Eating While Broke: ALYSHA BURNEY - Hoodchos

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club - "Eating While Broke: ALYSHA BURNEY - Hoodchos"

Release Date: March 15, 2025

In this engaging episode of The Breakfast Club, hosted by iHeartPodcasts, the crew delves deep into the entrepreneurial and creative journey of Alysha Burney, a renowned YouTuber, producer, writer, and director. Titled "Eating While Broke: ALYSHA BURNEY - Hoodchos," the episode offers listeners a comprehensive look into Alysha's rise in the digital media landscape, her personal struggles, and her strategies for success.

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1. Introduction to Alysha Burney

The episode kicks off with host Colleen Witt warmly welcoming Alysha Burney, highlighting her multifaceted roles in the entertainment industry. Alysha introduces her signature dish, "Hoodchos," a creative take on nachos that symbolizes her ability to blend simplicity with flair, much like her content creation.

Alysha Burney: "I call it hood chos. Like, good nachos. So, yeah, basically, whatever you got in the cabinet, I just combine all four ingredients together."
[03:10]

2. Early Beginnings in Comedy and Content Creation

Alysha reflects on her early foray into comedy, sparked by her mother's influence and her admiration for comedians like Kevin Hart. At the tender age of nine, she began experimenting with microwave cooking, which metaphorically represents her initial steps into content creation—simple yet innovative.

Alysha Burney: "Cooking is like my love language. Like, if I cook for you, I love you."
[05:26]

She recounts her initial attempts at uploading comedy sketches on her mother's Facebook account, which, despite early setbacks and parental concerns, laid the foundation for her burgeoning online presence.

3. Rising Through the Ranks: Vine and YouTube Success

Transitioning to her teenage years, Alysha discusses her expansion onto platforms like Vine and YouTube. By eighth grade, she had amassed approximately 30,000 followers on Vine, defying skepticism from her peers.

Alysha Burney: "When I was in school, I had work due, but I knew I had to post, so I was like, dang, I had a lot to do."
[22:35]

Her dedication culminated in receiving her first significant check from YouTube during her senior year of high school, marking a pivotal moment in her career.

4. Monetization and Financial Milestones

Alysha shares insights into the financial aspects of being a content creator. She explains the monetization process on YouTube, highlighting the unpredictability and fluctuations of revenue streams.

Alysha Burney: "My biggest check that I got one month was 40,000. Never seen that."
[23:02]

Despite the inconsistencies, Alysha emphasizes the importance of saving and managing finances wisely, especially when earnings are volatile.

5. Transition to Los Angeles: Pursuing the Dream

Post-graduation, Alysha made a bold move to Los Angeles, driven by her aspiration to further her career in digital media production. She candidly discusses the challenges she faced, including culture shock and feelings of isolation.

Alysha Burney: "I was so depressed, like, very depressed. I started gaining a lot of weight because I was just eating to fill my voids."
[30:58]

Her relocation story underscores the personal sacrifices and emotional hurdles that often accompany the pursuit of one's dreams.

6. Content Creation Process and Creative Strategies

Delving into her creative process, Alysha outlines how everyday experiences and trending topics inspire her content. She stresses the importance of timely production to capitalize on viral trends.

Alysha Burney: "If slavery existed in 2021 or 2022... I get a lot of backlash from black people because they're like, oh, slavery is not a joke."
[27:41]

Her ability to navigate sensitive topics while maintaining relatability and humor is a testament to her skill as a content creator.

7. Personal Life and Relationships

Alysha opens up about her personal life, discussing the complexities of relationships in the limelight. She emphasizes the significance of knowing one's worth and setting boundaries to protect emotional well-being.

Alysha Burney: "See, that's why I'm not dating in LA, because I know my worth."
[46:51]

Her insights offer valuable lessons on maintaining personal integrity amidst public scrutiny and opportunistic acquaintances.

8. Challenges and Mental Health

Addressing mental health, Alysha candidly talks about her struggles with depression and loneliness, especially after moving to LA. She highlights the paradox of being perceived as outgoing online while being introverted and grappling with internal battles.

Alysha Burney: "I'm a very introverted person. I know sometimes I come off as very, like, outgoing, which I am online, sometimes I am in person..."
[48:42]

Her vulnerability sheds light on the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by content creators.

9. Advice for Aspiring Creators

Wrapping up the conversation, Alysha imparts wisdom to aspiring content creators. She advocates for perseverance, the importance of sustaining loyal relationships, and the necessity of staying true to one's creative vision.

Alysha Burney: "Keep going. And if the people are supporting you coming up, make sure you lock in with them once you come up."
[43:40]

Her advice underscores the value of resilience and authentic connections in the dynamic world of digital media.

10. Conclusion

The episode culminates with a heartfelt exchange between Alysha and the host, emphasizing mutual mentorship and the continuous learning journey within the content creation sphere. Alysha's journey from a young comedy enthusiast to a successful YouTuber serves as an inspiring narrative for listeners navigating their paths in creative industries.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Alysha Burney: "Cooking is like my love language. Like, if I cook for you, I love you."
  [05:26]

• Alysha Burney: "My biggest check that I got one month was 40,000. Never seen that."
  [23:02]

• Alysha Burney: "If slavery existed in 2021 or 2022... I get a lot of backlash from black people because they're like, oh, slavery is not a joke."
  [27:41]

• Alysha Burney: "See, that's why I'm not dating in LA, because I know my worth."
  [46:51]

• Alysha Burney: "Keep going. And if the people are supporting you coming up, make sure you lock in with them once you come up."
  [43:40]

Key Takeaways:

• Persistence Pays Off: Alysha's decade-long journey underscores the importance of unwavering commitment to one's goals, even when immediate results are not evident.

• Managing Finances: Understanding the financial dynamics of online platforms is crucial for sustainability amidst unpredictable earnings.

• Mental Health Awareness: Balancing an outgoing online persona with internal emotional struggles highlights the need for mental health support among content creators.

• Authentic Relationships: Building and maintaining genuine relationships is vital in navigating personal and professional landscapes, especially in competitive environments like Los Angeles.

• Adaptability and Creativity: Alysha's ability to pivot her content based on trending topics showcases the necessity of adaptability in the digital media realm.

This episode of The Breakfast Club offers a holistic view of Alysha Burney's life, blending professional insights with personal anecdotes, making it a valuable listen for aspiring creators and enthusiasts alike.

Transcript

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[Alicia Burney]

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[Alicia Burney]

Love at first swipe?

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On this episode of Dope Labs, poet.

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And relationship expert Young Pueblo breaks down the psychology of love and provides eye.

[Alicia Burney]

Opening insights and advice we all need.

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It's a big realization moment that you should not be postponing your happiness like, your greatest happiness is not necessarily going to, like, come from a relationship. Your partner, they should add to your happiness, but your happiness is really coming from within.

[Geico Representative]

You listen to dope labs on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, guys. Welcome to another episode of Eating While Broke. I'm your host, Colleen Witt, and today we have very special guest, famous YouTuber Alicia Bernie. Producer, writer, director. Alicia Bernie's in the building, and I'm excited to hear your story because it's. It's a long journey for you.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, it is. It's been a long time.

[Geico Representative]

It's been a long time. And what are you gonna have me eating today on the show?

[Alicia Burney]

I call it hood chos. Like, good nachos. So, yeah, basically, whatever you got in the cabinet, I just combine all four ingredients together.

[Geico Representative]

And what are the ingredients?

[Alicia Burney]

Sour cream, salsa. You could use tortilla chips, like, regular tortillas, but today we're gonna use Doritos and shredded cheese.

[Geico Representative]

Oh, do you usually use tortilla chips, or you only do the Dorito? Cool Ranch?

[Alicia Burney]

Honestly, it's whatever chips I can find, but, like. Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Oh, really? Any chips?

[Alicia Burney]

Any chips? It's always chips.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. Have you ever done it with, like, Cheetos?

