“I’M DATING AN ESCORT”

Summary

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Therapy Gecko – “I’M DATING AN ESCORT”

Podcast: Therapy Gecko
Host: Lyle (aka the Therapy Gecko)
Date: May 24, 2026
Episode Overview:
This episode dives into unconventional and emotionally complex relationships, stigma around sex work, personal transformation, and finding connection—whether it’s with a partner or a random video game companion. Lyle, dressed as his signature lizard persona, responds with empathy, humor, and directness as callers share vulnerable details about love, heartbreak, and navigating societal expectations.

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Main Theme

The central theme of the episode is love and relationships navigating beyond societal norms—particularly focusing on a caller who is in a loving relationship with a former escort, the stigmas and challenges that come with it, as well as calls about heartbreak, divorce, and the search for connection in modern life.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caller: John – “I’m Dating an Escort”

Segment Start: [01:46]

• Background: John reveals he has been in a loving relationship for over a year with a woman he initially hired as an escort. She was also a porn star.
• Initial Motivation & Self-Sabotage:
  • John admits to self-sabotaging his previous non-problematic relationship out of cowardice by seeing escorts, as a way to force an ending ([05:21] “I think I take the coward way out of a relationship where there wasn’t really anything wrong. And I wasn’t able to have that talk. So I started looking into being… probably like a very dark cope.”).
• Organic Connection:
  • Their initial encounter wasn’t “sparks flying,” but subsequent meetings led to genuine romance ([06:26]).
• Transitioning from Work:
  • The woman continued working as an escort for the first few months of their relationship while saving for a career change, which was intensely difficult for John ([08:00], [08:53]).
  • John describes trying to be mature and not interfering with her professional transition, acknowledging the irony since he was a former client.
• Intimacy Dynamics:
  • John expected issues with real intimacy due to the past transactional nature of her work but found the reality “surprisingly easy” and “really, really nice” ([10:27], [10:48]).
  • “[I was] expecting that someone who’s used to… every romantic interaction being so transactional, would also kind of mess things up. But… that’s also been really nice.” ([11:20])
• Cultural Differences & Gender Roles:
  • John is from Western Europe; his partner is from Eastern Europe. Their relationship bridges ‘traditional’ and ‘modern’ gender roles:
    • John serves more as a ‘provider’ ([14:26]), which he finds rewarding (“I feel a lot more purpose than I’m used to from beforehand.” [15:37]).
• Reflections on Stigma:
  • John describes how stigma made him expect disaster, but instead, he discovered deep, mutual care and a “motherly” kind of nurturing in his partner ([19:15]);
    • “Just really surprising with this person… I just see someone who has a lot more of a deep-rooted motherly thing, a lot of care and appreciation of other people, which also is something I feel like I wasn’t expecting… from someone coming from that type of profession.” ([19:15])
• Host’s Perspective:
  • Lyle reframes the relationship, focusing on its health and mutual satisfaction:
    • “If you found a lady that you like, she wants to have a traditional relationship where you provide for her… as long as you’re both happy, I don’t see why this is that crazy.” ([22:12])
  • Lyle highlights the core questions for such relationships: Does the man feel taken advantage of? Does the woman feel controlled? If not, their arrangement works ([24:32]).
• Takeaway Advice:
  • John cautions others not to expect his “unicorn” experience if they date sex workers, but encourages open-mindedness ([26:10]).

Notable Quotes

• John [03:27]:
  “Most of the stuff you read is just made up. It’s basically just sex fantasies. But actually going, being in the situation, it actually revealed a lot of interesting stuff.”
• Lyle [22:12]:
  “You found a lady that you like… you seem like you’re into that. It sounds like both of you are happy with what you got going on… I don’t think there’s anything particularly that unique about this situation.”
• John [22:42]:
  “It’s actually really refreshing that you’re saying this.”

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2. Caller: Jacob – Divorce, Betrayal, and Custody Turmoil

Segment Start: [31:25]

• Background:
  • Jacob, 21, shares a chaotic, painful story of his young marriage unraveling due to infidelity, mental health crises, and a fierce custody battle.
• Key Events:
  • After returning from a family tragedy, Jacob’s wife asks for a divorce, admits to cheating, and soon after, leaves with the kids ([32:13]-[34:44]).
  • Jacob is later hospitalized after making alarming statements, returns home to find his family gone.
  • Describe a brief, emotional sexual encounter with his (soon to be ex-)wife even after the initial split ([36:24]).
  • Financial distress and lack of custody follow; his wife’s new partner and her family take over child care, and prior domestic violence (from all parties) complicates matters ([42:32]-[43:55]).
• Emotional Tone:
  • Jacob is candid about both his own faults and heartbreak. He repeatedly says he is seeking release by sharing his story, not expecting therapeutic advice.
• Lyle’s Approach:
  • Lyle listens empathetically but makes clear his own limitations as a (lizard) therapist. He wishes Jacob and all involved peace, emphasizes that therapy would be more helpful, and expresses genuine concern.
  • “[44:47] Oh, Jesus Christ, man. Well, listen, man… I hope everyone in this situation, I hope these kids have a good life. I hope everything works out with everyone.”
• Aftermath:
  • Jacob shares how promises of reconciliation were dashed and his wife chose her coworker ([45:39]).

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3. Caller: Brian – Game Developer, Life Advice, and Connection

Segment Start: [50:02]

• Background:
  • Brian, 41, calls in to confirm if he had previously met Lyle in a video game—a mistaken identity that ends up launching a reflective conversation about life, career setbacks, and pursuing new passions.
• Life After 40:
  • Brian describes physical and professional changes as one ages, sharing: “After 30…your knees don’t really work the same way, and after you sit for a really long time…you recover more slowly…” ([54:12]).
• Struggles in Game Development:
  • Recently unemployed after a career in game dev, Brian talks about industry volatility, having worked on projects he didn’t believe in just to pay the bills ([57:29]).
• Meta-Discussion on Technology:
  • Conversation shifts to the failed promise of NFTs and crypto in games. Both host and Brian agree: technological innovation must serve genuine human stories or fun, not just exist for its own sake ([61:01]).
  • Lyle’s analogy: “Nintendo’s philosophy…technology is good for propping up a good game…not about having the biggest, fastest [hardware]…it’s about knowing how to use it.” ([59:02])
• Encouragement for Trying New Things:
  • Lyle encourages Brian to start streaming and pursue what excites him ([66:41]).
• Positive Note to End:
  • The segment ultimately closes on a hopeful, warm vibe—Brian thanks Lyle for calling; both share a digital ‘high five’ ([66:09]).
    • Brian [66:47]: "I’ve waited so long for this moment and I just want to say GG…good game, GG."

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Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)

• [03:27] John: “Most of what you read is made up… actually being in the situation revealed a lot of interesting stuff.”
• [08:00] John: On the pain of dating someone still working as an escort: “Probably one of the most painful periods of my life.”
• [10:27] John: “I was expecting… to experience real intimacy would be more problematic… but actually been really, really nice.”
• [15:37] John: “Being more of a provider… I feel a lot more purpose than I’m used to from beforehand.”
• [19:15] John: “I just see someone who has a lot more of a deep-rooted motherly thing… which I wasn’t expecting from someone coming from that type of profession.”
• [24:32] Lyle: “Big question for the man: do you feel like you’re being taken advantage of? …For the woman: do you feel like you’re being controlled? …If the answer is no, then great.”
• [44:47] Lyle (to Jacob): “Well, listen, man… I hope everyone in this situation… I hope these kids have a good life. I hope everything works out with everyone.”
• [54:12] Brian: “After 30, your knees don’t really work kind of the same way…”
• [59:02] Lyle: “Nintendo… it’s not about having the biggest, fastest, [hardware]…it’s about knowing how to use it.”
• [66:09] Lyle: “You wanted to connect with me, here we are. We did it. We connected.”
• [66:47] Brian: “I’ve waited so long for this moment and I just want to say GG…good game, GG.”

