LA Bullied Me for Wanting Kids. Tess Mon Pere Opens Up About Leaving the City | DSH #1672

Summary

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Digital Social Hour with Tess Mon Pere: "LA Bullied Me for Wanting Kids"

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Tess Mon Pere
Release Date: December 10, 2025
Episode #: DSH #1672

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Main Theme

This episode of Digital Social Hour features musician and influencer Tess Mon Pere in her first-ever podcast appearance. The conversation dives deep into Tess's experience transitioning from LA’s influencer scene to Nashville’s more grounded culture, her passion for music, family values, and candid takes on mental health, social media, and nightlife. Throughout, Tess offers raw reflections on how LA’s culture shaped and at times disillusioned her, especially around her desire to have children and values shaped by her Christian faith.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Tess’s First Podcast and Background

• Tess expresses nerves and excitement about her first podcast but quickly gets comfortable in the conversation with Sean.
• They joke about gym routines, “sad girl music,” and how true crime podcasts made Tess run faster at the gym.
  Notable Quote:
  • Tess: “I used to listen [to true crime podcasts] at the gym, and it would make me run a lot faster.” (01:14)

Music Career & Shifting from Influencer to Artist

• Tess recently recorded new music, excited about performing on a cruise for "Music City Set Sail."
• Describes moving from influencer-focused content in LA to now prioritizing her music career and being “110% music,” reflecting on the economic pressures that led her initial influencer focus.
• Both Sean and Tess agree that music content is much “tamer” than influencer culture, which thrives on pushing boundaries. Notable Quotes:
  • Tess: “You just kind of like post what you can to get the views, get the money, whatever...but now, I want to be 110% music.” (07:45)
  • Tess: “As an influencer, people are constantly trying to, like, push the envelope and out-crazy the last crazy thing they did.” (07:02)

LA vs. Nashville: Culture, Nightlife, & Values

• Tess moved from LA to Nashville five or six months ago, highlighting how the city’s values and "brain chemistry" have changed her.
• Contrasts the validation of "crazy" influencer antics in LA with the more genuine, family- and faith-oriented culture in Nashville.
• Discusses how she was mocked in LA for wanting kids and being Christian, called “cookie-cutter,” but now feels embraced and comfortable with those values.
• The conversation includes observations about nightlife: LA parties are about performances for social media, while Nashville’s are about real interactions. Notable Quotes:
  • Tess: “Anytime I would do something...against my moral compass, people would be like, ‘Oh my God, you’re so silly, you’re so fun...’ Now that I’m out of that environment, I’m like, yeah, that wasn’t good.” (08:20)
  • Sean: “Yes, you got bullied for wanting to have kids. Wow, that is crazy.” (09:14)
  • Tess: “My biggest dream is to be a mom. Or, like, I’m also really Christian, and [my LA friends] would...call me cookie-cutter.” (09:00)

Dogs, “Dog Custody,” and Pet Stories

• Tess shares a unique story about splitting custody of her dog with an ex-roommate, describing their system and how the dog benefits from being spoiled by both.
• They bond over their attachment to their pets and experiences adopting dogs, including commentary on Amish breeders and warnings about puppy mills.
• Sean reveals some wild (and darkly comic) hamster stories from his own life, leading to mutual shock and laughter. Memorable Moments:
  • Tess: “This dog is the most spoiled dog in the whole world...every single time, we’re like, so excited to have him that we’re going on shopping sprees for him.” (15:17)
  • Sean: [About his hamster] “My roommate’s dog ate it.” (18:38)
  • Tess: “You’re so full of shit right now...That’s not funny.” (18:40)

Anxiety, Mental Health, and Medication

• Both discuss their struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, and the impact of acne medication (including Accutane) on their mental health.
• Tess left her medication after learning it caused her panic attacks; Sean shares lasting side effects from Accutane. Notable Quotes:
  • Tess: “I went to the doctor...having panic attacks all the time...they attributed it to my acne medication.” (22:11)
  • Sean: “I was a zombie on Accutane. It destroys your emotions.” (23:20)

Social Media: Bans, Platforms, and Critiques

• They talk about the challenges and expenses of independent creative work—releasing music, running a podcast, editing.
• Sean discusses getting banned from TikTok for controversial content; Instagram is now his favorite platform.
• Tess admits getting briefly convinced by a flat earth theory, highlighting the persuasive nature of online content. Memorable Quotes:
  • Sean: “Someone said the earth was flat. I got banned for that.” (28:18)
  • Tess: “I used to think that theory was so crazy...but [my friend] was making a lot of really good points.” (28:48)

Cancel Culture & Haters

• They discuss the changing nature of cancel culture (less severe now than during the pandemic) and the inevitability of getting haters as a public figure.
• Tess reflects on passive-aggressive feedback from high school acquaintances and the difference between healthy confidence and ego. Notable Quotes:
  • Sean: “There’s a line with confidence and ego.” (31:33)
  • Tess: “Confidence is like, I think I’m cool and I don’t care whether or not other people agree. Ego is more based on what other people think.” (31:37)

LA’s Obsession with Clout & Social Filters

• Tess reveals how LA social life revolves around clout, recounting parties where people check your following or use apps like PartyFull to screen guests—something she’s never encountered in Nashville. Notable Quote:
  • Tess: “I would go to house parties and people would check your following...that has never once happened out here.” (32:01)