[Alicia Burney]

Mm, mm. I don't like Cheetos.

[Geico Representative]

Not even the puffy one? Oh, no. You're tripping.

[Alicia Burney]

Maybe. I'm okay.

[Geico Representative]

Well, we don't have to judge this dish hard. So before. Well, I guess while you. Another thing I wanted to share with you guys is that Alicia said that she only usually does this dish in the microwave.

[Alicia Burney]

Yep.

[Geico Representative]

Which is interesting, because I would assume the chips get hot.

[Alicia Burney]

They do. But you don't. Like, they're not in there for a long time. It's probably like, 30 seconds to a minute.

[Geico Representative]

Okay.

[Alicia Burney]

Just to melt the cheese.

[Geico Representative]

And then today, you're gonna take one for the team and cook it on the stove top.

[Alicia Burney]

I am.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. All right, so get into the cooking of the cheese so I can eat the cheese. Yes. And then what was going on around the time when you're making this dish?

[Alicia Burney]

Actually, my mom. I mean, my auntie, she taught me how to make this. Like, one day I called her. I was like, I'm hungry, because it was never no food at home. And then she was, like, asking me, like, what's all in the house? And then she told me, like, literally to combine these four ingredients, and I did.

[Geico Representative]

How old were you at the time?

[Alicia Burney]

Probably like nine. And, you know, I could only really cook in the microwave or else I was gonna get in trouble.

[Geico Representative]

So you was like, walking around the house like, hey, there's some chips here. There's some shredded cheese.

[Alicia Burney]

And she was like, oh, combine all four. And I was like, okay, yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Now, are you a cook at home by nature?

[Alicia Burney]

Oh, yeah, I am. Cooking is like my love language.

[Geico Representative]

Oh, okay, okay.

[Alicia Burney]

Like, if I cook for you, I love you.

[Geico Representative]

When did you start getting into writing and producing?

[Alicia Burney]

So I started off with sketch comedy. Oh, we should get our chips ready.

[Geico Representative]

Really do however. Yeah, put a lot of cheese.

[Alicia Burney]

I should just cook.

[Geico Representative]

Cook all the cheese. Yeah.

[Alicia Burney]

But, yeah, I started getting started with writing and producing. I was very young when I started, like, doing comedy sketches. I was like, 11. I started on Facebook. Like, I would hack into my. Not necessarily hack, but my mom was logged into her Facebook account on the laptop. So I would log in there and I would just upload videos of myself to her Facebook page. Of course I got in trouble. I'm not supposed to be doing stuff like that. But after that, I just started. I kept going with the comedy sketches. Then I was like, I want to take it more serious. So last year, I write, produced, directed, acted in, and filmed my own short film. And then ever since then, I just keep producing films.

[Geico Representative]

But take it back to when you were. You said 11 when you started. What inspired you to get into comedy? Even think of comedy sketches?

[Alicia Burney]

So my mom, she would, like, always be playing, like, Kevin Hart and stuff. I thought he was so funny. Still to this day, I think he's very funny. And I don't know, it made me want to kind of be like him because I would always see him on the tv. She would just replay the comedy stuff back to back. I used to watch. This is a commentary on YouTube. Trey Melvin. I used to also watch Delano Edwards. Who else? There's one more. Other one. T. Pindell. I used to watch all three of them on YouTube. And then I was like, wow. Like, I wanted to create content just like them. Cause I thought their content was so funny. So it inspired me.

[Geico Representative]

And they were short skits at the time.

[Alicia Burney]

Mm.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. And then what was. Do you remember, like, one of your first skits that actually did?

[Alicia Burney]

Well, it was actually a story time. It wasn't really a skit, but it popped off my channel. I think it was types of workers. Like, I just. I think I was, like, 17 and I did this get, like, types of workers. It was just me, like, pretending to be a worker and also playing the character as well.

[Geico Representative]

So I played like, yeah, I noticed you'll play different characters. And while you're doing all this, what is your mom saying about this passion that you're developing?

[Alicia Burney]

She wouldn't really say much. Like, she was just like, I was a kid. She was just like, oh, you know, like she didn't really say much, but I did have some people like telling me, like, oh, you need to stop. Like, I don't know, I was a kid, so I don't know. Some people was like saying stop, because I used to start like cussing in the skits as well. But then it's like once they saw it was like working for me, like making money and like doing, you know, beneficial stuff, everybody kind of like started supporting it. Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. And then what were your friends thinking when you were getting into that at that age?

[Alicia Burney]

I would like force them to be in stuff like be mascots.

[Geico Representative]

Now when you were doing this, this was before vine and all those guys came out, correct?

[Alicia Burney]

Uh huh. But I also hopped on the vine wagon as well.

[Geico Representative]

You did? How well did you do on Vine?

[Alicia Burney]

By the time I really started popping off, I think I had like 30,000 followers. I was in the eighth grade with like 30,000 followers on Vine. It was people at school like telling me like, I'm full of bs, like, it's never going to happen for me because I would come to school and be like, oh, everybody subscribe to my YouTube channel. Yeah, they would just talk stuff. But now it's like all those people they support now.

[Geico Representative]

Wow.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Now, where were you at when you got your first check from YouTube?

[Alicia Burney]

I was at home. I remember my first big check. Well, actually my first check in general. What grade was I? I was in the 12th. It was senior year of high school and I got like a $500 check. And to me that's a lot. Cause I was working at the time at Hy Vee. Do you know who Hy Vee is?

[Geico Representative]

No.

[Alicia Burney]

I was like a grocery store in Missouri.

[Geico Representative]

Okay.

[Alicia Burney]

I was working.

[Geico Representative]

Oh, you're not even from out here. Where are you from?

[Alicia Burney]

Kansas City.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. Kansas City. Kansas City. Be coming up on this show a couple times.

[Alicia Burney]

Okay. Yeah, I saw Bobby was on here. He's from Kansas City too.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, yeah, he was an interesting interview. I don't know if you heard it yet, but yeah, he's interesting. So you're in Kansas City, you're in the 12th grade. And at what point did you get the notification from YouTube to monetize the channel?

[Alicia Burney]

So I started YouTube at a very young age. And the rules Were different then. My channel was monetized since I was, like, 16, but I wasn't making any money because I didn't have any views at the time. But then when I finally got views and stuff, they gave me my first $500 check in the 12th grade. I was so happy. And then I was like. It was in 2020 when Covid had hit. I transferred colleges, and I was just so, like, depressed. And I was, like, praying to God. I was like, God, like, if you give me enough money, I'll literally leave Missouri and I'll move to LA to pursue my dreams. That's all I really wanted at the time. So that next month, I got a $2,500 check. 2,500 is a lot from, like, YouTube.

[Geico Representative]

But at this point, you're in college, you're past high school, so you get your $500 check, and you're. What are you going to college for?

[Alicia Burney]

Digital media production.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. And at this point, are you still recording on iPhones? Are you buying your own equipment? How are you taping?

[Alicia Burney]

I would record on my iPhone. Like, I never bought equipment till this year. Till I moved here. I started taking everything more serious.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. Yeah. You may want to put that in that bowl or something.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. Are you ready to dump the cheese? Let's do it. Let's do it. Make some hood. Hood shows. Yeah, hood shows. Okay, Hood shows.

[Alicia Burney]

Nachos. All right. Hood. Nachos. Okay, so first, you mean to make yours?

[Geico Representative]

Yeah. Oh, I didn't know if you dump it in the bowl or how you're gonna do it.

[Alicia Burney]

Oh, should we do that? No, I don't.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. Okay, Here, Just go ahead.

[Alicia Burney]

You want me.

[Geico Representative]

Here, I'll do it.

[Alicia Burney]

Okay.

[Geico Representative]

Just a bunch of chips, right? Okay.

[Alicia Burney]

And then just lay them out. Just, like, spread them out.

[Geico Representative]

Mm. Okay, perfect. Then what? We dump the cheese, huh?

