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Jason Tardick
Foreign. Welcome back to another episode of Trading Secrets. I'm your host, Jason Tardick, and welcome to the pre market trading segment. I'm gonna tell you a little bit about what you can expect from our guest. One financial tip and a little update from myself. We have Wes Wilson coming on from Summerhouse. Now, if you're not watching Summerhouse, there's still so much to take away from this episode. But I'll tell you this, this season is blowing up. I'm looking at just like the trends and any of the analytics you can see on the season. And from what I'm seeing, it looks like it's doing exceptionally well. If you're familiar with Summer House, you know that Wes had, he's very, very likable, but had a, a little bit of a tough go in the last season and especially on the reunion, which we'll talk about. And he'll tease a little bit about what we can expect from him in this upcoming season. But again, if you don't watch the show, there's so much here about his story when he was fired, what happened, how he bounced back, things that he's learned. That's the beauty of this entire podcast, is whether you're a fan of the individual or you know the show that they're on, you don't know the show or don't watch it, there's still so many great takeaways. So you're going to love this episode. And I'll tell you this much, Wait till the recap. David and I get into it. But Wes is just a vibe. He's just an absolute vibe. And his vibes in person are immaculate. Before I go to a little financial trading secret and a little tip, please remember to give us five stars. We really, really appreciate it. And we're, we're seeing all the feedback, especially while you talked a little bit about my next chapter in that rv. If you missed last recap, you might want to go back to it. But I did get a lot of messages. A lot of people are team rv. We'll see what happens there. One financial tip for you I want you to think about. A lot of people ask me in relationships, how should you split finances? The, you know, there's no cookie cutter solution and there's no one size fits all. It all depends on the certain circumstances, the relationship everyone has with money, which is very different. But first and foremost, you got to talk about your money with your partner. You guys got to put all the cards on the table. And then when we're talking about different Systems. Here's one that works. And I wrote about it in my book that was published back in 2024. And the idea behind this system is you want to make sure that, that it's fair, it's a fair system. And so what I say is based on your income, you could take the percentage of the bill and based on your income compared to your partner, that's the percentage you pay. So you know, if you're making two times more than your partner, well, you'll pay two times more of the percent for the bill and for rent and for other things that you guys decide to split. So I talk all about this in my book, Talk Money to me, the eight numbers that you must know about your personal finance. And if you're moving in with someone cohabitating or you're in a partnership, eight numbers you should know about their finances. So grab a copy of that. Now, a little update for myself. I'm doing this right here live from Cabo. I took a very impromptu trip here. Was supposed to be in New York for a Broadway show that I was investing in. Which by the way, if you want to become an Investor In Nick Jonas's Broadway show, we have two slots left. They are 12 and a half K each. But you can be part of this group and be part of our co producer investing group. So serious inquiries only. But just hit me up@tradingsecretsasontardic.com, but I was supposed to be there and there was a huge snowstorm. And then I had a partnership that I had to by may fulfill with Hilton grand vacations. And so we said, hey, can we fill that tomorrow? They said yes. And we went down to Los Cabos, stayed at the Hilton. And I'll tell you, it was amazing. It was such a great experience. The service, just everything down here is unbelievable. If you've never been to Cabo, it like might be my new happy place and a perfect trip for some things that are coming down the road here soon. I can't wait to tell you about. But the present is great and the future is even brighter. And I hope that you have a great week. But enough of me, enough of my updates. Let's ring in the bell with the one and only Wes Wilson. Welcome back to another episode of Trading Secrets. Today we are joined by the newest cast member of Bravo's hit reality TV show Summer House. Wesley Wilson west joined the Summer House cast in the Most recent Season 8, where he became an immediate fan favorite by providing the right balance of being extroverted wholesome and authentic. During his time on the show, his storyline centered around new friendships, love connections, and his career, specifically being laid off from Bleacher Report and eventually landing a new career opportunity with complex networks. We are going to discuss his experience of being cast on the show, his plans to return for future seasons, and his unique career path. How did he navigate being laid off? What was job searching like at this point in his career? Did he ever consider leaving New York City? Did he foresee reality TV as a career opportunity in his future? And if he could paint a picture as to what we can expect this season from Summer House, what will it look like? Wes, my man, thank you so much for joining us on Trading Secrets. I'm going to get into your career before the show, before I do, because you're kind of touching on it a little bit here.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
The new season is now airing. How would you define. Let's say in three words. You have to define what your character, what your edit will be in three words. What's your guess?
Wes Wilson
1. Progress. Which sounds wholesome, kind of.
Jason Tardick
That is wholesome.
Wes Wilson
2. Spectator. One of my good friends on the show, we kind of, like, swapped, like, last year. I was kind of, like, learning, like, how to deal with a relationship in that house. And he did it this summer.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
And I tried to give advice, and, like, obviously it got messy for him, but it's really fun not being a part of it and getting to, like, watch other people fuck shit up in the house.
Jason Tardick
You get to watch the show and not the show. You get to have the popcorn and not be on the screen.
Wes Wilson
So that's good. And then obviously, just, like, fun. Like, I think I kind of. I mean, this isn't a secret, but I had a relationship last year.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
That has ended. And so I wasn't sure how to navigate that. Like, entering the house.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
And I always kind of, like, I don't ever want to, like, come off as if I don't, like, care like a huge dick or whatever. So I. I kind of, like, played it slow in the beginning and just tried to see how we would coexist. And then it kind of like. Then we get into the fun. So the third word is fun. It'll always be fun.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
It's hard not to have fun when you're with your friends, like, in a house that has a pool and you.
Jason Tardick
Throw parties and it's like, that's.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
It sounds like you grew a lot. Sounds like you grew a lot.
Wes Wilson
I think so. I mean, I just, like, I'm. I'M someone who. I love group activities, I love gatherings. I love when people are together and like getting along and when that's not the case, I feel uncomfortable. So I just like for everyone to be happy and together and so I. Yeah, we got there.
Jason Tardick
I like it. We're gonna. You know, this is a business podcast, so I always like to take elements of TV and like bring in the business side of it. Do you feel as though. Because we've had like every single reality star from any show on. Right. And this is always an interesting concept. Last year you were in the mix. It's our last season. You're in the mix. It sounds like this season you've grown a little bit. You're a little bit more on the sidelines.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
From a business perspective, do you ever think about the consequences that does to your actual brand on the show, what you're doing for ratings? Will you get renewed, things like that, if you're staying on the sidelines and not getting involved?
Wes Wilson
No, only because it's not that I, I mean, I'm not like a confrontational person by nature at all. If anyone wants that God awful reunion I did last year, they could probably figure that out. So I think as long as you're sticking to like who you are.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
You, you shouldn't have any regrets towards that.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
But I kind of feel like, and this could be not true, but I've worked in like sp. I just feel like once you have people who like you and people who hate you, like, I think no matter what I do or how I am perceived this summer there are going to be people who hate me and people who kind of ride with me or whatever.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Which is a product of kind of how maybe last year went. But I don't know. I mean, I've only done this one time, so I don't know what the product or reception will be this summer. So I don't really know. Like, I don't know if I even know the answer to that but.
Jason Tardick
Well, didn't. It wasn't there. Weren't there claims from like Sierra saying that maybe the relationship was to make a storyline and. And then it's bringing it back to like the business side of the podcast.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Be like, what then is the storyline for? Well, I guess the storyline is to create a significant splash. Like, what is your response?
Wes Wilson
No, I don't want. I, I've had, I had enough splashes last year. Like, I want to break. I'm still kind of like. Because you live it, you live it out and then it's. You don't get the feedback until eight months later.
Jason Tardick
So that's true.
Wes Wilson
When we were going into this, like, I'm still kind of, like, very exhausted from how the last season ended. So, no, I didn't go into that looking for anything. I wanted to just catch my breath and, like, enjoy my time with everybody.
Jason Tardick
Did you notice at all from. From, like, a business perspective that when things were going well, when it was airing, like, business was coming in at a faster rate, and then when things weren't going well, opportunities were taken? Did that impact the actual business side of West?
Wes Wilson
Not really. Only just because. Oh, that's fair, man.
Jason Tardick
What's the business? It was good.
Wes Wilson
And I mean, no, it's also. I think there's a lot of things as far as, like, business goes. I don't know. I. People do crazy on reality tv. And the. The outcry from us, like, not ending up together was kind of crazy, but, like, it was just like, a little breakup. Like, no one cheated or li. Like, it. It seemed like a big deal in the moment. But I think as far as business goes, there's not a lot on paper for people to be like, right, this guy's not suit to, like, you know, to align with or whatever. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. But, no, I mean, it was a gradual build, and, like, it's still been growing since, so, I mean, it's all way beyond anything I would have ever imagined. Yeah. Which is just funny because I. I need. Like, I did the show, I got a voicemail, and I. The only reason I was checking my voicemail was because that was the day my severance ended. From Bleacher Report.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
And they were like, hey, we're calling about a show. Blah, blah, blah, blah. And I was like, do you have no reason to not entertain this or see this through?
Jason Tardick
Because if I was crazy was the day severance ended.
Wes Wilson
Yeah, I was on. I. I was in Europe for a wedding, got home, and I was so, like, holy, what's next? You know? And so I needed, like, a. My mom always jokes. People are like, how do Wes get on Summer House? And she's like, he needed this summer job. He literally got laid off in his severance ended, so he needed something to do. And I was like, okay, let's try it out. And it all worked out.
Jason Tardick
You met Lindsay, right? Yeah, I met Lindsay or something. Right. Dinner.
Wes Wilson
We were both at dinner at the same place, and then, like, ended up at the bar after. It's like just your classic New York story where People are like, just drinking.
Jason Tardick
What do you think it was about you that she's like, yeah, I see something.
