“I DRAW THE RICH AND FAMOUS”

Summary

Therapy Gecko Podcast – “I DRAW THE RICH AND FAMOUS”

Host: Lyle Forever
Date: August 27, 2025
Location: New York City, in a park (Washington Square Park)

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Episode Overview

In this vibrant and delightfully wandering episode, Lyle the Therapy Gecko roams a New York City park and talks to a diverse range of strangers. Theme: an unlicensed lizard psychologist invites real people to share their lives, hopes, and neuroses on a single evaporating August afternoon. The title refers to an early guest who draws celebrities—and the underlying motif is about authentic self-expression, creativity, young adult anxieties, the contradictory forces of anonymity and fame, and the search for meaning and connection in the city.

Lyle’s interviews are unscripted and often hilarious, blending light absurdity with sincere curiosity. This episode features a music student, a celebrity-anime artist, a bender-loving Hinge user, a new immigrant jazz drummer from Amsterdam, hopeful freshmen, a sign-holding park-content creator, and others.

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Major Conversations and Key Insights

1. Sid: The NYU Music Dreamer

Studying "Recorded Music" at NYU, posting open calls for new fans

• Freshman Angst & Aspirations (03:00–09:49)
  • Sid is 17 and just started at NYU, hoping to become a touring artist.
  • “My music is just a lot about my personal experiences and personal things that have happened in my life… I like to make music that relates to people as best as I can.” (03:58)
  • Inspired by Billie Eilish and Lizzy McAlpine, Sid posts music on Spotify and TikTok.
  • Her flyers “Looking for fans of my music” are inspired by viral NYC poster traditions. Lyle recognizes them: “I actually think I have seen that... with the little tear-off shit, right? Looking for fans. Yeah, it’s like a play on a dating profile, right?” (08:28)
  • Finds some success — people message Sid saying they discovered her posters.

2. Drew: The Street Artist Who Draws Celebrities as Anime

Runs into stars on the streets and immortalizes them as anime characters

• Encounters with Fame (10:00–19:50)
  • Drew, who sometimes goes by “Sabal,” claims to have met and drawn ten celebrities, including Seth Rogen (in Soho), Bill Murray, Elton John, Nicki Minaj, and Julian Schnabel.
  • His style is to draw celebrities as anime: “I would just like draw anime or represent anime in my own way... I just draw people as anime characters.” (13:25–13:30)
  • Lyle, delighted: “Would you draw me as an anime character?” (13:33)
  • Drew is fascinated by celebrity culture and how stars are “more normal than people sometimes.” (18:02)
  • Best celebrity encounter: Elton John criticized his portrait—“He was like, you messed up... but he was like, oh, it’s okay. He was like, nice about it. She was disappointed, but nice about it.” (18:46)
  • Drew’s childhood included travel and private school; he prefers private to public for potential kids.

3. Nor & Tunis: A Hinge Meet-Cute with International Flair

First meeting in person, matched on Hinge; Nor is from New York, Tunis just moved from Amsterdam to study jazz

• Dating App Fatigue and Paradox of Choice (23:25–48:58)
  • Nor, 21, is emerging from a bender, starting back at community college, and recounts the woes and ironies of NYC dating apps (“Hinge bop”). “I feel like it’s a scam… the validation and then, like, low key… I be getting the craziest people liking my hinge, and I’m like, dog, I think I’m chopped.” (30:15–30:29)
  • Lyle reflects on the changing nature of romantic connection: “There’s no better or worse—every era of life… had its pros and cons.” (31:34)
  • Nor’s “hot take”: too many choices breeds unsatisfying “situation-ship central” in NYC dating.
  • Both Nor and Lyle discuss the “destiny” vs. “algorithm” question. Lyle objects: “The universe has no laws. You’re the judge and jury and God of your own life, which means that you can derive meaning from whatever you choose to be. And it’s inherently valid because you’re God.” (34:58)
  • Nor consults Co-Star: “Love is when a question mark feels more like a period. Do: friend zone, borrowed items, hold hands. Don’t: hot takes, nitpicks, strong sips.” (36:00)
  • Dutchman Tunis, a jazz drummer who just moved for school, explains he came for “the music—this is, like, the place for jazz music.” (44:40)
  • Tunis is more agnostic about apps: “It’s what you make of it, I feel… but it’s also a bit manipulative in the way it’s made because it’s monetizing off this platform.” (47:11–48:10)

4. Sarah: The Art Student with a Practical Bent

Moved with friends from Florida to NYC, studying design, prioritizes practicality

• (51:41–54:22)
  • “Honestly, whatever makes money. I do like design… I’m majoring in design because I feel like that’s more money-making. Not going to lie.” (52:05)
  • Appreciates fun in aesthetic accessories—Diet Coke pins, Pulp Fiction trinkets.
  • Offers tongue-in-cheek life advice: “Drugs, bitches, and coke.” Then, earnestly: “Stay in school. Do what you want with your life.” (54:13–54:26)

5. Alex: The Park Content Creator Seeking Connection

Known for holding up viral signs, loves making friends but struggles to find love

• Dating, Friend Zones, and Self-Reflection (55:35–81:41)
  • Regular at the park with signs like “Make me laugh and win $1,000”; teacher’s aide by day.
  • Loneliness is not the issue: “My social life is going great. I come out here, hold a stupid sign and people approach me… so many great friends.” (64:00–64:12)
  • But dating is tough: “Situationships. Are they into me, are they not, exes, heartbreaks… It’s so much going on.” (56:30–56:42)
  • Finds it emotionally taxing to move beyond friendship (“I’m always putting myself in the friend zone before they do that to me… How many more friends can you have?” (60:23–60:41)
  • On attraction: “For me, like, I can’t really fall for someone, head over heels, unless I really get to know them… I have to really vibe with them at first.” (62:58–63:08)
  • Recounts a prolonged, unresolved flirtation with a woman from the park, plagued by timing, nerves, and “butterflies.” Lyle, exasperated: “Anytime things are this complicated… It’s like, what even is this?” (79:28–79:36)
  • Ultimately: “Go find something that doesn’t exhaust you. Jesus fucking Christ.” (80:36)
  • Final wisdom: “Surround yourself with good people, because good people will bring you up… Love y’all. Surround yourself with good people.” (81:41)

6. Andrew: New Yorker by Choice, Seeker of Authenticity

31, left Florida for NYC to escape stifling environment, seeking to live authentically as himself

• (85:42–97:38)
  • Left Florida after a difficult coming out process and finding “safe space” for self-expression in NYC.
  • “I felt like New York was a safe place for me, not only creatively but also to express myself fully… I’m now living more in my, like, authenticity.” (86:01–87:24)
  • Transition is lonely, but he sees it as positive growth. “It literally sharpened me. It made me… into the person I am today… it gave me superpowers.” (88:16)
  • Emphasizes the liberating power of self-love: “It’s so true, it’s so freeing to be yourself no matter what you’re going through. Like, you’ll find peace when you start loving yourself more because no one can love you as much as you can love yourself.” (88:16–89:30)
  • Lyle reflects that the more he talks to people, the “more agnostic” he becomes about identity and truth:
    • “The more I travel and talk to people and do this, the more I know I don’t know fucking anything. I actually… my identity crumbles the more I talk to people.” (94:15–95:09)
    • Quotes Rick and Morty: “All I know is that we’re all going to die and nobody belongs anywhere. Come watch TV.” (95:19)
  • Andrew’s closing message: “Anyone out there… it’s so much more beneficial if you do what you love and you are who you are… If you say ‘I love you’ all the time in your head, you start actually bringing it on to reality.” (97:03)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On music, dreams, and high school in NYC:

  • “There’s no like high school shows that are in New York, are there? So what’s that experience like?” – Lyle (06:13)
  • “When I was younger I did not like the city. But as I got to high school, I got a lot more independence… I went out with friends and stuff. So I definitely grew to like… love the city in high school.” – Sid (06:31)

• On the search for connection:

  • “I think you’re gonna live an amazing life. And, you know, I mean, someone’s gotta make… Someone’s gotta write songs about.” – Lyle (09:19)

• On celebrity encounters:

  • “I just, like, met them… I just, like, bump into them and, like, drew them. Like, you know what I mean?” – Drew (10:14)
  • “His name is Julius Schnabel. His artwork goes for, like, tens of millions of dollars in auction. I drew them here.” – Drew (12:27)

• On NYC dating and apps:

  • “You get on there and then, like, you just start talking. I used to be an Omegle kid. I used to be one of those. So this is like Omegle, but, like, low key, like, attractive people and, like, consensually seeing dick, you know?” – Nor (29:18)

• On the paradox of choice in dating:

  • “Why do you think everyone is fucking situationship central right now? Riddle me that, weather boy. Well, Gekko boy, I don’t know.” – Nor (31:46)

• On authenticity and existential humility:

  • “You’re the judge and jury and God of your own life, which means that you can derive meaning from whatever you choose to be.” – Lyle (34:58)
  • “The more I travel and talk to people and do this, the more I know I don’t know fucking anything.” – Lyle (94:15)

• On acceptance and growth:

  • “When you start loving yourself more because no one can love you as much as you can love yourself.” – Andrew (89:30)
  • “If you say ‘I love you’ all the time in your head, you start actually bringing it on to reality… Life is coming literally out of you. What’s inside of you, you manifest.” – Andrew (97:03)

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Timestamps of Highlights

• Sid’s musical journey and NYC childhood: 03:00 – 09:49
• Drew and the art of bumping into celebrities: 10:00 – 19:50
• Hinge, benders, and destiny with Nor & Tunis: 23:25 – 48:58
• Sarah, art & practical design, trinkets & advice: 51:41 – 54:22
• Alex, park content, friend zones & heartbreak: 55:35 – 81:41
• Andrew: on moving, authenticity, self-love: 85:42 – 97:38

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Episode Tone & Style

The Therapy Gecko remains radical yet soft, irreverent, curious, and sometimes comfortingly agnostic. Lyle draws out vulnerability, laughs, and ironic wisdom from each guest. There’s earnestness beneath the absurdity—a recognition of everyone trying to be seen, be real, and enjoy the only August 25, 2025, they’ll ever get.

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Big Takeaways

• Authenticity Matters. Nearly everyone wants to be seen as they truly are—artist, friend, romantic partner, or even lizard therapist.
• There’s No Single Right Way. Whether dating, creating, or living, every approach (old school, new app, passionate, laid-back) has its own pros and cons.
• Connection Is Complicated—but sharing the journey, in a park or on a podcast, makes meaning out of the mess.
• You Know When You’re Exhausted. And that’s your sign to move forward.
• “Surround yourself with good people, because good people will bring you up.” (Alex, 81:41)
• Love yourself—out loud—even while not knowing anything.

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[End of Summary]

Transcript

[A]

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[A]

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[D]

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[E]

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[B]

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[E]

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[A]

Intercom and listen now. Hello and welcome to the Therapy Gecko podcast. I am Lyle. I am a Gecko. I am in New York City in a park. Today is what day Is today. Does anyone know what day it is? Today is August something. And it's something. It's something. Sometime in the afternoon. It doesn't matter. The time is now. It will never be August. What day is today? Today is August 25th. It will never be August 25th, 2025, ever again. And that is why I have come to the park. To be a gecko and talk to people about life. This is what I'm gonna do with my time alive on the earth. This is how I'm spending the one August 25, 2025 that I get. And by God, is it an honor. So let's talk to some people at the park about life. It'll be fun. Great. Sick. Let's do it. Hi. What's your name?

[D]

I'm Sid.

[A]

Sid, nice to meet you.

[D]

Nice to meet you.

[A]

What's going on, Sid? How's life?

[D]

Life is pretty good. Just moved into nyu.

[A]

Oh, very nice. What are you studying?

[D]

I'm studying recorded music.

[A]

You're studying recorded music?

[D]

Yes.

[A]

Okay, so this is the opposite of studying music production. This is. The music has been recorded and now we're gonna study it.

[D]

So it's kind of everything. It's a school for, like, just an overarching music education. So it's production, it's songwriting, it's the business. It's. It's a little school inside of Tisch. It's a very small program, but it's just. It's the School of Recorded music.

[A]

So basically, what are your dreams for the future? Is it to record music or to recorded music?

[D]

Well, I'd like to be a artist, a singer, a performer, and I. I record my own music already. But, yeah, my dream is to be a touring artist.

[A]

I. You're a touring artist? Yeah. Very nice. Very cool. What do you make music about? Do you sing?

[D]

Yes, I sing. So singing is my main thing. My music is just a lot about my personal experiences and personal things that have happened in my life because I just. I like to make music to try. Try to make music that relates to people as best as I can. Yeah.

[A]

What. I mean, for whatever you want to talk about. What's happened in your life?

[D]

Well, I've had some interesting relationships with people. Just friendships, not friendships. And I write about them, and I write about the good things and the bad things and high school, which is, you know, an experience for everybody.

[A]

Do you talk so you go like Taylor Swift mode?

[D]

A little bit.

[A]

Okay, a little bit. And how old are you?

[D]

I am 17.

[A]

You're 17?

[D]

Yes.

[A]

Oh, shit. You're still in high school?

[D]

No, I'm in college.

[A]

Okay. Did you graduate a year early?

[D]

No, just. Just a little. A little delayed. About to turn 18.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

So what, who are, who are like the artists that you like?

[D]

Well, my favorite of all time is Billie Eilish.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

Obsessed with her.

[A]

She's cool.

[D]

Yeah. And I'm very like singer, songwriter, so I don't know if you know like Lizzie McAlpine. She's beautiful voice. I love her. Saw her in concert. Pretty great.