[Alicia Burney]

Well, let me get some more.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, we gotta put a lot. Get into hos.

[Alicia Burney]

Hos. Y'all make this whenever y'all are hungry and high.

[Geico Representative]

Don't forget to turn off that stove.

[Alicia Burney]

Oh, yes. I don't want to burn myself.

[Geico Representative]

We don't want you to burn yourself.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Wow. That's. And that's how the cheese comes out. That's thick.

[Alicia Burney]

That is thick. All this oil that's in the cheese.

[Geico Representative]

So while you're in college, you're praying for this window of opportunity, but you're in Missouri still. I'm just going to dump this. Oh, yeah. It's very oily.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Is that how it usually comes out when it's out of the microwave?

[Alicia Burney]

No. Okay.

[Geico Representative]

You can put this back on the stove. Oh. Oh.

[Alicia Burney]

I don't know what I was thinking. I'm glad you didn't.

[Geico Representative]

Wow. That would have been the first live burn on the show. Okay, so salsa. I'm gonna lather mine and then what? Sour cream?

[Alicia Burney]

Yep.

[Geico Representative]

So you're in college. You're praying for a miracle. But you do know that your end results is you want to come to Los Angeles.

[Alicia Burney]

Yes. So my dad, he moved here, like, when I was, like, 2 and he was out here. He was pursuing his dreams of becoming, like, a comedian. Also, like, writing, directing as well. Yeah, this is what it looks like.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, it looks good. It looks official. So he's pursuing his dreams. And is he telling you, like, the whole time, like, you should come to la and.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, he was. But was your mom with it? No. No, not at all. Which I'm glad everything played out the way it did. I wanted to move down here when I was younger because I just love the idea of la because.

[Geico Representative]

Did you come and visit before when your dad was here?

[Alicia Burney]

I visited first for a cruise, and then I got a wild N out had hit me up. They were like, we want you to come down and audition at one of the locations. It was either, I think New York, Atlanta, and then it was la.

[Geico Representative]

And I was like, they directly hit you up, and you're in college?

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, I was 19. When they hit me up. I was like.

[Geico Representative]

So you were making. Making little waves.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, I started coming up.

[Geico Representative]

You gotta try this before the cheese.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, we should.

[Geico Representative]

Pretty good. I feel like the cheese is thick, though.

[Alicia Burney]

It is thick. I like this, though.

[Geico Representative]

You like it that thick?

[Alicia Burney]

I like it better in the microwave, but I like it on the style of soup.

[Geico Representative]

I'm gonna be honest. These HUD shells would taste good with just the salsa and the sour cream. Don't you think so? Mm.

[Alicia Burney]

I agree.

[Geico Representative]

I don't even think you need the cheese. I don't think I'll ever eat Doritos plain again. Cause this is amazing.

[Alicia Burney]

Thank you.

[Geico Representative]

I'm gonna take one more bite.

[Alicia Burney]

Take a bow. Okay.

[Geico Representative]

Hucho's made it really affordable dish, fun snack, y'all.

[Alicia Burney]

This is the best meal on the show thus far. So, yeah.

[Geico Representative]

We'Re not gonna say that, but we gonna give it a 10 out of a 10. So it's up there.

[Alicia Burney]

Am I the runner up, though?

[Geico Representative]

You'll run her up. Like, this is definitely good. Like, we've had the. The nachos, the Dorito nachos. But as far as simplicity, A couple minutes to make. I really like it with the salsa and just the sour cream, though.

[Alicia Burney]

Sometimes I do that. Like, if I have Doritos, I'll just put sour cream on them.

[Geico Representative]

That's awesome. Never ever thought to do this, ever. So wild now hits you up. So you're getting. It seems like you're getting signs that you should be. You're going in the right direction. Parents are all supportive.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

At this point. All right, so take me on to the next chapter. So do you interview? Do you do the Wild N Out audition?

[Alicia Burney]

I did, but at the time I was 19. So everybody's like, when I went there, when I'm around people I don't know, I'm not thinking, like, oh, this opportunity could change my life. I'm just shy, like, because I'm 19. These people were, like, way older than me. Like, they have very big personalities. Like, at the auditions, everybody was loud. It seemed like they kind of knew each other as well. So I was just sitting there, like, just very, like, shy and timid. I didn't really say too much, and I feel like I didn't show much of my personality. I didn't make it, but obviously. But yeah, I feel if I could redo it, I would wish that they went hit me up at an older age because I feel like that I have the confidence now. Back then, I didn't.

[Geico Representative]

What was your following at the time when they hit you up?

[Alicia Burney]

I think I was at 200k on. On Instagram and then on YouTube.

[Geico Representative]

Now YouTube is where you make most.

[Alicia Burney]

Of your money, but I wasn't popping on YouTube back then, so I feel like they found me on Instagram.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. What was your YouTube following when you made the, like, $2,500 check?

[Alicia Burney]

Oh, it started skyrocketing.

[Oracle Representative]

Our iHeartRadio Music Awards are coming back Monday, March 17th on Fox.

[Alicia Burney]

Starring Bad Bunny Glorilla, Kenny, Chesney, Money Long Nelly, your host, iheartradio.

[Clam Expert]

LL Cool J.

[Geico Representative]

Are you guys ready to have some fun tonight?

[Clam Expert]

Plus, I Heart Innovator Award recipient Lady.

[Oracle Representative]

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[Clam Expert]

And iHeart Breakthrough Award recipient Gracie Abrams.

[Geico Representative]

Watch live on Fox. Monday, March 17th at 8, 7 Central.

[Podcast Host]

Do you remember what you said the first night I came over here?

[Alicia Burney]

Ow. Go slower.

[Podcast Host]

From Blumhouse TV, iHeart podcasts and Ember 20 comes an all new fictional comedy podcast series. Join the flighty Damien Hirst as he unravels the mystery of his vanished boyfriend. And Santi was gone. I've been spending all my time looking for answers about what happened to Santi and what's the way to find a missing person? Sleep with everyone he knew, obviously. Hmm. Pillow talk. The most unwelcome window into the human psyche. Follow our out of his element hero as he engages in a series of ill conceived investigative hookups. Mama always used to say God gave me gumption in place of a gag reflex. And as I was about to learn, no amount of showering can wash your hands of a bad hookup.

[Geico Representative]

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[Podcast Host]

Listen to the hookup on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

[Oracle Representative]

I'm Mark Seale.

[H]

And I'm Nathan King.

[Oracle Representative]

This is Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli.

[Alicia Burney]

The five families did not want us to shoot that picture.

[H]

Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli is based on my co host Mark's best selling book of the same title. And on this show we call upon his years of research to help unpack the story behind the Godfather's birth. From start to finish, this is really.

[Geico Representative]

The first interview I've done in bed.

[H]

We sift through innumerable accounts. 35 pages isn't very much, many of them conflicting.

[Geico Representative]

That's nonsense.

[H]

There were 60 pages. And try to get to the truth of what really happened.

[Alicia Burney]

And they said we're finished. This is over it all these aren't going to work. You got to get rid of those guys.

[H]

Does that Leave the Take the Cannoli features new and archival interviews with Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Evans, James Caan, Talia Scheier and many others.

[Oracle Representative]

Yes, that was a real horse's head.

[H]

Listen and subscribe to Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Clam Expert]

Welcome to Pod of Rebellion, our new Star Wars Rebels Rewatch podcast. I'm Vanessa Marshall. Hi, I'm Tia Sircar.

[Alicia Burney]

I'm Taylor Gray.

[Podcast Host]

And I'm Jon Lee Brody.

[Clam Expert]

But you may also know us as Harrison Dullah, Specter 2, Sabine Wren, Specter.

[Alicia Burney]

5, and Ezra Bridger, Specter 6 from Star Wars Rebels.

[Podcast Host]

Wait, I wasn't on Star Wars Rebels. Am I in the right place?

