“I’M AN ESCORT”

Summary

Therapy Gecko

Episode: “I’M AN ESCORT”

Release Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Lyle
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

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Episode Overview

In this episode of Therapy Gecko, Lyle (the gecko therapist) takes spontaneous calls from listeners, diving into deeply personal issues, hidden desires, and life’s crossroads. Notably, the episode features conversations with Violet, a young woman who recently became an escort, Dev, whose attraction to her boyfriend is oddly heightened by his forklift certification, and Sean, who’s grappling with existential dread after a mushroom-fueled realization at a live show. The episode explores themes of self-worth, unconventional relationships, life direction, and unique human desires—all in Lyle’s signature humorous, nonjudgmental, and genuinely curious style.

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Key Conversations & Insights

1. Violet: Life as a New Escort

Starts: [03:43]

How She Became an Escort

• Violet, 21, started escorting about two months ago, shifting from stripping due to burnout and seeking less rejection.
• “I’m a stripper and I got really burnt out. So I was like, okay, let me try something else.” – Violet [04:42]

Differences Between Stripping and Escorting

• As a stripper, the constant competition and rejection wore on her self-esteem, despite good earnings.
• “You could walk up to like 20 dudes a night and only five will say yes… Sometimes I'll tie how much money I'm making to my self worth.” – Violet [05:00]

Self-Esteem and Body Image

• Stripping initially helped her confidence; she enjoyed body transformation and financial independence.
• “I lost a little bit of weight… now I have money to do whatever… I love that. I don’t think I’ll be able to do anything else—even though I’ll get old eventually, but I’m only 21.” – Violet [06:30]

Torn Between Goals and Current Life

• Violet expresses uncertainty about her future, feeling both hopeful about college and trapped in adult entertainment.
• Lyle provides reassurance about different life paths:
  • “Whatever decision you make will put you ahead in one way and behind in another… focus on the ways you are ahead.” – Lyle [08:09]

Escorting: Safety, Experiences, and Boundaries

• She screens clients (“try to make sure they’re not a serial killer”) and notes it isn’t always sexual.
• Encounters range from the bizarre (clients asking to be peed on or farted on) to seemingly mundane companionship.

Impact on Intimacy & Relationships

• Escorting has skewed her perceptions of men and intimacy; she doesn’t date and observes patterns in clients’ requests, including married men.
• “Sometimes my judgment of, like, men can be pretty skewed, because… a lot of the guys I meet are, like, married...” – Violet [11:57]
• Despite stereotypes, she often genuinely likes her clients: "A lot of them are really handsome, and I like them. The money is just a plus." – Violet [12:36]

Family and Friends

• Her friends and mom know about her work and want her to stay safe.

The Allure and Limits of Her Current Life

• Violet admits both enjoying her work’s benefits and fearing she’s unfit for conventional jobs:
  • “I just make a good amount of money and I don't have to work super hard for it... but I want to go into criminal justice eventually.” – Violet [14:53]

Lyle’s Reflections

• Lyle emphasizes the intangible skills and emotional labor involved in Violet’s work:
  • “You’re being rewarded... for your ability to make people feel seen and accompanied…” – Lyle [16:31]

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2. Dev: Turned On by Forklift Certification

Starts: [18:19]

The “Forklift Certified” Fetish

• Dev confides in Lyle about an odd sexual attraction to her boyfriend’s forklift certification, a meme turned genuine turn-on.
• “He’ll call me at work and say, ‘I’m going on the forklift,’ and I’m just like—God damn, sexiest thing ever.” – Dev [19:04]
• Lyle normalizes this:
  • “Women in general are attracted to competence and I think being forklift-certified is a strong indicator of competence.” – Lyle [22:48]

Fantasies and Relationship

• Because they’re long-distance, the fantasy is enhanced by imagination.
• Lyle suggests perhaps the fantasy is better left imagined than realized, as real-life details might disappoint:
  • “Your boyfriend in the forklift only, like, stays in your imagination, because that’s where it’s... going to have the highest quality.” – Lyle [26:43]
• Dev agrees and thanks Lyle for the insight.

Memorable Moment

• Dev’s “hear me out” list now includes Bob the Builder, a revelation sparked by childhood memories and current attraction.
• “Maybe Bob the Builder could be added to it…” – Dev [28:05]

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3. Sean: Mushrooms, Existential Dread, and ‘Fucking the World’

Starts: [32:48]

Psychedelic Realization

• Sean, after doing mushrooms at a Therapy Gecko live show, confronts a wave of existential dread and questions about his life trajectory and readiness to settle down.
• “I had this idea of, you know, what I wanted in my life—a relationship, to settle down and have a life, kids, all that… But on that shroom trip... I haven’t done enough or seen enough.” – Sean [34:39]

The Seekers’ Dilemma

• Lyle relates to the urge for novelty (“every five years destroy your life and start a new one”) and cautions Sean to avoid all-or-nothing thinking.
• “I have this fucking thing in my head that makes... every five years I just get this urge to like, destroy my life and start a new one. That’s me to a T.” – Lyle [53:36]
• Advises Sean he can “do a little bit of both”—maintain stability while pursuing adventure.

Travel and Relationships

• Sean feels he needs to be single to fully experience travel and life’s possibilities, but wonders if his concerns about settling down stem from lack of life experience or genuine doubts about his partner.

Job and Life Logistics

• Sean is a support worker at a homeless shelter, lives with his parents, and has the financial flexibility to travel if desired.
• Lyle offers practical advice: take short trips, use unpaid leave, and recognize the value in smaller adventures.

Self-Reflection and Acceptance

• Both host and caller acknowledge the never-ending cycle of aspiration and the necessity of balance.
• “I don’t think you have to be either a vagabond or an office worker… There’s something in between.” – Lyle [54:00]

Humorous Callbacks

• The two reminisce about wild live show stories—a woman’s attraction to “hooking up with straight guys” and a man’s daring sexual escapades, illustrating the “variety show of humanity” the podcast delights in.

Plug

• Sean ends by plugging his amateur MMA Instagram: “Follow me on Instagram stc403allerscore. Really appreciate it, guys.” – Sean [57:37]

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Violet: “As a stripper, you could walk up to like 20 dudes a night and only five… Sometimes I’ll tie how much money I’m making to my self worth.” [05:00]
• Violet: “I just really like my jobs… I make a good amount of money and I don’t have to work super hard for it.” [14:53]
• Dev: “He’ll call me… ‘I’m going on the forklift.’ And I’m just like, God damn, sexiest thing ever.” [19:04]
• Lyle: “Women in general are attracted to competence… being forklift certified is a strong indicator of competence.” [22:48]
• Sean: “…on that shroom trip, I kind of had this, like, flooding emotion of I haven’t done enough or seen enough… Existential dread.” [34:39]
• Lyle: “You never… you’re never compensated for your time. You’re compensated for a variety of things… you’re putting yourself out there.” [15:22]
• Lyle: “I don’t think you have to be either a vagabond or an office worker. There’s something in between.” [54:00]

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Episode Structure & Timestamps

• [00:00-03:43] – Sponsored ads, show intro
• [03:43-17:29] – Violet: Escorting, stripping, self-worth, goals
• [18:19-28:38] – Dev: Forklift-certified boyfriend, sexual kinks, long-distance dynamics
• [32:48-58:20] – Sean: Mushrooms-induced existential questioning, work/life balance, therapy
• [Throughout] – Lyle’s reflective, humorous commentaries and tangents

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Tone & Style

The conversation is raw, honest, and ranges from lighthearted to deeply vulnerable. Lyle strikes a balance between humor and empathy, making space for the callers’ feelings, never judging, and always seeking understanding—even in the strangest situations. His gecko persona adds just the right level of absurdity.

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Concluding Thoughts

This episode of Therapy Gecko dives into the “variety show of humanity”: from the economics of sex work and the psychology of desire, to the uncertainty of life paths and the search for meaningful connection (even with heavy machinery). With guests like Violet and Dev openly discussing stigmatized or unconventional experiences, Lyle affirms the dignity in every story and encourages both acceptance and self-reflection.

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For listeners:
If you enjoy empathy wrapped in reptilian wit, unfiltered personal stories, and existential musings with a comedic twist, this episode fits the bill. Just be ready to explore humanity’s quirks in all their messy, sincere, and memorable glory.

Transcript

[Lyle]

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[Lyle]

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[Katie Couric]

On the latest episode of Next Question with me, Katie Couric, I sat down with Bernie Sanders. We've talked many times over the years, and today he even throws a few questions my way.

[Lyle]

All right, are you ready for another question?

[Dev]

Go ahead, hit me, Bernie.

[Katie Couric]

We talk about the billionaire class, the cost of living, and of course, the government shutdown. Listen to Next Question with me, Katie Couric, on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lyle]

Hello? Who is this?

[Violet]

My name's Violet.

[Lyle]

Violet, what's going on, Violet? How's life?

[Violet]

It's doing pretty good. Hold on. I'm a little nervous. I didn't think you'd call me. I seen your, like, your YouTube shorts.

[Lyle]

I am honored to hear that you have seen the YouTube shorts. I've been trying to upload more of them. I sit.

[Violet]

Yeah, they're super funny.

[Lyle]

I sit alone on a computer and I. And I edit videos. It's a good life. That's a good life. But enough about my life. Violet, what's going on? You. You messaged. You sent a text and you said, I want to come on the show and talk about my new job as an escort.

[Violet]

Yeah, well, that's something. I just recently started, like, maybe two months ago. It's been going pretty good.

[Lyle]

How did you get into that?

[Violet]

Well, I'm a stripper and I got really burnt out. So I was like, okay, let me try something else.

[Lyle]

Well, I guess I have a few questions. Why did you get burnt out from being a stripper?

