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Summary

Crissle’s Couch: Patreon Exclusive Preview

Podcast: Crissle’s Couch by CAKE MEDIA
Episode Date: December 11, 2025

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Episode Overview

This Patreon-exclusive preview introduces “Crissle’s Couch”—an honest, warm, and irreverent space where host Crissle welcomes guests to discuss real-life experiences, friendship, and personal growth. Joined by friends and fellow creatives Dustin Ross and Jade Vaujay, the conversation captures the spirit of the show: unfiltered cultural critique, gentle accountability, and meaningful reflection among longtime friends navigating the ups and downs of New York City.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introductions & Setting the Stage

• Crissle welcomes guests Dustin Ross and Jade Vaujay, describing them affectionately as “problematic friends” but also as family who've grown together in NYC ([00:02]-[00:51]).
  • “We’ve all been in New York together for over a decade. We’ve definitely grown as friends. It’s really more like a family between all of us.” – Crissle [00:24]
• The trio celebrates each other’s successes—Jade as an accomplished chef, Dustin’s recent successful solo comedy tour, and a collective journey of friendship and achievement ([00:46]-[01:16]).

First Arrivals in New York

• Jade’s Background: Moved to NYC thanks to family roots, and after time away in Texas, returned to the Bronx. Highlights the privilege and comfort of adjusting with family support ([01:55]-[03:21]).
  • “I have the privilege of having family to help me to adjust, so I didn’t have to do things on my own like a lot of people did.” – Jade [03:12]
• Dustin’s Story: Followed his sister to NYC seeking change and escape from a toxic work environment in Michigan’s labor unions, where he felt isolated as a young, Black, closeted man ([03:23]-[04:24]).
  • “I was young and Black, you know what I’m saying? Secretly gay at the time. So it was just a lot. And I had to escape.” – Dustin [04:07]
  • “I wanted to be an actor. I wanted to work in, like, entertainment and shit. So I moved to New York. I never look back and ain’t never going.” – Dustin [04:21]

Early NYC Experiences

• Life on a Shoestring Budget: Reminiscing about broke days, the group laughs about smoking weed, drinking Budweisers, and making do together ([05:22]-[06:39]).
  • “Nobody drank Budweiser. Just Dustin and you.” – Jade to Crissle [06:16]
  • “We used to…I think about those times a lot because…we were all so much broker then…but it also feels like we spent more time together.” – Crissle [06:47]
• The pandemic and “life lifing” changed the dynamic, lessening time together but strengthening the value of continued connection ([07:01]-[07:36]).

Growth, Change, and Friendship Longevity

• Reflecting on Longevity & Resilience: The friends consider their longevity in NYC, especially compared to those who “move right the hell back out” after short stints. Their sustained presence becomes a badge of effort, focus, and adaptability ([07:59]-[08:52]).
  • “It feels good to say that we’ve outlasted some people. Not in a comparative way, but just as a nod to our, you know, effort and focus and shit.” – Dustin [08:16]
• Change Versus Consistency: The group teases Dustin for claiming he “never changed,” using it as a springboard for a deeper reflection on evolution versus staying true to core values ([08:52]-[09:16]).
  • “When people say, like, oh, you’ve changed…yes, and I was supposed to. You should change. You should evolve…But there are also certain things, like fundamental principles…that stay consistent. And that’s okay too.” – Dustin [09:07]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sharp, Playful Banter:
  • “Dustin got a bevy of niggas. It’s just so much to celebrate.” – Crissle [00:47]
  • “Remember, I didn’t even smoke at first. Nobody did.” – Jade [05:34]
  • “I remember you sitting next to me with your legs open like Delarice.” – Dustin [06:22]
• Unvarnished NYC Moments:
  • “I saw a topless woman on the F train…At the time, I was living in Queens and the F train was wild. It really changed my perspective.” – Dustin [04:30]-[05:21]
• Philosophy on Growth:
  • “Evolution, I think, is what it’s all about. I didn’t want to always stay where I was at…So, you know, I think that is important.” – Dustin [09:10]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:02–00:51: Introductions, accolades, and framing of friendship theme
• 01:55–03:21: Jade’s NYC origins and support system
• 03:23–04:24: Dustin’s move from Michigan & initial struggles
• 04:30–05:21: First impressions of NYC’s wildness (F train story)
• 05:22–06:39: Group’s early NYC days, weed, and Budweisers
• 07:01–07:36: Changes in togetherness and the impact of time/pandemic
• 07:59–08:52: Outlasting the NYC grind, pride in resilience
• 08:52–09:16: Reflection on change, evolution, and sticking to principles

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Tone & Takeaways

The episode is frank, full of inside jokes and the easy rapport that comes from years of shared struggle and triumph. Crissle’s Couch promises a mix of hard truths, humor, and affirming space—not “therapy,” but a place where listeners can feel accompanied through their own journeys. The emphasis on evolution, staying connected, and celebrating survival in a tough city sets the tone for forthcoming episodes.

