Podcast Summary: CHEERS! with Avery Woods
Episode: “nothing’s off limits | joey zauzig”
Date: November 3, 2025 | Host: Avery Woods | Guest: Joey Zauzig
Overview
This lively episode features influencer and reality TV personality Joey Zauzig as he joins host Avery Woods for a no-filter, wide-ranging conversation about influencer culture, early life, coming out, reality TV, relationships, and what it truly means to live online. The duo discusses both the glamor and pitfalls of their profession, tackles misconceptions, and drops personal and industry truths with humor, candor, and vulnerability. As the title promises, nothing is off-limits—expect spicy confessions, hard-learned lessons, and lots of laughter.
Key Discussion Points
1. Meeting and the Influence(r) World – [01:21–03:12]
- How Avery & Joey Met: They connected at Christina Kirkman’s sunglasses event, quickly realizing their mutual good vibes were genuine—something Joey notes is rare in influencer circles.
- Influencer Authenticity: Joey reflects on influencer events, explaining how some creators aren’t the people they portray online. Real longevity, in his view, comes from genuine kindness and authenticity.
“Part of the responsibility of being an influencer is being a nice, genuine, authentic person and transitioning that into real life... from online to real life.” – Joey [01:42]
2. Joey’s Backstory: From Virginia to Influencer – [03:15–06:41]
- Grew up in Fairfax Station, VA, and had a challenging, drama-plagued home life.
- Faced intense bullying for not fitting in, switched schools multiple times, and used his social focus as an outlet.
- Moved to NYC for college, worked in PR (Givenchy, Tommy Hilfiger, WSJ) before accidentally blowing up on Instagram.
- Describes the early days of social media: sepia filters, casual posts, and his first brand deal (with JUUL).
“Back in the days when you could, like, post a picture and blow up... What happened to those days? I miss it.” – Joey [04:54]
- Navigated the leap from PR to full-time influencer and saw early financial success.
3. TikTok, Money, and Brand Deals – Unpacking the Industry – [06:41–10:13]
- Discussion about TikTok’s growth, algorithms, and possible deliberate “chosen” virality.
- Dispelled myths about influencer earnings from platform payouts; real money comes from brand deals, not the platforms themselves.
“TikTok pays nothing. Influencers make so much money through brands that pay them to post.” – Avery [08:13]
- Anecdotes about the creator fund, RPMs (Revenue Per Mille), and financial realities.
4. Family, Coming Out, and Therapy – [10:44–12:16]
- Joey discusses realizing his sexuality in 11th grade—first coming out as bi, then gay.
- An unethical therapist outed him to his mother, but Joey sees silver linings.
“It’s a blessing in a way. Nothing bad happens, I think it’s all meant to be.” – Joey [11:54]
5. Marriage, Divorce, and Open Relationships – [12:20–20:25]
- Joey recounts meeting his ex-husband, their whirlwind romance, marriage, and eventual divorce.
- Talks candidly about navigating open relationship conversations, reality show pressures, infidelity, and the challenges that ultimately ended the marriage.
“You can stick by them, but... people really need to change on their own... You wanting the best for someone is never gonna change someone.” – Joey [17:00]
- Shares the emotional and financial toll of the divorce ($75,000 in legal fees), and how he’s made peace with moving forward.
6. Reality TV: “The Real Friends of WeHo” – [20:25–26:57]
- Honest review of his reality TV experience—the show’s community backlash, production mess, and why queer-led ensemble shows struggle to resonate.
“The gay community really did not show up for the show... That’s why shows like this have never worked.” – Joey [20:48]
- Notes on how reputation in the influencer/TV industry hinges on kindness, professionalism, and not burning bridges.
7. Healing, Self-Care, and Offline Life – [31:11–34:34]
- After divorce and negative online attention, Joey shares his renewed focus on self-care and limiting personal disclosures online.
“I really haven’t really focused on myself because I want the best for everyone else, and I need to start wanting the best for myself.” – Joey [32:30]
- Avery relates, emphasizing healthy boundaries between public and private life.
- The pressures and misconceptions of “sharing everything” as an influencer.
8. Influencer Culture Pitfalls & Personal Branding – [36:36–40:25]
- Joey: True longevity in influencer work means not letting it become your whole personality.
- Critique of numbers-chasing, over-sharing, and the addictive cycles of validation in online work.