[A]

I don't. I feel anyone that you know. I almost guarantee I don't know. I know Billy. I know who Billie Eilish is. Who do I listen to? Yeah, I search royalty free jazz music on YouTube and I listen to whatever that is. It's probably AI generated. Honestly. Good.

[D]

It's good.

[A]

I don't know like the names of people.

[D]

Okay, fair, fair.

[A]

But I mean that's cool. So do you like post music on the Internet?

[D]

Yeah, so I have three songs out right now and I have a new one and it's coming on September 19th and that's like on Spotify and anything you want to stream it on. And then I'm pretty active on TikTok as well and I post like a lot of covers and just like my music and stuff and just kind of share everything about my life.

[A]

So it's. It's August. Like I see you have barely even been in school yet.

[D]

You just moved in two days.

[A]

Are you. How do you feel? You nervous? Are you excited? How do you feel?

[D]

Both. I'm definitely nervous. I am from the city as well, so it's a less of a big change for me as it is for other people.

[A]

For you grew up in New York, what was that like going to high school in New York? Because it's. Are there any. There's no tv. All the TV shows about like teens in high school, they all take place in Los Angeles. Like there's none, none of them are. There's no like high school shows that are in New York, are there?

[D]

I don't think so.

[A]

So what's that experience like?

[D]

It's definitely a little bit crazy. I. High school was. It was an experience so I was definitely ready for college for sure. I mean it's kind of all I've ever known because I've just grown up in the city and when I was younger I did not like the city. But as I got to high school and stuff, I got a lot more independence and I went out with people and went out with friends and stuff. And so I definitely grew to like this, like, love the city in high school because there was a lot more independence than my friends in the suburbs who were just getting their driver's license. And I can't drive. That's.

[A]

I mean, it'd be. It would be a waste of time for you to learn how to drive in New York. Yeah. Well, so is your. I guess. So you went to high school, like, what? You went to high school, like, in Manhattan? Yeah. Holy shit. Okay. And then you're going to college in Manhattan?

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

So your life is not going to be that much different.

[D]

No, but I mean, it is different in a way, because I'm doing what I, like, want to. I mean, I wanted to do music forever, and so now I'm actually. I get to go to school for it. And six out of seven of my classes are music classes, and I have a writing class that I have to take.

[A]

It's exciting. Yeah, that's exciting. Okay. I guess I'm trying to think. If I have any questions for you about life, please, why. And you're here with your two homies.

[D]

Yes, one is my roommate.

[A]

Okay. Did you guys just meet?

[D]

Yeah, well, we. We had been texting a little bit. We did just meet in person, too.

[A]

Okay. Are you getting along well? Yes.

[D]

Yes. I love her. It's a great match.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

And the other one is my sister.

[A]

Do you and your sister get along well?

[D]

Yes. Yes. Biggest supporter. Promoter. She helps me hang these flyers all around the city. You might. You might see them if you're walking around today. They say, looking for fans of my music. And so they're like, oh, they're a play on the guy that put the posters all around who was, like, looking for the perfect woman.

[A]

I actually think I have. See, I actually. Actually have seen that.

[F]

No, Are they.

[A]

They have, like, little tear off shit, Right? Looking for fans. Yeah, it's kind of. It's like a play on, like, a dating profile, right? Yeah. Okay, I've seen that. Okay. I've seen. I haven't seen the looking. I've seen your thing. I haven't seen Looking for a Perfect Woman is there only Are. That's you. I feel there's not, like, another person. I actually. It's funny. I actually have seen that.

[D]

That's crazy.

[A]

All right, cool. Have people found you through that? How long have you been putting those up? Because I. I feel like I saw that like, a month ago.

[D]

A couple months, probably.

[A]

Oh, okay. All right. So you've been putting them out for a while? Yeah, I Mean, have you had people, like, message you being like, I found you through that?

[D]

Yeah, I have a bunch of, like, Instagram and tick tock comments being like, oh, like, I found your poster in Chelsea, in Washington Square Park. Like, so glad I found your music. It's pretty cool.

[A]

Very exciting stuff. Well, I hope that your musical journey is successful.

[D]

Thank you so much.

[A]

I hope you don't. I hope you don't get jaded by the world.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

I hope you continue to love life. Yeah. And that's all I can really hope for you. I think you're gonna. I think you're gonna do great, dude. I think you're gonna live amazing life. And, you know, I mean, someone's gotta make. Someone's gotta write songs about.

[D]

I got you. I got you.

[A]

Is there anything else you want to say to the people at the computer before we go?

[D]

Well, if you want to listen to my music, my name is Sid. Sid Hudson. And, yeah, that mackamo.

[A]

Thank you, Sid.

[D]

Thank you so much.

[A]

See you. I'll see you around the universe. Bye, Sid. Hi. What's your name?

[G]

My name is Drew.

[A]

Is it? Could you want to hold the microphone?

[G]

Sure. My name is Drew.

[A]

How's life going, Drew?

[G]

Oh, it's going good. I. I actually drew some celebrities.

[A]

Okay.

[G]

Drew, Seth Rogen and, like, Bill Murray and, like, Elton John.

[A]

You drew Bill Murray and Elton John?

[G]

I give him an art piece and everything.

[A]

Oh, okay. Wait, how did you get involved in doing this?

[G]

I just, like, met them, like, you know, just, like, bumped into them and, like, like, drew them. Like, you know what I mean?

[A]

Like, how'd you bump into? Oh, Drew, can I ask you to just hold the mic?

[G]

Right, yeah, but, yeah, I just bump into them. Like, I just, like, like randomly, and I just, like, find some, like, I just, like, see them and they're like, you know, I say hi and everything, and, like, I asked him ask them to draw them, and then I draw them and then they take the art piece.

[A]

Now, where did you bump into Seth Rogen?

[G]

Oh, in soho.

[A]

Yeah. Oh, okay. And you. And you were just like. You just drew them and you gave him the thing. That's cool. And how many celebrities have you bumped into? 10.

[G]

Like, 10. I drew 10, and I also bumped into. I drew 10, bumped into 12. So I also saw Pamela Anderson like, twice.

[A]

Okay.

[G]

She was jogging and also saw Nicki Minaj, who was like, really nice word. Like, yeah, she was like.

[B]

She was.

[G]

She was like, a surprisingly really nice person.

[A]

How do you. How do you randomly bump into these celebrities?

[G]

I don't know, I just like. I just come across them, I guess. It's like they're just walking and like. I don't know, it's kind of strange. It's like I just kind of like see. Seem to like know where the like vibrancy or like the. Where the like the really popping places are or something.

[A]

Maybe. Okay. Are you like a cool guy?

[G]

Yeah, I guess. Like I do hang out around where like. Like places where it's. They do they. They do like play a lot of music and stuff.

[A]

Are you. Are you like, are you. Are you. How hard are you trying to gatekeep this? Like, would you like where. Would you tell us where all the cool people hang out? Or like, is it bad if you. Do you not want to blow up the spots?

[G]

It could be bad.

[A]

Where do the cool people hang out these days? Here.

[G]

Here at Washcore Park.

[A]

Okay.

[G]

Yeah, one of them.

[A]

Yeah. Let's see. Well, who's the. Who. Who are. Who are. Wait, name all 10 of the celebrities.

[G]

Okay, so Elton John, Bill Murray, the guy from. Seth Rogen, the guy from Pineapple Express. Cecile Gillenhall.

[A]

Cecile Gyllenhaal.

[G]

Yeah.

[A]

Jake Gyllenhaal?

[G]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[G]

Also the guy from.

[A]

From.

[G]

Silicon Valley. Silicon Valley, the TV show.

[A]

What?

[G]

Camille?

[A]

Camille? Yeah, yeah, yeah, Camille.

[G]

And I also drew like a really famous artist. His name is Julius Schnabel. His artwork goes for like tens of millions of dollars in auction. I drew them here, so that's like six. But I can't remember the other ones. Like, that's okay.

[A]

Yeah, it's like, you know, I. I honestly the. All the. All those people. Who are you, man? What's your name?

[B]

Drew.

[A]

Drew, you said. Probably said that before, but I suck at remembering.

[G]

I should go by Sabal.

[A]

Sabal, yeah. So how'd you get into drawing?

[G]

I. I just like. I like draw. I was like drawing and everything. Like I like studied like how to like, like draw and also how to like play like opera and like all the arts and everything. And everything. And I like drawing a lot cuz it helped me like get out of like a lot of like. Like I was always that quiet kid in the room, like just like drawing by myself and everything. And like I was like drawing people and like making drawings and showing people and people would always be excited about like what I show them and everything. And I always had like a. I would like like distinct Japanese style. Like I would just like draw anime or like represent anime in like my own way.

[A]

Cool.

[G]

Basically what I do is I just draw people as anime characters.

[A]

Well, you drew all those people as anime characters.

[G]

Draw people as anime characters.

[A]

Would you draw me as an anime character?

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Fuck yeah. That's awesome. Wait, why, what, what attracts you to the anime style?

[G]

It just looks cool. Like I like it's quick and easy and like it looks cool to look at.

[A]

So do you, do you watch a lot of anime?

[G]

Yeah.

[A]

What's your favorite anime?

[G]

Damn, I feel like my favorite anime is like sort out online or something.

[A]

Or like do you ever imagine like oh I like do you ever sit around neon, neon Genesis 7 jelly. Do you ever imagine like oh, what if my life was an anime?

[G]

Yeah, but like I don't know. Like I mean I guess like no, but like it's just the same school, like how it looks.

[A]

No, you never, you never get lost in escapist fantasy.

[G]

I mean I guess like I, I see, I can kind of see how it can be similar to life, but it seems like anime. Seems like I watched a lot of like anime with like, like you know, I was like like high school, the dead and like house club and so I watched anime with like a lot of like, like, like school related.

[A]

Yeah, well a lot of that I.

[G]

Also watched like I was to play like Danganronpa, the video game. So I watched such cool because I, I, I, I, I taught high schoolers how to draw.

[A]

You teach high school? Oh cool.

[G]

High school how to draw for like a year.

[A]

Cool.

[G]

And like I feel like school is where like a lot of stuff like I learned to like really like is where I learned to really hold myself, my, myself as like an artist. So I like school oriented things like, you know. Yeah, I, I like yeah, like well.

[A]

There'S, there's, it's, you know there's something very nostalgic about that time.

[G]

Yeah, it's a nostalgic, you know, like.

[A]

You'Re, you're, you're we. It's a weirdly, paradoxically carefree yet stressful time.

[G]

Yeah.

[A]

Being in high school, you know, I mean, I mean shit. The lady who is just here, she was, she was, she just graduated high school. She was talking about you know, all of my life experiences. And I was like in my head I was like how much life experience can you have? But then I remember I'm like yeah, I get when you're in high school you still are stressed out about things. You get older and you realize. Well I was going to say you get older and you realize it didn't matter.

[G]

Like video games. Like I used to Play like, like an, like Japanese video games.

[A]

Okay.

[G]

Like, like Pokemon and like.

[A]

Yeah, I know Pokemon.

[G]

Like that's cool. I, I, I like, I like, I also like the, the Digimon animes and Pokemon animes. There was those, those were, those are like the best.

[A]

I feel, I was gonna, I was gonna say you get older and you, and you're like, Yu Gi. Oh.

[G]

I feel like those are the top three. Yu Gi. Oh. Pokemon, Digimon.

[A]

Like you get older and you're like, oh, that stuff didn't really matter. But everything matter. Well, nothing really matters. Everything only matters relative to what?

[G]

To what?

[A]

To what's. How you feel in the moment. Yeah.

[G]

And like how you express yourself.

[A]

Right, right. So even if it felt like it didn't matter, of course it doesn't matter fucking now. But it mattered then. I mean, nothing that matters now is gonna matter later.

[G]

Yeah.

[A]

Anyways. But what matters to you these days? What matters to you right now?

[G]

Like, art and like, like I feel like celebrity culture. And also like, like anime. Just our anime celebrity culture.

[A]

Why does. Tell me why celebrity culture?

[G]

I don't know. I like, like movies and, and like TV shows, like Friends and like Big Bang Theory. It just seems like cool to like, so to watch those shows and like, and it's like hilarious and as I mentioned, like, it's just cool to watch, you know, I mean. And so like, and the people who are like, like actors and everything, work for the show are like, really cool.

[A]

Is there a celebrity? You. Okay, you're clearly very. You like celebrities? Like bumping into celebrities.

[G]

Yeah.

[A]

Is there a celebrity that you want to draw more than anyone else? Who's the number one? Who would be the number one? Get. For you?

[G]

I mean, I guess like either like Beyonce or like share or something or Jay Z.

[A]

What do you think? What do you think it's like to be Beyonce? Like, your thought about that?

[G]

I don't know. Like, she must have like a really nice life.

[A]

I guess.

[G]

Like, it's. Yeah, yeah, she seems nice. Like, she sings really well. So like, obviously, like, do you think.

[A]

Anything, do you think anything. Like, what do you think sucks the most about being Beyonce?

[G]

Nothing.

[A]

You think this guy something. Yeah, there's something. Got to talk about being beyond up.

[G]

To, up to one point. Like, up to a certain point. Like, like, it's like nothing really bothers you. But like, I feel like maybe she's like, re. Like, I don't know. Like, she seems like a normal person. I feel like they're just normal. I don't know. I feel like celebrities are, like, more normal than, like, people sometimes. Like, not people. There are more people normal than people. And it's like, okay. I mean, that's not weird in itself, but I don't know. I don't know. I guess, like, yeah, like, but, like, I guess I. Celebrities do have, like, certain, like, interesting personalities. Like, I remember, like, Elton John when I drew him. Like, he was like, I drew him and then he was like, oh, you messed up. And he was like, oh, it's okay. He was like, like, nice about it. She was disappointed, but nice about it.