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Flow & Tone

• Deeply personal and honest—callers reveal intimate, sometimes painful realities.
• Nonjudgmental, curious, and lightly comedic—Lyle gently pokes fun but never mocks, grounding even the wildest stories with empathy.
• Cultural commentary—the episode explores shifting gender roles, social stigma, and the intersection of love, work, and personal growth.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Section/Caller | Topic | |-----------|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | 01:46 | John | Starting and navigating a relationship with an escort | | 10:27 | John | Intimacy, gender roles, and purpose | | 19:15 | John | Stigma, caring nature, unexpected depth | | 22:12 | John + Lyle | Host’s perspective on stigma and relationship health | | 24:32 | John + Lyle | The big questions in nontraditional relationships | | 26:10 | John | Advice, “unicorn” experiences | | 31:25 | Jacob | Divorce, infidelity, mental health struggles | | 44:47 | Jacob + Lyle | Empathy, advice, encouragement for therapy | | 50:02 | Brian | Video game mistaken identity, aging, game dev industry | | 61:01 | Brian + Lyle | Tech philosophy, Nintendo, crypto/NFTs | | 66:09 | Brian + Lyle | Connection, encouragement, positive ending |

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Final Thoughts

Despite its outrageous confessions and emotionally jagged stories, the episode centers on the simple but profound truth that every relationship is unique and only the people in it can judge its worth or health. Lyle’s warmth and humor make the episode deeply human, offering catharsis and genuine connection for guests and listeners alike.

Lyle’s closing words:
“Do what feels right for you in your life, my friends. That’s all I gotta say.” ([28:10])

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Recommended for:
Listeners interested in honest talk about unconventional relationships, stigma, personal transformation, and the wild ride of 21st-century love and life—with a touch of comedic gecko wisdom.

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Transcript

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[Caller Brian]

Goodbye.

[Lyle (Host)]

Hello?

[Caller John]

Hello.

[Lyle (Host)]

What's up man? How you doing?

[Caller Jacob]

Good, how are you?

[Lyle (Host)]

I'm. I'm around.

[Caller John]

Got home from being out having some fun with some friends. Just got back to the apartment and calming down. How about you?

[Lyle (Host)]

You texted me and said I've been in a loving relationship with the porn star I hired as an escort over a year ago.

[Caller John]

Yeah, that's basically true. Feel like you had some people connected to sex text work on the podcast before and it has never really resolved in anything interesting like you've just been scratching the surface. So I thought it would be kind of interesting to have more of a in depth conversation where yeah basically maybe answering some more interesting questions and I feel like you've been kind of interested but never gotten any really good like in depth feedback on the situation. So I think there's some potential there.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, listen, I mean yeah, we've talked to like, you know, onlyfans people and you know, escorts and stuff. But. All right, you know what, listen, I feel like we've had some pretty in depth conversations on this show. Clearly you, you believe differently, so I'm gonna put the onus on you. Where do you, where do you believe we have not. What are the blanks you believe that we need filling in?

[Caller John]

So I think like, I think surface level, like being in the situation that I'm in, it's, it's kind of interesting if you're horny. Like that's when people are really, that's when someone would be really fascinated by the situation. But then in, like in real life, it kind of turns into a different thing. Like it sounds like a brag when you kind of talk about it. Surface level. But then actually going into that type of situation is, might be a bit different and then it might uncover some other stuff. Like how does this actually, how does that type, this type of relationship actually work in practice? How does someone's experience coming from that work and going into a mature, loving relationship actually translate? And you would think that there's a lot of, I think there's a lot of stigma. And also being in that situation and starting to Google and looking up people sharing experiences online at this turns into a lot of. I think most of the stuff you read is just made up. It's basically just sex fantasies. But actually going, being in the situation, it actually revealed a lot of interesting stuff.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, so listen, you know, you've revealed a lot of your opinions and esotericisms and whatnot. But tell me, tell me the story. What, what actually happened with you.

[Caller John]

So basically I was in a, I think I take the coward way out of a relationship where there wasn't really anything wrong. And I wasn't really able to have that talk. So I started looking into being probably like a very dark cope to that old situation. So I was forcing a situation where I would actually have to end the relationship. I could put myself in a really bad situation where I was, I was forcing myself to like super coward, cowardly. But instead of having that difficult conversation, I just messed up the whole thing.

[Lyle (Host)]

So you, so you started, so you started, you started seeing escorts outside of your relationship to self sabotage the relationship because you didn't want to end it.

[Caller John]

Yeah, basically, I think that's the short version of the story.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay,

[Caller John]

so I ended up in a situation where I met someone where there wasn't like really sparks on the initial meetup. But some, I think some happy accidents led to us like randomly meeting where she was currently working. And we ended up going on a date and it went really well. And I think I was just, at the time I was just expecting the whole thing to blow up in my face. Like, I think I was just still in like the whole self sabotage, like the destructive pattern. But then it turned into like a really, really nice thing. And I guess going from there I was kind of expecting like all like the expected. What would you say? All the expected reasons why you don't put yourself in this situation. It's kind of like this is like the version of dating a stripper on steroids. But like as soon as we

[Caller Jacob]

actually

[Caller John]

started like pursuing having more of a relationship, it just turned into a really nice thing. So we.

[Caller Brian]

Yeah.

[Lyle (Host)]

Was she still. So is she still working as an escort while you guys are dating?

[Caller John]

Yeah, for the first couple of months, which is probably one of the most painful periods of my life. I've been through.

[Lyle (Host)]

Wait, hold on. But, but I'm. If you're going to get involved with an escort, wouldn't you, wouldn't you know what you're signing up for? Why was that so painful for you?

[Caller John]

Oh, because this is one of the things that were established early on is that she was transitioning into a different career.

[Caller Jacob]

Okay.

[Caller John]

So it's basically just giving her room to kind of finish up things. And it's like she was at a level where it was long term.

[Lyle (Host)]

She had long term contracts she needed to fulfill.

[Caller John]

No, she was basically, she had a couple of months where she was saving up money to do to start some different studies and I didn't want to really disturb that, especially considering how our like relationship or what do you call it? Started. So I was like, I was trying to be a grown up about it and I, I had no right to like demand that she would stop this because like I already participated in it.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay.

[Caller John]

So I, I was trying to be grown up about it and let her kind of finish her work because I knew that this would be. Yeah, like a good way for her to have like a. Not a nest egg, but save up some money before she went into studying for a new career and wouldn't have that much money for a while.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay. And so how's your guys relationship going now?

[Caller John]

Really good, like surprisingly good. I think both me and most of the people surrounding me was expecting this to kind of blow up in my face. It's just been going really, really well.

[Lyle (Host)]

Great, great. So, okay, so you wait, you started this whole call by being like, oh, we, we've only scratched the surface of sex work before. What do what. What are we. What are we missing?

