Cost n’ Mayor Are Living Their Best Dance Lives (And Having a Blast Doing It) | Sadie Robertson Huff

Summary

WHOA That's Good Podcast: Episode Summary Cost n’ Mayor Are Living Their Best Dance Lives (And Having a Blast Doing It)
Host: Sadie Robertson Huff
Release Date: July 23, 2025

---

Introduction

In this vibrant episode of the WHOA That's Good Podcast, host Sadie Robertson Huff welcomes the dynamic dance duo, Austin and Arthur Otho, popularly known as Cost and Mayor. The episode delves into their journey in the dance world, their personal relationship, and the inspiring advice that has guided their path.

---

Dance Background and Early Beginnings

Austin and Arthur share their early experiences with dance, highlighting how they each found their passion.

• Arthur’s Journey:
  Arthur recounts, "I don’t know about to this day" regarding being a triple threat, emphasizing his deep-rooted love for dance that stemmed from a class his mother enrolled him in after he stepped away from baseball [14:12].

• Austin’s Experience:
  Austin began dancing at 14, appreciating the balanced identity it offered. He states, "started dancing when I was 14, had an awesome coach who really trained us in like foundational street styles," which later evolved into a love for musical theater [16:52].

Meeting and Collaboration

The story of how Cost and Mayor met is both serendipitous and charming.

• The Six Flags Encounter:
  The duo met while performing at Six Flags Great Adventure's Halloween show, where they were transformed into zombies through elaborate costumes. Austin humorously reflects, "Doesn't that sound like the perfect backdrop for a romance?" [19:19].

• Relationship Development:
  Although they initially dated secretly, the pandemic led them to live together, fostering both their personal and professional relationships. Arthur notes, "After three weeks of dating, I moved into her parents' home," highlighting the rapid progression of their relationship due to unforeseen circumstances [22:08].

Impact of COVID-19

The pandemic played a pivotal role in reshaping their careers and personal lives.

• Relocating to North Carolina:
  With dance studios shut down in New York, Austin and Arthur moved back to North Carolina to stay with family, leading to an unexpected fusion of their creative energies [21:23].

• Creative Collaboration:
  Living together inspired them to choreograph jointly, blending their distinct dance styles. Arthur explains, "We wanted to stay creative and keep dancing," which eventually led to the birth of Cost and Mayor [25:57].

Creation and Growth of Cost and Mayor

Transitioning from individual performers to a collaborative dance brand, Cost and Mayor found their unique niche.

• Swift Growth:
  The couple was astonished by the rapid rise of their dance content. Austin shares, "We never intended for it to become such a huge thing," underscoring the organic growth of their platform [31:25].

• Original Content Over Trends:
  They emphasize the importance of originality, stating, "Whenever we started really just doing original stuff, that's when it really started growing and becoming a thing," highlighting their commitment to authentic creativity [31:09].

Personal Growth and Faith

A significant theme of the episode is how faith influenced their career decisions and personal lives.

• Choosing Purpose Over Pressure:
  Austin discusses pivotal advice from a mentor: "You're not picking dance or ministry. You're picking ministry, and that is your ministry," which helped him align his passion for dance with his spiritual calling [46:47].

• Arthur’s Return to Faith:
  Arthur shares his journey back to faith during the pandemic, illustrating how spiritual support helped him navigate career uncertainties. He poignantly compares life's burdens to "trying to hold all those groceries with one hand" and encourages entrusting them to God [51:04].

Wedding and Life as a Couple

Their wedding symbolizes the harmony between their personal and professional lives.

• A Celebration of Love and Transformation:
  Austin describes their wedding as "the most fun wedding" where they publicly declared their love and faith, celebrating their transformation and shared journey [52:25].

• Strength Through Partnership:
  Meredith reflects on their partnership, noting, "two are better than one... doing your work together," emphasizing the strength and joy they find in collaborating as a couple [54:45].

Future Projects: Dance Card Game

Looking ahead, Cost and Mayor introduce their upcoming dance card game, blending fun and creativity.

• Make a Dance Game:
  The duo unveiled their card game, "Make a Dance," designed to inspire creativity and laughter among players. Austin enthuses, "It's like funky dance charades," highlighting its family-friendly and entertaining nature [57:28].

---

Notable Quotes

• Arthur Otho on Creativity:
  “[...] the only thing that's standing in your way is just hitting that post button.” [04:07]

• Austin on Authenticity:
  “If you're doing something that isn't you, you're attracting the wrong audience.” [10:00]

• Austin on Faith and Career Alignment:
  “It felt like God's plan was starting to click. You never know what he's got going on.” [35:31]

• Arthur Otho on Letting Go:
  “Put them in the cart.” [51:07]

• Meredith on Purpose:
  “If you're doing what you're doing with minus the purpose part, you're missing it.” [42:35]

---

Conclusion

This episode of WHOA That's Good Podcast beautifully captures the essence of Cost and Mayor’s journey—balancing passion, faith, and partnership. From their dance backgrounds to overcoming industry pressures and embracing their faith, Austin and Arthur offer a compelling narrative of authenticity and purposeful creativity. Their story serves as an inspiring testament to following one’s true path and the profound impact of supportive relationships.

---

For more inspiring stories and meaningful conversations, subscribe to the WHOA That's Good Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

Transcript

[Meredith]

What's up, everybody? Happy world. That's good. Wednesday. I hope you're having a great week, but per usual friends. Oh, it's about to get so much better because we have two incredible guests on the podcast today that I am genuinely geeking out about. We have Austin and Meredith, Arthur Otho. Also, I botched the Internet. I practiced it. I practiced it. We're rolling with it. Also known as Cost and Mayer. I know you guys follow them on Instagram, and now we get to hear their stories. So welcome to the podcast.

[Austin]

Oh, my gosh.

[Arthur Otho]

So exciting to be here. So excited to be here.

[Meredith]

I am so pumped. So we have to tell everybody why you're here, because it is so funny, and they might have just seen it on tv, but you guys came to film the show, which was just a hilarious storyline in general. My mom invited y' all to come help them learn. Learn how to dance for a talent show and just give us a little behind the scenes from your perspective. How did that go?

[Austin]

It was fantastic.

[Arthur Otho]

It was really good and hilarious. Yeah.

[Austin]

And the willingness that your parents have to just absolutely go for it and commit to the bit is so amazing.

[Arthur Otho]

It was inspiring. It was really fun. Your dad was going for it.

[Austin]

On such an intense level. We had so much fun with them. It's also so funny that we have so many mutual friends with you through, like, Dancing with the Stars and the whole nine, and to, like, have gotten to meet them first before we met you. So random and hilarious.

[Meredith]

Oh, I couldn't believe it. So I have been a huge fan of you guys since probably Covid, you know, following along, because I remember back in the day, I was trying to learn all the dances and stuff, and I literally tried to teach Christian. I was actually so embarrassed because, you know when you're about to meet someone and you're like, I probably, like, DM them something weird at some point. I used to, like, go check. Thankfully, I didn't. I went and checked. I was like, did I, like, say something at some point? Like, hey, love to meet y'.

[Austin]

All.

[Meredith]

Which would have been sweet, but, like, what did I say? So I went back to check, and I never DMed y', all, but I did tag y' all in a dance of yalls that me and Christian tried to do, which no way did we comment on it. No, you didn't. And that's okay because y' all didn't know who I was. Wait, we have to dig it up. I'm like.

[Austin]

Have to go find it.

[Meredith]

I know. Very embarrassing, because Christian And I aren't, like, the best dancers, but we've found that, you know, we all found joy in dancing during those days. And so it's so funny. Yeah. I literally tagged y' all like, oh, my gosh. That y' all would notice so that we could.