[Clam Expert]

Absolutely. Each week we're going to rewatch and discuss an episode from the series and.

[Geico Representative]

Share some fun behind the scenes stories.

[Podcast Host]

Sometimes we'll be visited by special guests like Steve bloom voices Zabarelio's Spectre 4, or Dante Bosco voices Jaquel and many others.

[Clam Expert]

Sometimes we'll even have A lively debate.

[Geico Representative]

And we'll have plenty of other fun.

[Alicia Burney]

Surprises and trivia, too.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, and me. Well, I'm the lucky ghost crew Stowaway, who gets to help moderate and guide the discussion each week. Kind of like how Kanan guided Ezra in the ways of the Force. You see what I did there?

[Clam Expert]

Nicely done, John.

[Podcast Host]

Thanks, Tia.

[Clam Expert]

So hang on, because it's gonna be a fun ride.

[Podcast Host]

Cue the music.

Listen to Potter Rebellion on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Alicia Burney]

So that was the year of 2020. This was October, when I made the 2500. So in December, I hit 100k on YouTube. So I'm not sure where I was in October. Maybe, like, 80K. I think I was at 80,000. But I was coming up, like, that's when I popped off. Like, some people, they would meet me and be like, oh, the quarantine queen. Cause, like, that's when my channel was.

[Geico Representative]

Blowing up during quarantine. And were you doing any day jobs during quarantine? How were you surviving?

[Alicia Burney]

I wasn't just social media, really.

[Geico Representative]

That's it. So how are you? Were you getting paid enough to survive off social media?

[Alicia Burney]

Well, I lived with my mom. Well, I lived on campus, but, like, when I would go home, I would be with my mom, so I was good.

[Geico Representative]

So you were good. So. But were your checks consistent? Like, are they monthly or.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, once a month. I was getting also paid from, like, promos. People would pay me to, like, post their businesses on that account. What else? That's really it. I did have jobs here and there. I was always getting fired, though. Like, I worked at a hotel.

[Geico Representative]

But where were you getting fired from?

[Alicia Burney]

Like, why? Yeah, I don't know.

[Geico Representative]

You just weren't into it. You weren't passionate about it.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

So you're continuing with your YouTube channel and your social media. Right now you have almost a million subscribers on YouTube, which is a huge fee. Says you started your channel in 2013. What was, like, the hardest hiccup in that journey? Were there hard moments? Like, even coming up? Did you feel the pressure to come up with content?

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, that's kind of how I feel right now. So at first, everything came to me naturally. Like, I would just upload, like, once a month, which is not consistent at all. Sometimes I would go, like, three months without uploading, But I would just. I had my channel just for fun. Like, I was creative, so I wanted to, like, showcase that. And of course, I wanted followers too, or subscribers. But it became hard, like, when everybody Wanted me to start posting more consistently because I wasn't used to it.

[Geico Representative]

When you say everybody, like, fans, were reaching out, like, when's your next post?

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah. And I was like, dang, it's getting real. So I have to post, like, once a week. And I just graduated college, like, last May. So when I was in school, I had work due, but I knew I had to post, so I was like, dang, I had a lot to do.

[Geico Representative]

And then at this point, like, how consistent are the checks?

[Alicia Burney]

Just still once a month.

[Geico Representative]

Once a month. But the size of the checks are.

[Alicia Burney]

They go up and down. Like, my biggest check that I got one month was 40,000. Never seen that.

[Geico Representative]

40,000?

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah. What the heck? That was one time.

[Geico Representative]

That was one time I was like.

[Alicia Burney]

But that was during that time I was coming up, so.

[Geico Representative]

But was that during the pandemic?

[Alicia Burney]

It was in 2021.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah. So that's right after the pandemic. Oh, my gosh. So what did you do with the money?

[Alicia Burney]

I didn't do anything, like, big. I just kind of kept it.

[Geico Representative]

Do you still have it? Kind of. Well, did you?

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Okay, so you're. You're managing your money now. Do you have. When you get checks like that? Like, who was the first person you called and did you. Did you know that check was arriving? Or does it come in the mail or do they send you an email? How does it work?

[Alicia Burney]

So if you go in the app on The Studio. App, YouTube Studio, it'll, like, tell you what you're getting that month. When I saw that, I was like, what? Like, that's crazy. But I was also getting, like, 10,000amonth. So it didn't really, like, affect me.

[Geico Representative]

10,000Amonth is really good money. And are you telling your family, like, yo, this is how much money I'm making?

[Alicia Burney]

So that's the mistake I made. I told my mom, like, I made my first 11,000 in December of 2020, and I was proud. So I told my mom. She told the whole family, like, now everybody knows how much I make. So. Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Why is it, like, a not so good thing?

[Alicia Burney]

Because people start asking you for stuff, like, if you, like, make a lot of money, they'll start like, I don't know. It's like, I don't know.

[Geico Representative]

Like, when you guys go out to. They be like, you got the bill, you got it.

[Alicia Burney]

Like, I just want to feel like. Like, I don't know. Like, when people buy stuff, like, if I buy something for somebody, it's because I care about them. Or, like, I don't know. I want to feel like somebody cares about me too. Like that's one of my. Oh my love language. One of my love languages.

[Geico Representative]

Like gift giving.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah. Okay, so like when somebody buys me something, like I feel like, I don't know, I feel like they care even though that cannot always be the case. But yeah, yeah, but yeah. So I'm always having to buy people stuff. People expect me to like pay for everything. So that's why I just say anybody that got money, keep it on the.

[Geico Representative]

Did you ever have that conversation with your mom later? So like if she were to listen to this interview, she would be like, oh my gosh, I didn't know that.

[Alicia Burney]

I'm sure she knows. I think I did tell her. Like, it does bother me when people ask me how much I make from like.

[Geico Representative]

Oh really? Are you uncomfortable saying it on the show?

[Alicia Burney]

Oh no, I don't care.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. Yeah, we just talk about it on the show because there's like our show was like really created for the underdog and so we're trying to get them like, don't quit. Even though it looks.

[Alicia Burney]

Oh yeah, don't quit. Keep going. I had my channel since 13, now I'm living off of my channel. So I feel like anybody. That was 10 years ago, so. Well, 11 now. Cause it's 2024, but keep going.

[Geico Representative]

But it wasn't until like years in til you got your first check, right? It wasn't like year one.

[Alicia Burney]

2020 is when I got my first big check.

[Geico Representative]

Oh, that's seven years.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, medication.

[Geico Representative]

Seven long years. And no part of you was like during that journey, like, maybe I should give up or maybe I should pause this.

[Alicia Burney]

I loved it so much.

[Geico Representative]

Really. Now tell me about your concept process. Is it like you're going through everyday life and then you see something and it sparks? Tell me what that process looks like.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, everyday life. Like I'll see stuff, I'll be like, I need to make a skit about this or I'll see something trending. And I'm like, I gotta hop on the bandwagon. Because that's how videos go viral. You just gotta hop on what's trending.

[Geico Representative]

Like when they're trending. I have this, I don't know if you know him, but James Andre Jefferson Jr. He's such a long name.

[Alicia Burney]

That is a long name.

[Geico Representative]

But he's, he's like, he makes fun of like a lot of the celebrities and trending. But I remember when he was getting into social media, he had discovered that if you could strike while the trending was happening, like, on topic. Then your stuff can trend with it.

[Alicia Burney]

Very true.

[Geico Representative]

But the turnaround has got to be, like, a lot of pressure.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, it is, because it's like, you got to come up with something quick. Like, how the whole, like, what's something trending now? Or we could say, like, all the submarine stuff going on. Like, if somebody makes, like, a review about how they feel, I feel like that's easier. But if you make, like, just hop on the bandwagon, talk about what's going on, like, in the moment, like, even the jaded Pinkett stuff that was happening with Will Smith, I hopped on the trend. Like, I made a skit, like, pretending I was her, and I was getting interviewed. Usually that'll happen on quick. Do something creative.