[Caller John]

So, for example, when it comes to intimacy, you would think that I was expecting this to be a lot more problematic, like, to get to kind of like, to actually experience real intimacy, because it's kind of like separating work and, like, leisure time. Like, there's an overlap because with most people, this is just more like a leisurely. It's like the opposite of work. Like, it's just an expectation to have a good time and be close to your partner. But here it's more. You're coming from, like, a very transactional starting point with the whole thing. But Jackie actually been really, really nice. Like, that part hasn't really been an issue. Just very surprising. And I was also thinking that someone who's used to all. Every. Like, for such a long time, every interaction, like, every romantic interaction being so transactional, would also kind of mess things up. But that. That's also been really nice because I think most of the differences there is that we're from different parts of the world, so there's some differences in the gender roles in a relationship. And at the beginning, I was kind of thinking that it would be like, everything would have this type of transactional undertone, but actually been also been surprisingly easy. Like, I come from more of the western part of the world.

[Lyle (Host)]

Where are you from?

[Caller Brian]

Where you from?

[Caller John]

More of a 50, 50 thing. I think. I'm gonna keep that out. Out of this conversation.

[Lyle (Host)]

Well, just get what's.

[Caller John]

What's the.

[Lyle (Host)]

What's. What's the country?

[Caller Brian]

Hold on.

[Lyle (Host)]

I have your country code. Hold on. I'm doxing your. The country you're from.

[Caller John]

No, don't talk. The country.

[Lyle (Host)]

Why can't I tell? Why can't I say what country you're from? It's the country you.

[Caller John]

Let's say Western versus Eastern Europe.

[Lyle (Host)]

All right,

[Caller John]

I'm from a western part of Europe where there's more like a 50 equal.

[Lyle (Host)]

You're coming in here, you're like, I'm from a place that I'm not going to tell you what it is where we do things in a certain way on your podcast. You don't know what you're talking about. Level with me here. Goddamn. What's your name, dude?

[Caller John]

My name is. What's my name? Give me a name. You're really good at giving me.

[Lyle (Host)]

Give me your name. All right. Your name is John.

[Caller John]

Oh, that sounds good.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay. Your name is John.

[Caller John]

Yeah, that's. That's very fitting with the situation. So that's.

[Lyle (Host)]

Sure. Okay. All right, John. Okay, so. All right, so you're from Europe, where it's more 50, 50, right. And then where is this part of Europe?

[Caller John]

Okay, Eastern part of Europe?

[Lyle (Host)]

Either tell me where you're from or stop doing this.

[Caller John]

It's not important. For, for what I'm talking about. It's western part of Europe is more of a. I think more of a direct reflection of more what you're used to. Used to in the western part of the US and then

[Lyle (Host)]

I'm, I'm done talking about where you're from. Where's this lady from? Okay, where's this lady from?

[Caller Jacob]

East.

[Caller John]

Eastern part of Europe?

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, all right, so she's more traditional.

[Caller John]

Yeah.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, so how does that play out in the relationship?

[Caller John]

Basically, as a man, you're more of a provider. It's not more of the 50, 50 type of split, which I'm used to for. From where I come from.

[Caller Brian]

Huh.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, so how's that playing out? Are you, are you, are you enjoying being a provider?

[Caller John]

Yeah, I think so. I think we're doing kind of like a hybrid where. I would say it's like a. In a way it's the best of both worlds, I think with more of like, like the traditional old school Eastern European gender roles. You have more of. I think I like. Worst case, it's usually men who basically provide for women to be a replacement for their mother, only they show affection through.

[Lyle (Host)]

Hold on, I just. John, John, I'm not asking you your opinion about. I'm asking like how it plays out in your life. Like, what's the, how does it happen in your situation?

[Caller John]

I think the most relevant part of it is that by being more in the. Being more of a provider, but also being able to give emotional support, I feel a lot more purpose than I'm used to from beforehand.

[Lyle (Host)]

Yeah, sure.

[Caller John]

Which is really nice.

[Lyle (Host)]

So you feel a lot more purpose in this provider role than you did in your more 50, 50 relationships?

[Caller John]

Yeah, I would say so. There's nothing wrong with that 50, 50 thing, but for me, I think just a really important part of being. I think just anyone but also a man is just to be. Feel needed and that you, you're. You have some sort of purpose. And that's been like. There's no. Nothing wrong with coming from a 50, 50 type of situation either. I mean, my old relationship lasted for over 10 years, which was fine, but now there's like this kind of feels almost banal when I talk about it, but it's really nice to Just be able to. Yeah, just have like this very simple function with both being a bit of a, like a strong provider, but also on top of it, also being able to sit down and have deeper conversations. That also requires some emotional. Being able to be more emotionally, have reflection, talk about difficult stuff, give input on that type of things. It's really cool.

[Lyle (Host)]

And do you add. What do you do? Do you make a lot of money,

[Caller John]

make a decent living?

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay. But it's enough to provide for the whole. Eunice.

[Caller John]

Yeah, especially when you're, when you're getting your money from the western part of Europe and you're temporarily living in the eastern part of Europe, then it makes things pretty easy.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, so you live in the east, you live in the eastern part of Europe.

[Caller John]

Yeah, temporarily right now.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay. Where, where, where's the ultimate place

[Caller John]

for me?

[Lyle (Host)]

Yeah, where's the ultimate place you want to be?

[Caller John]

I don't know. I've kind of given up on finding the ultimate place. I feel like some point I had this idea of what would the, what the ultimate place was. But part of just growing up and becoming older is that you have to compromise in some way so you can't get it all. But I feel like right now I'm getting pretty close to a good balance.

[Lyle (Host)]

Totally. So are you and this lady going to get married and have kids?

[Caller Brian]

Maybe.

[Caller John]

That's kind of the fascinating part because I was in pretty healthy relationship for like over 10 years with someone that would rationally made a lot more sense to do that type of thing with. But right now I actually feel more open to the idea of doing that.

[Lyle (Host)]

Just quite surprising with this person.

[Caller John]

Yeah.

[Lyle (Host)]

And what about doing it with this person? Feels more irrational.

[Caller John]

It's mostly from the stigma. But in practice I just see someone who has a lot more of a deep, deep rooted motherly thing, a lot of care and appreciation of other people, which also is something I feel like I wasn't expecting. Expecting from someone coming from that type of profession.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay.

[Caller John]

So that also kind of took me by surprise.

[Lyle (Host)]

Well, I, I mean, yeah, I mean that type of profession. I mean there is something. I mean it's a caring profession. It's like a nurse.

[Caller Brian]

Yeah.

[Caller John]

Yeah. That's also something that I wasn't, hadn't really thought about. But just talking a bit with her about what her motivation was and everything, that's. Yeah, that's kind of what the, the type of role that she's been taking. Like sometimes you get, you meet someone like from her experience, someone. Sometimes you meet someone, you're more Attracted to. And it's more of a type of. More of type of intimate sexual type of thing. But other times you go into this nursing role because you're providing something that everyone basically needs and you might not be that attracted to them, but still something that's very much part of their core as a human.

[Lyle (Host)]

Sure. What do you, what do you do?

[Caller John]

My job is super boring. Not all that interested. This comes back to just being more like pragmatic and expecting compromise, but makes a decent amount of money and it gives me the flexibility to temporarily be in a completely different part of Europe.