[A]

Oh, wait, he, he dissed you? He was like, you messed up.

[G]

Yeah, he was like, I was all right.

[A]

How can you met, like, messed up in what way?

[G]

I don't like, I, I, I. The drawing, they come out right, so. But I drew him again and he took it. He was all right with it too. And, like, I, I draw. I, I drew the drawing. He took the drawing and like, yeah, he wanted just like, a really fancy car.

[A]

Like, he was like, sorry, there's a gentleman over here carrying a wet iguana. Yeah. And I'm. It's distracting me a little bit. This is one of the most stimulating places among the most stimulating places in New York City.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So actually, I would love to. Actually, I would love to take you up on this drawing. Is it cool? Can I, can I interview someone while you're drawing? Or do you want to draw while we talk?

[G]

I mean, I guess, like, I could draw later, but I guess, like, it was cool. Like, I don't know. I guess, like, it was cool talking like, you know. Yeah, I saw, I saw your show and stuff. Like, it was cool. Like, I was like, I remember watching it. It was like, I feel like it's like, really, like, kid friendly too. And like, I like, you know, like, it's like, cool, like, because I draw kid friendly stuff too kind.

[A]

Oh, I don't. It's absolutely not intended to be kid.

[G]

Friendly, but it would be like that. Call it like that. Like that. Like that. Like that kid on Call of Duty is a call everyone nigger or some shit, you know? I mean, like.

[A]

What, why is that? You went from, you went from. Hold on, hold on. You said, you said, mike, my show is both kid friendly.

[G]

I remember watching your. I would watch your show when I was really young.

[A]

Okay.

[G]

But a lot younger and like, like two years back or three years back. And, like, it was cool. So, like, I like watching your show.

[A]

Thank you. Wait, hold on. Okay. Okay.

[G]

I was watching it. I was like, I was like. I was like, stone this shit.

[A]

And I was, okay.

[G]

I was like. I was ready.

[A]

So it's kid friendly, but it's friendly with the kind of kids who. Who yell slurs on Call of Duty Lobbies, is what you're saying. Okay. Okay. You know what? I'm. You. I'm gonna take that as. I'm gonna take that as a compliment from you. Yeah, I'll take that as a compliment from you. What's your. What's your name again? I'm sorry. Drew.

[G]

Drew. Yeah. And so about my video game, I like.

[A]

I like that your name is you Draw. And your name is Drew. So Drew. Drew.

[G]

Yeah.

[A]

Sorry. That's stupid. Has anyone ever said that to you before? Okay. I'm glad. That's a stupid thing to say, but I'm nobody. Nobody's ever said that. Nobody's ever made the connection. Drew draws.

[G]

Not really. I don't really. Not really.

[A]

Maybe they.

[G]

Maybe think about it, but I don't know.

[A]

What was your childhood like? Did you have a nice childhood?

[G]

I, like, traveled a lot.

[A]

Where'd you go?

[G]

I went to Europe a lot.

[A]

And, like, why?

[G]

I don't know. Like, I studied there. Like, I went to, like, private school and, like, would study there and, like, would, like, read, like, the best textbooks in the world and, like, just, like, really learn shit. And I like that experience. And, like, I don't. It's like, almost like, I still went to school, but I still would have done well with the school schooling I got when I was really young, because private school is, like, that good. And I feel like if you, like, went to private school for a long time, it'll just be so much knowledge. Like, sometimes. Sometimes people say too much on it. But I don't know, I feel. I feel like at least I went to private school, and maybe, like, the amount of teaching I got was, like, just enough. But I don't know. I went to private school when I was really young. I liked going to private school.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Would you say if. Are you. Do you think you have kids?

[G]

One day I'll put them in private school.

[A]

You'd put them in private school? Really? I feel like I'm like, I'm pretty. I went to private school for a few years.

[G]

Yeah.

[A]

But I think public school is good, right? Because you don't want to. Like, you want. You want your kids to be in the world, don't you?

[B]

Word.

[G]

Yeah. So I wouldn't give them a lot of, like. Like, year school time or, like, yearly, like, like, maybe like five years or something. Or 10. I don't know, maybe 10. I don't know, it depends. I. I had like five years school of, like private school when I was really young. So I don't know. I feel that's a good amount, but I don't know.

[A]

It's a good, good question, Drew. Is there anything else you want to say to the people at the computer before we go?

[G]

You're a really cool dude.

[A]

Oh, thanks, Drew. You are too, man. You should.

[G]

People should keep watching his show.

[A]

Thank you.

[G]

Because it's like, it's just hilarious.

[A]

And thanks, Drew.

[G]

Watching one episode, but yeah.

[A]

Oh, thanks, Drew.

[G]

Yeah, I'll see you later.

[A]

Okay, I'll see you later, man. I hope you run into Lizzie McGuire or whatever. Yeah, I'll see you around the universe, man. Hey, what's your name?

[F]

My name's Nor. What's your name?

[A]

My name is Lyle.

[F]

Lyle, nice to meet you.

[A]

I just had to be a dick to those guys.

[F]

Why?

[A]

I cut. You know, Sometimes you got to be a dick.

[F]

What's the selection process?

[A]

I don't know. I'm like. Well, the selection here's. Well, okay, here's the thing. The selection process is. I mean, we're near NYU, right? So there's a lot of like, like 18 year old college students here.

[F]

I'm an NYU student.

[A]

No, I don't.

[F]

Fuck.

[A]

Yes, there's a lot of like 18 year college students. And also that happens to be a demographic of people who I think have seen my show on TikTok, but I don't want to just interview 18 year old college students, so. And I also don't want to interview people who really want to be on True. I want. I want someone to begrudgingly be. I want someone who's like, I don't know if I really want to. And then they come beyond. And then, then we get, you know, people who always. People who want to really want to be on the show generally don't have a lot to say.

[F]

I guess I. I really don't have a lot to say. Is there anything you want to talk about?

[A]

Yeah, sure. Wait, what's your name?

[F]

Nor.

[A]

Nor. Lyle. Nice to meet you. Okay, so you're not a college student. What? Who are you? What do you do? Why'd you drop out?

[F]

Fuck. Fordham University. I'm joking. I'm joking. I did go to Fordham for a little. It was just too expensive.

[A]

Okay, that's a good reason. Wait, Nora, can you hold the microphone? Like, better now?

[F]

Okay.

[A]

Okay. So how was dropping out?

[F]

It was pretty Chill, you know, dropped out. I'm going back to school now. Going around community college, so.

[A]

Okay. Where. How's community college going?

[F]

I haven't started. I don't know, man. I'm kind of scared.

[A]

Why are you scared? Tell me why you. What's you're scared of?

[F]

Because low key Covid me over. I was so used to, like, online school, and this is, like, my first time in a hot minute going back in person.

[A]

Really? It's been five years, man.

[F]

Dude, I was, like, kind of in school towards that high school, but, like, like, it wasn't like, really. I don't know. I got really used to online.

[A]

This is your first time going, what have you been doing for the past five years, dude?

[F]

Literally around. Can I say this on the show? Can I say.

[A]

You say whatever you want. I don't care.

[F]

I've been on a bender for the past month. I've been on a bender.

[A]

What kind of bender?

[F]

Literally, I just be going out any club in Bushwick. I'm there, probably. Unfortunately.

[A]

Okay. Wow. How old are you?

[F]

21.

[A]

Okay. Do you have. Do you have children?

[F]

I take care of children, actually.

[A]

Yeah. That's different, though. That's. Do you have or do you. Are you responsible to anyone in any way, shape or form, really?

[F]

I was cool, but rip.

[A]

Okay. All right. So you don't have any living thing that requires you to be. All right, so, yeah, this is the birthday.

[F]

I'm the living thing, but Great. That's fine.

[A]

Yeah. But, you know, going on benders, I think there's a. Look, here's the thing. We all have it in us, right? And we got. We all gotta get it out, right? And I better to get it out now when you. Nobody gives shit.

[F]

Exactly.

[A]

Like, you know, look, if you were 45 and you had two kids and they were starving and you were out at the club, that's. That'd be a little questionable, but you're fine. Fine. Who cares? Go get drunk. Go live your life.

[F]

That's what I'm saying.

[A]

I mean, don't you know there's a balance, right? Because you want to. You don't want to get drunk and live your life too much. And then you realize you never did.

[F]

Anything with it now and I'm like, 21 and have it, like, in me.

[A]

How have the vendors been going? You having fun?

[F]

I've been having a lot of fun.

[A]

Yeah. Okay.

[F]

Yeah, I'm about to drink. I actually just smoked before this. I didn't even get on here.

[A]

But it's not illegal. I Don't think.

[F]

Nah, I don't think it's illegal. This guy over here. I'm here with this guy from Amsterdam.

[A]

Oh, he looks a little Dutch. How do you know this Dutch guy?

[F]

Guess how we know each other.

[A]

Tinder.

[F]

So close. Hinge. We met on Hinge.

[A]

Okay.

[F]

This is our first time meeting. We've been talking for like.

[A]

Oh, this is his first time meeting?

[F]

Yeah, like so long. This is our first time meeting.

[A]

Okay. Do you want to come over? Do you want to talk?

[F]

Come here, Judas. Come here. Come here.

[A]

Here. Oh, you don't want to. Oh, wait, you're. Oh, you have a come, have you. I mean, you don't. If you don't have to. If you don't want to. I don't. Yeah.

[F]

Guys, this is.

[A]

Okay. He doesn't want to.

[F]

No, no, no. Guess what his name is.

[A]

All right, what's his name? Gl. His. I'm going to guess.

[F]

I should tell everyone your name. It's really funny.

[A]

Hold on, I'm going to guess his name. His name is Doofen Lodge. Wait, what is it?

[F]

It's Tunis Loot. His first name. Tunis Loot.

[A]

See, you can make fun of Europeans because they've been dicks for all of history.

[F]

You.

[A]

You can make fun of Americans and Europeans because they've all. They've just been. For the whole time.

[F]

Exactly. Nah, I be saying. I don't know what you're saying. Hang a ding. A Duran. So that's kind of.

[A]

Yeah, my fault. Thing. I love you too, man. Thank you very much. What? Okay, wait, wait. What's his name again? That's cool. Do you get free health care? He gets free health care. We can make fun of him.

[F]

You don't get free health care in the Netherlands.

[E]

I mean, I don't want.

[A]

If you don't want to talk on the microphone. I can't wait. He can't. Here, hold on. I'll talk. I'll just talk to you. If he's not gonna talk on the microphone, I don't want to talk to him. But it's okay. I mean, I do want. I want to talk to you, but if he doesn't want to talk. But you're. You're like. It's like talking to a ghost right now. If I'm talking to you and you're over there and I can't. It's okay. It's all right. I'll talk to you. Nor. I'll talk to. I'll. Okay, so Nor.

[F]

To slew is out of the question.

[A]

To slews out of the question. Okay. So you met this Amsterdamian. Yeah.

[F]

On Hinge.

[A]

Right. Okay. How's Hinge going for you?

[F]

I'm actually two weeks, two months sober.

[A]

Off hinge, but so are you. I guess you met this guy first on Hinge. You guys were texting for a while.

[F]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[F]

I mean, I'm a hinge bop. I can't lie. I'm a hinge bop. I be.

[A]

What's it. What's a hinge bop?

[F]

I'm just using hinge too much. Like, why am I on hinge so much?

[A]

You know, that's okay. I use. I use hinge a lot, too, dude.

[F]

It's. It's dangerous. You get on there and then, like, you just start talking. All these, like. I used to be an Omegle kid. I used to be one of those.

[A]

I used to be an Omegle kid, too. Yeah. Yeah.

[F]

So this is like Omegle, but, like, low key, like, attractive people and, like, consensually seeing dick, you know?

[A]

Okay. But that's okay. Yeah. How are you. Are you enjoying the Hinge life?

[F]

I'm not enjoying Hinge. That's why I deleted it.

[A]

Okay, cool. How's. How has it been?

[F]

What are the crowd's thoughts on hinge?

[A]

Sorry, what are the crowd. Hold on. Wait, I. We're. You. We're having a conversation. I can't talk to them. I can't talk to them. They're not. I only have. I only have two microphones.

[F]

Okay.

[A]

Okay, hold on.

[F]

So give me your thoughts on Hinge. Like, I know you use it, but, like, what are your thoughts? Like, I feel like it's a scam.

[A]

I have a lot of thoughts on hinge. One is, I think hinge has changed. First of all, as I use Hinge, I'm fully realizing and understanding that it is. There's pros and cons to hinge, right? One of the cons is that as I'm using it and the longer I use it, the more I'm like, this is doing something irreversibly damaging to my brain.

[F]

Oh, for sure. It's like the validation and then, like, low key. This is so out of pocket. Not every. Okay, no one's ugly. They're just not my type. Right? But I'd be getting the craziest people liking my hinge. And I'm like, dog, Like, I think I'm chopped.

[A]

Like, well, not well.

[F]

Well, okay, so there's subjectively, but, like, still, I'm like, dog, I think this is a scam. And I think they're trying to get you to pay for hinge premium.

[A]

Of course they're trying to get you to pay for hinge preview.

[F]

Fuck that, bro. I'm gonna go out to the bar and find my husband. Like, that's what I'm gonna do.

[A]

Well, do that.

[F]

Exactly. That's what I'm gonna do.

[A]

Also. Also, people dog piece. People dog on dating apps. And there's good reasons why people dog today. But, like, everything. Every part of life. Every. Every era of life. Like, okay, the 1900s. Right, right, you. Or like, whatever. Like, when we lived in villages, it's like, okay, we used to live in. I'm talking completely out of my asshole right now, but we used. It used to be you. There was. There was another girl in the village or another boy in the village, and they were the only person that you had sex with forever, and then you died. And that. That has its pros and cons, right? Okay. You know, that has a pros and cons, and then there's hinge, and you can have your infinite. Your perceived choice of an infinite amount of people to have sex with or date or get married to. And that has its pros and cons. So there's no better or worse.