[Geico Representative]

What was the one thing that, like, because you have 900, almost a million followers on YouTube, what is the one thing that you did that where you saw, like, a huge jump in your numbers?

[Alicia Burney]

I started doing these videos. What is it? If slavery existed in 2021 or 2022. But I would make, like, parodies. But I get a lot of backlash from black people because they're like, oh, slavery is not a joke. When they were not even running with Harriet and them. But, yeah, I don't know. But that's something a lot of people like, I guess. And then the online class videos. Cause in 2020, those were like, that's trending. Cause, like, Covid and stuff. So a lot of people were taking classes online. So I hopped on that and. Well, not necessarily hopped on that. I created that wave. Like, the whole online classes. Parodies. Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

And then where did you learn how to edit? Are you editing your videos or are you having someone else edit?

[Alicia Burney]

Oh, I edit them.

[Geico Representative]

Wow. And then you sit there with the lighting and the shooting and all of that. Mm, that's nuts.

[Alicia Burney]

My brother taught me how to edit. We used to make videos together. We had a channel and everything.

[Geico Representative]

Where's your brother at now?

[Alicia Burney]

He lives in Dallas. He graduated College in, like, 2021. Yeah, he moved here.

[Geico Representative]

He's older than you.

[Alicia Burney]

One year or 11 months. Yeah, he's like my best friend. Aw, I wish he was here.

[Geico Representative]

Aw, that's so sweet. Shout out, brother.

[Alicia Burney]

Shout out to Charles, y'all.

[Geico Representative]

So does your brother have a YouTube channel, or does he just kind of support yours?

[Alicia Burney]

Oh, he does, but he doesn't. He's not really active on there. We don't feel like he should be, but he's not active.

[Geico Representative]

Like, is he choosing a Different route from you.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, we did start together, like my channel now that I have now, me and him created that channel in 2013. And then I think it was called like Charles and Alicia. And like, I don't know, he just. I don't know, I think when he went to college, he just kind of.

[Geico Representative]

Stopped and he just wanted to do what? Do you know what he's majoring in?

[Alicia Burney]

He did it Informational technology.

[Geico Representative]

Okay, so both of you guys are choosing good. Well, good careers and hard careers at that.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, I know, it is hard.

[Geico Representative]

So when you move to la, like, what does that move look like?

[Alicia Burney]

I actually. So I graduated May 6th and I moved out here May 15th. Like, I was not doing no plan.

[Geico Representative]

2023.

[Alicia Burney]

Uh huh.

[Geico Representative]

Oh, so you've only been out, You're a newbie?

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Okay, so did you move in with your dad right away?

[Alicia Burney]

Oh, no, I moved in by myself. Like, I just came up here alone.

[Geico Representative]

And what was the conversation with your mom looking like when you make this jump?

[Alicia Burney]

I was telling everybody, like, before, I was like, y'all, I'm moving to la. People don't be taking me serious. But yeah, I moved out here.

[Geico Representative]

Wait, you moved to la? So tell me the story about you moving to la.

[Alicia Burney]

So I was in college, like, coming home from classes, searching up, like, apartments in la, calling them, getting virtual tours. Because of course I couldn't go out there, like, because I had to be in school. So I was searching up, like, apartments, like in la. Yeah, so I was doing like virtual tours. I didn't know downtown was as bad as it is.

[Geico Representative]

Oh, skid row and all that. You had a nice reality check.

[Alicia Burney]

I walked outside like, what is this? I didn't know what was going on.

[Geico Representative]

So you graduate and you're like, I know I'm moving to la.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, so. And I was making good money at the time for my YouTube channel. So I was like, I'm good. Like, I'm gonna just move out here. And my dad, he moved out of LA 2022, but I moved into LA 2023.

[Geico Representative]

Okay.

[Alicia Burney]

So it was like, dang. He left and I came. So I was just out here alone. When I first moved out here, I was so depressed. Like, very depressed. I started gaining a lot of weight. Cause I was just eating, like, to fill my voids.

[Geico Representative]

Why were you depressed?

[Alicia Burney]

I was lonely. I would reach out to people. I feel like I'm about to cry, but I'm not going to.

[Geico Representative]

On this show, people cry. Just so you know. Yeah, right. This is the safest Place to cry. All right.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah. But I was just very depressed, and I feel like nobody, like, back home, like, really cared. I would reach out to people, like, telling them how I felt, but people would, like, literally take me as a joke. And I know I, like, make funny videos and I, like, do stuff to, like, shield my emotions. Like, I'll be funny or something, but I don't know.

[Geico Representative]

So when you were calling people saying what you were going through, were they doing that, like, cliche, like, oh, girl, you're lucky. Or it could be hard. It could be harder. I used to hate that, like, when people be like, the whole world in my life crashed to an end, and they'd be like, it could be harder. There's kids in another country.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

You know, and you're like, I get that. But right now I need help.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah. I feel like all I have was myself. That's why I'm, like, so, like, independent. Because, like, I don't know. That's why I do everything on my own, Move everything on my own. Like, I literally didn't have no help, like, physical help, like, moving any of my stuff. Like, I hired movers, hired somebody to move my car. Like, I just had to get.

[Geico Representative]

And you're. You're, like, 22, I'm assuming, at the time.

[Alicia Burney]

Or.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, I would say early. Early 20s. Yeah. And you're doing this all on your home. No mommy, daddy, help. At this point, you're just 100% on your own.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, but that's, like, what I wanted because, like, I want to be independent, because I feel like. I really feel like nobody be caring about how I feel. Like, I genuinely feel like that.

[Geico Representative]

I feel like independence comes from a lot of neglect. It's almost like a survival spirit. Whenever I see someone that's, like, ultra independent, I'm like, they went through some stuff, you know? Yeah, Like, a lot. Yeah. Yeah.

[Alicia Burney]

Wow.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. So when you move and you finally land, I'm hoping it's not in downtown la, because you say, like, it was culture shock.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah. I was like, what is. Is this a joke? Like, literally. Because I got my apartment tour, and I was like, oh, is it a good area? I should have just came down here and looked. But he was like, yeah, the area's good. There's a few homeless people downtown, but you'll be fine. No, not a few.

[Geico Representative]

Was it in downtown?

[Alicia Burney]

I live on fourth Street.

[Geico Representative]

Like, oh, wow.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah. So, wow.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. So you're like, buy it, like, all in. It's like, yeah. But you know what's crazy? Because some of those lofts down there are really nice. So I could see you looking at the loft, like, oh, yeah, I'm about to live my best life. And there's like, you know, 10 million homeless people. And that's like a culture shock that is very scary to like. Okay, so you're making it work, though, now. Are you doing anything else? Are you just 100% YouTube, 100% short film? And then have you developed your own little crew to survive la?

[Alicia Burney]

I do have a few people that I. I just got done filming a short film. It's called Los Angeles L O S T Angeles. So it's just about, like, me narrating my life here, crazy situations and stuff. I did find some people, but the people out here are so weird. Like, they'll, like. Like, when I first meet somebody, I don't tell them, like, what I do, like, initially, because people have ulterior motives. But when I meet people.

[Geico Representative]

So, like, if someone meets you, what do you tell them?

[Alicia Burney]

I just talk to them. Like, I just don't even bring it up. I don't know.

[Geico Representative]

I feel like that's the second question when you. Whenever you meet someone in la, it's like, hi, my name is. And they're like, what do you do?

[Alicia Burney]

Yes, that's so true.

[Geico Representative]

The one thing I liked about the pandemic was it was the first time people stopped asking what you do. It's more like, how are you doing?

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

And that was like. I think the most beautiful thing about the pandemic, it was also people going to people's houses and just eating around a table, playing board games, like, doing stuff not at a restaurant, you know, or what have you. I think there was something really beautiful in that space of we're all trapped in a nightmare together. But I hate. I absolutely hate that about la, where it's like, what do you do? What do you do? What do you do? So. But you moved here in the what do you do? Era.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

So when they ask you, what do you do? What do you say?