Celebrity, Scandal, and Cancellations

• They discuss the Diddy scandal, Ellen's move to the UK due to being "canceled," and the sometimes arbitrary nature of celebrity cancellations.
• The conversation stays lighthearted but underscores the turbulence of fame and public opinion. Notable Quote:
  • Sean: “That’s like the dumbest reason to get canceled. If you’re going to get canceled for being mean, like, that’s crazy to me.” (33:50)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic / Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:26 | Tess talks about her first podcast appearance | | 01:54 | Music career updates; plans for Music City Set Sail | | 07:24 | Shift from influencer to music focus | | 08:20 | LA’s validation culture and “rewiring” in Nashville | | 09:00 | Tess reveals being mocked in LA for wanting kids and being Christian| | 15:17 | Spoiling dogs & “split custody” story | | 18:38 | Sean’s hamster stories—peak pet chaos | | 22:11 | Panic attacks linked to acne medication | | 28:18 | Sean’s TikTok bans and social platform rankings | | 31:33 | Confidence vs. ego: how LA warps identity and social value | | 32:01 | LA social life’s obsession with IG following and access | | 33:34 | Discussion of celebrity scandals: Diddy, Ellen, and cancellation| | 34:25 | Closing: Where to find Tess Mon Pere online |

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Notable Quotes & Speaker Attribution

• Tess Mon Pere:

  • “My biggest dream is to be a mom...I’m also really Christian, and [my LA friends] would make fun of me and call me cookie-cutter.” (09:00)
  • “As an influencer, people are constantly trying to, like, push the envelope and out-crazy the last crazy thing they did.” (07:02)
  • “I would go to house parties and people would check your following...that has never once happened out here.” (32:01)
  • “Confidence is like, I think I’m cool and I don’t care whether or not other people agree. Ego is more based on what other people think.” (31:37)

• Sean Kelly:

  • “Yes, you got bullied for wanting to have kids. Wow, that is crazy.” (09:14)
  • “There’s a line with confidence and ego.” (31:33)
  • “That’s like the dumbest reason to get canceled. If you’re going to get canceled for being mean, like, that’s crazy to me.” (33:50)

• Memorable Banter:

  • Tess: “This dog is the most spoiled dog in the whole world.” (15:17)
  • Sean: “My roommate’s dog ate it.” (18:38)
  • Tess: “You’re so full of shit right now...That’s not funny.” (18:40)
  • Tess on Nightlife: “In LA, everyone just stares at each other. If you start dancing, you’re looked at as weird...Here, everybody’s so excited to talk to anybody.” (25:00)

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Episode Vibe & Tone

The episode is intimate and spontaneous, brimming with candid, sometimes self-deprecating humor. Tess is approachable and honest, oscillating between laughter and moments of real vulnerability about her values and struggles. Sean is playful and direct—never shying away from tough topics, yet keeping the mood light.

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Where to Find Tess Mon Pere

• Instagram/TikTok: @tesmonpere
  “I’m tes mon pair on everything.” (34:38)

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A lively, unfiltered look into the realities of digital influence, personal growth, and the culture clash between LA and Nashville, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about life behind the scenes—and what it takes to stick to your dreams in the face of trendy, sometimes toxic, environments.

Transcript

[A]

I would be the easiest, like, TV villain, I think, because I would be like, I'm hungry, I'm tired. A bug just bit my foot. I'm naked on live tv. Like, I don't.

[B]

Yeah, it doesn't sound pleasant. They must make a lot of money to get to volunteer for that, I'd imagine. I wouldn't do it.

[A]

It's impressive. I give a lot of props to people that can.

[B]

All right, guys. Tess, Mon pair here today. First podcast for you. I'm surprised.

[A]

Yeah, I'm nervous, but excited. I'm seeing everything in my power not to look at the camera right now.

[B]

Oh, you'll be good. You're probably so used to looking at cameras, right?

[A]

Fair enough.

[B]

Yeah. The music scene. I'm surprised you haven't been on one. Living in la in the.

[A]

Yeah. No. I don't know. The opportunity has never really presented itself, but I'm glad it has. I'm excited.

[B]

Do you watch any pods?

[A]

I do. I watch a lot. I w. I used to watch a lot of true crime podcasts.

[B]

Luca, you're one of those girls.

[A]

And then I got really paranoid, so I had to stop. But, yeah, outside of that, I listened to, like, call her Daddy Wizard.

[B]

Liz. I was gonna say, you give me Tana Mongo podcast vibes.

[A]

I've listened to a couple of hers.

[B]

Okay. Yeah, so I was a little. Little accurate on that. Yeah. The true crime stuff gets a lot of views.

[A]

It does.

[B]

When you look at the charts, like, they're always in the top.

[A]

I used to listen to that at the gym, and it would make me run a lot faster on the gym.

[B]

That's actually good.

[A]

Be so scared.

[B]

That's a good hack. I know for guys at the gym, they think of something that pisses them off when they're lifting.

[A]

Fair enough.

[B]

Like a. Like a girlfriend cheating on them or something.

[A]

Yeah. For me, it's either that or, like, sad girl music, for some reason is, like, better than any pre workout.

[B]

I went through sad girl music phase in high school. Ed Sheeran, who hurt you?

[A]

What were you going?

[B]

That's another podcast. But, yeah, I'm over that episode.

[A]

I'm interviewing you.

[B]

I know. No, it was ed Sheeran and XXXTentacion. Oh. That always made me sad. Yeah, his music.

[A]

Fair.

[B]

Yeah. Rip to him. What's been the latest with you? What are you working on these days?

[A]

I was just in the studio the other day recording some new stuff, so I'm hoping to have some new music out soon, and then beginning of next year, I'm super excited because I'm going with a bunch of other artists for Music City Set Sail. They're doing this cruise and having a bunch of artists to go and do, like, full band shows every night.