“Being an influencer cannot be your personality... You need to give yourself that space outside of the Internet.” – Joey [36:57]
9. Dating, Sexual Fluidity, and Modern Relationships – [40:41–47:14]
- Joey discusses being single for the first time in 13 years, navigating LA’s dating world, and his sexual fluidity (attracted to both men and women).
“I just believe in being fluid and just like doing what you want... If I fell in love with a girl and she became my best friend and we were having sex... let’s just do our own things.” – Joey [47:01]
- Talks about the difference between dating apps and genuine connections; humorous comments on Grindr, hookups, and exes.
10. Industry Gossip & Longevity – [52:04–70:21]
- Anecdotes about LA hotspots, celebrity encounters, and “make or break” moments on brand trips.
- Joey and Avery agree: kindness goes a long way in their business, and entitlement or rudeness gets reputations ruined quickly.
“You have to be a nice fucking person to be successful in this industry.” – Joey [70:16]
- Both share war stories of entitled influencers and nightmare brand trip behaviors.
11. Rapid-Fire Round – [60:39–77:47]
- Joey’s food and drink obsessions (martinis, Chipotle, and food hacks).
- His favorite celebrities (Britney Spears, Jacob Elordi, Margot Robbie, Pedro Pascal, Kim Kardashian).
- Confessions about sexuality (verse, top/bottom, “third leg energy”—all in classic Joey candor).
- Hilarious and disastrous dating stories: e.g., a date arrested during dinner for finance fraud [78:04].
12. Final Advice and Reflections – [57:14–57:59]
- Joey’s Relationship Wisdom: If someone treats you badly, don’t stick around hoping for change.
“If someone does not treat you right... it’s never going to change... there's somebody out there that’s going to treat you the way you deserve.” – Joey [57:14]
- Both emphasize self-love, boundaries, and focusing on real life over digital performance.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Influencer Authenticity: “The people that aren’t nice, it catches up to you. People talk, the industry talks.” – Joey [02:21]
- On TikTok Myths: “TikTok pays nothing. Influencers make so much money through brands that pay them to post.” – Avery [08:13]
- On Coming Out: “Nothing bad happens, I think it’s all meant to be.” – Joey [11:54]
- On Open Relationships & Loyalty: “The one thing about me, as a friend, a partner, I’m very loyal. And I have everyone in my life’s back, sometimes more than my own.” – Joey [18:22]
- On Community Reception to Reality TV: “The gay community... did not show up for the show. That’s why a show like this has never worked.” – Joey [20:48]
- On Setting Boundaries: “I really haven’t really focused on myself because I want the best for everyone else, and I need to start wanting the best for myself.” – Joey [32:30]
- On Living Online: “It’s so easy to happen. I've seen it happen to a million people where everything they do is just a content idea.” – Joey [36:47]
- On Kindness in Business: “You have to be a nice fucking person to be successful in this industry.” – Joey [70:16]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:21 – Joey and Avery’s first meeting, influencer authenticity
- 03:15–06:41 – Joey’s childhood, PR career, and influencer beginnings
- 06:41–10:13 – TikTok, brand deals, and misperceptions about money
- 10:44–12:16 – Coming out, family dynamics, and therapy pitfalls
- 12:20–20:25 – Marriage, divorce, open relationships, healing
- 20:25–26:57 – Reality TV (“Real Friends of WeHo”)
- 31:11–34:34 – Self-care, living offline, audience boundaries
- 36:36–40:25 – Industry pitfalls, over-sharing, and personal branding
- 40:41–47:14 – Dating, sexual fluidity, and relationships
- 52:04–70:21 – LA, celebrity gossip, brand trips, and influencer etiquette
- 60:39–77:47 – Rapid-fire fun, favorite celebs, wild dating stories
- 57:14 – Relationship advice: “If someone treats you badly, it won’t change.”
Tone & Takeaway
The episode maintains a playful, breezy tone—nothing is off-limits, confessions are candid, and advice is both humorous and heartfelt. Joey and Avery pull back the social media curtain, stressing authenticity, gratitude, and self-respect, both in influencer culture and personal life. Listeners get an insider’s look at the realities of living online, the challenge of boundaries, and the value of choosing oneself.
Where to Find Joey
“@joeyzauzig on everything… on Jeff Lewis Live every week on Sirius. Lots more to come—follow me if you want to laugh and feel loved.” – Joey [82:13]
Cheers to choosing yourself, being real (online and off), and not letting the trolls define your narrative.