[F]

Wait, can I just to that, though? Like.

[A]

Sure.

[F]

Switch topics. So you see how we have all those options, though? That's why New York City is the worst fucking dating pool.

[A]

Why?

[F]

Because it's not.

[A]

No, but that's not an objectively bad or good thing. It just.

[F]

But why do you think everyone is fucking situation shift central right now? Riddle me that, weather boy. Well, Gekko boy, I don't know.

[A]

Yeah, say this again.

[F]

Why do you think, like, no, it's situation shift central? Well, it's, like, too hard to make a choice.

[A]

It's what. Yeah, sure. But it depends on who you are, and it depends on what you value. Right? Because there's something. Let me ask you a question. Because there's some people who are different. Well, I'm not. I. I mean, you can answer this specifically, but there's some people who. They want a wide variety of connections throughout their life, and there's some people who want just one. And then, you know, you get the opportunity to connect with people you would have never connected with before through these apps. And, yes, there is a paradox of choice that it presents, and that's a legitimate paradox of choice. But, you know, it's just a new thing that has its pros and cons, just like the old things had.

[F]

But, like, would you rather Just like, non stop. Like, be talking to all these people, wasting your energy, and then, like, you never find the right person because, like, it's just, like, everything is so unserious and, like, there's so much short term gratification from those apps.

[A]

I agree. I agree with everything you're saying. Yeah. And I agree that having an endless amount of choices and talking to Nipil, I agree that it's emotionally taxing, but again, it's pros and cons, because think about, like those. Think about, like, these old couples who hate each other. Do you. Have you ever met.

[F]

My parents are divorced.

[A]

Okay. Did your parents. When you grow up, did your parents, like, hate each other?

[F]

A little bit? Yes.

[A]

Okay. So your. Your parents probably grew up without this paradox of choice. And so people used to just get married to whoever was fucking around.

[F]

Right.

[A]

So that had. That was a pro. There was pros to that. It was two people, and there was no decision paralysis. And they just had to fucking sit and make it work. And there's something really beautiful and amazing about that. But there's also a con of, like, you know, all of a sudden we're trapped in this thing that we got into because we was just the thing that was there. And so, again, all these things, they have pros and cons. So you now have the opportunity to sift through hundreds of different dudes to see which one is the one that you feel the most naturally aligned to, which is emotionally taxing, but also is better than you just, you know, being with the first guy that was around. And it was maybe not the right.

[F]

Like, you meet all these people and, like, you can break up whatever. But, like, what I liked about predating apps is, like, when you met someone, it was like, I believe in the fact that, like, things are, like, meant to be. So I feel like you were meant to meet that person. It's like destiny or whatever. So I don't know. I'd prefer that over hinge and, like, Tinder. Like, the. The options are nice, but that's my hot take.

[A]

I don't know if I believe in something being.

[F]

You don't believe it, really?

[A]

No. What universe?

[F]

I think I'm sitting here right now. I feel like the universe. Like, why am I here? Like, imagine if I came, like, a few hours later or a few hours earlier. I wouldn't have been sitting here right now.

[A]

True. But somebody else would be, and I'd be doing that and you'd be doing something else.

[F]

True. But, like, it's like we're interacting Right now. So it's like. It means something, you know, like, feel like we're meant to like.

[A]

It means whatever we want it to mean. There's no. The universe has no laws, okay? There's no judge or jury of the universe.

[F]

Right.

[A]

You're the judge and jury and God of your own life, which means that you can derive meaning from whatever you choose to be. And it's inherently valid because you're God.

[F]

But I let costar decide that for me. I don't really do the deciding.

[A]

What the fuck is costar? You don't know?

[F]

What Co star?

[A]

Oh, wait, the astrology app?

[F]

Yes.

[A]

Okay, what's.

[F]

It's probably a fucking scam, but I use that.

[A]

Do you pay premium?

[F]

No, I don't pay premium. I just, like, make it go along. I'm like, if I see something and it's like, oh, do. It gives you, like, three do's. Three don'ts, right?

[A]

What are your three do's and three don'ts of the day? This is not an ad for costar, by the way. This is a completely random thing.

[F]

Oh, my God. Wait, my ex texted me. I haven't talked to him in two years.

[A]

Your access. You just now. Yes, I showed my. Am I. Should I read this?

[F]

No, no, no.

[A]

Okay.

[F]

Standard first generation. I don't even know what that means. Anyways, let's see what our thing is. Okay, for today. Okay, guys, My co star for today is. Love is when a question mark feels more like a period do. Friend zone. Borrowed items. Hold hands. Don't. Hot takes. Nitpicks. Strong sips.

[A]

Wait, wait, let me look at this again.

[F]

Oh, my God.

[A]

Okay, hold on. Okay, so the. Okay, so this is costar. This is not an ad, but costar is like a astrology app. And what's your. What's your sign?

[F]

I'm a cancer.

[A]

Okay, so this is. So every cancer who has this app gets this.

[F]

Yes, every cancer, but not technically every cancer. It goes based on, like, when you were born, what city you were born in.

[A]

Okay, so you gave co star all this shit? Yeah, like, you gave it your Social Security number and it was like, here's what is going on with you today?

[F]

I didn't even realize I carried my Social Security number on me up until, like, last week. It was in my wallet. I didn't know that. I didn't know that.

[A]

All right, so I'm. Let me read this. Okay, so love is when a question mark feels more like a period. Stop hunting for hitting meanings in your partner's words. Your Suspicion is creating the very distance you fear. Woo. Okay. Co star. This is definitely written by AI. Okay, so do's friend zone. Borrowed items. Holding hands. Don't hot takes nitpicks. Strong sense. Okay. Do you. So what do you do with this information?

[F]

I mean, I feel like it goes pretty accurately because I'm here with a guy from Hinge and we're friends now, so I feel like it's already going in the right direction.

[A]

That's cool.

[F]

Yeah.

[A]

What is this guy? This is. This is such a standard, polite European man just standing there, so scared of me.

[F]

He was like, I'm so scared to meet you.

[A]

I don't want you looking at your face right now. Is so funny. Why did he say he was scared of you?

[F]

Why wouldn't he be scared of me? Like, why wouldn't.

[A]

What reasons do you believe him?

[F]

So many reasons. Why are you scared of me? Give me some reasons.

[A]

We can't talk to him. He doesn't want to be talked to. And he doesn't have a microphone where I'm all. I can only learn about him vicariously through you. Why? Why? What reasons have you given him to be scared of you?

[F]

Probably because I'm like loud and crazy and I like, oh, my God. I Lowkey did block him for a month when I was in Norway. I got mad at him.

[A]

Why'd you get mad at him when you were in Norway? Oh, was he supposed to go. Were you supposed to go to Norway? I'm not gonna talk to you. Was he supposed to go to Norway? I didn't know. I guess he was supposed to go to Norway to visit you.

[F]

Not to visit. Kind of. It was like.

[D]

Kind of.

[F]

You were gonna go to Oslo and then you bailed. But it's not. It's.

[A]

What's his name again?

[F]

Tunis. Lou.

[A]

Dude. That's like the name. That's like the. That's like the kid from Willy Wonka. Dude. That's like an Augustus Gloop ass kid.

[F]

Like, you're talking to. Like back in the day, they were like, you're talking to someone named Tunis Loop, Please stand up.

[A]

No, this guy's all. This guy's a great guy. I hope. I really hope you don't kill him.

[F]

Am I gonna. Am I gonna kill you? No, he's. I'm not gonna kill him. Confirmed. So I'm so. I'm not gonna kill him, guys.

[A]

So. Okay. So you've been going out to the club a lot?

[F]

Yeah.

[A]

Are you. Is what's going on at the club?

[F]

It's it's just really fun, dude. Why not go to the club?

[A]

Yeah, I'm with you.

[F]

You need to go to the club in this get up.

[A]

I've done that before.

[F]

You would pull. You would pull.

[A]

I've gone to the club in this get up.

[F]

Dude, you gotta go to Bushwick. They would eat you up there.

[A]

Yeah, I don't know.

[F]

No, no, no, no. Bushwick is like. I. It's not even like that.

[A]

What's the name of that street in Bushwick? Myrtle. With all the clubs and.

[B]

Myrtle.

[A]

Okay. I've gone there once or twice. Dude. It's like with House of Yes, right?

[F]

House of. Yes. Oh, no, no. You're thinking more so like, near Jefferson, right? House of. Yes. This is near Jefferson, right?

[A]

I mean, I'm not a big club guy. I don't like dance.

[F]

I don't. I've never really been a house. Yes. I was like, I don't know if anyone here has, but yeah.

[A]

Okay. So what's. What's your name again? No, no, no. So what's. What's the future look like for.

[F]

You know, the future looks like for me. I'm going to start school. I have to clean my room. I've been sleeping on a bed that's slanted like this. Free Palestine. I don't know if I could be political on this bitch, but.

[A]

Yeah.

[F]

What he said. Yeah. I'm going to clean my room. Oh, and then I'm going to Maine tomorrow. I forgot.

[A]

You forgot you were going to Maine tomorrow?

[F]

I took it like three days ago.

[A]

What are you doing in Maine?

[F]

My friend Georgia just moved there. Shout out, Georgia.

[A]

Shout out, Georgia. Is he coming with? Is Twofer coming with? I don't know.

[F]

Why Twofers not coming with? I think. I think Tunis is never gonna hang out with me again after this. He's probably really scared.

[A]

I really. Are you sure you don't. Can you tell? Would you talk afterwards? Okay. All right. Wait, Nora, wait. Nora, can you hand the mic to Tunis?

[F]

Okay, guys, let's go to Tunis Loop.

[A]

Okay. Hey, folks, if you like discovering new music, then you gotta check out TikTok's new talent show. Next up, live music. TikTok Live and iHeartRadio are finding the next wave of up and coming artists and throwing them right in your face live on TikTok. You can follow ictocliveus on TikTok. And from August 25 to August 29, watch the semifinalists give it all they've got in real time for a chance to perform at the legendary IHEARTRADIO Theater in Los Angeles, have their music heard on the radio, and most importantly, bask in the glorious light of ethereal stardom forever. When was the last time you feel like you got to discover something really cool and really beautiful before everyone else did? Well, this is your opportunity. Follow ictocliveus on TikTok now and tune in to find your new favorite musician. That's ictocliveus on TikTok. It'll be fun. It'll be inspiring. It'll be beautiful. Give it a watch.

[C]

Hey, everyone, it's me, Katie Couric. Did you know that I recently joined Substack? It's where I'll be sharing my unfiltered conversations with the people everyone's talking about. Journalists, breaking news, politicians making it, actors we can't stop watching, experts, and a few unexpected voices who just might change the way you see the world. I'll also share what I'm reading, what I'm watching, what's making me roll my eyes, and what's giving me hope. It's a little news, a little opinion, and, yes, the occasional curse word, because, let's face it, have you seen the headlines lately? So if you like smart takes deep dives and are also thinking WTF is happening? Search Katie Couric on Substack and hit subscribe. All of my interviews and articles are free to help everyone stay informed. But if you want to join the group, chat and hear my hottest takes, well, that's for premium users only. It's going to be so much fun. I can't wait to see you there again. Search Katie Couric on Substack and hit subscribe.

[A]

Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips, and we run.

[F]

A podcast called Emergency Intercom.

[E]

If you're a crime junkie and you.

[B]

Love crimes, we're not the podcast for you.

[E]

But if you have unmedicated adhd.

[A]

Oh, my God, perfect.

[E]

And want to hear people with mental illness psychobabble.

[D]

Yes.

[B]

Yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you.

[E]

Open your free iHeartradio app, search emergency.

[A]

Intercom, and listen now.

[C]

Hola, it's honey German, and my podcast, Gracias, Come Again is back. This season, we're going even deeper into the world of music and entertainment with raw and honest conversations with some of your favorite Latin artists and celebrities.

[A]

You didn't have to audition. No, I didn't audition. I haven't auditioned in, like, over 25 years. Oh, wow.

[C]

That's a real G talk right there.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

We've got some of the biggest actors, musicians, content creators and culture shifters sharing their real stories of failure and success. You were destined to be a star. We talk all about what's viral and trending with a little bit of chisme, a lot of laughs, and those amazing vivas you've come to expect. And of course, we'll explore deeper topics dealing with identity struggles and all the issues affecting our Latin community. You feel like you get a little whitewashed because you have to do the code switching.

[F]

I won't say whitewashed because at the.

[G]

End of the day, you know, I'm me.

[A]

Yeah.

[G]

But the whole pretending and coat, you.

[E]

Know, it takes a toll on you.

[C]

Listen to the new season of Gracias. Come again as part of my Cultura podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

[A]

Yeah. Have a seat. Have a seat.

[E]

Okay.

[A]

Tunis.

[E]

Tunis.

[A]

Tunis. Nice to meet you, Tunis. Sorry for making fun of your name.

[E]

That's okay. Yeah, I need to get used to it a bit.

[A]

I love Amsterdam. I've been there like three times. Shows there. It's a great time. Shout out. Boom. You ever been to Boom Chicago?

[E]

No.

[A]

Oh, I did a show there. It's a good time. Anyway, who gives a shit about me? Okay. So what are you doing in America?

[E]

Well, I just moved here, actually.

[A]

Oh, really?

[E]

I was here in March. I auditioned to music school.

[A]

Cool.

[E]

Play drums.

[A]

Cool.

[E]

And now I'm going to City College here. Yeah, that's why I'm here. So now I live here.

