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It's our Atlanta!
Episode 1420th November 2023 • Clover Club • Hawkins & Clover
00:00:00 01:18:21

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Dive into the eccentric world of Atlanta with host Erika Audrey and guest Blake Schultz on this episode of Clover Club. Kicking off with a hilarious tale that takes an unexpected turn, the duo explores Atlanta's past, present, and potential future.

Uncover the secrets behind the Beltline's development and ponder the implications of Atlanta being the most surveilled city in the country. Blake Schultz shares insights on making a positive impact on your community, offering a roadmap for authentic living in a world that often demands conformity.

Join the laughter, discover Atlanta's hidden stories, and learn how to live your most genuine life. Tune in to Clover Club for a delightful blend of humor, urban exploration, and personal growth.

-See the photos from today's episode here

-Follow Blake's work here

-Shop at Hawkins & Clover here

Transcripts

Speaker:

Welcome to Clover club, everybody.

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:

This is your host, Erica.

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:

And, I have a quick announcement

before we start today's episode.

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:

Last episode was our producer

Kelly's last episode.

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So we want to thank her for her creative

input on the Clover club, adventure and

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:

wish her well on her future endeavors.

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, and so,

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.

Thank you, Kelly..

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Okay I'm super excited

about today's episode.

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I am sitting at the taco

bell table right now with my

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delightful friend, Blake Schultz.

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The creator of it's our Atlanta.

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And hi.

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Hello.

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How are you?

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I'm so wonderful.

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Blake, how are you doing great on this?

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Oh, I can't remember what day it is.

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You know, I think both of us

have had those last two weeks.

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So, , that is accurate.

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That is a completely accurate.

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So Blake, there are so many things

that I'm excited to talk about

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with you on this episode and to

share with all of our listeners.

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But I thought that we could kick things

off with a story that really bonded us.

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Yes.

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So.

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Blake.

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And I were hanging out recently and

I told Blake a story that took place

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in an area that he's familiar with.

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And if you've lived in Atlanta for a

long time, you may know this story.

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, So Blake, I want to tell the story just

again, like I'm telling it to you and then

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I want to wait for the end, for the part

where you added like a very important.

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, Yes details.

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Yes.

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Okay.

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So.

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Years and years and years ago, I worked

at a salon, , in Midtown and, , Something

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crazy happened across the street.

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And I heard about this crazy story

from two people who lived at the

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place that it happened, who heard

it from the maintenance person at

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the building that this happened at.

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So.

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Reliable sources.

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Reliable, super reliable sources.

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, alright.

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There were two gay men who were a couple.

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Who lived in an apartment.

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And in this apartment, they filmed porns

lots and lots and lots and lots of.

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Importance.

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The way you're making it.

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Polaro porn.

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, I just need to like emphasize that

there's like a lot of sex that happened

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in this apartment with lots of men.

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, so one day one of the partners gets

diagnosed with HIV and he's like, fuck.

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And then the other partner gets

diagnosed with HIV and he's like, fuck.

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So they're like, We've been

having unprotected sex with.

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Tons of people in all of these porns.

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, How many people could we have

infected, like holy shit.

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We can't live with ourselves.

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So they make the dramatic step

to decide to end their lives.

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So.

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They go to ACE hardware like you do, and

they buy, do we need to add some sort of

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like, , trigger warning, trigger warning.

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I'm like we just placed

into trigger warnings.

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Trigger warning.

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HIV trigger warning.

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This story has a lot.

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So, Skip forward.

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You know, Five minutes.

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If this is too much.

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I hope so.

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I have an earlier episode that

I don't think, you know, Blake,

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, that is about , armed robbery.

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Okay.

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, And I tell it laughing the whole time.

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And I hope that just like my

buildup now, people hear my.

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I mean, this is how we were when

you were telling me there's.

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I mean, other than my face

has been in pure shock.

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Again, laughing through the

entire telling of the story.

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So it is a horrific story, but it is

also, well, I mean, I'll let the listener

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decide, but you're you're correct.

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Thank you, Blake trigger warning.

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If you think you might be sensitive

to anything that's coming next.

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The next part.

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Oh, yeah.

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Trigger warning, blood.

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So much blood.

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Bloods important.

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Oh, God.

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Okay.

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So these guys.

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Go to ACE hardware and

they buy a circular saw.

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They go back to their apartment and they

write a letter to their property manager.

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And that they say, Hey, like we

are going to take our own lives.

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You're going to want to call 9 1 1.

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Send up a cleanup crew and

they drop it in the mail slot.

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And, , they go upstairs.

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And I don't know this part.

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But I would like to think they

hopefully at least have like a drink.

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And then.

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The important part.

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I need one for what's coming next.

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, so one.

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Yeah.

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Yeah.

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The bottle bottle a hundred percent.

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Yes.

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So they turn on the circular saw

and one of the gentleman's saws

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off the arm of the other partner.

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And then that partner.

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So I was off the arm of the other partner

and then that partner saws off the arm.

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His last arm of that partner.

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And then they're like, fuck, we've got

an extra arm and we can't sell it off

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because I'm armless somewhere in there.

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They also did the legs

before getting into the arms.

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I believe.

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I thought it was, I

thought it was three limbs.

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Yeah.

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Three arms.

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Okay.

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Yeah.

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Three arms.

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There's no.

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You're the one warning people about

a trigger and you're like, legs.

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Do.

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Everything must go.

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Okay.

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Okay.

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So we've got three arms on

the floor, lots of blood.

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We've got a remaining arm and a poor plan.

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And these dudes presumably.

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Collapsed from blood loss.

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Their apartment fills us blood.

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And then the next morning comes where

the property manager comes to work.

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And sees this letter.

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And she's like, what type

of sick joke is this?

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So she says to the maintenance

guy, like, Hey, can you go up

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to unit, whatever, whatever.

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And just , check on this.

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I'm sure it's nothing.

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So the guy goes up and

he knocks on the door.

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No response.

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He knocks on the door, no response.

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He knocks on the door.

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I am entering no response.

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He opens the door.

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And it's a blood bath.

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He sees the most horrific.

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Insane.

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Scene.

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I mean, nobody could have

predicted this, like insane.

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Wait to offer yourself.

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And.

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So he's like, oh shit, this is legit.

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So they call nine 11 of course, and a.

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The way I told the story to Blake was.

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These dudes are dead.

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There's blood everywhere.

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And they, you know, Um, hazmat.

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That's so funny, like.

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We're not mad.

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Hazmat.

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Yeah, they have to clear

out the building.

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Did we, did we clarify that

this was, um, the fourth floor?

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The top floor?

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. Yeah.

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So I believe there was some like

blood drippage to lower units.

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Correct.

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I didn't get that in the story.

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This is through you.

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Articulated that you're, you're the one.

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The sources here.

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Okay.

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That is true.

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That's super reliable ones.

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, I believe that that was the case.

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, maybe it was, you know, even if not like.

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If there's insulation

or anything, like, yeah.

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Gross.

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Um, so why did you just.

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I was just, I wanted to people

to know what the insulation

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setting up the blood sounded like.

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So anyways.

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I tell Blake the story.

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And then the next day you

sent me a very important text.

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Aye.

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Anytime.

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I hear like first off,

I'm a nerd like that.

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When I hear a story, I just go and

deep dive into these things and.

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Yeah.

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So I dove in, there's

not a lot of stories.

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, the AJC article no longer exists.

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Like it's still.

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You can click on and Google within it.

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Oh, this web page no longer exists.

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But Fox news still had an article

up, so I'm not my typical.

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New source, but, , same.

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Yeah.

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They were alive.

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Oh, my God.

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I don't know what time they decided,

you know, if neighbor, you know, did

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they do it rolling off the neighbors?

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Didn't get mad about a

saw going off, who knows?

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But it's a good question.

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Right?

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Like, unless they're just no neighbors.

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We're so used to all the

noise from the, , the porins.

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Plural.

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I.

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So, yes.

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So Blake, you sent me a link to

this article where yes, these men

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are alive and they were rushed to

Grady and they were somehow saved.

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And then also spent some

time at the psychiatric ward.

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Yeah.

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Came checked out, getting checked out.

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But now they're just alive and armless.

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I have not out in the world.

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You know, I should have gone in dug

through Reddit or whatever sources.

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And you do that.

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I started to the other day and

then my ADHD brain just play.

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I was onto my next topic.

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Sorry.

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No, you did.

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You did a solid just by literally

taking the five seconds to Google it.

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I'm still like, imagining, like,

you know, who knows if they're still

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together, but you know, Or if, you

know, here we are, 14 years later.

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10 years later.

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We're still alive.

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You know, one of these guys

just walking around with like,

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Um, people being stared at with no idea

what crazy story a is connected to it.

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, do you think they're still together?

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Reddit, I I'm gonna have to come back now.

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We're going to leave everybody

on the G a giant cliffhanger.

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Well, you know, our listeners have.

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Do you ever give homework assignments?

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I feel like this is a

podcast homework assignment.

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Oh my God.

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Bleak.

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Yes, I give homework

assignments starting now.

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So if you're listening and you are

also captivated and amused by this

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wild story, you should Google it.

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Let us know.

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At us.

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At us, we want to know, but also,

or too easily distracted, too.

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I've done the research ourselves.

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Yeah.

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We have done the legwork.

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I think we've brought a lot

of solid content to the table.

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Now it's time to hand it

over fresh to people's minds.

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I'm a collaborator is the thing.

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And so who am I to take over

all of the research, right?

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That would just be so completely.

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'cause I'm sure with, yeah.

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I mean, God, we're givers.

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Such givers.

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Okay.

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Well, why she gets her breath back?

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Yeah.

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What other topics were you going to ask

me if I'm just getting actually what's

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going through my mind right now is just,

you know, when I get to share this.

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My mom.

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Loves keeping up with my social media.

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Okay.

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Hi mom.

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My mom too.

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My mum listens.

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Really?

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Yeah.

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, Well, actually, I don't hold back though.

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What was, is one of those things

where it's really fascinating?

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So for some context, I grew up

in a very conservative home, both

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religiously and politically, , politics

doesn't matter, quite as much here.

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But, , I went through this phase.

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Not that I've really outgrown it

where I'm still connected with

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a lot of my, , parents, friends

on Facebook in particular.

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Okay.

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, I'm also a little bit of an instigator.

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, and so.

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It really started probably back in 2016.

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We're just like every other

month, every three months.

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Like I would just post something

that was completely spot on.

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I just knew.

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We get underneath some people's skin.

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, and yeah.