[B]

That's cool.

[A]

I'm excited. I've never been on a cruise, though, so I have no idea what to expect. I don't want to go overboard, and I. I feel like I'm gonna get motion sick.

[B]

I'm a cruise connoisseur, so if you need advice, let me know, please. I've been on, like, five, I guess.

[A]

Where have you gone?

[B]

Mexico. And that's it.

[A]

Gotcha. I think that's where we're going.

[B]

Yeah, I love Mexico. So I'm cool with that because there's some fancy ones that go all the way to Europe and Asia, but that takes like, two to three weeks.

[A]

You should go on our cruise.

[B]

How long is it?

[A]

That is a great question. That I don't know because I get.

[B]

I get bored by the fourth, fifth day fair, so I don't like doing cruises longer than a week. Yeah, you're going to need some Dramamine if it's your first.

[A]

I was going to say yeah, because I do get motion sick. I'm either going to need, like, Dramamine or, like, the little goggles where it has, like, the water in it. I think that's going to be my outfit.

[B]

There's Dramamine and then there's the patches behind your ear. I would bring both.

[A]

Oh, I could do that. I used to take Dream, I mean, all the time as a kid. And now when I think about it, it literally makes me, like, makes me think I'm gonna, like, throw up.

[B]

I used to get so car sick as a kid. It was disgusting. Same every time I got an Uber. It was terrible. Yeah, that's like, to the point where I was gonna throw up.

[A]

My family literally still makes fun of me because it was every single road trip. It's like we had to pull over.

[B]

Oh, you made them pull over. I never had the balls to tell the Uber driver to pull over.

[A]

So what did you just throw up in his car?

[B]

I just suffered silently. They didn't even know I was nauseous. You know, it's kind of embarrassing, like, if there is some random guy.

[A]

Yeah, fair. I don't think I've ever had, like, an Uber pullover. I think I'm kind of growing out of it as I'm getting older. But when I was a kid, it was bad.

[B]

Yeah, same. Even airplanes as a kid. I used to have to have the bag, like, in my. In my, like, lap.

[A]

I've noticed they don't do that anymore.

[B]

They don't.

[A]

Lately I've been looking for the bag. There's nobody.

[B]

They're cheaping out.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

They're saving costs. Man. Spirit Airlines just went bankrupt.

[A]

Did it really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Everyone hates on Spirit. I love Spirit.

[B]

I don't mind it. I was hating on it for years, though.

[A]

I flew Spirit, like, one time, and I had a really good experience.

[B]

If you get the first four seats, it's not that bad.

[A]

Yeah, well. And I feel like I pay an arm and a leg with a lot of other airlines. They're starting to turn into, like, a Spirit airline. Sponsorship. Yeah, I know. With a lot of other ones, I'm like. I'm getting, like, a Spirit experience and I'm paying three times the price right now.

[B]

I didn't notice a massive difference between the seats on Spirit versus, like, the second.

[A]

I sit in a plane chair and they don't have, like, the tv. I'm just kidding.

[B]

Oh, yeah. There's an app and a chrome extension that tells you which planes have the TVs and which ones have the best legroom.

[A]

I need that.

[B]

So I have that because I'm 6 foot 6 and, like, the leg room matters.

[A]

You are really tall. I was not expecting that.

[B]

Yeah, no one does. It's the Asian. I think those people off. Not a lot of tall Asians. But yeah, flying is something I do a lot lately because of the pod. Oh, it sucks.

[A]

Where all have you been recently?

[B]

Just went to Austin for South by Southwest. Have you done anything there for music? That's a big music.

[A]

I want to check out Texas for sure.

[B]

Yeah. That's a big music festival. Louisiana. Have to go there once a month. A lot of good guests out there. Miami, New York City. I go everywhere.

[A]

That's cool.

[B]

Yeah. There's a lot of interesting people in the world.

[A]

There really are. Now that I've moved across the country and, like, I'm meeting new because I feel like in la. Yeah, it's like a lot of, like. Like, people say transplants, like, people from, like, other states moving, and it's like a different. Like, I never met anybody from, like, Nebraska or, like, Canada or, like, Massachusetts in la, but, like, here you get all those states and, like, more if that makes sense.

[B]

Yeah, I could see that.

[A]

Because, like, here is also another, like, big, like, transplant area, too. Like, people from.

[B]

Especially right now. Everyone's coming here right now.

[A]

I have. It's so rare that I meet someone who's like actually from Nashville.

[B]

I haven't met anyone and I've been here like four times. It's kind of like Vegas.

[A]

Oh really?

[B]

Yeah, I haven't met many.

[A]

I haven't been to Vegas.

[B]

Really?

[A]

I went once when I was like 8. But I don't think that really counts as going to Vegas.

[B]

No, you need to be 21 for it to count.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Cuz you can't even go in the casino if you're eight.

[A]

I can't.

[B]

Yeah. Don't sleep on Vegas though. Vegas is popping.

[A]

I should go. I just don't trust me in Vegas because like the second I take a sip of alcohol I think I'm Oprah Winfrey and I start spending money that I have no business spending. And so I think me in Vegas would be really bad.

[B]

Oh, that'd be bad. Yeah, because drinks are 25.

[A]

I would probably end up married.

[B]

Yeah, they have the overnight weddings there. Yeah. I know some people that are.

[A]

That is like low key on my life bucket list though. It's just like overnight wedding.

[B]

One of my guests did it.

[A]

No way.

[B]

Jack Doherty.