[A]

What made you wanna. So despite everything, you were like, yeah, I'll come to America.

[E]

Yeah. It's a bit crazy, but I. I come here, like, it's been a kind of in my head for a really long time because I studied jazz. I wanna. And this is like the, you know, the place for. For jazz music. It's the. It's super nice.

[A]

Really. I'm at New York. New York.

[E]

Yeah. So that's why I wanted to come here, basically. And I don't know, I figured I just try and. You cannot plan on. Yeah. Things sometimes. So.

[A]

So how does New York compare to Amsterdam?

[E]

I mean, Amsterdam is just totally different. I feel it's very, like, small compared to here. Like, I bike everywhere, you know, like, you can walk most places. Like, I mean, the layout is more. It's like a half circle. Right. I mean, here's like straight lines, most like up and down.

[A]

So what happened in Norway?

[E]

Nothing. I mean. Okay, I will tell my story.

[A]

Yeah. What happened in Norway?

[E]

Well, nothing, because I was like, okay. So I came here in March and I had hinged. And then basically I saw a picture. She was in Zaandom, which is my hometown, and I was like, whoa, why were you in Sandom? Because that's. I just recognized the background. It's really random. I was like, wow, why are you in Sandom? And then we met, but then she just came back from Amsterdam. I was just leaving back home, basically. And then, I mean, we stayed in touch, and you were like, I want to go to Amsterdam. But I was like. Like, I don't know like how to say. Yeah, I was.

[A]

Now I can't talk to you. I only have one.

[E]

Yeah. So I was like, you know, like, if I go to New York, we'll just have. We'll just meet in New York.

[A]

Like, Zo. Wait, is your guys first time ever meeting?

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

How's it going?

[E]

Well, it's like, it's been like. Like literally one minute, and then we.

[A]

Saw you, so it's like, I'm severely interrupting this first meeting.

[E]

We're more. We're conversing through you now.

[A]

Oh, okay. I see.

[E]

Yeah. But it's okay. Yeah.

[A]

Okay, wait. We. So we just talked about. Me and Nora talked about Hinge for a while. What about your view on. On Hinge?

[E]

I mean, it's. I don't know. I also haven't been on it for, I guess since March, kind of almost or like. No, it's short. It's a bit April or something.

[A]

Okay.

[E]

But, yeah, I don't know.

[A]

It's. Are you looking for love? Do you want to, like, get married and have children and stuff at some point?

[E]

Yes.

[A]

Okay.

[E]

But I mean, yeah, I was on it, and then it's like, it didn't make me super happy. I mean, you meet people. Like, I wouldn't have met you. Like, I met a lot of people just through Hinge. But, like, it doesn't mean, like, it's what. What you make of it, I feel.

[A]

Yeah. What.

[E]

What gives meaning to a relation. Like, you can just be friends or you can. I mean, maybe you like someone and you will. Like, it's just facilitating, but it's also a bit manipulative in the way it's made because it's still like. Like, yeah, someone is making money off of. Is monetizing off of this platform. Right. So I feel inherently it's a bit like you shouldn't trust it always. You know what I mean?

[A]

Like, I see. But people have been monetizing this stuff forever, Right. I Mean, I don't know. Like, what about those guys who come up to you at the park and they're like, a rose for the lady?

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, people do that. And, like, it's actually. It's very funny because on Hinge, you can buy roses, right? And it prompts you. It says, do you want to buy a rose?

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

And there are places where you go, like. Like, this is in a lot of, like, parks in Europe, right? There's, like, dudes handing out. They're like, dudes. They'll go up to, like, a couple, and they'll be like, a rose for the lady. And they'll, like, in real life, try to get.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

Buy a rose. So, you know, it's nothing new.

[E]

You can flip it. Like, it's. Yeah. In a way, is this. It's similar, but I feel. Because, I don't know. I don't really have a strong opinion. I feel you should do whatever you want based. Like, if you feel good with Hinge, you should use it. Like, but also, it's very. It can be addictive, you know? Like, that's. For me, like, that was why it was better to just not use it.

[A]

No, it's the same. Yeah. No, it can be.

[E]

Yeah. Like, it has many sides. I don't know.

[A]

So are you guys gonna go out to the club? Are you. Club guy?

[E]

I'm not like, a club person, to be honest.

[A]

Like, you're not a club guy?

[E]

No. Yeah.

[A]

You ever been to paradise? Is that what it's called? Paradiso?

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[E]

Paradiso. Yeah, I've been there.

[A]

Yeah.

[E]

That's nice.

[A]

That's where I did MDMA for the very first time there.

[E]

Really?

[A]

Yeah. Like, seven years ago, you were there.

[E]

Like, in the crowd, you mean?

[A]

Yeah, I was there for the Amsterdam dance event, like, seven years ago.

[E]

Really?

[A]

Yeah. That was. That was a crazy night of my life. That was a fun time, man.

[E]

Man, Paradiso is really nice. Yeah, it's. I mean. Yeah, it's really nice. Everything is kind of close. Like, you're in Paradiso. You can go to Light. Light Supply. You know, it's like where the clubs. Other clubs are. Like, you can go out. It's. It's really nice. Yeah.

[A]

Okay, so what should. What. What do you. What do you. What's better about America than Europe? Let us. Let us have something.

[E]

Well, I don't know yet, because I. I just. I arrived Saturday. I mean, I'm here for the music, like, for jazz music.

[A]

Have you. There's a lot of really great Jazz artists just playing in the park all the time.

[E]

Yeah, I haven't. I mean, I. I just. I haven't seen here, but I saw a guy playing the saxophone.

[A]

Well, listen, I don't want. I don't wanna. I'm gonna. I don't wanna. I don't wanna keep you guys waiting. Is there. What's your name? Tunis.

[E]

Yeah, Tunis.

[A]

Tunis. Is there anything else you gotta say to the people, the computer, before we go?

[E]

No.

[B]

Like.

[E]

Oh, well, it's.

[F]

It's cool.

[E]

Like, it's crazy meeting you, actually. That's. Yeah, it's crazy me.

[A]

Wait, have you seen my show before?

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh, cool.

[E]

Like Instagram.

[A]

Oh, shit.

[E]

Years ago or something.

[A]

Okay, cool.

[E]

Yeah. You were talking to Mark Rebel.

[A]

Mark Reba.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[E]

Crazy.

[A]

Yeah, he's. He did a show over in Paradiso, I think.

[E]

Really?

[A]

Yeah.

[E]

Wow, that's crazy. Yeah. I was in Japan one time and I went up the elevator from Shibuya Station, and then he was there calling someone, like, that's crazy. Literally, so random. And then I think I discovered him at the same time as you.

[A]

Well, I'm. I'm happy that we could. You and I could finally cross paths from the Internet into real life.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

Well. Well, thank you to Tunis. Nor you want. You want anything else you want to say to the people?

[F]

I'm so hungry and Lila's super awesome.

[A]

Oh, thank you, Nora. Thank you, guys. You guys have a good restaurant. You guys have a good rest of your lives. Bye, Nora. Bye, Tunis. I'll see you guys around the universe. Oh, yeah.

[E]

Okay.

[A]

Bye, Tunis. Bye, guys. Have a seat. What's your name?

[D]

I'm Sarah.

[A]

Sarah, my name is Lyle. So, Sarah.

[D]

Yeah. What's up the sky?

[F]

You know, nothing much.

[A]

How's life?

[D]

I just moved here last week, so.

[A]

Oh, shit.

[D]

Yeah, no, it's been pretty hectic.

[A]

What made you want to move to.

[D]

New York for college?

[A]

Okay.

[D]

You know, the basic art school experience.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

So, yeah.

[A]

What do you make art about?

[D]

I mean, honestly, whatever makes money. Like, I do, like, design. So, like. Yeah, I mean, I do art for fun, but, like, I'm majoring in design because, like, I feel like that's more money making.

[A]

Not going to lie.

[D]

No offense to the fine arts majors.

[A]

So what kinds of things do you design to make money?

[D]

Well, I mean, I'm going to school for it right now. I haven't started working yet.

[A]

Okay.

[D]

But like, I mean, I enjoy, like, editorial design. It's pretty cool.

[A]

Are these your homies?

[F]

Yeah.

[D]

They're also going to school here.

[A]

Oh, do you just meet them?

[D]

No, we graduated together.

[A]

Oh, from high school. Yeah. Okay. And. And now you guys are going into college together.

[D]

We're going to college together. She's going upstate.

[A]

So are you guys, like, from New York?

[D]

Oh, no, we're from Florida.

[A]

Oh. Oh. So what's she doing here? Oh, you're going to.

[D]

She's visiting.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

You know, why not?

[A]

I didn't mean that like an accusatory way. Curious. Well, let's. Sarah, you said your name was. You have a lot of cool trinkets on your bag. You got it. You got three different bears. No, two bears. Oh, you have a Diet Coke pen. I like that. Why are they laughing at that? Why is that so funny?

[D]

I don't know that. I guess they hate me. They secretly hate me.

[A]

They have a Diet Coke pin. I love that. No, I'm not, actually.

[D]

I love to jingle around everywhere I go, so.

[A]

It's got a ribbon on it. Oh, yeah. Because why not? You've got Uma Thurman from Pulp Fiction.

[D]

I actually dressed up as her one year, so. Yeah.

[A]

Oh, did you have, like, the cocaine nose? Oh, yeah.

[D]

Not real.

[F]

Not real.

[D]

Just don't worry. Don't worry. It wasn't authentic.

[A]

You can do whatever you want with your life. I know.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Cocaine's. Don't do cocaine too much. Yeah, cocaine's like, a little bit fun. Cocaine's like, very. You don't want to, like, buy your own.

[D]

Yeah, just do like a sample.

[A]

Yeah. Like, you only want to do cocaine twice a year if you're in a weird situation where someone offers it to you. But don't. You don't want to get into habit.

[D]

You don't want to get into the.

[A]

Of like buying it yourself, you know? Yeah. Yeah. What's the meaning of life?

[D]

Drugs, bitches and coke.

[A]

Very cool. Sarah, is there anything else you want to say to the people. The computer before we go?

[D]

Stay in school. Do what you want with your life. Yeah.

[A]

Sarah forever. Yes. Thank you for having me. Of course. Thank you for joining me on the Gecko show.

[D]

Of course. Here you go.

[A]

You, sir. I see you. You. Come on. Come on over.

[B]

How's it going?

[A]

What's your name?

[B]

I'm Alex.

[A]

Alex, nice to meet you. Where we met before.

[H]

Have we.

[A]

Yeah, no, I remember you where from Your sign say.

[B]

Oh, right now I'm giving a free dating advice. Many one of the many signs that I hold.

[A]

Okay. Yeah, you. I. So I come to this park, like, almost every day.

[B]

Oh, okay.

[A]

And I. You do you're here a lot, right?

[B]

I'm here like, every weekend.

[A]

Okay. And you hold up as you make little content.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh, you. Okay, here's where we first met you. You held. There's so many people watching us. You held up a sign.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

That said, make me laugh and win a thousand dollars.

[B]

Yeah, that's me.

[A]

I tried. I tried to make you laugh.

[B]

I have, you know, I have so many people, so many, like, characters that approach me, so it's hard for me to remember everybody. There's a guy in a banana suit that approached me. A guy in a fucking corn dog suit that approached me. I got all kinds of characters.

[A]

You're a bigger major celeb of the park. I get it.

[B]

No, there's just so many characters out here, so.

[A]

Yeah, I met you doing that. Well, actually, we talked for a little bit and then. You weren't recording.

[B]

Yes, I record some days. Other days I just feel like coming out and just hanging out, you know?

[A]

No, no. You know what? You thought you were recording, but then you weren't. It wasn't like we were just hanging out.

[B]

Occasionally, I'll, like, forget to press record my.

[A]

You're not gonna remember me. I'm gonna stop trying to get you to remember me. What's your name again?

[B]

I'm Alex.

[A]

Alex.

[B]

I just told you my name and you already forgot.

[A]

Yeah, I will. See, here's the thing is, I'm. Okay. So we're different, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Maybe we're not different. Maybe we're the same. Yeah, but, like, I don't remember. I will forget your name immediately. But I remember who you are.

[B]

Yes, I definitely remember you. A frog costume. You can't forget that.

[A]

No, I wasn't in the frog costume. And I'm. It's not. What's. Who cares? Who cares? I. Who cares what. How's life going? What's going on?

[B]

Pretty good. I mean, everything's going pretty spot on. Besides, you know, my dating life, you know, everything else. Like, I'm so satisfied.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Just dating.

[A]

Why? What's wrong with your dating life? You know, you're not doing a bit right now, are you? Okay, go ahead.

[B]

No, no, no, go ahead. Honestly, situationships. Are they into me? Are they not exes, you know, heartbreaks, you know, it's. It's so. It's so much. It's so much going on.

[A]

Are you doing you. Are you. You swear in your life you're not doing a bit.

[B]

No, no.

[A]

Right now?

[B]

No, no. Okay, I understand.

[A]

I'm sorry. You sound like you're in like content making voice right now. And I wanted.

[B]

I fully respect when other people are making content. So I don't try to, like, mess up that. I don't try to mess that up.

[A]

No, no, I don't think you're trying to.

[B]

Have a good time.

[A]

All right, all right, all right. Sorry. You know, I'm being a dick right now. No, no, I'm being a dick.

[B]

Sometimes when I talk, people think like, alex, are you. Are you fucking with me? I'm like, no, I'm being serious.

[A]

What are you. What are you looking for in your dating life?

[B]

What am I looking for in my dating. Honestly, I'm just trying to. I'm trying to settle down. You know, I've had my whole phase. It was fun. Right now I'm just trying to, like, settle down, Find someone that's just like, long term, long term relationship. That's. That's all I'm looking for.

