Therapy Gecko – “I’M ESCAPING THE SYSTEM”

Podcast: Therapy Gecko
Host: Lyle (Therapy Gecko)
Guest: Braze (DJ/Hustler)
Date: December 7, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Therapy Gecko takes a call from Braze, a multi-talented 25-year-old who’s leveraging a work leave of absence to experiment with alternative hustles—from day trading and 3D printing to DJing in Texas nightclubs. The conversation unfolds as an honest exploration of unconventional ambition, financial survival, family complications, loneliness, risk-taking, and the longing for community. Braze shares his story of “escaping the system,” revealing both his innovative drive and the hardships he faces, while Lyle listens, challenges, and relates, infusing signature humor and warmth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. “Escaping the System”: Paid Leave & Side Hustles

[03:18 – 13:20]

• Paid Leave from Bank Job:

  • Braze explains using a work mental health policy—leave of absence supported by a therapist’s note—to step away from a stressful banking job, while still getting paid.
  • “I’ve been off for the last like two months. I’m supposed to go back end of this month, but I’m trying to see if I can get it extended to longer.” [03:44]
  • Lyle muses on the motives of corporations, questions the bank’s generosity, and suggests using the paid time to build a more fulfilling life.

• New Ventures & Hustles:

  • Day Trading (Forex Challenge):
    • Braze is learning to day trade and is participating in a simulation-to-real-money challenge with a prop trading company.
    • He describes the challenge and the gambling aspect:
    • “You pay this company $500, and then they give you $100,000 of fake money. And if you can turn that into $110,000, they’ll give you $100,000 of real money.” [08:41]
    • Admits it’s “calculated gambling.”
    • “I always tell people who are interested: it’s always a 50/50 chance... it’s kind of that simple.” [09:52]
    • Lyle draws parallels to casino gambling:
    • “What is the difference between this and just going to the casino with fake money to get real money?” [10:33]
  • 3D Printing & Trade Shows:
    • Braze sells 3D-printed novelties and accessories at local trade shows.
    • “I’ve been 3D printing... Santa hats, earrings, wallets... cheesy little stuff people will buy as gifts.” [14:58]
  • DJ Gigs (Club and Celebrity Events):
    • Regular DJ at local venues, with a background in celebrity gigs (Jamie Foxx, 50 Cent, Netflix).
    • “I’ve done a whole bunch of different events for celebrities like Jamie Foxx and shit like that...” [13:20]

2. Work, Identity, and Discontent

[15:38 – 17:49]

• Bank Job Anxieties:
  • Braze recounts why banking made him anxious and “like a loser,” observing older coworkers stagnating.
  • “The people I work with, they’ve been with the company for 30–40 years… I know I’m meant to do more than this.” [15:42]
  • Lyle affirms using loopholes to escape soul-crushing jobs:
    • “If you can get a bank to pay you for three months of not working, you should totally do that.” [16:59]
  • On calculated risk:
    • “You’ve mitigated your risk and increased your upside. I respect that…” [18:11]

3. Personal Circumstances: Housing Insecurity & Family Betrayal

[19:31 – 24:16]

• Housing Instability:
  • Braze is technically homeless—the result of poor credit due to his mother’s financial misuse.
  • “My credit is shot thanks to my mom… I got a car repo’d in my name for her, and I got like $40,000 in due rent for this place that she kind of screwed me on too…” [21:32]
• Mother’s Influence and Social Media Obsession:
  • His mother prioritized her own image and business over his financial well-being.
  • “She’s just trying to be like an influencer… she’ll go TikTok Live and go to Pilates…” [22:28]
  • The fallout: strained relationship and financial hurdles.

4. Community, Loneliness & the Search for Connection

[24:16 – 34:17]

• Isolation in Texas:
  • No close friends or family nearby; socializing mainly restricted to professional contexts (DJ gigs, acquaintances at the Makerspace).
  • “It’s just me and my pets against the world, man… I don’t really have anybody I can just call or just shoot the sht with…”* [25:39]
• The Importance of a “Third Space”:
  • Lyle reflects on the crucial role of regular communal spaces outside work/home.
    • “The times where I didn’t have something like that, they just were cold, you know? You need somewhere to be, where there’s other people around…” [29:44]
• Makerspace as Creative Outlet & Nascent Community:
  • Braze is teaching DJ classes at the Makerspace, using it for income and light social contact.
  • Lyle and Braze discuss the value in even just being surrounded by acquaintances:
    • “I almost think it’s better to have a lot of acquaintances… it makes you feel like you exist.” [32:35]
  • Braze: “It feels good when I’m there… being around other people who are creative.” [33:51]

5. Philosophy on Hustling & Gaming the System

[34:17 – 36:23]

• Strategic Use of the System:
  • The two agree on exploiting opportunities companies make available to maximize life outside traditional employment.
  • “The company offers it… if they approve it, it’s kind of out of their hands.” [34:39]
  • Lyle: “You get one life… You should do what you want. Figure out some way to do it that requires the least amount of your energy.” [34:57]

6. AI and Modern Hustling

[36:23 – 41:17]

• Braze uses AI for networking and gig outreach:
  • Automates finding venues, customizing email pitches, etc.
  • Lyle gives practical advice about personalizing outreach.
    • “If you’re gonna use AI to mass make your emails, change at least one part of it to make it be like, hey, this is for you.” [36:59]

7. Creativity, Social Media, and Validation

[41:17 – 42:53]