[Lyle (Host)]

Let's see, what else? Well, thanks for sharing. I feel like we didn't get into the thing that you said. We only you came in here being like you've only scratched the surface of like sex work stuff. Well, we didn't talk about Hanja Sneeze.

[Caller John]

You think about someone in my situation. Is there anything you're curious about?

[Lyle (Host)]

What do I think about someone in your situation now?

[Caller John]

Is there anything you're curious about when you're like, if you go deeper and think about more the practical implications of being in that situation or actually go taking someone who comes from that type of life and then putting them into.

[Lyle (Host)]

No, no, no. Your situation sounds. I mean, look, you found a lady that you like. She wants to have a traditional relationship where you provide for her. You seem like you're into that. It sounds like both of you guys are happy with what you got going on. And so I don't think there's anything particularly that unique about this situation.

[Caller John]

It's actually really refreshing that you're saying this.

[Lyle (Host)]

Yeah, I mean there's like stigma. I mean, I. I don't know, I think a lot of like stigmas around. Like, I mean. Yeah, well, yeah, I mean, whatever you guys like, you guys like each other and you like the arrangement you have with each other. So, you know, as long as you're both happy, I don't see why this is that crazy.

[Caller John]

Yeah, I guess you're a lot more open minded than a lot of the people I've been surrounding myself with. So the impact of bringing this up, huh? Actually, quite.

[Caller Jacob]

Really.

[Caller John]

I feel like there's something therapeutic about you. You just saying this?

[Lyle (Host)]

Yeah, I mean, yeah, sure. I mean, like what, have your friends been making fun of you?

[Caller John]

No, not really. People have been very supportive, but this is more of like bringing it up in more of a. You don't know me, I don't know you. So you're coming from more of a neutral ground.

[Lyle (Host)]

Sure.

[Caller John]

You could like, you could be a lot more judgmental because you don't have any.

[Caller Brian]

Yeah, you don't.

[Caller John]

You don't have any. We don't have a predefined friendship where it's expected of you to be more supportive and you don't have any established feelings. Like, this is the first time I've talked to someone about it that doesn't. They don't know me before. They don't care. Like, they don't care about me at the beginning of the conversation. So I think that's pretty cool.

[Lyle (Host)]

But. Yeah, but there's no part of any of what you're talking about that is like. I mean. I mean, there's questions of, like, do you feel like. I mean, okay, look, in a situation like this, there's kind of. There's a big question for the man and there's a big question for the woman. The big question for the man is, do you feel like you're being taken advantage of? And if the answer is no, then great. And then the big question for the woman is, do you. And then the big question for the woman is, do you feel like you're being controlled? And if the answer is no, then great. You know, I mean, those are kind of the. The things, but other than that, I mean, this, there's not. There's nothing really all that crazy about this.

[Caller John]

Yeah, I guess just the two questions you presented, the kind of just reminds me of how healthy the relationship I'm in right now is because they're completely irrelevant to our situation, which is also super nice.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, good. Things are going well for this Eastern European man and this Western European man and this Eastern European woman. It's like Romeo and Julia.

[Caller Jacob]

Yeah.

[Lyle (Host)]

Basically east one from the West. What's your name again? John. John, is there anything. Is there. Is there anything you want to say to the people at the computer before we go?

[Caller John]

Oh, yeah, I didn't prepare for this part. Probably don't go into the situation I got myself into and expecting the same outcome.

[Lyle (Host)]

Wait, why?

[Caller John]

I kind of. I feel like I found the unicorn thing with. I mean, yeah, maybe there's more potential in this. People. Like, the stereotype is don't start dating strippers. But my one experience from this is actually dating a sex worker can actually be a really beautiful experience in your life and might end up with. Maybe I was starting a family long term, which is like.

[Lyle (Host)]

I mean, I mean, listen. I mean, listen. I mean, yeah, dude. I mean, you know, sex workers are people, you know, they have. But yeah, I mean, they. They have, you know, there's like established boundaries within like certain frameworks and stuff. But that doesn't, you know, mean that they can't have feelings outside of the work, you know.

[Caller Jacob]

Yeah.

[Caller John]

I would like to add that when I was thinking about bringing this up with you, I was sober and now I'm a bit drunk, which makes me a lot more relaxed talking to you. But I think it might have led to us still kind of scratching the surface over the whole thing. Sounds like a plus and a minus here.

[Lyle (Host)]

You know what? You know, we had the conversation, we had, we scratched.

[Caller John]

Yeah.

[Lyle (Host)]

What we needed to scratch and you know, we're all going home. Better for it.

[Caller Jacob]

Yep.

[Caller John]

And I'm definitely not going to read the comments

[Lyle (Host)]

or the chat dude, do. Do what feels right for you in your life, my friends. That's all I gotta say.

[Caller John]

Yeah, I like that those last words are better than mine.

[Lyle (Host)]

I'll see you around the universe, John.

[Caller John]

You too. Gak. Have a good one.

[Lyle (Host)]

You too. I have John's country code. I per his wishes. I won't say where he is where he is. But it's funny because it's like there's so many people that live there. I don't know. John, John, John, John, John. Isn't that funny that that's a name? Jon Jon. And just one John is also a name too. That's Jon Jon. Two Johns is one name. And then just John is a name too. Okay,

[Hyundai EV Ad Voice]

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[Ad Voice (Cornhole)]

I'm feeling lucky.

[Caller Brian]

Yes.

[Hyundai EV Ad Voice]

And of course they're all backed by America's best warranty and a 10 year or 100,000 mile limited electric battery warranty. No matter which Hyundai EV you choose, you've chosen well. Learn more about Hyundai EVs at HyundaiUSA.com call 562-314-4603 for complete details. See your Hyundai dealer for L Limited warranty details. America's best warranty claim based on total Package of warranty programs. See dealer for limited warranty details. See your Hyundai dealer for further details and limitations.

[Nicotine Warning Voice]

Warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Velo Plus Ad Voice]

Velo plus is here to remind you that less isn't more. More is more.

[Nicotine Warning Voice]

Duh.

[Velo Plus Ad Voice]

So kick less to the curb and get the more flavor, more comfy, more long lasting, more satisfying, more yum. In every can, more wow in every pouch. Velo plus nicotine pouches get more now.

[Nicotine Warning Voice]

Underage sale prohibited Nicotine pouches Velo plus is a synthetic nicotine product. Website and offers restricted to age 21

[America 250th Anniversary Announcer]

Copyright 2025 MBI It's a celebration 250 years in the making.

[Podcast Announcer]

And we want everyone in America, from Maine to Montana, from Alabama to Alaska to be a part of it.

[America 250th Anniversary Announcer]

This year marks America's 250th anniversary. And we're coming together from coast to coast at star spangled events, live performances and the largest day of giving in American history.

[Podcast Announcer]

Join the nationwide celebration at america250.org.

[Caller Jacob]

Hello, Mr. Gecko.

[Lyle (Host)]

Hello. To whom am I speaking?

[Caller Jacob]

I'll just call myself Red. Red just to be. Just to be safe. Because when the storm about a tail could go down a legal pathway that I would rather not have. Millions or hundreds I should say no offense to you of people in.

[Lyle (Host)]

So what's up Red? What's going on?