Wes Wilson
That's a good question. Well, I didn't know she was so that as far as, like, our connection or whatever. Like, I think obviously she knew I was just like a dude at the bar talking to her. And I don't know, we just kind of like, around Lindsay is a very, like, power, like, very. A lot of, like, powerful energy.
Jason Tardick
Powerful. She's been on the podcast.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
One of the things we always do a recap. So my good buddy and I, we recapped the episode and he's like, man, of all the people we've had on. And we've had some big people. We've had some, like Todd Graves, worth $9.2 billion, owns raising canes. He's like, no one carries.
Wes Wilson
That guy's on every pod. That guy.
Jason Tardick
He's everywhere.
Wes Wilson
He does a lot.
Jason Tardick
He's just everywhere. He was like a marketing machine. Y. Yeah, but she. He was like, no one's voice, like, carries confidence like hers. Like, she. He's like, you could like it. You could love it when she talks. You listen.
David
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Yeah. And so I think I probably just met her with similar energy. I mean, I'm not like, as brash probably as Lindsay is, but it was just like a random, fun, little, like 45 minute encounter. And like, were you like.
Jason Tardick
We went ourselves, Amber, Were you taking shots?
Wes Wilson
You're definitely taking shots. But I think I had like. I think I was going on a hinge date after or something like that.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
And so I had time to kill and I don't know where she was going, but it was like. It was so random. And yeah, it was just like a nice little interaction and then that was it. I mean, the whole story. The stories are kind of long, but we were talking about. I somehow brought up that I was at Bleacher Report, and she was like, I have this idea for a sports podcast, blah, blah, blah, blah. And she was like, don't steal this and take the Bleacher Report. Like, it's my idea, but if we can ever, like, do it, let's do it. She made me sign a bar napkin that said stop it. She wrote out her podcast and I. Yeah, that's incredible. Yeah, it's on my phone.
Jason Tardick
So where is the idea? Does it. Anyone taking it?
Wes Wilson
It was. The idea was like a guy and a girl host a podcast, and it's not. The girl is not trying to keep up with the guy. It was meant to, like, Be sports. Like sommeliers in the mail.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
And then girls who are new to sports and like explaining it in real time on poc. I think I, I, I'll try to find the napkin for you.
Jason Tardick
I like it. We're gonna find that napkin. Lindsay came on this podcast and it was like went viral where she talked about the contracts for summer house.
Wes Wilson
I saw that.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. We set it up right. So the first and second, third. So can you confirm like that is exactly accurate? Like your first season you were paid what they were and then your second season. I don't jump.
Wes Wilson
I don't know and I don't want to. I try not to like ask people about whatever they're making because just like, who care then things get weird anytime.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. Like that's a huge topic of this podcast. Financial transparency. And everyone has a different opinion. So like, why is that you're opinion?
Wes Wilson
I mean, I think probably because black and white, that's the, that's your how you are valued comparatively to your castmates or whatever. But I mean it. I do think it is tenure though. Like, because I think a lot of the comments like Paige probably makes the most. Right. Because she's reach.
Jason Tardick
Like the comments were like, there's no way Paige is making the same as what she should.
Wes Wilson
But if they have it in their like contract that it's just like you, it's just gradual. Then it probably is that it's not like Paige needs to make an extra.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
2K an episode. You know what I mean?
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah. Just fine.
Wes Wilson
I know that the people who have been there from the beginning, like, certainly make way more than like Jesse and I do.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah. Yeah.
Wes Wilson
I was under the impression that it was just like it was linear, but I mean, maybe it's not. I don't know.
Jason Tardick
I assume you're making way more in brand opportunities than you.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Paid on the show.
Wes Wilson
Yeah. So that's why I don't think anyone assumptions.
Jason Tardick
Right. I'm assuming at this point you're probably, probably making more in brand opportunities than you are at your current job.
Wes Wilson
Oh, yeah. I mean, yeah.
Jason Tardick
So.
Wes Wilson
But that's, that's good. I mean, complex has been so dope in the way they've handled it and like flexible with me and like we have just figured it all out. So. Yeah. I'm like part time with Complex now.
Jason Tardick
Okay. Like how many hours you work with them?
Wes Wilson
It depends. So like we like I'll be at the super bowl in two weeks and that will be like five straight days. Wow. But if I Have, like, a busy week. They don't, like, you know, ride my ass crazy. So it's like, they've been super good about, like, we just work together when we can. And a lot of the stuff. Because some of it's writing, you'll get opportunities just brought to you from outside companies who just want to, like, partner with Complex. And then if you have time, then I'll just be like, yeah, let's do it. And that's usually an interview or like, the coolest one. I did three NFL games in one day.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
Ended in Buffalo.
Jason Tardick
No way.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Nice. What are you writing about? Are you writing about the fan experience? Like, what?
Wes Wilson
So the only thing that, like, that opportunity. So, like, Verizon came to me and was like, we want the article, like, to go out on Complex and basically, like, the. The get the trade off is referencing whatever their promo or their giveaway or whatever they're marketing. I will reference that and, like, do it a good. Like, give it a good service within the article.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
But the creative in the article, like, I can do whatever I want. So that one I flipped into, like, what was it like? Best NFL markets. And the whole. The hook was like, we went from jets to Ravens to Bills.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
Like, smaller. Like, started a huge market, medium market. Ended in, like, a tiny market.
Jason Tardick
Sure.
Wes Wilson
But that. The day. And the games got more fun as the day went on.
Jason Tardick
Oh, that's cool.
Wes Wilson
Because obviously. Yeah. And so unlike baseball, where Dodgers, Yankees will be good forever.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Because they. There's no salary cap in baseball. The NFL is awesome because places like Buffalo, Kansas City, Green Bay have incredible experiences and loyal fan bases. And size doesn't matter. It's all about, like, tradition and shit. So I ranked them and then basically, like, hooked the whole day into, like, why I was making that list kind of thing.
Jason Tardick
Cool.
Wes Wilson
Yeah, it was dope.
Jason Tardick
That's kind of a good transition to Bleacher reports. So for people that haven't heard the story.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Why did you get fired? Why did that severance run out?
Wes Wilson
Are you thinking of the hockey thing?
Jason Tardick
Yes.
Wes Wilson
Okay. Which.
Jason Tardick
And for people that don't understand, I.
Wes Wilson
Was actually wondering if you're gonna ask me about that because it has an update that I have not shared yet.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. Well, let's get the update.
Wes Wilson
Okay. So technically, I got laid off. Like, bleacherboard had a bunch of layoffs, so the bleacher board didn't fire me. I got the severance because there were a bunch of layoffs.
Jason Tardick
Question.
Wes Wilson
But part of it, I. I mean, they weren't Happy with me.
Jason Tardick
Severance. There's a lot of people that listen to this. Yeah, it might get laid off.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Might have a severance.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Did you negotiate it and what percentage your salary was the severance?
Wes Wilson
No. I am so lucky. And I. Anytime I hear about people who get laid off now, yeah, I am blown away. Bleacher for gave me six months severance.
Jason Tardick
Holy shit.
Wes Wilson
And I'd only worked there for three and a half years.
Jason Tardick
Dude, that. That's unheard of.
Wes Wilson
Oh, I know.
David
I.
Jason Tardick
Did you negotiate that or they gave you.
Wes Wilson
No, they started with it.
Jason Tardick
Wow.
Wes Wilson
And I learned a lot from that whole experience because I thought when I heard six months, I mean, obviously I was sad to be like, that company was kind of a part of my self identity for, like, a long time. So I was sad, but I was like, oh, six months. I can fucking take my time and, like, ease into finding what's next.
Jason Tardick
Sure.
Wes Wilson
Not how I should have handled it at all. I think, especially just in the media world, like, as you know, that stuff just does not move fast. And that was 2022, so still, like, the job market was, like, reeling from COVID like, just a little, and it just wasn't what I thought it would be. Took my time. And I went through interviews that lasted, you know, two months, and then they choose the other guy. And you're like, back to the beginning, and it. I mean, I was very much humbled, but I think looking back, I could have handled it in so many different ways. But I mean, also at the same time, the summer house thing came, and so that was the beauty in it.
Jason Tardick
But, yeah, so the NHL story.
Wes Wilson
So. Okay, are you. Are you a sage guy?
Jason Tardick
Yeah, try to be.
Wes Wilson
I know it's.
Jason Tardick
I've been my whole life, but they're brutal.
Wes Wilson
Basically, like, Bleacher Report, who's owned by Turner, Okay. Acquired NHL rights, and they had this big kickoff call with everyone, and they were like, hey, like, Gary Bettman, who's the commissioner of the NHL, people hate all commissioners, but I think he's probably. I'm also super biased, but I think people hate him.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. Yeah. It's up there. Very high. He gets booed very aggressively.
Wes Wilson
Yeah. So he hops on. It's just kind of like a. Let me brag about myself and show you guys how cool my job is and what I've done for an NHL. And I was so bored, and I was like, you know what? Let me ask a question. So I, like, put a shirt on, unmuted my mic, turned the camera on. I was like, Mr. Bettman, my name's Wes from Bleach Report.
Jason Tardick
How many people are on this call, dude?
Wes Wilson
Like, 400.
Jason Tardick
Okay. And for pretty big people.
Wes Wilson
Yeah, it was all the big dogs at NHL. Big dogs from Turner. But it was like a Bleacher Report meets NHL call. And I'm like, a producer and a host, so my face is supposed to be at all of these hockey events. And I was like, I know the NFL's dealt with this a lot lately, but how are you guys going into this year keeping hockey the way it's supposed to be played, the way it's been played for years, keeping the violence, keeping the physicality, while also kind of, you know, proving to the public that you care about head safety and you're taking measures to, like, protect players. Well, I didn't think it was that bad of a question. Like, I, I. Because I know the NFL deals with it all the time, and, like, proving head safety is important to the league is like, it's a great question. I thought I was, like, aligning with. He would, like, want to say, yeah.