[Austin]

We never saw. We have to do it.

[Arthur Otho]

Why?

[Meredith]

Look at the Lord. Look at the Lord. What was missed there? Y' all are here now.

[Austin]

True.

[Meredith]

It was so funny. And so anyways, I tried to teach my parents different dances, and y' alls were just so good to kind of try to learn from, even though way more advanced than our level of expertise. And so anyways, you know, mom and dad asked y' all to come down without telling anyone in the family. And when I found out, I was like, what the heck? Like, no one's gonna tell me this. I literally said, if y' all wouldn't have told me this and they would have left, I would have been so mad.

[Austin]

I know. And we wanted to reach out because we love the podcast and we wanted to do it, and then. Then when they told us it was a surprise, we were like, oh, my gosh, we're going to go to Louisiana and not do the podcast. So lame. So I'm so glad we could pull it together.

[Meredith]

Last minute, it all worked out. It is like, this is the best thing ever. And I can't wait to learn your story, because I know so much about your dance life, but not, like, your actual life. And I'm excited for other people to learn that, too. And maybe people know this, but I think it's just so fun. Your story is so cool and so beautiful. But first, I have to ask you all the question. I literally ask everyone who comes on the podcast. It's a big one. It's a heavy hitter. But for both of y', all, what is the best piece of advice that you've ever been given?

[Austin]

You first.

[Arthur Otho]

You're gonna make me go first?

[Austin]

Yeah, I'm gonna make you go first.

[Arthur Otho]

I've been wrestling with two. And the one is, like, is it. I can't decide if it is, like, advice. But the first one I'll say. The first one I'll say is. And this kind of hit me, like, when we started to kind of, like, create our own projects and our own things. And it was when we kind of realized that we. I think we were talking to, like, our. Was it right when we got our new manager, and he was like, you can't be afraid to just, like, create things and do things because you have Been like, dancing as a performer in this industry for so long, but now being in, you know, that 2020 era where you have TikTok at your disposal, the only thing that's standing in your way is just hitting that post button. So you can kind of create anything you want. You can. If you have an idea that you want to try out, just film it and post it and see how it goes. And if it fails, you'll learn something from it. And if it goes really well, then it worked. But you can't be afraid to just, like, try those new things and just put them out there, because when you don't, then it's just. It's a constant, like, hold back.

[Meredith]

Yeah.

[Arthur Otho]

So I think it's just, if you have an idea or something you want to try out, just find an outlet to try it out on and try it.

[Austin]

Which was groundbreaking advice, especially at the time because we were so used to being performers.

[Arthur Otho]

The performer, like, the background, you have to, like.

[Austin]

Also, before you ever get to share anything with the world, you gotta go through so many levels and three auditions and the casting. You know what I mean? Like, there's so many levels before you actually get to share something with the world. And when he was like, nothing's stopping you. Just do it yourself.

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah.

[Austin]

We were like, you know what?

[Meredith]

We can do that.

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah, we can do that.

[Meredith]

Isn't that crazy? When someone says something to you that's like, obvious, but because you've been in the mindset of something for so long, you're like, it seems so simple.

[Austin]

My good. My advice choice is very obvious too, but was life altering for me in the moment. I had a great mentor in college who. Were you done with that I hijacked the conversation?

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah, I'll talk about my other one later.

[Austin]

Okay.

[Meredith]

Okay, let's triple back to number two.

[Arthur Otho]

We'll get there. We'll get there.

[Austin]

So I had a great mentor in college who I used to babysit her kids all the time. But she I was kind of wrestling with, like, oh, my gosh, should I move to New York? Should I move to la? Like, I want to pursue dance, but what if it. What if it's wrong? What if this doesn't work out? What if. Whatever. Like, I was just, what if. Ing myself to pieces. And she looked at me one day and she was like, if it doesn't work out, you'll just come home and do something else. And I was like, you're like, oh.

[Meredith]

I was like, yeah, that. You know what?

[Austin]

I think there's so especially in the dance industry. I mean, like, in all industries, really. But I was so used to putting so much pressure on myself to, like, go the path and succeed and do the things that I wanted to do. And it had to work out and it had to be perfect. And she was like. She just, like, gave me permission to fail.

[Meredith]

Yeah.

[Austin]

And I was like. And she was like, what's the worst that could happen? It all falls apart and you just do something else.

[Meredith]

Yeah.

[Austin]

And I was like, you're like, you're right.

[Meredith]

The case, I guess.

[Austin]

I guess it'll be fine.

[Meredith]

That is so such good advice. And the truth is, like, in your 20s, like, it is the time to do that. Like, it's the time to try it and figure it out. And if it doesn't work, then it probably leads you to the thing that's going to work, you know? Like, I think Sarah Blakely talks about that a lot. You know, the woman who started Spanx, it's, like, so inspiring because she has this, like, dream, but who knew that was going to blow up to what it was? The worst thing that could happen is it didn't work out. The best thing that could happen is she's terribly clean.

[Austin]

She's so inspiring.

[Meredith]

You know, to me, the highest flex.

[Austin]

Yeah.

[Meredith]

Because I love Shark Tank. I know. That is really inspiring. And I love what you said, Austin, because I think that, like, we were talking about this yesterday when we were gonna do one of Yalls dances, but the one that we had chosen was, like, not your original dance. You're like, oh, this isn't one of our originals. And you're like, we can do that. I'm like, no, we should do, like, one of your originals because it's Yalls thing. This is like, you know, so cool. And. And then I got to thinking about last night, like, the trends and that, like, feed the algorithm of social media. And it's so interesting because we all do, like, the same trends. And so you go on TikTok and like, you're watching the same trend be done by, like, every person, which is just kind of interesting thing. But we do it and we're entertained by it. But then it's, like, so refreshing when someone gives you something new and something different because you're like, oh, good. Like, finally, I'm not watching the same trend and hearing the same song. Like, it needed to be something new. And I think whenever we get into this, like, pattern of the world, it's like everybody wants to look like everybody else. And it's like, that's Fine. And you can coast with it. You can be entertained. But, like, when someone gives you something original, when someone gives you, like, a side of them that the world hasn't seen, it's like, oh, what a gift. Because not only do you see a new thing, but you're also seeing, like, a new side of God if we're all created in his image. And it makes me think, like, don't be conformed by the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Be creative. Like, do more things. Like, that's so much more of a gift to the world. And so it's funny because I'll do trends and stuff like that because they're fun and whatnot. But it's always, like, your original content that, like, people gravitate to and, like, that's why people want to follow you, you know? And so such a good point. Such a good call out and to just, like, create something and to live original. To live original. All goes back to that.

[Austin]

Sure does.

[Meredith]

It's actually just so true because I do think that people are afraid of that because, again, what if people don't, like, you are. What if it doesn't work? But I think when you think about social media, like, there are some things that don't work. Like, okay, this gets way less views, you know, than that. But at the end of the day, it's like, no one else cares but you, you know, like, no one else is looking at, like, man, that video of theirs got so much less views. And then they're embarrassing. No one's looking at that.

[Austin]

And if you're doing something that isn't you, you're attracting the wrong audience, which is like a lesson that I've over and over. And I wish some. I wish that would have been my best advice. That was just a whole thing that I struggled with. And I mean, we'll get into this, but back when we were individual performers in New York, I think that I spent a long time trying to be somebody that was not me. And I would just go into auditions and there was, like, a moment where it was right before the pandemic and also made finding Costa Mayer and that whole journey so sweet. But there was a moment before the pandemic when I was just in an audition room and I was like, if I. It was for an agency. And I was like, if this agent wants to take me onto the roster based on the way the who I am in the room right now, I will book all of the wrong jobs because this isn't who I want to be. This isn't who I am. And it's the same with social media. When we're making content that doesn't feel authentic to us, we're attracting the wrong people.