[Caller Jacob]

So my soon to be ex wife, she her co worker and we're gonna. We're gonna have to go back a little bit start probably jump from place to place.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay.

[Caller Jacob]

But I'm gonna start on the 22nd of April of this year. That is when she had told me.

[Lyle (Host)]

So this really is like not court thing you see. This is like your testimony.

[Caller Jacob]

Yes, it will be a court thing. Especially with the stuff, the evidence that I've gathered today.

[Caller Brian]

It will be okay.

[Caller Jacob]

So April 22, you know, two days before that I. We had just gotten back from trip because I had to come down to Florida to put down my dog. And yeah, you know how that feels. Anyways we get back then the day after we get back she asked for a divorce. And you know she'd always say that always like it would. She used it as like a weapon to hurt me. So you know, at first I didn't believe her. You know, I just let it.

[Caller Brian]

Left it alone.

[Caller Jacob]

Let let sleep on it. I asked her the next day, she says same thing, you know. It kind of hurts me because I'm thinking oh well it's over. And then later that night, the 22nd, I get to talking, and she get. We. We both get to talk. And I'm like, were you seeing him? Are you gonna be with him? Blah, blah. And she tells me that she had made out with him and that he had.

[Caller John]

He fingered her.

[Caller Jacob]

Well, you know, that sets me off because I'm already going through the. The emotions of her wanting a divorce. And I had let this. I'd let her hang out with this dune, much to my dismay, because we would argue a lot and, you know, not really have a good time. And I know she needed somebody that wasn't me to hang out with. And I knew this dude.

[Caller Brian]

He.

[Caller Jacob]

He would come to our house, and we'd occasionally drink and stuff, and sometimes she'd go over there. Yeah, I know, but she told me that. And then a few minutes later, seeing how angry it made me, she said, oh, she was lying about the finger part. They just made out. Well, it didn't really calm me down. And I got her to leave the house because I wanted to be alone. And I started drinking, and I said some things I shouldn't have that got me landed in the loony bin for four days. Then I come home, she's taken the kids and left the house.

[Lyle (Host)]

How many kids you got, man?

[Caller Brian]

Two.

[Lyle (Host)]

Two. How old are you?

[Caller Jacob]

I'm 21.

[Lyle (Host)]

You're 21?

[Caller Jacob]

Yes, sir.

[Lyle (Host)]

Holy shit, man. All right, man.

[Caller Jacob]

So, you know, I get back, I'm, like, freaking out because being trapped in Ludo Bin for four days, no phone, no nothing. You want to see your kids, that's the one thing you want to do when you get out. And that's what I was banking on. I thought, we know we're going to come back. I was going to talk about it with her because, you know, four days is a long time to cool off. And the emotions were high with me, but I get back in it. Oh, my gosh. I get so, so mad. And I call the only people I can, which is my own family. And for two days, I am alone in the house with nothing really to do. And eventually, my father comes all the way down from Ohio, and he stays with me, and he helps me pack up my things and all that. And then on the 25th, my wife comes to the house to talk and stuff and have me see the kids and all that. And my dad's there, and, you know, we're talking. I'm saying, well, I just want to have a good relationship with you for the kids and all that. And I meant it. I meant it. And she was like, yeah, I understand. I'm sorry this all happened. I wish it didn't have to go this way. But then we go into our. What was our bedroom, the master bedroom, while my father is out in the living room to talk privately.

[Caller Brian]

And that leads.

[Caller Jacob]

One thing leads to another, and we have intimate relations again. And so, you know. Yeah, I know. I know.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay. You're okay, dude. Wait, you're. You're okay.

[Caller Brian]

We.

[Caller Jacob]

As of today, we are not legally separated or divorced. We are still legally married.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, so she cheated on you with this guy and then you blew up on her. So she takes the kids and leaves. And then you say a bunch of You. You. You what? You. You probably said you were gonna kill yourself and then. Or hurt someone or something. And then you go to the mental. You get locked up, and then you get out to see the kids. And the first time that you meet up with her again, you got. You go into a different room while your kids and their grandfather are in another room. And then you and her have sex.

[Caller Jacob]

Yes, it was.

[Lyle (Host)]

That's so funny.

[Caller Jacob]

I know. It was, you know, like the last time. And, you know, I was feeling emotional and she was feeling emotional, and, you know, we didn't know if we were ever gonna see each other like that again. And so, you know, we did it and. Okay, well, after that, you know, she leaves and you guys.

[Lyle (Host)]

You guys sound. You guys sound in love, by the way.

[Caller Jacob]

Oh, wait till you get to late to the later story. Okay, just wait.

[Caller Brian]

It gets better.

[Caller Jacob]

So she leaves, right? And about a day or two later, you know, we spend. Me and my dad, it was in Alabama, but me and him, we spend a day and a half driving from Alabama to Florida, back and forth, back and forth to pick up most of my stuff. And it only took about two trips. And so I started. I believe I started living in Florida. You know, as much as this kind of sounds, you know, silly or whatever, I'm living at my mom's house because I needed to leave. I need to get out of there one, because her. Her father had sent me threatening text messages and he has threatened to murder me before in a bun in front of a family. So I left because I was scared and that I need. That we needed space. So I'm in Florida, talking over the phone. She, you know, she says, oh, well, I noticed that you're changing and you're giving me everything I finally needed. Which I'm not gonna lie, I did some things I probably shouldn't have in the relationship or I should have tried to do more. I don't fault, I'm, I don't fault her for that. But, you know, she's telling me these things. She's saying, I accept you. You know, I want to, I want to make it work. I want to try again. And I'm, and I'm like, yeah, I want to as well. You know, I can get over her making out with her co worker. Well, about a week later, she calls me, she says if I remember quickly, she's like, would you. Can I trust you? And I'm like, yeah. And so she knows, she kind of drills it even more like, are you sure I can trust you? I was like, what have I done to not to lose your trust now, huh? And so she, she agrees to that, right?

[Lyle (Host)]

Huh?

[Caller Jacob]

Well, then she says, I'm gonna have to. I need you to listen, not say a word. And I need to start from the beginning. And so, you know, I'm, I've been trying to change the whole time. So instead of interjecting like I usually do and, and all that, I listen, I shut my mouth for once, huh? And so I'm listening. And she's talking about the party that they had because her and her coworker are both in the Air Force as of right now. And whenever all this happened, so they were having a going away party for one of their co workers because he got kicked out because he did a shitty job. So it started there. And you know, at this point I was used to her going over to his dorm to, you know, drink and, you know, relax and unwind because she'd always come back. So I, I knew, I didn't know, I didn't know what was going on. But them two had gone to out to eat with him. They left together in the same car. And he doesn't have a car nor does he have a license. So it's her driving. Excuse me. And she drives him back to her. His dorm and you know, he's like, oh, come on, let's come, come drink with me. You know, all that. And she's like, no, I don't know. Well, then she reluctantly agrees and she goes up and they start drinking. Keep in mind, she is not 21. She should not be drinking. He is okay, committing a crime in the usmj.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, okay. All right.

[Caller Jacob]

So, so they're. Okay, continue. Sorry, sir.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, man, you're losing me a little bit. I'm trying to understand where I understand.

[Caller Jacob]

I'm sorry. It's a lot to take in.

[Lyle (Host)]

Where, where. So, okay. Where are you guys at right now? Like, what's, like, what's that? Like you. The. So this is all after she cheated on you with him at the beginning and now the three of you guys are all hanging out?