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, through that process, my mom no

longer engages with any, anything

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on my Facebook, unless it's

just like some of my landscape,

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, photography or something like that.

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Okay.

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, despite her still like wishing happy

birthday to like my high school

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girlfriends and stuff on Facebook.

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I'm like, oh, okay.

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Cool.

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Cool.

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Cool.

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I haven't talked to.

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The old high school girlfriend

and however many years, and

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you're wishing her happy birthday.

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So don't bring her up, but like not

go even like engage with my non,

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, investigative social media posts.

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And yes, I am 29 and still on Facebook.

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Okay.

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Are you regularly on Facebook?

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Or just when you get like a

notification, mostly when I get

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notifications, , that's allowed also

kind of drives me crazy and this may

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be a good segue, but there are a few.

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Atlanta, uh, account.

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That their only social media

presence is on Facebook.

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That's wild and they have

a much older audience.

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And so.

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Getting into more of a, you know,

my page and stuff like that.

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I'm like, okay.

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I need to, , get this in

front of some of these people.

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So I'm on Facebook far more

than I would like to be.

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, but.

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I am there so well, we

won't judge you too much.

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It's okay.

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Well, Blake.

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Okay.

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So you have created this page.

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About Atlanta.

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When did you start this?

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Uh, End of June early July.

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So it's, it's only a few months old.

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Okay.

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Tell me, what did, what

was the impetus for this?

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, well, it's a few things.

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My background is marketing.

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So marketing storytelling.

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, convincing people of ideas and

instigating them to action.

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, those are all things that

are always going in my mind.

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Hello.

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That is the, uh, you know, my

vantage point on a lot of life.

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And so.

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I've had ideas boiling of

like, how do I get people more

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involved or more interested in

what's happening in the city?

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Just in Atlanta alone, there's so

many history accounts and, , you

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know, Yeah, just a lot of accounts

with really important information,

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but I'm like looking at him like,

okay, you got like 15 likes.

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Yeah.

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Oh, my gosh.

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And it's like, but then, you know,

you're on Tik TOK and somebody.

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Is sharing very similar information,

but they have changed the

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format of what they're telling

and how they're telling it.

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And all of a sudden.

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You know, throw over here with 40,000

views or, you know, Just some little

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viral video and I'm like, okay.

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There's a middle ground here.

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So me as a storyteller, how can I make

this connection of getting more of this

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information in front of the audience and

the people that need to know about it?

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, Wow.

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Like, yeah, just being that

middle, that middle ground.

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, So.

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That was where my thoughts began.

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And I was like, okay, well, I think.

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I like history enough.

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I like urban planning.

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I like urban ism.

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Accessibility, transportation, all

of these things that in my mind,

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all contribute to great cities.

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Yeah.

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, and I was like, I'm going to start

finding ways to tell stories that.

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Takes this information.

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And bundles it up in a way that people

not only are going to listen, but

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they're going to share, they're going

to engage in, it's gonna, , instigate.

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I'm gonna just keep using that word today.

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, them to action or deeper thought.

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, which is really cool.

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I, uh, there was a journalist

who, , he was actually the

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one that was like, Go do this.

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, We chatted.

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I don't know, a month and a half later,

my page had been up for three weeks,

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four weeks or something like that.

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And he was like, I've got a compliment.

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You.

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There's random.

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Alfreda dad.

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Came up to me, just so excited telling

me about, I forget what it was and you

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know, something about transportation.

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He was like, you've got

to fold this account.

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You wouldn't like, this is so

crazy that this happened, or like,

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you know, That Atlanta used to

have 200 miles of street cars.

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You know, whatever the story was,

it was something related to that.

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, and he was like, it was your page.

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And this guy has never once, like,

even though we've been friends and

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this is something that I talk about

as journalists all the time, he has

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never once shown any interest in this.

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And all of a sudden now he's like,

Astatic about telling me this information

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all because he saw one of your videos

and he's wanting me to make sure I

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followed it, you know, your account.

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And I was like, okay.

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Wow, I'm doing what I need to do because

I'm telling the stories that people

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are able to listen to engage with.

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, I try to tell it in ways

that set really strong hooks.

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, so I, I rely very heavily on my story

structuring, , far more than just, , you

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know, here's the correct information.

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And that's been one of the hard things.

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, you know, I've had organizations

that have wanted to work

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with me and things like that.

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And.

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I mean, this goes back to a lot

of the marketing consulting.

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I do.

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A lot of times you were like,

oh, this information, we

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need all of this packed in.

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I'm like you have 90 seconds

to keep somebody's attention.

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Yeah.

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I need your top two priorities

of this information and alone.

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I have to, you know, find

the whole, the story.

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I can catch people in.

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So a little bit of a tangent there,

but it doesn't, that is, , the, what

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kind of got me into the page and it's

all stuff that's super important to me.

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And it's all, I'm just out

here trying to educate people.

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Uh, I like to say.

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That my page talks about where Atlanta

was, where it is now and where it can go.

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, and so telling stories

about where it's been.

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Well, I am extremely inspired and

interested in everything that you share.

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And I think a lot of people that

set out on a venture, like what

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you just described, also share that

intention of I'm going to do it right.

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And I'm going to grow it like this.

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And I can use myself as a good example.

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I.

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I think I'm a wonderful storyteller.

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I love telling stories and people

like listening to my stories

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and I do that on this podcast.

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And we have like a hundred

followers, I'm really bad at

425

:

translating that to social media.

426

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And so it's really impressive that

not only did you set out to do that,

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but I think Blake, you have what,

like 15,000 followers on Instagram.

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Yeah, I just passed

that a week or two ago.

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Seen for an account you just started.

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:

Yeah.

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Like, this is wild.

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:

Yeah.

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It's super cool.

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Some of it, you know, I think

it's all a little bit of luck.

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Some of it I think is, well, again, going

back to the storytelling, I think that's

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a hard part is especially social media

is so often, you have to have something

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that almost has like a shock value to it.

438

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Sometimes.

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Arm's getting cut off.

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Right.

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Watch this episode be

your most watched episode.

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:

Oh, my God.

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Petition.

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Actually there's.

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I have a path guest, Keith pepper, who

is extremely competitive and he holds

446

:

the top ring for the most downloaded.

447

:

Episodes.

448

:

Ah, you hear this?

449

:

Keith, he listens.

450

:

Oh, this thing's about to

blast it all over my social.

451

:

It's not even going to

be our Atlanta anymore.

452

:

It's going to be a.

453

:

Just give me posts.

454

:

Hey, don't.

455

:

, tease me with a good time.

456

:

No comment.

457

:

, Blake.

458

:

I also think you'd benefit

from being really cute.

459

:

Like that has to play

into things on your page.

460

:

Aye.

461

:

Like, I think you're just like a

nice vessel for this information.

462

:

I don't think you're wrong in a night.

463

:

Like, Obviously you have to

be somewhat conscious of that.

464

:

, do you.

465

:

I mean, yeah, because some of the

pages that are out here telling very

466

:

similar stories are, you know, black

women and it's like, okay, why.

467

:

That is a solid, okay.

468

:

Why.

469

:

Like, why are these pages

not getting the attention?

470

:

My page kids.

471

:

, and so like, There's just like

understanding of the privilege that

472

:

I have, the space that I occupy.

473

:

, you know, I come across as a very,

, you know, savvy, , , young business

474

:

professional, , you know, Thanks,

mom and dad for the great smile.

475

:

, you know, shiny blue eyes, like.

476

:

Like, of course, I'm going to have

to be somewhat conscious of that.

477

:

Put.

478

:

But like, I have to be conscious

in a way of, , when I have the

479

:

opportunity to elevate others,

that I have to lean into that.

480

:

, and that's something just for me

personally, with this page and, and

481

:

just, you know, some of my other

projects, , there's been times where it's

482

:

like, oh, I need a damp in myself to

elevate others, but it's like, no, no.

483

:

We all have to bring our best

and false version of ourselves.

484

:

, But in doing so make like.

485

:

The stage is big enough for all of us.

486

:

Yes.

487

:

And so like there's

room for me to be shiny.

488

:

My brightest.

489

:

While also making sure that the.

490

:

The others that are around me are getting

their opportunity to shine bright.

491

:

And then I'm using some of them, you

know, my opportunities due to give

492

:

opportunity like, Hey, look at these other

people that are on the same stage as me.

493

:

You know, and I've got some ideas

and thoughts going through my mind

494

:

right now, most of it is community

focused of I'm just trying to connect.

495

:

, some of these other people

too, to more resources.

496

:

, but yeah, there's that.

497

:

That's kind of like the.

498

:

The backside, the underside of all of

this is, , some of the opportunities

499

:

that have opened up for me, , because

of the page and its influence.

500

:

I think that when you're on to

something that is, uh, , I don't

501

:

know if look divinely inspired.

502

:

Is that, does that resonate with you?

503

:

Take that.

504

:

Okay.

505

:

Yeah, I think that.

506

:

When you're in that kind of flow state.

507

:

The, uh, Support just comes

you attract these right.

508

:

You make your own luck.

509

:

Yeah.

510

:

, and it sounds like you're

doing a good job of that.

511

:

Well, in some of my

favorite people in Atlanta.

512

:

Uh, there's so much to

be said about showing up.

513

:

In a space.

514

:

And not asking for anything.

515

:

When you show up authentically.

516

:

people, people see like, People

who come with their own angle.

517

:

You just immediately.

518

:

You know, whether it's

you want to call it.

519

:

Your alarm system, the

walls, like whatever.

520

:

And you're like, this person

is here for some other reason.

521

:

Yeah.

522

:

And that's, and, and people have

asked me about like monetizing my

523

:

page and I'm like, I'm so against it.

524

:

Like maybe merge or something like

one, one day just to compensate the

525

:

hours I put into all my research

and storytelling and all that.

526

:

But I don't want to, , make it a

moneymaker for myself because right now

527

:

I get to tell such authentic stories.

528

:

I don't have to take anything

else into consideration and I

529

:

get to show up in spaces just

because , I want Atlanta better.

530

:

And like how, like you can't

really criticize that you

531

:

can, that is criticized proof.

532

:

Like criticism proof.

533

:

And this is one of the, you know, I get so

much conversation going on my videos and.

534

:

What I wish I could tell more people like.

535

:

I hear you.

536

:

But the credibility

behind what you're saying.

537

:

He is not going to be

there until I see action.

538

:

Uh, like if you a hundred percent

can only leave social media

539

:

posts, then I can only take.

540

:

Your comment for what it's worth.