[Violet]

I think it's just a lot of competition and I feel like a little self conscious maybe. So now, like, it's like, I don't get rejected at all. You know when guys call me because they're choosing me? Because as a. As a stripper, like, you could walk up to like 20 dudes a night and only five of them will be like, okay, yeah, we could go for a dance even though I made really good money.

[Lyle]

Did it. Was that. Did that. Now when that happens, are you at a point where you're like, that's Just the game or do you feel like a form of like personal rejection?

[Violet]

Depends on the day really, because I used to be really self conscious and then when I started stripping like I felt way better about myself. But I guess since like sometimes I'll tie how much money I'm making to like my self worth. That makes sense.

[Lyle]

Yeah. So it's less of the like the, the like rejection of the guy of the guy of you than it is like about like the self, self worth of the money.

[Violet]

Yeah, I don't know.

[Lyle]

So you said that. How did stripping help your self esteem?

[Violet]

I lost a little bit of weight. I mean now I have money to like do whatever. Like I could get hair extensions. I always have like my lashes done. I feel just good about myself. So I love that. And I don't think I'll like ever be able to do anything else. Even though I guess I'll get old eventually. But I'm only 21.

[Lyle]

Why do you think you won't be able to do anything else?

[Violet]

Well, I don't know. I mean, I have goals. I just, I don't know, I feel a little lost. Like I'm supposed to start college soon and I have been, I've just been really busy working and all that.

[Lyle]

But I don't understand because you say you have goals and you say you're starting college soon, but then you also say you won't be able to do anything else. I mean, you said that pretty confidently.

[Violet]

Well, you know, I have to do something else, I guess. I don't know, I have like depression and sometimes that'll like not like flare up, but it's just a part of life, you know, Sometimes I just feel a little down about it and I feel like I should be farther ahead than I am.

[Lyle]

Farther, farther ahead in what? In what sense?

[Violet]

Like in life in like I compare myself like, okay, I could have like finished school or gotten this done, but I've just been like working, which has been good.

[Lyle]

Well, I mean, well, it's a trade off, right? Because like I, you pro, you probably, I assume if you were, I don't know how much you save or how much you spend or whatever. But. Because listen, right, like the decision to work right out of school instead of going to school has its pros and cons. And you know, one of the pros is like, yeah, maybe you finish school a little bit later, but you know, you have some, some money under your belt. Whereas a lot of people, they get out of school and they're in debt, you know, so. And Whatever decision you make will put you ahead in one way and behind in the other way. But, you know, you want to focus on the ways in which you are ahead.

[Violet]

Definitely. Yeah. You know, I've had time to save money, but I love, like, being a stripper. I love being an escort. I think it's fun. I get some crazy people from time to time.

[Lyle]

I have. Well, I have questions about the escorting thing, but I also. You said what. What are your goals that you said you have?

[Violet]

Yeah, I really want to go into, like, criminal justice. That's my goal. I want to be able to help people. I think that would be cool.

[Sean]

Mm.

[Lyle]

So what do you. What is it that you like about? Well, so what exactly are you doing, like, as. As an escort?

[Violet]

Well, like, I have an ad on a website, and then these guys call me, and then I take their information, like, their ID and, like, their. Like, business website, and I look through them. I try to make sure they're not, like, a serial killer, and then I'll go hang out with them, and it's not always, like, sexual.

[Lyle]

Mm. Have you met interesting people doing this?

[Violet]

Yeah. I mean, at the strip club we're escorting, just people with, like, maybe weird kinks and characters.

[Lyle]

Can.

[Violet]

I had a guy that, like.

[Lyle]

Go ahead.

[Violet]

Yeah. I had a guy that really wanted me to pee on him, but I haven't done it yet.

[Lyle]

Is that something you're interested in doing, is peeing on someone?

[Violet]

I mean, for some money, I might.

[Lyle]

Have you ever. Have you ever, like. Like, who's the most memorable character you've come across in this line of work?

[Violet]

I had a guy that really liked, and I would, like, step on him. I've had guys, like, want me to fart in their face, so I don't know. I don't think.

[Lyle]

Shout out. Shout out to our boy Hank.

[Violet]

Yeah, that was pretty cool.

[Sean]

Hmm.

[Lyle]

Okay, so this is something that you're enjoying doing and you want to. You would like to continue doing it.

[Violet]

Yeah, for, like, maybe, like, another 10 years.

[Lyle]

I. So I have a question, but this is so. This. I swear in my life, this really isn't, like, a form of judgment. It's a genuine question that I want to get your perspective on, because you seem like you really like this line of work. Does it, like, how does it affect your personal view and experience, like, of intimacy?

[Violet]

I'd say it's pretty skewed. I think my. Sometimes my judgment of, like, men can be, like, pretty skewed, because, I don't know a lot of the guys that I Meet are, like, married or. I don't know. I kind of feel bad about that.

[Lyle]

Mm. In what? Go ahead. Go ahead.

[Violet]

Yeah. I don't know. I don't date or anything. So.

[Lyle]

How. How. In what other ways do you think it's skewed your perception of men.

[Violet]

Otherwise? I don't know. I mean, I tend to really like the guys that I meet. Like, I think a lot of people think they're, like, creepy. Like, maybe old guys that, like, I don't know, like, look really scary. But a lot of them are really handsome, and I like them. The money is just a plus.

[Katie Couric]

Mm.

[Lyle]

What made you first get into this line of work in general?

[Violet]

Well, this tripping.

[Dev]

I don't know.

[Violet]

I was, like, 18, and I really hated my job, and I didn't want to work 40 hours a week for what seemed to be, like, not a whole lot of money. So I quit my job one day, and I went into a strict club. I got started there, and that's been really good for me. The escorting. I don't know. I just did some research, and I try not to, like, get murdered or anything, but it's just. You post an ad online, and there's that. I mean, you could get, like, arrested or something, but that hasn't happened to me.

[Lyle]

Does your. Do you, like. Do you talk to your friends about it?

[Violet]

Yeah, my friends know. My mom knows.

[Lyle]

What. What do they. Do they. What do they have to say?

[Violet]

They just want me to be safe. Yeah. Mm.

[Lyle]

That's good. Yeah, that's good. I. I. Well, I'm glad you're enjoying. I'm still hung up on the fact not because you, like. Like, why do you say that like you can't do anything else? I'm not. I'm not. Not even, like. Not even, like, being objective to, like, if you. If you're like, oh, if you're saying, like, I don't want to do anything else, that's one thing, but I like the fact that you're saying I can't do anything else.

[Violet]

I think it's a mix of both. Like, I really like my jobs, and I don't want to do anything else because I just make a good amount of money and. And I don't have to work super hard for it. I mean, it is hard work, but not, like, labor, like, I don't know, like, construction or something. And I know that I want to go into criminal justice eventually. It'll just take time.

[Lyle]

Well, you know. Well, I don't. You know, that's the thing, right? Because even if. Even if it's not a lot of hours, it's like you're rewarded for, I think, like, in. In general, with, like, money and shit. You're never. You're never, like. You're never compensated for your time. You're compensated for, like, a variety of things, you know, and so you're. Well, because you're getting. You're getting compensated not just for your time, but you're also getting, you know, you're getting rewarded by nature of the fact that you're really, you know, putting yourself out there.

[Violet]

Yeah. You mean, like, sexually, but just.

[Lyle]

I mean, just in general, like, you know, whether sexually or just the fact that you're, like, willing to go meet a stranger and hang out with them and, you know, be cool to them and, you know, make them feel, you know, like they have some company.

[Violet]

Yeah. I like being able to make people feel seen.

[Lyle]

Mm.

[Violet]

Yeah.

[Lyle]

And I think, you know, again, you know, whether or not, like, you're being. That's. That's what you're being, I think rewarded for is your ability to, you know, make people feel seen and, you know, accompanied more so than, like, you know, I put in X amount of time into X amount of Y thing, and I get Z dollars.

[Violet]

Right. Yeah. Well, hey, it's really cool talking to you. I don't know if you want to keep talking to me, but this has been pretty cool.

[Lyle]

Was there. I guess. Is there any other aspect of this that you wanted to talk about?

[Violet]

No, I just wanted to share. I guess.

[Lyle]

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

[Violet]

No, but thanks for chatting with me. Bye.

[Lyle]

Goodbye, Violet. Have a good rest of your entire life.

[Violet]

Hi, is this Geck?

[Lyle]

This is. Who is this?

[Violet]

This is Dev.

[Lyle]

Dev. What's up, Dev? How's life?

[Dev]

Oh, my God. Life's good, man.

[Violet]

What's up with you?

[Lyle]

I'm doing okay, actually. I have a little bit of a headache, but who cares? You know, who cares about.

[Dev]

Drink some water, get to Madville. You'll. You'll work through it. Hell, yeah.

[Lyle]

Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Did you tell me your name yet?

[Dev]

Yeah, it's Dev.

[Sean]

D, E, V, D, V. Okay.

[Lyle]

All right, Dev. What's up, Dev? How's life? What's going on with you?

[Violet]

Oh, man. So I've.

[Dev]

I've recently come to a realization, and I feel like you're a professional, and I wanted to talk to you about it. You know, I've seen your videos. You seem to really help people.

[Lyle]

Okay. I'M gonna. I'm not a professional anything, but I'll. I guess I. I guess by the definition of professional, I'm a professional therapy gecko. So I can do that.

[Dev]

That's professional enough for me.

[Lyle]

I think that's good. What's up, ma'? Am? Tell me, Tell me everything.

[Dev]

So, like, I've recently gone into a new relationship and I love my boyfriend very dearly. However, he's forklift certified and it's like, ahaha, people. Oh, so funny. Funny meme. Forklift certified. But I've recently come to the realization that I. It kind of turns me on and I don't know why. Like, he'll call me while he's at work and he'll be like, hey, guess what, babe? I'm like, what? And he's like, I'm going on the forklift. And I'm just like, God damn sexiest thing ever. I don't even know. I don't even know.