[Meredith]

That's really good.

[Austin]

So staying true to yourself is so important, not just like.

[Meredith]

All right, friends, real talk. Being pregnant in the summer while chasing toddlers around should count as an Olympic sport. And if I'm not on top of that hydration, it is game over. That's where element saves the day. It gives me legit energy and helps knock out those muscle cramps I used to get all the time. It's made with a science batch electrolyte ratio that actually works. Plus no sugar, no sketchy ingredients, just clean hydration. For busy ladies like us and y', all. I have been loving the lemonade salt flavor. It is so good. I throw a stick in my purse pretty much everywhere I go to make sure I have it. And it's not just for water either. You can actually mix it into a glass of iced tea if you like, little lemonade tea mixture. Or get creative with a big old pitcher of salty lemonade with fresh fruit. It's giving summer refreshment and hydration, which we love, y'. All. I'm a big lemonade fan in general, but lemonade is packed with sugar and. And so this is like the best alternative for me. And I actually love the taste of it so much. I also just love Element. I love the saltiness. Also love how it makes me feel. I do not get leg cramps whenever I drink it, which is pretty common for me when I'm not hydrated. And so all around, this is just a win for me. Try element totally risk free. If you don't like it, give it to a salty friend and they'll refund your order, no questions asked. Lemonade salt is available for a limited time only. And I'm telling you, you got to get it while supplies last because you're going to love this, especially if you're a lemonade fan. Get your free Element sample pack with any [e-mail] Whoa. That's DrinkElement D R I N K l m n t.com Whoa.

[Austin]

For your own heart, but like, for your. The community you're building.

[Meredith]

Yeah, I think, like, a lot of people don't ask themselves this question, but, you know, people are afraid to fail. But I think people need to ask themselves, like, what would it be to succeed? Because to you, what it might have looked like at one point was, like, oh, Getting booked in these things. But then you get there and you're like, that's actually not what I want. I don't want to be booked in those things. I want to be a dancer, but not if it means in that area of life. So tell me a little bit more about the dance world, because this is so intriguing. So did y' all both grow up dancing?

[Arthur Otho]

Ish. I started when I was about nine years old. I started out playing because my dad was, like, the rec coach, so he was, like, big into baseball. He coached rec. He coached high school, middle school for years. So I just kind of fell into suit doing that. But there was one baseball tryout that we had gone to that I just showed up, hadn't even gotten out of the car yet, and I just showed up, and I was in full tears, freaking out, and I just had gotten to the point where I. It just didn't, like. It didn't excite me anymore. And I thought he was gonna, like, be super mad, you know? And I told him I was like, I don't think I want to try out for this baseball team. Like, I just. I don't like it anymore. It's not, like, fun for me. And he was like, okay, cool. That's fine.

[Austin]

You were like, phew.

[Arthur Otho]

I was like. But then, like, as time went on, I didn't really have any other hobbies or anything. And so my mom was like, we need to find something for you to do. And so she put me in this triple threats class, which was, like, singing, dancing, acting, like, all in one. And I was like, absolutely not. We're not doing it. And I went into the class and loved it. Obsessed. I came out of the class and, like, asked to sign up for, like, every other style that the dance studio offered.

[Austin]

He's a triple threat to this day.

[Arthur Otho]

I don't know about to this day.

[Meredith]

Fierce.

[Arthur Otho]

Fierce.

[Austin]

I'm putting Sadie onto the workplace.

[Meredith]

It is from here on out on this podcast, y' all will hear me say, fierce. Fierce.

[Austin]

We're bringing it back.

[Meredith]

We are bringing it back.

[Austin]

And Tim's.

[Meredith]

That's so good, though. Did you know before that that you could dance or.

[Arthur Otho]

No. No one in my family had danced before. I mean, my dad kind of played the guitar, but that's kind of the only, like, musical, I guess, ish space. I mean, my mom was an art teacher, so, like, there was kind of that art aspect, but no dancing, performing, or anything like that.

[Meredith]

That is so cool. Did you sing at all, too?

[Arthur Otho]

I did. Cause I started to this Is your. The community musicals? And then when I got into middle school, high school, I also did the plays and musicals there too.

[Meredith]

That's awesome.

[Arthur Otho]

But, yeah, did a little bit of everything.

[Meredith]

And then from there, did you go on to continue to pursue a career in it?

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah. So once I kind of started taking more styles, I started to like the like, hip hop, street styles more too. And so when I was 16 is when I started teaching for the first time and I really liked teaching. And then in 2017 is when I moved to New York to like, really start auditioning and trying to get an agent and stuff like that.

[Meredith]

So, yeah, so like, in the dance world, and I want to get to yours in just a second. When you move to New York, is the hope like Broadway, is it like, what are, what are all the dance options?

[Austin]

The dance options are endless. I mean, there's. There's musical theater, but there's also commercial.

[Arthur Otho]

Which is like music video, touring.

[Austin]

Yeah, yeah, all that kind of thing. That's like, you can. Yeah, I guess, I guess it depends on your, like, agency. But in the city, you can move to New York or la.

[Arthur Otho]

For me, I had gone to do commercial, like I wanted to do like tours and backup dancing and, you know, tv, movies, like all that stuff. Did I do any of it? Nope.

[Meredith]

Look at you now.

[Arthur Otho]

I know, but. And that's like, that's. I'm sure we'll get into that later.

[Austin]

Too quickly though. I did it myself.

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah, I did get an Aiden.

[Austin]

Did not. Pretty quick.

[Meredith]

Okay, tell me your dance background.

[Austin]

I started dancing when I was 14. I was, I was late to the party, which was good. Though in hindsight, I'm very glad that I was like a full human being before I was a dancer because I think when you start dancing super young, your identity is so wrapped up in dance that it's hard to like, I don't know, it's just hard to separate out your dance and regular life experiences. But started dancing when I was 14, had an awesome coach who really trained us in like foundational street styles, which was really rare. And so we kind of have reverse flip flop training where I started in street styles and then progressed to theater and really fell in love with that second. But then when we met and found each other, it was such a unique thing that kind of led to us choreographing together because we both could speak the street styles, language, vocab, and also the musical theater vocab. And so our styles vary, like, influenced with both of those things. And not a lot of People have both of those training elements, so it has really worked for us in, like, a unique way.

[Meredith]

Yeah, that's super cool.

[Austin]

Yeah.

[Meredith]

It's also really encouraging. You started at 14, because as a mom to little ones, it is so crazy how young the pressure starts of, like, oh, well, if they're gonna be good, then you have to get. And it's like, three years old. I think she's gonna be fine. But, like, I've heard so many people with that story. We had a gymnast on at one point, and she was an Olympic gymnast, and she was like, I had no idea. I was, like, 6 years old at a birthday party, and I was, like, doing cartwheels, and they were like, you're pretty good. And my mom's like, okay, let's just, like, try. But it started out so chill, and then, you know, because if God gave you that, then he gave it to you.

[Austin]

He gonna do it.

[Meredith]

He's gonna do it in the right time. Like, if he can turn water into wine, he can expedite some processes, you know, he can teach you what he needs to teach you. So Yalls meeting story is hilarious. So you gotta tell us, how did the two of you meet?