He'S a live streamer short kid, gets in a lot of Internet fights. Yeah.

[A]

That sounds like a lot of la.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. Well the live streamers are wild. They got to keep doing crazier and crazier stuff to get views.

[A]

That's fair.

[B]

You know their security guard has to beat up people, whatever. Like it's crazy what people do. Will do for views.

[A]

I was gonna say. I think that's like one of the biggest differences I've noticed between like posting as an influencer versus posting as a musician is like, as an influencer. People are constantly trying to like push the envelope and like out crazy the last crazy thing they did.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Well, I feel like the music posting stuff is like a lot more tame.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. So you've shifted your focus to.

[A]

While I was in la, I was a little more influencer focused and.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. That's how you built your following, I would say.

[A]

Yeah. As much as I would love to be like, yeah, people just really liked my music. Don't look at my Spotify streams.

[B]

What made you want to switch to music?

[A]

I've always had a passion for music.

And like that's always been what I wanted my main focus to be. But like LA is expensive and you're surrounded by influencers all the time. And so it's like you just kind of like post what you can to get the views, get the money, whatever. Which like was a huge learning experience. For me, for sure. And I had fun doing it. Like, I'm not gonna act like I didn't, but. Yeah, no, I think I'm just in a place where I want to be, like, 110% music now.

[B]

I just had Taylor Holder on today. He was saying the same exact thing.

[A]

Really?

[B]

He said he got lost in the sauce in la. Just posting crazy content.

[A]

Yeah. Well. And it's like, everybody's validating each other's crazy, too, out there.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I've noticed, like, my brain. I've only been in Nashville now for five, six months. Like, my whole, like, brain chemistry has been rewired. Like, being in la, it's like anytime I would do something that was, like, against my moral compass, people would be like, oh, my God, you're so silly. Like, you're so fun and, like, all this stuff, like, really, like, validating it. And now that I'm out of that environment, I'm like, yeah, that, like, wasn't good.

[B]

Yeah, I could see that. A lot of people that believe in God here and family unit and. Yeah, it's a total different world, for sure. Like, night and day difference, Louisiana is not family driven.

[A]

Yeah. I had a lot of friends in LA that, like, made fun of me because I would be like, oh, yeah, like, my biggest dream is to be a mom. Or, like, I'm also really Christian, and they would, like, make fun of me and call me Cookie cutter.

[B]

Damn.

[A]

And so it's like, I get it. That's not everybody's interest. But it is refreshing to be in a place where, like, I can embrace that, if that makes sense.

[B]

Yes. You got bullied for wanting to have kids. Wow, that is crazy.

[A]

They're like, that's so sad for you. Why would you make that your focus? I'm like.

My bad.

[B]

There's. There's a problem right now. A lot of women don't want to have kids, and we're actually depopulating.

[A]

I've heard about that.

[B]

Yeah. Elon Musk has been pretty vocal about it. But if we continue this route, like, we will lose population growth.

[A]

That's crazy. Yeah.

Like, I don't blame women for not wanting kids now. Like, obviously, like, my biggest dream is to be a mom, but that's your biggest dream. Next to music, of course.

But, yeah.

[B]

Something special about having kids, I feel like.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, for sure. I'm planning on having some in the next two, three years.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's soon.

[B]

You think?

[A]

So do you have, like, a mother in mind?

[B]

I'm getting married this Year you are? Yeah.

[A]

Wait, that's exciting.

[B]

We're eight years in.

[A]

Dang. Are you gonna get married?

[B]

Jersey. We met in Jersey. That's where I grew up.

[A]

That'll be cool.

[B]

Congrats. Thanks. Yeah. Jersey gets a bad rep.

[A]

I have met a lot of people from Jersey out here. Really heard good things, though.

[B]

Oh, what?

[A]

I haven't heard anything about it.

[B]

You didn't hear about Jersey Shore growing up?

[A]

I heard about it and I felt inspired. I hear about, like, Snooki. I mean, granted, what I hear is very minimal. Minimal.

[B]

Yeah. Okay. Because that.

[A]

But it sounds entertaining.

[B]

Yeah. You never know.

[A]

I remember, like, what's her name? JWoww.

[B]

I never watched it, to be honest.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

I only know Snooki and Pauly D. That's it.

[A]

And there's, like, the situation or something.

[B]

Yeah. I don't know who that is.

[A]

Yeah. I don't think I've ever actually watched an episode ever.

[B]

But they just brought it back. It's still a fan base for it. That's how crazy that fan base is. I don't watch reality TV on other than the Traders. That's a really good show.

[A]

Oh, I've heard about that one.

[B]

Yeah, that's a good one.

[A]

Trying to think what I watch.

[B]

You watch Kardashians?

[A]

I did watch the latest season of Love island that blew up.

[B]

Was that the one with Nikki Glazer or is that a different show?

[A]

That name sounds so familiar.

[B]

The comedian, Blonde?

[A]

I don't think so. It's the one that had, like, Leah and Miguel and.

[B]

Oh, I've seen the clips.

[A]

Yeah. That's like, one of the only reality TV things I've really watched.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh, and I used to watch Naked and Frayed growing up.

[B]

I've seen a few episodes of that one.

[A]

I don't know. I'm supposed to admit that.

[B]

Would you ever go on that show?

[A]

Absolutely not. I would last maybe an hour.

[B]

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[A]

I would be so grumpy, like, p. I would be the easiest, like, TV villain, I think, because I would be like, I'm hungry, I'm tired. A bug just bit my foot. I'm naked on live tv. Like, I don't.