• Braze is not naturally a “social media guy” but recognizes its importance for artists and DJ hustlers.
  • Lyle: “You can’t really be like, ‘I’m not a social media guy’ anymore… if you want people to see your work and make money, social media is the way.” [39:01]
• The value of real-world connection trumps views:
  • “You can get 10 human beings in real life to perceive your work… that feels more real than getting 20,000 Internet views.” [41:56]
  • Braze: “I get paid either way… but obviously I prefer to spin for people…” [42:37]

8. Wild Hustle Stories & Reflections on Life

[44:54 – 53:36]

• Gigs at Strip Clubs, Netflix Parties, Jamie Foxx’s House:

  • “DJ’d for Netflix at an opening party, for Jamie Foxx at his house, for 50 Cent…” [45:39]

• Craziest Gig: TGI Fridays Abandoned Party Raid:

  • Abandoned TGI Fridays party in LA gets shut down by SWAT and police helicopters.
  • “We broke into this TGI Friday’s that was abandoned… the SWAT team showed up, police helicopters… I just got my mixer and I dipped.” [46:48]

• Sugar Mama Stories & Brush with the Adult Industry:

  • Multiple relationships with older, generous women—including a porn star he met through a physical therapist after a car accident.
  • “She wanted to pay me for some sugar… she ended up offering to pay me like 20 grand to put a baby in her… it just got kind of weird.” [53:08]
  • Brief participation in adult videos, found the experience awkward:
    • “It’s hard to stay bricked up with eight people in the room and a guy with a camera over your shoulder…” [51:26]

• Braze prefers the unpredictable hustle (“side quests”) over conventional paths.

9. Lyle’s Meta-Reflection on Callers and Truthfulness

[63:50 – 66:58]

• Lyle addresses skepticism in his Twitch chat about Braze’s story, asserting that the wildest stories are often true if you’re open to experience.
  • “If you’re a person who puts yourself out there and says yes… life is really, like, weird and crazy.” [65:08]

10. Closing Reflections: Perseverance & Redefining Success

[57:06 – 61:35]

• Braze and Lyle reflect on the meaning of self-created work and the inevitability that every hustle eventually takes on its own obligations.
• “Everything you create for yourself becomes its own… obligation. And if you’re always trying to escape, you’ll escape one thing by creating something else and then try to escape that. That’s how life evolves.” –Lyle [58:00]
• On continuing to “hack at it”:
  • “I genuinely do believe… it is a bit of a matter of just like… continuing to hack at it… if you just keep hacking at things.” [57:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On creative hustling:
  “I’m just running a whole bunch of side quests, honestly, man... DJing, 3D printing, day trading, whatever I can to not go back.” —Braze [13:20]

• On risk and hustling:
  “I’m young right now, I’m in a very unique position to where I can take risks like this. So I’m trying to take all the risks I can… to not have to go back to work.” —Braze [19:17]

• On community:
  “Community is really important... the times in my life where I had something like that, I can distinctly divide in my life—the times where I didn’t just were cold, you know?” —Lyle [29:44]

• On using the system:
  “If the company offers it and they approve it, it’s kind of out of their hands. You get one life… If you can tell the bank you’re anxious and make the downside of taking your swings lower, you should totally do that.” —Lyle [34:39, 18:11]

• On self-employment obligations:
  “Everything you create for yourself becomes its own... obligation. You escape something by creating something else, and then you try to escape that…” —Lyle [57:48]

• Funny closing:
  “Just fucking Catalina, wine mixer boats and hose swag.” —Braze [63:35]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:18] – Braze introduces his paid leave and side hustles.
• [08:41] – Explanation of the “FOMC Challenge” in Forex trading.
• [12:07] – Comparing anxiety in banking vs. day trading.
• [15:42] – Braze on workplace anxiety and feeling stuck.
• [21:32] – Detailing how his mother’s actions ruined his credit.
• [25:39] – Discussing loneliness and lack of support network.
• [29:44] – Lyle on the importance of community “third spaces.”
• [34:39] – Hacking the system and the logic of exploiting corporate loopholes.
• [41:56] – Debating the merits of real-life versus online audience engagement.
• [46:48] – Braze recounts his wildest gig (abandoned TGI Fridays).
• [51:26] – Describes the awkwardness of shooting adult videos.
• [58:00] – Lyle on perpetual restlessness in ambition.
• [63:35] – Braze’s sign-off: “Catalina wine mixer boats and hose swag.”

Tone

The episode balances honest, sometimes vulnerable discussion with playful humor and existential reflection. Braze and Lyle speak candidly, often with self-deprecating wit but also moments of inspiration and encouragement. Lyle’s easy, conversational coaching draws out Braze’s story with compassion and authenticity.

Summary Takeaway

This episode of Therapy Gecko is an in-depth odyssey into modern-day hustling, risk, and reinvention. Braze’s story—by turns wild, funny, and poignant—shows a deeply human response to institutional dissatisfaction and social isolation: create, connect, and keep moving forward. Lyle champions the courage to seek unconventional paths while grounding the conversation with reminders about community, self-acceptance, and the realities of escape.

Find Braze online:
Instagram/TikTok: @brazjhannn
(“B-R-A-Z-J-H-A-N-N-N”)

Memorable moment:

“At the end of the day, I'm just trying to beat this economy, man… use this time to my advantage… running a whole bunch of side quests.” —Braze [13:20]

“You get one life. You should do what you want… Figure out some way to do it that requires the least amount of your energy.” —Lyle [34:57]