[Austin]

We booked the same job when we were. It was actually crazy that we didn't meet in New York because we had so many mutual friends and some mutual mentors, but it was just, like, jobs taking us in different places that we just never crossed paths. But then we booked the same job at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. It was extremely glamorous. And we did. It was a Halloween show where they painted us as zombies. Like, head to toe, airbrushed us every night. Oh, my gosh.

[Arthur Otho]

Elaborate costumes.

[Austin]

Doesn't that sound like the perfect backdrop for a romance?

[Meredith]

Love at first sight.

[Austin]

Yeah.

[Meredith]

You saw her. You're like, dang, that zombie girl.

[Arthur Otho]

She's the one.

[Austin]

Yeah. But it was. It was a super fun time. That cast was amazing. Most of them came to North Carolina for our wedding, and, like, was our whole wedding. It was so much fun. But that job was awesome.

[Meredith]

So y' all met. How did y' all fall in love? Like, from that point, how do you start dating?

[Austin]

We actually didn't date till after the job was over.

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah. But we. I mean, we were always, like, cutting up during, like, rehearsals and stuff. When we were cutting up, hanging out.

[Meredith]

Like, we're always laughing and similar energy in, like, the best way. Like, I love whenever couples. You can genuinely tell their best friends, like, whenever. Which we're gonna get Back to your Piece of advice in a second. But whenever she was like, oh, did I cut you off? And you're like, it's okay, girl. Like, you just see, like, the chemistry. It's the best thing ever. So y' all had chemistry, but when did you finally be like, okay, there might be something more?

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah. It wasn't till after, like, the show was over and everything was done that we. That's when we realized we're like, how didn't we meet before this? Because we, like, were going to the same dance classes in New York. We, like, in the same group of, like, friends. And we were like, how. This is so weird that we kept passing each other. I think we realized that we were, like, in the same dance class at one point.

[Austin]

Oh, yeah, we can. We've got sense back and found footage from classes that were both in at the same time.

[Arthur Otho]

And we didn't know each other yet. It was like, oh, we took that class, but. But we didn't know each other. It was crazy.

[Meredith]

But it's actually so cool, though.

[Austin]

Yeah. We just started, like, hanging out all the time. Austin thought we were dating way before I thought we were dating, because we would just hang out, and then he'll tell the story and he'll be like, oh, yeah. Back when we were like, we're staying. And I was like, that's not true. Not what happened.

[Meredith]

That's such a guy thing, though, because, yeah, we were dating, and you're like, did you ask me, like, on a date?

[Austin]

You know, like, doesn't count.

[Meredith]

Doesn't count. That's so funny. So y' all were. We're all still living in New York when y' all dated.

[Austin]

Yeah, briefly, until Covid rocked our worlds, but yes.

[Meredith]

Okay, so let's get to when Covid rocked your world. When Coverage. Your world. You weren't married yet.

[Austin]

Correct.

[Meredith]

But y' all moved back to North Carolina closer to your family.

[Arthur Otho]

You'd only been at that point. We had only been actually dating. Now, what I consider what she considers actually dating for, like, what, a few weeks.

[Austin]

A few weeks.

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah.

[Austin]

And we had no intention of moving back to North Carolina. I was just like, let's go.

[Arthur Otho]

Or moving to North Carolina.

[Meredith]

Yeah.

[Arthur Otho]

Truly.

[Austin]

They shut down all the dance studios, all of our jobs, and so there was really no reason to, like, stay pent up in our 12 square foot apartments.

[Meredith]

Yeah, New York was, like, the worst in Covid. Yeah.

[Austin]

It was bad. And you really. It was hard to get around. And it was just. I was like, let's go wait it out in North Carolina with my family for a couple of weeks. And then we got stuck there for a long time again.

[Arthur Otho]

After three weeks of dating, I moved into her parents home.

[Austin]

And everyone's always like, was that such a jarring reality to like, be like, stuck together in the same house?

[Arthur Otho]

It really wasn't though.

[Austin]

It wasn't, but it was because we. The job that we met on put us in such a specific scenario where we were like, shacked up with the whole cast. Like, we were. There was no. Like, everyone's like, was it crazy to like, live in the same house and like, brush your teeth together after like two weeks?

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah, there was like a two week rehearsal period for that show that we had, like the entire cast had, like, lived in a house together. Right. And then the shows only happened on weekends, so we would go back to.

[Austin]

New Jersey on like Thursday nights and.

[Arthur Otho]

Stay until Monday night, continue to live together through the weekend, and then just do that for like two months.

[Meredith]

Oh, my God.

[Austin]

That's not weird.

[Meredith]

Cause even like the Dancing with the Stars world of things, it was like my glimpse into the dancing life. And it was like, crazy just how close everyone was. Whereas, like, if I was in a different scenario and there was that many people who were that close, I'd be like, this is kind of weird. But like, in the dancing world, that's so very normal because they tour together, they're like live on a bus together. Like, it really is like, you're just that close. And you know, they're all huggy and lovey and you're like, this is weird. But then by the end of it, you're doing it too, and you're like, this is like the dance world. So I do. I do that a little bit.

[Austin]

You're used to seeing people in their pajamas, brushing their teeth and making their morning coffee and like, seeing them in their own private moments of life. So it wasn't like we were used to each other by then.

[Meredith]

And to your point, like, we did the same thing. We came back to Louisiana. It was Christian's spring break, senior year of college, and that's whenever, like, Covid all kind of went down. And so we came back to Louisiana. We're staying at my parents house. And we were just thinking, oh, we'll just ride this out for a couple weeks, thinking that was gonna be it. And then all of a sudden, now we live in Louisiana. Like, it was just like such a crazy time for everybody, obviously. So when y' all moved back, dance world's like, shut down. Are y' all thinking like, what are we gonna do? And I know this is kind of where costume error started, but you gotta tell the whole story. Like, how did y' all dream that up? How did it actually get kickstarted? All right, is it just me or does summer somehow make your schedule even more chaotic? That's why I am so pumped about AG1. They actually just dropped their next gen formula. It's the same one scoop, once a day routine that we've been loving for years, but with upgraded vitamins, minerals and probiotics. And now it is actually clinically backed. They went above and beyond the industry standards to raise the bar and make an already great product even better in the summer. Having a simple routine like AG one can seriously make a huge difference. It's super easy, a way to support your immune health, keep your gut feeling good, and help cover the nutrient gaps that sneak in when life is just busy or meals get a little snacky. If you've never tried it before, this is the perfect time. Their next gen formula is years in the making and went through four clinical trials. So yeah, it is kind of a big deal. We love AG1 and our fam. I actually was just down in Florida visiting Christian's family and my father in law did not miss a day of his AG1. And if I, if I didn't have my AG1, he's. But you're not drinking your AG1 today. Like he is so on it. He really believes in how much it's really helped him and his health, which has been really cool to see. So now clinically backed with an advanced formula, this is the perfect time to try AG1 if you haven't yet. I've been drinking AG1 for years now and I'm so happy to be partnered with them. So subscribe today to try the next gen of AG1. If you use my link, you'll also get a free bottle of AG D3K2, an AG1 Welcome Kit, and five of the upgraded AG1 Travel Packs with your first order. So make sure to check out drinkag1.com Woah. To get started with AG1's next gen and notice the benefits for yourself. That's drinkag1.com Woah.

[Arthur Otho]

I mean we had just, we were living together, it was still new for us, but we wanted to like stay creative and like stay moving, stay dancing. And so we did this like really funny thing where I would go into one room and she would go into another. We would like choreograph something like choreograph a piece and Then, like, come back and, like, I would teach her mine and she would teach me hers. But it took a while for us to be like, we should just choreograph together.

