Co-host (1:32)

Welcome to the vile files in the flesh.

Austin Kroll (1:36)

Here we are.

Nick (1:37)

Did you ever think you would be here?

Austin Kroll (1:38)

There. There was a time when maybe there was like a. There's like a holdout, let's say, you know. Yeah. And.

Nick (1:48)

And.

Austin Kroll (1:48)

Yeah.

Co-host (1:49)

So I feel like it was up until last season when Nick was like, this season's kind of boring.

Nick (1:55)

Mm.

Co-host (1:56)

And then.

Nick (1:56)

Did I say that? You're gonna be in trouble, Ralph.

Co-host (1:58)

No, no, no, no, no. This was last season. It had, like, just started and you're like, the season's a little boring. And then Austin was like, I'm not coming on that show. You called us boring. And we were like, no, that's right.

Nick (2:09)

I did hear that.

Austin Kroll (2:11)

I've heard more than you've heard, let's put it that way. I've heard that. I've heard that the boys of Southern charm are afraid to come on the show. I might have said that. I've heard a few things.

Nick (2:23)

Well, you know, I go from, like, daring people to when?

Austin Kroll (2:26)

Last year. Thank God, you know, for Shep at least to have. To have what he had going on.

Nick (2:31)

Right.

Austin Kroll (2:31)

To kind of make it interesting. I mean. Yeah.

Nick (2:34)

No, that was funny.

Austin Kroll (2:35)

It was hilarious.

Nick (2:36)

That was awesome.

Austin Kroll (2:37)

It wasn't funny. It was drop dead hilarious.

Nick (2:40)

Well, thank you for coming, little bts. It was supposed to be Shep.

Austin Kroll (2:45)

It was.

Nick (2:46)

We still hope to get Shep on. We were planning and having conversations with getting you on this season, but unfortunately, Shep, like some other people, including I think Leonardo DiCaprio, are stuck on the island of St. Barts.

Co-host (2:58)

So have you checked it with him? Is he alive and well?

Nick (3:00)

Okay.

Austin Kroll (3:01)

Shep is fine. Shep is en route back to the States.

Co-host (3:03)

Okay, good.

Nick (3:04)

Well, I mean, one, again, I'm excited to have you on. I've been looking forward to having the three. The three of you on all three individually. I'm fans of all you guys. Like, it's funny, when I met. Saw you at BravoCon, it was my first BravoCon, I was really fascinated. But, like, I feel in, like, a lot of the Bravo fans I talk to, you3 really seem to, like, have your own unique audience. Like, a lot of men, like Southern charm, because they relate to the three of you.

Austin Kroll (3:30)

Yeah.

Nick (3:31)

And. And I feel like you guys, for better or worse, depending on what, you know, the audience thinks about you guys. I feel like you guys represent, like, heterosexuality on Bravo reality tv.

Austin Kroll (3:42)

Well, I appreciate you saying that. I think that's a really nice thing to say. You know, I mean, there's so much to say about that where we all three are so different. We are the definition of, like, the Spider man meme. Like, we're all pointing at one another like, you do that more than me. No, you do that. And, like, we all do that to each other. We all call up one another when the other one fucks up. For some reason, we love to tell the third person who's not involved in the fuck up about the other one's fuck up.

Co-host (4:09)

So we've seen.

Austin Kroll (4:10)

Yeah.

Co-host (4:10)

And.

Austin Kroll (4:11)

And you have no idea, you know, and. And it. It is great that. That I have buddies who work in all sorts of fields who will call me and be like, look, man, watching, you know, this show just, like, reminds me of the drama that I have, you know, with a friend of mine. It's just not on TV, you know, and let's not forget that Mr. Jon Hamm gave us very high, high praise a season ago talking about how he loved charm. Because, you know, it's kind of about the guys. And. And like, no. No offense to all the wonderful women on our show, as Jon Ham's words. And.

Nick (4:49)

But to that point, though, it's like, what I think is charming about it is that in a lot of ways, you guys show that a lot of the dudes, the bros can, you know, will get petty, will be dramatic. We'll worry about some of the same stuff that traditionally we will just assume the ladies are arguing about, or a lot of women unfairly will be blamed for being dramatic. And you guys represent the side of us that, you know, is kind of the same, you know, well said.

Austin Kroll (5:18)

I mean, you know, I'm sensitive and I'm petty and I'm this and I'm that. And I guess, yeah, that's the formula that's made Bravo.

Nick (5:28)

So you started on season four.

Austin Kroll (5:30)

Season four, yeah.

Nick (5:31)

And how refresh the audience. For anyone who doesn't know, how did that come to be?

Austin Kroll (5:36)

Every season it's like, hey, who are friends of yours? Right? And Shep recommended me. And I got this phone call and I was like, who was this? You know, and I came to a party and that was that. And so it was basically, Shep, I don't know anybody else. Like, I didn't know Craig. I didn't know. I mean, T Rav or Catherine or Cameron.

Nick (5:56)

I mean, how close were you with Shep at the time? Were you an acquaintance or, like a good buddy?

Austin Kroll (6:00)

Shep and I were like, we. We. We were a step down from good buddies. Okay. We were buddies.

Nick (6:07)

Solid friends.

Austin Kroll (6:08)

Yeah.

Nick (6:08)

Yeah.

Austin Kroll (6:08)

You know, and. And. And so obviously that was nine years ago, so. And. And that's kind of how it happens, right? I mean, everyone needs like a. Like a point of contact into the group, right? Because it's not like, okay, cool, this person is beautiful, but they don't know anybody. So. Not. Not referring to.

Nick (6:28)

Not.

Austin Kroll (6:28)

Not referring to myself, of course. But. But, you know, it, like, has to be some sort of degree of separation, of course, from, you know, the group. And. And yeah, that, that. That was an interesting time because you look back, charm now is so different from. I mean, it always changes, right? But back then, you look at the cast of characters that were on the show then and now, crazy. I mean, every single person is gone except for Shep and Craig.

Co-host (6:58)

Yeah. Every time they do a flashback, I'm always like, I mean, I forgot about this.

Austin Kroll (7:03)

And talk about, like, a daunting cast of people to jump into the deep end with. You know, I mean, Katherine and Thomas and Cameron, they're all, you know, larger than life personalities. And I'm like, I don't know what the hell is going on. So it's like, at that time, it was basically like, thank God for Chelsea Meisner, because she was like, my life raft.

Co-host (7:26)

Yeah.

Nick (7:26)

What were you doing before you did all the TV stuff?

Austin Kroll (7:30)

Yeah, I was a beer rep, and so you saw that for me. So I was a territory sales manager for the southeast of a brewery based out of Atlanta. So I wanted to be in the beer game. And then when the season aired and all these people being like, oh, maybe we want to try, you know, this beer, I was like, why am I hawking someone else's product? Product. You know, I should. I should create my own. Like, whoa. You know that my. My eyes are open. But got into the beer game, Nick, because Wisconsin. I lived in Wisconsin, as I told you, prior to jumping on here, and I became, like, a beer nerd to the max. So beer for me. I was like, all right, let's try and figure out something in the beer game. And that's what I was doing prior in Charleston.

Nick (8:12)

Okay.

Co-host (8:13)

How quickly did you quit that once you joined the show?

Austin Kroll (8:16)

One season. You know, because I was like, you.

Nick (8:20)

Know, at that point.

Austin Kroll (8:22)

And by the way, that's, like, an important thing to note, too, because, like, it's not like I'm putting all of my eggs into the charm basket at that time, but going off on my own, when I look back on it, I'm like, man, that was a ballsy move to just, like, quit and kind of try.

Nick (8:40)

It is kind of fascinating when you. When you bet on yourself. Like, if someone would have told me all the things that needed to happen for me to be sitting with you here today.

Austin Kroll (8:51)

Yeah.

Nick (8:51)

When I, like, decided to, like, leave Salesforce and leave my condo in Chicago.

Austin Kroll (8:56)

My mom worked at Salesforce, dude.

Nick (8:58)

Really?

Austin Kroll (8:58)

Yes. Back in the day. Dude, she's. She's a. Yeah.

Nick (9:01)

Hell, yeah. But, yeah, if someone would have said, all right, you know, I'm not going to tell you this. If this is going to work out for you.

Austin Kroll (9:06)

Right.

Nick (9:06)

These are the things that need to go right for you, I definitely wouldn't have tried, you know, and sometimes, you know, it's like what you don't know is just as beneficial for what you know, because definitely. So you need to have a little bit of, like, blind optimism, a little. A little bit of delusion to bet on yourself, you know, A little bit.