[Lyle]

Why is this a pro? Why is this a problem? This is a good thing.

[Violet]

I don't even.

[Dev]

I. I guess it's not a problem, I guess. I don't know.

[Violet]

Typically it's like midday.

[Dev]

I'm like, either at work or at school, and he'll just do it randomly and just call me up like, I'm just gonna go on the forklift. Sometimes he'll honk the horn on the forklift. And I find that really funny too. I guess it's not a problem. I guess I'm just confused as to why it turns me on.

[Lyle]

Why do you think it turns you on?

[Dev]

Okay, that's a good question. I don't know. Maybe it stems from the fact that for a while there was like that forklift, like forklift certified meme going around. Maybe it's not. I'm very much like, kind of brain rotted. I'm 20 years old. I'm not, I'm not. You know, I don't know.

[Violet]

Maybe it's just the fact that it.

[Dev]

Stems from the fact that it was a meme at one point. But maybe it's also the fact that I know my boyfriend's accomplished. You know, he. I don't have my forklift certified license. My co workers aren't forklift certified, but my man is. That's pretty cool.

[Sean]

Mm.

[Lyle]

Have you ever, like, seen him in the forklift or have you only heard of him?

[Dev]

I have not. I've only heard about it. We're doing long distance right now, so it sucks. But ever. And I've talked to him about it, too. And ever since I've like brought it up with him, anytime he's in the forklifts and remembers, he makes an effort to call me. And I wish I could see him in the forklift. I think that would like, turn me on even more. But like, I don't know, would it be too much? I don't even. God, I don't even know. But like, I picture him in the, like if he goes in the forklift, I picture him in the forklift and I'm like, damn. Like, I could totally just watch you for hours drive around and use a forklift and move stuff. I don't even know what stuff he's moving with it. I have no clue. But I just know he drives forklift.

[Lyle]

What, what exactly is the picture you have in your mind when you picture him in the forklift?

[Dev]

Okay, I know he has to wear a hard hat because he sent me selfies. And he has to wear like seventh grade, like think middle school science class, like clear goggle kind of thing. Like he has to wear those for like his eye protection. I don't know, I see the forklift, like maybe a gray color. I don't know, maybe it's blue. And I know he has to wear these like greenish navy blue overalls. Coveralls, I think is what he calls them. So like picturing him in a hard hat with middle school clear glasses and overalls on in a forklift, like driving it around and like honking the horn and the horn is like pretty high pitch. I just like, I could genuinely, if I was there in person, I could sit down and I could watch him like, yeah, that is my man. That is my man. Stay away. He's mine. I, I can picture it clear as day.

[Lyle]

And.

[Sean]

Then.

[Lyle]

You don't know what, you don't know why this is. I mean, I think, I mean I, I think, you know, some people are attracted to a man in uniform. I think, you know, being Fort Lift certified, I think women in general are attracted to competence and I think being for forklift certified is a strong indicator of competence.

[Dev]

Yes.

[Lyle]

So I think it, I makes total sense to me that you would be attracted to him. When you were a kid, did you have a crush on Bob the Builder?

[Dev]

Don't do that to me. Oh, man, no, I loved Bob the Builder, actually thinking back. Yeah, no, I, I watch that shit so often. Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. My boyfriend's kind of like Bob the Builder. Oh, no, wait, I shouldn't be sad. That's not a no. No, that's just a huge. Wow. See, this is why I called you.

[Lyle]

Is Bob. Would you put Bob the Builder on your, like, hear me out list?

[Dev]

Yes. Absolute 100%.

[Lyle]

Mm. Does he. Does your boyfriend look like Bob the Builder?

[Violet]

No, he. He has more hair.

[Dev]

My dad looks like Bob the Builder.

[Lyle]

Oh, holy shit. Your boyfriend probably looks like your dad, and that's probably why you look.

[Dev]

My boyfriend does not look like my dad. My. My dad is as bald as a cucumber. My boyfriend has hair.

[Lyle]

No offense. It's not a bad thing. I think that's. No, that's, like, a documented phenomenon as people want to date people that look like the parents for some reason.

[Dev]

No, I've seen that happen.

[Lyle]

Damn. I don't know. That's pretty cool, I guess. Yeah. Hopefully. Maybe when this drops, more guys are going to be like, I got to get forklift certified.

[Dev]

I hope so. Like, it definitely. You know, I think about, like, wow, Some point in his life before he met me, he set aside time to get forklift certified, and I just find that really attractive. I'm like, you actually took time out of your day to become forklift certified, and now you're Forcliffe certified, and I get to hear about it and you get to be mine. But no men, if you're listening, get forklift certified. Like, easiest pickup line at bars, too. Like, if you're in a bar. I could totally picture it. Like, if you're in a bar and you want to go talk to this girl and you don't know what to say, you can just go up to her and be like, hey, I'm forklift certified, and I think you're really cute. I would be hooked. I know I would be hooked. Like, oh, my God. Well, you're forklift certified. Tell me more. You know, so I don't know. Maybe more men should do that.

[Lyle]

You guys are long distance, you said?

[Dev]

Yeah, we're long distance right now.

[Lyle]

Where's he at?

[Dev]

He's in Louisiana.

[Lyle]

You guys. Where'd you guys meet?

[Dev]

We met online. I do. I'm in Cali. I'm in Los Angeles, and I do, like, art stuff online. And he found my profile, and we just kind of started talking to each other casually, and it just kind of went from there.

[Violet]

He's flown here before.

[Dev]

I just actually recently flew out there. But he's planning to move to California next year, actually.

[Lyle]

And on his. Like. Like what? You guys connected on Instagram?

[Dev]

Yeah.

[Lyle]

Does he have a lot of pictures on his Instagram of him in the forklift?

[Violet]

He he doesn't.

[Dev]

Oh, my. He does not, actually. And I'm gonna get on his ass about that because I need to flex that. My boyfriend is forklift certified. I need more pictures of him in the forklift. Matter of fact, I need more pictures of him. I need more pictures of the forklift so that when he calls me and he's like, hey, babe, I'm in the forklift, I can picture the forklift. I can have a better image.

[Violet]

Right?

[Lyle]

Right.

[Dev]

I think that's a good idea.

[Lyle]

Yeah. Maybe you don't want to see the forklift. Right? Because I almost think I actually you. You know what would be so tragic is if you see him in the forklift and it's like, it's icky to you that it's. That it's so different from how you imagined it in your head. Right. I think when it comes like, in, like, right in like sexual and romantic fantasies, they're always gonna be better in your head than they are in real life. So I almost hope you never see your. But you. You're like your boyfriend in the forklift only like, stays in your imagination because that's where it's. That's where it's gonna have the highest quality. That's where every one of your dreams of fantasies will have their highest amount of pleasure to you. Is. Is in the form of dreams and fantasies.

[Dev]

I have never thought of it that way. See, and this is. I. I don't understand why you don't call yourself a professional. Because that. That makes a lot of sense. Actually. I don't want to see a picture of him. I don't mind a selfie if he's in the forklift, but I don't want to see outside the forklift. But I'm going to let my imagination run wild with that.

[Lyle]

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

[Dev]

Get forklift certified. You know, maybe you double check your hear me out list. Maybe Bob the Builder can be added to it. And God bless this country and God bless America. And I love my boyfriend so much. I love you. And he messaged me and he told me to stay if I got on phone with Geck. And he has no idea that I'm talking about this. He just knows that I tried to call you, so. Hi, babe. I love you so much and I hope you were able to ride the forklift tonight because I miss you. But thank you so much, Geck.

[Lyle]

Thank you, Dev. You have a good rest of the night.

[Violet]

Yeah. You too.

[Sophia Donner]

This is Sophia Donner from OK Storytime. Are you a creator on TikTok? This is your moment to elevate your content. Get ready for TikTok's Live Fest 2025, the biggest annual celebration spotlighting creators from around the world. Whether you're an aspiring artist singing in your bedroom, a home cook sharing your family recipes, or a gamer chasing victories in real time, there is an audience waiting for you every day. Creators worldwide hit that Go Live button on their screen to share a piece of their life and inspire millions of people. TikTok Live gives every creator a stage to unleash their talent and build their own communities. This year's Live Fest is your chance to show the world what you can do, take home real trophies and walk down the red carpet at TikTok's annual award ceremony. So whether you're just starting out on TikTok or already growing your community, check out LiveFest2025 on TikTok to find out how you can be a part of this global celebration. Let's elevate Live together.

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[Lyle]

Sound of Downy Unstoppable scent beads going into your washing machine and giving your clothes freshness that lasts all day long. There it is again. It's like music to your ears. Or more like music to your nose. That freshness is irresistible. Let's get a Downy Unstoppables bottle shake. And now a sniff solo.

[Sean]

Nice.

[Lyle]

With Downy Unstoppables, you just toss wash. Wow. For all day freshness.

[Katie Couric]

On the latest episode of Next Question with me, Katie Couric. I sat down with Bernie Sanders, who is 84 years old, has spent 34 years in Congress and he can still pack a rally with people a quarter of his age.

[Lyle]

Denver, 34,000 people come out. Salt Lake City, 20,000 people. You know, huge turnouts. People are really dissatisfied about the status quo.

[Katie Couric]

His Fighting Oligarchy tour with AOC and other young progressives has become a movement. But is his message too far to the left? Well, he certainly doesn't think so.

[Lyle]

Does that sound like a radical idea? Is that too far left for you?

[Katie Couric]

Okay, okay, I get your point, Bernie. We talk about the billionaire class, the cost of living, and of course, the government shutdown, not to mention the current state of the Democratic Party.

[Lyle]

To me, the failure of the Democratic Party has been an unwillingness to recognize the real issues.

[Katie Couric]

Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Next question with Katie Couric. And listen now.

[Lyle]

Hey, what's up?