[Meredith]

That's so weird.

[Austin]

Such a weird time.

[Arthur Otho]

So then we eventually started doing that, and so the Cost and Mayor name. This is the story. Before we moved to North Carolina, we would. When we were hanging out, not dating.

[Austin]

Hanging out, not dating.

[Meredith]

Not quite.

[Arthur Otho]

We would, like, play cards, like rummy, because we're 90 years old.

[Meredith]

Oh, we're big car people, too. I'm also 90. So.

[Arthur Otho]

So we were. We'd be, like, hanging in the park, like, playing cards. But we always had a note, like, on our phone that kept all the scores. And so we made the note and we said, hey, Siri, make a note that says Aust and mare. Cause that's what we called each other for short. But the closest real words that Siri knew was cost and mayor. And so we had this note on our phone that said cost and mayor. And it had all of our, like, card game scores. And we just thought it was funny.

[Austin]

And it was a running joke forever.

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah, for a long time. And then this was when, like, finstas. Finstas were hot, were really popular. And so when we were, like, getting to the point of, like, making a finsta or a TikTok, we were, like.

[Austin]

Getting to the point of making a finsta. That's how bad Covid guy it is.

[Meredith]

Because, like, most people would think from the outside, like, how did you, like, start your platform? How to blow? Like, because you try to, like, think strategy and all these things and, like, zero strategy. There's no. Because most of the time when it works, there isn't any strategy. That's the thing. Like, most of them, when you try to have strategy, it doesn't work out. It's the Siri.

[Austin]

Exactly.

[Meredith]

And now we're ready to start a finsta that somehow, some way, because it's just who you are, is what y' all are doing. So you start a finsta.

[Arthur Otho]

We actually didn't.

[Meredith]

Oh, you didn't?

[Arthur Otho]

Finsta didn't even happen. It was.

[Austin]

TikTok was like, the whole. The whole thing was the new finsta.

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah. And it was actually your mom who was like, you know, TikTok's becoming, like this big thing.

[Austin]

It was my mom.

[Meredith]

She was like, shout out to your mom.

[Austin]

Like, the kids are dancing on the Internet. And you guys could do that, like, trying to find us something to do. And I was like, okay, Mom.

[Arthur Otho]

And so we made a joint TikTok account and named it Costa Mayer.

[Austin]

We actually, like, I remember debating whether we should make separate accounts or one ticket account, which is so stupid.

[Meredith]

I've only been dating for a couple weeks, so.

[Arthur Otho]

Right.

[Austin]

I don't want to catch myself. Exactly. So. But the other day we were reminiscing about that and I was like, wow, who knew that that was going to be like, could you imagine a life altering decision?

[Meredith]

Who knew?

[Austin]

I know.

[Meredith]

It's so funny. Last night, after we had dinner with y', all, which we got crawfish, which was so fun.

[Austin]

25 pounds.

[Meredith]

We literally ate 25.

[Austin]

The best night of my life, which.

[Meredith]

Was so bold of us to deal with two people who had never eaten crawfish. But the fact that we finished it is.

[Austin]

It was so good.

[Meredith]

Impressive.

[Austin]

I'm still dreaming about it.

[Meredith]

But my dad, we had called him after. Not about that, but we were like, oh, dinner was so fun. And then he was like, yeah, hey, why is their name Cost and Mayer? And I was like. I was like, actually, I don't know why it is. That's so weird. I was like, is that their last, last name? I was like, no. And so I love this story, though. It's like so just that. But that's the thing. Like, those are the things that normally work. It's the effortless things that just like, I mean, that's how well that's good started. Me and my mom were at a college event, at a sorority event, and my mom and I both had like, mics on that were, you know, didn't have like the handheld where we could put it down. We both had the hot mics. I mean, we're here. And they asked me what my best piece of advice I've ever been given was this girl did. So I answer the question. And then my mom goes, whoa, that's good. And that's literally how it started. And then I had been kind of wanting to start a podcast and I couldn't think of a name or what the concept was, which is very important when you start a podcast. And so then after the night, I was like, oh, my gosh, that would be so, like, such a good, like, podcast concept. If I ask people, like, what's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? And then I say, well, that's good. It's like, so it's so small. It doesn't even. It's not big. But then it, like, it works because it comes from, like a natural moment. So I love that that's Yalls name. So Y' all start kind of, like, doing this for fun. It's fen to status. When did it start? When did it start becoming like, oh, like, we're actually doing this? Like, people are watching, really.

[Austin]

When we started doing original stuff, because at first, we were kind of just like, we were getting the lay of the land. We were like, what are we doing on this app? And so we were doing dance trends as you did and as we all did, and that it was like, we were just doing it for fun. And then we posted one video that was like. Like a trend. I think it was by Nathan Lust, who's hilarious, and our good friend now, but he had made the silly dance. And then we tacked on this, like, more like we tacked on this, like, section that we made up onto the end of it that was, like, this weird, like, I don't know, super foundational.

[Arthur Otho]

Like, hip hop move.

[Austin]

And people loved it. And they were like, oh, like, I love this part that you added. And that was when we were like, maybe we should just do all of our original stuff. And then once we started really, like. Like, just doing original stuff, that's when it really started growing and becoming a thing.

[Meredith]

Were y', all like, what was the moment y' all looked at each other and were like, oh, my gosh, like. Like, we're doing this. Like, was there a moment that you were just kind of shocked by how much it had grown?

[Austin]

I mean, we were definitely shocked by how much it had grown, for sure. We never intended for it to become such a huge thing. If anything, it was gonna be a way for us to. We were still such in the mindset of, like, oh, maybe this can be a great tool for us when we go back to New York as individual performers. And that was still very much the track we were on. Like, oh, maybe this will be a great piece of leverage to, like, get us into auditions or to, like, get an awesome agent or, like, we were still very much in the head space of that's where we're going. We're going back there, which.

[Meredith]

So interesting.

[Austin]

So it took us a long time to reroute our thinking to a new destination.

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah.

[Meredith]

That's so cool. So, you know, you mentioned that there's, like, tension in the dance world as far as, like, going into all these agencies and them saying that you have to do this or you have to do that. And I've experienced that in a small sense. Like, back in the day, whenever I thought before doing all I'm doing now that I was gonna maybe do acting so all the agencies and all the casting and all the. And it's just like, whoa, it's a lot. And then you actually, you know, got the moment to kind of have your freedom and dance and have fun. But you still thought, like, I'm gonna go back to that. That is like an interesting thing because you didn't love it. But that was the path that everybody took. Like, talk about that tension a little bit that probably most dancers feel because you were. Y' all were able to kind of create something that feels right with who you are and represents who you are and do the thing you love. But I feel like a lot of people are stuck in that. Like, I love to dance, but it doesn't fit my morals. Or I love to dance, but it doesn. The end path isn't exactly what I want. How do you have the confidence? I mean, you're obviously speaking hindsight 2020. Like, y', all, because of 2020, were able to get out of it. But what do you tell people now who are stuck in that tension?

[Austin]

Yeah, it. It took a long time for us to really believe we didn't have to follow the dance traditional path, which was why during the first probably whole year of costumer, we still thought that we would go back to New York and be individual performers and like, rebook the same jobs.

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah, I remember having the conversation because prior to the Six Flags job that we did, I was coming from another job that kind of overlapped by a few days. And I remember having a conversation like, what if we go back and like, we get booked for separate things? Like, how are we gonna, like, keep this, like, posting together? Like, that's gonna be really interesting. Like, I remember having that conversation and I was like, like, I don't know.