Austin Kroll (9:25)

A little bit of delusion for sure, goes a long way because you look at people that have been on the show and on many shows, you know, throughout the Bible first, but our show in specific, to bet on it, and then they fell away or something, and you're like, oh, man, you really put eggs in a basket, and that kind of got ripped out from underneath you. And that's. That's. That sucks. That sucks. You know? And so it's like. I know it sounds so lame to say, but it's like, I look at all this shitty shit that's happened to me on reality television over the past however many years, and it's like, wait, maybe everything that happened got me to this point. And it's not if. I mean, it did. Right? So, like, would I take back the video of me and my boxers yelling Madison's name over and over? Yeah, I would. But maybe that had to happen in order for Madison. And I'd be great friends today. Right? I mean, I don't know. It's all.

Nick (10:16)

No, I mean, that is true, though, right? Like, if you ask any reality TV star, you know, no regrets. Like, everyone has them.

Austin Kroll (10:23)

They definitely have regrets.

Nick (10:25)

But to your point, like, you don't get to pick and choose, which is why, you know, whatever we think of the networks or the producers who make these TV shows, they know what they're doing. They're professionals. They're not as these evil wizards that every, you know, like, so many fans make them out to be.

Austin Kroll (10:42)

Yeah.

Co-host (10:43)

Quickly jumping out of Southern Charm. I'm sure we're gonna jump right back into it. But going into your childhood, I didn't know this about your sister passing at nine.

Austin Kroll (10:56)

Okay, we are switching gears.

Co-host (10:57)

Sorry. And you obviously don't have to answer. Sure. My question is, how old were you when that happened?

Austin Kroll (11:03)

Seven.

Co-host (11:04)

You were seven?

Austin Kroll (11:04)

Yeah.

Co-host (11:05)

How did your family keep. Because you're obviously so close to your family today, your parents and Katie. How, like, how did your family keep y' all together during that time?

Austin Kroll (11:14)

One word. Katie.

Co-host (11:16)

Really?

Austin Kroll (11:17)

Katie came to our family and was the biggest blessing that the Kroll family could have ever gotten. Right. So our story is very interesting because it's like, if my older sister Kyle were here still, then my younger sister Katie wouldn't be here. It was literally a cause and effect. And so it is very interesting because we look back, of course, with the fondest, and, you know, we have, you know, family cries together. And, I mean, Katie, like, the year and a half period between my older sister passing and my younger sister being born was truly like the dark ages for our family, you know, but I was 7, 8. Didn't know my family. My parents, you know, were going through.

Co-host (11:54)

Yeah.

Austin Kroll (11:55)

Which, you know, turns out was a very torturous period for them.

Co-host (11:59)

Yeah.

Austin Kroll (11:59)

And then my younger sister kind of came around and. And came around as if, like, you rebuilt her. My younger sister was born and that quite literally was like, it was like our whole family rebirth.

Co-host (12:15)

It's like healed.

Austin Kroll (12:16)

It was like that, you know, and then we moved in like a new house and then life could begin again.

Nick (12:21)

I mean, I'm such a big believer in, you know, so much of our success in life has to do with our resiliency, our ability to get over adversity. But I have been grateful and lucky that I've never experienced anything that tragic.

Austin Kroll (12:36)

Yeah.

Nick (12:37)

And as a new dad, I mean now he knows like I have a hard time watching like TV shows and content where like something bad happens to kids, especially as a new dad. So like to just to hear that story so much like just admiration, respect to your family to get through that. Because truly moments like that sometimes can have a very dark domino effect on so many lives.

Austin Kroll (13:06)

You know, if I wasn't there, it would have been far darker, I'm sure. You know, it's a horrible little club of fraternity to be a part of. And then you look not, not to bring in other people into it, but other people on our show did lose their brothers two in one year. And it was just like, it was just like such a terrible fraternity to be a part of. And, and yeah, I do not wish it on. Absolutely my worst enemy, you know.

Nick (13:36)

Well, thanks for being willing to talk about it.

Austin Kroll (13:39)

Yeah. I mean guys, I mean we just had, you know, 30 year anniversary, my sister turning 30. Actually we're going to Costa Rica in two weeks. So yeah, like 30th anniversary is here and it's. Look, man, time really does heal.

Nick (13:52)

Weird question, but what is your younger sister's relationship with your sister who passed in a kind of almost kind of spiritual way.

Austin Kroll (14:03)

It's a super meta question. And things that Katie always acknowledges Kyle and always refers to her as my sister Kyle and things like that. I mean, always talks about it, you know, never refers to it as like, you know, your sister or things like that. And honestly I've never asked her that question. I'm sure that she does have a relationship in a way with. With my sister.

Co-host (14:30)

Do you. Were you there when she fell?

Austin Kroll (14:32)

Yeah.

Co-host (14:33)

You were?

Austin Kroll (14:34)

Yeah.

Co-host (14:35)

What was this cliff like I see.

Austin Kroll (14:40)

To talk about, you know, the town, it just got, you know, man, wiped. Wiped off the map by a hurricane. And there was no love lost with, with my family on that one. So I won't even say the name of the town for terms of. But there was no love lost with it. And, and yeah, I don't know how did you.

Nick (14:58)

I mean, and just. And we can move on. But like, how did you personally deal over the years with that tragedy? And has it been something throughout your life you have had to like revisit in a way of dealing with it where you've, you know, have you felt it creep up and affect you in different ways throughout your life?

Austin Kroll (15:16)

Well, my therapist would say so.

Nick (15:18)

Okay.

Austin Kroll (15:20)

I don't know if, I don't know if anyone who's watching this podcast has noticed over the last nine years of my tenure on Bravo that I'm a bit of a commitment phobe. And, and I think that I've noticed. My therapist thinks, yeah, it's not tough to notice. And you know, my therapist would attribute it partly to that. And part of me is like, oh, that's so low hanging fruit to blame it on losing my sister. And, but she's not the only one who's brought this to my attention. And, and so I think that may, maybe it had, you know, I'm not gonna blame shitty past behavior in the passing of my sister, but commitment issues potentially could, could be.

Nick (15:58)

Prior to your time on reality tv, what was the longest relationship you've ever had?

Austin Kroll (16:04)

It's. It's been capped at like a year and a half to two years. Okay, two years. That's not nothing.

Nick (16:10)

It's nothing.

Austin Kroll (16:10)

No.

Nick (16:11)

Yeah, yeah.

Austin Kroll (16:12)

It just gets to the point for me.

Nick (16:14)

What do you mean?

Austin Kroll (16:15)

It gets to the point for me where, like, not, not to sound like a, you know, but like, oh my gosh, you know, forever. Big, big, long scary term.

Co-host (16:24)

Like the get married or break up.

Austin Kroll (16:26)

Yes.

Co-host (16:26)

Yeah.

Austin Kroll (16:27)

Yes.

Nick (16:28)

Okay. So it really is about the commitment.

Austin Kroll (16:30)

For you and like, you know, committing to someone and being in a relationship. I'll tell you that since I've been out of a relationship with my most recent girlfriend, I far better like the person than I was when I was in a relationship. I like that person, that person was focused on the right things and then being out of it, you know, I find myself easily distracted by the wrong things. That can be a multitude of things, you know what I mean?

Nick (17:00)

Yeah, because like, for me it was like, it's interesting to hear you say that, like, you know, from guy to guy and just, you know how we look at relationships. I was very, I was like a serial monogamous in my 20s. And then for me it wasn't like, I never really had a problem with commitment. But I, I will say like in my 30s now, granted, I took a lot of chances and I, you know that my time on reality TV was in my 30s, so it was like almost my 20s were, like my 30s almost, like, flipped around in a way. But is there any part. I guess for me, I stay. I was single for so long because after my 20s, I was like, okay, well, I know what I like and I know what I don't like. And when I was 20, I just would, like, fall in love and just, like, it felt good. And so you just did it. And I was a lot more pragmatic and I was maybe a little more cynical that I. I didn't know how to, like, fall in love or, like, lock in with someone. So I never really. I didn't even get to a relationship past four months. In my 30s, like, before I dated Natalie, I was just.

Austin Kroll (17:54)

But, like, by the way, I think that now looking back at all the things that I've gone through, like, that is almost better than, like, locking in for like a year and a half and then going through a way more hard, a harder breakup, right? At least like a four months or three months or, you know, whatever. You're like, hey, sorry, I'm not, you know, willing to go the distance or blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I mean. I mean, I don't know how, you know, relationships of yours ended, but tragically. Yeah, well. Well, they basically all do, right? And unless they end in, you know, the ring on the finger. But, like, I don't know. I don't know.