[A]

So why has that been hard for you to find?

[B]

Because everyone else just wants to, I guess, is still in their whole phase or is starting their whole phase.

[A]

Where are you finding these people?

[B]

You know, I come here a lot. I come.

[A]

Oh, you mean you meet people out here? Okay.

[B]

You know, occasionally I will go to, like, bars or nightclubs, but again, people over there are just trying to hook up.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So that doesn't help.

[A]

Are you looking for guys? Girls, between. Okay, all right. Really? I. Are you really having a hard time? Because here's what's. Here's what's annoying. I mean, not annoying, but interesting. Yeah, I'll say is everyone says the same thing. We just had a girl sit down and say this. Everyone's always like, oh, New York, nobody wants to settle down. It's like, if everyone's saying that, then.

[B]

I mean, it must not be true to an extent. I mean, I guess we're just meeting the wrong people, you know, I guess it's just bad luck, bad timing.

[A]

Have you met a lady where you're like, oh, I. Where you've said to her like, hey, I want something more. And she's like, ah, then so I'm.

[B]

Never, for me, I'm never forward. I don't let them know, like, straight up, like, hey, I'm into you, let's go out. Because I've done that before, all right? And it seems to, like, freak people out when I'm just too forward, which I get, you know, Which I get. So my. My whole, like, I guess my whole ethos. Not ethos. I guess the way I pursue dating nowadays, like I'm just super like nonchalant, laid back about it. Like, hey, yeah, we can hang out. If something happens, it happens. But okay, I'm not gonna like rush to anything. I'm not gonna pursue anything if the other person doesn't feel the same way.

[A]

Well, that's, that's how I think it should be. Right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like you use hinge.

[B]

No, I'm not into dating.

[A]

Okay, well, like cuz like even, I mean this actually, this isn't even a dating app thing. But like when some people. There's some people who are like, you know, I'm looking for my. My love and I need. And I'm like, it's a little weird cuz it's like, well, aren't we all?

[B]

Yeah, pretty much.

[A]

It's like you can't start. Is that how that like. Yeah, like start off that way. Right. Like, people have to kind of naturally get into things.

[B]

I mean, of course there's like, to an extent you do have to pursue like a little bit.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

I guess from both parties also. But the thing is, like you, when I come out here, I meet so many amazing people. Like, I will make so many friendships and it gets to a point where I'm like, this person is cool. I would love to hang out with them. Do I want to mess it up? Like, yeah, about them and then mess up a good friendship?

[A]

Yeah, because I've had.

[B]

Had that in the past where I get you. I've had people that I do like start off having strong feelings about them. As I get to know them. I do develop a good friendship and it gets to the point where I'm okay, I wouldn't want to pursue a relationship with you because I do see you as a really cool friend.

[A]

It's true.

[B]

I don't want to tarnish that friendship.

[A]

Extremely safe.

[B]

But I guess that's where I'm stuck. I'm meeting so many people and I guess I'm always putting myself in the friend zone before they do that to me, which is my biggest, you know.

[A]

Is that an issue? I mean, can you go wrong with that? Really?

[B]

I mean, of course. But how many friends, how many more friends do you need? Like, how many more friends can you have?

[A]

You know, part of me wonders, are you supposed to feel some kind of like natural gravitational pull or are you supposed to decide for me?

[B]

I can think anybody is cute. I can think anybody's attractive upon first meeting them.

[A]

You could think anybody's. Shut up. You can think anybody's.

[B]

You can think anybody.

[A]

Shut up. You can think anything. Anybody. You can think anybody's attractive. You can decide to find anyone attractive.

[B]

I mean, of course you're.

[A]

I'm not going to let you run away from the statement you just made.

[B]

You can.

[A]

You can decide, like, you can decide that anyone's attractive.

[B]

I mean, yeah, I can think. I can look at anyone, say, yeah, they're attractive. They've got nice features. Yeah, that person is attractive.

[A]

Anyone.

[B]

Anyone.

[A]

Yeah, you're lying for me.

[B]

No, I'm being that serious.

[A]

And you hold on. I just want to make sure I understand what you're trying to say.

[B]

Yes, go ahead.

[A]

You can look at anyone. Any, like, literally anyone with. No. Well, let me look at anyone and go and decide that they're attractive.

[B]

Okay, well, that's not what. Exactly what I was saying. I. I see where you're coming from now. What I was trying to say is that obviously I find attractive. I find. The people who I find attractive, I find attractive. Right. Like, you see what I'm saying, right? Anyone I find attractive, I will find attractive. For me to catch feelings for somebody.

[A]

What are you. What are you even saying?

[B]

Okay, I'm not gonna find everybody attractive.

[A]

Okay? Yeah, well, that's what you were just saying.

[B]

Everyone has preference.

[A]

Okay, yes. Anyone that you find attractive.

[B]

Attractive, I will find attractive.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

For me to catch. For me to really fall for someone, Catch feelings for someone. I have to get to know them.

[A]

Okay, I see what you mean. I see what you mean. I see. Okay, basically, there's a lot of women that you find attractive.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

But not a lot of women who. You're like, I want to give my soul to you. That makes sense. Or a lot of women you find attractive, but not a lot of women. You're like, I deeply want to emotionally invest myself in you.

[B]

I guess. I guess, like, I. I see. I see what you're trying to say.

[A]

I think a lot of people feel that way.

[B]

No, I mean for me, like, I can't really fall for someone. Head over here unless I really get to know them. I can't get butterflies unless I really get to know them.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

I have to really vibe with them at first. I have to really, like, see what their humor is like. See, like.

[A]

Like Halford, you're. You're. You're slow to love.

[B]

Yes, yes, I get.

[A]

Yeah, I get. I feel like I'm not like that at all.

[B]

I mean, everyone's different, you know? Yeah, it's the same. Everyone, like, has their own preference.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's just how I am. And I Feel like that's what I struggle. That's what I'm at.

[A]

What's not about, that's why, that's why does that make you at a disadvantage?

[B]

I'm at a disadvantage because everyone is like. Everyone that I meet is in their whole face and they just want to hook up. That's not what I'm looking for anymore, you know?

[A]

Okay, but I don't think that puts you at a disadvantage. That's just who you are. I mean, you could say that only wanting sex is. Has everything. Everything has its pros and cons, you know?

[B]

Right. I mean, yeah, pretty much what you're trying to say. Yeah, I guess. Yeah, I agree.

[A]

Why is everything else so amazing in your life? What else is going on?

[B]

I mean, I'm satisfied. I'm. My social life is going great. I come out here and hold a stupid sign and people approach me. So my social life is good.

[A]

That's cool.

[B]

I have so many great friends.

[A]

You mean a lot. You make a lot of friends at the parks?

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. That's why I come out here.

[A]

How's the content?

[B]

Content is going great. I'm making a lot of memories. I love my job. I love my job. Not. This isn't my job. My job that I do during the week when I'm not here, I love.

[A]

What's your job?

[B]

I'm a teacher's aide.

[A]

Oh, cool.

[B]

So I take care of like I teach pre K, so I take care of like 3 year olds.

[A]

Cool.

[B]

I love my job, I love my family. So I'm just. Yeah, I'm satisfied in all aspects except dating. That's where I struggle with. Yeah.

[A]

Hmm. So you have this problem where you. Have you been in like, have you ever been in a situation with someone where you're like, oh, I could see myself. But isn't a situationship how they is in the situationship? The. The inception of for me, relationship.

[B]

For me, a situation is not like, oh, we can fuck around and maybe it'll go somewhere. No, a situation is. No, we're fuck around and that's it. It's not going to go anywhere. That's my headspace.

[A]

Okay, sure. But that's like a labeled thing. Like, can't anything become something?

[B]

It could, it could. That's just my headspace going into situationships.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Like I, I just prepare myself for that. Not prepare myself. I just, I'm just in that headspace. Like, yo, we're in a situationship, we're going to mess around. I'm not looking for anything after that I'm not looking for anything past that. If we're just gonna keep messing around, you know, I wouldn't.

[A]

Let's say, who's your ideal woman?

[B]

My ideal woman? Like, yeah, like, what do I. Like what do I look for?

[A]

Yeah, sure.

[B]

I don't really have a specific type, you know, I don't really, you know, check boxes. Like, oh, she has to have this, this, and that for me to want her. Like, no, I don't have a type. Just someone who is. Just someone who can joke around, like me. Someone who, I guess, yeah, just someone who can joke around, like me. Someone who can, like, have a good laugh. Someone who can mess around. Someone who. I want someone very, like, laid back. Someone's very nonchalant.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Someone who can match my energy, but in general, someone who's very laid back.

[A]

Okay. Okay.

[B]

Because I wouldn't want someone to, you know, like, outshine my personality. You know, I'm very outgoing, but to an extent.

[A]

So you don't want somebody who's also.

[B]

Outgoing, like someone who can match my energy, but not to the point where they can over overshine me. Overpower me.

[A]

Okay. You want to make sure you want to be the guy. Like, you want to be the guy.

[B]

Hey, I want to be like, yeah, like, this is me. Like, this is what you got. And it's tough because there's so much competition out here, and it's very easy for someone that you're dating to look at someone else and, oh, this guy's got what he doesn't have. Like, he. There's. There's pretty obvious he doesn't. He doesn't compare to that guy.

[A]

Well, it's whack a mole. You know, it's like, yeah, someone has. There's many, in fact, not many infinite people out there who have an infinite amount of positive qualities that you do not possess, but they don't have. But it's whack a mole, right? It's like, oh, I like this one thing. I. The. Anyone that you date is going to have things you like about them and things you don't like about them. Yeah. And there will be somebody who has the things that they don't have that you want, but then they have other things that, you know, it's what you know, it's. No. No one. Literally nobody is perfect.

[B]

You know, at this point, I'm just like, you do not have to be perfect. I'm not looking for anyone perfect. I'm willing to accept any flaws, but.

[A]

Really accept any flaws?

[B]

Yes, Any flaws. Sorry. That be just scared. Scared the fuck.

[A]

Yeah. I don't like bees. Yeah.

[B]

But no, for me, I'm just. I have a lot of insecurities that, like, it's. They. It's very obvious when me showing my insecurities, like I'm. I can try to hide it as much as I can, but they just come out at random times.

[A]

You don't have to talk about this if you don't want to, but I naturally. I'm naturally curious. What are your insecurities?

[B]

My insecurities? Damn. Which one? There's so many. There's like a hold. I could write a whole script, a whole novel about my insecurities.

[A]

Well, what's like, I guess your.

[B]

Well, one. My height. Like, I'm.

[A]

How tall are you?

[B]

I'm five nine.

[A]

You're five nine?

[B]

I'm very average height. If I want to date someone, they would have to be like, really short.

[A]

You know, let's talk about this.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I'm five seven.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Psst.

[F]

Come here.

[A]

I'm actually five six, but I just tell everyone I'm five seven. So I'm five seven.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Right. And I've also, throughout my life, been pretty insecure about my height. But you know what. But here's the thing, right. With like all these things.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Is like you were dealt a hand in life.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You were born as this.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

There's things you can change about your body if you don't like it. You can get. You. You can. There's things you can change about your body if you don't like them. And there's things that you cannot change about your body.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And the way I think about my height, the way I've kind of reconciled is like, oh, my God, here's how I reconcile my height. I would not roll the dice again. You know what I'm saying?

[B]

Like, in terms of what rolling the dice.

[A]

I was born with certain things about me and my essence in my life.

[B]

And you can't change your height.

[A]

And there's a lot of things I love about my life and about my essence and about my body and about my brain, about my. Who I am. There's a lot of things I don't like about my body, my brain and my essence and who I am.

[B]

Right. Right.

[A]

But if. If God came down from the heavens and was like, hey, would you. You want to. Hey, you don't like being 5 7? You want to roll the dice again? I'm not rolling those dice. I'm not taking another chance. You know, I'll take this. I'll keep. I'll stay. I'm not. That's like blackjack.

[B]

I get what you.

[A]

You know, I'm not. I'm not gonna hit.

[B]

I get what you mean. When you have, like, when you have quite a few friends that, like, like, obviously you don't want to compare yourself to other people, but when you're with other people you, like, your mind goes places like, you can't help it. You can't help. Yeah, but compare yourself.

[A]

One thing I've. Oh, I've never forgotten that I heard once, is that if you're gonna be jealous of someone, you have to be jealous of all of them. You can't just run around picking your favorite, picking all the best qualities from everyone, because that's not real life. So, you know, if someone's to. Someone might be taller than you, but they have other things going on in their life that are fucked, that are. That your life is, you know, better. I mean, that's the same with, like, all insecurities.

[B]

I see what you mean. I see what, you know. Yeah, I see what you mean. Another one of my biggest, like, insecurities. It's just like. It's as well. I want to retract to back what I was saying earlier.

[A]

Oh, sure.

[B]

For me to fall for someone, I have to get to know them. Once I get to know someone. The reason I've been in so many situationships is because that first impression, the first few interactions is always, like, the easiest to me. Like, you'd be like, oh, I just met you. You don't know me. So I can pretty much put on a mask and be whoever the fuck I want to be.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's what people. People like, right.

[A]

It's all. You're right. At a certain point, you gotta, you know, you gotta let your breath go and let the stomach hang out metaphorically.

[B]

Like after, like a while that you really get to know someone. Then I start. That's when I start really catching feelings. That's when I started getting the butterflies.

[A]

Mm.

[B]

Like, yo, I can't be how I was at the beginning. Like, it's just. It's messing with me. Like, I've known you for so long, but I don't know, something's changed. And now to the point where I can't be around this person. I can't act like how I used to be at the beginning. It just fucks with my head. It messes with my head. I get the butterflies, you know?