[B]

Yeah, it doesn't sound pleasant. They must make a lot of money to go to volunteer for that, I'd imagine. Yeah, I wouldn't do it.

[A]

It's impressive. I give a lot of props to the people that can.

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I think, like, a day without my dog and I would kind of go crazy.

[B]

You're that close with your dog?

[A]

I am, actually. Okay. Weirdly enough, I split custody of my dog. Like, so my dog is in California right now, and I get him back. Well, ex roommate. She's great.

[B]

Ex roommate.

[A]

Okay. So me and this girl, we got our dog when we were living together.

And then once we stopped living together, I was still living in la. She was still living in la. And so it was like he would be with her for two weeks. He'd be with me for two weeks. And then I moved to Nashville. So we've been doing this for years. Like, this custody agreement has been going. Then I moved out here, and so now it's like every four months.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

So I get him back in a couple weeks.

[B]

Wow. That's a long time without your dog.

[A]

It is.

[B]

Dang. I wouldn't want to split custody with anyone. You know, I've already made agreements with my fiance if we break up because we got two dogs.

[A]

Oh, over the dog. What's your agreement? One each, you know, how did you. So you have a favorite dog then?

[B]

We both have a favorite dog.

[A]

Fair enough. Well, I only have one dog, so how am I supposed to do that?

[B]

That's true. Yeah. I guess if you both adopted it. Who? Yeah, there's no primary caretaker.

[A]

We kind of got him on accident.

[B]

Like, really?

[A]

This guy who would come over and, like, give our roommate. Because we had another roommate at the time. He would, like, give her, like, tattoos and stuff. And he had gotten the dog he had rescued him. And then I said, as a joke, I was like, your dog, so cute. Can I have him? And he was like, yeah, you want him? And he was like. He was like, I'll pay his vet bills. All, like, buy his food and, like, all this stuff. And so we've had him ever since.

[B]

That guy did not care about his dog.

[A]

He did not.

[B]

No one just gives away their dog.

[A]

He was like, I just feel like he's so bored with me. And he'd have so much more fun living with a bunch of girls, like, in their 20s and blah, blah, blah. But honestly, it works out because, like, by the time, like, she gets him, she's like, oh, my gosh, I've missed him. And so she's doting on him. She's, like, spoiling him, all this stuff. And then, like, by the time I get him, I'm like, oh, my gosh, I've missed him. This dog is the most spoiled dog in the whole world.

[B]

How so?

[A]

Because, like, every single time, we're, like, so excited to have him that we're going on shopping sprees for him. Take him in the park every single day and, like, take him to, like, the doggy restaurants and there's doggy restaurants. Yeah, there's some good ones in la. You can go and, like, your dog, like, gets his own little, like, chair.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

They bring you dog food.

[B]

That sounds like an LA thing for sure.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

Yeah. You go anywhere in la, someone has their dog in Erewhon or wherever you're at.

[A]

I love that this podcast has, like, turned into me talking about my dog. I feel like it's, like 99% of my conversations go.

[B]

I bring up my dog often, probably daily.

[A]

What are your dog's names?

[B]

Milo and Otis. Yeah, two boys.

[A]

That's cute.

[B]

Brothers from the Amish.

[A]

What?

[B]

Yeah, if you grow up on the east coast, like, the Amish are pretty big out in Pennsylvania, and they. They are dog breeders.

[A]

Actually, that's something I noticed about here, too.

[B]

Oh, really?

[A]

Well, I'm sure they're probably more, like, abundant where you are. I, like, never get starstruck, ever. And then when I first moved here, it was like, my second day living here. I was in Walmart and this Amish couple walked past me. I was about to ask them for an autograph. I was so excited.

[B]

What?

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

They're that rare out here?

[A]

I don't know. Well, they're rare in California. I grew up in California, so I'm like, I don't think we have any Amish communities. And so, like, I grew up watching, like, that. Escaping Amish or raising Amish. I don't know, whatever.

The. What.

[B]

They treat them like a cult in that show, Escaping the Amish.

[A]

I don't know what it is. I had an Amish fixation when I was younger. Like, I was obsessed with them. So when I saw my first Amish couple in Walmart, I was really excited about it.

[B]

My friend went Amish for two years.

[A]

Wait, I have a lot of questions.

[B]

Shout out to Tai Lopez.

[A]

Why did Tai Lopez stop being Amish?

[B]

Like, what he just did it to, I guess, kind of reset, set his lifestyle. Like, get humbled, if that makes sense.

[A]

I feel like that would be really humbling.

[B]

Yeah, because you're working all day on the farm. No electronics.

[A]

That I think would give me, like, a full, like, factory reset in my brain. If I didn't have my phone for, like, a week, I'd be a different person.

[B]

No electricity, I think there's no hot water, too. There's some crazy, like, sub branches of it. It gets pretty wild. But, yeah, when you go to adopt the dogs, like, they take videos.

[A]

Yeah, we gotta go back to that. How did you get your dogs?

[B]

There's a site, greenfieldpuppies.com but you got to be careful because one of the ones I went to was a puppy mill.

[A]

What is that?

[B]

It's when they just out the dogs.

[A]

Like, they make all the dogs, like, have, like, orgies, basically.

[B]

Yeah. So I get there. There's like, two dogs in these small cages, and there's like 10 cages. So they force the men and the woman to sleep together in these super small confined areas. And then we got to the litter, and it was five puppies. And they all looked like they had, like, down syndrome and stuff because they just keep breeding and breeding.

[A]

How is that legal?

[B]

It's not.

[A]

Okay, great.