Nick (18:35)

Do you. Well, given that, like, the way you described it, that you kind of almost get to a panic mode. Do you have any, like, one. Do you have a one that got away?

Austin Kroll (18:47)

So I definitely can point to the, like, big blow up, messy, like, love that. That everyone has. And they're like, I'm never gonna do that again, right? I. I can point to that one, you know, that's Madison. And then, you know, I don't know if this is, like, a cop out, because it just happened, but I. I was at such a piece with. With myself, with. With my most recent girlfriend, and she provided a very safe and healthy space. She wasn't a part of this world at all and liked it that way. And she let me live the life that I want to live. She wasn't. What are you doing tonight? Where are you? Who are you with? There was none of that. It was all just. And it was up to me to not be a shitty boyfriend. And so I don't know if I can point to that and say that that definitively is the one that got away. But up to this point, that would be.

Nick (19:38)

That's like, why did you guys break Up. Were you broken up before the season started airing?

Austin Kroll (19:43)

No. No, because.

Nick (19:44)

Was she pissed that it looked like you hated her?

Austin Kroll (19:47)

She's.

Nick (19:47)

She.

Austin Kroll (19:48)

I just recently. Not to, you know, divulge and to drag her into this and things that she doesn't deserve. But I certainly just thought that I was having some conversations that normal people would have at like, a year and a half in about where the relationship could potentially be going. Hey, you don't. Like, she doesn't live here, so what's gonna happen? She's gonna move here, which is the beginning of everything, right?

Co-host (20:16)

And she's on the show.

Austin Kroll (20:17)

That's it. Well, you know that that's not. It doesn't have to be right, but.

Co-host (20:21)

It changes the dynamic.

Austin Kroll (20:22)

But it's more. So this. She moves here, that means that what is the next step you propose? You're proposing to move in?

Co-host (20:31)

Yeah.

Austin Kroll (20:32)

Oh, well, she would move to Charleston and move in. Like, that's immediately what she'd be doing. Because at that point, at this point, it would be two years now. And so she would be moving in, like, now. Wow. And then that means. Right, and so say that I had any sort of, like, after three months, like, oh, boy. Then I just made her uproot her life and move to Charleston. And she's like, you could have told me this six months ago, dude. And so that's what I did. Because whether anyone wants to hear it or not, being on the show speeds up everything by 10 months, because they want answers now. Do you like her? Do you want to date her? Do you want her to meet your parents? Let's go. Where's the ark? Come on, dude. You know the, like, idk answer does not work, right? And so that's kind of what began to happen. And I thought that I was just having open conversations with a few close people about what the future could look like and what my reservations were about the future. And bam, dive in. Let's crack that armor open and really, really try to fuck this up.

Nick (21:47)

I used to always think, like, when I was single in my 30s and I moved out to LA and I was living at a buddy's place, I was dating. And I'm, you know, I'm post bachelor era. I'm like, in my. Probably around your age, maybe a little younger. And so in my mind, I'm. I'm, like, dating with the intention of meeting someone to, you know, eventually settle down. But I'm also sleeping on an air mattress. And I was taking improv classes in la and, you know, for the first time in my life, I didn't have, like, this steady paycheck.

Austin Kroll (22:17)

And you wanted to be an actor.

Nick (22:19)

Yeah.

Co-host (22:20)

He's in a Christmas. Christmas Cruise.

Austin Kroll (22:23)

Yes.

Co-host (22:27)

No.

Nick (22:28)

Ion.

Austin Kroll (22:29)

Okay. Okay.

Nick (22:31)

Starring with the kfox.

Co-host (22:33)

Okay.

Nick (22:34)

No, but yeah. So, like, and then I just remember at the time, as I got more established in the. In this kind of post bachelor world where I was like, you know, I'm just, I was just trying to make it. I realized that there was zero chance that I was actually gonna, like, be anyone's boyfriend at that time. Because I think deep down, I think maybe this is just from more from men, but maybe everyone. But, like, until a guy feels settled in his own personal life with, like, what he knows what he wants to do or he can like, you know, for me, my love language is acts of service. So I, you know, me, I want to take care of my people, so to speak. You obviously are more than established and crushing, I'm assuming doing very well for yourself, having done this for as long as you have. But do you think the uncertainty of reality TV in the, and the space in which you operate and all the things you kind of just talked about in a similar way to how, you know, my mindset back then, do you think that also maybe stops you from, like, feeling like this is a safe space for whoever I date in myself to, like, pursue something serious?

Austin Kroll (23:45)

It's a deep question. Thank you. And, and I think the answer to that is it certainly has played a factor, right, where I'm like, I want to make sure that I'm good and that we're good and, you know, good, good being like, you know, comfortable. Right. Not like good, you know, lavish. Right. Like good, you know, comfortable. And then you add a kid to the mix. And, and, and you. And, and, and, and that's like a million dollar, little, you know, human right. Right there that you got to think of. And, and, and in, in the past, it, it has been a talking point. And, and in more recent past, you know, than you'd think, you know, with people that have been on the show and. I would never be able to propose to somebody short of like three years.

Co-host (24:40)

Is it because you haven't gotten to that?

Austin Kroll (24:42)

I think so.

Nick (24:43)

When I met Natalie, I was like, listen, I definitely want to have a kid someday.

Austin Kroll (24:47)

Yeah.

Nick (24:47)

I never want to get married, you know, I don't know.

Austin Kroll (24:50)

Yeah. So, like, look, look, I maybe, like.

Nick (24:52)

Maybe just haven't met the right person.

Austin Kroll (24:54)

Dude. Such a. Like that if my sister were sitting here, she'd be like, you fudgeing Kidding me. You know, like, he's 38 years old, Nick. Okay, don't give him the pass on, but you're probably part of the problem. Yeah, look, look, like, not to go back to therapy, but I literally have a therapist for this reason. What, like, what is my. Like, how do I break the cycle and date and not make the same mistakes that I have in the past and how do I keep it going forward kind of thing? So I just feel like if I were to meet somebody, right? I mean, everyone's got the honeymoon phase, but then what happens when that honeymoon phase ends? That's a big thing to think about, right? Because then you're like, okay, all the things that happen in the honeymoon phase, I don't have to list them out, are not as electric anymore, right? And all these things, it's just all these things. And maybe you're right. Maybe what I told myself is that I do want a person that I look at with like, awe and I'm like, oh, right, Say they were at like a party. I see that person across the room. I'm like, that is my person right? There she is. Look at her. She's. She's mine, you know, and not just, you know, beauty, but like. And all these things, right? And maybe I just haven't, you know, I had one on one end of the spectrum who was mean as hell to me, and I ate it up like with a fork and knife. And, and. And I just want to find someone maybe who's like, you know, in the middle of what I've dated, perhaps.

Nick (26:40)

Okay, if.

Austin Kroll (26:41)

If that answered the question that you asked. Sorry, but there's no right, right or.

Nick (26:45)

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Austin Kroll (28:13)

Show and yeah, I think that was the turning point, by the way.

Nick (28:16)

Oh, great.

Austin Kroll (28:17)

Thank you. Seeing you in person, that's usually I.

Co-host (28:20)

Feel like that's you. Like, you have these ideas of people that you see online and then the second you meet them in person, you're like, oh, they're human and I'm a human. And like, we can. Seemed like an all right guy, good at our job.

Nick (28:32)

And so it comes across as like, you know, if you, I imagine you don't pay that close of attention to our show.

Austin Kroll (28:37)

Yeah, I just see clips. I just see clips.

Nick (28:40)

Right. So I can see.

Austin Kroll (28:44)

And somebody has, like, approached me before too, and they were like, beside themselves. They told me I couldn't do the file files. I was like, darling, your priorities are so out of whack right now that you think that it's like, come on, like, you'll be fine. You'll be. You'll. You'll be fine. But, hey, that's the impact that you have. Right. Well, so congrats.

Nick (29:08)

Thank you. But when I, I brought up, it was a, it was a moment because I want to dive into Craig here a little bit. Your relationship with Craig.

Austin Kroll (29:15)

Sure. We don't have enough time to unpack. Okay.

Nick (29:19)

You know, Cliffness, when it comes to Bravo world in general, I am fascinated as someone who comes from a different rad TV world, in terms of the reality, how real is it in the sense that it's just a different world to do one season in a controlled environment, like a bachelor world versus this ongoing Craig had. Craig, an ongoing epistetic where you're really showing your lives and then doing these scenes with friends. I just think to do what you guys do, you guys have to be willing to lean in often and maybe be willing to talk about things that in any other situation you might be like, I Don't know. And this is all to say that, like, sometimes I always wonder when I see you guys fight on TV and really get into it. Like, for example, that I think it was. Was it you and Craig? That kitchen scene this season, it almost seemed like you guys were like, all right, for you newbies out here, here's how you do this. Yeah.