541

:

Yeah.

542

:

Like India.

543

:

Most of the times, like, are

you even aware of like the

544

:

systems of power and Atlanta?

545

:

Like it, and that is again, going back

to like one of the purposes of my page.

546

:

Like I'm trying to, , make the on-ramp.

547

:

To involvement, easier.

548

:

I want to remove as many barriers as

possible, which is why I'm trying to get

549

:

some more community aspects involved.

550

:

But you know, when people.

551

:

City council MPUs anything like

that of power structures in

552

:

Atlanta, like isn't intimidating.

553

:

Like that's where influence

and decisions are being made.

554

:

, but if people like sharing, showing up to

an MPU meeting or a city council meeting

555

:

by herself, No, one's going to do that.

556

:

Very intimidating.

557

:

But if like, there was like a cool dude,

it's like, Hey, we're going to go there.

558

:

And then we're all going

to go get beers after.

559

:

Yeah.

560

:

You're like, oh, okay.

561

:

Like there's some, you know,

I know who this person sort of

562

:

is like we're meeting before.

563

:

Like now the barriers are a little

bit lower and it's like, okay,

564

:

like there's no expectations.

565

:

I'm literally just sitting in

a room and getting to listen.

566

:

But now we've just knocked down

a couple of barriers, , to

567

:

be more involved in the city.

568

:

I really enjoy that.

569

:

You're mentioning this because

we had a past episode with my

570

:

friend, Jenny Lynn, redder, who I

have got to introduce you to you.

571

:

, but she's a landscape architect.

572

:

He's very passionate about

our city and urban planning.

573

:

And we talked at the end of that

episode about how important it

574

:

is to be involved in your city.

575

:

That episode is where I learned what

an NPU was, neighborhood planning unit.

576

:

, and she, you know, we shared links of

like, how do you find these things?

577

:

I'm like, how do you get involved?

578

:

Right.

579

:

Because I think that

there is this barrier.

580

:

, between running your mouth and

then putting action behind.

581

:

Everyone feels entitled to an opinion.

582

:

And, uh, to a certain extent, we all

should have a little bit if it's our city.

583

:

Yeah.

584

:

But if you're not willing to

vote, to donate, to show up and

585

:

to actually put in the legwork to.

586

:

Impact change.

587

:

Well, and here's the thing is I,

sometimes I think people don't realize.

588

:

If you look at the voter turnout

for past presidential election.

589

:

Massive turnout across Georgia.

590

:

But then you look at local elections.

591

:

Yep.

592

:

It's horrific.

593

:

It's embarrassing.

594

:

Like we're talking in the low thousands.

595

:

So the school board, uh,

election just happened.

596

:

Yep.

597

:

Nobody voted it's.

598

:

Um, do we have as.

599

:

It was a week out and only a thousand

people had voted in early voting.

600

:

They were deciding a $1.7 billion budget.

601

:

Twice the size of the city's budget.

602

:

Wow.

603

:

And see people don't know

that and people don't know.

604

:

And, you know, when it comes

to, uh, you know, a lot of the

605

:

structures and decisions and, you

know, are we going to be a more car

606

:

centric, train, you know, public

transportation, all of these things.

607

:

It's all decided on a local level, but

again, like that's a very overwhelming,

608

:

and so in my mind, I'm like, how

do I just smallest percentage.

609

:

If we saw a 10% increase in voter turnout

and turn out to public meetings, if you

610

:

were just paying 10% more attention.

611

:

I don't expect 90% like

that is so unrealistic.

612

:

Yeah.

613

:

Like the city would be wild if

everyone was locked in on what's

614

:

happening in the city for.

615

:

But 10% would be just create 2%.

616

:

I would take that.

617

:

I agree with you.

618

:

And it would make a

massive difference when.

619

:

All of these hot topics , of affordable

housing, public transportation.

620

:

, safety, all those things.

621

:

It takes the smallest, especially

in the city of Atlanta, it takes

622

:

such a small number of people

to make a huge difference , and.

623

:

I want to say that public leaders are

listening, but there are a few instances

624

:

that they have, uh, shown recently

that they're not always listening.

625

:

Oh, listening to their wallet.

626

:

Right, right.

627

:

And that is, uh, you know, all of

those are ways to, uh, create an

628

:

influence that change in the city.

629

:

Absolutely.

630

:

And I think too, we see a lot of

things, you know, everybody has

631

:

a team at the national level.

632

:

No, we know who we're voting for.

633

:

We know who we're not voting for, but

there's also tangentially this complaint

634

:

of the pipeline for new politicians for

new energy, for new blood in the party

635

:

is, and that starts at a local level.

636

:

Like you're not what I just

thought of some tea that

637

:

would just be great for this.

638

:

This podcast.

639

:

Can you share it?

640

:

Yeah, might as well.

641

:

Oh, Okay.

642

:

So, , just since we're gonna hit

on all the wild conversations

643

:

today, cops city, , go V.

644

:

A prominent city council member

who is regarded as one of the.

645

:

He likes to position himself

as a very, , progressive.

646

:

, member of our council.

647

:

Um, Westmoreland.

648

:

, he was getting roasted on social media

after voting and supportive cops city.

649

:

Okay.

650

:

, And I mean, we're talking national

reporters with massive following

651

:

that were like calling him

out, , him and just a few others in

652

:

particular because here they are.

653

:

Trying to present themselves

as very progressive.

654

:

, and all that.

655

:

So.

656

:

He starts replying with his personal

phone number to all of these people.

657

:

Bold me being the person that I am

just immediately saves that number.

658

:

, And he signed him up for

Scientology newsletters.

659

:

Surprise surprise.

660

:

No.

661

:

Um, okay.

662

:

I need no judgment here.

663

:

I do still have a Snapchat.

664

:

Okay.

665

:

Oh, I don't regularly.

666

:

I said it.

667

:

Again, I do not regularly use it.

668

:

It sits there in the

background of my phone.

669

:

Unfortunately, I mean, good or

bad, it sets this, uh, story up.

670

:

Because it was connected to my contacts.

671

:

It just like, oh, you have, you know,

somebody you can add on Snapchat, like

672

:

that notification pops up and I'm.

673

:

I'm like Ray, just swipe away.

674

:

I'm like something catches my eye.

675

:

I'm like why in the world?

676

:

I look as a map.

677

:

Westmoreland.

678

:

And his Snapchat name is POTUS 2036.

679

:

Oh, uh, Like that is bold that

have a social media handle.

680

:

And to not realize how social media works

and that it's like POTUS 20, 30 S cert.

681

:

Well, first off after that vote.

682

:

Yeah done.

683

:

Also the likeliness of being able

to jump from Atlanta city council

684

:

to president by 2036, pretty

audacious loving your confidence.

685

:

I mean, we could just guess off

of this that, you know, he'll

686

:

be making a run for mayor here.

687

:

Uh, probably the next election or two.

688

:

You know, from there.

689

:

Logic, but that also, , you know,

goes into the conversation of how

690

:

many leaders come through Atlanta

that like either they're just trying

691

:

to protect their little neighborhood.

692

:

Or they're just trying to

use as a launching pad.

693

:

I think Atlanta needs a lot

more leaders who, , are wanting.

694

:

At the full picture.

695

:

Atlanta.

696

:

They want to see.

697

:

Atlanta 2050 and a vision to get there.

698

:

, that don't ha you know, aren't

like, they're their stake.

699

:

Their, their goal is.

700

:

To buy in on Atlanta and make it

what it is capable of being while

701

:

keeping the soul of the city alive.

702

:

Fuck.

703

:

Yeah.

704

:

Fuck.

705

:

Yeah.

706

:

, that is a really good T.

707

:

That's interesting.

708

:

Yeah.

709

:

So judge me for Snapchat.

710

:

All you want, but I got tea from it.

711

:

So.

712

:

It led us to this, like a fun FYI.

713

:

Did you snap him?

714

:

I should have just.

715

:

Just randomly.

716

:

Added him or something.

717

:

Not cause I don't want him

off of my personal business.

718

:

I mean.

719

:

I'm a prankster.

720

:

And so my mind immediately goes

to ways that it would be like

721

:

fun to fuck with him, you know?

722

:

Well, I mean, now I

just shared a Snapchat.

723

:

Handle someone else out

here in the podcast world.

724

:

Today, go have some fun.

725

:

Let.

726

:

But, uh, no.

727

:

Well, It is very, very difficult

with political leaders because I have

728

:

such issues with a vote for cop city.

729

:

But then at the same time at

Matt Westmoreland is also the

730

:

one that's been leading the way

for a streets alive coming back.

731

:

I don't know if you've ever gotten.

732

:

, so it was like always this duality.

733

:

With politics where it's absolutely.

734

:

I can not like I despise

you for that vote.

735

:

Yeah, but also like thanks for the work

of bringing the streets alive back.

736

:

So, I mean, that's the tough thing about

the human experience is that nobody's

737

:

a hundred percent anything, right?

738

:

And it's just.

739

:

Is your light brighter than your dark?

740

:

Yeah.

741

:

Is that, how is that?

742

:

How that goes?

743

:

We're gonna, we're gonna roll with it.

744

:

, Okay.

745

:

But in your four seconds as a

very successful Instagram page,

746

:

however, what are the craziest

things you've learned about Atlanta?

747

:

Like, is there one thing

that's gotten a million likes

748

:

where you're like, this is my.

749

:

Um, Well, so I would say the things that.

750

:

Have resonated the most with people

are the things that, , the history

751

:

that people walk over constantly.

752

:

Yes.

753

:

Without realizing it.

754

:

, My first video to really gain

a lot of traction was, a park

755

:

was renamed back in December.

756

:

Okay.

757

:

, it has gone through three

different park names.

758

:

, because first it was a black neighborhood.

759

:

Okay.

760

:

, massive Macedonia park.

761

:

Okay.

762

:

This was been late 18

hundreds, early 19 hundreds.

763

:

And.

764

:

, some of the early white flight into

Buckhead started surrounding, , that area.

765

:

, And so this was before Buckhead

was even a part of Atlanta.

766

:

So.

767

:

It's only Fulton county at that time.

768

:

Fulton county to protect

these new white residents.

769

:

, Penalized the black neighborhood

for being a health risk.

770

:

, And started forcing residents out.

771

:

, under threat of eminent domain.

772

:

And so by 19.

773

:

I should have taken all these notes down.

774

:

Um, mid 1940s, I believe

it was a late:

775

:

, it no longer existed.

776

:

, so what does the city

of Fulton, , do with.

