Podcast Summary: "Can I Walk With You, Annie?"
Podcast: Can I Walk With You?
Host: Thoraya
Release Date: June 2, 2025
Introduction
In the inaugural episode of Season One titled "Can I Walk With You, Annie?", host Thoraya embarks on a heartfelt journey through the bustling streets of New York City, engaging in spontaneous and authentic conversations with strangers she encounters. This episode delves deep into themes of connection, identity, resilience, and the human spirit, all set against the backdrop of America’s most walkable city.
Initial Encounter and First Impressions
The episode opens with Thoraya approaching a passerby to ask for permission to walk alongside them. The initial attempt is met with a language barrier when the individual responds, "Sorry, I don't speak English." (00:25). Undeterred, Thoraya persists, eventually securing permission to accompany the person, revealing her cousin is the cameraman. This moment sets the stage for genuine human interaction and the challenges of initiating conversations with strangers.
Notable Quote:
"It always feels so weird when I'm, like, chasing someone from behind... I just feel too creepy and I have to give up." (00:00) — Thoraya
Meeting Annie: A Story of Resilience
Thoraya’s walk leads her to Annie, who introduces herself as a restaurant manager originally from South Carolina but now residing in New York for the past two years. The conversation quickly uncovers Annie’s journey and the challenges she faced upon moving to New York.
Annie's Journey: Annie shares her story of moving to Brooklyn on a whim, inspired by a chance encounter and a deep-seated passion for the restaurant industry. She recounts how a simple conversation about her favorite book, "Setting the Table", planted the seed for her relocation. Overcoming initial hardships, including being dog-bitten on her last day of training, she highlights the supportive community in New York that helped her through a difficult period.
Notable Quotes:
"I managed to raise money for my GoFundMe... Everyone says New York, you know, hard place. But I've heard that people come together in moments of need." (04:10) — Annie
"There's something more. So I googled anxiety and retreat and I booked a one-way ticket to India..." (07:12) — Annie
Passion for the Restaurant Business
A significant portion of the conversation delves into Annie’s profound love for the restaurant industry. She describes herself as a "restaurant nerd," emphasizing her dedication to hospitality and genuine care for people. Her philosophy revolves around kindness, active listening, and creating a welcoming environment for all.
Annie's Philosophy: Annie believes in treating every restaurant as her home, ensuring that every guest feels valued and comfortable. She speaks passionately about the joy of connecting with people and the importance of empathy in her role.
Notable Quotes:
"I love taking care of people... Everyone has their own going on, so why be rude or mean?" (05:19) — Annie
"I treat every restaurant like it's my home. And when guests come in, I go out of my way to make them feel good." (05:56) — Annie
Personal Struggles and Triumphs
Annie opens up about her personal struggles, including the tragic loss of her twin brother during her college years. This event propelled her on a path of self-discovery and healing, leading her to undertake a silent retreat in India and extensive travels across Asia and Australia. These experiences significantly shaped her outlook on life and her commitment to her career.
Overcoming Adversity: The loss of her brother was a turning point for Annie, prompting her to seek deeper meaning and connection. Her travels and the support she received in New York reaffirmed her decision to stay and contribute positively to her community.
Notable Quotes:
"I lost my twin brother when I was in college... I felt wasn't connecting with people... I booked a one-way ticket to India." (07:54) — Annie
"New York will never scare me away... The way people came together... It was the most beautiful thing." (04:36) — Annie
Embracing Identity and Love
A poignant segment of the episode explores Annie’s journey towards embracing her identity as a gay woman. She candidly discusses her experiences with love, self-acceptance, and the complexities of coming out to her family.
Coming Out and Relationships: Annie reveals that she has known about her sexuality all her life but only recently felt comfortable embracing it fully. Her encounter with a woman whose dog bit her served as a catalyst for this realization. She shares her experiences with past relationships, highlighting the challenges and growth that came with accepting her true self.
Notable Quotes:
"I've known I've been gay my whole life... I fell in love with everybody... I have a giant crush on her." (11:44) — Annie
"When I told him I was gay, he said, 'Well, maybe a good thing, because I was always gonna be in love with you...'" (13:03) — Annie
Family Dynamics and Acceptance
Annie discusses her family's reactions to her coming out, noting the varying degrees of acceptance. While her mother is fully supportive, her father struggles to understand and accept her identity, believing mistakenly that being gay is a choice.
Family Support: Annie expresses hope for her father’s eventual acceptance and shares the emotional toll of navigating familial relationships while staying true to herself.
Notable Quotes:
"My mom's very accepting. My dad is coming around, but not as accepting... He thinks being gay is a choice, and you can change." (13:36) — Annie
"I said, 'Dad, you can't change me. I'm perfect the way I am.'" (13:36) — Annie
Professional Life and Future Aspirations
Returning to her professional life, Annie describes her current role at Rule of Thirds, a Japanese cuisine restaurant in Greenpoint. She speaks enthusiastically about her daily interactions with guests and her dream of expanding her horizons by opening a bed and breakfast.
Dreams and Aspirations: Annie envisions creating spaces where people feel connected and valued, much like her current work environment. Her dedication to her craft and her desire to foster meaningful connections underscore her commitment to the hospitality industry.
Notable Quotes:
"Bed and breakfast. The first restaurant I helped open in Charleston, seven rooms, a restaurant downstairs." (06:10) — Annie
"It's gonna be a nice chill Monday... I really get to slow down and connect with the guests." (15:01) — Annie
Handling Emotions and Mental Health
Annie touches upon the emotional challenges she faces, including feelings of loneliness and anger. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and naming these emotions to better understand and manage them.
Mental Health Insights: Through her candid discussion, Annie highlights the significance of self-awareness and the role of therapy in navigating complex emotions, particularly in the context of familial relationships and personal loss.
Notable Quotes:
"When I talk to my therapist sometimes about my dad's situation, I'm angry... What word did you say?" (15:30) — Annie
"I get lonely." (15:53) — Annie
Closing Message: Spreading Kindness
As their walk concludes, Annie leaves a heartfelt message for Thoraya’s audience, urging kindness and understanding in a world that can often feel isolating and challenging.
Final Thoughts: Annie’s closing remarks resonate deeply, encapsulating the episode’s core message of human connection and compassion.
Notable Quote:
"Spread kindness. The world is a hard, hard, hard place to live... be kind." (16:17) — Annie
Conclusion
"Can I Walk With You, Annie?" is a compelling episode that intertwines personal narratives with broader themes of acceptance, resilience, and the quest for meaningful connections. Through Annie’s story, listeners gain insight into the complexities of identity, the importance of community, and the enduring impact of kindness. Thoraya’s empathetic approach and the candid dialogue create an engaging and enriching listening experience, inviting audiences to reflect on their own journeys and the connections that shape them.
Listen to the full episode on Can I Walk With You? to immerse yourself in more heartfelt conversations and inspiring stories from the streets of New York City.