Co-host (30:17)

Like, Sally, Molly, watch and learn.

Austin Kroll (30:20)

Watch this.

Co-host (30:21)

Take notes.

Nick (30:21)

And I'm like, you know, I sometimes wonder. It's just like, are they just kind of leaning in, or is this. Are they mad at each other?

Austin Kroll (30:30)

Okay.

Nick (30:30)

And when I met you at BravoCon and I brought up Craig's name, I felt like you had, like, a visceral reaction. Like, you were.

Austin Kroll (30:38)

That's not good.

Co-host (30:40)

You're like, let me go back to.

Nick (30:42)

My state of mind. But, like, only to say that when.

Austin Kroll (30:46)

I saw you, I'd just seen Craig.

Nick (30:47)

Okay.

Austin Kroll (30:48)

And he said something to you that made me roll my eyes so hard they almost fell out of my fucking head. And then I saw you, and I.

Nick (30:54)

Oh, my God, this guy. Yeah. But anywho, I. You know, what is your. Like. Yeah, I mean, unpack.

Austin Kroll (31:01)

Okay.

Nick (31:02)

What is your relationship with Craig? How are you guys today? Let's start there.

Austin Kroll (31:05)

Yeah, so let's. Let's end there.

Nick (31:09)

Okay.

Austin Kroll (31:09)

Okay. And then we'll start with, you know, you saying, like, you know, lean into it. And obviously, one of the bigger questions that I always get is, you know, is it real? And it's like, dude, yes. Right? So, you know, men, okay, typically, men are like, all right, let's not talk about this. Let's just, like, sweep it on the run, and let's just keep it moving. And Craig and I are no different. Okay? But, like, then we get on camera, and I'm not saying that I perform. I'm. I'm just saying that it is our job. It's your job. I can't leave here and text you and be like, natalie's so annoying. Like, you just gotta say it. Yeah, right. You gotta say it. Because the audience can't. I mean, now they can because you send texts, but no, no, you have to say it. Right? And so that's kind of. And especially if a button gets pushed. And I'll admit, I'm a master Craig, button pusher.

Co-host (31:59)

You do know the buttons to push.

Austin Kroll (32:03)

And so then that evokes a response from him, and then he'll say something that I fucking wholeheartedly disagree with to the core of my being, and that just, you know, and you get into a back and Forth with either Shep that or Craig. And it's like, buckle up. Like, you're. You're all ready to just go, right? Because they. They will even like, admit they want to hurt you with other words. And words do, you know, hurt me. But I'm like, no, it doesn't hurt me today. And that's like, kind of where that. Right? Because off camera, you know, I'll see Craig. I'm not like, you mother. I've heard what you said about me in this. But, you know, that doesn't happen. Like, we. We don't talk about that stuff. We don't talk about that stuff because, gosh, what a terrible way to live. To just be just up in arms at all times. I have lots of shit that I want to say to Craig at the reunion, and I, you know, will say those things and hopefully can get them out so I can just move on, right? And move on and allow Craig to continue to live his life in whatever manner that he chooses to live it. And I guess that there is a point in time when sometimes I'm sitting there at a dinner table, I'm like, all right, I'm ready to roll. And other times I'm like, can we just not do this today? And you'll see that at different points in the season where someone's like, all right, well, you and Craig gotta talk now, because it's the first time you've talked. It's like, I just don't wanna do it. I just don't wanna do it in front of all my friends. I wanna have fun with my friends tonight. And it can confuse. Craig would be the first one to say. He's like, you know, he gets mad at.

Nick (33:45)

He.

Austin Kroll (33:45)

He said it to me on my birthday, which is coming up, which has already been played, so I can talk about it where. Where he's like, you know it. And you act differently off camera than on camera. I'm like, dude, why? Because I don't yell at you off camera every time I see you? Like, I'm not doing that. I'm not doing that. But I will tell you the real about you that pisses me off when I do see you and you push the button.

Co-host (34:09)

Do you feel like Craig values Yalls friendship?

Austin Kroll (34:12)

And you know what? You know, this is one of those things that I hope that his assistant tells him when. When. When he listens to it, you know, for him, is that I question it. I. I've begun to question.

Co-host (34:26)

Have you always questioned more and more.

Austin Kroll (34:28)

Okay, dude, Craig and I's Friendship was like, you know, easy as it was. I mean, you know, you didn't think about it, you know, and now sometimes, more often than not, I do wonder.

Nick (34:44)

You know, it's interesting. Natalie and I will have conversations a lot, and I'll be quick to say things like, they're not your friend, or they're not our friends. And, you know, we are at this. You know, we're married, we have a kid. We are very, like, hyper focused on, like, what's in front of us, our world. So, like, it's easy for us to be like, listen. And it's not. It's no disrespect. It's just more like to people, we really, when it means friend, like, these are our expectations in our head, right? And I guess my question to you is, like, you know, last season when this was talked about, when the whole podcast ended and you were getting. And you guys were fighting, I understood what Craig was, I guess, trying to articulate in a sense where he was just more like, hey, this is what I want to do, and this is my life now. Do you feel like. I guess I'm curious. Where do you feel like Craig's letting you down in your friendship? Where could Craig find his person, focus on his career, and still be a good friend to you? Because Craig talks like, hey, I'm not a bad friend. I just have other shit going on. And you want to party like, we're in college now, and I don't want to do that anymore. And he paints this picture of your expectations. Do you think that's unfair of Craig to kind of put that on you? And I guess, where is he missing the mark in your friendship? Assuming that he is the guy who loves being in a relationship and he's got his pillows and he wants to build those businesses up.

Austin Kroll (36:14)

So the short answer is, yes, I do feel that Craig is missing the mark. Now, the longer answer on just friendship in general. I mean, far, far be it for me to put friendship in a box and what everyone should do to like another friend in order to call it friendship, right? Friendship means something to me, that it means something to you, that it means something to you. And make no mistake that both of us have received so many dms, people being like, craig isn't your friend. And I know that Craig has gotten a hundred DMs saying, Austin isn't your friend. And, like, that is tough sometimes to see. And.

Nick (36:52)

And.

Austin Kroll (36:53)

And I'm glad that, you know, for the most part, you know, we've both been like, all right, you know, off Linda, like. Yeah, because it's just so silly, right? It's like, you know, and sometimes I'm like, you're right. You know, especially when I'm heated, right? I'm like, I would never, like, yell at Craig when I was frustrated, you know, by him and, and accuse him of cheating. Like, I, I would never, ever, ever do that. Like that. That to me is like, that was a while. I can't believe.

Nick (37:21)

That was wild.

Austin Kroll (37:22)

I can't believe that that left your.

Nick (37:23)

Mouth, you know, because I'm assuming you're.

Austin Kroll (37:25)

Thinking and that, and that was like the beginning of me being like, I. Dude, you and I are, are just like in, you know, sort of friends. Especially during, you know, filming, I was like, I'm like, I'm done with this shit. Like the first second that his back gets pushed against the wall, I see this like ugly human rear its head and, and, and it's something that I've said to him since, you know, filming, right? So, like, I'm not, you know, nervous that, you know, this is out there and I'm very interested to hear what his response is when I see him on the couch. But it's just like, dude, that is like. And I'm not saying like, dude, you know, what happens in Vegas, you know, stays in Vegas. It's not even.

Nick (38:08)

It.

Austin Kroll (38:08)

It's just like, what, you heard like a rumor from Shep and you just decided to lob it out there.

Nick (38:13)

I'm assuming in that moment you must have been like, what the fuck are you doing? Because I'm assuming, correct me if wrong, you're thinking, you know what you're doing, Craig, because you operate in this world and the things that come out of your mouth get platformed. Thank you. And you make them a thing.

Austin Kroll (38:30)

That's the other part of it.

Nick (38:31)

And whether that's true or not, you're going to get people talking about.

Austin Kroll (38:34)

And this is going to be like a, like a two week long thing when it, when it airs. Yeah.

Nick (38:39)

Once an accusation comes out, it's just like you're you. It's. You're already guilty in some people's eyes and you will never live it down. And, and you will be it. Five years from now, assuming you are still on tv, you will probably like. It won't be as much. We won't, you know, we won't be talking about. But five years from now, you might like run into someone or get a DM for someone who likes. Brings this shit up from 5 years ago because that's how this world works.

Austin Kroll (39:04)

Dude, you know, is how this world works. And that is definitely. Thank you for saying that. That is definitely part of the reason where I was like, dude, you know, the weight that our words can carry on this show. Can't believe you so callously and thoughtlessly just, like, threw this out there about one of your quote, unquote, best friends. Like, I just can't. Just can't believe it.