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Bottom line:
If you’ve ever navigated a big city, grappled with change, or found family in your friends, “Crissle’s Couch” offers candid, compassionate conversation with genuine laughs and lessons.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to Chrissal's Couch. This week, I am joined by two of my most dear and problematic friends. Please welcome Dustin Ross and Jada Vaujay.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

I don't know why that would be very true.

[A]

Well, why wouldn't it be?

[B]

I'll take it. And grateful for it. It's a distinguished honor.

[A]

Well, yeah. I am so happy to have the two of you here today. I wanted to talk to you both because, like I said, y' all are both extremely problematic in your own ways. But also, we have sort of. We've all been in New York together for over a decade. We've definitely grown as friends. It's really more like a family between all of us. And you two are extremely successful in your own rights. You have your own shows. Jade's an accomplished chef.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Dustin got a bevy of niggas. It's just so much to celebrate.

[B]

We all have our accolades.

[A]

Now, Dustin just wrapped up his own very hilarious, successful solo comedy tour. So, I'm sorry. Just so proud of my friends. And I would love to just sit and chit chat with y' all today about all kinds of things, but mainly friendship and how it has evolved for us in the time that we have been in this incredible city.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

How are y' all doing today? Thank you for being on the show. Oh, thank you for having us. Look at you with your new twist. I mean, you see me. Yeah.

[C]

What are these?

[A]

Senegalese. They are straight from Senegal. RIP for the diaspora. Okay. So we've been here for a while in this crazy city, and like I said earlier, the three of us have really been through a lot, seen each other through a lot. Some really peak highs and then some really low lows. Yeah. Can each of you talk a little bit about what brought you to New York and what you remember about those first few weeks or months being here?

[C]

My family. So my family is from New York originally. So that's why you act like that. Well, thank you.

[A]

You're welcome.

[C]

I compliment us as long as it's not like Dame Dash.

[A]

I just found out about that today. Oh, God.

[B]

A mess.

[A]

I'll say it publicly. The Wendy Williams is my. Is your OG Thing. Wendy Williams is your og she is. Thank you very much. Thank you for the compliment. All right. That's rich. Hello. That's royalty, nigga.

[B]

If I was Charlie, man, I would have told him that Mama Dee is yours or your teeth FL out of your mouth every five minutes. That's your og.

[A]

Remember when we said sharp comedy?

[B]

There we go.

[A]

Right. So, family.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Got you here.

[C]

Yes, yes, yes. So that would. That's my introduction.

[A]

And. And what do you remember most about those first few? Did you grow up here? Did you grow as an adult?

[C]

And then I left and went to Texas and then came back, so I would say probably coming back, you know, it's just getting into the hustle. I had to come back to the Bronx. So that also is, you know, that's a chaos within itself. Shout out to the Bronx. Kingsbridge.

[A]

Shout out to the Bronx.

[C]

So, yeah, I think it was just adjusting, but I also. I have the privilege of having family to help me to adjust, so I didn't have to do things on my own like a lot of people did.

[A]

Right. What about you, Dustin?

[B]

Well, sort of. Sorta the same. My sister was living here, and so she was able to help me get, you know, things set up. We can cuss, right?

[A]

Of course.

[B]

Yeah. She was able to help me get my shit set up and, like, you know, kind of just have a starting point. But I came here because I wanted, like, a change.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I hated my job in Michigan. I was working for the labor unions. Horrible people, you know what I'm saying? Horrible people wore Coleman clothing and shit like that. You know, outdoor gander, mountain, you know, all that kind of shit. And they were not easy to get along with.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And I worked in a role where I had to, you know, they were kind of subordinate a little bit. And I was young and black, you know what I'm saying? Yeah.

[A]

Pissed them off.

[B]

Yeah. Secretly gay at the time. So it was just a lot of. You know what I'm saying? It was a lot. And I had to escape. And so I wanted a new life. I wanted to be an actor. I wanted to work in, like, entertainment and shit. So I moved to New York. I never look back and ain't never going. But we are not going back.

[A]

No. No, I really don't think so.

[B]

We are not going back.

[A]

What were those first few months for you, like, when you got here?

[B]

Oh, incredible. I saw a topless woman on the F train. Oh, yeah, it just.

[C]

Are you talking about the white lady with the blonde? Bop.

[B]

No, this lady had on. What's them skirts called? Y' all would know those skirts that's like, they're big and long.

[A]

A maxi skirt?

[B]

No, like a. It's a word for it. It starts with a P. It's on the tip of my tongue.

[C]

Poodle.