[B]

So hopefully that one got shut down by now. But most of the Amish are good people. That one was.

[A]

I'm so bad about it.

[B]

That one traumatized me, though.

[A]

That's crazy.

[B]

On the way home, we had to stop at a pet store and adopt a hamster because we were so traumatized. And my fiance was crying. I was like, here, take this hamster. And then she was allergic to that.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

So that didn't last long.

[A]

What'd you do with the hamster?

[B]

My roommate's dog ate it.

[A]

You're so full of right now. You're lying.

[B]

No, I'm not.

[A]

That's not funny.

[B]

No, I'm not lying.

[A]

I'm laughing, but it's not funny.

[B]

We went on vacation.

[A]

It's not funny.

[B]

This is the weird part, because, like, that sucked, obviously. We go on vacation. I have a roommate at the time. He replaced the hamster, but we knew it was replaced because it ran the wheel differently and it looked a little different. So we called the hamster Tina. That one got eaten by his golden. What's that big, scary dog? German shepherd.

[A]

Where are you putting the hamsters? That the dogs are able to get to the meal, but he.

[B]

He let it out to run around the apartment for some reason. He tried putting it on a leash, and I think it got off the leash, and then the German shepherd ate it.

[A]

You're gonna end up, like, on a list with petsmart. This guy's not. If he comes in trying to buy a hamster.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Absolutely not.

[B]

But, yeah, he replaced it with, like, a new one, and it didn't feel the same, so we gave that one away.

[A]

That's good. I'm glad that one had a life.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Had opportunity.

[B]

Yeah. But be careful with puppy moles.

[A]

Yeah. Now that I know what that is. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. It's not cool, man.

[A]

I don't think I am a big fan of those.

[B]

Yeah. My next dog that I adopt will hopefully be from a shelter, because I think it means a lot to them, you know, because a lot of people don't want those. They want to get a breed. A dog, like, from. From a puppy age. But I think the shelter dogs need love too.

[A]

Gotcha. Yeah, I agree.

[B]

You want more dogs. Are you cool with just one?

[A]

Right now? I'm good with just my one because I live in an apartment, and I think having any more than just him would be a little cuckoo. But eventually, if I were to have, like, a yard, like, I want to get golden retrievers. I want labs. I want cats. I want all the animals.

[B]

You're a cat lady.

[A]

I am. I used to not be. I grew up with cats, so I kind of, like, took them for granted. I never had dogs growing up, and so. But now that I'm getting older, I like the cats. I'm turning into a cat lady, and my dog loves cats. Yeah, I feel that my dog meows sometimes. Yeah, he just likes to fit in because my parents have cats, and so whenever he goes over there, he just, like, tries to, like.

Fit in, and so he starts, like, meowing at them.

[B]

That's unique. Yeah. I want, like, at least 10 dogs when I grow up.

[A]

Dang.

[B]

Yeah. Dogs are life.

[A]

You should move out here, then.

[B]

Yeah. A lot of land out here. I like dogs more than most people, to be honest.

[A]

I would say it's a very popular opinion.

[B]

Is it?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Wow. People suck, huh?

[A]

A lot of people suck. Very few dogs suck.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. I've only met a few dogs I didn't like. The one that ate the. The hamster actually bit my dog too. So I didn't kind of like that one.

[A]

But how'd that work out with you living with that other dog that's like eating all your pets?

[B]

That's why I moved out, because he bit my dog like clean through the ear. So there was a hole. So he got traumatized.

[A]

Yeah. I don't blame him. That's why I don't traumatize you if someone came up.

[B]

Yeah. I don't go to dog parks because there's so many fights.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It's crazy. Every time I go to one I see a fight.

[A]

It's so anxiety inducing.

[B]

Yeah, I already got anxiety. Like, why am I gonna willingly go to the park and get anxiety?

[A]

Fair, you know?

[B]

How's your anxiety been lately?

[A]

Fine.

[B]

That's a lie.

I got mine under lock for now, but it pops up here and there.

[A]

Actually, I had to go to the doctor because I was like having weird panic attacks all the time and I was like, I don't know what's going on. I was taking this medication for my skin and I had no idea that.

[B]

Like, was it Accutane? Okay, I was on the Accutane.

[A]

Gotcha. I've heard that does a lot to your mental.

[B]

That messed me up for years.

[A]

Dang.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I kind of want to go on it, but like, I don't think the side effects are.

[B]

You don't have any acne that I could see unless you hit it really well.

[A]

But it's more just like when I do get them that like it's. I would say my skin's better now, but like a year ago it was looking a little scary, but. But yeah, I was taking this like medication for my skin and it like I went to the doctor cuz I was like having panic attacks all the time and I had no idea what was going on. And they did blood tests and like, apparently my levels were insane and they attributed it to my acne medication.

[B]

Damn.

[A]

So it's better now.

[B]

Stop taking it or.

[A]

Yeah, I did.

[B]

I don't blame you.

[A]

And I think me drinking like multiple Celsius a day didn't help, but that definitely doesn't help.

[B]

Yeah, I'm not big on Celsius.

[A]

Yeah. I think I'm. I'm straying away from that one.

[B]

The things we do for acne free skin. Right. Literally sacrifice our mental health. Yeah. I was a zombie on Accutane. It destroys your emotions.

[A]

How long were you on it?

[B]

Seven or months.

[A]

Oh, dang.

[B]

Yeah. You're only supposed to do six. But my acne was so bad it was seven. And I still have side effects to this day.

[A]

What are your side effects to say.

[B]

I lose feeling in my fingertips.