Co-host (39:29)

It also was. And I think some fans are even under the speculation that, like, this was. This had to have been something that was, like, there had to have been a bigger story, because this, like, two girls come up to Shep, and they say, like, they're. Everyone's kind of like, what the.

Nick (39:43)

Like, who.

Co-host (39:44)

Okay, like, who believes that?

Austin Kroll (39:46)

First of all, look, I was pissed at Shep, too, because, you know, once that that kind of happened, then it came to my attention that Shep had gone to, like, four different people and was like, I'm not gonna say anything, but. And I'm like, what do you think happens when you tell four people who are on a TV show, you know, this thing? Like. And by the way, Shep and I talk all the time. We're like, dude, you know that if you tell something to Craig, he will bring it up in a time of need. Don't do that. And the fact that that's what he did was, like, the biggest head scratcher to me. Do you feel, like, like, really hurt to it? And then for Shep to throw up his hands be like, I didn't. I didn't say. I'm like, dude, you lit the guy. Like, you. Like, you pulled the pin. You gave it to Craig, and before it blew up, he handed it back to you. And y' all didn't even ask me about that. But I just, like, no, thank you. Yeah. Because I think that it's a right. Okay. Because I think that that is kind of like the bigger of, like, what. What friendship means to you. And. And, you know, the overlying kind of thing of, like, how can someone be, like, a better friend? Now, that answered that question. The word is simple. It's called bounce. Right? And, like, you have a balance of, like, dude, I understand that, you know, you have a girlfriend, and I have friends that have kids and, like, are married and stuff. And I see them more than Craig. And that's the point. That's.

Co-host (41:10)

I think, also, like, the sentence Shep could say something that would ruin your life right now to someone who is supposed to be their friend is just, like, a sentence that should never come out of.

Austin Kroll (41:22)

And then, and then people were all, all like, they were all up on me, you know, Austin, well, you pushed Craig. I'm like, it makes me think, okay, I, I'm like a movie quote guy, but it makes me think. And this is so dumb, but this scene from American Wedding, okay, they're these like little punk kids. They splash Jim and, and his friends with their jet ski. Stifler gets, you know, revenge by tying up their jet skis to a truck and like vandalizing and destroying their like fifty thousand dollar property. And like that's what happened. Like I splashed Craig and he tried to like destroy my fire.

Co-host (42:01)

Yeah.

Austin Kroll (42:01)

But also the, the way that he thought that that is like a life ruining thing. I'm like, dude, you and I just view things differently because my girlfriend immediately was like, I'm sorry that Craig sucks. I'm sorry that he's so crazy. It wasn't like the blow up that he thought that it was going to be. I'm like, we just view things differently, dude. Like you think that that scandal is the end. Scandal is, is, is like, you know, the end of, you know, it. All right? Because Craig is very worried about, you know, optics. And that's where we differ. Yeah, that's just where we differ. And then that's where you see him, you know, begin to hang out. You know, Charlie and Sally and he's like, cool. It's like hanging. And his buddy Corey is coming into Charleston a lot and they're, and they're hanging. And I'm like, okay, Craig, you know, but, but I was in a relationship and I just categorically misrepresented or misquoted or miss just by, by Craig like his, like him trying to pin me down as someone who wasn't happy. I'm like, dude, so, so I was jealous of you when you were in a relationship and now I'm jealous of you and you're not in a relationship. It's just like, come on, man. I, I, I don't know what it like. And by the way, the relationship, you know, that I had, if, if I wanted to be at the after party, which was Shep and Craig and Sally in a fucking hot tub, then I could have been in that hot tub and my girlfriend would have been like, okay, cool. You know, like that's the relationship, you know, that I had. And you can secure because she was secure. And that was the sexiest part about it. So like this after party, like Austin wants to be in the hot tub, brother. If I wanted to be there, then I would have been there.

Nick (43:49)

Well, that's the thing. You can still be envious. You can be like, oh, that's cool, and that's freedom. And still be. Want to be in a relationship.

Austin Kroll (43:55)

That's what I told him when we went to lunch in one of the episodes. I was like, yeah, man. You know, like, there is a part of me that is, you know, like, envious of not. Not the whole part of, like, dude, she's just dragging me down, and I wish I was single so I could just party in your hot tub. Like, that's not what I was saying.

Nick (44:16)

I thought that if you're calling them up every five minutes. So what are you doing now?

Austin Kroll (44:19)

Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Right. It's just. Try not to get all worked up about it. But it's just, like, you think that you're talking to a friend about the, like, grass being greener, which I think it always will be greener. Right? You know, married, kids, and, like, you might be like, oh, man, tell me about Vegas. Right? Like, so what? I'm also. That doesn't mean that you don't want, like, a wife and kid. It just means, dude, tell me about Vegas as, like, a single person, you heathen.

Nick (44:47)

I'm also assuming you've opened up to Craig, like, you've opened up to us today about, you know, commitment issues or things that you worry about. So shouldn't he know that about you? And then therefore, not necessarily, like, just throw it in your face.

Austin Kroll (45:03)

In some ways, man. In some ways, man, Craig and I are super deep with. With each other. And in other ways, the way that he didn't know much about my relationship because he didn't really seem to have an interest in my relationship. So I was just like, all right, you know, he. He's not gonna ask.

Nick (45:23)

I'm.

Austin Kroll (45:23)

I'm not gonna tell. That is, like, another part. Maybe sometimes we don't ask each other the questions that, you know, we should. So. So that I, like, can better get to know his, you know, inner psyche and. And. And vice versa. But that's a tall order. With Craig, it's a tall order back.

Nick (45:43)

I'm curious. It seems like you think Craig, he's, you know, smart, kind of calculated in a way. I can be calculated. Doesn't always mean a bad thing. But so it seems like you can explain why. Why Craig would say something out of pocket. But have you figured out why Shep ran his mouth the way he did? In a way, because he should know better, too. And it's more like, it's like, oh, Craig's maybe being Craig, and I'm mad at Craig, but, like, why did Shep.

Austin Kroll (46:11)

That's right. That's a good question. Because I think that me and Shep are not calculated at all. I just kind of. And then I put my foot in it, and the. Then I have to deal with it, or I show up somewhere and. And Shep is not a calculated person either. You know, he just kind of exists. And I haven't really gotten to the bottom of that. All that I could do is just kind of hear him out when he told me that he was so sorry and that he would kind of do anything that it took to prove to me that, you know, my friendship means something to him. And, dude, at the end of the day, I'm. I'm simple like that. Like, that's all that I want to hear, you know, and, you know, believe it, because I'm gonna up, too. Which I did just recently, you know, with Shep, and I called him to lunch, and I was like, hey, I. I just want to, like, you know, air it out. Like, I'm really sorry. I'm really sorry that that came back to you, you know, never should have said that, and I'm so sorry, you know, but that's what's, like, important is doing that kind of shit so the other person knows you fucking care about them.

Co-host (47:18)

After the podcast with you and Craig kind of went up in flames, or why get into business with him again and open up, by the way?

Austin Kroll (47:27)

That was dirt. Like, we had started the process of opening the business during podcast, us podcasting.

Co-host (47:33)

Gotcha.

Austin Kroll (47:33)

And we had been approached by very good friends being like, I think it's time that we showed in a bar. I mean, that had been something that.

Nick (47:40)

That.

Austin Kroll (47:40)

That I've been having.

Co-host (47:40)

Did it make you more worried once the podcast ended of, like, fuck, now we're in this together. Is this. How is this gonna go?

Austin Kroll (47:47)

This is where I'm gonna maybe lose you, but try to try it. Just try, okay? I did not say, like, oh, man, in the podcast. You know what? I'm in flames. So how do I get out of this bar deal? Because me and Craig, that thought just didn't really cross my mind because we have wonderful operating partners and knew that I just like doing stuff with friends, you know, even if I think that they're being shitty sometimes, which Craig could tell you that he thinks that I'm being shitty too. Right? It's like a spider man meme. Like, we'll always do this And I'm certainly not here to make anybody take in Austin's side. That's that. I told myself that today coming on here, where I was like, I just want to say my perspective, not. Not, you know, be, you know, Team Austin over Team Craig or over Team Shepard, anything like that. So it's just my perspective on things a little kind of, you know, inner working into the brain of Austin, but.

Nick (48:51)

Also, like, to that point, like doing a podcast and running a bar, just completely two different things.