[Alicia Burney]

I tell them, like, oh, I direct, produce film, I do comedy sketches. But people are full of shit. Can I cuss?

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, you can curse.

[Alicia Burney]

People are full of shit. So I feel like they probably like, oh, it's just another one of those. But I actually am like, yeah, you're.

[Geico Representative]

Doing it like you're making money. You're not working at target, you're 100% doing you.

[Alicia Burney]

So I feel like when they, like, first, like, people would treat me like. Like I'm just Like, nobody. Which, you know, it's fine. Treat me however, but.

[Geico Representative]

Well, just because you look very young. So they're like. Yeah, they're more like aspiring or what have you. Did you watch the Tyler Perry documentary?

[Alicia Burney]

No.

[Geico Representative]

You didn't?

[Alicia Burney]

A lot of people keep telling me to watch it. I don't know, girl.

[Geico Representative]

Let me tell you, girl. I watched. I cried a couple times. I didn't even know his story.

[Alicia Burney]

I thought he was homeless, right?

[Geico Representative]

Well, he did end up with a little bit of homelessness, but he came from a lot of abuse. Like, I did not know that. Yeah, it was kind of interesting.

[Alicia Burney]

That's probably why he writes about what he writes about.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, yeah, definitely.

[Alicia Burney]

That's good. Well, that's not good. But it's good that he, like, shows that in movies like that people can get through it.

[Geico Representative]

Do you ever make fun of the characters in your family or, like, play around with the characters in your family or develop characters from people in my family or friends?

[Alicia Burney]

No. I don't know where they come from. I feel like I got like 10 different personalities, so I'll just pick one. Play the character. Yeah. Cause like, the mother I play in my films, like, sometimes I play like a mom. That's not how my mom acts at all. I don't know where that character stems from, but my mom, she's, like, very nice. Very, like, quiet and reserved. But the mom that I play like, in my films is very, like, the opposite. Yeah. Very loud, very, like, I don't know, just crazy. And my mom is not like that at all. So I don't know why I do that or, like, where I got it from. But that's probably one of my favorite characters, like, playing as the mom.

[Geico Representative]

What is the day in the life of you now that you're in la?

[Alicia Burney]

Get up, go to the gym, come home, shower, make a video, and then after that, the rest is history.

[Geico Representative]

When you say make a video, like, just edit. Like, what's that process? Like, a couple hours?

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, maybe like four hours max for a YouTube video. Make the video, edit it, upload it the same day. Probably going to do that after the interview.

[Geico Representative]

Really?

[Alicia Burney]

Probably go home and make a video.

[Geico Representative]

And your money from YouTube. Do you feel like it's sustainable or is it like the entertainment business where it's like, up, down, up, down, up, down.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, Be up and down. Like one month. Go from 40,000 that month to the next month. I'm making 3,000 and 5,000, 10,000 back down to three. Like, it's up and down. But I saved enough like before I moved here just in case it like fluctuates.

[Geico Representative]

And then do you put yourself on payroll like we were talking about? I think it was with Brandon Rogers. Who's the other. Another YouTuber. It's like when you have your. Your money goes to a corporation or does it go to you?

[Alicia Burney]

Oh, it goes to me.

[Podcast Host]

Do you remember what you said the first night I came over here?

Ow.

Go slower. From Blumhouse TV, iHeart podcasts and Ember 20 comes an all new fictional comedy podcast series. Join the flighty Damien Hirst as he unravels the mystery of his vanished boyfriend. And Santi was gone. I've been spending all my time looking for answers about what happened to Santi and what's the way to find a missing person. Sleep with everyone he knew of, obviously. Hmm. Pillow talk, the most unwelcome window into the human psyche. Follow our out of his element hero as he engages in a series of ill conceived investigative hookups. Mama always used to say God gave me gumption in place of a gag reflex. And as I was about to learn, no amount of showering can wash your hands of a bad hookup.

[Geico Representative]

Now take a big whiff, my bruh.

[Podcast Host]

Listen to the hookup on the I Heart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

[Oracle Representative]

I'm Mark Seale.

[H]

And I'm Nathan King.

[Oracle Representative]

This is Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli.

[Alicia Burney]

The five families did not want us to shoot that picture.

[H]

Leave the Gun Take the Cannoli is based on my co host Mark's best selling book of the same title. And on this show we call upon his years of research to help unpack the story behind the Godfather's birth. From start to finish, this is really.

[Geico Representative]

The first interview I've done in bed.

[H]

We sift through innumerable accounts. 35 pages isn't very much, many of them conflicting.

[Geico Representative]

That's nonsense.

[H]

There were 60 pages. And try to get to the truth of what really happened.

[Alicia Burney]

And they said we're finished. This is over. It only is not going to work. You gotta get rid of those guys.

[H]

Leave the Gun Take the Cannoli features new and archival interviews with Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Evans, James Caan, Talia Shire and many others.

[Oracle Representative]

Yes, that was a real horse's head.

[H]

Listen and subscribe to Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Young Pueblo]

I started to live a double life when I was a teenager. Responsible and driven and wild and out of control. My head is pounding. I'm confused. I don't know why I'm in jail. It's hard to understand what hope is when you're trapped in a cycle of addiction. Addiction took me to the darkest places. I had an AK47 pointed at my head. But one night, a new door opened and I made it into the rooms of recovery. The path would have roadblocks and detours, stalls and relapses. But when I was feeling the most lost, I found hope with community, and I made my way back. This season, join me on my journey through addiction and recovery. A story told in 12 steps. Listen to crumbs as part of the Michael Lura Podcast network. Available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Clam Expert]

Welcome to Pod of Rebellion, our new Star Wars Rebels Rewatch podcast. I'm Vanessa Marshall. Hi, I'm Tia Sircar.

[Alicia Burney]

I'm Taylor Gray.

[Podcast Host]

And I'm Jon Lee Brody.

[Clam Expert]

But you may also as Harrison Dullah's Specter 2, Sabine Wren, Specter 5, and.

[H]

Ezra Bridger, Specter 6 from Star Wars Rebels.

[Podcast Host]

Wait, I wasn't on Star Wars Rebels. Am I in the right place?

[Clam Expert]

Absolutely. Each week we're going to rewatch and discuss an episode from the series and.

[Geico Representative]

Share some fun behind the scenes stories.

[Podcast Host]

Sometimes we'll be visited by special guests like Steve Blume Voices Zaborillio, Spectre 4, or Dante Bosco voices Jaquel and many others.

[Clam Expert]

Sometimes we'll even have a lively debate.

[Geico Representative]

And we'll have plenty of other fun.

[Alicia Burney]

Surprises and trivia too.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, and me, well, I'm the lucky ghost crew Stowaway, who gets to help moderate and guide the discussion each week. Kinda like how Kanan guided Ezra in the ways of the Force. You see what I did there?

[Clam Expert]

Nicely done, John.

[Podcast Host]

Thanks, Tia.

[Clam Expert]

So hang on. Cause it's gonna be a fun ride.

[Podcast Host]

Cue the music.

Listen to Potter Rebellion on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Geico Representative]

Okay, so yeah, traditionally you would, you know, create a corporation and then maybe get like an adp and they'll cut your salary and then you can kind of like live on a more budget and then build cash flow in the business.

[Alicia Burney]

Oh, I didn't know that. Yeah, it's a lot I don't know, but I love to learn.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, yeah, we could talk after camera to like kind of fix that. But I'm guessing right now, do you put yourself on a strict budget? Like, this is my monthly, and I don't go over or do you just be like, it's $10,000 a month.

[Alicia Burney]

I just don't go crazy with spending. Like, I'll just spend my money. Like, how I would, like if I made like 5,000amonth, like, that's like, honey, how sm. I don't do too much, like, at all. I'm very cheap.