[A]

I've heard that. That it'll like, make your whole hands, like, peel off.

[B]

Yeah. So it'll go super numb. And I had a lot of liver damage for a while, too.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. So I had to fix that over time.

[A]

Gotcha.

[B]

Yeah. And then I found out a lot of acne is diet.

So it's like what you're eating and they don't even teach you that.

[A]

Yeah. I think mine was, like, very environment exit or induced, I guess, when my skin was really bad because it was like when I was living in LA and life was just so stressful and, like, chaotic and like, obviously I was like, in la. I think most people are constantly partying all the time. And I definitely was doing the same thing. And so my skin was, like, screaming at me, basically. But since moving to Nashville, I think it's been a lot better.

[B]

That's good.

[A]

Just don't look at my chin right now. Anybody?

[B]

Have you been partying a lot out here, too?

Yeah.

[A]

Maybe. Okay. It's, like, different, though. It's more just like I'm going out with, like, other music people and we're getting drinks and we're going to writers rounds and stuff like that. It's not like. Like, I'm not in Hyde, like, going crazy.

[B]

Yeah. There's a difference. LA parties versus Nashville. You're actually working out here when you're partying.

[A]

Yeah. And even then, it's not like.

Like, people are actually talking to each other and sitting there. Like, that's one thing I've noticed big time in the nightlife. Because, like, one of my friends here was asking me about that. They're like, what are the clubs like in la? I was like, everybody just, like, stands at a table and stares at each other. Like, and if you, like, start dancing, you're looked at as weird. Or if you're, like, trying to start conversations with people. People like, what? And, like, they're, like, a little bit more snooty about it. But, like, here, everybody's so excited to talk to anybody.

[B]

I could see that Southern hospitality right?

[A]

For sure. Well, everybody's just so grounded and down to. I don't want to say everybody cuz like whatever. I haven't met anybody bad yet. But yeah, almost everybody that I've talked to has just been so like excited about whatever conversation. So.

[B]

Yeah, LA just got voted worst nightlife in the country.

[A]

No way.

[B]

Yeah, I saw some article about it last week.

[A]

Dang.

[B]

Because people just go on their phones. They're not even like enjoying literally.

[A]

It's literally people sitting there and they're at the table and they're like taking their selfie video.

Put it down and that's it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which granted, maybe I'm gonna say I've never taken selfie videos in the club, but like.

[B]

Yeah, no, you were just trying to fit in.

[A]

I'm just excited to be there, I guess.

[B]

Sounds like you like Nashville more than la.

[A]

Yeah, I am grateful for my experience in LA for sure. Like, I made a lot of really great memories. I have a lot of good friends that I still talk to and everything. Like, I don't want to sit here and like, like totally bash on la. I just have no desire to go back.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Either.

[B]

When you're releasing the next song.

[A]

I don't know yet. I was just in the studio the other day. Hopefully soon. It's been almost a year since I've released anything, so that's a long time.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Doing music is so expensive because I just went independent like a year and a half ago or something like that. I didn't realize how expensive it is.

[B]

And so because you got to pay the hourly studio rate and then the editing, right?

[A]

Yeah, well, it's like. Yeah, just to get it like mix and mastered and then the distribution and then it's like if you want to promote it or whatever, it's a lot. And then like getting the artwork and if you want to perform it and all these things that like. I'm starting to think I took my old label from random in that sense.

[B]

I could see that though people don't know. Like, even podcasting is kind of expensive.

[A]

I bet, actually. I mean, especially with your travel alone.

[B]

Travel, studio, rental. The flight here was a thousand bucks. Hotel. And then editing is crazy. I'm paying 30k a month in editing.

[A]

There's no way.

[B]

Yeah, because I got hundreds of editors.

[A]

So are you looking for one more? I can edit, I feel like podcast editing. I'm not gonna say that.

[B]

So.

[A]

So you're gonna say. I don't think it's like.

[B]

So you're thinking of long form editing I'm talking about clips. Oh. It's a different form, but yeah, the long format is easy because all I do on mine is censor curse words. I don't edit anything else.

[A]

Gotcha.

[B]

But the short form, you need talented people to find the clips.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

You know, they need to find the exact, like, opening hook. That's gonna keep people.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Which is a skill because, like, whoever's.

[A]

Doing it is good at it, though. I was talking to your Instagram.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, we're getting a lot of views on Instagram. Yeah, Instagram's my favorite platform right now. I used to be Tick Tock, but I keep getting banned.

[A]

Why? What are you.

[B]

Someone said the earth was flat. I got banned for that. I get banned once a week.

[A]

I used to think that theory was, like, so crazy and outlandish, like, the flat earth theory. And then, like, my best friend's boyfriend came over to my family's house and was, like, explaining it and I was like, why is he kind of winning me over on this thing? Like, why is he really making sense or. No, I don't know what I am. I just, like, try not to think about it. I'm already stressed out. I already have so much to think about. I don't need to start questioning the globe. I'm on fair.

But he was making a lot of really good points.

[B]

I mean, I'll say that they sound intelligent, the right people of that movement, but I don't know. I'm going to host a debate and see what I side with soon.

[A]

You should get him on it. Yeah.

[B]

Well, if he's. Does he have a following or. No, he's low key.

[A]

No, he's.

I don't know what he.

[B]

I need someone established that's known for being a flat earther. Publicly.

[A]

Yeah, no.

[B]

So I'll organize that. I'm doing a lot more debates this year. What? Have you gone down the conspiracy rabbit hole at all on. On YouTube or Netflix or anything?