777

:

Black neighborhoods is that, uh,

they have forced to be abandoned.

778

:

They covered them with parks.

779

:

Atlanta is full.

780

:

Of parks.

781

:

That were once black neighborhoods.

782

:

Oh, yes.

783

:

, but this one in particular.

784

:

, really stood out because all

that remains, , are about 12.

785

:

Headstones of some graves.

786

:

Oh, my God.

787

:

Yes.

788

:

And they've been completely

covered in shrubs, , through

789

:

all the early two thousands.

790

:

, and through.

791

:

The work of the Buckhead

historical society.

792

:

And I think some of the, , descendants

of some of those families,

793

:

they discovered that, , and.

794

:

They fought a developer who

was trying to put big money.

795

:

Oh, into removing what was left of.

796

:

And that was even after, , the

organizations had done work and

797

:

I think the estimate there to be.

798

:

Over 25 graves, , in that space.

799

:

And so now, like, There's been some

construction of like trying to make it

800

:

a little more official, , and recognize,

but people visit this park all the time.

801

:

Oh, yeah.

802

:

Once the park was made, it was

named after a local police officer.

803

:

Oh, Then finally through the advocacy,

, they named it after one of the predominant

804

:

black men from the neighborhood.

805

:

Which was what the name was changed to.

806

:

, this past, past December, , But

yeah, it's been kind of an ongoing

807

:

fight against developers of trying

to just protect what's left of that.

808

:

All black neighborhood.

809

:

, so yeah, that story really, , Was my

first video to kind of go mini viral.

810

:

And yeah, it's just, you know, people.

811

:

Or like shocked, cause like,

oh, I walked past that or I

812

:

drive past that all the time.

813

:

I had no idea idea.

814

:

Yeah.

815

:

The other one that really, , got people.

816

:

Anytime you talk about the buildings

that have been erased in Atlanta, that

817

:

always gets a lot of conversation.

818

:

, I did one on the 200

miles of street car track.

819

:

, that used to exist in Atlanta.

820

:

People walk over remnants

of it all the time.

821

:

, and like pawns, , daily on avenue.

822

:

It is so wide because.

823

:

Even up into.

824

:

I can't.

825

:

I think it's the fifties.

826

:

Yeah.

827

:

, is it still had a, , streetcar

track running down the middle of it?

828

:

Oh, wow.

829

:

I live right there and I didn't know that.

830

:

30 feet down the middle.

831

:

Was still the street car.

832

:

And then, so why?

833

:

Because they added 30 feet on

both sides for the right of ways.

834

:

, of the two other directions.

835

:

And they still do construction and

they will still end up hitting.

836

:

, tracks underneath the road

and construction workers

837

:

are always so shocked.

838

:

Like I see video and pictures and stuff,

go and get posted on social media.

839

:

And they're just like, what is this?

840

:

And it's like, oh yeah, Atlanta used

to be a public transportation city.

841

:

So what happened?

842

:

, In short white flight.

843

:

, Georgia power.

844

:

Came into ownership of all

of that:

845

:

. Especially when the trolley

systems began being desegregated.

846

:

And Atlanta.

847

:

, lot more issues as cars

became more predominant.

848

:

That's one of the

neighborhoods, , that love.

849

:

What we now consider

neighborhoods, I'm sorry.

850

:

Coming into existence.

851

:

People could drive.

852

:

, and so all of a sudden, It was harder

for Georgia power to justify street cars.

853

:

So then they went to trolley buses.

854

:

Which in 1954, we Atlanta

had the largest trolley bus.

855

:

Network.

856

:

Uh, in the us.

857

:

The largest fleet.

858

:

Excuse me.

859

:

Yeah, large.

860

:

Then Chicago.

861

:

Wow.

862

:

So, yeah.

863

:

When, when people say that, uh,

Atlanta is a car, city is like

864

:

no, only the last 70 years.

865

:

This is so interesting.

866

:

Yeah.

867

:

Yeah.

868

:

Which drives him.

869

:

Like if you go look up, I believe

it's like a:

870

:

paths and the streetcar routes.

871

:

There was a street car that went

all the way out to stone mountain.

872

:

, one that went all the way up to Buckhead.

873

:

, everything you could ever

wish for essentially.

874

:

, public transportation.

875

:

We had.

876

:

And that.

877

:

I wonder if people are going

to get the sirens in that.

878

:

We have the door open,

cause it's gorgeous out.

879

:

And if you heard a siren, then.

880

:

There's your texts.

881

:

Or that work.

882

:

I also got pulled over this morning.

883

:

They worked twice today.

884

:

Everything's fine.

885

:

Uh, yes.

886

:

So public transportation.

887

:

People people really, uh,

get shocked about that.

888

:

And, , yeah, cause I

mean, I think it's easy.

889

:

So many people live here, who aren't from

here and I'm born and raised from here.

890

:

You aren't a know more about it than I do.

891

:

, I know, , It's such a triumphant.

892

:

The city at this point, especially

with the film industry coming in.

893

:

I mean, there's just a lot of

regeneration of new people.

894

:

But it's easy to come to Atlanta

and be like, yeah, I mean a

895

:

landscape, but like we need public

transportation or we need that.

896

:

And it's interesting to be like,

so we actually used to, and yeah.

897

:

Now we don't.

898

:

Yeah, there's so many different things

of, , you know, the train stations and.

899

:

Honestly, we're going to just

continue talking about Atlanta.

900

:

If, if we don't, uh, veer off of

this, because as I'm sitting here

901

:

and there's like seven more like

interesting facts that are like coming

902

:

to my brain right now, but, , That

I'm just going to keep stealing.

903

:

If you don't come in off, , I'm

not going to cut you off cause

904

:

I'm really interested in this.

905

:

And I know that if I'm sitting here,

like, damn, I didn't know that.

906

:

I know that people who are

listening also feel the same way.

907

:

So Blake tell us more.

908

:

Well, the first thing that's

coming to my mind is that.

909

:

Early in Atlanta's years.

910

:

, Inman park was one of the first planned.

911

:

Suburbs.

912

:

Whoa.

913

:

Yeah, that's so weird

to think about, right?

914

:

It's so wild.

915

:

, and all that came from

the, , Ponce avenue street car.

916

:

And it ended up extending and

that's what, , you know, ended up,

917

:

uh, Bracketing out into what was

considered the suburbs at that time.

918

:

Wow.

919

:

Yeah.

920

:

Very interesting.

921

:

There.

922

:

, another weird little thing.

923

:

My, my buddy and I he's, , incredible guy.

924

:

He's.

925

:

Kind of the heart behind the BeltLine.

926

:

, Uh, yeah, Ryan gerbil gets a lot of

the attention, but, , my buddy angel.

927

:

Very involved even now.

928

:

, he, through some partnerships

with some organizations.

929

:

Multiple years ago.

930

:

I forget when, , Printed out

the:

931

:

Cool.

932

:

So this is before highways.

933

:

They printed it on a 20

foot by 30 foot vinyl.

934

:

Whoa.

935

:

So at the last streets alive,

he and I rolled it out.

936

:

And so as long as people took their shoes

off, we were letting people walk on the

937

:

map, trying to find where they lived.

938

:

This is so cool.

939

:

And the map is everything

inside the BeltLine.

940

:

Okay.

941

:

, and so like 17th street was only

half the distance 14th street.

942

:

Like they didn't extend.

943

:

, on both sides of the highway.

944

:

Now.

945

:

, Ponce still had the cracker

stadium across from it.

946

:

Uh, not the whole famous right.

947

:

Food.

948

:

Home Depot, all that.

949

:

, and you can see the strip of

homes that, , became the highways.

950

:

We have a whole Northeast

corner heading up towards

951

:

bulkhead, nothing existed there.

952

:

, there.

953

:

Are there pictures of all

of this on your account?

954

:

Can people to look at it.

955

:

I don't.

956

:

If not, can you post.

957

:

Or can you send it to

us so we can finesse?

958

:

I feel like people are.

959

:

People slash me.

960

:

Want to see this?

961

:

Okay.

962

:

, Yeah, I need to, , and I, and I'm

trying to convince my buddy to let

963

:

me take the map out more often.

964

:

Yeah, or, or I'll save up my

$800 and get my own printed.

965

:

, I guess we could go with

like a more recent history.

966

:

, I showed you the videos

that I took of the BeltLine.

967

:

Oh my gosh.

968

:

Yes.

969

:

And I would love to share this with

our listeners because this is so cool.

970

:

The way that you did this.

971

:

Yeah.

972

:

Yeah.

973

:

Well I'm.

974

:

Yeah, I know.

975

:

That was not the.

976

:

I was giving.

977

:

But it's giving gas.

978

:

I just need the audience to understand.

979

:

I am giving her the death stare right now.

980

:

He is.

981

:

Anyways.

982

:

Can we back to angel?

983

:

, he collects everything.

984

:

Um, He also, so part of what I, his

influence on the BeltLine, , was he.

985

:

Was leading tours of the BeltLine

when it was still a railroad track.

986

:

So in case you don't know.

987

:

What we consider and call the BeltLine.

988

:

The 22 miles of strong, the city used to

be three different, Railroad companies.

989

:

And they surround the city.

990

:

Um, hold on.

991

:

Can I share how I know that?

992

:

Please.

993

:

Okay.

994

:

It's because I live on the

BeltLine and when I bought my

995

:

home, It was dusty railroad tracks.

996

:

And I remember my real estate agent

being like, I mean, I know it's kind

997

:

of an eyesore, but like, I'm sure

they'll do something with it one day

998

:

and now my place is worth twice as much.

999

:

So Blake go on.

:

00:40:29,800 --> 00:40:30,130

Yes.

:

00:40:30,160 --> 00:40:33,380

Well, , he took pictures when

he was doing all of that.

:

00:40:33,480 --> 00:40:36,300

, he ended up doing a cool

project called board.

:

00:40:36,510 --> 00:40:37,170

The BeltLine.

:

00:40:37,350 --> 00:40:37,560

Okay.

:

00:40:37,610 --> 00:40:41,130

, where he had people donate

plywood, , and they cut them

:

00:40:41,130 --> 00:40:42,540

into strips and they boarded.

:

00:40:43,140 --> 00:40:43,380

It's an.

:

00:40:43,830 --> 00:40:45,450

That the east side belt line.

:

00:40:46,800 --> 00:40:50,460

The part that everyone goes

to every Saturday and Sunday.

:

00:40:50,700 --> 00:40:52,500

And crowds greatly on the weekends.