[A]

Mm. Mm.

[B]

This one person that. That I would see Frequently at this park, at the beginning, I feel like, oh, yeah, she's cute. Think she's cute. I don't think much of it. I wouldn't say I'm head over heels for her. I'm not getting butterflies, but, yeah, she's cute. I wouldn't see myself pursuing a relationship with her, but, yeah, she's cute. I'm not getting butterflies. As I would constantly see her here all the time. When I would come out here and she would give me, like, these little nudges, like, hey, like, take down my number. Let's hang out sometime. Like, oh, let's hang out, get some boba without your sign. Like, without your content. Let's just hang out. Like, yeah, I'm down. Come to this. I just moved into a new apartment. Come to my apartment. Let's hang out, grab a drink. Like, yeah, I'm down. As I got to know them and I would see all these signs, I'm.

[G]

Like, oh.

[B]

Are they flirting with me? Like, oh, yeah. Like, I'm getting the butterflies. I'm like, am I getting. Am I getting butterflies? Like, the more I'm seeing them. Like, yeah, now. Now that I'm seeing them. Now that I'm vibing with them a little bit, I'm like, now I'm getting the butterflies.

[A]

Now you're getting more butterflies.

[B]

I'm getting butterflies.

[A]

I'm sorry, can I ask you to just hold the.

[B]

No, I got you. I got you.

[A]

My bad.

[G]

My bad.

[A]

No, you're good.

[B]

Yeah. As I'm getting to know them more and more, I'm like, ooh, now I'm catching feelings. Now I'm starting to get butterflies.

[A]

Okay, okay, okay.

[B]

And now it's gone to after that. This was all last year, by the way. The winter. The winter comes and goes. There's, like, no communication. Like, I don't like the winter. I hibernate in the winter. I stay at home until the winter passes. Like, I don't like going out in the winter. So as winter passes, there's no. And there's no interactions. No text, no phone calls, no FaceTime. There's nothing. There's. There's no interactions. I completely go ghost, which is not intentionally. Not something I want to do. It's just something that I do. As the spring starts and I see her, like, again after. After a whole winter of not seeing her, she's like, hey, you know, it's good to see you. Yada, yada, yada. I start getting the butterflies again, and I'm like, yo, like. Like, I would I would assume, like, all this time spent apart would make me miss her, and it did. But no, we're back to square one. I'm getting the butterflies again. So, yeah, I saw her in April. In April, I would see her a few times. Then May, I did not see her. June, I did not see her. July, I saw her again. And at that point I was like, dude, I don't care. Like, I don't have butterflies anymore. I genuinely missed seeing you. I've genuinely missed seeing that person. I'm like, fuck it. Like, I. I'm back. I gained my confidence back again. Like, I missed that person so much, to the point where I'm like, I don't care.

[A]

I'm sorry. The. In. So the insecurity is just the insecurity of being who you are when you don't feel nervous.

[B]

Well, when I don't see that person as much, I guess as much.

[A]

So is this a general insecurity, you would say?

[B]

I'd say so. I'd say so. But yeah, as I was saying where I was, I. So yeah, after. After not seeing her for so long, I started seeing her again. And I'm like, yo, I genuinely missed you. I generally missed her. I think she noticed because when I started getting butterflies, I started acting nonchalant around her. And I think she picked up on that. Like, oh, this guy was so fun at the beginning. What happened? Like, he's so laid back and nonchalant now. Like, what's going on? And I did not tell her why, but I think she picked out all my nonchalantness. But again, as once she saw me in June, after a whole long time of not seeing. Not seeing me, I gained my confidence back. I saw her again. I missed her. And we. We talked. We were vibing again. I think she. She saw, like, oh, he's back. He's not nonchalant anymore. Like, he's back. He's back to his old self again. Something happened. He's back to his own self now. I want to see him again. Now I want to keep seeing him. And again, that. That fucked with my mind again. I got the butterflies again. She gave me her number. Even though I have her on Instagram, she gave me her number. She invited me to her apartment. I bought her. She was here one day.

[A]

She was like, do you like this lady? Do you like this lady?

[B]

Yes, I do.

[A]

This whole thing, I'm like, do you like this lady?

[B]

Well, I'm getting to that point. I'm getting.

[A]

Sorry. I'm sorry. Sorry, sorry.

[B]

Get to that part. It's the whole back and forth thing.

[A]

Sure, sure, sure.

[B]

So I. She comes to the park one day. She's like, alex, I'm bored. What should I do? I'm like, do you want a buzzball? We can go get a buzzball. She's like, fuck yeah, let's do that. Okay, okay, we'll go get a buzzball. We went to, we went to the store. I was like, you know, I got you, I got you. It's like five bucks. I got you covered.

[A]

Okay?

[B]

She's like, she came up from behind me. She's like, alex, I'm gonna give you the boyfriend hug. And she comes from behind me and she squeezed, she squeezes me like, dude, you don't say that shit to like, anybody. Like, I'm gonna give you the boyfriend. How you don't say that to anybody.

[A]

This girl clearly likes you, right? Okay.

[B]

She clearly likes me. Yeah, I clearly like her. Okay, like, dude, let's just fucking hang out. Let's hang out. Like, I'm like, I know she said that she had to go like afterward, cuz she had like. I don't. I think she had worked the next day, but she said she had to go. Okay, okay, we will skip. We will schedule a hangout. We will schedule a hangout to meet each other.

[A]

Like, why is it so complicated?

[B]

I'm getting to that point.

[A]

Okay, sorry.

[B]

I'm getting.

[A]

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

[B]

So, yes, three times. We schedule a hangout three times. For me, it's like three strikes. Like you should.

[A]

Oh, she kept delaying.

[B]

No, no. So we made a day to hang out on a Saturday.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I'm like, yeah, absolutely. Let's fucking get lunch or whatever. Let's hang out.

[A]

Yeah, she did. She.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Okay. You hung out.

[B]

We were both.

[A]

Okay. What's your name again, by the way?

[B]

Alex.

[A]

Alex, you said three strikes. You're out.

[B]

Huh?

[A]

What were the three strikes?

[B]

Well, I'm getting, I was just getting to that point. Okay, okay, so we made a data. This was on a Friday. We made a day to hang out on Saturday. Saturday morning comes like, hey, we're still on for today? She's like, yeah, I'm down. Let's let me know when you're here. Text me when you're here. Like, all right, perfect. I got you. I will be there at 3 o'. Clock. It's, it's like 1 o'.

[A]

Clock.

[B]

I will be. Train takes me like 30 minutes.

[A]

Okay. So she didn't show up?

[B]

No, no. As I was making out, hopping on the train okay, about to head there. Train delays. Train is now working on weekends. You got to take the bus. You got to take the long ass bus to Atlantic and transfer do all this.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And you know, NYC traffic, you know, And I'm like, I text him like.

[A]

Hey.

[B]

You know, the trains aren't working. I'm so sorry. I will be there as soon as I can, but I don't know, with traffic, I don't know how long it'll take me to get there.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

It's like, yeah, just let me know when you get here. Buses take a long time, Trace. Takes a long time. I get here at like 8, 9 o' clock at night. Like, hey, I'm so sorry. Like, are you here? She's like, no, I had to head out. I'm sorry. Like, no, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. The fucking trains.

[A]

Wait, so this is strike on.

[B]

This is strike one.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Like, hey, can we reschedule? It's like, yeah, let's get lunch.

[A]

Okay. Tomorrow. Alex, I don't think I can. I don't think we can do all three strikes. Listen, here's it. That long?

[B]

They're not.

[A]

All right? Because listen, cuz. How long ago did this happen?

[B]

This has been going on for like two months.

[A]

What the fuck, Alex? This. Do you like this lady?

[B]

I do.

[A]

Okay, dude, then what the fuck? She likes you?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Why? I don't, I don't know. Anytime things are this complicated, it kind of, I. It's like, it's like, what even Is.

[B]

This the second time we made to reschedule? She said, yeah, let's, let's get lunch tomorrow. Like the trains are fucked up, but let's get lunch tomorrow. I'm like, fuck, yeah, I showed up. She's like, actually, I don't feel like going out anymore. Like, hey, you know, that's fine. Sometimes you don't feel like it. It's a Sunday. Not everyone likes going out on Sunday. That's fine. She's like, can we do Monday? Like, okay, yeah, let's do that. Let's do Monday. I come on Monday, she doesn't show up. Okay, I guess I got my answer. I guess she doesn't like me.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And then retracting to that statement, like, this was after. By the way, I get her a buzzball. She comes from. After a while of not seeing her.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

She comes from behind me. Alex, I'm gonna give you the boyfriend hug.

[A]

Alex, I'm exhausted by this.

[B]

I know, me too.

[A]

Okay, so here's what. Okay, okay, okay.

[B]

So When I'm like, dude, I don't fucking know anymore, okay?

[A]

Yes, you do know.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Yes, you do.

[B]

She hasn't been.

[A]

No, no, no, no. You do know.

[B]

Don't know.

[A]

Yes, you do.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Yes, you do. You do know. You know that you're exhausted. I am. You shouldn't be exhausted. So you do know.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Yes, you do.

[B]

What do I know?

[A]

You know that you're exhausted. You know that this relationship is exhausting. You know, this dynamic is exhausting you. You have a. That's a lot of information to have. You know the dynamics. Exhausting you. It's exhausting me hearing it. So it's like, you know, go find something that doesn't exhaust you. Jesus fucking Christ.

[B]

She text me one day when I'm here chilling, doing my own thing. She text me like, hey, I'm at the park. I get so fucking nervous that I just run out of the park and I just wait for her to leave. Like, I'm just tired of this back and forth.

[A]

Alex, you're. You know what, Alex, you're a sweet boy. I think you'll find a relationship one day that. That doesn't exhaust you.

[B]

You know, I'm trying. I'm out here trying to. Actually, actually, no, I'm not out here.

[A]

You're not really out here trying. You're out here existing, being. Living your own life, being who you are, exerting your authentic self upon the universe. And when you do that for long enough, the universe brings you back, whatever the fuck it brings you back.

[B]

At the point, I'm just like, dude, whatever. It's whatever. I'm like, I'm exhausted. I'm exhausted.

[A]

Alex, is there anything else you want to say to the people, the computer, before we go?

[B]

Surround yourself with good people, because good people will bring you up. If it weren't for the people that I surround myself with, I would not be up sitting here doing this, talking about all my fucking insecurities. So I have my friends to thank for that. So, love y'.

[E]

All.

[B]

Surround yourself with good people.

[A]

Hey, thank you very much for your time and your honesty, man. I really appreciate it.

[B]

Nice meeting you.

[A]

Thank you, Alex. You have a good one. I'm sure. I'm sure. I'll see you in the park later, man. Hey, folks, if you like discovering new music, then you gotta check out TikTok's new talent show. Next up, live music. TikTok Live and iHeartRadio are finding the next wave of up and coming artists and throwing them right in your face live on TikTok. You can follow ictocliveus on TikTok and from August 25 to August 29, watch the semifinalists give it all they've got in real time for a chance to perform at the legendary I Heart Radio theater in Los Angeles, have their music heard on the radio, and most importantly, bask in the glorious light of ethereal stardom forever. When was the last time you feel like you got to discover something really cool and really beautiful before everyone else did? Well, this is your opportunity. Follow ictocliveus on TikTok now and tune in to find your new favorite musician. That's ictocliveus on TikTok. It'll be fun. It'll be inspiring. It'll be beautiful. Give it a watch.

[C]

Hey, everyone, it's me, Katie Couric. Did you know that I recently joined Substack? It's where I'll be sharing my unfiltered conversations with the people everyone's talking about. Journalists, breaking news, politicians making it, actors we can't stop watching, experts, and a few unexpected voices who just might change the way you see the world. I'll also share what I'm reading, what I'm watching, what's making me roll my eyes, and what's giving me hope. It's a little news, a little opinion, and, yes, the occasional curse word. Because, let's face it, have you seen the headlines lately? So if you like smart takes deep dives and are also thinking wtf is happening? Search Katie Couric on Substack and hit subscribe. All of my interviews and articles are free to help everyone stay informed. But if you want to join the group, chat and hear my hottest takes, well, that's for premium users only. It's going to be so much fun. I can't wait to see you there again. Search Katie Couric on substack and hit subscribe.

[A]

Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips.

[D]

And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom.

[E]

If you're a crime junkie and you.

[B]

Love crimes, we're not the podcast for you.

[E]

But if you have unmedicated adhd.

[A]

Oh, my God, perfect.

[E]

And want to hear people with mental illness psychobabble.

[D]

Yes.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Then Emergency Intercom's the podcast for you.

[A]

Open your free iHeartradio app. Search emergency Intercom, and listen now.

[C]

Your entire identity has been fabricated. Your beloved brother goes missing without a trace. You discover the depths of your mother's illness. The way it is echoed and reverberated throughout your life, impacting your very legacy. Hi, I'm Danny Shapiro, and these are just a few of the profound and powerful stories I'll be mining on our 12th season of Family Secrets. With over 37 million downloads, we continue to be moved and inspired by our guests and their courageously told stories. I can't wait to share 10 powerful new episodes with stories of tangled up identities, concealed truths, and the way in which family secrets almost always need to be told. I hope you'll join me and my extraordinary guests for this new season of Family Secrets. Listen to Family Secrets Season 12 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[A]

Andrew, nice to meet you. How's life? What's going on? I'm Lyle.

[H]

I just. I just moved here from Florida.

[A]

Okay.

[H]

It's my first time actually. It's like my third week here. Yeah, I just saw you, so I was like, you know what? I'll pop a squat. You seem like a really interesting person.

[A]

Well, thanks, man. What brought you to New York?