[B]

No. Anyway, peasant. She had a peasant skirt and, like, a formation hat, and she had long hair, and she literally had on A bunch of necklaces. But I was like, yo, those are breasts. I couldn't believe that she had. Did that. I saw. I'm telling you, at the time, I was living in Queens, and the F train was wild. And so I would see things. I saw, like, stuff. And so it really changed my perspective. And I realized very quickly that I had to share a lot more space than I realized, you know, when I moved here or whatever. But it's been great.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Do y' all remember the early days of all of us being in New York and what that was like, hanging out, being broke?

[C]

Absolutely.

[A]

Smoking weed. Absolutely.

[B]

Yeah. Remember, I didn't even smoke at first.

[C]

Nobody did.

[A]

Oh, God, here she go. Here she go. Only me, Jade is like. I introduced everybody to weed. They were all so judgmental. And now everybody's a piece of.

[C]

And that is facts.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

I'd have to stand by the window.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

The only person who wasn't judgmental was Dustin.

[B]

Thank you.

[C]

And that's because he was toting around a Louis Vuitton duffel bag with Budweisers.

[B]

Now, how do we go from camaraderie? How do we go from camaraderie?

[C]

There wasn't a lot of room to judge. You know what I mean?

[A]

No. Cause all the room was the buzzwise taking up all the room in that bag. It wasn't nothing left.

[B]

And they had us nice and lit. Everywhere we had to go. We were on a budget.

[A]

Nobody drank wiser.

[C]

Just Dustin and you.

[B]

Cause I remember you chugging my Barker. You was sitting.

[C]

You.

[B]

I remember you sitting next to me with your legs open like Delarice. You know what I'm saying? I do remember you doing that. You better be touched by.

[A]

That. Sound exactly like Uncle J. Perhaps that might be true.

[C]

I don't know.

[A]

I'm not gonna turn down maybe spritting on the train, chugging a beer. Don't sit next to.

[C]

To me.

[A]

We used to. I think about those times a lot because, you know, we were all so much broker then and things looked very different. But it also feels like we spent more time together. We did. And we went out and I know a lot of that is the pandemic. The pandemic really changed a lot of stuff. But it's also just been so. It's been over 10 years old. Youth. That was you, right?

[B]

Worship to do that. Life has life.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Things have happened. And, you know, that's what makes the connections that have sustained themselves so dope. Right? Because everybody has evolved into different people. Me, not me. Certainly not. I. I'm still the same. I'm gonna keep it real. OG however, you know what I'm saying? Jay's doing a lot better in these days. And so I really think that that has been, you know, something we can celebrate is staying connected through the many changes you've been going through.

[C]

Keep my glow up?

[A]

Yeah, your glow up. That's what I'm calling it.

[B]

My glow up.

[C]

I'm just speaking of. Whatever, Dustin.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

I don't.

[A]

Cuz I don't. I don't know what glow up this might be.

[C]

I feel like I always glowed. This is just talking. And so am I.

[A]

Please, both of y'. All. Okay, well, let's. Let's.

[C]

We don't mean to take you.

[B]

New York's great. It was fucked up at first.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Thank God. We've seen so many people come and go. Right. That's another thing that's been incredible, especially in the line. In the line of work that we're all in, in our own way. We've seen a lot of people come and go. A lot of people move to New York and move right the hell back out. Y of people have tried to throw spaghetti at the wall, so to speak, and ain't nothing stick. You know what I'm saying? So they got down. And it feels good to say that we've outlasted some people. Not in a comparative way, but just as a nod to our, you know, effort and focus and shit. That's not something that's easy to do in a city like New York where everything around you is moving like a tornado.

[A]

Right.

[B]

You know what I mean? And you also have to be hyper aware of opportunities that are in front of you that can be portals to more opportunity. You just always have to have your head in the game. And we've been in the game for a long time, so I'm proud of us for that. You know what I mean? Yeah.

[A]

You know, Dustin, you mentioned something about never changing. And I'm like, do I wanna get deep with that?

[B]

But, yeah, come on, why not?

[A]

I mean. Cause why not change?

[B]

Take us through there. Take us through that.

[A]

Cause why not change? What's so wrong with a little introspection?

[B]

Well, you should. I was speaking, you know, niggerishly. But you absolutely should change. In fact, when people say, like, oh, you've changed.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And you have, and I was supposed to. You should change. You should evolve. And there are also certain things like fundamental principles and just moral codes, you know what I'm saying? That you may have that stay consistent. And that's okay, too, because you do need to be loyal in a certain way that needs to stay consistent. Certain things need to stay the same. But evolution, I think, is what it's all about. I didn't want to always stay where I was at. I knew it was in front of me. Look at me. You know what I'm saying? I knew it was in front of me, baby. So, you know, I think that that is important.