Jason Tardick
It'S a great question.
Wes Wilson
And so the word violent, I guess, is one of their trigger words. Yeah. And he freaked the out on me.
Jason Tardick
No way.
Wes Wilson
And he goes, hockey, which now I just laugh. Every time I turn on the TV and dudes are punching each other's teeth out, he goes, hockey is not violent. There's nothing violent about hockey. It's a physical sport, but it's not violent. And then he was like, I guess we need to teach people at Bleacher Report, like, more about hockey, like, you guys don't know anything, blah, blah. And I was like, whoa. Like, the guy lost it. And so I just was like, got it, Took it on the chin kind of just like, waited for the call to get over and was like, dude, whoa. So I started getting a bunch of slacks from everyone. There was like, great question. He's a bitch. Blah, blah, blah, blah. And I was like, oh, cool. So I, like, people, like, thought the question was good. He just kind of got spooked.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Then I get a message from, like, my boss's boss's boss's boss that was like, hey, you gotta call me. And this was like, the day after. I was like, damn. He was like, dude, the NHL is so mad at us. Mad at you. They don't want you around hockey because, like, you have, like, created this tension amongst both companies. Like, we're pulling you from all hockey events for the rest of the year. And I had chit Slated did, like, all the way through. So I was like, did I just get, like, banned from the NHL and. Sorry, I'm, like, dragging the story on. But so then fast forward Stanley Cup. They have everyone scheduled, except, like, we don't have anyone to cover game six. Yeah, this was when the Aves played the Lightning. It was in Tampa. And they were like, we are gonna have to, like, ask them if we can send west because we don't have anyone else. AVs win it in game 6 in Tampa. I was there, no one else. It just so happened that it was the game I had to go to. I was on the ice while they were celebrating, and I took a picture like this and I tagged Gary Bettman above my head. And so HR called me like an hour later.
Jason Tardick
Was like, fire in all areas, huh?
Wes Wilson
Kind.
Jason Tardick
I just thought with it, I was.
Wes Wilson
Trying to be a journalist and everyone hated me for it. And I was like, dude, fuck you guys. So I posted that, which that was dumb. And looking back, yeah, I mean, like, they. No one was happy with me for any of that.
Jason Tardick
When you posted that, what happened?
Wes Wilson
Like, HR hit me up and was like, are you an idiot?
Jason Tardick
Like, we literally let you go to the stand. You're bad.
Wes Wilson
So it's more just. And now just anytime I see him on my TV or whatever, I'll post a picture and write, like, bitch or something.
Jason Tardick
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Wes Wilson
Okay, so I thought it was over, right? It's been, what is it, 20, 25 now. That was three, four years ago. The Blues hit me up and we're like, hey, because I'm from Missouri. They were like, we're gonna send you a hockey kit for the Winter Classic. I was like, that's great. Gave him my address.
Jason Tardick
Whatever.
Wes Wilson
A few weeks later, someone at BR is like, dude, fanatics just asked us if you put us on the call because the NHL saw your name on the influencer list and asked to pull you from it.
Jason Tardick
Holy.
Wes Wilson
So someone higher up at NHL saw my name to get a hockey jersey and they're like, dude, don't send.
Jason Tardick
Take a bottle.
Wes Wilson
So my beef with the NHL is back on.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
Because they wouldn't let me get a little cute Christmas gift from the Blues and they told the Blues to scratch my name.
Jason Tardick
West versus the NHL.
Wes Wilson
Yeah, it's not. It's on.
Jason Tardick
All right, we've never.
Wes Wilson
Sorry that took so long.
Jason Tardick
That's a wild story though. You're back. All right, bring me back though, to. We've never had a journalist on as like a journalist for Bleacher Report. Give me an idea. Like, what. What can you make in that career track? And like, what's the trajectory? Like, how do you build your career?
Wes Wilson
I mean, like, pay wise. Yeah, dope in your 20s. I also for Bleach Report wasn't writing. It was more. It was like social production. So it's Instagram, tick tock, all the, like, I'm on site. Like, here's like, what we're gonna like, take you around, do an interview, whatever. It's good in your 20s. Like, it was manageable. Like, I think at BR, I ended. I think I was probably making like 90 at the end.
Jason Tardick
Oh, that's like. I would. I would expect a way less for journalism.
Wes Wilson
I started it.
Jason Tardick
That's pretty good.
Wes Wilson
In Vegas. I moved to Vegas to help them launch BR Betting.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
And then got sent back to New York after we built that for like a year that I started at 60, but I was in Vegas. I didn't like, yeah, yeah, yeah. It was cheap.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Back to 70K. And then that kind of like grew a little bit. And then because we were on camera, they sort of like threw us a bone and we're like, if you're. If your face is in X amount of videos, a quarter, then you get.
Jason Tardick
Oh, that's cool.
Wes Wilson
Well, yeah. So, like, when I say 90, that's counting, like, bonuses that we made for, like, being on camera. And that gets. I think bonuses get taxed, like. Yeah, 45. Something crazy.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
But it. I ended, like, around 90, which was fine, but I didn't really know where to go. Like, it's a great job for being in your 20s, because you're traveling everywhere. They're paying for it. The events are. I mean, your access is crazy.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
You're like.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, Yeah.
Wes Wilson
I was in the locker room when the Astros won the World.
Jason Tardick
I mean, that's incredible. And you're getting. And you're getting paid.
Wes Wilson
Well, it's also crazy, too, because it's all these journalists, like, a bunch of, like, old white dudes in suits with, like, their big cameras and microphones. And then just, like. I think I had on, like.
Jason Tardick
With a Britney Spears shirt. Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Like, camo pants and a backwards hat.
Jason Tardick
Have you always had that side note? Have you, like, that always been your style? Like, just, like, it's. Have you always been a vibe dude?
Wes Wilson
I get. I don't know. People really liked it, I think it's not that foreign, I don't think, to most people. I think it was foreign to Bravo.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, that's fair.
Wes Wilson
Like, camo and baggy pants. And, like, they're just used to Kyle and Carl, who wear, like, white skinny jeans.
Jason Tardick
Right, right, right.
Wes Wilson
And Jesse kind of dresses like that, too. But, like, I think that network just has a lot of dudes in their, like, late 30s who dress like they were born in the 70s, which they are. Like, I'm not. I can't fault them. But. So that kind of played into my favor, too. I didn't really realize that it would, but it does.
Jason Tardick
Let me. Let me ask you about this. So you. You lose your job at your report. You then get on Summer House.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Are you working immediately for Complex Networks? Are you only filming Summer House as a job?
Wes Wilson
No, I was. I was filming Summerhouse by myself. Like, I was a part of that. Last season was the job search. I was, like, still going through.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
So I actually. And I don't know if anyone thinks this is fake. No one said it, but I couldn't believe that it happened. Complex offered me on a Friday afternoon when I was in the house and had been a part of the summer. I was like. Yeah. Like, laid off last year. Like, I'm still trying to, like, figure shit out.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
And I. I mean, I was insecure about it, obviously, so I was like. I was like, fuck I had to go into this house and tell all these, like, hot girls that I'm literally unemployed.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
But they sent me the email on a Friday and I like, jumped in the pool and then start. I started the Wednesday after we wrapped filming.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
So it was like Bleacher Report. A few months of, like, me thinking I had time to, like, fuck around with money and not working. And then that ended. Needed something to do. Summer House second. Summer House ended. Started at Complex.
Jason Tardick
Okay. So you're, you're working at Complex. Summer House goes. It then airs. It's a little rough. It's good. It's bad.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
At any point, do you think about, like, packing up, leaving New York City, getting out of reality tv? Was there any type of thought like, that?
Wes Wilson
There were probably moments where I was like, like, do I want to do this? Is just a lot. But no, it's also like, I mean, I put myself in that situation, like, it's my own mess. So I try to use everything to learn from. But no, it was never like, to that point, I would say. And I mean, also everyone on the show was very like, we've all had our moments where people, like, didn't like us. Like, you'll be good. Like, you're so. I mean, those people were like. Everyone in the house was like, pretty supportive too. And I was just like, dude, whatever. But I will say though, I think it's very important, and maybe not to everyone, but for me to keep a job outside of this show. To like, keep you grounded in, like, real life. And that way you're not like. I mean, I, I.
Jason Tardick
What's interesting is I wonder how I'm thinking about the cast. How many people have that?
Wes Wilson
It's so weird now because it's like people make money outside of the show, but I mean, Kyle, very much.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Wes Wilson
Oh, yeah, Very much. A real job.
Jason Tardick
Paige, like, Paige. Yeah. I think Jesse, Jesse was in finance and then I think he's doing this.
Wes Wilson
Jesse got fired, though.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. Yeah.
Wes Wilson
They gave him the boot.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. Carl, reality TV and finance doesn't work.
Wes Wilson
A lot of people, I think, in on tv, like, want to be entrepreneurs and just think that I. Because you can attach your name to it, that it'll work. It's a lot of work. I don't think that that's will ever be my route.
Jason Tardick
What do you think five years from now, like, what does the dream look like?
Wes Wilson
I would like to elevate the interviews that I am currently doing.
Jason Tardick
So when you look at like 5 years though, your career Picture. It's not the west brand. It's not Summer House. It's elevating your interviews as, like, a journalist.
Wes Wilson
Well, I'd like them to be one in the same, if possible.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
But, no, I don't want to be. I still. If I meet someone out and they say, what do you do? I say, I am a producer at Complex. Like, I. I'll let the TV stuff work its way to the surface if it does. But I don't. I'll never leave you.