[Austin]

Yeah. And I don't know. Like I said earlier, I. I was become. I had gotten to a point right before COVID where I was really just like discouraged and frustrated as like a. I mean, it's frustrating for males and females in this space, but I think, like, I was so frustrated going to all of these commercial calls where if you're a female going to these commercial calls, you're wearing like a 4 inch stiletto and your whole little look and like, that was just the game. Like, you had to do that to even get an agent, which isn't even the audition. That's just like, you gotta do that so that you get the person who's gonna maybe get you the audition later. Like, it's that. That felt like the thing that gate kept success. And so you kept going. Like, I would continue just like going and going and going to these auditions and trying to make it work because every my life was like, this is just what you have to do. Like, this is the way. Like, this is the only. It was just so ingrained in my brain that that was the only way you could do things. And then, like I said, had that moment right before COVID where I was at a call in my stilettos girl, in the whole get up. And I was like, even if I nail this.

[Meredith]

Yeah.

[Austin]

Then what am I going to do? A hundred jobs of this in that 4 inch stiletto. Like, this is not what I want to nail. And so when. When attraction with cost and mayor and it was really becoming a thing that we started to see a future for. I was like, oh. And that was the moment I really got to like. It felt like God's plan was starting to click. You never know what he's got going on. But there's always those moments where you're like, oh, maybe this is my way around. Because I had really struggled with it. I was like, God, why would you lead me into this career that I feel so called to do? And then, you know, like, walk me into a room where. Yeah. Where I have to compromise my morals and who I am. And I'm not saying there's not a place for a sexy, sensual dance and a place for a costume that reveals your lines. I think that there's a place for all of those things. But I was, I think in the commercial industry, there's really some, like, compromising, hyper sexualized stuff that I just, like, was not with, wasn't who I was. And so when Costa Mayer really started to take off, I was like, okay, God, I'm starting to see the vision. You've given us a different way, and we're gonna have to take it.

[Meredith]

That's great. I love that. Have y' all ever woken up looking like you just survived a wrestling match with your sheets? Yeah, maybe we all have. Christian is the one who tosses and turns, wakes up sweaty, all the things, and I'm normally freezing. And so we had to find something to help both of us.

[Austin]

Us.

[Meredith]

When we tried miracle made sheets, it was like sleeping in a cool, cozy cloud. It was perfect because miracle sheets are inspired by NASA technology with silver infused right into the fabric. They regulate your body temperature while you sleep. So no more night sweats or freezing feet. Plus, the silver infused fabric actually helps stop. Up to 99.7% of bacteria build up, which means that they Legit stay cleaner longer translation, less laundry. And I know we will all say yes to that that. We've had our Miracle sheets for a while now, a couple years and they have totally held up. They're soft, breathable and feel way more luxurious than anything that we bought off of the shelf. Treat yourself today to better sleep with these sheets that actually do something for you. First time we tried Miracle sheets we were like, dang, these actually are so good. We definitely noticed the cooling effect to it and just the peace of mind that they're staying cleaner longer with having kids in our bed and a dog and all the different things. Things was super nice but honestly just the feeling of them is so much nicer than other sheets we've had. To upgrade your sleep as the weather heats up. Go to trymiracle.com Whoa. To try miracle made sheets today. And whether you're buying them for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, if you order today you can save over 40% off. And if you use my promo code whoa. At checkout, you'll get a free three piece towel set and save an extra 20%. Miracle is so confident in their product, it's backed with a 30 day money back guarantee. So if you aren't 100% satisfied with you'll get a full refund. Upgrade your sleep with Miracle made. Go to trymiracle.com whoa and use the code whoa. To claim your free three piece SAL set and save over 40%. Again, that's trymiracle.com whoa to treat yourself today. It's like so inspiring to hear your story because I didn't know if y' all were believers or not, but one thing that I loved about your just your dances and why I think I watched them all the time and showed my family and tried to learn them is because they weren't inappropriate. Like, and most of them are, you know, a lot of them are a lot of like dances that you find on TikTok especially. And I'm like, well, I can't do that. Like, I love to dance because ever since Days on the Stars I like fell in love with it. But I'm like, I also like, literally I'm preaching on stages and like writing these books and telling people to like be confident in who they are, not compromise your morals and like stand strong in your faith. And so that would be like a confusing message for me to be like saying all these things and me to be like dancing inappropriately, you know, so that doesn't work. At the same time, I totally, that like, dancing is a gift that we've been given from the Lord. It's a. It's something that, like, you find joy in life. It's a form of art. Like, I want to do that. And so y' all gave even me, just for fun and outlet, to, like, okay, I can copy these people because they're putting out stuff that's, like, family friendly. You were always dressed very modestly. Like, y' all have really fun, funny dances, but nothing that ever makes you, oh, I probably shouldn't watch that. Or, like, whatever, you know, you don't want your husband to see or whatever. And so it was just very refreshing, content in the dance world. World. I was really thankful for that. And that was. I remember on the show, at the end of the. Of the Dancing with Stars, there was this finale dance that they wanted all the girls to do, and it was like, we're all gonna wear these outfits that were, like, very skimpy. And we were gonna dance to this song, Boss. It was the fifth Harmony. You know, this is really, like, power girl song. And, like, I'm. The fun of it would have been that. But it got, like, very inappropriate. Like, it was kind of. It was just very inappropriate. And so I was like, I'm so sorry. I can't. I can't do this. And good for you. I remember it being, like, a big deal. Like, it was like, well, if you don't do this, and, like, this is the finale dance, and all the finalists are gonna do it, and then they're not gonna be able to do it. And I was like, well, I don't want them to not be able to do it. I just don't.

[Austin]

I know. And that's the terrifying thing about the dance industry, because it feels like you don't have a choice.

[Meredith]

It's like, no other option, 100%. But then finally, I was like, I'm so sorry. I don't want to do it. So I'm not gonna do it. So I didn't do it, and they still got to do it. And so there is a choice, you know, 100%. Like, there always is a choice. You always have a choice in anything in life. And I had a mentor when I was in eighth grade. Tell me this. At a Bible study. This might be one of the best pieces of advice I got. She said, five seconds of awkward will save you from a lifetime of regret. And it's, like, so good. Sometimes it takes you, like, a minute to be like, this is about to be so awkward, to be very uncomfortable and it's normally a little bit longer than five seconds, but I'm so glad that me doing that dance is not on the Internet, you know? And, like, also, they got to do it. And so it didn't hurt anybody. There was a choice. And for you, it was like, sitting there in the cell is like, I don't really want to do this. Like, this is not really where I want to go. And you just. You have. You had a choice. And now, like, y' all are doing something together as a married couple that. That's literally, like, reaching probably more people than you ever thought you would in the dance world. Like, millions of followers, millions of views. Like, how cool is that?

[Austin]

It's the coolest.

[Meredith]

I mean, that is such a testimony and such a good example for people to hear that, like, you always have a choice. And not only that, but when you choose the path of the Lord, like, he's directing your path, and it's going to be better than whatever the world can offer you, because so much better. Had you succeeded in that industry in that way, you would have never felt fully, probably satisfied in what you were doing, because something was off. But now you get to be fully yourself and do fully what you love. Like, what a gift.

[Austin]

And it's been so crazy to see the way that God has opened up doors for us that align with his plan for our lives. Like, the way at one point I was like, oh, man, you know, if we do this whole costume, I think it's gonna be great, but, you know, we're gonna have to. We're gonna have to give up all of these dreams we had as professional, like, going on tour and, like, doing music videos, and, like, we've gotten to do the coolest stuff, like, the way that. I mean, the first tour we did was Pentatonix, which was awesome. And we're literally on stage doing a national tour, dancing to, like, hark the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn king to arena. It literally still gives me goosebumps, like, arenas of people. It was amazing, like, to see God be like, no, like. And they've never used dancers on a tour before. I actually was such a fan of Pentatonix when I was in high school. Me and my. My best friend, and I remember a day we were listening, we were, like, watching their documentary or something, and she was like, you should dance for them one day. And I was like, girl, they're an acapella.