[Sean]

Oh, dang. This the Geck?

[Lyle]

Yeah. Who is this?

[Sean]

Oh, this is Sean.

[Lyle]

Sean. Sean, you texted me and you said I did mushrooms at your Edmonton show. It was a blast. But I had a revelation about my life and it's been bothering me since. I just got back. I just got back from. Yeah, from Canada. I was in Edmonton over the weekend at McEwen University. That was a fun time. Thanks, man. Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. So were you on. When were you on mushrooms during the show or was it after the show?

[Sean]

Yeah, I was on mushrooms during the show. I. I took a couple mushroom chocolates with the girl I brought and yeah, it was. It was a good time, but kind of at the end of the show, I started having this revelation about my life and what I'm looking out of it. It's been weird, man. I don't want me to explain more.

[Lyle]

Did we meet? Did we talk? Did I talk to you?

[Sean]

No, no, I see. I tried to get Mean Greet tickets prior to the show, but it said you had to be a McEwen student to do it.

[Lyle]

Okay. So people. Just so people know, for the record, I. The school did that. I don't. I don't do, like, meet and greet tickets. I just. Usually for all my.

[Sean]

No, it's all good.

[Lyle]

And then I just stand around and meet everyone for free. Usually.

[Sean]

Yeah.

[Lyle]

Just so people fucking, you know.

[Sean]

Anyway, yeah, so, I mean, they were saying, you know, you can wait in line and meet him if you hang out. And then I was kind of tripping balls a bit, and I looked at the girl I was with and I was like, we gotta go.

[Lyle]

She also.

[Sean]

Yeah, she was. Yeah. And she was having a little bit better of a time, I was.

[Dev]

I think.

[Sean]

And that was kind of helpful. But, yeah, we went out in the town, we had some cocktails. But the whole time I was having kind of this. Hate to bring up the topic because it's been beaten like a dead horse, but existential dread. Just thinking about, you know, I had this idea of, you know, what I wanted in my life. A relationship to settle down and, you know, have a live kids, all that fun stuff. But on that shroom trip, I kind of seen your trip to Iraq and just the experiences and stuff you talked about, I kind of had this, like, flooding emotion of I haven't done enough or I haven't seen enough. And it was. It was weird. And now, you know, Monday, I'm back to my regular job and I'm thinking, what's the plan? What to do? Yeah.

[Lyle]

And it's. So, what did the. Did the show give you an existential crisis?

[Sean]

Not the show, but just, like, I think my internal thoughts of, you know, like, just seeing how so happy, like, listening to your show go about you on Iraq and you're doing mushrooms and the forest and stuff. And I was like, man, all these experiences, I started thinking back to, like, you know, some of the experiences that I've had in the. Not to compare anything, but it was more along. I felt like I owe myself more. So it was just. Yeah, it was.

[Lyle]

But, yeah, okay. I have a lot of thoughts about this. One is. Are you a. Were you a student? Are you.

[Sean]

No, no, I drove. I drove, like, two hours away. Different. In a different city. Yeah, yeah, it was. It was sweet, man. I wasn't gonna miss it. I fucking signed up for your text to say when you were coming because I heard you briefly on One Year Streams being like, I'm coming to Emerson. And I was like, when? So I walked in.

[Lyle]

So, okay. With a girl that you were with. Like, was it because. Sometimes. Because one of the tough things about like being on mushrooms, being a lot of drugs. Like if you're with somebody and you're having an existential crisis, especially someone you're like fudgeing, like you're intimate with, you know, like girlfriend, like, was it like, were you staring at her being like. And she's just like enjoying the cocktails and you're like, yo, what the fuck is this? What's going on?

[Sean]

Honestly man, when I think back to it now, I pretty sure I was like, I was quite withdrawn. Like I noticed like during the night she was kind of just asking me like, hey, how you doing? And stuff. And I wasn't given any space to say sort of shit going on in my head. I was like, oh, I'm good. I'm just, you know, tripping. But in reality I was thinking a thousand miles an hour about my life and I had some drinks and it kind of chilled out. But then like the residual effects of this, the later days has kind of been hitting me. Yeah. Just was like, I don't know if I'm ready to settle down. I'm 29, you know, I had to move back in with my parents right after Covid. So I've had a lot of time to kind of just sit and save a little bit of money. Not as much as I probably wanted to, but I don't know, it's just by being back in my parents place and you know, kind of just working my job Monday to Friday is kind of. I don't know, I think it's starting to get to me. I didn't think it was getting to me as much as it has after that mushroom trip, but you know. Sorry to ramble.

[Lyle]

No, no, no. So before the mushroom trip, were you having these thoughts?

[Sean]

You know, sometimes, but they would like they would fade away with, you know, just like distracting myself, I guess, with my everyday life, like going to work and going to do my things outside of work, like my hobbies and things like that. And then I think it would just kind of settle in when kind of got time to yourself and you're thinking about life and kind of like, you know, when you're not distracted, you kind of start to have a little more introspective thoughts and.

[Lyle]

Right.

[Sean]

Yeah. But the streams just amplified I feel like. And I think a lot of it comes from like this current relationship I'm in. It's pretty new and like been four months in, she's super into me, really nice and everything, but feel like part of me doesn't want to settle down with her and I don't know the particular reason why. And then the mushrooms kind of made me realize, like, oh, it's because you haven't really, like, lived much of a life. Like, why are you thinking about settling down? You know, you haven't done much. And that's kind of where I'm at.

[Lyle]

Well, I have a lot of thoughts about that because. And I don't. You know, here's the thing. I don't have a kid and I don't have a wife. Wife or a girlfriend. So I'm not a good authority on that. But I think in my head, I don't. I'm not a good authority to talk about this, but, like, in my head, it's like, ideally, whatever relationship you do get into or whatever, or, you know, whatever life you kind of do build is one that, like, amplifies the lifestyle that you want to have. You know, I think there's this. And that's. And again, I'm like, I'm a bad authority on it, but that's how it feels. Like in my head, like, this idea that, like, oh, I have this kind of life, I want to live. Let me live as much of it as possible until I'm bored, and then let me quote, unquote, settle down. And, like, I don't think that that works. Like, I don't think that happens. You know, I think it's like, you will. I think you're always gonna wan. If you're the kind of person that wants to do things and is ambitious or whatever, you're kind of always gonna. I think that you're. That's not. I don't think that goes away. I don't think that there is just a moment where you're like, all right, I had my fill. And now. Cuz, I mean, yeah, at that show, I talked about going to Iraq. I talked about my little adventures and stuff. And, you know, it's funny to hear that you saw that and were like, oh, I don't. Like, what have I done with my life? Because I all. I'm on Insta. Fucking. I'm on fucking Instagram all the time, dude. And I'm on. And I'm on Instagram all the time, and I'm seeing people doing things, and I'm always like, fuck, I want to be doing things. You know, there's never a. You. It's like food. You never. You don't eat a sandwich, and you go, you eat a sandwich. You go, that was a good sandwich. I feel satisfied. But you don't eat a Sandwich. And you're like, I think. I think I've eaten. You know, I don't. I don't. I don't need to eat anything.

[Sean]

Probably you're gonna want another sandwich.

[Lyle]

Yeah, you're gonna want to keep eating sandwiches and drinking. It's like, becomes these things, they become part of your homeostasis, I think. And again, I'm a. I'm a bad authority because I don't have a girlfriend and kids. But I see. But I see people who, you know, have kids and, you know, have a significant other, and they are. They're able to still kind of live life in some way. And, you know, obviously, I think. I think for people like that, I think having money is, you know, a factor, I think, you know, but also, I don't know. But also, I think some people just fucking figure out how to make it work and then they do. But so let's. I mean, you specifically, right, like, what. What do you want to do? What are the things? Like when you, when you're on your. When you're tripping and you're like, I want to do this. And then the other thing, like, what is it that you want to do?

[Sean]

I think, honestly, man, it's like travel. Really, like, really. I really wanted to go to Thailand for most of my young adult life, teenage life and. Or travel to Eastern, like, Southeast Asia and stuff. I don't know, it's just experience, like, meet more people, you know, go to different places. And part of me, I don't know, maybe this is like a whole different thing, but I feel like I have to be single to do that. Like, my brain goes, like, in this direction of, like, you can't. You have to do this on your own. Like. And I don't know if it's because I don't feel strongly enough about a partner that I want to, like, experience that with them or if I'm just like pigeonholing myself of, like, you know, get it, being lonely. I don't know, it's just been the whole thing. Like, I have this feeling that I just need to, like, not have any super strong connections with anybody so that I can, like, you know, make the, like, do this traveling and see different parts of life and meet new people because, like, I just have this anxious feeling that by, like, accepting current situation I'm in now, I won't maybe meet, like, someone else along the lines or experience certain things because I've settled down. I get. Keep going back to that settle down thing, but sure, sure.

[Lyle]

Yeah, yeah, no, I Know what you mean. I know what you mean. Well, tell me about this girl. What's her deal?

[Sean]

She's chill, man.

[Violet]

She.

[Sean]

I met her online Facebook dating, surprisingly.

[Lyle]

Facebook dating. Well, hold on. I want to get. Hold on. But I. We're gonna go on a tangent real quick. We gotta go on this.

[Sean]

Yeah, yeah.

[Lyle]

What the is going on on Facebook dating?