Jason Tardick
Don't lead with that.
Wes Wilson
But, I mean. And I don't think this is necessarily true, per se, but, like, if, like, all the people who have been on this show for so long, having done it for one year, it would be really hard to do this for 10 years and then not get wrapped up into who you are because of this show. Like, like, aligning them together. You know what I mean?
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Like Carl or Kyle, like, from somewhere, like, because we film it for two months, but the narratives and people, like, associating you with the show are forever. And so I don't know if I wasn't working and, like, all I kind of did was this Summer House shit. Like, it would be hard to not self identify in that way.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
And then I think that probably makes it harder when, I don't know, people have shit to talk. Like, and then you're kind of like, oh, this is me. Even though it's not. I mean, it's not.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. So that's interesting as you continue to move your career into getting better interviews and building this up. I mean, one thing that caught my eye was after the season you had. You'll have to tell me about it. Like, you almost had your own show where, like.
Wes Wilson
Yeah, yeah.
Jason Tardick
Hawk 2 on.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
All these girls, you're going on dates, all this stuff. Was that through Complex?
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
A different show.
Wes Wilson
So this is part of why earlier when I was like, they've been awesome and, like, leaned into it a little bit after the reunion aired.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
They were like, let's. We want to do a dating show with you because you've, like, been through a full circle of dating with people loving it, hating it, whatever. We think it would be cool for you to, like, interview women while you go on dates and, like, relate to them about what dating while in the spotlight or being famous is like.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
And so we shot three episodes in the fall and then paused it just because it's like.
Jason Tardick
It's like winter.
Wes Wilson
Haley Welsh. We call her Haley Welsh.
Jason Tardick
Sorry.
Wes Wilson
She's trying to distance. She's in trouble now. She's in trouble.
Jason Tardick
Finance trouble. I gotta get her on the pod, dude.
Wes Wilson
Yeah. I mean. Oh, there's no way it was her, though. I mean, I'm sure her team was like, do the bitcoin and, like.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, that's true. Probably the team behind her.
Wes Wilson
She's 21. Like, that's the craziest part.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, she doesn't. How's the date go with her?
Wes Wilson
Fun. We, like, obviously she's young, so it was not like, Like. Like I wasn't, like, courting her per se in that way, like, romantically, but want to, like, get to know her and ask her questions that weren't Hawk to, like, just this same. And I. And she opened up towards the end, but we were in Nashville and, like, went fishing on a boat and stuff like that. The second one was a woman named India Love.
Jason Tardick
It wasn't a second date with Hawk.
Wes Wilson
No. If she's. She was busy. That was like, her. The peak of.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Her craziness.
Jason Tardick
She's killing it. Like, she's. I mean, well, not now, but, yeah. Was killing it.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Okay. Who's the second?
Wes Wilson
Second was a woman named India Love. She's a Los Angeles influencer, I guess you could say, but, like, got super famous on, like, Tumblr and, like, dated a lot of, like, rappers and athletes and stuff. And so we tried to pick, like, different corners of people to do the show. And then the third was Joy Taylor, who is a host on Fox Sports right now, who also is like, there's shit going on there, too.
Jason Tardick
So there's just shit going on everywhere, dude.
Wes Wilson
It's.
Jason Tardick
Everyone's just getting fucking sniped in trouble and walking in shit.
Wes Wilson
Yeah. But I love Joy, too. Like, that was fun. That was the only date where I felt.
Jason Tardick
Was there a second date?
Wes Wilson
No. So the point is, like, well, the hook on the show is like, would you do a second date? And that's kind of like.
Jason Tardick
Okay. Okay.
Wes Wilson
Okay. But that was the only one where I was like, if. Camera crew. If, like, production left, I think we would stay and, like, like, get to know each other.
Jason Tardick
Now, when you do that, are you. Because you're bringing in your celebrity, you're then bringing in celebrity.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Are you. Does Complex pay you more? You get some kind of bonus for that.
Wes Wilson
Complex is. It's so bizarre right now because I'm a part of, like, three different departments.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
So if it's a show like that, it's part of production. Like, that's productions payroll.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
If I'm Writing something that's the editorial payroll and if it's something that goes on social, that's the social payroll.
Jason Tardick
Interesting.
Wes Wilson
So it's like really weird figuring out because obviously if a department like doesn't have to pay, then they would rather just be like, no, you're like, like you're social. Like have social pay you. So we've been trying to figure that out for the longest time, how to like balance this out. But it's just kind of more like a la carte now.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
But so yeah, so I got paid like per episode for that. And so we're trying to like line up, you know, more once the weather's better and things like shake out more.
Jason Tardick
Dates, we'll see what happens. But speaking of dates going back to summer, I want to think about just the house a little bit. Some of the financial things behind the scenes. Do you guys have what, what do you have to pay for?
Wes Wilson
Good question.
Jason Tardick
Like when you guys go to the and stuff, are you paying? Like, how's that?
Wes Wilson
Yeah, that. People always find that super surprising and I feel like I. It's not as complicated as people think. Like it is a reality TV show. So like, especially when you're sharing a house, like what are things that you would fight with your friends about on a vac? Not fight with your friends, but like, could potentially cause resentment or tiffs.
Jason Tardick
I think I'm going to go back to like college days. Like right now I'd be like that but like, don't eat my groceries. Or you're like, okay, who's getting the beer today?
Wes Wilson
Right, right, right.
Jason Tardick
Like who's buying the booze? Things like that.
Wes Wilson
It hasn't come up since I've been there. But like I know Kyle and Hannah Burner a few years ago, huge blow up fight about like taking the trash.
Jason Tardick
Out and like interesting.
Wes Wilson
Those are. It is real in the sense that like we are paying for the dinners and like paying for groceries. And if someone skips volunteering for groceries.
Jason Tardick
For all the dinners and stuff, a.
Wes Wilson
Lot of times they'll be like, we, you know, this place is giving us like a hundred dollar credit or whatever. But yeah, and I like, they want to see who's gonna like who's gonna take it this time, who's. Whatever. And I'll also say it's nice like our first summer. Like no one, Jesse and I would offer to like pay for stuff and they'd be like, you guys are new. Like, we'll handle it. It's.
Jason Tardick
It's not like rookie treatment.
Wes Wilson
No, no, so that was cool. But it is very like. Like someone has to order groceries every week and it alternates. And if you hide from doing that, like someone will be like, have you fucking ordered groceries? Like, it's your turn. Like there are little things that I think our. That are unique to our show that you wouldn't get on any other show that just does like pop up shooting.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. Most shows like that all the groceries would be paid for. I would. Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Well, yeah, but they're not even like sharing a. Oh, I guess there's a zillion other shows. People share a house.
Jason Tardick
Like in the Bachelor Mansion.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
All the food, obviously.
Wes Wilson
Yes.
Jason Tardick
We actually had to cook it. We had to cook and clean. But it's all taken care of.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
It's all paid for.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
What about when you guys. Because the night we were there, when you guys were filming, we all went to like the club and stuff and that was fun. Kyle was like, we're good, man. I got you. You were lit that night.
Wes Wilson
Dude. I don't know if they're gonna show the morning after. Woke up. I don't. When I'm hungover, it's usually like a. It's like a headache and yeah, I'm not like a throw up guy.
Jason Tardick
Not me either.
Wes Wilson
Dude. Face buried in the toilet all morning. No. We go downstairs for breakfast and I laid my head on the. On the. My forehead on the table while they all talk for 30 minutes. Couldn't lift my head up.
Jason Tardick
Wow.
Wes Wilson
I don't know what happened.
Jason Tardick
Honored to be part of that.
Wes Wilson
Dude, that was my worst hangover of 2024. Wow. That night.
Jason Tardick
Let's go.
Wes Wilson
We. Jesse had to pull over on the highway on the way.
Jason Tardick
Holy.
Wes Wilson
It was really like. It took me out for like two days.
Jason Tardick
But like that. Who pays for that? The show pick that up. Or does the club just comp it?
Wes Wilson
Did we. Did they bring us or did we film in the club that day? Yeah, we did.
Jason Tardick
He did.
Wes Wilson
So then in that case, I think production in the club would like have an arrangement because they also wanted to like look like, say that night all of us are like being cheap or whatever. It like looks stupid. So they do that. But then if we go to a club or whatever, they'll film for not that long. And then we kind of just like, like party after cameras go down.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Because it's also like, you don't want to drive there and like start drinking and just like leave. But then I mean a lot like most of the. That we are like, like actively like swiping.
Jason Tardick
Our cards for when you guys do other stuff like BravoCon or you go back and watch what happens live. Do you ever get like talent fees for that or.
Wes Wilson
No, I think you get a hair.
Jason Tardick
And makeup, like a budget or something. Yeah, but it's all part of your.
Wes Wilson
I haven't done a Bravo Con though, so I have no clue how that works.
Jason Tardick
I feel like you'd kill it at Bravo Con.
Wes Wilson
It looks exhausting. Yeah, it looks exhausting.
Jason Tardick
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Wes Wilson
If something felt like natural and like Right.
Jason Tardick
What do you think? But I mean like this show, competition, dating.
Wes Wilson
I don't think I'd want to do that because that just like, I mean you would know more than any. I mean like how I will. I watch the Bachelor because I think it's so. I love how it is almost like an identical script throughout this. It's just like different faces and people and like. Yeah, it just gets moderated a little bit.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah.
Wes Wilson
But there's always like the first person to say I love like that kind of stuff.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
I think when it comes to dating then it becomes competing sort of. And I like would love to do the, the challenge or whatever all those MTV people do. That looks dope.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, like I love to do that. Yeah, yeah.
Wes Wilson
Dating for competition. I don't think I would do well, honestly.