[Caller Jacob]

No, I'm not anywhere. I'm at home taking care of our two kids because I quit my job to be a stay at home father.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay.

[Caller Jacob]

And I stayed at home with them. I currently have no job, no income. She drained all the bank accounts on the 22nd, so I wasn't able to even buy anything.

[Caller Brian]

Mm.

[Lyle (Host)]

Where is she now? Is you guys are still married?

[Caller Jacob]

She is having relations with him. Oh, that's the house that we both bought.

[Lyle (Host)]

Oh. So where are you?

[Caller Jacob]

I am in Florida with my mother.

[Lyle (Host)]

With the kids?

[Caller Jacob]

Nope.

[Lyle (Host)]

Where are the kids?

[Caller Jacob]

The kids are 10 minutes away from me with a man that will kill me if I go anywhere near him.

[Lyle (Host)]

Dude. What?

[Caller Brian]

Yep.

[Caller Jacob]

She left him here for a week. It was a plan.

[Lyle (Host)]

Hold on. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. So the kids are with her?

[Caller Jacob]

No, the kids are with their granddad. Not my father. My soon to be ex father in law.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, so your children are with the, the, Your ex wife's dad?

[Caller Jacob]

Yes, sir.

[Lyle (Host)]

And your ex wife is off. Has a new life with the guy that her co worker guy. And the. Why is the grandpa going to kill you?

[Caller Jacob]

Because our arguments got physical. That's why I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna beat around the bush. I'm not gonna try to hide it. Oh, well, this happened. This half.

[Caller Brian]

Yep, yep.

[Caller Jacob]

It wasn't just me. I do have videos of her starting to hit me first. But I won't lie. I started it too sometimes. And I regret my actions. My actions were very childish. I plan to never let that happen again. It will not happen again. I'll do whatever I need to. I'll go to therapy. I'll take medicine if I need to.

[Caller Brian]

It won't happen.

[Lyle (Host)]

Dude. Dude, what's your name is Jacob.

[Caller Jacob]

Yes, sir.

[Lyle (Host)]

Jacob. Oh my God, man. Jesus Christ.

[Caller Jacob]

Yeah, that's a lot. I've actually been waiting to talk to you for, for quite a while.

[Lyle (Host)]

I'm so not the guy that you need to be talking to right now.

[Caller Jacob]

No, no, I know. I just. It's talking to people helps me get it helps me calm down, helps me get it off my chest. I don't expect any actual therapy advice for me. Just, you know, life advice, someone to talk to. I know you're not a therapist.

[Lyle (Host)]

Oh, Jesus Christ, man. Well, listen, man, I, I listen, I, I Look good, good. Good luck with. Good luck with the case. I hope you. I hope everyone in this situation, I hope these kids have a good life. I hope everything works out with everyone. You know, that's. That's about it, man. Is there anything, Is there anything else you want to say to the people, the computer before we go?

[Caller Jacob]

No, sir, that's. I'm just glad I got to talk to you. It's unfortunate I wasn't able to tell my full story, but I understand

[Lyle (Host)]

what's, what's left of the story.

[Caller Jacob]

Well, she. We were talking for about a month since everything happened the 22nd, and you know, she was giving me a second chance, this and that. And then just one day, one day she just.180s and said she's choosing him. And the whole time she's making up excuses and saying. Because she would tell me not to listen to my family's advice or any of my friends advice, but she told me that she's listening to everybody and saying she shouldn't give me a second chance and all that. I mean, I understand, but the fact that she gave me hope and we were planning things and this and that, that's what really irks me. And so she, well, completely cut me out and all that and. Yeah, she's with him now.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, well, listen, Jacob, you should go talk to a real therapist and I will, you know, I hope, I hope everyone figures this stuff out. I hope your kids are okay.

[Caller Jacob]

I hope so too.

[Lyle (Host)]

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

[Caller Brian]

No, thank you.

[Lyle (Host)]

All right, well, take care, Jacob. Good.

[Caller Brian]

Take care, Mr. With.

[Lyle (Host)]

With existence.

[Caller Jacob]

I. I struggle every day.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay. Bye, Jacob.

[Caller Brian]

Bye.

[Caller Jacob]

Bye.

[Lyle (Host)]

Oh my God, that was so much. Well, that was a lot. I'm not. He. That was. I, he. I was. He was. He was kind of talking like I was the judge on this case. Thank God I'm not a judge. Thank God I'm not a real therapist or a judge or a lawyer. I've been playing the Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney games where I can pretend to be a lawyer. And that's fun. It's fun to pretend to be things. I'm sorry, that's all I. That's all I have to say after that. All right,

[Hyundai EV Ad Voice]

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[Ad Voice (Cornhole)]

I'm feeling lucky.

[Caller Brian]

Yes.

[Hyundai EV Ad Voice]

And of course they're all backed by America's best warranty and a 10 year or 100,000 mile limited electric battery warranty. No matter which Hyundai EV you choose, you've chosen well. Learn more about Hyundai EVs at HyundaiUSA.com call 562-314-4603 for complete details. See your Hyundai dealer for limited warranty details. America's best warranty claim based on total package of warranty programs. See dealer for limited warranty details. See your Hyundai dealer for further details and limitations.

[Nicotine Warning Voice]

Warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Velo Plus Ad Voice]

Velo plus is here to remind you that less isn't more. More is more.

[Nicotine Warning Voice]

Duh.

[Velo Plus Ad Voice]

So kick less to the curb and get the more flavor. More comfy, more long lasting, more satisfying, more yum. In every can, more wow. In every pouch, more Velo plus nicotine pouches. Get more now.

[Nicotine Warning Voice]

Underage sale prohibited nicotine pouches. Velo plus is a synthetic nicotine product. Website and offers restricted to age 21 plus copyright 2025 MBI.

[America 250th Anniversary Announcer]

It's a celebration 250 years in the making.

[Podcast Announcer]

And we want everyone in America, from Maine to Montana, from Alabama to Alaska, to be a part of it.

[America 250th Anniversary Announcer]

This year marks America's 250th anniversary, and we're coming together from coast to coast at star spangled events, live performances, and the largest day of giving in American history.

[Podcast Announcer]

Join the nationwide celebration at america250.org.

[Caller Brian]

Hello?

[Lyle (Host)]

Hey, man, you texted me and you said, my name is Brian. I'm 41. I think I played ARC Raiders with you about two months ago and we randomly got matched into a group together and I wanted to know if it was actually you. That's what you texted me, right?

[Caller Brian]

Yeah, that's right. Is this actually Gecko? I don't know if this is the screen or. I'm sorry.

[Lyle (Host)]

No, no, this is. This is me. I just want to let you know I don't. I don't play that game. So it wasn't me.

[Caller Brian]

Oh, okay. Yeah, no, it might have been an imposter because it was totally someone that sounded like you really did they did.

[Lyle (Host)]

They have like a username. Like, like, pretended to be me?

[Caller Brian]

Not necessarily. And even then I. I thought it was you the whole time. And I even asked him, like, I brought it up, and the guy kind of went afk afterwards, and he comes back and he's like, oh, sorry, my roommate was bothering me and I thought that it was like, all a ruse, and it felt like I got stream sniped. So I ran through it in my mind and I was like, oh, maybe he was streaming to his discord or something like that and you were playing the game anyway sort of thing. So I was just. I was really taken aback by it. But the guy sounded exactly like you. I was like, have you ever heard of Therapy Gecko? And his answer was, I may know that name. And I'm just like, it's gotta be him.

