Can I walk with you, Darla? (Episode 12)

Summary

Can I Walk With You, Darla? (Episode 12)

Podcast: Can I Walk With You?
Host: Thoraya
Guest: Darla
Date: September 18, 2025

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Overview

In the first episode of season one, host Thoraya sets off through the streets of New York City and strikes up a candid, spontaneous conversation with Darla, a 21-year-old student originally from Louisiana. As they walk, the two navigate topics like making friends in a new city, love, heartbreak, dating culture, and the value of genuine connection. The conversation is warm, vulnerable, and funny, capturing the magic of getting to know a stranger during a simple city walk.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Meeting on the Street & Podcast Concept

• Thoraya approaches Darla outside a golf store, asking if she would walk and talk for the podcast. Darla agrees, joking about “kidnapping” and quickly breaking the ice.
  • Memorable Quote:
    • “This is not like a kidnapping.” – Darla (00:29)
  • Thoraya explains her love for walking and talking as a means of connecting more deeply, aiming for a relaxed, friend-like conversation.
  • Quote:
    • “One of my favorite things to do with people I love is walk with them. And actually, it's one of my favorite ways to get to know someone, too.” – Thoraya (00:49)

Backgrounds & Adjusting to New York (01:55–02:52)

• Both Darla and Thoraya are transplants: Thoraya from San Diego, Darla from Louisiana.
• Darla moved for school (Fashion Institute of Technology) and work in fashion manufacturing.
  • Both describe the isolating aspects of living in a new city and their efforts to make new friends.
  • Darla opens up about her shyness and how forming genuine friendships has made her happier.
  • Quote:
    • “I was always so shy when I was younger, and now I'm, like, here for some reason. So it's, like, very weird.” – Darla (02:09)

Friendship & Loneliness in a Big City (02:52–03:37)

• Darla shares feelings of isolation through her first two years in NYC—blaming her introversion for a lack of friends—then finding happiness as she expands her circle.
• She says she has “like five friends or so. But that's all you need, really.”
  • Thoraya affirms, “That's a good amount of friends, I think.” (03:34)
• Darla is honest about not having a love life, which leads to the next major conversation.

Choosing Between Passion and Security in Love (03:49–06:19)

• Thoraya poses a thought-provoking relationship scenario:
  • Would you choose a “crazy in love” but unstable relationship, or a safe, deeply loving relationship that “fits” better into your life?
  • Darla chooses safety, explaining,
    • “Safety is, like, I don't know, human instinct... having an additional person that you're, like, deeply in love with and can provide safety. I think that's more worth it.” (04:38)
  • Thoraya admits she'd go with the “crazy in love” option, hoping for that “best love story of all time.” (06:00)
  • Quote:
    • “You can't always be safe in this life. It's kind of boring.” – Darla (06:08)

Heartbreak, Lessons Learned & Zodiac Signs (07:00–08:20)

• Thoraya asks if Darla has had her heart broken. Darla describes a difficult past relationship with a “male Libra,” saying it affected her deeply and now makes her cautious.
  • Memorable Moment:
    • Darla openly navigates why she's avoided crazy-in-love situations, alluding to heartache and personal growth.
  • Darla talks astrology, swearing off “male Libras” and lamenting her pattern of attracting “Sagittarius” partners (“one of the worst signs I’ve ever fucking met in my life”).
  • The friends laugh about the quirks and grievances of dating by zodiac.

Hookup Culture, Dating Challenges, and Stepping Out of Comfort Zones (08:32–09:49)

• Darla shares her frustrations with dating, particularly with hookup culture, and her desire for something more secure. She expresses wishing she were less shy and more adventurous.
• Thoraya reassures her, pointing out:
  • “You're being out. You're going outside your comfort zone today.” (09:26)
• Both reflect on the value of saying yes to new experiences.