Jason Tardick
Oh gosh. Not your thing?
Wes Wilson
I Don't know. I just, like, I. If. Are you, like. How often do you talk about what filming the Bachelor was like?
Jason Tardick
Oh, I talk about. Yeah, often.
Wes Wilson
Do you feel like people got pigeonholed into, like, what needed to, like, happen next? It's.
Jason Tardick
It's actually very. It's funny you bring this up, because.
Wes Wilson
I know the psychology is super interesting.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Psychologists, they kind of, like.
Jason Tardick
They, like, hide you in the bubble.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
But what was interesting? Just, like, I'm super analytical. So when we showed up to your filming, I was. I'm looking at all the cameras, the producers. I'm trying to understand, like, the business side of it. I couldn't believe how unproduced it was.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
You guys are just sitting there talking.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Like, with. With the Bachelor, there's. There were tons of cameras, huge production, and it's. The producers are doing their job. They're like, all right, what do you know? Let's get this conversation going. You guys were just sitting there, like this, chilling, everyone just chilling. And I said to Kyle, I go, kyle, like, why aren't. There's, like, you guys just sit here? He goes, dude, they get enough content. These cameras are on 24 7.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Like, they don't have to worry about. So you don't feel produced at all in this.
Wes Wilson
No. But our show, you. You literally couldn't because it's one. It's three straight days, so if you were trying to, like, perform in any way.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
You'd be so exhausted.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Wes Wilson
And then two, we also have, like, the. We are being filmed when production is gone.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Because there's cameras in the house, like, in the backyard and stuff.
Jason Tardick
They're catching all that.
Wes Wilson
So, like, they have enough for it to be, like, very genuine.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
And also, I think when you are. Again, unlike shows where you show up to have lunch and then go home, we are together for three straight days.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Things like, will bubble naturally, like, how they normally would.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
Without having to, like, be told one thing or the other.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
But usually, I mean, like, before we go in, they'll be like, you know, Jesse, if you're feeling this way, blah, blah, blah, like, ask west, whatever. But I. I don't know. We just film for so long that they don't really have to, like, try that hard.
Jason Tardick
That makes sense.
Wes Wilson
It all just happens.
Jason Tardick
How long? So we. So we know season nine's out right now. How long until you'll find out if you're on season 10?
Wes Wilson
It's like, last minute.
Jason Tardick
You won't know until last minute.
Wes Wilson
No.
Jason Tardick
And do you worry about that? Like, do you get, like, nervous about it? No.
Wes Wilson
Because then once you start, like, caring or, like, needing to be on it, then I think you, like, lose your self. If they. If, like, if I started worrying, like, I hope I want to be on next season, then I would probably act differently in the house and then you.
Jason Tardick
Probably wouldn't be on next season.
Wes Wilson
But I think, though, that's why, at least I think that's why the first season for me went well, is because I was like. Like, I just was doing me. Like, I wasn't trying to, like, be drama or do whatever.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Which I. I also tell this story which kudos to, like, Bravo, whoever cast me, whatever. I was, like, very pushy throughout the interview process where I was like, I don't want to do this. If I need to be, like, the redneck guy from Missouri or, like, the dumb slutty jock or whatever. I was like, I, like, want to just do it and, like, be myself. And I think they liked that I kind of, like, I put my foot down before they did. Yeah. And that worked. I just have to learn how to do a reunion.
Jason Tardick
You're gonna kill it this year. I got some rapid fire questions for you. So let's assume you got your whole cast there. We're gonna talk a little bit business. You can partner with one person in the house to invest in something. Who are you investing with? One person.
Wes Wilson
I just feel like Kyle is so already, like, sharp dude. He. He knows how the business world works. I just think he's. But he's also, like, jaded in the business world. Like, he's got, like, strong feelings certain types of way. I'm gonna go, Jesse, just because I think we're similar in age, similar in, like, careers right now. I think we could do it and be able to, like, no one would feel like they have the upper hand on the other person.
Jason Tardick
Okay, final answer, Jesse. Here's this one. You got to buy stock, and one of the people can't buy you. You got to buy stock because you know it's going up. Who you buy in stock in. Whose shares are you buying in season nine?
Wes Wilson
Oh, I don't want to. I shouldn't have answered Jesse for the first one. But it's Jesse. That's the easiest one. Jesse, too. He's in a train wreck. It's awesome.
Jason Tardick
Wait, so what would that remember when.
Wes Wilson
I was like, I got to sit back and, like, watch for once.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. But my question. So when you buy shares and something you want it to go up. So you think his value goes up from the train wreck?
Wes Wilson
Because reality tv, though, your value can go up if you're kind of going through.
Jason Tardick
Though it's true.
Wes Wilson
You're.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Wes Wilson
Like, he will be trend. Like, hashtag Jesse Salman. That will be the. That will be the trending hashtag.
Jason Tardick
Okay. All right. So you're buying stock now. Shorting. Shorting stock is betting against it. So you think, like, this season, dude.
Wes Wilson
You'Ll probably want to say me. Wait, can I. I want to answer. I. You know who else I want to buy stock in?
Jason Tardick
Who?
Wes Wilson
Can I. Yeah. Pregnant Lindsay's. I loved her.
Jason Tardick
Oh, wow. Okay.
Wes Wilson
I thought she was so fun.
Jason Tardick
Do you think she'll be back for season 10?
Wes Wilson
There's no way. I don't know.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Wes Wilson
Unless they bring the baby.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Wes Wilson
I don't think I can, baby. I don't know how that works.
Jason Tardick
Okay, so you want to buy stock, and pregnant Lindsay, you want stock, and Jesse, you want to partner with Jesse, who you shorten. Tough.
Wes Wilson
Oh, you know who I kind of beat? I. I had tiffs with Gabby this season.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
We just kind of both were like, shut. Yeah. I'm not really. Like I said, not really that confrontational person. But we had a couple. A couple moments.
Jason Tardick
Now, how about this is one. You're this Apprentice. You know, remember the show Apprentice? You're fired. You're fired. That was actually a pretty good impression there. All right, you got to fire one person on the show who you fire.
Wes Wilson
Oh, the.
Jason Tardick
You're the boss.
Wes Wilson
Okay, well, for me, then it's probably Sierra, just so we can get the, like, awkward out of the house, you know?
Jason Tardick
Can I ask you a question on that whole thing? This is more just, like, curiosity. Yeah, you. From what I remember with watching it, you were. You were committed in a relationship or you weren't.
Wes Wilson
No, we never had because we weren't hooking up for the longest time. And I. I was like you. I don't think. And the thing is, though, too, she never said otherwise either. I think we both were on the same page. Just, like, if we aren't hooking up, she wasn't gonna ask me to be exclusive to her if we weren't. You know what I'm saying?
Jason Tardick
Yeah. So you were never in a. But you met each other's families?
Wes Wilson
Nah, she met my family. No, after this show ended, we were like. We never, like, had the talk. When we had the talk is when we, like, broke up kind of. Yeah, I think we were exclusive. I mean, I don't know what she was doing. I never asked her, so I know she's not that type of person. So.
Jason Tardick
So what do you do, like, in a situation like that where, like, you're, you know, it's connecting to your business, your career, but it's also like, you're. You're committed, but you're not committed. Like, what would you have done different? Like, what? To prevent the mayhem? What would you have done?
Wes Wilson
The family thing.
Jason Tardick
I really up me introducing her to your family.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Because once you do that, even if you don't have a conversation of commitment, it's like you're.
Wes Wilson
That is a. That is in its own way, like a gesture, like a formal sit down.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
But what I learned from that was like, to me, I still don't think that, like, it didn't change anything for me. It's. I need. I needed to know her better, know what that would mean to her. And then, like, if I wasn't ready to, then, like, let's like, ride off into the sunset. I shouldn't have, like, booked that trip.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
You know, and I think that's where I, like, screwed up. But we. We stopped. Yeah. So.
Jason Tardick
All right.
Wes Wilson
But that's for sure where it was. I mean, I think we were like, pretty much on the same page, at least, like, in communication for most of it. I think that was where. But that was three months before we, like, really stopped talking. So it wasn't like we. We just like, went home. And then the next day I was like, nevermind.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
We just got to a place where we're in separate places.
Jason Tardick
You know, I like it. All right. Hey, you live, you learn, you grow. A couple business finance questions and we'll wrap up here.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
One thing you spend too much money on, you know, you spend too much money on. What's that item? How much you spend on it. Wow.
Wes Wilson
I mean, I'm sure everyone says this, though. I don't want to. I don't want to say something everyone else says. Probably, I mean, plane tickets. Honestly, probably right now.
Jason Tardick
Okay. Plane tickets.
Wes Wilson
If I can just.
Jason Tardick
Last guy.
Wes Wilson
Well, I'll never book a first. No. So actually, in a way, I mean, I still like buying coach seats, but I fly enough that I usually. Bare minimum. I'll get the Delta Comfort.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. Yeah. Okay, gotcha.
Wes Wilson
Do how many. How often people say doordash?
Jason Tardick
Yeah, Uber eats is Uber. Uber Eats and DoorDash probably top one. So play tickets is good. What about. Have you ever had any type of issues with debt?
Wes Wilson
No, my Parents are very modest with their spending. I'll say. I didn't really realize that until I got older.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
Very much like the only thing that my parents ever took out money for was a home. Like not even cars.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. All right. And best investment, if you look at your career, the best investment you ever made.
Wes Wilson
Both times I moved across the country, so college.
Jason Tardick
Okay.
Wes Wilson
Which that was. I mean, I think I like, earned. I mean, that wasn't all. That wasn't like just pocket money for me.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
But I mean, I moved to New York right after I graduated, didn't have a job, and, like slept on couches and. And so I think that, I mean, that is some financial investment, but that was a lot of like, time investment, uncomfortability investment. Like, I think you can invest more than just money. But that was like a big. A big one.