Austin Kroll (48:55)

Right. Because it turned into just straight. I know that I was feeling like this, so Craig must have also been feeling like this where. Where we would sit down and be like, all right, when are you free this week? And, okay, my Tuesday at 4 and Thursday at 6 o'. Clock. And I know that more often than not, it was like a countdown to, like, I have to jump on and do this thing for 45 minutes, you know? And I know that he was feeling that. That way too. So I think that it was a much needed separation for us. And then when we saw each other, it wouldn't be like, hey, dude. Right. It'd be like, more meaningful. And so it was just needed. Even though, like, I miss it, man. I miss the podcast. Yeah.

Nick (49:40)

Knowing that you think that at times maybe Craig can be a little strategic, I'm curious what you think Craig's perspective and point of view. His real one, not his, like, on camera, what he would tell someone if he came on this podcast or an on the fly interview. Like, if you and Craig were just like, yeah, in a room, just you two, no cameras. No. What. What do you think his real life perspective is on your relationship?

Austin Kroll (50:07)

Okay, so to start with that, I just remember that last season I saw a clip of him with Madison and. And. And, you know, he was like, I don't know, man. What. What. What more that Austin, you know, wants from me. And it's like, I. I just don't think it's. It's. It's. It's that hard, you know, like, you. You can call me to go grab me some chicken wings. I don't give a shit if you don't drink a beer, man. That doesn't bother me. We don't need shots, you know, like, because this past, you know, year and a half and when I was talking to Craig about, you know, being a better friend or, you know, whatever, and I was dating someone, so, like, you know, the way that I was operating was totally different too. I was like, dinner and then home guy. Right. You know, Whereas your Shep's like, let's go to the bar afterwards. Like, dude, what's. For me at the bar passed me at 10 o'. Clock. There's no reason to go, right? Unless it was like a, like a thing, right? Like an event, like a special occasion. And I, I just like wish that Craig would have maybe taken the time at, at that point to be like, okay, Manuel Austin is, you know, different and kind of operating in a different manner because he's dating someone and it's not the same as when he was single. And. And it's almost like he, he just wanted to put it in a box of like, Austin wants me to go out and get drunk with them. Like, what are you. You know, so it's just like the miscommunication thing and like the mis. Categorizing one another. I certainly find myself in my mind in the shower being very hard on Craig, right? Very, very hard on Craig in the showers, which, which would surprise nobody here who's listening. What was the original question?

Nick (51:50)

Craig's perspective?

Austin Kroll (51:51)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That, that if Craig, you know, we're sitting here, I think that it would bum. Bum me out a bit, right? Like if I was like a fly on the wall and Craig was doing this, that, that it would bum me out at his. At like what, what he thinks, you know, that I think I'd be like, dude, that's so wrong. So wrong. How can you miss the mark so hard?

Nick (52:10)

Do you know each other's love languages?

Austin Kroll (52:12)

I'll tell you what. Craig's is not physical touch. Is not physical touch.

Nick (52:18)

It's.

Austin Kroll (52:19)

It's been really funny when someone goes up and tries to hug Craig that like, doesn't know. He's like, what do you think of mine?

Nick (52:28)

Is quality time?

Co-host (52:29)

Okay, I wouldn't say quality time because Audrey was long distance. Words of affirmation and.

Austin Kroll (52:37)

Yeah. Physical touch. Words of affirmation.

Co-host (52:40)

Yeah.

Austin Kroll (52:40)

And I like, you know, would. Would throw in, you know, quality time there. But I guess the way that I categorized it in the show, me and Ajay, by the way, just to clear it up, is like I made it seem like I saw her so minimal and kind of what I meant was I see her three to five times a month for like five days at a time. So she would come in on like a Thursday and leave on a Monday or come in on a Wednesday and leave on a Monday. And then when she left is. Is when I would be like, okay, man, just sitting on the couch, you know, solo is great. I mean, I feel like when anyone feels that way if, like, when their husband or wife, you know, goes away on a trip, they're like, okay, I mean, this. I mean, it's kind of nice, you know, sit on the couch, see a solo man, just watching what I want to watch anyways. And then Craig's love languages are. I think he likes gifts of service, acts of service, and gift giving. Yeah, he might like some words of affirmation.

Co-host (53:34)

What are your thoughts on his social media activity and how much do you think he enjoys Cap Cut the like, editing app that is doing things in slow motion in black and white.

Austin Kroll (53:47)

And I think exactly what you think, you know, but, like, who am I to cut off someone's, like, in creative shoes.

Nick (53:59)

Right?

Austin Kroll (54:00)

It's. It's. It's not typically things that. That. That I would post. Even posting pictures of. Of my biceps in, like, a car mirror reflection is not right, what I'm doing.

Nick (54:11)

I'm not that judge there. There are many people who think, though, off, you know, going off that social media that, like, you know, last season, it was all. It was the Paige and Craig fallout, you know, it was. Everything was about that. This season, Craig is single, right? We got single. Craig. Craig's drinking again. Craig's in the comments arguing with fans. It is giving a little, like, meltdownish kind of behavior. Is that authentic or is Craig the person who you think is, you know, very in tune to what people think and calculated? Do you think there's a method. Method to the madness, or do you think this is like, Craig authentically trying to find himself post a really heartbreaking endo relationship?

Austin Kroll (54:57)

I think that. Has he, like, been crashed out on anyone in the comments? Like, you know, rude?

Nick (55:01)

No, no, no. He's just. Yeah, he's bothering, which I would be like, why are you bothering like that?

Austin Kroll (55:08)

That was like a cardinal sin a couple years ago that I have always here and there, thrown out, like, a comment back to someone else. He'd lecture you and he'd lecture me. And so it's interesting to see it. I think it's a bit of a spiral because, you know, he's definitely texted some cast and, you know, things of that nature, which.

Nick (55:33)

Listen, I.

Austin Kroll (55:34)

Which is just like, not what I'm used to with.

Nick (55:37)

Right.

Austin Kroll (55:37)

You know what I mean? It's like, da, da, da, da, da, and let it go. But, you know, it's not a practice of what you preach.

Co-host (55:46)

You and Mat Addison, how have y' all been able to really. I mean, from her calling you a beta bitch to oyster shooters while she's pregnant.

Austin Kroll (55:55)

That fucking definitely came out of Craig's mouth. Like, the beta bitch thing.

Co-host (56:01)

Okay.

Austin Kroll (56:03)

So how we were able to turn this thing around, I. I think that there was a year when we broke up or. And I had, like, a visceral reaction to hearing her name, or, you know, like, a fan could come up to me and be like, oh, maybe love Madison. I'd be like, cool. You know? And I feel like everyone needs to go through that period of, like, I don't want to talk about my ex. And in fact, my ex, I don't like Maya. You know, and then you kind of make it past that, and that's when you can, like, truly, when you're unbothered is such a freeing thing. You can say that, you know, you're unbothered, but we know that you are bothered, and so you are truly unbothered. So when I finally got to the place of being unbothered, because I can wholeheartedly admit that I was bothered, you know, for a year, I was pressed. I was. Whatever word that you want to use. And then when you're unbothered, it's so freeing, right? And it's like something that I saw with Shep and Taylor. Shep didn't give Taylor the time to process it and to. That's why that next season, she was just like, fuck you, Shel. I mean, everything that I did, she was like, fuck you. You know, boom, boom, boom. Because they didn't have the time to separate and then for, like, her to truly be over it.

Nick (57:24)

And.

Austin Kroll (57:24)

And I saw that, and I was like, okay, we are going to move on from this, Madison, because at the core of it, you and I used to make each other laugh, and I think that we can do that again. And I'm happy for you. I'm happy to be out of it, and I'm happy, you know, for you. And we can just, you know, move on now and maybe be what we were always supposed to be. And that's gay best friends.

Nick (57:46)

Is there anything. Was there any part of you that, for any moment post breakup, thought, I can't. I can't do this show with her?

Austin Kroll (57:54)

Yeah, there. There was, like, a moment where I was like, do I really want to come back and just torture myself for the whole filming period? And then while it airs and then the reunion, and it's like, funny enough, man. It was Craig. It was Craig, man, who was giving me the advice of, like, look, man, filming with your ex sucks, right? And. And it made me, like, unhappy and this and that, but it was One of those things where it was like, dude, what are you just gonna be like a child about this, you know, forever? Like, you have two choices to make, you know, you either, like, let this man consume you and, like, like, fuck up something good in your life, or you just glide past it and make it work.

Co-host (58:35)

Did it hurt your feelings when Brett said to throw away the big teddy bear that you got?

Austin Kroll (58:40)

I don't think that that was organic at all. Okay.

Co-host (58:44)

You and Brett have a good relationship. Y' all are.