:

00:40:52,560 --> 00:40:52,770

Yes.

:

00:40:52,830 --> 00:40:58,160

Um, that was a CSX, , owned

and, but it was inactive.

:

00:40:58,450 --> 00:41:00,970

That was where a lot of the

touring was happening in.

:

00:41:01,090 --> 00:41:05,350

So they just took these, this plywood cut

them in half and they put boards down the

:

00:41:05,380 --> 00:41:09,570

entire strip of the, , but when rail, I

remember like walking my dogs over that,

:

00:41:09,570 --> 00:41:12,060

but I didn't know that that was like, I

didn't know anything about the project.

:

00:41:12,120 --> 00:41:13,290

Okay, who put these boards here?

:

00:41:13,380 --> 00:41:15,350

So interestingly enough,

, from my understanding.

:

00:41:15,590 --> 00:41:17,420

The city of Atlanta reached out to CSX.

:

00:41:17,690 --> 00:41:20,510

, which a lot of thoughts on

the railroad companies, , they

:

00:41:20,510 --> 00:41:22,820

completely ignored the city.

:

00:41:23,450 --> 00:41:26,330

The city came was like, Hey, we got

$30 million or something like that.

:

00:41:26,660 --> 00:41:29,090

We want the east side

BeltLine, isn't active.

:

00:41:29,180 --> 00:41:29,450

Like.

:

00:41:29,450 --> 00:41:31,190

30 million for an inactive railroad.

:

00:41:31,220 --> 00:41:31,460

Like.

:

00:41:32,180 --> 00:41:33,320

We don't even acknowledge the city.

:

00:41:33,470 --> 00:41:33,830

Wow.

:

00:41:33,910 --> 00:41:35,260

Board the BeltLine happened.

:

00:41:35,320 --> 00:41:38,110

Big enough to get news agencies out there.

:

00:41:38,170 --> 00:41:38,650

Wow.

:

00:41:38,686 --> 00:41:40,186

Got enough publicity.

:

00:41:40,333 --> 00:41:42,403

Guess who rings the city of Atlanta up.

:

00:41:42,553 --> 00:41:42,883

See.

:

00:41:44,143 --> 00:41:45,763

Head to Birmingham, let's

have a conversation.

:

00:41:45,883 --> 00:41:46,363

Wow.

:

00:41:46,393 --> 00:41:48,193

The purchase of the Eastside BeltLine.

:

00:41:48,343 --> 00:41:49,393

That's amazing.

:

00:41:49,603 --> 00:41:49,873

Yeah.

:

00:41:49,933 --> 00:41:52,633

And that's somebody showing

up and just being like, I can

:

00:41:52,633 --> 00:41:53,713

make a difference literally.

:

00:41:53,803 --> 00:41:55,243

Yeah, that's so cool.

:

00:41:55,273 --> 00:41:55,723

Literally.

:

00:41:55,843 --> 00:41:56,203

Yeah.

:

00:41:56,383 --> 00:41:57,403

, And it's so cool.

:

00:41:57,403 --> 00:42:00,223

Like seeing the community

that he built around that.

:

00:42:00,853 --> 00:42:05,063

The people that like still a reference

reference that, , which like this

:

00:42:05,063 --> 00:42:07,463

gets into a lot more details than,

I don't know where your audience.

:

00:42:07,593 --> 00:42:08,163

, falls on this.

:

00:42:08,193 --> 00:42:11,223

I'm a big proponent of the, uh,

street cart on the BeltLine.

:

00:42:12,273 --> 00:42:15,153

And it's just like very fascinating scene.

:

00:42:15,693 --> 00:42:17,553

Like people saying that.

:

00:42:18,033 --> 00:42:20,793

The idea that was presented

in:

:

00:42:21,063 --> 00:42:21,513

Thesis.

:

00:42:22,083 --> 00:42:25,923

Is outdated ideas that the BeltLine has

surpassed what they were planning for.

:

00:42:25,953 --> 00:42:27,993

It's like, no, that

was literally the goal.

:

00:42:28,053 --> 00:42:28,383

Yeah.

:

00:42:28,953 --> 00:42:29,643

But.

:

00:42:30,213 --> 00:42:31,863

All of it was transportation.

:

00:42:31,863 --> 00:42:33,303

First development, second.

:

00:42:33,693 --> 00:42:35,853

Um, and it is very fascinating.

:

00:42:35,853 --> 00:42:39,123

Like those same people are out there

showing up to all sorts of meetings.

:

00:42:39,443 --> 00:42:40,043

Now.

:

00:42:40,313 --> 00:42:43,283

It's a little harder because

that are competing with these.

:

00:42:43,853 --> 00:42:45,653

You know, certain develop, you

know, depending on where the,

:

00:42:45,743 --> 00:42:48,143

uh, developer falls on the topic,

they're competing with that.

:

00:42:48,173 --> 00:42:50,573

But it's just very fascinating seeing

some of the online people being

:

00:42:50,573 --> 00:42:52,403

like, no, I love this green space.

:

00:42:52,433 --> 00:42:53,783

Like you're going to cut down

all these trees and stuff.

:

00:42:53,813 --> 00:42:55,223

I was like, no, that was part of the plan.

:

00:42:55,283 --> 00:42:55,553

Yeah.

:

00:42:55,583 --> 00:42:55,643

Trees.

:

00:42:55,913 --> 00:42:57,413

The answers were planted eight years ago.

:

00:42:57,473 --> 00:42:58,403

Calm down, literally.

:

00:42:59,153 --> 00:43:01,463

That is one of the things that

just blow their mind, like, okay.

:

00:43:01,523 --> 00:43:01,973

First off.

:

00:43:02,693 --> 00:43:05,003

Just in:

:

00:43:05,573 --> 00:43:06,323

Would blow your mind.

:

00:43:06,923 --> 00:43:10,723

You can go onto Google earth

and, , or street view and you

:

00:43:10,723 --> 00:43:12,493

can see different years of it.

:

00:43:12,853 --> 00:43:17,323

And:

BeltLine next to pot city market.

:

00:43:17,893 --> 00:43:19,303

Go and look what it looked like.

:

00:43:20,533 --> 00:43:21,253

:

:

00:43:22,183 --> 00:43:23,473

It is still raggedy.

:

00:43:23,473 --> 00:43:25,303

It's a brand new strip of concrete.

:

00:43:25,333 --> 00:43:25,633

Yeah.

:

00:43:26,053 --> 00:43:27,013

It's a sidewalk.

:

00:43:27,073 --> 00:43:27,733

It's a sidewalk.

:

00:43:27,793 --> 00:43:28,063

Yup.

:

00:43:28,423 --> 00:43:31,423

It like you will not even recognize ponds.

:

00:43:31,903 --> 00:43:34,873

You'll recognize the main thing,

but that whole patio area, like

:

00:43:34,993 --> 00:43:36,523

none of that stuff existed.

:

00:43:36,703 --> 00:43:38,383

At the Starbucks at my Kroger.

:

00:43:38,503 --> 00:43:38,803

Right.

:

00:43:39,283 --> 00:43:43,333

You go, you know, the six, seven years

before that, like that is nothing,

:

00:43:43,333 --> 00:43:45,133

but, you know, just grown up trees.

:

00:43:45,333 --> 00:43:50,803

, so it's, yeah, very, very fascinating of,

of how people, , interpret the BeltLine

:

00:43:50,803 --> 00:43:52,093

and its success and things like that.

:

00:43:52,363 --> 00:43:55,203

, but going back to, , I have

pictures, this is probably what your.

:

00:43:55,863 --> 00:44:00,423

Uh, Blake that down and took like

Manila envelopes out of his backpack.

:

00:44:00,423 --> 00:44:01,413

He is so prepared.

:

00:44:01,413 --> 00:44:04,743

I'm so impressed that I'm having so

much fun, but I he's just handed me.

:

00:44:05,703 --> 00:44:06,813

What the fuck is this?

:

00:44:07,233 --> 00:44:07,683

, let's see here.

:

00:44:07,743 --> 00:44:08,133

I'm.

:

00:44:09,093 --> 00:44:09,723

What's that.

:

00:44:09,783 --> 00:44:10,413

Is that a ghost?

:

00:44:11,193 --> 00:44:12,813

It's probably somebody, he was a.

:

00:44:13,473 --> 00:44:15,963

At score with, I am forgetting

which bridge that is.

:

00:44:15,963 --> 00:44:17,523

So I am so sorry.

:

00:44:17,523 --> 00:44:18,873

This is the part of.

:

00:44:19,293 --> 00:44:20,433

Wait is this Ralph McGill?

:

00:44:21,453 --> 00:44:22,083

I think it is.

:

00:44:22,113 --> 00:44:23,793

Oh, okay.

:

00:44:23,793 --> 00:44:23,853

So.

:

00:44:23,883 --> 00:44:28,373

So for the viewers, since you are

just listening, , it is nothing but

:

00:44:28,373 --> 00:44:33,113

kudzu except for like a little two

foot path going through the middle.

:

00:44:33,383 --> 00:44:35,543

, Running underneath the bridge.

:

00:44:35,633 --> 00:44:38,153

Um, That's where this is where I live.

:

00:44:38,183 --> 00:44:41,513

This is where I walk my dog every

day, half that kudzu is still there.

:

00:44:41,633 --> 00:44:43,343

This isn't the same that

you're showing me this.

:

00:44:43,463 --> 00:44:45,803

Yeah, I'll put y'all, I'll post pictures

of all of this, because I know it's

:

00:44:45,803 --> 00:44:46,883

annoying to like listen to somebody.

:

00:44:47,783 --> 00:44:48,683

I have so.

:

00:44:49,523 --> 00:44:52,763

So going back to angel, most

of these are all his photos or,

:

00:44:52,793 --> 00:44:54,263

, I've, I've stolen some offline.

:

00:44:55,373 --> 00:44:56,153

They're all credited.

:

00:44:56,183 --> 00:44:59,513

, anyways, I went in with my camera

and digitalized, all of them.

:

00:44:59,583 --> 00:45:01,563

, because a lot of them weren't

good enough quality for me.

:

00:45:01,983 --> 00:45:04,713

And, uh, so I have both the

digital and print versions.

:

00:45:04,713 --> 00:45:06,363

I'll send you all the

digital so you can post them.

:

00:45:06,663 --> 00:45:10,023

, this other picture, it's literally

the machine ripping up the belt,

:

00:45:10,073 --> 00:45:13,043

, BeltLine next to Piedmont park.