Jason Tardick
From sleeping on couches to now one of the stars of Summer House, it's been a cool ride. It's going to be fun to keep watching you, Wes. It's been great.
Wes Wilson
If people are listening to this, not watching it, you have the sickest cardigan on. And I've been admiring it this whole time.
Jason Tardick
And I'm admiring your Britney shirt, dude.
Wes Wilson
Guys, go check out what brand is that?
Jason Tardick
What do you think it is? I'll tell you.
Wes Wilson
Is it expensive?
Jason Tardick
No.
Wes Wilson
That's another thing, actually, while we're talking about money.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, you can.
Wes Wilson
You were asking me about swag earlier. Yeah, yeah, you can have swag and you don't have to buy expensive. I want people to know that it's probably, maybe easier for a guy, but I threw I like, buy on ebay every day.
Jason Tardick
Oh, really? That's your. That maybe that's your trigger. This is just Abercrombie.
Wes Wilson
Oh, they're. Yeah, honestly, this. This shirt might be over.
Jason Tardick
Okay, let's go.
Wes Wilson
The boys, though, no, they. They're crushing it, though.
Jason Tardick
All right, we gotta wrap with a trading secret, though. So it's like. It' special to you. It's a trading secret. Could be life. Finance business could be a quote, could be something you live by. But given your experience, maybe specifically even the last two years, like, what's the trading secret you give our listeners?
Wes Wilson
Don't. I mean, for me, I think a lot of my life success has just been not taking yourself too serious. I think you need to be like, being confident and being cocky. You're like, very different, I think. Believe in yourself, but don't treat yourself like, I don't know, like, not changing up people. I get really Offended when people say, like, have you changed? Are you different now? I'm like, no, brother. Just stick to you. Like, but you got to where you are by being yourself.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Always, like, stick to that. That sounds so corny. I realize I. I think it's cooler to be, like, under the radar and people can, like, find out about you. Do you know what I'm saying?
Jason Tardick
Yeah. I also think. I think my trading secret, secret I've learned from you is, like, perspective of things. Like, when you were going through this. Yeah. It probably, like, felt like just absolute hell. Like the world was ending.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
But even when you were talking about that, you're like, listen. It was like, no, I didn't. Business didn't impact because it was a breakup. Like, it just didn't work out.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
No one did anything malicious. It just didn't work out.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
And so, like, perspective and not taking yourself so seriously and just, like, it is what it is.
Wes Wilson
I mean, not perfect. It's corny, too. But I do think if you treat people respectfully and, like, are a good person and, like, easy to work with, I think that helps business way more than anything else does.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. I like it.
Wes Wilson
The first thing, like, the team I work with now, he was like, dude, these people. If you're not a nightmare and you're not a dick.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
I think people will work with you forever. Just, like, be kind.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. You know, so well, Wes, everyone that's listening right now, they want to go follow along with what you're doing. They find it all, dude, why not the NHL?
Wes Wilson
Tick Tock's like, Westy Wilson or something stupid. And then Instagram is just Westling Conrad, which is my government first name and middle name.
Jason Tardick
There you go. Your government first name and middle name.
Wes Wilson
Boom. And, like, also, if you care that much, go follow Complex.
Jason Tardick
Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Socials. Give it a shot at complex, at.
Jason Tardick
Complex Sports, and go check out your potential future dating show on there, dude.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
And if not, there may be a competition show.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
There we go.
Wes Wilson
Compete. Go Chiefs.
Jason Tardick
Thank you so much for being on Training Secrets. Go Bills.
Wes Wilson
Appreciate you. Ding, ding, ding.
Jason Tardick
We are closing in the Bell to the west episode. I got the one, the only, the curious Canadian. With me here. Summer House has kicked off. Wes has kicked off. It's a new season. David, I know you're a fan of the show. I know you're a fan of Wes. What'd you think of this episode?
David
Yeah, I mean, I'm gonna keep it west. I hope you're listening. I'm gonna keep in very west fashion. We are gonna do this recap. We're gonna just gonna kind of fly by the seat of our pants. We're gonna do it west style. We're just gonna, gonna, you know, we're gonna be laid back here. We're just gonna take it as it comes. We're gonna banter about some things and, you know, we're just gonna, like Wes said, we're just gonna, we're not gonna take ourselves too seriously here. We're just gonna, you know, we're just.
Jason Tardick
Gonna throw some stuff against west mentality. It is who I am. This is what I am.
David
Exactly. So the first question that I gotta ask you. Look, we'll, we'll. Instead of starting with the business, we're gonna end with the business. I do have one business question I'm gonna ask you, but we're gonna start with, you know, very West. Tell me how the vibes were. Tell me how the fit was. Tell me. Just, just walk me through the West Wilson. You've done 250 podcasts. Now give me a vibe scale of, of West Wilson in the room as he's checking out your cardigan that he said he wanted, he wanted for himself and you're checking out his. Get out.
Jason Tardick
What?
David
Just, just the. Does the vibes match what we see on tv?
Jason Tardick
Oh, to a T. I mean, just imagine like the most disarming person in the world. Like he walks in all your vibes, all your walls come down. Chill guy, great guy, dresses like whatever, is who I am. Like, he's the kind of guy, when you're with them, you like want to hang out with them, you want to go get a beer with him, you want to go like do something with him. His perspectives are funny, his outlook is cool, and his care is, is like lists. Like he just doesn't care. And as a result of it, you're just like, I just want to hang out with this guy. Like, this guy is just a good dude.
David
Well, he gave us such insights of. You said the care level. Like hopping on that NHL call with Gary Bettman and four people on the call is like care level. For that is care level. Almost like his approach to the relationship in. In Summer House. Like his care level and his care level and the way, I mean, he got. The guy's wearing knee high ugg boots with parachute pants and a Britney Spears T shirt. Like, care level. But it's like he kind of, he kind of owns it, you know, like you said, he has people that love him, he has people that he has Haters, because some people don't float with that. But he ain't changing people. He ain't changing for anybody.
Wes Wilson
Well, well, I.
Jason Tardick
One thing that, yeah, like, he is who he is and, and I think he owns that. I also think, think you can see, especially when I, like, this is why I, I said good dude. Because, like, you could see in his eyes, in his body language and just everything when we talked about some of the struggles he had with last season, some of the mistakes he made. Like, you could see in his eyes sadness.
David
Yes.
Jason Tardick
And you could see in his eyes growth from that.
David
So he's conscious.
Jason Tardick
He does.
David
He's conscious.
Jason Tardick
He's conscious. He understands. He, he definitely has, I think, a lot of compassion, empathy for how things went down in his past. And I think, like, when he gave us the foreshadow of what we can expect this summer from him on Summer House, we also got to see someone that's like, listen, I got my bell rung. And I learned like, you know, he's.
David
Gonna be one of those guys when he finds the person he's supposed to be with is gonna look back so fondly at this time in his life for the learning, for the learning of it. Because you could tell, even though he gives off, like, you know, I'm just going with the flow. There's. There's a lot of thinking and mental notes and I think, you know, stepping back and reflecting along the way. So, so speaking. So. So I think that that runs it up. But I, I gotta ask you, Jay, speaking of, of flying by the seat of your pants there, you just. Yeah, you're looking a little crispy in our terms of Mr. Wonderful. Kevin O'Leary looking a little crispy this morning. You flew by the seat here. You flew by the seat of your pants to Cabo. Was it, was it planned? Was it not planned? How's the trip been?
Jason Tardick
So I was supposed to be in New York for. Actually, we are investing and we are co producers of the last five years. It's a Broadway show with Nick Jonas and Adrian Warren, by the way. Anyone out there? I think we have two slots left if you want to come in at 12 and a half K. We're putting 200K together. We get certain rights, we get great returns based on the fact we're a co producing group. So if anybody wants to own and be part of Nick Jonas's Broadway show, let me know. We are finalizing our group now. But I was supposed to be out there for rehearsal and then there was a big storm coming and then there was a big storm coming to Nashville and it was Tuesday and I was just like, I just. I don't know, I just felt like I had to get out and recharge batteries. I had a deal with Hilton Grand Vacations that was going to be done in May. And I said, you know what, let's just accelerate that trip. Let's just go now. We called them Tuesday at 2:00pm we said, hey, can we make that one trip that's supposed to be in May tomorrow? They said yes. I called John Gerd Journey. We jumped on a plane and by 12 hours of thinking about it, we landed in Cabo.
Wes Wilson
And.
Jason Tardick
And so it has been a great time.
David
Were you able to put the work down? Guys saw that one story you put up and that was a. I love. I loved the story. And I even was texting John on the side. I said, you know, you need a non rewired Talon Agency guy to get in there to like instigate like putting the work away. And that's where insert.
Jason Tardick
What did you love about the story?
David
I just love that you're like, that you're personally reflecting on it. It. And you're pissed at yourself for work and it's 3 o'clock and you're in. Like, you said all the things. You didn't go to Cabo to work. You got to Cabo to get out of the snowstorm and you could have worked from your house. So back to last week's episode. Doing things for you, right? Doing things for you, not for others. I liked seeing the perspective. I liked it. I know if other people follow you and, and are rooting you on, they're like, yeah, Jason, put the work down. Go enjoy yourself. Which, you know, it looked like you were able to do that. So I like doing that.
Jason Tardick
What you think about the challenges I did on my Instagram.
David
I thought it was cool. Yeah, I thought it was cool. I've been to Squid Row before. I'm sure you felt very out of place and very elderly, but. But it is what it is. You're in Cabo. What are you going to do? You're going to rip it.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah, exactly. We had a great time. We had fun time. It was a good time.