[H]

Work, actually, as well as. Just pretty much. I grew up in Florida. Felt like I was stunted. Like my growth was stunted there. I didn't have, like, a lot of creativity. I had, like, some falling out with friends over my sexuality and religion. And so I felt like New York was a safe place for me, not only creatively, but also to express myself fully. So I'm kind of out here. I don't really have too many friends out here either. So I was like, you know what? It would be nice to sit down and talk with someone.

[A]

Okay, cool, man. Sure, sure.

[H]

I was, like, so patient. You know, why not?

[A]

So how you said you've been here for three weeks.

[H]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. And what do you do in here? You going to school? You're working?

[H]

I'm working. I'm a marketing director right now.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[F]

Yeah.

[A]

Old you are.

[H]

I am 31.

[A]

31. Okay. Have you been doing anything to try to make friends, meet people?

[H]

So that's the thing. I've been so, like, occupied. Focused on work as well as, like, trying to get familiar with the city that I really haven't had made time for that, which I need to, is definitely something I kind of have to adjust to. Just because I would say for so long since I was from Florida, I had most of my friends growing up. I never had to make friends again. Like, like, as an adult now, and especially as, like a new person, I guess you could say, because now I'M like, living more in my, like, authenticity. Living more of who I am.

[A]

But that's good. So. Yeah. Yeah.

[H]

So now it's like, navigating that and learning to kind of not hide parts of me and learn how to, like, really kind of navigate this new version of myself, I guess you can call it, and I guess navigate it, and I don't even want to call it the correct way because I guess there is no correct way about going about things. But just, like, I guess my goal is just to, like, completely be authentic with it as much as possible.

[A]

And it's. Well, it sounds like. Yeah, you. You mentioned Florida as being kind of stifling to your growth or as being a place where you did not feel as though you could be that authentic self.

[H]

Yeah, exactly.

[A]

And so. Wait, so. And how long did you live in Florida for? Up until now? Yeah. Oh, okay. So this is your first three weeks out of Florida?

[H]

Yeah, exactly.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[H]

I travel.

[A]

Okay, so you're in. You're in. This is. Is this the first time you actually feel like you are living as your authentic self? Pretty much get the shit out of here.

[H]

That's what I'm saying.

[A]

That's amazing. That's really cool.

[H]

Is a big leap. I find it as freeing, like, as possible. I feel like I would never change my life. I went through a lot of trials and tribulations, like I said, you know, coming out late in life, as well as, like, losing a lot of friends. My church, like, it was, like, really difficult time for me, but it literally sharpened me. It made me polish me into the person I am today. I like to tell people it gave me superpowers. I feel like I have a level of understanding people now from all walks of life and understanding them just because of those hardships. I felt like they gave me a level of sympathy and empathy for people that I wouldn't have had if I didn't go through those. Those certain things. And I guess it's just. I'm happy that I was able to get. Come out of the other side of it with a positive outlook on life and because I know a lot of people don't. So I'm just even sharing this, too, because I know you have probably a lot of people who watch you, so just to let them know that, like, you got to just, like, authentically be yourself. I know that word is, like, thrown around a lot now, but it's so true. It's so freeing to be yourself no matter what you're going through. Like, you'll find Peace. When you find, like, when you start loving yourself more because no one can love yourself. Like, love you as much as you can love yourself.

[A]

Well, I. Look, I know you said you're having, you know, trouble making friends and whatnot, but nothing you have said is quite out of the ordinary for only being in a place for three weeks.

[H]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

You know. So are you in person as this marketing director or is this like an online thing, so.

[H]

No, I'm in person. I work two days a week there. Co workers are cool. Just like, I guess they're, like, older than me, so it's like a little.

[A]

Well, here's the. Here's the good news. Is that. Where in Florida? Where are you?

[H]

West Palm.

[A]

West Palm, Okay. I know West Palm. It's like, it's a little posh.

[H]

Yeah, yeah. It's like, right across from, like, there's. Literally right over the bridge is Palm Beach Island.

[A]

Yeah. West Palm is. Is definitely hoity toity.

[H]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. I. Well, the good news is that you moved to one of the best places in America to agree. Meet people.

[H]

Yeah.

[A]

There's infinite. I mean, what do you, like? What are you into?

[H]

I love art. I love fashion. I love photography. I love writing.

[A]

Oh, I mean, bro.

[H]

I know. That's what I'm saying.

[A]

Yeah. Here's the. Here's the thing.

[H]

The best spot.

[A]

Yeah, you did. I mean, dude, I mean, this is why I live in New York, right? Is because, you know, I mean, I come to this park almost every day. It makes me feel alive. Anytime I feel like I'm dying or I'm, like, old or I get that everything, you know, there's nothing left for me to do on this planet, I just come. I. You know, New York is the place to where. Where even after you think you've, you know, seen it all or done it all or whatever, there's places and people and rooms you can go into and things to remind yourself that, oh, shit, there's more. There's always there's more. And. And. And here's the. But here's the thing. It doesn't find you. It doesn't find you.

[H]

I'm starting to learn.

[A]

It doesn't find you. But you don't even have to do it in the correct way. But as long if you go out in search, you find it.

[H]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, so like, if you go on the Internet and you search for weird art events or you see some stupid flyer as you're walking and you click the QR code and you actually go to the thing and Then when you're at the thing, you actually talk to some people. You start, you know, so the more, again, the more you, you know, authentically exert yourself upon the city and the world, you. You. You find these things.

[H]

Yeah.

[A]

So, I mean, even the fact that you came to sit and talk to a random dude on the thing is a good sign. So, yeah, all, like, crazy cool art, fashion, whatever the fuck shit.

[H]

Yeah.

[A]

Exists.

[H]

Yeah.

[A]

Do you. I'll give you some, like, Instagram pages to follow and some shit too later after we're done this.

[H]

I appreciate that.

[A]

Someone's taking a little video of us. What's up? How's it going? Look at this guy. Look at this guy. Who's this guy? I love this combination. Look at this guy. He's got a combination. I've never seen a combination of a leopard print shirt with an army bag. And he's got the leopard. Yeah. Look at this guy. Well. Well, anyway, man, nice to see you too, man. God bless. But, yeah, dude, you're. You're in a great position. Yeah, I feel.

[H]

And that's a good thing, is I'm giving myself time. I'm. Like I said, I'm navigating it. I feel like I'm in a good place sometimes. It could get lonely, you know, I haven't really made too many friends out here yet, so that's why I was like, let me.

[D]

Let me.

[H]

Let me just sit down and have a good conversation for once. And do you see, like I said, you seem like a really interesting guy.

[A]

Yeah.

[H]

You're doing well here.

[A]

After, after we're done. Oh, there's a couple of like, like email lists I'm on and, like, Instagram pages I follow. Give you all that information? Yeah.

[H]

Can I ask you some questions?

[A]

Yeah, hit me. Okay.

[H]

Is that. Do you just have one suit or you have multiple.

[A]

Oh, I have. I have. Well, I don't know anymore. Honestly. I have a. This is 100. I just have a room and it's got a pile of, like. There's five parts. Wait, there's five parts to the suit. There's. There's the head, the hands, which are technically two parts, but actually, no, there's. There's. Okay, I'm gonna count this. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. There's seven parts to the suit.

[H]

Okay.

[A]

Two hands, two feet, a torso, pants, and a head. And I just have an amalgam, a big green pile of parts of the suit.

[H]

That's awesome.

[A]

Just a room of like, like, you know in the Simpsons, the giant burning Tower of tires. That's. I have that, but with. With the deco suits. So I don't know how many that compiles when you add them up. But yeah, that's.

[H]

That's.

[A]

So that's what I got going on.

[H]

The second question is, I guess, out of all the interviews I've ever done, what was the most interesting thing you've learned about yourself in the process of doing this?

[A]

Can I tell you the truth?

[H]

Yeah.

[A]

I get asked this question a lot of, like, what's, like, the craziest thing you've learned? Or, like, what's the most interesting thing you've learned? Or what have you learned about humanity? I'm going to be honest with you. The more I travel and talk to people and do this, the more I know I don't know fucking anything. I actually. The more. The more agnostic I become, actually. Oh, wow. Yeah. Wow. Wait, sorry. I'll answer in one second.

[H]

But I'm not altruistic. Like, you don't feel like you, like, love more because, you know. Like.

[A]

No, I know. I become more agnostic about my beliefs, and I become more agnostic about how what I know about the world and what I know about myself. And I. My. My identity crumbles the more I talk to people. Because when you're. When you're younger and when you're in high school, it's way easier to have a sense of identity and an ego. And then the more you talk to people and the more you travel and learn things and do things, the more my identity, my ego, crumble and I don't know. And the more I know nothing.

[H]

Yeah.

[A]

This in. And this is lame that I'm gonna quote this, but I'm gonna do it is in Rick and Morty.

[H]

Oh, you know the.

[A]

Actually, you know what this is in Rick and Morty.

[H]

Yeah.

[A]

Do you know the scene where Rick is talking. Not Rick. Morty's talking to Summer, and he's like, you hang out with Rick, and the more you hang out with Rick, the more you know nothing. And he knows everything. And all I know is that we're all going to die and nobody belongs anywhere. Come watch tv.

[H]

Yep.

[A]

That is how I feel when I travel. Wow. And when I do this and when I talk to people, the more I'm like, oh, the universe knows everything. I know nothing. Nothing matters. No one belongs anywhere. I'm going to go play video games and jerk off. So that's.

[H]

It almost feels like the. Yeah. Because you can't have an ego at that point, especially if you're interviewing people constantly learning new stuff, and then everyone's a reflection of you.

[A]

And it's. Honestly, it's almost less about even like the work that I do and even just like living my life on a personal level. The older I get, the more I live my life on a personal level and I have my own personal experiences is how I arrive at the fact that I don't fucking know anything.

[H]

Yeah. Do you feel like that makes what you do harder, though?

[A]

Kind of. I think existing on the Internet and having a podcast almost beckons upon you to have strong opinions.

[H]

Yeah, 100%. It's almost like you're. It's not that you're catering to the algorithm, but almost like you kind of have to in a sense, you know?

[A]

Yeah, but. Yeah, but I mean, I don't know. We're having. We're having this conversation right now and I guess. I guess I have expressed a strong opinion in it.

[H]

Yeah.

[A]

Which is that I don't have a lot of strong opinions. I have a few strong opinions.

[H]

Hey, and what. Opinions change every day, man. You don't know who you're gonna talk to the next day. So that strong opinions, those as strong as the next conversation.

[A]

Oh, you're gonna hate me, but what's your name again?

[H]

Andrew.

[A]

Andrew.

[H]

So it's okay.

[A]

Well, Andrew, listen, you're my last interview of the day. I'm gonna pack all this shit up. But is there, is there any. Bring us home, Andrew, what do you want to say to the people at the computer before we get out of here?

[H]

Anyone out there watching this or listening, Just know that you have to, you don't have to, but it's so much beneficial if you do what you love and you are who you are and just know that I am, that I am is the key. And you learn that you. That life is coming literally out of you. What's inside of you, you manifest. Sometimes it takes time for reality to catch up, but if you, if you say I love yourself all the time in your head, you start actually bringing on to reality. So just know that. I know it sounds silly and woo woo, but it's true, you know, so it's been great knowing you. It's been great conversation. I appreciate your time.

[A]

I appreciate you, Andrew. Folks, thank you guys very much for listening to the Therapy Gecko podcast. I'm Lyle. I'm a gecko. I'm. I'm gonna go home or not. Or I'll just sleep here at the park. I don't care. I mean, I do care. I don't want to sleep at the park. But I like the park. I'm. I'm. This is a bad act. This is a bad outro. But it's what I said. I can't take it back. I theoretically can. I can. Of course I can take it back. I can edit it out, but I'm not gonna do that. I'm gonna leave it in. Thanks for listening. I'll be back in a few days with another episode of the Thing. Geck, bless you. Thanks for being here. See you guys around the universe. Hey, folks, if you like discovering new music, then you gotta check out TikTok's new talent show. Next up, live music. TikTok Live and iHeartRadio are finding the next wave of up and coming artists and they are throwing them right in your face. Live on TikTok. You can follow ictocliveus on TikTok. And from August 25 to August 29, watch the semifinalists give it all they've got in real time for a chance to bask in the glorious light of ethereal stardom. That's @tiktokliveus on TikTok.

[C]

Hey, everyone, it's me, Katie Couric. Did you know that I recently joined Substack? Very exciting. It's where I'll be sharing my unfiltered conversations with the people everyone's talking about. I'll also tell you what I'm reading, what I'm watching, what's making me crazy, and what's giving me hope. If you like deep dives, hot takes, and real talk, you're in the right place. Search Katie Couric on Substack and hit subscribe. I'll be there, reporting live, most likely in my pajamas. See you there.

[A]

Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips.

[D]

And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom.

[E]

If you're a crime junkie and you.

[B]

Love crimes, we're not the podcast for you.

[E]

But if you have unmedicated adhd.

[A]

Oh, my God, perfect.

[E]

And want to hear people with mental illness psychobabble.

[D]

Yes.

[B]

Yes. Then Emergency Intercom's the podcast for you.

[A]

Open your free iHeartradio app, search emergency Intercom and listen. Now.

[C]

From tips for healthy living to the latest medical breakthroughs, WebMD's Health Discovered podcast keeps you up to date on today's most important health issues. Through in depth conversations with experts from across the healthcare community, WebMD reveals how today's health news will impact your life tomorrow.

[B]

It's not that people don't know that exercise is healthy. It's just that people don't know why it's healthy. And we're struggling to try to help people help themselves and each other.

[C]

Listen to WebMD Health, discovered on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[A]

This is an iHeart podcast.