[A]

Not recently, no. I remember in high school, I used to watch, like, the Shane Dawson conspiracy theories all the time. Those are good, but outside of that, I haven't really entertained too much of it.

[B]

Yeah, I miss Shane Dawson Dawson videos. He got really canceled.

[A]

But why did he get canceled again? I remember that happening, but I don't.

[B]

Remember some underage stuff. It was also during peak cancel culture.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So, like, it was just bad timing.

[A]

Mmm. That's something I'm so scared of because people are ruthless about it. If I'm like, yeah, I think you're.

[B]

Chilling these Days, like, if I talk.

[A]

About my views on cancel culture, I think it's gonna, like, end with me.

[B]

It's not as bad as it used to be.

[A]

That's good.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

I'm definitely. Yeah.

[B]

Because now people move on quick.

[A]

I have noticed that. Yeah. Like, 2020 to 2022, if you did something wrong, people are ready to end your life for you. Like, it's just crazy.

[B]

Yeah. I think people are going crazy during the pandemic.

[A]

Like, granted, like, yes, I think it's good that people are, like, holding each other accountable, but I definitely think there's a line there that people are really excited to cross sometimes.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. Knock on wood. I haven't been canceled yet. Definitely have some haters.

[A]

Yeah, I think I need a knock on wood.

[B]

Definitely have haters, though. Those are unavoidable.

[A]

Again, you have what?

[B]

Haters. Oh, I get thousands of comments.

[A]

Dang. Yeah, I think most of my haters are, like, just people from my hometown that I went to high school with.

[B]

They don't fuck with you.

[A]

Like, I would say majority do, but it's more just like, girls making rude comments about things or whatever.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What do they say about you?

[A]

It's more.

I'm trying to think, like, one of the more recent ones was, like, someone who was, like, coaching at my sister's school was sitting there being like, oh, Tess moved out to LA to do, like, music and all this stuff, and she's not even all that. It's honestly, I would say, like, the biggest comment I get from people is people being like, testing. She's all that. Or testing, she's all. I'm like, shouldn't everybody think they're all that? Like, yeah, do I think I'm better than other people? No. But, like.

I. I don't know.

[B]

I like confidence. There's a. There's a line, though, with confidence and ego.

[A]

I was literally talking to someone about that yesterday because literally what the difference between, like, confidence and ego is, is, like, confidence is, like, I think I'm cool and, like, I don't really care whether or not other people agree. While ego is more solely based on what other people think.

[B]

Yeah, that's pretty accurate. Yeah. I saw a lot of ego in la. The more follow, especially the more followers someone had. They based their whole.

[A]

That's a crazy thing too, is like, the fact that I would go to, like, house parties and people would, like, check your following.

[B]

That actually happens?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

All the time.

[B]

That's nuts.

[A]

Or, like, if you were to, like, go to the Club with like a group of people. They're like, okay, send your Instagram so you can see like what mutuals and all these things. And it's like so nuts. That has never once happened out here.

[B]

No. No one gives a out here.

[A]

Okay. Another thing too is like, were you ever on like that Party Full app?

[B]

Oh yeah, I use it.

[A]

We're like. That was so prevalent in la.

[B]

They still use it in la.

[A]

Yeah. I literally still get notifications for it every single day now. I literally just recently now. Last week someone that moved here from LA used a Party Full in Nashville and I was like, holy crap, I forgot that thing exactly existed.

[B]

Yeah. I mean it's a clean app. Like I use Luma for my events. But Partyful is kind of similar.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. It's a very smart app. But I'm just like. That used to be such a big part of like nightlife in general.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Out there, like anytime anything was going on, people are like, oh, we're just gonna check Party Full and see what's going on tonight. Yeah.

[B]

The invite only events. Yeah. You ever get invited to a Diddy party?

[A]

No. I think I'm grateful for that. Would you go if you were invited?

[B]

Knowing what I know now. No. Maybe back. I would.

[A]

Have you seen that like clip from Ellen?

It's like a couch full of kids and she's like, kids, I have a surprise for you. And Diddy walks.

[B]

No way. I haven't seen that one.

[A]

It's like an old clips. Like it was like before any of the information came out.

[B]

That's. That's interesting.

[A]

So bad.

[B]

Well, Ellen moved out of the country.

[A]

Knew what?

[B]

Ellen moved out of the country?

[A]

No way. Where is she?

[B]

She's in the UK now.

[A]

Dang. What did she get canceled for again?

[B]

Being mean. Yeah, she was being mean to like her own staff to guests and stuff. Which is probably like.

[A]

You have to be really mean.

[B]

Yeah. That's like the dumbest reason to get canceled. Like if you're gonna get canceled. Being mean, like, that's crazy to me. I guess she just got, you know, that's what we were talking about earlier with ego and confidence. Just got too far in the ego. She had the number one show for a while and then just.

[A]

So there's like no more Ellen episodes at all.

[B]

I haven't seen any new ones in a long ass time. She moves. When Trump got elected.

[A]

Which time?

[B]

This time? Yeah. Well, test. It's been fun. Where can people find you anything else you want to close off with?

[A]

No, I think I'M good. People can find me on Instagram. I literally just look directly in the camera.

[B]

Well, now. Now you can, because it's the outro.

[A]

Okay, so Instagram.

TikTok all that. I'm tes mon pair on everything.

[B]

Wherever you guys are watching this show, I would truly appreciate it if you follow or subscribe. It helps a lot with the algorithm. It helps us get bigger and better guests, and it helps us grow the team. Truly means a lot. Thank you guys for supporting. And here's the episode.