[Geico Representative]

What advice would you give to someone that's trying to get into the game right now?

[Alicia Burney]

Keep going. And if the people are supporting you coming up, make sure you lock in with them once you come up. Because, yeah, all the people that, like, are around you when you're coming up, just know those people are loyal and they like you for you. Because when you get like, I feel like where I am, I'm not like, I don't know, like, I need a better heart of discernment because some people just come into my life or try to come into my life because of who I am. So, yeah, if you're coming up, make sure the people around you stay around them. Don't make any new friends.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, I. I tell myself that my high school friends are my. It sounds terrible. I have plenty of friends, but I always feel like my friends from high school are my real friends. Like, you know, the good, the bad, the ugly, you know, where I'm from, where I'm going, you know everything about me. And if I don't talk to you for a year, I know we could pick up the phone and I'm not getting like, you ain't called me and.

[Alicia Burney]

Da, da, da, da.

[Geico Representative]

And they're like, clock in or whatever, you know? Yeah. I went to New York recently. My girlfriend from high school, she was like, here's my car, here's my car seat. Have fun. Like, you know, like, I got you type, you know, it was like just very much like family and we don't talk every day. It's just like, I'm coming, girls, whatever. Or if I'm going through a breakup, I've had a girlfriend like, get on a plane, get a bunch of ice cream and candy and like, we watch Pretty Woman and a bunch of just silly stuff all the way from New York. And I'm like, you're a real friend, I guess, a real friend, and those are rare. But how's dating in la? Have you tried dating in LA yet?

[Alicia Burney]

No.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, I feel like the, the trickery is LA guys are different. Yeah, kind of. I think everyone in LA is kind of opportunistic, but I would. I think the dangerous part of being in social media would be that, I think, even bigger than being a celebrity. Like, if you're big on social media.

[Alicia Burney]

Everybody want to date you.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah.

[Alicia Burney]

They just want some clout. But who knows? Maybe not. I don't know. I don't know. I haven't dated in L. A.

[Geico Representative]

Okay.

[Alicia Burney]

Probably not ever going to.

[Geico Representative]

Are you single right now or you're not single? Cause you said you're not going to, um. You're in a relationship. Yeah. You gonna say it?

[Alicia Burney]

It's complicated.

[Geico Representative]

It's complicated. Complicated is never good. Yeah, it's never good.

[Alicia Burney]

That's what I'm saying. Like, see, See, if the relationship confuses you, leave.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah. I have my friends tell me all the time, they're like, you're so good at spotting a red flag. There's like, there's nobody better that spotting a red flag than you. But for whatever reason, you will spot the red flag and go, hmm, maybe that's just like a slowdown. Maybe that's a. Maybe they'd be like, yeah, no, it's a red flag. You got to respect the red flag and put it in its place.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

And I think as a woman, it just boils down to, like. I don't. It always boils down to, like, women's like, kryptonite, which is like, knowing your worth. That is. I don't know how we come up with our worth or knowing our worth. I think that's just a woman's greatest challenge.

[Alicia Burney]

See, that's why I'm not dating in la, because I know my worth.

[Geico Representative]

You know your worth, but you're in something complicated.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah. It's like a bunch of red flags. And there's a lot of green flags.

[Geico Representative]

As well, you know, but red means stop. I don't know. I just turned 40, so now, really, I haven't turned 40 yet. I'm gonna be 40 soon. And I'm learning, like, at this point, you just gotta respect the red flag because the deeper you go, the harder it is to. To get out, you know? And I'm just. That's just me being totally honest.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

You know, the more invested you are. And I also have this other philosophy when it comes to relationships. Whoever invests more loses the most.

[Alicia Burney]

That's true.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah.

[Alicia Burney]

So especially if it's over.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whoever invests more, whoever. And that doesn't just mean monetary wise, it means time wise. It just means, like, if the scale is not tipped evenly, I promise you, you will be the one that's hurt more in the end. So.

[Alicia Burney]

Dang crazy way to look at it. No, that's a good way, actually.

[Geico Representative]

Well, that's why. You ever hear people say, like, you got to match the other person's energy?

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Oh, you gave this. I'll match that. You know, when I was young, I would date a guy. Boy, I'll go all out, you know, just, you know, same.

[Alicia Burney]

That's how I am. I like to, like, spoil people. I like to be spoiled, too. But, yeah, I feel like I always give so much of myself and I need to just protect my heart at this point. Like, I need to give what I give to that person. I need to give that to myself.

[Geico Representative]

I'm learning that right now. And I'm old as heck.

[Alicia Burney]

You're not old.

[Geico Representative]

I'm up there. I've been trying to avoid the topic for a while.

[Alicia Burney]

No, you look very young, though.

[Geico Representative]

Thank you. Thank you. What else does people just don't know about you?

[Alicia Burney]

I'm a very introverted person. I know sometimes I come off as very, like, outgoing, which I am online, sometimes I am in person, but I have to be very, very comfortable. Yeah, I'm just a very introverted person. And I'm always sad. And people don't be believing me because I joke around a lot.

[Geico Representative]

I heard comics or, like, or comedians and that line of work, they're the most sad, which is crazy because they bring the most joy. Joy.

[Alicia Burney]

It's because we have to go through things alone. Because, like, I'm not sure. I can't speak for anybody else, but I know with me, people don't take me serious. And I'm also supposed to be the person that makes everybody else laugh. So it's like, I don't even feel comfortable coming to people sometimes. I don't want to bring them that energy. And then, I don't know. I don't know. We just. I feel like we go through a lot of stuff alone, like a lot of our emotions.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, yeah.

[Alicia Burney]

But it makes you stronger in the end.

[Geico Representative]

It does. I mean, as long as you got that solid one or two, I think you're good. And then. Do you have mentors?

[Alicia Burney]

No.

[Geico Representative]

What? Yeah, what you need to get. So I don't care how old you are, like, you could be my age. I still look for mentors. I'm always looking for a mentor. Anyone that's like, even semi where I want to be at or, like, just different from me. I'm like, yo, can you be my mentor? Can you teach me something new?

[Alicia Burney]

I wish.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, girl. Well, I'm here in la, so I definitely. If you ever need a mentor? Yeah, matter of fact, you could be my mentor in some areas.

[Alicia Burney]

You could be a mentor. We can mentor each other.

[Geico Representative]

So.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, do I have a mentor?

[Geico Representative]

Okay, good. Because, you know, I'm struggling with YouTube. I know my. The girl that runs my YouTube, she. We can monetize now. And she's always like, monetize the channel. I'm like, we're gonna get 5 cents.

[Alicia Burney]

You should still monetize it.

[Geico Representative]

That's what she says. She's like, girl, I'm like, you.

[Alicia Burney]

You should monetize.

[Geico Representative]

You gonna have to. You know what? We're gonna mentor each other.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah. Oh, my goodness. I can't believe you didn't. And you have the ability too.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, we do. And she's been on me, like, just fill out the paperwork. I'm like, for what you need to do it.

[Alicia Burney]

Like, your money could be growing. So there's a threshold on YouTube. It's a hundred dollars. So after you hit 100, they deposit whatever into your account. So right now, like. Like all of your views, I don't know, like, added up. If they make a hundred, I'm sure you're at a hundred dollars. So you like, I don't get a hundred.

[Geico Representative]

But I didn't know that's how it works. I just thought maybe, like, if I hit like 5,000 subscribers, then I would hit monetization. But if I don't hit it, if is it only from that date forward that it accrues? Or they look at the pre. Previous static.

[Alicia Burney]

Just from that date forward. That's why I say you need to get. Oh, yeah.

[Geico Representative]

See, look at you teaching us.

[Alicia Burney]

Okay, so like, they're not gonna give you any money from, like anything before today if you monetize today.

[Geico Representative]

So when they gave me the opportunity, that's when I was supposed to do it.

[Alicia Burney]

When did they tell you?