Austin Kroll (58:46)

Yeah. I mean, look, like, I don't text him or, you know, or any of this stuff, right? Because. But, like, I try to be like, okay, like, I'm not gonna text Madison past, like, a certain time, and I'm not gonna. You know, I mean, Bravicom was different. You know that. Like, we were all out and calling and text me one other, like, man, where are you at 2 o' clock in the morning? And they're like. But, you know, for the most part, I'm like, I'm trying to respect the relationship and. And respect them and just happy that. That they're happy. And I truly. And I truly mean that.

Co-host (59:15)

Do you ever think Shep will settle down?

Austin Kroll (59:18)

Shep and I had a talk about this the other day. We were driving back from the Hamptons. We were there for the Ryder cup, and we were driving back, and I just flat out was like, do you actually think, Shep, that we. Right. Because I'm not above the question either of that. We're gonna find someone that we want to settle down with. I can tell you in that frank conversation that he wants it. He hopes that that girl is out there. That, you know, I think that he has a high bar of what he wants. But ultimately, he, like, you know, he wants to live in a country club and play golf a lot and, you know, have a girl that comes from good background as well and someone who can keep up with him in conversation. And I do think that he wants it now. Do I think that it's going to happen? That's a different question. I don't know.

Nick (60:22)

I don't know. If you were to psychoanalyze Shep a little bit, like, where do you think? Because, right. He has his standards, and, you know, perfect's hard to find. But regardless of if he finds the thing he's looking for, where are things in areas in his life you think he maybe need to. You tweak or improve to make himself a better partner? Like, you know, my introduction to Shep was the fallout of him and Taylor. And I think Shep DM me when I first started watching Southern Charm, because I was. I was critical of you guys. And I think, more specific, Shep, I give him credit for reaching out to me, but, yeah, I was. I was critical because he didn't come across as the best partner to Taylor. Yeah, but that's, again, just from what I saw on tv. But if there. Is there anything where you think would be a fair criticism, that you think he could work on that, if he. If he does find his perfect, that she will reciprocate that?

Austin Kroll (61:14)

Yeah. Yeah, I do. And it's not, like, one thing that I'm gonna pinpoint, right? Where it's like, he needs to curtail his. It's. It's more so like, the overall mentality. Okay. So if you. I strongly think because of what just happened to me, right. We're like, I got in a relationship, and it took me, like, three months to get, you know, used to it. It right? Like, oh, I'm. I'm dating someone, and I shouldn't be going out like this, and I shouldn't be doing this, you know, and now you have to back off all the people that, you know, you were texting or, like, you know, dming prior to dating that person. And it's kind of like a slow. Right. It's not just, like, cold turkey chopped goodbye. Right. And so for Shep, I was like, the way that you live your life and the way you have been living Your life for 46 years is as, like, a single person who does what he wants, when he wants, at the. At the drop of a dime. And if you just think that you're gonna, like, meet someone who probably is not gonna live in Charleston because he wants someone who's, like, a worldly being. Right? So if, like, if you were to date, you know, Sienna, the girl that lived in the Bahamas, do you truly think that you're not gonna, like, sleep with another girl while. While you're not seeing her, but, like, once every other month? Like, do you really think that you can just cold turkey the life that you're used to living and just start dating someone with, you know, your whole heart? The answer is no. The answer is no. So I don't know what the answer is to that question, but Shep lives a very single lifestyle. Yeah.

Nick (62:50)

Is he willing to change?

Austin Kroll (62:51)

How are you just gonna flip a switch is. You know what I'm saying? And. And I don't know if that's possible. Well, he's been in a relationship.

Nick (62:58)

I mean, the way you're describing it really reminded me when Nelly and I started dating, before we became boyfriend and girlfriend, I was essentially single for a dec. If you take out bachelor world and the relationships I got into as a result of being in that world, I was essentially single for a decade. And I remember when we were like, all right, we're gonna do this. And she was in Savannah, I was in la. You just described I had a ton of women friends and I just, like, I didn't think about, like, I wasn't, you know, I was all well intentioned, a lot of platonic women friends. And then we were like, hanging out and she's like, what are you doing? I'm like, oh, so and so's over. And I had like these.

Co-host (63:36)

She's having all these girls coming over to see his new house.

Nick (63:41)

It was like, yeah, no, I can't do that anymore. You know, not that I was doing anything wrong, you know, I. Or. Or not that I can do it. I just really have to move differently. I have to, like, check in with her. What are you comfortable with? What are you not comfortable? You know, it was like, it. And because I was so used to for so long doing whatever the I wanted, when I wanted to, I had to have a bit of a, oh, if I want to do this, I have to do it differently. But it wasn't like, like, I didn't have to take a course.

Austin Kroll (64:06)

Yeah.

Nick (64:06)

You know, it wasn't like I just had to like, tap into, like, being the boyfriend I knew I could be that I was, you know, so many years before, but I knew how to do it.

Austin Kroll (64:15)

I think that there's like a bit of a Runway needed almost. Right. You start talking to someone and you know that it's going to. To lead to like, you know, boyfriend, girlfriend. Right. As high school as that sounds. But that's exactly, you know, what it is and you know that it's, you know, leading there. And during that time, like, you begin to pull back from all the other things. And I just, like, question if Shep will be able to do that. You know, just given how long that he's been single and doing his thing.

Co-host (64:49)

Sally and Taylor have been a little back and forth online. We have had Taylor on the show several times. We love her. We're big fans of her.

Nick (64:58)

Her.

Co-host (64:58)

Yeah, her brand reset is love her sweatshirt. Where do you land on all that stuff? Do you kind of keep in contact with Taylor? Are you kind of like you're, you know, you're off the show, you're In a relationship, this is kind of like we're not really in each other's lives anymore.

Austin Kroll (65:13)

Taylor and I were always good. I haven't spoken to Taylor in a while, basically since the end of season 10. Right. We were, we were good on the, on the, the reunion. And then I think after that. Right. Because we filmed the reunion before all the episodes air and, and then I don't know. See, I don't even like want to drag her back into this or be like entangled, you know, with her. I have always thought so, so highly of Taylor. I think that Shep did a number on her, you know, Sorry, Shep. And, and I think.

Nick (65:46)

Would you think that Shep would agree with that at this point?

Austin Kroll (65:48)

I think that, that, you know, he would, but, but he would frame it differently. Like, look, when she was young and she came into this thing and, and you know, this guy that's been on the show, you know, for eight, nine years and she's, you know, 27 and, and I, you know, showed her like a whole new world and you know, and then for all that hero. You don't say. But, but I know that, that, that Shep would also say I care about her like a great deal and she has a wonderful family and you know, this and that and that. Right. And, and, and he would speak very, very highly of her. But I just think that, that the Internet did a number on Taylor too. And for someone who truly is like a sweet hearted person.

Nick (66:36)

Yeah.

Austin Kroll (66:37)

That, that really messed with her. And so it's not, you know, just Shep. It's like Shep caused her to spiral a little bit and she showed a side of her that she's not really used to having a show on the Internet, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then that didn't make things any better. And, and, and then she was like, I'm getting the hell out of here.

Nick (66:55)

Yeah. You know, I mean, the, the Internet.

Austin Kroll (66:57)

Is not very kind.

Nick (66:59)

Kind in general. And I think when it comes to pretty girls who seem sweet and innocent, like, I mean, like I, every day I feel like I have to apologize to my wife for the shit that she receives as a result of, of being my wife or whatever in the in and they want to find something wrong with someone who doesn't look there's anything wrong with them.

Austin Kroll (67:17)

Right.

Nick (67:19)

Do you think. I'm curious. Do you think Shep could have done a better job of protecting Taylor or prepping her for that?

Austin Kroll (67:25)

See, I just don't think that she wanted his help after they broke up. Right. She was like, stay over there, please. And Shep couldn't do it. He couldn't do it, right? And so then the things with her and Sally is like, she probably just been. Saw, like, a comment that made her knee jerk, you know, and then it. And then it caught some, you know, legs. And then, you know, Sally kind of was like, you know, what the. You know, what the. And. And so many times I've, like, let people say, man, whatever they want in my costume. Just don't. You don't respond. Just make it bigger, you know, blah, blah, blah. And it's like a helpless feeling sometimes, right? When someone says a nasty thing about you, and then you're like, all right, I'm just gonna let it go. And it's like, God, have a backbone, right? And so I think that that's what happened with Sally. She was like, no, I'm not just gonna let this slide, and you can't just say whatever that you want to about me. And she responded in her manner, and I think that she had every right to do so.

Co-host (68:30)

I do feel like it stemmed from last season when it was Sally's first time. Taylor's last season, Sally's first time. There was a lot of, like, I dated your ex. You dated Maya.