[Sean]

Honestly, man. So I play Xbox with this guy, and I was. I was on the apps, Tinder, Hinge, you know, and wasn't having the best time, deleted them without really, like, meeting anyone. I was just kind of like random matches, physical conversations, that whole stuff. And my friend I was playing Xbox with. I'll get to that. He told me. He's like, man, I met my girlfriend on Facebook dating. You should check it out. I was like, oh, I don't know, man. Like, Facebook dating seems like it's kind of just full of single moms. And he's like, it is. I'm dating a single mom. And I laugh. So. But anyway, in my desperation of loneliness, I downloaded Facebook dating and started swiping. And I met this girl, and she didn't have any kids, but she's new to the area. We had similar music taste. Her profile was kind of, like. Wasn't super giving. Like, it didn't tell much about her. We met out. We met up, hung out a few times, kept it pretty casual, and we ended up figuring out we had pretty much the same taste in music. She's not from around here, so she's kind of, like, new to the area. She grew up really Jehovah's Witness family and kind of had a lot of. Her life was held back from her from that culty, like, religion. So now as an adult, she moved away to Alberta when she was, like, 20 or something, and now has been trying to just, like, live life and gain her own experiences. So she's. She's chill, man. She's down into anything. And, like, that whole therapy Gecko thing, I kind of just hit her. Like, I seen you were coming. I didn't want to go alone, although I probably would have. And I was like, hey, do you want to go to therapy, Gecko? And she's like, what the is therapy? Echo showed her a few clips, and she was like, I'm down. And so I asked her, if you want to do mushrooms chocolates while we're there? And, yeah, like, it's been chill. There hasn't really been any, like. Like, major red flags or anything to make me not want to be in a relationship except my Own internal thoughts of this settling down type of mindset.

[Lyle]

Yeah, yeah. You have this like thing in your head of like, I wanna, I wanna fuck the world. Not even like in a sexual way, just, you know, like.

[Sean]

No, that's literally the best way to explain it honestly, like. Yeah, I just want to take life. Yeah. Yeah, man. It's a lot of like this pent up and like. And then it's stupid because I hear so many of your callers talk about like, you know, like the experiences they had. Like, anyone ranging from that one older lady that called, I think she was a close like 50 something to like, even the, the train guy who fucking was like a young kid and traveling. Like, I fall into this thing where I'm like, I'm getting too old and I need to make a choice when it's like, dude, I don't know. I'm not that old. Like, I'm 29. I don't know.

[Lyle]

Well, you, I mean. Well, a, A, you're not that old. And B, this idea that you have to make a choice is like. Well, I don't know. I don't. It's hard because I don't know. I don't know what you do for a living or what. Like your.

[Sean]

I work at a. I work at a homeless shelter as like a, like a support worker there.

[Lyle]

Do you get. Do you get time off?

[Sean]

Yeah, yeah, I get pretty decent amount of time off. Like two weeks paid vacation a year. And then they're really good at just giving you like unpaid time off. Like, it's not a huge deal if you take time off in there. But I usually spend my summers going to visit my brother who lives in British Columbia. But I've been thinking about even just like taking a temporary hiatus from work for a month.

[Lyle]

Well, yeah, because like, look, if they give you. I mean, I'll tell you a little bit about my experience with this kind of stuff is like, so your job for like, if they give you like unpaid time off and like you're able to kind of like, you know, I don't know if the job gives you, you know, I know it's a tough economy. Is that. Can you save money doing this gig?

[Sean]

Yeah, I mean, yeah, I'm living with my parents right now. I could definitely save enough money. Like, that's one thing too. I've. I have no excuse on that. And like, I've just been kind of living like, I pay some rent here, but not enough that I should be like not having as much save as.

[Lyle]

I do now because like, look, I went, I, yeah, I went to Iraq. I was there for five days, you know, Like, I was, I was only there for five fucking days. And it felt like a lifetime. It is five fucking days. And so, I mean, if you time things right and you save up and whatever, if you're, you know, if you're like, you want to go to Thailand, right? Like, yeah, like, you know, you save up some money, you, you take, you take off fucking whatever, Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday, of four unpaid days, if they're cool with that, right? Then you got, you got enough time for you to, you know, run away, you know, do a trip and feel like you got away with something. It doesn't always have to be. People are really stoked on the like. Like you go to hostels and stuff and everyone's like, yeah, man, I've been on the road for six months, nine months. Yeah, I'm like, I don't want it like that. I don't want to do that.

[Sean]

Yeah, it sounds like a lot.

[Lyle]

It's a lot. So you can actually, I think especially it's if they're cool with. If you can find a job that's like, cool. It sounds like, yeah, that's cool with you. Like, you know, giving you some unpaid time off and then like, you know, you're living with your parents, you save up some money. Like you can do a little bit of both. You know, you can be with this girl, but also be like, hey, listen, I gotta go to Frankfurt for four days just cuz I'm crazy and if she's cool, she'll be like, all right, yeah, I get you. Yeah, that's cool.

[Sean]

You know, I'll be back. I have to go to Afghanistan.

[Lyle]

Yeah, right, exactly, exactly. So there's like ways to do. Have you done. So this. But this bug, this is like, yeah, I want to fuck the world. I want to do all this crazy crap. I get you. I have that thing. I have that thing too. What is like, have you, have you done anything like that before? Because also you also will build up in your brain an idea of what fucking the world looks like. And it's always different from what it actually is.

[Sean]

Yeah, I did a bit of traveling when I was younger with my parents, but nothing more like super crazy. Went to Mexico and Hawaii and then Las Vegas a couple times. But the only thing I have a place I've been to in as a doll. I went on like a grad trip to Cuba, which is pretty fun, but other than that, man, I've just been Kind of like I went to school in like switched degrees three different times and spent like a solid like six years in college trying to figure out what I want to do and was working full time during that period. So I felt like a lot of my early 20s where I should have just not went to school and you know, worked some shitty job and traveled. I was kind of having that, that idea in the back of my head like, you need to, you know, get a job now and get an education so that when you're 29, you can settle down. Just like that whole trap. That's why I really like hearing you tell people, I'm sorry to go off a tangent, but tell people that they should really like reconsider university or unless they want to be like a doctor, lawyer or something. But, you know, experience life. Because I had that idea that I had to jump into school and I had to get a job order to have some sort of life. But in reality I kind of just wasted my early 20s chasing something I didn't really know what I was chasing.

[Lyle]

Well, do you, do you work in a field that has that degree?

[Sean]

Yeah, so I end up leaving, I went to school, I ended up leaving school with a diploma in social work. But I'm not going back to school to get the degree. It's just in the field of social work, it's. You kind of get a degree if, or a master's if you want to work for the government. But other than that, it's just kind of an experience based work kind of employment. So like, it's just the longer you, you know, are in the field, the better opportunities you'll get and stuff. And so I'm really good where I'm at right now. I make a decent amount and enough that I can live. Yeah, that was another thing. I struggled. Yeah, go on.

[Lyle]

That says, what were you gonna say?

[Sean]

Oh, just the whole early 20s thing, like I. Bouncing between different jobs and stuff. Like this job I have right now, I've been there for the last two and a half years. I, it's like the first job I've actually not wanted to unalive myself after my work, you know, like, I really enjoy what I do, so it's, it's really cool. This whole last two and a half years, three years of working there and just being in the social work field has been given me a lot of breathing room to think about other things in my life.

[Lyle]

I think. Well, I think my ultimate take on this and is like, if it's something you even kind of feel like you want to do and you have the. The resources to do it, which it sounds like you're set up in a way that you can do it, you know, you should do it. But I don't think it has to be this. But I don't think it has to be. The way you're talking about it is like. It's like you're calling off a wedding or something.

[Sean]

Months.

[Lyle]

Like you can. You can go on vacation.

[Sean]

You know, I have this fucking habit of just doing that.

[Lyle]

Like an all or nothing kind of thing.

[Sean]

Yeah, exactly. Like just not taking it, but day by day sort of thing. It's always been an issue, but yeah, I guess just talking it out is. Talking about helps for sure.

[Lyle]

Yeah. I have this. I have the same thing where a part of me goes like, should I need to go to. Like, I just have. I just always have this fucking thing in my head that makes the. I saw some tick tock that was like, there's people who kind of like settle into whatever it is they're doing out of college and they're like, okay, you know, I'll just do this. And they do it for 30 years and then that's it. And then there's people who like, every five years they just get this urge. They're like seekers. Like, every five years they just get this urge to like, destroy their life and start in there. And I'm like, that, that's me. That's me. That's me to a T. And you. And I've. I've done that and then I've come back and I've been like, wait, I shouldn't destroy my life. I got a good life. And I've over time figured out like, okay, how do I do a little bit of both? How do I have. Make room for, you know, how do I make room to, like, have bananas and you know, like a workout routine and like, just live like a normal person, but then also, you know, do random shit. And I've kind of tried to like, over time build something that really intentionally looked like that. And it's possible. So I don't think you have to be either. I don't think you have to either be a vagabond or a office worker. I think there's something in between. A lot of people do it.

[Sean]

Yeah. No, you're right. Yeah.

[Lyle]

Did your. Did your girlfriend like the show?

[Sean]

Yeah, dude, it was fucking awesome. That girl. That girl Shane that came up on stage first, man, that was. That was wild.

[Lyle]

Yeah.

[Sean]

And then the other guy that Got. Yeah, he was chill. I liked him. I felt like we could be homies.

[Lyle]

Yeah. There was a girl that came on stage and talked about all of her.

[Sean]

Like, she's like, I'm a something whore.

[Lyle]

Yeah. She said. She said that she was, like, addicted.

[Sean]

To, like, hooking up with straight guys.

[Lyle]

Hooking up with straight guys. And then, like, she told. She talked about this, like, guy who was like, you know, he's. I. He said he, like, he gave her his home address and was like, I'm gonna leave the door open. I'm gonna be blindfolded, face down, ass up. You come in and you do whatever you want.

[Sean]

Yeah, that's a. I like his, like, his bravery, and you know that. That guy's. That guy's take on just taking the world face down.

[Lyle]

Yeah.

[Sean]

Good for him.

[Lyle]

No, that guy does. That guy is.

[Sean]

He doesn't stress about where to travel. I bet he.