:

00:45:13,103 --> 00:45:17,003

So this is the new Northeast

section that is under construction.

:

00:45:17,123 --> 00:45:18,473

Before you get to Ansley.

:

00:45:18,503 --> 00:45:20,923

Moral mall or, , Piedmont Heights.

:

00:45:21,313 --> 00:45:21,703

Okay.

:

00:45:21,823 --> 00:45:23,083

That's crazy.

:

00:45:23,203 --> 00:45:25,603

So we've got a couple of those pictures.

:

00:45:25,663 --> 00:45:26,323

Let's see here.

:

00:45:26,563 --> 00:45:30,793

This one is the one that, uh, is

right there next to trader Joe's.

:

00:45:31,033 --> 00:45:32,323

Um, the, the brain.

:

00:45:33,583 --> 00:45:37,273

And you like, it's just piles

of all the boards that used to

:

00:45:37,363 --> 00:45:39,073

lie underneath the tracks and.

:

00:45:39,673 --> 00:45:43,183

Some awful, ugly graffiti

and tons of red dirt.

:

00:45:43,573 --> 00:45:44,323

I like the Griffith.

:

00:45:44,653 --> 00:45:47,143

This is the picture of that's the Ponce.

:

00:45:47,193 --> 00:45:49,053

, that's the patio area.

:

00:45:49,203 --> 00:45:49,833

Oh, so sorry.

:

00:45:50,013 --> 00:45:51,453

He just threw this picture at me.

:

00:45:51,513 --> 00:45:53,163

Just really aggressive, like.

:

00:45:53,973 --> 00:45:54,723

I appreciate.

:

00:45:57,123 --> 00:45:57,903

Forgive me.

:

00:45:57,933 --> 00:45:58,413

Wow.

:

00:45:58,503 --> 00:45:58,653

See.

:

00:45:58,893 --> 00:46:01,323

Now you can go buy a hundred dollar

pair of leggings, 20 feet from

:

00:46:01,323 --> 00:46:03,063

this, and this is like a trash heap.

:

00:46:03,423 --> 00:46:03,963

Correct.

:

00:46:04,263 --> 00:46:04,893

Why gold.

:

00:46:05,283 --> 00:46:10,013

Yeah, so that big awning piece, uh, next

to, Then you walk out of where they do.

:

00:46:10,223 --> 00:46:10,763

The market.

:

00:46:11,333 --> 00:46:12,233

Yeah, farmer's market.

:

00:46:13,493 --> 00:46:15,023

That is none of that exists.

:

00:46:15,053 --> 00:46:17,213

That a is just a, a.

:

00:46:17,723 --> 00:46:21,443

Ugly white wall with trees that

have grown up through the middle

:

00:46:21,443 --> 00:46:23,183

of the, , The train track.

:

00:46:23,373 --> 00:46:27,483

Here's the, uh, construction

of the path over.

:

00:46:28,923 --> 00:46:30,603

, part of the, , the bridge over ponds.

:

00:46:30,723 --> 00:46:32,973

Ah, this is amazing that

you have all of this.

:

00:46:33,243 --> 00:46:33,513

Yeah.

:

00:46:33,663 --> 00:46:34,013

I, , yeah.

:

00:46:34,073 --> 00:46:38,063

I know it should just handle, I mean,

I nerd out to these all the time.

:

00:46:38,783 --> 00:46:39,023

Okay.

:

00:46:39,353 --> 00:46:42,083

Well, you're, , flipping

through some of these.

:

00:46:42,083 --> 00:46:43,883

If you have questions, I'll answer them.

:

00:46:44,183 --> 00:46:44,483

Okay.

:

00:46:44,843 --> 00:46:53,573

This is the pamphlet B like between the,

, thesis and the city actually adopting.

:

00:46:53,723 --> 00:46:55,523

Okay, Ryan gribbles thesis.

:

00:46:56,153 --> 00:46:56,513

Right.

:

00:46:56,603 --> 00:47:00,353

So this is what Ryan and angel were

literally handing out to people.

:

00:47:01,473 --> 00:47:03,033

, like city officials as they were.

:

00:47:03,393 --> 00:47:04,773

Oh one or you reprinted it.

:

00:47:05,103 --> 00:47:05,523

Original.

:

00:47:07,983 --> 00:47:10,293

So came prepared everybody like.

:

00:47:11,553 --> 00:47:12,003

Some of.

:

00:47:13,083 --> 00:47:16,323

Seeing this, now that I'm looking

at this, this is like crazy.

:

00:47:16,443 --> 00:47:19,953

So I'm holding a, , just a 11 by

eight and a half, like typical piece

:

00:47:19,953 --> 00:47:21,993

of paper that's been folded in half.

:

00:47:22,113 --> 00:47:24,393

The front page is the east side.

:

00:47:24,903 --> 00:47:25,563

Belt line.

:

00:47:26,193 --> 00:47:27,723

Um, desired.

:

00:47:28,623 --> 00:47:29,043

Correct.

:

00:47:29,333 --> 00:47:33,413

, and prior to the purchase of those

railroad tracks, I believe so.

:

00:47:33,443 --> 00:47:35,783

Let me see what my year is here.

:

00:47:36,083 --> 00:47:38,703

You know, actually I think this

would have been, This would have

:

00:47:38,703 --> 00:47:41,943

been the initial conversation

because they were working with.

:

00:47:42,373 --> 00:47:45,553

, they did have a, developer helping them

put some of those pictures together.

:

00:47:45,703 --> 00:47:46,213

Okay.

:

00:47:46,303 --> 00:47:50,233

So, but still that was a, would

have been the original proposals

:

00:47:50,233 --> 00:47:51,133

happening with the city.

:

00:47:51,383 --> 00:47:54,863

, and trying to show how many

neighborhoods and parks.

:

00:47:55,463 --> 00:47:58,463

Our connected just through

the east side boat line.

:

00:47:58,613 --> 00:47:59,333

Yeah.

:

00:47:59,483 --> 00:47:59,543

So.

:

00:48:00,503 --> 00:48:05,303

That is, uh, one of those, , angel

has also got me in the terrible, I say

:

00:48:05,303 --> 00:48:06,743

terrible it's I think it was a great.

:

00:48:06,933 --> 00:48:07,293

, habit.

:

00:48:07,803 --> 00:48:08,223

Anytime.

:

00:48:08,223 --> 00:48:09,993

I see a proposal of any sort.

:

00:48:10,803 --> 00:48:11,463

For the city.

:

00:48:11,973 --> 00:48:12,543

I saved them.

:

00:48:12,663 --> 00:48:14,583

I am have a.

:

00:48:15,063 --> 00:48:17,103

I'm probably going to have to

buy you some insane amount of

:

00:48:17,103 --> 00:48:18,543

storage in the near future.

:

00:48:18,543 --> 00:48:20,793

I already have like two

terabytes of cloud storage.

:

00:48:21,273 --> 00:48:25,463

Just filling that up, , of just reports

and proposals and all that stuff.

:

00:48:25,703 --> 00:48:29,393

, which the exciting thing is like when I

go to videos, like sometimes that adds

:

00:48:29,393 --> 00:48:33,593

the hook of like, oh, here are original

plans of Marta and what it wanted to do.

:

00:48:33,593 --> 00:48:33,683

And.

:

00:48:34,373 --> 00:48:36,413

Voted it down four times,

you know, things like that.

:

00:48:36,773 --> 00:48:38,153

Um, four times.

:

00:48:38,543 --> 00:48:43,733

But this, , I'm holding, , creating

linkages and eliminate barriers.

:

00:48:44,123 --> 00:48:45,743

DJ community investment report.

:

00:48:46,003 --> 00:48:51,193

, essentially this was a

report on how to solve.

:

00:48:51,493 --> 00:48:53,523

Atlanta's housing, , issues.

:

00:48:53,523 --> 00:48:55,983

And this was early two thousands.

:

00:48:56,613 --> 00:48:57,333

We've solved them.

:

00:48:58,753 --> 00:49:02,803

, but it's got just such a crazy

breakdown of like the issues

:

00:49:02,803 --> 00:49:04,123

that the city is running into.

:

00:49:04,183 --> 00:49:07,963

And, , the, the steps that they

thought would be appropriate, which

:

00:49:07,993 --> 00:49:09,733

would still probably be appropriate.

:

00:49:10,033 --> 00:49:13,153

That's what I was just about to ask you

is without having read this pamphlet.

:

00:49:13,543 --> 00:49:17,773

Are the same issues present or have there

been issues in this pamphlet that are

:

00:49:17,773 --> 00:49:19,303

solved and new issues have been created?

:

00:49:19,333 --> 00:49:19,963

Yeah, absolutely.

:

00:49:19,963 --> 00:49:20,203

Okay.

:

00:49:20,203 --> 00:49:23,563

So here's, here's some other paperwork,

it's all handwritten notes because

:

00:49:23,563 --> 00:49:25,273

I've not had the time to convert.

:

00:49:25,423 --> 00:49:27,793

, All of these into written text.

:

00:49:27,993 --> 00:49:29,223

, this is a dare pork.

:

00:49:29,493 --> 00:49:30,423

Cute little yen or anything.

:

00:49:30,483 --> 00:49:31,353

That's not my handwriting.

:

00:49:31,803 --> 00:49:33,033

Uh, just kidding.

:

00:49:33,123 --> 00:49:36,283

That has been provided to

me, , for more story content.

:

00:49:36,973 --> 00:49:37,573

, a deer park.

:

00:49:37,603 --> 00:49:38,863

I don't even know what these numbers mean.

:

00:49:39,343 --> 00:49:44,673

Okay, well, , that's , a street

and let's hear Lexington avenue.

:

00:49:45,243 --> 00:49:45,483

Okay.

:

00:49:45,483 --> 00:49:46,323

That's the house number?

:

00:49:47,103 --> 00:49:47,643

Okay.

:

00:49:47,703 --> 00:49:50,403

The year it was purchased and

the price it was purchased.

:

00:49:50,763 --> 00:49:52,593

Oh shit.

:

00:49:52,983 --> 00:49:54,783

So six 40.

:

00:49:55,083 --> 00:49:56,763

That's 20 18 55 K.

:

00:49:57,993 --> 00:50:01,113

Oh, 20 13 22 K.

:

00:50:01,893 --> 00:50:03,483

Wow, 20 16 91 K.

:

00:50:03,513 --> 00:50:05,253

Now most of these were fixer uppers.

:

00:50:06,333 --> 00:50:07,143

But.

:

00:50:07,653 --> 00:50:08,733

Literally a.