Wrapping Up: The Joy of Spontaneous Connection (09:49–10:17)

• As they approach Darla’s destination, both women express how natural and easy the conversation felt—like "talking to a best friend."
  • Quote:
    • “A nice conversation. I felt like I was just talking to like a best friend and it was totally normal.” – Darla (09:37)
• Thoraya thanks Darla for the genuine conversation as they part ways, both upbeat and grateful for the walk.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On why walking brings people together:

  • “I thought it would be cool to try to get to know a stranger on a walk.” – Thoraya (01:01)

• On the importance of friendship:

  • “Now I'm, like, trying to be, like, louder. You know what I mean? Get out there. Enslave.” – Darla (02:22)

• On choosing safe love over wild passion:

  • “The reason we're alive today, we use our safety switch in our brain. And having an additional person that you're, like, deeply in love with and can provide safety. I think that's more worth it.” – Darla (04:38)

• On past heartbreak:

  • “Like I went insane and I'm like, I don't feel like going insane anymore.” – Darla (07:39)

• On trying new things:

  • “You're going outside your comfort zone today.” – Thoraya (09:26)
  • “A nice conversation. I felt like I was just talking to like a best friend and it was totally normal.” – Darla (09:37)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:49 – Thoraya explains the walk-and-talk podcast concept
• 02:09 – Darla on moving to New York and adjusting
• 03:26 – Darla reflects on building a new friend group
• 04:38 – Darla chooses safety and security in relationships
• 06:00 – Thoraya defends the allure of crazy, passionate love
• 07:39 – Darla shares the heartbreak that changed her perspective
• 08:06 – Funny, honest takes on dating, signs, and “male Libras”
• 09:26 – Thoraya encourages Darla for stepping out of her comfort zone
• 09:37 – Both express how natural and easy the connection felt

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Tone and Style

The conversation is unscripted, light-hearted yet vulnerable, filled with moments of laughter, curiosity, and relatability. Thoraya and Darla speak candidly, often joking (“Do I seem like the type [to kidnap]?”) while also tackling heartfelt topics such as loneliness, love, and personal growth.

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Summary:
This debut New York episode of “Can I Walk With You?” is a testament to the bonds that can form in moments of openness and shared vulnerability. By the end of the walk, Darla and Thoraya’s conversation feels effortless and intimate, offering listeners a window into the beauty of authentic, in-the-moment connection—even (or perhaps especially) between strangers.

Transcript

[A]

Hey, I'm right in front of the golf store, but this person literally just asked me to do something for their podcast.

[B]

Okay, you ready?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Is there a specific spot you're walking to?

[A]

I was walking to the sample sale for Isabel Marant.

[B]

Who is that?

[A]

Some designer.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

She's retrending. I don't know.

[B]

She's what?

[A]

She's retrending.

[B]

Okay. How long of a walk do you think that is?

[A]

Like two minutes.

[B]

Two minutes. Do you mind walking longer than that?

[A]

Yeah, that's cool. This is not like a kidnapping.

[B]

Do I seem like the type? No.

[A]

Just making sure. You never know.

[B]

That's funny. What was your name?

[A]

My name's Darla.

[B]

Darla?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

What's yours?

[B]

Thoraya.

[A]

Thoraya. Nice.

[B]

Nice to meet you.

[A]

Nice to meet you.

[B]

Thanks for doing this. Of course. One of my favorite things to do with people I love is walk with them. And actually, it's one of my favorite ways to get to know someone, too.

[A]

I like that.

[B]

So that's why I thought of this. I thought it would be cool to try to get to know a stranger on a walk.

[A]

Oh, sorry, that's my friend Miranda. I'll see you in a second. Sorry.

[B]

So, yeah, the whole point is, hopefully we'll forget about the cameras and the fact that we're mic'd up and just, like, get to know each other. You know what I want it to feel like. Imagine your friend was like, hey, do you want to go for a walk?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And you would probably think of something that just happened, that you would tell them how your week was. I know it's hard to take your mind there.

[A]

No, that's perfectly fine. I feel like I could do this.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Sweet.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What are you doing today?