[Lyle (Host)]

Wait, really? I don't. I've never even. I don't even know what arc raiders is. What is that?

[Caller Brian]

Oh, really? Yeah, no, it's like a. It's a third person, like, shooter game. Like a looter shooter, extraction shooter kind of game. Kind of like a Escape from Tarkov kind of thing.

[Lyle (Host)]

Okay, cool, cool, cool. Hmm. Wait, can I ask you another question?

[Caller Brian]

Sure, yeah.

[Lyle (Host)]

You're 41.

[Caller Brian]

I am, yeah. And I also went to one of your shows when you came by, so.

[Lyle (Host)]

Oh, really? Where?

[Caller Brian]

It was the Austin show. I actually, I. If you remember the show in Austin, Texas, where the guy, he wanted to, like, light something on fire, dude, like, old employer.

[Lyle (Host)]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Caller Brian]

I was sitting right next to that guy.

[Lyle (Host)]

Oh, yeah. And his mom came on too.

[Caller Brian]

Yeah, it was something weird like that, but. And then we were all like, oh, he's. And he had to call that.

[Caller John]

The.

[Caller Brian]

The one lawyer. We tried calling the lawyer on the show kind of thing to see if he could get an interview. Yeah. Good times.

[Lyle (Host)]

Dude, this. I. Dude, dude, this whole episode. This whole episode of the podcast and this whole thing, I'm like, what the am I doing with my life anymore? I'm like, with this whole. Just the whole. The universe of. You know what's funny? I really, like. I. I say this on the show. I say this to people. A lot of people are like, oh, do you think people are making stuff up to get on the show or to, you know, whatever? I really don't. I really. I genuinely. I have spoken to 8 million people. I've been about. I genuinely believe that. That everything is as crazy and stupid as it presents itself to be. I don't think anyone's. I. I like, I'M the. I'm actually, I'm truly the opposite of a conspiracy theorist. I really feel like everyone and everything is exactly, I believe, everything at complete face value.

[Caller Brian]

Yeah, I could see that. I mean, you, at a certain point, you just got to kind of learn to roll with the punches and stuff. I mean, I never even really had the courage to, you know, sign up and, and, you know, talk on the, at the live show or anything like that. Even though I saw you, I think, too, and I went to TwitchCon 2022 and you're at like the front of TwitchCon and I'm like, man, I should say something now. And I never did kind of thing and it's like I've had multiple opportunities and even just now, I mean, I text you, I'm like, there's no way he calls me back kind of thing, and hey, here I am. And suddenly I'm. And it's actually you. It's kind of a surreal moment. I appreciate that.

[Lyle (Host)]

So you're 41, right? Can I ask you some questions?

[Caller Brian]

Yeah, sure, certainly.

[Lyle (Host)]

How does life play out? Does everything end up okay in the end? What, what, what happens?

[Caller Brian]

Well, first off, I'm not really retired or anything like that, but, you know, after 30, I would say your knees don't really work kind of the same way. And after you sit for a really long time, it's like, you know, it takes a longer time for you to get recovered from the process of everything, you know, I still play Dance Dance Revolution all the time. I've been playing that game now for like 26 years. And on days where I play a lot of songs back to back to back, I mean, you know, it takes me like two or three days to recover now, as opposed to when I was younger. I could just, you know, stay there all night on $20 kind of thing.

[Lyle (Host)]

What else was I going to say? Oh, do you. What. So what's your life like? Tell me about you, Brian.

[Caller Brian]

So I'm actually an unemployed game developer and I worked in the industry now for like 10, 12, 15 years, something like that. I don't even really keep track, but finding work is really, really tough. And so believe it or not, I'm actually at the point where I'm thinking of, this is so random. I've only really kind of had this thought for like the last couple of. Last couple of days. I'm getting to the point where I'm considering starting to stream myself, but I kind of want to take like more of the burnt peanut route where it's, you Know if, if I show up and I'm 41 and I'm like the new kid on the block, no one's going to watch my shit. I'm not that interesting. But in general, if you know I'm going to get out there and try to be someone I feel like hiding behind a little bit of anonymity is at least valid for something. Right. Like if you just do a rip off of something that's already pre existing, it's out there. Everybody's gonna be like, oh, they're gonna call me out on it sort of thing. So I gotta kind of put my own spin on it and just find the bravery to get out there and do it sorta. But that's, that's kind of my line of thought lately. And I mean, so being unemployed definitely sucks, man. Like I went back to school back in like, you know, I'm 41, that, that, that cat's already out of the bag. So I lived through the, the, I guess you'd call it like the new Great depression of like 2007 and like the big economic downturn of all that.

[Lyle (Host)]

Yeah.

[Caller Brian]

When I was fresh out of high school, I decided to just join the workforce. And after realizing that I didn't want to spend my whole life working retail and sales, I was like it, I'm just going to go back to school for something I was already kind of good at. And at the time I was making maps in Counter Strike for all my friends to come play on a server and everybody was kind of playing my Counter Strike maps. I was like, man, I should go to school for this. So I went to one of those game art kind of programs. Not like a diploma mill, but a legit school. Got my degree, set my sights on working at like a Target company like you know, as everybody kind of does, like, oh, I want to work for Bungie, I want to work for Blizzard or wherever you want to work or whatever. And I ended up getting that kind of a job. And it just, it, it took me back as soon as I, I made it, you know, and I was like, oh man, I'm finally working at this place I really wanted to be at my whole life. And then I get laid off like a year and a half into the job and so that's as good as it gets.

[Lyle (Host)]

So when, when were you last employed?

[Caller Brian]

So I was last employed, I think it was like, I want to say four or five months ago. I was working a contract on some like crypto NFT MMO that I'm not exactly like, most proud of that I worked on because I don't really associate with that kind of stuff. But hey, you know, what pays the bill?

[Lyle (Host)]

What's the fucking deal with that? Is that because I thought, like, yeah, because back in like 2021 there was a lot of like, NFT crypto bullshit and a lot of like, video game people were like, oh, these are going to be the new whatever. We're going to use Web3 technology to make a fucking house in World of Warcraft work worth real money. Like, are people still doing that?

[Caller Brian]

Yeah. And, you know, I, I saw that Zillow ran a promo recently with World of Warcraft where you can, like, look for a home using Zillow, which, if you don't already know Zillow is what you would use if you were trying to buy a home for real. But World of Warcraft now, I guess you can buy a home in World of Warcraft using Zillow, which is preposterous and completely random. Like, good luck convincing me of that back in 2006. That, like, that would be the future of stuff. Right? But as far as the NFT stuff goes, I feel like that was a lot of fluff from, you know, the metaverse and all that kind of stuff. Like, just look at what happened with Meta and Mark Zuckerberg and all that, where they were like, oh, yeah, this is going to be the future of gaming and everything. But when you think about it, when you watch the game awards, what crypto NFT game are you most excited for next? Literally, you couldn't name me one of them? No one cares. No one gives a shit.

