Podcast Summary:

First Date with Lauren Compton
Episode: Scott Fillmore Found His College Professor on Grindr?!
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Podcast Network: YMH Studios
Guests: Lauren Compton (host), Scott Fillmore (comedian, content creator)

Episode Overview

This episode features comedian Scott Fillmore, an Austin local and former First Date Live contestant, in a candid, comedic exploration of dating as an ex-Mormon gay man. The conversation covers coming out, Grindr confessions, dating red flags, the complex layers of the gay dating scene, and personal stories about family, romance, and self-acceptance. Expect plenty of laughs, real talk about LGBTQ+ experience, and an irreverent tone throughout.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Scott’s Background: Coming Out and Leaving Mormonism

• Scott introduces himself: “I’m 33. I’m single. A big gay. That’s becoming less of a fun fact as time goes on.” (01:10–01:17)
• Reflects on growing up Mormon in Wisconsin, serving a mission in Ukraine (03:27–03:55), and grappling with his sexuality:
  • “It was a big, hush-hush, secret thing for me until I was, like, 25.” (01:52–01:59)
  • Came out after nearly getting engaged to a woman at BYU, a Mormon university (01:38–02:32).

2. Life in Different Communities: Family, Utah, Austin

• Talks about moving from Wisconsin to Utah, then eventually to Austin, Texas (04:03–04:10).
• Describes his supportive family, despite initial religious differences:
  • “My parents have never… never liked that. So I got really lucky. My parents rule.” (19:47–19:49)
• Explains that he and his brothers no longer practice Mormonism (18:59–19:05).

3. Dating Experiences and Grindr Realness

• Describes his dating preferences and style:
  • Prefers low-key first dates: “I don’t like going out… I would much rather have somebody over, maybe cook for him, maybe just hang out, watch a movie.” (09:21–09:43)
  • Discusses differences in gay vs. straight dating norms:
    • “With gay guys, it’s just like, well, we both know what we’re here for… It’s a little more honest, which I like.” (10:50–10:49)
• Opens up about the realities of Grindr, the gay dating app:
  • “It’s a grid of shirtless neck to waistline torsos... they don’t want anybody else to know that they’re gay so they’re not showing their face.” (21:27–21:43)
  • On closet culture: “There’s so many guys in the closet here [Austin]... You get within a mile of UT, you’re just like, whoa. It’s crazy.” (21:44–21:56)
  • Reveals wild experience: “I saw one of my professors on there and he was married with kids. And he started messaging me.” (23:52–24:17)
  • Explains why he now avoids dating closeted men: “I’m not interested in dating those types of guys… I’ve already been through that and I’m done.” (26:36–27:15)

4. Gay Dating Culture and “Types”

• Explains the archetypes in gay culture: bears, otters, twinks, etc. (13:47–14:17)
  • “I’m a chub, which is not very nice… everyone else gets a cute nickname and you’re just a chub.” (14:15–14:17)
  • “If you’re tall and skinny, you are king of the castle [in gay dating].” (12:22–12:26)
• Shares his “type”: “I like a guy that looks like he’s been trapped in a library for three years… tall and lanky and, like, shy and quiet.” (11:07–11:24)

5. Creativity, Cooking, and Hobbies

• Scott and Lauren bond over a love of cooking:
  • Scott previously ran a TikTok series “Making Salmon Fat,” where he’d cook to sabotage a crush on his hot roommate. (06:04–06:25)
  • Launching a new web series “Cooking with Comics.” (07:03–07:11; 41:10)
• Plays multiple instruments (violin, mandolin), joined a bluegrass band in high school. (17:06–17:18)
• End goal: working in writers’ rooms for TV and film. (17:42–17:55)

6. Romance, Personality, and Relationship Preferences

• Shares what attracts him: moving past looks to valuing chemistry, conversation, and intellect:
  • “Now I’m getting to a place where, like, if I am gonna be with somebody or spend time with somebody. I’d like them to be able to read and do simple addition…” (27:57–28:24)
• Not in a rush for marriage; values solitude and doesn’t want to settle “from fear of being alone.” (29:22–29:45)
• Most romantic gesture: “I made a picnic... took a guy up a mountain… homemade bridge over a river… picnic right there.” (39:09–39:43)
• Most romantic gift received: “(He) put together a really fun, personalized care package for my birthday… all stuff that I had mentioned liking.” (40:00–40:42)

7. Red Flags, Vulnerability, and Therapy

• His own big red flag: “I get bored really easily… I think the responsibility of other people’s emotions…” (30:34–31:06)
  • Has been in therapy to address avoidant tendencies in relationships (31:11–31:17)
• Biggest red flag in others: “Inability to read a room;… social skills are really important.” (31:37–31:56)

8. Authenticity and Owning Mistakes

• Both discuss the importance of owning when they are “the problem” in a friendship or relationship; value direct communication (34:09–35:16)
• Lauren reflects, “I never want to hurt anyone’s feelings...” and shares a story about adjusting her style between comedians and non-comedians (35:30–36:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I like a guy that looks like he’s been trapped in a library for three years… tall and lanky and, like, shy and quiet.” — Scott (11:07)
• “With gay guys, it’s just like, well, we both know what we’re here for. What the end goal is here. …To me, it’s a little more honest, which I like.” — Scott (10:49)
• “If you’re tall and skinny, you are king of the castle.” — Scott (12:22)
• “I saw one of my professors on there [Grindr], and he was married with kids. And he started messaging me.” — Scott (23:52)
• “I wish I thought that was going to be the case. Every gay person is funny that I’ve met… we all want attention.” — Scott, on being a comedian in the gay community (14:40–15:21)
• “I’m a chub… everyone else gets a cute nickname and you’re just a chub.” — Scott (14:16)
• “All the things that make me cool and special to straight people are just, like, kind of normal for gay people.” — Scott (16:50)
• “Own it. …Taking that step to, like, communicate a little bit… makes you better friends with that person.” — Scott (34:47–35:16)

Important Timestamps:

• Scott’s Coming Out/Background: 01:09–02:21
• Life as a Mormon Missionary: 03:27–03:55
• First Date Preferences + Gay Dating Reality: 09:21–10:49
• Gay Culture Types: 13:47–14:17
• Grindr Explainer: 21:01–23:56
• Professor on Grindr Story: 23:52–24:21
• Red Flags & Avoidance: 30:34–31:17
• Therapy/Emotional Growth: 31:29–31:17
• Romantic Gestures: 39:09–40:42
• Cooking with Comics Plug: 41:10–41:14

Final Thoughts

This episode is a playful and unfiltered look at modern gay dating, with Scott Fillmore serving up jokes, vulnerability, and plenty of real talk about navigating identity, culture, and relationships. Lauren and Scott’s chemistry keeps things light, but the episode is packed with insights into the complexities of coming out, seeking connection, and learning to feel at home with oneself—no matter how many “red flags” that includes.

Where to Find Scott:

• Instagram/TikTok: @ScottFillmoreComedy / @GrinderAndGrill
• Web Series: Cooking with Comics (coming soon)

For listeners curious about LGBTQ+ dating, ex-Mormon experience, or just in for authentic laughs, this episode is essential.