[B]

I'm doing this. And I'm not from here, so every time we're, like, done filming, we try to think of something exciting to do, like something fun.

[A]

Where are you from?

[B]

San Diego.

[A]

Oh, my God, that's so cool. That's in California, right?

[B]

I'm stupid. Okay, cool.

[A]

Yeah. Do you like New York?

[B]

I love New York.

[A]

Really?

[B]

I wish there was more people I knew here, but other than that, it's beautiful. Yeah? Yeah.

[A]

It's the same for me. I came from Louisiana.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

So I moved here for school. So it's like, kind of me BSing, but, yeah, just BSing. Just trying to get by. I was always so shy when I was younger, and now I'm, like, here for some reason. So it's, like, very weird. But that's, like, good that we're kind of like matching in that same way, but yeah.

[B]

How's your week been?

[A]

It was good. Just work and school. Work in school.

[B]

Where do you go to school?

[A]

I go to school at FIT and then I do work in fashion, but yeah.

[B]

What do you. Where do you work?

[A]

I work at a. Manufacturing, distribution, and we basically just work, like, overseas. What do you do for.

[B]

I do this for a living, actually. That's awesome. Tell me. Can you tell me a little bit more about you?

[A]

Yeah, like I said, I'm 21, from Louisiana. I just do fashion. I'm kind of like just starting to make friends in the city now. So that's, like, kind of exciting. I don't know. I just feel so much more happier with my life now that I have friends. Cause I, like, didn't have friends for like two years when I was here, which is totally my fault because I'm such an introvert. But now I'm, like, trying to be, like, louder. You know what I mean? Get out there. Enslave.

[B]

I don't know. Is this been working?

[A]

Kinda, yeah. Like five friends or so. But that's all you need, really.

[B]

No, that's a good amount of friends, I think.

[A]

That's really all you need. Nothing's crazy. I have no love life.

[B]

Oh, really?

[A]

There's like this guy and he's like, totally. I'm not supposed to talk to him and, like, I shouldn't talk about him.

[B]

Wait, I have a question for you that I've been asking my cousins. This is like. So let me paint the picture for you. Imagine you're like. Let me pick the age. Actually, no, just right now. Imagine right now you met someone and you're, like, crazy in love with them. Okay. The love of your life. You can't. It's just like, crazy how much you love them. But it's not that stable. Okay?

[A]

Like toxic.

[B]

Not toxic. Yeah. So just imagine it's not toxic. Either you or them or both of you don't really know what the future holds and things like that. That's one option. At the same time, you have someone you're, like, deeply in love with, which is different. Deeply in love with. And you feel safe with them. They, like, fit in better with your life.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Which one would you choose?

[A]

I feel like the person who would make me feel safe. Because, like, safety is, like, I don't know, human instinct. The reason we're alive today, we use our safety switch in our brain. And having an additional person that you're, like, deeply in love with and can Provide safety. I think that's more worth it. I don't know. What do you think?

[B]

I would pick the person I feel like I'm more in love with.

[A]

I feel, like, crazy in love. Like, I've been crazy in love or, like, crazy infatuated with people, and I always end up going, like, bonkers. Like, I can't support it for other people. Cause it's like, you really do lose yourself. And I feel like when I was, like, so crazy in love with people, I wake up every day and I just, like, give myself even my, like, outfits and personality. I would, like, shift it in a way so it could be more digestible for the other person. So that's why I'm like, you don't.

[B]

Want to do that.

[A]

Anti, anti, anti. But what's your reason for choosing?

[B]

I guess when I think crazy in love, I'm not. I don't think of it as toxic at all.

[A]

Right.

[B]

I don't know. You're obviously more in love with them, but the other one makes more sense.

[A]

Safer.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I get what you're saying.

[B]

Makes more sense. It's safer. But the crazy and loved one, there's a chance you might not end up with them.

[A]

That is true.

[B]

And be heartbroken. But if you do end up with them, that's gonna be, like, the best love story of all time.

[A]

That is true, I guess.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You can't always be safe in this life. It's kind of boring.