Austin Kroll (68:40)

Yeah.

Co-host (68:40)

But, yeah, it has very much want.

Austin Kroll (68:42)

To be in the middle of it at all. It has gotten nasty at all.

Co-host (68:46)

Have you. You're speaking of previous co stars. Kathryn Dennis has been in the news for her recent arrest for her dui. Have you spoken to her? Have you checked in? You have not?

Austin Kroll (68:56)

No. Look, this is a very tricky one because I think that I've always been good in aligning communication with Katherine, and. And then she kind of went online and started to post some things about me and Craig. Like, at one point, you know, she posted something on. On the wedding venue that Craig and I have a hand in, and she posted something there, you know, that. That was kind of nasty. And I was like, what. What is this coming? Where's this coming from?

Nick (69:28)

Right?

Austin Kroll (69:28)

And rather than, you know, respond to it as we just talked about, I just didn't, you know, just let it go. Like, just let it go, and this will eventually just kind of, you know, fade off. And I. I was confused by it, and I didn't really know what to do. I didn't know what the right, like, course of action was. I didn't know if I should reach out to her and be like, hey, I'm here for you. I just didn't know what to do. So I kind of. I I kind of just let it go. Kind of just let it go. But there were some comments out there, and then, you know, some things that, you know, were posted. I. I was just confused. It's like, where's this coming from? I haven't heard from you in two years.

Nick (70:04)

And was the Sienna stuff with Shep, was that all, like, real? Because that was some of the most hilarious, awkward. I think we had moments, especially in adult life, where you, you know, when you're 19, you do, like, stuff like that.

Austin Kroll (70:19)

Sure.

Nick (70:19)

And you lose yourself, and then you watch the tape back, so to speak.

Austin Kroll (70:23)

Most.

Nick (70:23)

Most people don't get the opportun. Watch tape back. But, yeah, it was. It was hilarious. Also a tough, awkward watch in the best possible way. But I am just like. I was a little, like, text. There's, like, there's no way this is real. There's just no way that chef would do that. But I. I just had to ask.

Austin Kroll (70:42)

Look, I don't know, because was. It was strange for me, too, at how hook, line, and sinker that, you know, he went and. And how he was genuinely sad when she didn't respond to him. This is prior to going to the Bahamas, when she didn't respond to him when she was on an international flight. He hadn't heard from her in 24 hours. And I was like, shep, you guys have hung out four times. What are you so bent out of shape for? I mean, far. Far be it for me to tell someone how to emote. Right. I mean, maybe he really was. And according to him, they said really nice things to one another. And so lward got. Got dropped. Then I think that he just, like, went in, and then the. That's awesome. And then. Yeah. And then the amateur psychoanalysis from Craig and I were. That. Was that pretty obvious that he missed what he had with Taylor and he wanted to find it, you know, with someone else. Maybe he rushed into it, which. Well, there's no maybe. He clearly did. And then she was like, whoa. Yeah, like, whoa.

Nick (71:50)

Do you think there's any part of Shep that Mrs. Taylor or thinks he. He screwed it up?

Austin Kroll (71:56)

Well, he knows that he screwed it up.

Nick (71:58)

Yeah, but there's knowing, hey, I screwed it up. And then there's literally regret it being like. Yeah. I mean, that was.

Austin Kroll (72:03)

I think so. Yes.

Nick (72:04)

That was the one who got away.

Austin Kroll (72:05)

I think so. Wow. You know, I'm not saying that, you know, he writes in his journal about it every night, but. But yes.

Nick (72:11)

Okay.

Austin Kroll (72:12)

So he was sitting here. I think that he would say yes, to you.

Nick (72:14)

That's heavy. Wow. Oh, I just really only want more question. Okay, let's see if there's anything you want to get off your chest. But I've had a ton of fun, man. This has been really fun getting to know you and I appreciate you opening up.

Austin Kroll (72:23)

It's been Gavin. Right? Because as I texted you, right, you know, there's no, like, Austin and Taylor thing that I have to flesh out, you know, this year. There's no, like, oh, geez. So I was like, all right, let's just, you know, hang and talk.

Nick (72:35)

Well, knowing that, like, again, I appreciate you being open and honest and talking about your friends and, you know, certainly we hope to still, you know, get Shep out of the St. Barts and onto our couch someday. Craig keeps telling me he's going to do it, but Craig says things.

Austin Kroll (72:49)

Sure. Whether he might market, by the way.

Nick (72:52)

Pardon me?

Austin Kroll (72:53)

This might spark it, you know, I mean, depending how.

Nick (72:55)

We'll see.

Austin Kroll (72:56)

But you know something? He's like, it's always setting the record straight.

Nick (73:00)

It's always tough doing this because, like, I don't know what people think, but we don't want to piss anyone off. It's just, this is the world we operate in. You operate in it, and. But they're. They're often hurt feelings.

Austin Kroll (73:11)

Uh huh.

Nick (73:12)

So despite everything we just talked about, I am curious knowing that, you know, right now you think Craig could be a better friend, but do you feel like your relationship with Craig is built to last? In a sense, is he more like a brother where it's like, hey, man, I. Sometimes I hate him and sometimes we're not talking, but like, this guy, he'll always be my friend. Or is there a world where you and Craig, I guess, don't make it in a way where you're just like, hey, you know, it was good while it lasted, but like, we've grown apart and, you know, I just don't know if we're going to be friends in the future. The future?

Austin Kroll (73:41)

Yeah. So I start to question that, you know, this year. Right. You asked me earlier, you're like, do you think that Craig values your friendship? And I'm starting to, you know, question that.

Nick (73:53)

And.

Austin Kroll (73:53)

And that is literally what is happening, where I'm like, man, I've chalked it up as us just being brothers for so long. And even you yell at your brother and, you know, you bounce back. You're like, all right, man, whatever, you know, off. Just give me like a second. But. But, you know, we'll get back to It. You know what I think is, like, time and time again of like, all right, let's give this another shot. Let's give this another shot. Let's. Hey, let's forget that one too. Oh, wait, let's forget that one too, until it kind of builds up to this, like, final talk of. Craig and I are having this talk at our finale, and it's just like, for me, it's banging my head against the wall. And like I said, it's not to have my back on this, but, like, from my point of view, I'm like, all you had to do was say this. And he might be saying the same thing. Like, Austin, what? Don't you get what I'm saying? And so maybe we just speak different languages.

Nick (74:47)

Is his backyard as dope as it looks? Because I would like to go to a party there.

Austin Kroll (74:53)

I appreciate a good backyard oasis back there that I'm proud of him for.

Co-host (74:59)

Last question from me. We heard Sally say the second that you and Audrey break up, yeah, she wants to fuck. So have y'. All. How have you and Sally been?

Austin Kroll (75:12)

Look, it's been a long time since, like, I've heard someone be that complimentary about me on.

Nick (75:18)

It's like, do you fuck with Sally or do you fuck with Sally?

Austin Kroll (75:21)

Like, it's been a long time since someone's been that complimentary about me on tv. You know, normally it's the opposite. These people want to say horrible things on the Internet. And the thing that I'll say about Sally is that she lives her life in the open. She lives her life just out there. And so in many ways, I love the fact that she is on the show. She does not try to hide her shit. Right? And that's what we want, right?

Nick (75:45)

I think she's great. She's been a great addition.

Austin Kroll (75:46)

We all want, you know, she's like, I fuck up a lot. But I'm here to tell you about those fuck ups. And Sally and I grow close, and we are close now. Like, she's texting me. I have been four texts from her, and we have become close. We would become close, but no, you know, we're not dating anything like that. I really, really like where me and Sally are. And you're. And you're gonna see all of that because as we just said, Sally's not shy about talking about, you know, her feelings. So she certainly lays them out there.

Nick (76:16)

Well, I'm ready unpack that as the season goes along. Awesome. It's been so much fun, man.

Austin Kroll (76:22)

No, it has been fun, man. Was it?

Nick (76:25)

Is it okay for you?

Austin Kroll (76:26)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't know. It wasn't as traumatizing as I, I, as I maybe thought that it, that it was going to be awesome.

Nick (76:32)

This was so much fun, man. Thanks for allowing us to get to know you. Good luck the rest of the way. You'll have to come back for one of our reality recap episodes next, next season to just catch up with us. All right?

Austin Kroll (76:43)

Austin's in it, huh? Austin's in it.

Co-host (76:45)

You're in the fam.

Nick (76:46)

You're in the fam. You're friend of show now, you know. Thanks for listening, guys. By.

Austin Kroll (77:06)

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Nick (77:28)

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Austin Kroll (77:30)

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