:

00:50:09,813 --> 00:50:11,343

The provider of this information.

:

00:50:11,973 --> 00:50:14,843

Went and dug up all the,

, information on all his neighbors

:

00:50:14,843 --> 00:50:17,533

to, get a better picture of

what has happened to a deer park.

:

00:50:18,083 --> 00:50:18,563

, and.

:

00:50:19,913 --> 00:50:23,723

The lack of black residents

that now exist in a deer park.

:

00:50:24,073 --> 00:50:24,703

, let's see here.

:

00:50:24,883 --> 00:50:28,813

I think he had taken a note

like three owners alone owned

:

00:50:28,813 --> 00:50:31,033

17 properties in a deer park.

:

00:50:32,083 --> 00:50:33,073

Um, rentals.

:

00:50:33,823 --> 00:50:34,453

Airbnb.

:

00:50:34,543 --> 00:50:34,813

Yeah.

:

00:50:35,353 --> 00:50:35,623

Yeah.

:

00:50:36,013 --> 00:50:39,883

Not owner-occupied things that

are not necessarily contributing.

:

00:50:40,483 --> 00:50:43,933

Greatly to a Dar housing

market, uh, issues.

:

00:50:44,083 --> 00:50:49,013

But, , yeah, and it just kind of shows

where That changed began happening.

:

00:50:49,113 --> 00:50:51,543

, you know, but Atlanta was

still an affordable place.

:

00:50:51,543 --> 00:50:55,053

Uh, even up to:

holding like one picture in particular.

:

00:50:55,083 --> 00:50:56,073

Do you have a question about it?

:

00:50:56,433 --> 00:51:00,553

Well, I'm uh, I'm so excited

right now and, , kind of my

:

00:51:00,553 --> 00:51:01,453

brain's all over the place.

:

00:51:01,483 --> 00:51:05,293

But this is the part of the stack of

photos that Blake handed me I'm that

:

00:51:05,293 --> 00:51:07,723

I'm in are literally my backyard.

:

00:51:07,933 --> 00:51:10,453

And so I'm just kind of having,

, is that the old fourth ward?

:

00:51:10,903 --> 00:51:11,383

Skate park.

:

00:51:11,593 --> 00:51:13,183

Yeah, an old fourth ward park.

:

00:51:13,463 --> 00:51:15,983

, so I, uh, I won't tell you

all exactly where I live, but

:

00:51:15,983 --> 00:51:16,823

I live right around there.

:

00:51:17,113 --> 00:51:20,293

, and it's just like, This is unbelievable.

:

00:51:20,293 --> 00:51:22,963

Like I walk my dogs here every

day, other than Saturday and

:

00:51:22,963 --> 00:51:24,073

Sunday because the tourists, but.

:

00:51:25,363 --> 00:51:26,023

I don't think it's even.

:

00:51:26,353 --> 00:51:28,803

Like, yes, there are some tourists, but

I really think it's just, , you know,

:

00:51:28,803 --> 00:51:33,243

all the suburbs, people who don't have,

uh, access to livable walkable spaces.

:

00:51:33,363 --> 00:51:36,663

That's exactly what I mean, if you

don't, if you didn't walk to the

:

00:51:36,663 --> 00:51:38,733

BeltLine, you're a tourist, right, right.

:

00:51:38,883 --> 00:51:39,483

100%.

:

00:51:39,573 --> 00:51:39,903

Yeah.

:

00:51:39,993 --> 00:51:42,783

Like if you live in Cobb county and

you're on the BeltLine, you're a tourist.

:

00:51:43,213 --> 00:51:45,823

, and maybe this is a good opportunity

to just a little pet peeve.

:

00:51:45,853 --> 00:51:46,393

What is it?

:

00:51:46,783 --> 00:51:48,253

Two's company, three's a crowd.

:

00:51:48,283 --> 00:51:50,233

Like when it comes to walking,

can we talk etiquette?

:

00:51:50,383 --> 00:51:51,463

Can we, can we just do this?

:

00:51:54,583 --> 00:51:54,823

Yeah.

:

00:51:54,913 --> 00:51:55,513

I'm over here.

:

00:51:55,543 --> 00:51:56,053

Like hands.

:

00:51:56,143 --> 00:51:56,983

Like temples.

:

00:51:58,153 --> 00:51:58,393

Okay.

:

00:51:58,453 --> 00:51:59,953

I walked past a sign.

:

00:52:00,403 --> 00:52:03,733

Uh, BeltLine sign that was knocked

down that said, oh, has all the

:

00:52:03,763 --> 00:52:05,513

belt lines, , rules and etiquettes.

:

00:52:06,293 --> 00:52:10,013

Um, which are all very sensible

and like, Common sense, right?

:

00:52:10,103 --> 00:52:10,553

Literally.

:

00:52:10,883 --> 00:52:13,763

I think I'm going to just launch an

entire BeltLine page at this point.

:

00:52:13,763 --> 00:52:16,273

Cause I have so many things I

want to just, , actually, no, I'm

:

00:52:16,273 --> 00:52:18,733

just going to go work with, have

you seen the Instagram account?

:

00:52:19,093 --> 00:52:19,963

Atlanta bill and hits you.

:

00:52:20,263 --> 00:52:20,593

Yes.

:

00:52:20,923 --> 00:52:21,103

Okay.

:

00:52:21,943 --> 00:52:22,543

I'm just going to stop.

:

00:52:22,633 --> 00:52:24,403

It's going to start

feeding them information.

:

00:52:24,503 --> 00:52:29,733

, I I'm happy to assist in any

way because I share your, , Mm.

:

00:52:33,183 --> 00:52:33,453

Yeah.

:

00:52:33,933 --> 00:52:34,563

Much better.

:

00:52:36,453 --> 00:52:37,293

Either way.

:

00:52:37,473 --> 00:52:40,413

Yes, the Butlin etiquette

is out of control.

:

00:52:40,473 --> 00:52:41,913

You guys are animals.

:

00:52:42,453 --> 00:52:43,803

And I'm like, no wonder a lot.

:

00:52:43,803 --> 00:52:46,473

Highways are as miserable as

they are, like, does this.

:

00:52:46,503 --> 00:52:47,553

How you drive, how you walk

:

00:52:49,743 --> 00:52:52,503

like this crew over here, six people wide.

:

00:52:52,503 --> 00:52:55,233

And it's like, okay, at

this point, They just stop.

:

00:52:56,283 --> 00:52:59,583

And then they just, and that is when

I, when I talk about the BeltLine

:

00:52:59,583 --> 00:53:01,113

being a transportation corridor.

:

00:53:01,473 --> 00:53:05,343

You have to treat that sidewalk like

it's a transportation corridor, correct?

:

00:53:05,373 --> 00:53:08,913

People are doing their transportation

with bikes in their feet.

:

00:53:09,003 --> 00:53:10,533

Yes, but would you.

:

00:53:10,893 --> 00:53:13,323

Would you stop in the middle of 85?

:

00:53:13,863 --> 00:53:14,223

No.

:

00:53:14,463 --> 00:53:16,683

W would you, would you stop

in the middle of, you know,

:

00:53:17,073 --> 00:53:18,393

Buford highway, would you like?

:

00:53:18,483 --> 00:53:19,833

No, no, no, no.

:

00:53:19,923 --> 00:53:20,073

Like.

:

00:53:20,883 --> 00:53:23,493

So if you're on the BeltLine path,

:

00:53:23,530 --> 00:53:26,680

Do not stand still step to

the side, say it louder.

:

00:53:27,400 --> 00:53:29,860

Do not stand still.

:

00:53:29,980 --> 00:53:34,900

In the middle of the BeltLine path

or any fucking path like, or that.

:

00:53:35,050 --> 00:53:39,460

Be mindful of how your existence

impacts those around you.

:

00:53:39,520 --> 00:53:39,730

Yeah.

:

00:53:39,820 --> 00:53:42,610

Like it's so little and so huge.

:

00:53:42,730 --> 00:53:45,340

And it tells me everything I

need to know about a person like.

:

00:53:46,270 --> 00:53:46,900

I can tell them.

:

00:53:47,170 --> 00:53:49,660

First date material, or

just a walk in the BeltLine.

:

00:53:49,660 --> 00:53:51,460

So I know what type of human you are.

:

00:53:51,740 --> 00:53:54,890

, ah, that's actually like

a really good little hack.

:

00:53:54,920 --> 00:53:58,130

Just like, let me put you in a situation

where I may be able to judge you.

:

00:53:59,510 --> 00:54:00,980

You heard it here first, everybody.

:

00:54:01,500 --> 00:54:06,510

And also, I'm just going to say this like

Saturday at:

:

00:54:06,510 --> 00:54:08,790

learn to rollerblade on the BeltLine.

:

00:54:08,891 --> 00:54:09,161

Okay.

:

00:54:09,191 --> 00:54:10,121

Here's here.

:

00:54:10,451 --> 00:54:11,801

This is a side tangent.

:

00:54:12,401 --> 00:54:13,301

Also very connected.

:

00:54:14,141 --> 00:54:15,191

There are other.

:

00:54:15,791 --> 00:54:16,361

Paths.

:

00:54:16,511 --> 00:54:19,661

Walking past that are not sidewalks.

:

00:54:20,411 --> 00:54:21,311

That existed in Atlanta.

:

00:54:21,971 --> 00:54:22,991

Wait, there are.

:

00:54:23,129 --> 00:54:24,929

Surprise surprise.

:

00:54:24,989 --> 00:54:25,619

You got to do this too.

:

00:54:25,649 --> 00:54:26,519

I don't think people know this.

:

00:54:26,519 --> 00:54:27,569

I think you need to publicize.

:

00:54:28,979 --> 00:54:30,449

It's going to be shocking to hear.

:

00:54:31,409 --> 00:54:32,249

You know, some of the issues.

:

00:54:32,579 --> 00:54:34,049

In the connectivity.

:

00:54:34,739 --> 00:54:39,479

And things like that, but like, if you

drove to the BeltLine on a Saturday to

:

00:54:39,479 --> 00:54:41,459

learn how to, how to rollerskate, like.

:

00:54:41,879 --> 00:54:43,469

Going out on Piedmont park.

:

00:54:43,859 --> 00:54:44,159

There's.

:

00:54:45,239 --> 00:54:46,439

Full-size roads.

:

00:54:46,979 --> 00:54:48,059

There that you can do that.

:

00:54:48,059 --> 00:54:49,319

And people could still

walk on the sidewalk.