[B]

Oh, you're changing your answer.

[A]

No, no, no, I'm kidding. My answer. But, like, I understand why people choose. Yeah.

[B]

I mean, I haven't met anyone who's answered the crazy in love. Everyone says safe, love, safety. That's the person who fits more on your life. Maybe they'll be, like, culturally different than you. You're, like, at different parts of times in your life and things like that. If those things lined up. But then if those things lined up, would it be a crazy love? Maybe it makes it a crazy love because it feels a little unreachable.

[A]

That is true. I don't know how I feel about unreachable love.

[B]

It's interesting. Everyone I've asked that question to has been old, and they've said if you asked me when I was younger, I would say crazy in love. I think it's interesting that you're 21 and your answer is the.

[A]

The, like, older people version.

[B]

Have you gotten your heart broken?

[A]

I don't think, like, actually broken broken. But I have gone crazy recently. Not recently, but over, like, time. I feel like, see, because I like mainly date guys and I feel like that's the main issue right now. And I haven't really dated anyone. I haven't dated anyone. Logist in like two years.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And cuz the last guy I dated was such a. And like I feel like I went crazy after that. Like I would scream about it all the time and I cry about it all the time and it's like it takes so much life out of you. I don't know.

[B]

Yeah, so you were saying?

[A]

Yeah, just like the last guy who I was so into, like I went insane and I'm like, I don't feel like going insane anymore. And I'm a Libra, so I think that also contributes. What's your sign?

[B]

I'm a Leo.

[A]

A Leo. I like Leos. You seem like a calm Leo and not an insane Leo.

[B]

So what was the guy's sign that you.

[A]

He was a Libra. And I will never mess with the male Libra ever again.

[B]

You're like, that's not what's dead.

[A]

I can't do that. They're sluts. Like, I can't handle it. A sign. I always attract for like dating no matter if it's a girl or a guy Sagittarius. And I cannot handle them. Like they're one of the worst signs I've ever fucking met in my life.

[B]

Like actually the girl filming in the sand.

[A]

Oh my God, I'm so sorry.

[B]

So since that relationship, you've fallen into the safety category?

[A]

Yes. And I've been, I don't know, I guess if I am looking for someone, they have to be like totally secure within themselves. No insecurity, no bs, you know?

[B]

Yeah, that makes sense.

[A]

And recently I actually had a crush on a guy my age. But then like he opened his mouth and it like just, it was like, fell out of his mouth. Like actually I was like, I can't believe. Like every time when he opens his mouth, I'm like, oh my God, I can't believe you're speaking right now. It's like the worst thing ever. That's the thing. Like every time when I try to interact with a guy, it always ends up going like. And then like you try to do hookup culture and everything. I don't know.

[B]

That's not for you. If you don't like.

[A]

I don't know. What do you think about it?

[B]

About hookup culture? Yeah, I mean, it's not for me.

[A]

I understand that. Yeah. I wish I wasn't so shy and I could actually like get myself out there and try, like, kill something.

[B]

But like, I mean, you're being out. You're going outside your comfort zone today.

[A]

Yes, I am. I'm outside. Usually I only go outside to work, so this is something.

[B]

Yeah, this has been good.

[A]

I know. A nice conversation. I felt like I was just talking to, like a best friend and it was totally normal.

[B]

Okay, cool. Yeah, no, I feel the same way.

[A]

I don't know. And I got to observe. I feel like I got a lot out of this.

[B]

I'm glad. Are you almost at your destination?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I think it's down there.

[B]

We'll turn left.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay, we'll turn left and I'll say bye to you on that street. Cuz it's a little.

[A]

Yes. Bit busy right here.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Should we cross?

[B]

Yeah, let's go. Just go past here and then wait around those people, like grab the mic and. Yeah. Thank you so much for walking with me.

[A]

Of course.

[B]

Yay.

[A]

I'm so excited. Okay, let me take this off of me. I'm so sorry.

[B]

No, you're good. Thank you so much.