[Lyle]

I don't think he does. I agree with you, man. I don't think that's a really good take. Yeah, that's not a very neurotic guy. That's not an anxious person. The guy who is just, like, the door is unlocked. Steal all my stuff. Who cares? Yeah.

[Sean]

Respect to him.

[Lyle]

What's your name again, man?

[Sean]

I am Shawn Ruddy.

[Lyle]

Sean.

[Sean]

Yeah, Sean.

[Lyle]

Sean. Sean was. Good talk. I'm glad I got to catch up with someone who was at that show, because that was a fun time. And also, yeah, I empathize with you on a lot of your thoughts and feelings, but I do. I hope that. Because it's totally the kind of thing that when you talk about it aloud, you're like, oh, I'm. I was building it up in my head, so I hope.

[Sean]

Yes, pretty much. Pretty much. It was really helpful. I appreciate it.

[Lyle]

Good man. Is there anything else you want to say to the people of the computer before we go?

[Sean]

Yeah. Would you mind if I possibly shouted out my Instagram? I'm a amateur mixed martial arts fighter, and more following I have, the better it is for me. Okay.

[Lyle]

Yeah, sure. Go ahead. Yeah.

[Sean]

Follow me on Instagram. Stc403allerscore. Really appreciate it, guys. Love you, guy. Thanks for everything you do, brother. Have a good night.

[Lyle]

Real quick, where in Canada are you actually from? Because I'm gonna. I think next time I tour, I want to do more of the. Like, I've done, like, Vancouver and Toronto and. But I wanted.

[Sean]

I'm in Alberta and Edmonton. You came to, like, you came to Edmonton. I live, like, two hours south of there. You should do, like, Red Deer or Calgary? I live in Red Deer. It's between Edmonton and Calgary. But you should definitely do Calgary, man. It's a beautiful city. You'll like it a lot more than Edmonton. No offense, Edmonton, but sick, sick.

[Lyle]

Yeah, Edmonton was a little depressed. I mean, the show was great, but the city itself was a little depressing.

[Sean]

Yeah, we call it Gotham City around, but.

[Lyle]

Take care, Sean. Thank you, man.

[Sean]

You too. Bye, buddy.

[Lyle]

Now, Edmonton was cool. We went to the mall. The Edmonton mall. Oh, here's my favorite part about Edmonton. For the A W, we went to a A W where they put the mug like they put like a glass mug in the freezer and then they take it out and they pour the root beer in it. That's the best thing about the whole city is they got A and Ws everywhere. Tim Hortons. Tim Hortons destroys. Destroys the shit out of Starbucks. Fuck Starbucks. I haven't talked enough on this podcast about how much I hate Starbucks. And they give you the little. They give you like a teeny little itty bitty. Like their idea of like a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich is like an itty bitty English muffin with a little bit of cheese and sausage and whatever. It's like a tiny little circle. You can make it with your pointer finger and your thumb. $7. Go fuck yourself, Tim Hortons. They'll give you diabetes for three Canadian dollars. That's like one American penny. It's great.

[Sophia Donner]

This is Sophia Donner from OK Storytime. Are you a creator on TikTok? This is your moment to elevate your content. Get ready for TikTok's Live Fest 2025, the biggest annual celebration spotlighting creators from around the world. Whether you're an aspiring artist singing in your bedroom, a home cook sharing your family recipes, or a gamer chasing victories in real time, there's an audience waiting for you every day. Creators worldwide hit that Go Live button on their screen to share a piece of their life and inspire millions of people. TikTok Live gives every creator a stage to unleash their talent and build their own communities. This year's Live Fest is your chance to show the world what you can can do. Take home real trophies and walk down the red carpet at TikTok's annual award ceremony. So whether you're just starting out on TikTok or already growing your community, check out LiveFest2025 on TikTok to find out how you can be a part of this global celebration. Let's elevate live together.

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[Gemma Spake]

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[Katie Couric]

Next Question with me, Katie Couric. I sat down with Bernie Sanders, who is 84 years old, has spent 34 years in Congress and he can still pack a rally with people a quarter of his age.

[Lyle]

Denver, 34,000 people come out. Salt Lake City, 20,000 people. You know, huge turnouts. People are really dissatisfied about the status quo.

[Katie Couric]

His Fighting Oligarchy tour with AOC and other young progressives has become a movement. But is his message too far to the left? Well, he certainly doesn't think so.

[Lyle]

Does that sound like a radical idea, Katie? Is that too far left for you?

[Katie Couric]

Okay, okay, I get your point, Bernie. We talk about the billionaire class, the cost of living, and of course the government shutdown, not to mention the current state of the Democratic Party.

[Lyle]

To me, the failure of the Democratic Party has been an unwillingness to recognize the real issues.

[Katie Couric]

Open your free iHeartRadio app search next Question with Katie Couric and listen now.

[Gemma Spake]

Run a business in not thinking about radio? Think again because more people are listening to the radio on iHeart today than they were 20 years ago. And only iHeart broadcast radio connects with more Americans than TV, digital, social, any other media, even twice as many teens than TikTok. And that reach means everything. Just think about the universal marketing formula. The number of consumers who hear your message times the response rate equals the results. Now let's get those results growing for your business. Radio's here now more than ever. And iheart's leading the way. Think radio can help your business. Think iheart Streaming, podcasting, and radio where the reach is real. Let us show [e-mail] that's iheartadvertising.com or call 844-844. Iheart one more time. Just call 844-844-Iheart and get radio working for you.

[Lyle]