[Lyle (Host)]

Well, that's because, you know, I like, okay, you know what? I'm gonna, I'm gonna make an analogy here and tell me, tell me what you think. So I'm a Nintendo guy mainly. I mean, I play Xbox. I like, you know, PlayStation stuff. But I think, you know, Nintendo and Nintendo. The Nintendo philosophy, I feel like, is, Is a good general philosophy of how, like, society should be run. Whereas, like, Nintendo's shit has always been like, technology is good for the propping up of like, a good game, you know? Yeah, like, it, like, like all the, like, you know, PlayStation, Xbox, they're about, look how big my fucking dick is, right? And Nintendo is like, we have a nice sized dick, but we know how to fuck. You know, where it's like the tech, the tech industry is like, how can we make the dick as big as humanly possible? Because bigger dick equals better fucking. But, But Nintendo was like, no, we, the the, the, the, the technique is better to work on than the dick itself. And, and I apply this, the, the philosophy of, of, of that to like everything like, like AI Bull. I already went on a whole rant about AI I won't go on another one. But like the tech industry in general I feel like has this thing where the, the technology is like, oh, we can make better technology but at the end of the day it has to prop up, especially in the entertainment industry, it has to prop up good stories and like just that's like, that's like good for humans, like good stories.

[Caller Brian]

So fun games design with game design stuff, right? Like it's about designing a really good closed loop system, something that's like fun and exciting to play. So when you play something like Stardew Valley, that's a good example of that where it's, it's in a nice controlled environment, you generally know how your next day is going to go. The mechanics are relatively easy to learn and you enjoy the sessioning of it kind of thing. Right. I think that those things are super novel and that's one of those things that Nintendo always seems to get right. But Nintendo has also been in this game for like 100 plus years. Was it 150 years back in the day when they were making like trading card games? You know, I would almost say like in ancient times because I wasn't alive back then and like 1850 or something they were founded. The Nintendo origins when you know is only like trading card decks or something like that. But I think where I'm going with this is like they have really honed in on like this is the difference between Western media and something like the Japanese media influence like Japan, Japan and Nintendo, they identify that this is more of like a craft and a discipline and they approach all their stuff with game design to be like, all right, we know what functionally works, but how can we put our twist on it, simplify it and make it appeal to the masses? And they have time and time again approved that they can, you know, continuously deliver on that sort of promise. I find it to be really inspiring as well. So.

[Lyle (Host)]

Yeah, well that's why a lot of that like NFT crypto bullshit didn't catch on because the techno like technology, yeah, technology is cool when it like serves a purpose of some kind, but people are using it in ways it doesn't. Like the.

[Caller Brian]

Well you hear these phrases like on chain. What the fuck does on chain mean? Like oh, there's a ledger. Okay, well what does that really mean to me? At the end of the day, like, oh, you own this? Okay, well, I. If I go play Overwatch and get the new Kiriko skin, I earned my skin there, right? And some people are like, yeah, you should be able to bring that skin over to Fortnite or whatever. And it's like, but who's actually asking for that? Is there a real market for that?

[Lyle (Host)]

Exact.

[Caller Brian]

And I bet you there is, but it's probably like less than 5% of all gamers everywhere give a shit about that. Maybe.

[Lyle (Host)]

Well, the thing I think, like, do one thing that, like, tech bros don't understand is that one thing tech bros don't understand is that just because a thing can logistically be done, it doesn't mean like, like, like, okay, a thing's integration in society, the barrier is usually less a logistical barrier and more a barrier of cultural and social acceptance. And so it's like, yeah, you know, logistically, you could theoretically do all these things with this technology, but culturally and socially, do people actually fucking want to

[Caller Brian]

or are they receptive to it? Like, you know, one of the noble things I've heard is that, you know, games are a medium that could change the world. And, you know, we can eliminate bullying if we just hit him before it. That would ever even become an idea in their mind kind of thing. But I don't really know if I buy into that. I mean that once you start to really, really dig into that, that's kind of. It goes down that, like, video games and violence kind of thing, you know, I'm not a big proponent. I don't believe that video games cause violence. If anything, they are more of like a, like a safe outlet for, you know, personal expression or whatever it is that you want to do. Like, if you just want to show up in GTA and steal cars and bang hookers, you know, sure, you can do that, right? But, you know, when you think of, like, the big picture of all video games that are out there on a long enough timeline, any game idea that you have, if you. If you think to yourself, okay, I think I know what a cool game idea is. If you wait long enough and just watch the Steam Store page long enough, you will probably see a game similar to the game idea that you had. Because everyone is trying almost anything to try to make a quick buck or make anything work. If you're like, oh, it'll be Powderpuff Girls, but it's going to be in World of Warcraft, okay, yeah, sure, that game might be out there, who knows?

[Lyle (Host)]

But have you played the game Bully.

[Caller Brian]

I have not. No, that's like. Rockstar is one of their OG titles, I think.

[Lyle (Host)]

Great game.

[Caller Brian]

Yeah.

[Lyle (Host)]

I wonder if that's.

[Caller Brian]

Were you playing that the other.

[Lyle (Host)]

Yeah. Was it? Go ahead.

[Caller Brian]

You were playing on stream, right?

[Lyle (Host)]

No, I haven't streamed in like six years.

[Caller John]

Oh.

[Caller Brian]

For some reason, I thought I'd seen you playing it. I could have swore I saw someone playing it recently.

[Lyle (Host)]

But, yeah, you keep mistake. You keep. You have this thing. You keep mistaking other people for me. Maybe you, you know, maybe. I don't know, maybe you just. Maybe you just. You want to see me. You wanted to connect with me. Here we are. We did it. We connected.

[Caller Brian]

It's like a high five through the Internet.

[Lyle (Host)]

It's like a high five through the Internet.

[Caller Brian]

You're.

[Lyle (Host)]

I appreciate you because you're the. You're the easiest person to talk to of the people I've talked to today.

[Caller Brian]

Well, I hope I could uplift the spirits a little bit. And I really appreciate it. Like, you know, you reaching out to me like, this is another one of those winking nods that maybe I should actually probably start to stream myself and see what I can put together and. Yeah, try it out, you know, so please, please, Brian.

[Lyle (Host)]

Pleasure talking to you, Brian. I appreciate you, man. Is there anything else you want to say to the people at the computer before we go?

[Caller Brian]

I've waited so long for this moment and I just want to say gg Right? Like, good game, gg. Gg. That's it, man. Gg.

[Lyle (Host)]

Beautiful. Hey, thank you, Brian. See you around the universe, man.

[Caller Brian]

Appreciate it. Have a good one.

[Lyle (Host)]

Well, thank God for Brian. Thank God for Brian for allowing us to end this podcast today on a torrential vibe shift. Brian's a good guy. That was the therapy Gecko podcast, folks. Thanks for listening. I'm Lyle. I'm a gecko. I'm on tour. I'm. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, if you live in Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, Minneapolis, I'm coming to all those cities. I'm coming to more cities than just that, by the way. I'm coming to like 28 cities, a ton of cities. I would love to see you there. Go to therapy gecko tour.com or check the link in the episode description to do that. If you don't like hearing the ads on the podcast and you want to support the podcast and get an ad free listening experience and also support the pod, of course, you can go to patreon.com lyle forever. There's also some bonus episodes. There's lots of bonus episodes of calls that are not on the main feed that you can check out too. Those are fun. I don't have anything else to say but I feel good and I hope you have a beautiful Sunday or Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday or Friday or Saturday whenever you're listening to this Geck. Bless you and see you guys around the universe.

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