[Geico Representative]

Probably a couple months ago.

[Alicia Burney]

You should do it.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, but it's not like I missed out on that much. I mean, we got a small little. But I do. I would be very happy over $100 check just. Cause it's like that milestone of like, oh, shit.

[Alicia Burney]

We did.

[Geico Representative]

I remember interviewing, like, Country Wayne, and he was talking about his. Like, he monetized his channel during the plan pandemic. It was like getting like 40 to 100,000 per.

[Alicia Burney]

A hundred thousand?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

How much did he say? Yeah, he said he was getting like 100, 200, 300,000. I was like, oh, yeah. And it was like during the pandemic, he monetized it.

[Alicia Burney]

Wow.

[Geico Representative]

Could you imagine how much money he probably missed out on.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Because I did not know that's how it works.

[Alicia Burney]

Wow.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah.

[Alicia Burney]

You should mentor us.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah. Yeah. And you should be my mentor. You heard it here first.

[Alicia Burney]

I do stand up comedy sometimes. What? Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

How's it going?

[Alicia Burney]

I don't do it anymore, really. But my last show was in November. November 8th. That was the last show I did. It's good, but, like, I don't really focus on that. Really?

[Geico Representative]

What made you get into standup?

[Alicia Burney]

My dad. He was a stand up comedian out.

[Geico Representative]

Here as well, but he moved back to where?

[Alicia Burney]

Texas.

[Geico Representative]

Oh, he's in Texas? Is he in Austin?

[Alicia Burney]

No.

[Geico Representative]

I know all the comics are moving to Austin.

[Alicia Burney]

He's in Houston.

[Geico Representative]

Okay, okay.

[Alicia Burney]

But him, I don't know. That's where he's from. And then my mom is from Missouri, but they met in college. Such a sweet love story. Like love and basketball.

[Geico Representative]

Oh, for real? Is it really, like a loving basketball story?

[Alicia Burney]

Well, love and track, I guess. They both ran track.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. But are they still together? No. Okay. Okay.

[Alicia Burney]

They should be.

[Geico Representative]

Why? Because they're like best friends or something?

[Alicia Burney]

No, because they're my parents and they need to be. Even though they're both dating other people. I don't care.

[Geico Representative]

That's so sweet. But did you grow up in two parent household? Oh, no. They split at two. When you were two.

[Alicia Burney]

Right. So it was just me, my mom and my brother.

[Geico Representative]

Okay. Okay.

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

All right. There was something else. It literally, like, I was like, don't forget to ask this. And then I forgot.

[Alicia Burney]

Was it something deep?

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, it was something deep, too.

[Alicia Burney]

I need to be deeper. I think I got a little.

[Geico Representative]

I wanted to ask you. I noticed you do do me meet and greets, don't you?

[Alicia Burney]

I did one.

[Geico Representative]

You did one? How? What made you do it? And like, what was the experience?

[Alicia Burney]

Like, what made me do it? This girl I went to school with, she. She moved out there and she, like, does a lot of work in Atlanta. So then she, like set up this meet and greet with this restaurant. So it'll bring people to the restaurant and then bring people to meet me. So it was like kind of a collaborative thing, the experience. So it was like in like a small country part of Atlanta or Georgia. I thought it was in Atlanta, but I was on there promoting, like, hey, atl. So now a lot of people came. But it was still good to have the experience, though.

[Geico Representative]

Would you ever do that again?

[Alicia Burney]

And probably in a different location? Yes. Like Texas. When I went to Texas, this or last year. What Month was this. It was like September or October. It was in October. I was getting stopped. I was going to stop the lot. Like, I have a big fan base in Texas. Dallas.

[Geico Representative]

Okay, Okay.

[Alicia Burney]

I would do it there.

[Geico Representative]

All right, well, and then if you were to do it, would you do stand up or would you just, like, talk about your experiences as a YouTuber?

[Alicia Burney]

I would probably talk about, like, I don't know, my experiences. Have people come up because I have a few songs, like, on my channel that everybody knows because it's like my outro songs, intro songs. I'll probably have them come up and see, like, who could rap it the best. Do a giveaway, take pictures, stuff like that. I want to do stand up, though, because my fan base is younger and my standup is, like, for adults, so. Yeah.

[Geico Representative]

Oh, my gosh. Well, where can we keep up with you? If you do do stand up, do you announce it on your Instagram and share with our listeners what your Instagram is?

[Alicia Burney]

My Instagram is a L, Y S H A B U R N E Y. Underscore, Alicia, Bernie. Underscore my only page.

[Geico Representative]

That's your only page. And then you. So you just have Instagram. You're not doing TikTok or any of those guys?

[Alicia Burney]

Oh, yeah, I do. I have Tick Tock. I have a million on there. 1.5 million.

[Geico Representative]

And was it like instant or did you have to organically grow it?

[Alicia Burney]

Yeah, organically. I started in coke, like, during COVID Covid.

[Geico Representative]

Covid was like the. The real, real pivot. Pivotal moment for you.

[Alicia Burney]

Wow. I blew up on everything.

[Geico Representative]

Yeah, during COVID That three. That two years changed your life.

[Alicia Burney]

It did. Everybody says how Covid affected them, like, horribly. I'm just like, Covid blessed me.

[Geico Representative]

Wow. Shout outs to Covid.

[Alicia Burney]

Shout out to you, Covid. And I never caught it.

[Geico Representative]

You never caught what? Yeah, girl, I done had Covid so many times. I'm like, really? I had. Oh, yeah, I've caught it a bunch of times.

[Alicia Burney]

Or maybe I caught it and didn't know.

[Geico Representative]

Oh, yeah, maybe you're one of those lucky ones, because when I first got hit with it, I knew.

[Alicia Burney]

Oh, wow.

[Geico Representative]

I knew. Thanks for your evening midnight snack. Thanks for blessing us with your energy, and thanks to all our listeners. Peace out, guys. For more eating While broke from iHeartRadio and the Black Effect, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. In a world of economic uncertainty and workplace transformation, learn to lead by example from visionary C suite executives like Shannon Schuyler. Of PwC and Will Pearson of iHeartMedia. The good teacher explains the great teacher inspires.

[Podcast Host]

Don't always leave your team to do.

[Alicia Burney]

The work that's been the most important.

[Podcast Host]

Part of how to Lead by Example.

[Geico Representative]

Listen to Leading by Example executives making an impact on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Love at first swipe? I highly doubt it. Reality TV and social media have love all wr. So what really makes relationships last?

[Alicia Burney]

On this episode of Dope Labs, poet.

[Geico Representative]

And relationship expert Young Pueblo breaks down the psychology of love and provides eye opening insights and advice we all need.

[Young Pueblo]

It's a big realization moment that you should not be postponing your happiness. Like your greatest happiness is not necessarily going to like come from a relationship. Your partner. They should add to your happiness, but your happiness is really coming from within you.

[Geico Representative]

Listen to Dope labs on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Host]

Do you remember what you said the first night I came over here?

Ow.

[Alicia Burney]

Go slower.

[Podcast Host]

From Blumhouse TV, iheart podcasts and ember 20 comes an all new fictional comedy podcast series. Join the flighty Damien Hirst as he unravels the mystery of his vanished boyfriend. I've been spending all my time looking for answers about what happened to Santi and what's the way to find a missing person. Sleep with everyone he knew, obviously. Listen to the hookup on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

[Alicia Burney]

Dressing. Dressing.

[Oracle Representative]

Oh, French dressing.

[Alicia Burney]

Exactly. Ah, that's good. I'm A.J. jacobs and my current obsession is puzzles and that has given birth to my podcast the Puzzler.

[Geico Representative]

Something about Mary Poppins?

[Alicia Burney]

Exactly.

[Podcast Host]

This is fun.

[Alicia Burney]

You can get your daily puzzle nuggets delivered straight to your ears. Listen to the Puzzler every day on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.