David
You didn't buy that bottle of champagne, did you?
Jason Tardick
No, that was all.
David
Do you know what the price of that champagne was? Can I guess?
Jason Tardick
Yeah, I know what it was.
David
That's at least.
Jason Tardick
It's.
David
It's at least a 10k bottle. Bottle.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. Yeah, I think it's around like seven grand. Okay, okay. I did that. Nuts. And then what. What happens there is based on the dollar amount of the bottle that you buy, they will do different entrances with the bottle. Yeah, of course they might do, like, if it's more expensive, it will like, come out on a Titanic ship and they'll do a whole, like, scene to it. And it's hilarious. Now we just sat around and. And just had beers. Like, we didn't do anything crazy like that. We did. See, it's funny how these trips work. Like between work and play, you know, like, obviously we're here for work, but that or for work and play. Just a little fun. And we ended up seeing Mass. Macy Blackwell there. So Macy is going to be on the show and she is a big creator in the Dallas area. So she was there. And it's just. I don't know, man, this world is so small. Like, let me tell you. Let me tell you this story. This story is kind of crazy. We went out, we meet this group of people. People. The group of people. Two people. They say that they. They run the horse farm at this place called Acre. Then one of my friends was like, you got to connect with this chef down there. So I connect with the chef down there. She's best friends with the girl's family who owns Acre. And all of a sudden we're all hanging out and six hours before, none of us knew anyone. And that story is awful. New friends, new travel, new places. It was this. It's been fun.
David
That reminds me of your ADHD story that you put up two nights ago. And I dm. I said, that's the funniest piece of content you've ever put out. Like, wait, why? And I was like, you. You let us into your brain. You were talking about how cold it was. You looked up at the sky and started talking about being greens of sand. You talked about this thing you're investing in and that you're like, actually, I'm. I'm doing nothing. I'm. I have no talent. And you're just walking. It was so unbelievable. Anyways, it was good to see you hardest. Your West Wilson and that you were going out on a vibe trip with John. It was great to see. And you mentioned something. You said, work with Play. Play. And I gotta. You know. And I'm. When I'm listening to west and I'm thinking the comparisons between you and West, I think it's fair to say that he had his dream job in terms of working for Bleacher Report. Right. He's flying a Ve he's moving to Vegas. He's starting to be our betting. He's getting to talk sports, you know, before the NHL thing blew up.
Jason Tardick
He's.
David
He's right there. Right. He's making decent coins. 60 to $90,000. Thanks for sharing, West. And now he's thrust in the summer house scene. And now he's probably like, now I'm really living my dream job.
Jason Tardick
Right.
David
Right. I'm able to, you know, I'm, I'm able to still do what I do part time in the sports journalism field, but now I'm getting invited to these events. I'm well known, my following's up, I'm getting brand deals, I'm getting access. But then you see the dark side of it when you know, the relationship with Sierra doesn't go great and people are, are attacking them on the Internet. My question to you is, and I don't think I've asked it this specifically before, you had what you thought at the time your dream job in the sense of climbing the corporate ladder and being able to move in flexibility and kind of feeling like a boss and making money. Money. And now you're flexing this new life, coming off the show in the influencing reality space, being a talent agency co founder. And you're probably thinking that this is your dream job because you're doing things that you would never ever get to do, knowing the sacrifices that each have. Right. You've talked about delaying your life. You've talked about a lot of the scrutiny, the public, you know, being in a public relationship. What is the dream scenario? Let's not say dream job. What is the dream scenario? What would you want. Want little Jason Tardig Jr. To go through having perspective. The bow say no, son. This is what you want. Getting deep here on the crispy crispy Sunday afternoon as the, as the door manager knocks on your door, door manager knocks on your door to kick you out of the villa.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, literally, I'm supposed to get out of here this second. Here's what I would tell you. I think I'm gonna say it's speak for west too. I think the experiences that west is guild going through now and that I have gone through since 2018Doing this are experiences that you learn more in such a short period of time than you would learn in four lifetimes. And so when there's more public scrutiny and there's more feedback and there's negativity or there's positivity, it forces you as a person to, to cope, to understand, to, To Grow. And so I feel, though, that, like, I've gotten 15 career lives in such a short period of time doing this, and I've learned more about myself and industries and things that people do because of it. So I don't know, I think I would tell my younger self, like, just keep doing what you did.
David
Did the. You know, did the do the blessings and the benefits of the opportunities and experiences that you're getting in this job. Job. Is that. Is that outweigh the sacrifices of the timeline? Let's just say the might. The life milestones. And do you.
Jason Tardick
I would say the. No. No. Because that's what we've talked a little about a little bit on jt.
David
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Or even though. Even on the Justin episode. Like, I'm convinced if I wasn't in this world, I would be married with a kid right now. Like, I'm convinced.
David
And that's preferential to the Cabo and. And going there on a whim and.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. No.
Wes Wilson
Oh.
Jason Tardick
Oh, yeah. Oh, I would. Yeah.
Wes Wilson
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
Oh. I mean, yeah. Grass is always greener, I feel like.
Wes Wilson
Yeah, yeah.
Jason Tardick
But like, for me. Yeah, I wish. I'm like, this is, like, okay, this whole Cabo thing, this is great. Hilton's great. It's fun. It's. It's. It's a dream in one aspect, but also, like, I'm. Right now, I am. I'm happy and I'm lonely. Yeah, right. It's okay. You can be both. Both. Both can coexist.
David
And that's.
Jason Tardick
I'm happy and I'm, you know, and I feel, like, good about where I'm at in life and where I want to be, but I'm also very lonely right now. So even when I'm here and I'm having a good time, I'm still lonely. Like, you know.
David
Well, I think that that's why I asked. The question, though, is it's important for probably people listening to hear that perspective of. Because we're, like you said, the grass is always greener. And what you have. Maybe I want some of it. And what I have. Maybe you want some of it. And it's important that in this world of social media and influencing that people hear that message, too. And maybe it maybe. Maybe it just calms them down or puts them there, eases a little bit if maybe they feel like they're, you know, feeling something that they don't have because the grass isn't always greener. And you got to talk about these things to give you the grounding and the foundation and perspective of it all. And, and hopefully you take some, some highlights out of it and some motivation out of it, too.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. Yeah, 100%. It's like, I know we talk about a lot on this podcast. We talked about what us. Like, we circle all wagons here of financial, personal, and professional worlds, and they all definitely connect with each other. Like, 100. Right. So while professionally things are great. I'm missing, like, there was, you know, in my last relationship, I had something that was. Was such a. Like a beautiful feeling that I'm, I don't have that all in my life right now. And that creates, like, you know, that creates, Creates that loneliness, but it also, it's like, you know what? The future's bright. Like that, that that's part of life. You go through these things, you learn, and there's gonna be a day I'm not lonely.
David
There you go. Absolutely. Well, that is awesome. I appreciate you always allowing me to ask those questions. I'm gonna ask you another question. We're gonna get.
Jason Tardick
You're coming in, Drew.
David
Yeah, I'm gonna ask. You guys. Coming in hot. I'm gonna ask you another question. It's gonna get back to the roots. It's a business question. I'm sure someone may, if it's the voice of the viewer, someone may have thought about this. This. When he is sitting with Lindsay at the bar talking, she's pitching him his. Her sports idea for a podcast and says, hey, do not steal this. This is my idea. And she whips out a napkin and makes him sign it. Is that legally binding? Is that a legally binding contract? If he then goes and steals that idea, can she go to a lawyer and say, I'm suing this. He signed this napkin. I am curious about that. I'm sure someone else is too.
Jason Tardick
I am not a lawyer, so any attorneys listening this. If you want to correct me, you can correct me, but I'm going to tell you what I believe the answer is. I believe the answer is absolutely not.
David
Oh, I was going. Absolutely, yes.
Jason Tardick
Really?
David
I don't know.
Jason Tardick
Like, like, there are certain things in a contract that have to be perfectly spelled out, otherwise it couldn't be bound.
David
Right. Okay.
Jason Tardick
You know? Yeah. So I know there are things like, now emails can be binding, but that's if emails are also, like, connected to a contract. So I'm going to do a follow up on this. But I, I, I know in the contracts that I've worked with and done the smallest things, the smallest line item can make the contract go poof. When it's in Right. An actual. Which in like a court system. So I don't think it holds any binding other than just like a mutual respect.
David
All right, L for me, but maybe we'll. We'll follow up on that. But potential L for me. Look, I think you. I think you're probably going to get kicked out of that room. I know you have to go to the airport. Maybe you give us a little bit of a video on airport theory as you're going back. Do you know what airport theory is?
Jason Tardick
Never heard of it, man.
David
Get on the trends. Airport theory is a theory that no matter what time you show up before flight, you get on the flight. Like, there's no such thing as having to get there like an hour before, two hours before. Airport theory is airports work at such an efficient scale for the timings of the flight. And if you search airport theory on tick tock, which maybe on the Uber ride or whatever car service, you get back to the airport, look up airport theory.
Jason Tardick
I'm not understand. I'm still not understanding what you're saying.
David
Airport theory is people go and say, I'm gonna test airport theory out. I just showed up to my. My plane leaves in 32 minutes. I'm at JFK Airport. Like, I'm gonna prove you. Airport theory is a real thing. I'm gonna get on this plane.
Jason Tardick
So airport theory is kind of the idea that, like, time doesn't exist. You just get through.
David
Correct.
Jason Tardick
It just happens. Yeah. Interesting.
David
Search it up.
Jason Tardick
And so what's the idea? The idea is, like, you create expectations, not others.
David
Well, it's like, I think so. Or it's like, whatever they're saying, like, don't listen to them. Like, you're going to get on this plane regardless.