[Arthur Otho]

Girl, they don't use dancers.

[Austin]

They ain't gonna use dancers. And then we just, like, the way that it all came together and God, perfectly orchestrated, it was insane. And, like, we've gone to work with such great artists like them and Andy Grammer and, like, people that really support us and also share our, like, values. And in entertainment, it's been insane.

[Meredith]

Try to encourage people in that because I think, you know, when people think, like, okay, I gotta choose like, this or that, the career path or whatever, and it's normally not as simple or as. It's not, like, as dumbed down as that. Like, you might choose this, but if God put all these things in your heart, like, there will be a way that he allows you to use all of them. Like, I remember thinking whenever I did do acting and stuff like that, I was like, okay, that's great. Like, I started kind of going down this path in ministry. I didn't think I was gonna have a following in that. I was thinking, this is where the following dies, you know, this is where this part ends of my story, you know? Like, I don't know how this is gonna go on social media, you know, but then, like, what in the world would have never expected that? Like, I remember after Dancing with the Stars and I had, like, a million followers being like, this is crazy. Oh, my gosh, like, whatever. And then, like, pursuing ministry and thinking like this from here on out, probably gonna, like, start losing. And now it's, like, gained to 5 million. And I'm. I'm not. I don't care about, like, I'm not trying to say, oh, look at how many followers. I just mean, like, God, I didn't expect that. I didn't ask for that. I didn't even. But yet you continue to grow this platform and it's all for your glory. And, like, praise God that I get to do this and that people listen and that it encourages people. Because at the end of the day, it's not about me. It's about them. It's about what they're getting and receiving on the other end. And so I say it to say, like, you might think, okay, if I choose this, this means this. And a lot of people think and the world kind of convinces you, if you choose the path of the Lord, it's over for you in the world. But everybody craves God. The things of the Lord. Love, joy, peace, patience, all these things. And so when you give people a glimpse of the goodness of God, like, people want it, people cling to it. When you give them a glimpse of joy and dancing or an outlet to be creative or to do art, like, people I want that, you know. Oh, thank you for giving me, like, something fun. And so it's just interesting. I feel, like, how the world convinces you, like, like, that's the road, or it's this or that. But it's really not, you know, it's really not. Especially if you're walking it out the way God actually lays it out. It's beautiful.

[Austin]

The same mentor that gave me my good piece of advice also told me one time when I did a lot of ministry with, like, high school girls in college, which I was so passionate about, and I had considered doing it full time, and I was also. Which was something that I really. I always. I thought that I was going to go into dance. And then when I started doing ministry, I was like, oh, my gosh, I have such a heart for this. Like, I love working with these high school girls. I love it so much. And I was really wrestling with going into dance or ministry. And I was like, I just. I've got so much guilt for, like, I think dance is what I'm being called to. But, like, what am I gonna not pick ministry? Like, how can that be God's will for me to, like, not pick that? And she was like, you're not picking dance or ministry. You're picking ministry, and you're selecting your field.

[Meredith]

Yes.

[Austin]

You're picking ministry.

[Meredith]

No matter what dance is, your ministry is my ministry.

[Austin]

And that was like, oh, my gosh, you're so right. Like, I'm either gonna minister to high schoolers or I'm gonna. The dance industry.

[Meredith]

Yes.

[Austin]

And it's not picking this or that. And.

[Meredith]

And people need to realize that because you need, like, you are the light of the world, you know, not like, the light of the church. Like, you're light of the world, you know? So, like, you need to be in the world to be the light of the world. And same thing, you know, it's like, oh, if you do TV or if you do that, whatever. It's like, no, you're using that as your place to ministry. So the best example is whenever Jesus calls Peter and he's like, come with me. I'll make you a fisher, a man. Saying, like, you're a fisherman. That's what you love to do, do. I'm gonna teach you how to do that with purpose. And then he's still fishing, you know? So it's like, Jesus takes the things that you love to do, and he's like, let me teach you how to now do this with purpose behind it. And if you don't have Purpose behind what you're doing, you're always gonna feel like something's missing. Because everybody in life wants to have purpose. That's why you do what you do. And so if you're doing what you're doing with minus the purpose part, you're missing it, you know? But it's when you put that piece together and you're like, this is it. That's fulfillment, you know? Austin, I wanna circle back because we never heard your second.

[Austin]

What's the advice?

[Arthur Otho]

Second piece.

[Austin]

Drop the wisdom, baby.

[Meredith]

Drop it. Mom, dad, you should shop Amazon for back to school and save some money. See, I'm currently obsessed with superheroes and need all the superhero stuff. Superhero lunchbox, superhero backpack. But next year it'll be something else. Maybe dinosaurs, I don't know. I'm not a fortune teller, but I can tell you not to spend a fortune and shop your low prices for school on Amazon. Kay, good chat, Amazon. Spend less, smile more.

[Arthur Otho]

This is honestly, like, what brought me back to faith. Because I had grown up Catholic, and then when I had moved to. It was actually a few years before I moved to New York. And then while I was living in New York that I had just completely lost my way, like, doing things because I thought I had to do them. Because the dance industry was telling me that this is the only way to get it done. Like, you've got to work, follow these five steps to get there. And I was like, okay, done and done. I will, you know, I will drop everything I'm doing and I will do what I can to complete those steps. And so it was really crazy when he, like, led me to Meredith and brought me back to North Carolina and living with her family in the Bible Belt of brought him to the Bible Belt, the United States, showed him a real good time. That's when I started. We started, like, listening to church every Sunday morning during COVID And it was the way that the pastor there was just, like, he was making it so easy for me to understand, like, God's word and how it relates to my life. Like, how a book written so long ago could be so relevant, still relevant to my life today. And I was like, what? That's crazy. And so, like, I started to get, like, more and more intrigued. And he was still kind of like, it sounds bad, but, like, God lives to, like, crumble down your world so that he can build up his. And I just read about that, like, in the devotion I was doing the other day. And I was like, that's so crazy. Like, God, like, picturing Jesus just, like, wanting to crumble down, like, your world so he can build up his is like such an interesting thing. But it's really. It's so true. And so I remember, like, my, like, the date that I like, was like, okay, I need to, like. I need to, you know, find Jesus again. We were. It was in like. It was just like a terrible day. And I was like, just going through so much. And she had said to me, she said, I, like, think about it like this. You go, you have a list of, like, your groceries, like 50 things, like a big list on your groceries list. You go to the store, you grab the grocery cart, but you're picking all those groceries up, but you're trying to hold them with one hand. It's like, why would you do that? Like, you're trying to still hold all of these things by yourself, but you're pushing an empty grocery cart. It's like, take those things and put them in the grocery cart. It's like, right there.

[Austin]

It's really good.

[Arthur Otho]

That's God for you. You can give him, like, the things you're angry about, frustrated about, sad about, like, the things you're anxious about, happy about. Like, even the good things, lay them at the feet of the Lord, and he will literally, like, time them out for you in the way that he sees fit. And that just like, opened up everything for me. And I was like, dang, that's crazy. That's really, really crazy.

[Meredith]

That's such a good analogy. That's so good. I love that so much.

[Arthur Otho]

Does actually hurt her knowledge that she.

