of the woo-woo things.
Speaker 2:Yeah but, I mean, I'm not just yesing you, I do the same, like there's a version of me that believes in that. So it's like I really do respect you. Yeah, applause for you, for sure.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so I feel like out of being lonely, I grew into this version of myself that doesn't need anyone, so the people that I do have in my life are very specifically Chosen for who they are.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's like the first round draft picks over there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, the team are out, goodbye.
Speaker 2:I love it. I love it. I will say I feel as if I have some of the same experience. For sure, I've had to do a lot of that. That interpersonal work and some of that stuff has really gone back on the idea of like, what does community mean to me? And like, who do I want to be around me? Are they around me for the right reasons? Am I around them for the right reasons? And who do I want to be? And and how am I gonna get there in the most expeditious way? So I there's definitely some similarities there. I'm just happy that we can align and both be a part of each other's community. I'll take being a first-round draft pick any day.
Speaker 1:Thank you.
Speaker 2:I appreciate you and I you know, for everybody else that's tuning in, we're gonna have a lot of special guests here and An opportunity to get to know more about us in each and every episode. But come on back to the lobby. It's going down.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm so excited and we're gonna have like an episode released every week. Yes, every day, on Tuesday we're gonna have awesome guests and then we're gonna like our social stuff we got. We want you guys to follow.
Speaker 2:Yeah, tick tock Instagram. We're debating Twitter. We'll see, or X.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you can find us on Instagram and tick tock yeah at in the lobby pod Yep, and then we'll be streaming on Spotify, apple podcasts and a lot of the other ones, so YouTube as well. Youtube. So I got a lot of work to do, roger, you know.
Speaker 2:It's tough to be us.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm so excited, but, um, I'm gonna say something. I'm cutting all this going down. No, I mean, I think, if you want to say something though, you should say like come back to the lobby because you know it's going down. You say that. I'm gonna say it's going down, okay come back to the lobby. It's going down, going down so excited and I'm so thankful for you and Season one is just gonna be so much fun and we're gonna get to tell so many people's stories and I'm so excited for sure I'm pumped.
Speaker 2:Let's get after. I'll see you, girl.
Speaker 1:I'm gonna turn this off.