Jason Tardick
Interesting. Yeah, yeah, we got a theme on this recap. There's definitely a theme here. Yeah, there's a theme in this recap, and it ties to Wes and his career track and his lifestyle and his style and his vibe. Vibes.
David
Heavy. Heavy vibes. I mean, you're wearing knee high ugg boots. You're wearing knee high ugg boots to a. To an interview and in. In trucking around New York City doing bodega recaps. Yeah, you're vibing. You're high vibing.
Jason Tardick
I'll also say. You know what I'll also say about this? They're like, it's always interesting to me to meet people that are on TV and have a public Persona and then meet them in person.
David
Yeah.
Jason Tardick
And see what you think about in person. I'm gonna Tell you this. Anyone that's listening to this, whether you like Wes, you don't like West. West. If you meet Wes, you're gonna like, like, period. End of story. You might not like his season last year, and you might not like a decision he made. You might love him, but, like, he's the kind of guy, when you meet in person, and I cannot say this for everyone that I meet in this world at all, you just like the guy. He's very likable vibes.
David
It was very, like.
Jason Tardick
And I saw what.
Wes Wilson
I think I saw something at the.
Jason Tardick
Super bowl that him and Brianna. Chicken fry had a little.
Wes Wilson
Oh, yeah.
David
A little how you do. Shocker. Yeah, shocker.
Jason Tardick
Oh, yeah. I. I could totally see that.
David
Couple Trading Secrets guests. Just.
Jason Tardick
Just couple Trading Secrets guests.
David
And speaking of another Trading Secrets guest, we had. We didn't have west on at the end of last year because. And he was getting buried at. After the reunion. We did have Jesse Salman on last year, who was getting all the praise. Now, from what Wes told us to see him go through this season, it's flipped big time. So. So I'll have my popcorn. I'll be getting it in there, and I'll be watching the season. So I'm looking forward to it.
Jason Tardick
I feel like. I feel like this season is of Summer House is, like, popping. I feel like it's trending.
David
I just think the show in general, I mean, you think Craig and Paige, you think Kyle and Amanda, you think Carl starting soft bar in New York City. You're thinking Lindsay's pregnant. You're thinking, you know, Weston, Jesse, just keep getting big characters. There's Lexi, the new girl. Seems like a little bit of a firecracker that they're adding to some spice to the show. I mean, there's. There's history. That's what you get when you bring cast back for nine seasons. I mean, it's. It's dynamic.
Jason Tardick
It's time for us to maybe get other people from the show on, because every time we have them on, like a Lindsay Hubbard, it's great. So Jesse's been on. Lindsay's been on. Now we have had Kyle on twice. Gonna have to get Amanda. We're gonna have to get Lexi 100%. We're gonna have to get. Get.
David
I mean, Gabby, Danielle, we've tried to get.
Jason Tardick
I would love to have Gab. Oh, I would love to have Sierra.
David
I would love to have Sierra, too.
Jason Tardick
I want the whole crew on. They're great.
David
Maybe it's just series.
Jason Tardick
They're great.
David
Yeah, yeah.
Jason Tardick
Series. Summerhouse Series.
David
Hey, maybe on our live. When we do our live shows. Live shows. Heard of it. We just have the whole cast on.
Jason Tardick
Working on.
David
By the way, are you. Are you going to be on an episode? Because you talked about when you guys were with him. Are you going to be featured on episode?
Jason Tardick
No. Oh, no. We just went. We went to go support Kyle and we were. It was like I was there with John, Alex in. In Cat at the time. Right. It was last summer, and we just went to go, like, hang out with Kyle. They were filming there.
David
But you're not on.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, no, no, no, no, we weren't in it.
David
Would you have had to sign something if you were to be on?
Jason Tardick
That's how I know. Yeah.
David
Oh, okay.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah.
David
A little Trading Secrets. And Trading Secrets. Love that. Love that. Look at us.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah, exactly. So.
David
Okay.
Jason Tardick
Yeah. And sometimes those shows will very strategically get you to simply like, oh, we're just, you know.
David
Yeah, yeah.
Jason Tardick
Oh, you were just. Everybody that's in the football game is. Yeah, you just, you know, for your charity event and then you sign it. You don't realize.
David
And. And can you just wear a little slip and stuff? Can you just wear this microphone? It's just for crowd effects. It's just for noise for the crowd.
Jason Tardick
Yeah, yeah. Everyone's doing. Yeah, yeah. Okay, sure. All right, we're rambling. Here we go. All right. Get 19 minutes and 32 seconds. I got to get out of Cabo.
David
Yeah, you do.
Jason Tardick
And David.
David
Yes.
Jason Tardick
We got a lot of people. A lot of people messaging me. Team rv.
David
Oh, yeah. Well, that's. That's going to be a whole episode once I think if it becomes. If it becomes fact, we have to do an episode dedicated to RV life and everything that comes with it.
Jason Tardick
Lot of team rv.
David
Okay, I'm in. I'm in. I love it. All right, all right.
Jason Tardick
Good stuff. Well, then, guys, give us five stars. Thank you for tuning into another episode of Trading Secrets, one you couldn't afford to miss.
D
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Title: West Wilson: From Bleacher Report and Complex to Bravo’s Summer House, the BTS of balancing filming for reality TV, the business of journalism, and being banned by the NHL?!
Host: Jason Tartick
Guest: Wes Wilson
Release Date: February 24, 2025
In Episode 223 of Trading Secrets, host Jason Tartick welcomes Wes Wilson, a standout cast member from Bravo’s reality TV sensation Summer House Season 8. Wes shares his unique journey from being laid off at Bleacher Report to becoming a fan favorite on Summer House, navigating the complexities of reality TV, and managing unexpected professional setbacks, including a notable incident with the NHL.
From Bleacher Report to Complex Networks
Wes Wilson began his career at Bleacher Report, where he thrived as a producer and host. Despite being laid off amid company-wide layoffs, Wes received an impressive six months of severance—[17:56]. This financial cushion allowed him to explore new opportunities without immediate pressure.
Wes Wilson [17:56]: “Bleacher Report gave me six months severance, and I can take my time to ease into finding what’s next.”
After his tenure at Bleacher Report, Wes transitioned to Complex Networks, where he continues to engage in sports journalism on a flexible, part-time basis. This move allowed him to maintain his passion for sports while exploring the burgeoning world of reality TV.
Wes Wilson [15:50]: “Complex has been super awesome, flexible with me. We work together when we can, balancing interviews and writing.”
Character Traits and On-Set Dynamics
On Summer House, Wes was lauded for his extroverted, wholesome, and authentic persona. Describing his character in three words—Progress, Spectator, and Fun—Wes emphasized his growth and ability to stay positive amidst the high-energy environment of the house.
Wes Wilson [05:13]: “1. Progress. 2. Spectator. 3. Fun. It’ll always be fun.”
Wes highlighted the supportive nature of the cast and his commitment to maintaining his authenticity, which resonated with both fans and producers. This genuine approach not only made him a beloved figure on the show but also helped him navigate personal challenges, such as exiting a past relationship gracefully.
A Bold Move and Its Consequences
Wes recounted a pivotal moment during a kickoff call with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Seeking to engage more deeply, he questioned the league’s stance on head safety and violence in hockey—a move that unexpectedly backfired.
Wes Wilson [19:18]: “I asked Mr. Bettman about balancing hockey's physicality with player safety, and he lost his cool.”
This confrontation led to tensions between Bleacher Report and the NHL, resulting in Wes being barred from covering NHL events for the rest of the year. The aftermath included strained relationships with his employer and diminished opportunities within the sport.
Wes Wilson [21:00]: “HR hit me up and was like, are you an idiot? They let you go to the stand. You’re bad.”
Despite the setback, Wes remained resilient, continuing his career at Complex Networks and leveraging his reality TV fame to explore new ventures.
Navigating Public Relationships
Wes shared insights into his personal life, particularly his relationship with Lindsay, whom he met during his time as a journalist. Their relationship faced public scrutiny and eventual dissolution, highlighting the challenges of maintaining personal connections under the glare of reality TV.
Wes Wilson [48:10]: “We never really had the talk. When we did, it was three months before we stopped talking.”
He reflected on the importance of staying true to oneself and maintaining open communication to avoid misunderstandings and preserve relationships amidst the pressures of fame.
Approach to Finances and Investment
The episode delved into Wes’s financial philosophy, emphasizing financial transparency and fairness in partnerships. Wes advocates for proportional financial contributions based on income disparities within relationships.
Wes Wilson [03:05]: “If you’re making two times more than your partner, you’ll pay two times more of the percent for the bills.”
He also discussed the financial benefits of his roles at Bleacher Report and Complex Networks, highlighting how brand opportunities can surpass direct show earnings. Wes shared his strategy of diversifying income streams and maintaining flexibility in his career choices.
Wes Wilson [15:00]: “Complex is part of three different departments. I get paid per episode, and we’re trying to line up more once things settle down.”
Jason Tartick and Wes Wilson concluded the episode by reflecting on Wes’s journey, the lessons learned from his experiences, and his outlook for the future. Wes emphasized the importance of staying authentic, resilience, and financial prudence.
Wes Wilson [52:01]: “Always stick to being yourself. Believe in yourself, but don’t treat yourself like you need to change.”
The hosts encouraged listeners to apply these insights to their own financial and personal endeavors, highlighting the interconnectedness of career success and personal well-being.
This episode offers a deep dive into the intricate balance between career aspirations and personal life, using Wes Wilson’s experiences as a compelling case study. Whether you’re a fan of Summer House or interested in the business side of reality TV and journalism, this episode provides valuable insights and practical financial advice.
Note: Timestamps are approximations based on the transcript provided.