[Austin]

Can draw the ones on the house.

[Meredith]

On the house. That's so funny. That's so beautiful. And that's so true. Like, so many people are walking through life just carrying it all. And it's like, I love the visual of like. But. And you're pushing, like, you have it, you have it.

[Arthur Otho]

It's right there. And you're trying to, like, juggle all these things.

[Meredith]

Great. Just so good.

[Arthur Otho]

Put them in the cart.

[Meredith]

I love that so much. Man. That's gonna speak to so many people. And it's so good. Yalls story is so cool and your life is so beautiful. I wanna ask lastly about your wedding, because such a party and it's such a. It look just like the most fun celebration. I actually watched the intro to Yalls wedding this morning. Like, all your friends coming, your parents coming in, the dancing. Like, it just. That's what a wedding should feel like and should be like. Can y' all just tell us a little bit about your wedding and the joy that y' all felt that day. Cuz it's so beautiful, so fun.

[Austin]

It was, like, the most fun wedding I've ever been to, which was awesome. It was so cool to see, like, such a. A mix of, like, our friends from the industry, our friends from home, like, our families, and, like, I don't know, it was just an awesome day of celebration where we got to, like, stand up and say, you know, like, we. We love each other so much, and we're putting God at the center of our relationship. And to be able to, like, make that declaration in front of our friends and family, especially, like, people that had seen such a transformation in us. Like, there were so many people from the era of our lives where we were doing the show in New York. Like, so many people from the cast where we met, so many people that had seen us in a lower point in our walks with the Lord were, like, we were. We had sort of fallen out of rhythm with him. And I think for them to see the transformation in our lives was so powerful, too. And, like, to get to stand up and know that we were, like, doing it together and that. That God had called us to be married and love each other and find him more deeply in our love for each other and to get to show that to our friends was so special and important.

[Meredith]

Yeah, it's like, you know, I think so many people these days are like, you know, why get married? Or, like, why get baptized? Why, like, do these things? But, like, those are your moments to make, like, a public declaration, a confession of, like, your faith, your love, your innocent. Like, it's not just about you. It's about the people you invite too, you know? And so, like, that's. It was just so beautiful and, like, seeing, like, your friends and family, some, you could tell, like, they were from their dance era, like, their dancers, you know, and then, like, they jumped in, and I just had, like, the confidence to do it, but it was like, they did it because they love y' all and because, like, that's what y'. All. That's what yalls relationship has. Like, it's been a bonding force in yalls relationship, and it's just so beautiful. And I wanted to bring this up because I was thinking about y' all this morning, and I thought about the verse, like, two are better than one, and. And it's just so true. But that verse, it's like, two are better than one, for they have, like, a better return for their labor. And I thought about y', all, like, literally Doing your work together. And that verse is so, like, a picture of Yalls life. But it's so interesting how you said when y' all first started, y' all literally go in different rooms and come out like, here's my choreographer. Here's your choreography.

[Austin]

Yeah.

[Meredith]

And, like, in this world we live in, it's so individual. Like, individualism is such a big thing. Like, this is my thing. This is my thing. Like, should I do my own TikTok? Should you have your own? Like, that is such a thing, you know? But, like, what has been the beauty of doing it together and continuing to do it together? Like, what is some of Yalls favorite things that you've learned in getting to do something as a couple?

[Austin]

We just have so much fun.

[Arthur Otho]

I know.

[Austin]

It's, like, so much fun.

[Arthur Otho]

I think every once in a while, actually, it's pretty often we're like, could you imagine, like, having to do, like, imagine everything that we've already done, but imagine doing it by yourself.

[Austin]

That's insane.

[Arthur Otho]

Like, that is just wild to think about. About, like, I'm not going to dance with Pentatonix by myself. That's weird. Yeah.

[Austin]

I'm not coming to that show.

[Arthur Otho]

No one's coming to that show. Like, Pentatonix would kick me out. Like, you're not. You're not helping, you know, ticket sales. Get out of here. But, like, all that stuff, it's just, like, imagine doing it by yourself. Like, we just. We just have so much fun.

[Austin]

Well, and I think that a career in dance is very physically and mentally demanding, and to have each other to lean on is really amazing. I mean, like, I know you've gotten a glimpse of it with Dancing with the Stars. And it's like, when. I don't know, when you're on a bus for, like, a month, it's like. It's crazy. Your whole routine gets blown up. And, like, it's really. It's strenuous to be traveling all the time and to be, like, in front of audiences all the time. And it's. It's good to have a person that can keep you grounded and remind you who you are and, like, be with you when it gets tough.

[Arthur Otho]

And.

[Austin]

And it's just amazing to have somebody to lean on.

[Arthur Otho]

And it's such an opportunity that I think is really cool that God really has a chance to show me other avenues that I can strive in and other avenues that you can strive in.

[Austin]

Because that's so true.

[Arthur Otho]

We work so well together.

[Austin]

We have very different strengths, but we.

[Arthur Otho]

Do have Very different strengths, but those strengths work so well in tandem, when.

[Austin]

We probably would have never figured that out if we were working together and come into our purpose in an even deeper way if we hadn't have found that in teamwork.

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah.

[Meredith]

That's so cool. I just love your story so much. I've always been a fan, but now even more so, of just who y' all are and the story that y' all tell. Lastly, I want to ask about this because last night, y' all gave Honey the cutest card game.

[Austin]

Oh, yeah.

[Meredith]

Oh, my gosh. She was so excited. She's like, can we play when we get home? Which we didn't end up getting home till so late, but I cannot wait to play it. And so tell everybody about the card game y' all started and where to get it, because this is very exciting. Everyone who is ready to dance, now you have an invitation to dance.

[Austin]

That's so true. And that is my favorite thing about the card game is that it's not just for dancers. I honestly think it's more fun if you play with people that don't dance because it's hilarious. And it's supposed to.

[Meredith]

It's like karaoke. It's kind of big.

[Austin]

It is.

[Arthur Otho]

It is like karaoke. Yes.

[Austin]

It is exactly like that. It's so fun. Totally. For the whole family. It's a dance card game where you make up. It's basically what you watch us do online.

[Arthur Otho]

Yeah.

[Austin]

Just shoved into a card game box.

[Meredith]

So good.

[Austin]

And so you can make up your own dances with, like, random song, random Persona. It's hilarious and fun.

[Arthur Otho]

You can do it with a friend. You can do it with solo.

[Austin]

Yeah. It's kind of like funky dance charades. It's definitely a trip.

[Arthur Otho]

I'm so excited it's available at Walmart.

[Austin]

It is. That's so exciting.

[Arthur Otho]

It's so cool and so crazy to say every single time. We're so thankful for that. But, yeah, you can pick it up at Walmart.

[Austin]

It's called Make a Dance.

[Meredith]

Make a dance. Make a dance.

[Austin]

Super fun.

[Meredith]

Okay. Make a dance. And you can get it online, too. Like, Amazon anywhere. Okay, awesome. Everyone go check that out and go get your dance on. We're actually going on a family vacation in two weeks, and I am totally bringing it it. And we'll definitely be posting some of that, Some good videos. But thank you all so much for being on the podcast. Thank you for sharing your story. Being who y' all are. Could not cheer y' all on any louder from this point on. And thanks for just sharing your story with all of us.

[Austin]

Oh, my gosh. Thanks for having us cheering you up. You and your family have been so kind and welcome. Welcoming to us. We've had the best time.

[Meredith]

Gotta come back. We gotta have more crosses.

[Austin]

I'm be dreaming about the crawfish till next time.

[Arthur Otho]

She really will be Zest.