Hey, what's up everybody? How's it going? It's Lyle and I'm here to end the episode by reading some viewer mail. But before I do that, I want to do a little thing. I want to let you guys know that I am currently in the process of planning another tour for 2026. This would be my fourth time taking therapy Gecko on the road. I'm really excited to get back out there. I took a long break from doing shows and I feel like I have had adequate time to rest and chill and now I'm ready to get back out there and hit you guys with some some stories from my life and combine that with some stories from the audience's life and, you know, have a good time and do some shows. So if the idea of coming to a live show interests you, you can click the link in the episode description. I have a link that allows you to sign up for a text alert. It's very helpful to get the word out to people about the shows. If you sign up for a text alert, that will let you know when I am coming to your city and it will let you know when I drop the tour dates. So go in the Lincoln of the Go into the episode description of the podcast. I don't know why I'm stumbling over my words today, but go into the episode description of the podcast, put your phone number or email in there so that I can let you know when I'm coming to your city in 2026, and especially if you live in New York City, because I'm going to try to start up a kind of a regular recurring show between now and that tour to kind of get some material together and practice being back on stage. But anyway, let's get into some geck mails. This is from Marcos Subject line. I ran my first marathon with my 62 year old day. Hello, Geck. I hope you are doing all right. We had talked before. I was the caller who destroyed your optimism with the meta glasses convo. I think I remember that. I think that was a conversation where I was being optimistic about the rejection of new technology. And then you told me you bought the meta glasses, and I was like, okay, well, we're fucked anyway. On October 5, I ran the Twin Cities Marathon with my father and two brothers. My father has ran many before in his prime, and he's always wanted to run one with his three sons. That was my main motivation to sign up. Oh, that's cute. So I start training in January, and I was very impressed with how far I can run. I felt limitless, as if I awoke a new potential within me. Race day came and I felt hella nervous. Everything was going fine until mile 19. I was lagging behind and they had started taking down the mile markers. So for the next six miles, I had no idea how much further to go, and I was in all sorts of pain. My mom decided to join me and my dad on the last portion of the race to motivate us. Thankfully, I made it to the finish line with one last sprint. I finished in 7 hours and 30 minutes, and I would do it again. Oh, shit, man. Seven hours of running. That's incredible. Crazy. Shout out to my wife for supporting me the whole time. Shout out to my family for being there at the end of the finish line. Congratulations, Marcos. That's cool. I don't know why I'm making everything about me, but I'm. I. I'd like to run a marathon one day. I don't know. I don't know if I'm ever gonna do that. I don't like running. I like walking. Like, I would. I could easily. I mean, I don't know about easily, but like, if you were like, hey, you want to go on a 50 mile walk? I'd be like, sure. That sounds like it could be fun. You know, I like a nice pace, but a run is like, if I don't have anything to run from, I don't really want to run. But I'm glad that you did it. Someone's got to do it. I think. You know what always confused me is the like. Like the breast cancer awareness walks and like, not specifically breast cancer, but you know what I mean, where it's like, walk for diabetes, walk for cancer type of stuff. Like when we were growing up, I mean, I'm sure they still do it, but. Because I always thought I was like, I. When I was a kid, I thought that somehow the walking itself cured the cancer. And now I realize, no, you pay. I think this is how you work. You pay. I've never ran one of these things, but you pay money and then you do the walk and then they donate the money to like a cancer research place. But don't. Wouldn't. You don't have to do the walk. You can just do the. Give the money. It should be called money for. Should be called money for cancer. Folks, I'm going on tour. It's going to be great. No, I'm. Yeah, that sounds. Sounds good. I'm glad you did that. Okay. Interesting. This is from Shade subject line, unhappiness while happy. Hey, Lyle, I've been wanting to message you forever. You can read my silly email name if you'd like, but I'll go by Timothy. Okay, I'll call you Timothy. I have everything a man could say they want, but I'm pretty chronically unhappy. I have a fiance and we had a baby recently. She's a. She's a year and a half old and the light of my life. And we have two cats and a dog. The worst thing about my living situation is living with my fiance's mom, who is 70 and always talks in a baby voice and pushes boundaries by always just being in our grill and being hella overbearing. I live in Texas where weed is illegal. I got in trouble twice consecutively for the penjamin and bud after that six year debacle. All I wanted to do when I was 26 and done with that was travel. Wait, hold on. After that six year debacle, did you get. Did you get thrown in jail? What is the six year debacle? I'm gonna assume you got thrown in jail. I don't. Okay. Anyway, all I wanted to do when I was 26 and done with that was travel. I've already traveled a lot as a kid to New York and London, but not nearly as much as I wanted to, but almost right after I got off probation. Okay, there it is. I got with my fiance and we made our baby. Who is my mini me? That's cute. I have a chronic case of wanderlust and I'm diagnosed bipolar, depressive and insomniac. I deal with this by smoking and drinking constantly. I know it's a terrible way to self medicate and I need to probably just get on meds like you instead of killing my liver faster with alcohol. I'm not. I'm not on any SSRIs? I take stimulants and they're fucking great. But anyway. But I've also had plenty of times where I was trying to. I also self medicate severely with, you know, weed and alcohol and masturbation. So, you know, I mean, we can. We can kind of go eye to eye on this. I probably need to get on meds like you instead of killing my liver faster with alcohol. But it's a remedy that's right there, and it's become habitual. That's the. Dude that's. One of the hardest things about, like, taking fucking meds is you go to the doctor and the doctor's like, okay, we have a thing and it might make your situation a little bit better or it might make it way worse and you have to take it for three months to find out. That's like what getting on SSRIs is like. And then. And then alcohol is like, hey, you want to make the. You want to make that shit stop right fucking now? Obviously you. You know, it's not a good idea. You go into. You go into a form of emotional debt. But again, I'm not gonna say I don't get it. I yearn for the empty roads, for the sights, for the feeling of living something I should have at a younger age. I'm only 29 now, but in 18 years, when my baby is bigger, I'll be damn near 50. My life as a kid was pretty traumatic, so substance abuse issues when I was a kid were prevalent. But now it's just the beer. My dad died drinking and driving when I was 8. And my dad's dad was a Vietnam vet who had PTSD and hardcore depression. He drank himself to cirrhosis of the liver. I can't follow these assholes to a young grave. Mostly for my daughter, but also I always told myself I'd break the cycle. And here I am looking my daughter in the face, debating when to take the first drink of the night closer to bedtime. I have a lot more to talk about, and this isn't laid out the best, but thanks, Geck, for everything you do. I've been listening for five years and any advice, I would be great. You know, Well, a few things. I mean, this is definitely real therapist stuff, but I do have thoughts, you know, I will have a lot of. I have a lot of thoughts. Why? I want to know. Why are you unhappy? Because I'm thinking about times in my life where I've like, self medicated with alcohol or weed or whatever it is, and it's because I was unhappy, because I was really stressed and, you know, like you said, it's right fucking there, you know, and then all these, like, external. The mere presence of external things in your life, like your fiance and your baby and your. Your job and whatever it is, like the mere presence of positive, external things in your life is useless if you can't. If you don't have the internal shit figured out to, like, appreciate them and like, dive into them, you know? I mean, it also sounds like you. I mean, yeah, you definitely have some kind of like, biological issue going on that you got to talk to a professional about. And I. I'm trying to think of, like, advice just from my own experience of, like, depression and substance shit. I mean, you definitely. You're doing way better than your dad and your dad's dad did. Doing way better. Doing way better than your dad and your dad's dad did. A. Because you're not. I hope you're not drinking and driving. You're not dead. And you see, I don't know. Something. I don't know your dad. I don't know your dad's dad, but I don't know if your dad and your dad's dad ever had the self awareness to, you know, send an email to a lizard asking for advice. You know, I mean, that's a bare minimum amount of self awareness that it seems like you have. And I. And that's the whole thing, right? It's like knowing you have a problem is part of solving the problem. So that's good. You seem to know a lot about yourself, Timothy. You seem to know a lot about yourself, which is great because some people, they're just floating, right? Like, you know, you're just getting drunk just because there's nothing else to do. And you're fucking floating and you're, you know, just feel like you're drowning. But you got a lot of good information, you know. You know that what you're experiencing is part of a cycle from your family. You know, that you love your daughter. Some people don't know that. Some people don't. Some people, like, look at their kid and they're like, I don't know if I like, if I love this kid or. Some people look at their significant other and they're like, I don't know about this person. But you see, you know, I could tell that, you know. You know, that you like to travel. That's great. You know what you don't want, you know, you want to be a good dad, you know, you Want to be a good husband, you know, you want to. You know, you want to get better. That's the thing. Some people don't want to get better or they don't even know what the f. They don't even have, like, roles to slip in. I feel like that's a big thing that people get just. People get lost to. You know, they don't have a. They don't have somebody to be a good father to or to be a good husband to, or they don't have a. A thing in life to even, like, show up to. But you've got some stuff that you know, in your gut is worth showing up to. And so if I had to give any advice to this email, I would say, like, well, okay, you know, make a list or at least a mental note of these things that you want to be and you want to show up to and, you know, go from there. Because I don't think you. I don't know if you can just. Not a. I'm not a life coach or anything like that, but I'm just, like, talking out of my ass here. But I don't know if you can just, like, stop drinking or stop whatever your negative behavior is. I think, at least in my case, I've always had to replace it with something else. Like if I'm like. Like, for example, like, if I'm addicted to porn or I'm addicted to, like, whatever it is, and. And I'll notice if I'm in the. If I'm doing something that's positive or I'm, like, fulfilling one of my positive values or whatnot. I'll be like, oh, it's been two days since I've jacked off and I didn't even have to try, you know, because you're busy on something else. I think that wanderlust shit, because I have that too. I think that comes from like a. We talked about it earlier in the episode, like, you want to the world, you know, and sometimes. Sometimes, yeah, you just want. You just need a change of state. Or you're just like, dude, I'm trying to verbally express a feeling I have in my gut right now. And maybe some people understand it, but, like, yeah, sometimes that manifests in, like, beautiful stuff, and the other times it manifests in drinking yourself to death. But that was a whole rant and ponder. I don't know if that was. I don't know if this was helpful to you in any way, Timothy, but that's my takeaway. I don't know if this is helpful for you just having somebody else read this. But my main takeaway from this is that in your email you have line. You have outlined things that you care about and so you have a direction. I'm. I can't give you advice on. I mean, I. I can't give you advice on like how to move in that direction, but I can just tell you my perspective reading this email is that you have a direction which is more than most people have. So, you know, take a look at that. I hope that was helpful. Okay. Oh, here's. Oh, this. Oh, I read this one off. Off the mic. Just like when I was. I was just look at the Geck mail on my phone and I thought it was really funny. I took a screenshot of this and I sent it to my group chat with my friends. It got nine laugh reacts. Okay, this is from Tom. Subject line. And this is from Tom. It just says, hey, Geck. Just wondering why every episode is about sex. Lately everyone just talks about sex. There isn't any therapy happening here. Just talking about sex used to be really cool and interesting stories told. Now it's just sex. Hope it gets interesting soon, exclamation point. I don't know what to tell you, Tom. People really. People really like having sex. It's one of the main things. It's. It's. It's real. Sex is really our only. It's the only like, logistical meaning of life. I think because we're humans, we try to kind of come up with other things and they always end up leading back to sexual. But yeah, that's what our. That's like our biological function. Stay alive, reproduce. Humans are interesting. We figured out a way to reproduce without the baby part. Isn't that interesting. We were like, wait, this just feels good. Let's just do it with it without the whole having a baby part. Isn't that crazy? Like biologically, we're supposed to reproduce once or I guess I don't like biologically. Every time you have sex, the purpose is to make a baby. Imagine if every time you had sex, you made a baby. That's what they used to do. But we're geniuses. We invented condoms, we invented contraceptives. And we were like, let's just do it just for fun. And so people are having fun now. It's fun times. You should try having sex, Thomas. It's nice. I'm not even. I'm not saying that as like a diss to you. You might have a lot of you might have. I actually think this, this emailer has so much sex that the reason they're tired of hearing about people talk about sex in the podcast is because they're like, I have sex so much in my regular life. I listen to the Therapy Gecko podcast to get away from sex. And in that case, Tom, I'm, I'm sorry, but, you know, I don't control what people say on here. I mean, I kind of do a little bit. I, you know, I'll edit out calls that I don't want to put in the podcast. But you know, sex is a universal concept. It's not even like a human universal concept. It's like a biological universal concepts. So you know it's gonna come up. That's all I'm saying. This is from Rollin. Subject line. 26 years old without social media. Hi, Gecko. I'm a 26 year old male and I know. And I no longer have social media or scroll away hours of my life on my phone. It's come with its drawbacks, but not really the ones you'd think. I've gotten a lot of my friends and family telling me to get off my high horse and I'm just trying to be different and better than all of them. What? That's crazy, by the way. You are better than all of them. I want you to know something. If you, and this goes to everyone, if you don't have social media, you, you are better than everyone else. If you don't have social media and you don't eat meat and, and you run five miles a day and you like, eat like fruits and vegetables, you're better than everyone else. You are objectively much better of a human being. If you, like, if you give to charity, like, you just, you just are, you're a better human being than everyone else. And I think, I think you get to, I think the reward, like, because it's a lot of work being better than everyone else and you know, it's a lot of work to remove yourself from your vices and like, try to do the things you're supposed to do. And part of the reward of that is that you just get, you get to be better than everyone else. It's a, it's a totally, totally fair system. That's why I don't care. I don't care if someone is pretentious to me about their achievements or about like, like if you, if we're talking and you're acting like you're better than me because you don't eat meat or you don't have social media, or whatever virtual or you read whatever virtue thing is. I don't get offended at all. I think you're right and you deserve to be able to do that. I. But I also, also, Rollin, I don't know you, but I think you're a good guy. I don't even think you're being a dick about it, which makes you even better. That makes you. Oh my God, Rollin, you're so much better than everyone else. Because I can tell you're not being a dick about it when you are well within your right to be a dick about it. I'm impressed by you, Rollin. Okay, let me finish reading the email. I don't think that's the case. I'm not like the annoying, overbearing preacher telling people they must stop scrolling or they were perish in the depths of hell. They can do what they want. I just don't want to waste any more of my time. I guess what really bothers me is that whenever someone asks for my social media, I say, I don't have social media. And apparently that's a red flag. Hold on. Okay, you don't know this because you don't have social media, Rollin, but like, dude, there's a phenomenon going on. I've. I've both seen it on TikTok and I've like talked to people about it where like, women want a man with no social media. And I've, Some people have. I don't think this is true. I don't think this is like, in general, but I've talked to a lot of people lately who are like, I want a boyfriend with no friends who plays sudoku in his room alone. I think there's a lot of people who don't want that. But there's a certain. But like, I actually, I think a lot of people find that attractive. Or like, I'll see some TikTok where it's like manifesting this and it's like an Instagram account with no posts, no followers and no one they're following. So I don't think it's a red flag necessarily. Also, when I also, like, I mean that whatever I gave the, the dating aspect of it, but also like, if I meet someone and they say they don't have any social media, I immediately find them. I immediately am like, oh, you actually genuinely are different from everyone else. You're way more interesting. I, I want to talk to you. You have more interesting thoughts. I just believe that. So it's a green flag. The follow up question is why don't you have it? It bothers me because I don't have a real answer that makes any sense. Yes, you do. You. You totally have a real answer that makes sense as to why you don't have it. You don't have it because it's a waste of your life. You know, I have it because it makes you. It increases depression and it makes you compare your life to everyone else instead of living your own life. It wastes a ton of time. It makes you fucking anxious, dude. The most calm I fucking feel is if I go like a few days without looking at my phone. My phone makes me so fucking anxious. And we know it too, and we just keep doing it. Sincerely, a social digital ghost somewhere in the middle of Canada. That would be depressing to me. I was just in the middle of Canada at a fun time, but it's too isolated from other people. I think the. Yeah, if you can just be around real human beings, then you're good. I mean, have a phone. Have like a phone number, have a notes app. But you're not missing anything, man. You're not missing anything. It's like, I mean, whatever. I don't want to be the 800th person to go on this rant, but it's like we're just getting programmed, dude. We're just getting program. You. You have a fresh, interesting mind. You're not programmed by anything. Oh, Rollin. Your friends and family suck, dude. No, they don't. I don't know. I don't know them. I don't want to say that, but I will say that you're better than all of them. I'll say that with confidence. All right, let's do a couple more emails. Subject line. I did copious amounts of Molly that I was meant to sell. What's up, Geck Reezy here.

[Sean]

What's up?

[Lyle]

I'll get into it. My friend got married in September of 2022. That same night I was first introduced to Molly. I remember my friend telling me, whatever I do, do not take it alone in my bedroom. Why? So I did and soon regretted it after I began overthinking and hyperventilating because I had zero knowledge on what the substance would do to me. Okay, that makes sense. After a few minutes, I managed to calm down by listening to music. I left my house and crashed at a friend's place. He was pretty chill about the situation. October was rolling around. No pun intended. That was me saying the no pun intended. He did not write no pun intended. October was rolling around and it was time for me to go back to college. Here's where things get messy. I asked my friend for another one to take with me to college. And then he asked if I would be interested in taking a whole bunch to sell. Maybe young entrepreneur here. I agreed. And there I was in my dorm with more Molly than I know what to do with for the next series of days. I began just popping them whilst playing niche custom games in Overwatch and listening to music. Until one night I realized nothing was happening anymore. No buzz or restless feeling. I managed to sell only one pill and completely used the rest. Safe to say after paying for the whole batch, I'm done with drugs altogether. The next year felt odd. I was slightly less connected to everything, slightly slower and more stoic. Even with the probable irreversible damage, it was a somewhat profound experience. Reezy. Thank you for sharing. Reezy. I'm gonna say it. Molly is the best drug that is invented. It's the best drug. I haven't, I've done, I haven't done a full, full, full, full dose of Molly in like three and a half years, but I've done like a teensy bit between now and then. And I mean, yeah, it's, it's the best. Like a full. And that's the way to do Molly. You can't like do it every. It's not. You can't fucking do it every day because it'll just fuck your shit up. And the first time you ever do it like, is like nothing else. It's the goddamn best. But yeah, I mean, I've been to music festivals before where people are like, yeah, we're gonna do it every day of this four day festival and they have a good time. But it's too much. It's too much. How much was that whole thing of Molly also doing it? A lot. Also. There's people who do it. It's fun to do with. I. It's great to do like, like I don't go to the club, I don't like the club. Like I don't have a good time there. I think too much. I can, I can only really say this as like a anxious overthinker on drugs guy is that there's, there's certain drugs that like take you, put you, take you in and then drugs that take you out. And I'm a very in guy. I'm always thinking, always in my head I'm like, you know, whatever. Molly's fucking great because it just, it like remove like removes your ability to not be in the present. Like, I just. Oh, I'm just so fucking present when I'm on it and that. And I don't even. Because. And when I'm there, I don't even give a shit what what's around me, you know, if I'm, like, in the. If I'm, like, high in the club, I'm like, none of these people would give a shit if I died. And, you know, I said. I was trying to be funny when I said that, but it came out depressing. I'm having a good time talking into this microphone. I hope you guys are here with me. But, yeah, like, acid or shrooms and stuff. I don't know why people do that shit at music festivals. Because it takes you in where Molly just brings you out. So, like, I've been like, the last time I took Molly, I was at some music festival, like, three years ago. And. And then I got separated for the people I was with. And then I just went back to the hotel and I sat on the toilet and I had a fucking. I was just thinking about how much I love my life. And I just had a great time alone on the toilet doing Molly. So it's. You can do it on the toilet or you can do it with friends. What else can you do on the. It's one of the few things that you can have a lot of fun doing, both alone on the toilet and with friends. Pooping. Only fun alone on the toilet. There's a wider range of things that are funner that are more fun to do alone on the toilet than with friends. Pretty much anything that is fun to do with friends is also fun to do alone on the toilet. Shitting and pissing is not fun to do with fr. Actually, I mean, if you each have your own toilet. If you're like, yeah. If you. Yeah. I mean, yeah. If you're, like, out with your friends and you're sitting at a bar and you take a big shit and your friends all. Actually, that sounds fun too. If, like, you're. We're all out at a sports bar and one guy's like. And there's six of you, and one guy's like, hey, you guys all want to take shits together? Then you do, and you smell bad and you're laughing and you're diarrhea ing and you're connecting. Actually, that actually does sound more fun than doing it alone. So never mind. I think there's. I think you'll have more fun. I think most things are more fun to do with friends. Than alone on the toilet, including pissing and shitting. All right, that was the Therapy Gecko podcast. I felt good about this one. I thought it was fun. I hope you guys enjoyed it. Please go to therapygeckotour.com and also check the link in the episode description so that you can get notified when I come to your city in 2026 or when I do my little quick New York shows. I'm telling some. I'm coming out with my Iraq video soon. But you know, in the show I'm gonna tell some stories that are not in the video and I also have some other stories from my life and travels and whatnot that I'm gonna tell. So, you know, I'm putting together a show that's gonna be like 50% chatting with the audience, 50% doing comedy and storytelling and stuff like that. So go check it out. Therapy Gecko Tour Calm. I'm Lyle. I appreciate you listening to the show. Thank you guys very much for being here. I read all the Spotify comments alone on the toilet because I'm insane. So if you want to. So if you want to say, if you want to write something that you know for sure, I will see, that's the place to do it. Anyway, thank you guys. See you on the next one.

[Katie Couric]

On the latest episode of Next Question with me, Katie Couric, I sat down with Bernie Sanders. We've talked many times over the years, and today he even throws a few questions my way.

[Lyle]

All right, are you ready for another question?

[Dev]

Go ahead, hit me, Bernie.

[Katie Couric]

We talk about the billionaire class, the cost of living, and of course, the government shutdown. Listen to Next Question with me, Katie couric. On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lyle]

On an all new episode of iHeartRadio's Las Culturistas, Jennifer Lawrence is dishing Jennifer Lawrence from her hilariously awkward run ins with a listers.

[Dev]

I don't know what I was expecting, but he was just like, nice to meet you.

[Lyle]

To her unfiltered take on beauty treatments.

[Dev]

I'm so upset. The Botox before that and a jaw.

[Lyle]

Dropping reveal you won't see coming.

[Dev]

I don't know if I can announce.

[Lyle]

This, but I'm just gonna open your free iHeartRadio app, search Las Culturistas and listen to the full podcast now. What up, y'? All? It's your boy Kev onstage. I want to tell you about my new podcast called not my Best Moment, where I talk to artists, athletes, entertainers, creators, friends, people I admire who've had massive success about their massive failures. What did they mess up on?

[Sean]

What is their heartbreak and what did.

[Lyle]

They learn from it? I got judged horribly.

[Gemma Spake]

The judges were like, you're trash.

[Lyle]

I don't know how you got on the show. Check out not my best moment with me, Kev OnStage on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Big Take podcast from Bloomberg News keeps you on top of the biggest stories of the day.

[Sean]

My fellow Americans, this is Liberation Day.

[Lyle]

Stories that move markets.

[Gemma Spake]

Chair Powell opened the door to this.

[Lyle]

First interest rate cut, impact politics, change businesses.

[Dev]

This is a really stunning development for.

[Lyle]

The AI world and how you think.

[Violet]

About your bottom line.

[Lyle]

Listen to the Big Take from Bloomberg News every weekday afternoon on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Robert Smith and this is Jacob Goldstein and we used to host a show called Planet Money.

[Sean]

And now we're back with making this.

[Lyle]

New podcast called Business History about the best ideas and people and businesses in history and some of the worst people, horrible ideas and destructive companies in the history of business. First episode, how Southwest Airlines used cheap seats and free whiskey to fight its way into the airline business. The most Texas story ever. Listen to Business history on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Gemma Spake]

This is an iHeart podcast.