:

00:54:49,349 --> 00:54:49,529

You're.

:

00:54:49,559 --> 00:54:50,759

Not like threatening people's lives.

:

00:54:50,819 --> 00:54:51,089

Yes.

:

00:54:51,539 --> 00:54:53,459

The parking deck instead

of you clogging up claim.

:

00:54:53,939 --> 00:54:54,329

Yeah.

:

00:54:54,619 --> 00:54:58,429

, the freedom, um, yes, the freedom path.

:

00:54:58,489 --> 00:54:58,909

Yup.

:

00:54:59,119 --> 00:55:00,919

Another fantastic.

:

00:55:01,579 --> 00:55:02,539

It was always empty.

:

00:55:02,569 --> 00:55:03,109

Yes.

:

00:55:03,209 --> 00:55:04,439

, the silver comment, like there.

:

00:55:04,559 --> 00:55:06,749

Yeah, there are so many other paths.

:

00:55:07,349 --> 00:55:08,399

I'm sorry if you live near them.

:

00:55:08,399 --> 00:55:10,319

And I just sent you a

lot of extra traffic.

:

00:55:11,669 --> 00:55:13,979

We've got to, we've got to

diversify though, because the

:

00:55:13,979 --> 00:55:16,019

BeltLine is congested and insane.

:

00:55:16,349 --> 00:55:20,459

And I mean, it blows my mind

the way people act on it.

:

00:55:20,639 --> 00:55:25,499

100%, my, my wine, big requests,

like all these people going back to

:

00:55:25,589 --> 00:55:26,969

people against the, , but when rail.

:

00:55:27,539 --> 00:55:29,969

I'm like, I'm sorry that you're so.

:

00:55:30,509 --> 00:55:33,479

Deprived of car-free space.

:

00:55:34,226 --> 00:55:35,066

Advocate for it.

:

00:55:35,666 --> 00:55:36,056

Fair.

:

00:55:36,206 --> 00:55:40,226

I do not want to hear you arguing

against a transportation corridor

:

00:55:40,406 --> 00:55:43,856

just because you are so deprived of.

:

00:55:43,856 --> 00:55:45,386

Car-free walking space.

:

00:55:45,476 --> 00:55:45,956

Yes.

:

00:55:46,436 --> 00:55:50,576

Well, I think it's annoying to hear people

complain about anything without following

:

00:55:50,606 --> 00:55:52,586

up with a suggestion for a solution.

:

00:55:52,736 --> 00:55:55,436

Well, and, and the Atlanta BeltLine.

:

00:55:55,436 --> 00:55:56,436

Inc, , ABI.

:

00:55:57,366 --> 00:56:00,606

They like they were established to

be a transportation organization.

:

00:56:01,333 --> 00:56:04,633

And so people get really worked up

about them with like affordable housing.

:

00:56:04,693 --> 00:56:07,183

Like they do have responsibility

with affordable housing and public.

:

00:56:07,363 --> 00:56:10,393

Really when you look at the corridor

that they actually own, like.

:

00:56:10,456 --> 00:56:11,626

It's somewhat limited.

:

00:56:11,836 --> 00:56:14,746

Everything else has partnerships

with developers with the city.

:

00:56:14,746 --> 00:56:15,526

Like all these things.

:

00:56:15,646 --> 00:56:19,276

Like if you want more paths

that don't have a real line

:

00:56:19,276 --> 00:56:20,236

on it or something like that.

:

00:56:20,686 --> 00:56:20,986

Like.

:

00:56:20,986 --> 00:56:22,186

Show up at your MPU.

:

00:56:22,396 --> 00:56:23,836

Talk to your city council member.

:

00:56:24,076 --> 00:56:25,756

To like get involved.

:

00:56:26,026 --> 00:56:26,716

Shout.

:

00:56:26,716 --> 00:56:31,276

And get people to, to

create streets and spaces.

:

00:56:31,996 --> 00:56:32,836

Like that are connected.

:

00:56:32,926 --> 00:56:34,066

Like, I would love the BeltLine.

:

00:56:34,066 --> 00:56:37,216

If it existed, it had just tons of

little trails, just branching off

:

00:56:37,246 --> 00:56:38,326

it, even if it had to be amazing.

:

00:56:39,076 --> 00:56:41,866

Pitstop path, like we're

like just cuts over a street.

:

00:56:42,196 --> 00:56:43,996

For two blocks and then reconnects in.

:

00:56:44,326 --> 00:56:48,466

Like you just looped in so many

more business opportunities at.

:

00:56:48,826 --> 00:56:50,716

Because that was one thing

that's About the Eastside.

:

00:56:50,716 --> 00:56:54,976

BeltLine is there's parts where you

stepped two streets away and you're

:

00:56:54,976 --> 00:56:58,936

like, oh, I'm back in a car-centric

hell and , It's very interesting.

:

00:56:58,996 --> 00:56:59,296

Yeah.

:

00:56:59,656 --> 00:56:59,986

Yeah.

:

00:57:00,256 --> 00:57:06,556

And I'm like, Just advocate for some safe

biking lanes or like th there's room.

:

00:57:06,556 --> 00:57:10,756

We could find ways to whether we like

eliminate streets or minimize them a

:

00:57:10,756 --> 00:57:14,356

little bit more to put in paths that

are very safe, that don't have high car

:

00:57:14,356 --> 00:57:17,956

traffic, where you could find that piece

and the trees and all of those things.

:

00:57:18,856 --> 00:57:20,116

That you experienced on the boat line?

:

00:57:20,166 --> 00:57:23,226

, without having to fight the Saturday

and Sunday crews and things like that.

:

00:57:23,736 --> 00:57:25,326

I agree with everything you just said.

:

00:57:25,356 --> 00:57:29,896

And I think generally speaking,

It's so easy for people to default

:

00:57:29,926 --> 00:57:37,296

into criticism mode without doing the

diligence of, coming up with ideas

:

00:57:37,296 --> 00:57:38,706

and suggestions and alternatives.

:

00:57:38,736 --> 00:57:39,516

So I appreciate that.

:

00:57:39,516 --> 00:57:40,686

You're like, Hey, here's a problem.

:

00:57:40,926 --> 00:57:41,526

Here's a solution.

:

00:57:41,526 --> 00:57:44,646

I've thought of here's how you get

the solution enacted you show up

:

00:57:44,646 --> 00:57:46,356

and you've got to vocalize things.

:

00:57:46,596 --> 00:57:47,076

And I think.

:

00:57:47,676 --> 00:57:48,636

Part of it too.

:

00:57:49,266 --> 00:57:50,556

And this certainly applies to me.

:

00:57:50,556 --> 00:57:54,216

I think it's very easy to be like,

no one cares what I have to say.

:

00:57:54,216 --> 00:57:56,196

What could I do to make a difference?

:

00:57:56,436 --> 00:57:58,656

But you made such a good

point that somebody like you.

:

00:57:59,046 --> 00:58:02,636

It's saying like, Hey, there's this MPU

meeting tonight at six 30, let's meet.

:

00:58:02,636 --> 00:58:04,506

They're , let's have a conversation.

:

00:58:04,716 --> 00:58:08,586

Yeah, and making it accessible, making

it comfortable and just letting people

:

00:58:08,586 --> 00:58:14,256

know about it, I think is so huge because

it's really easy to bitch about stuff.

:

00:58:14,286 --> 00:58:17,286

And then just get wrapped back

up in your own life things.

:

00:58:17,316 --> 00:58:17,496

Yup.

:

00:58:17,556 --> 00:58:18,336

And just complain.

:

00:58:18,396 --> 00:58:18,636

Yeah.

:

00:58:19,326 --> 00:58:22,896

I'm bleeding, but I also

know that there's an onus to.

:

00:58:23,406 --> 00:58:27,066

You know, And I've actually, you know,

I think there's something that's not.

:

00:58:28,086 --> 00:58:29,496

I have a lot to say, you know, even.

:

00:58:29,556 --> 00:58:32,466

Um, personal terms of, , peoples.

:

00:58:33,006 --> 00:58:34,236

Relationship to community.

:

00:58:34,446 --> 00:58:38,196

, but if you want to feel

connected to a place.

:

00:58:38,582 --> 00:58:39,392

Advocate for it.

:

00:58:39,602 --> 00:58:40,142

Yeah.

:

00:58:40,231 --> 00:58:41,851

I'm going to take this back though.

:

00:58:41,901 --> 00:58:43,401

, it does something you'd

just mentioned all the time.

:

00:58:43,491 --> 00:58:45,291

The beginning where

you asked about my Ooh.

:

00:58:46,281 --> 00:58:50,481

, You asked, you know, Some of my

reasoning behind starting the page.

:

00:58:51,111 --> 00:58:51,681

And.

:

00:58:51,934 --> 00:58:53,404

I was trying to do a story.

:

00:58:53,864 --> 00:58:57,004

about our preparedness for

the people world cup in:

:

00:58:57,364 --> 00:58:57,724

Anyways.

:

00:58:57,904 --> 00:59:01,594

I was out, , by Centennial yards, the, the

new, the bridge, the pedestrian bridge.

:

00:59:02,044 --> 00:59:02,614

Over there now.

:

00:59:02,644 --> 00:59:05,474

And I was just standing there

and, , like I just finished recording

:

00:59:05,474 --> 00:59:07,724

a video or something and I just

started talking with the guy I find

:

00:59:07,754 --> 00:59:09,944

out he does corporate real estate.

:

00:59:09,974 --> 00:59:11,804

, mostly open new England area.

:

00:59:12,174 --> 00:59:15,564

, and we just got in this conversation

and he was just saying like,

:

00:59:15,588 --> 00:59:19,098

well, I kind of mentioned how it's

a little concerning seeing some of

:

00:59:19,098 --> 00:59:20,958

the big corporations and some of the.

:

00:59:21,408 --> 00:59:23,748

Uh, where they are willing to

put their money in Atlanta.

:

00:59:23,748 --> 00:59:25,788

And some of the groups are

willing to put their money behind.

:

00:59:26,118 --> 00:59:28,638

, and he was just like, you know, I

think, especially in a city, the

:

00:59:28,638 --> 00:59:34,488

size of Atlanta, What's important

is sometimes these corporations.

:

00:59:34,521 --> 00:59:37,731

Like, if there's a strong enough vision,

they'll put their money behind it.

:

00:59:37,847 --> 00:59:38,207

Okay.

:

00:59:38,296 --> 00:59:41,896

essentially it's like, if you're,

if you're starved of options, then

:

00:59:41,926 --> 00:59:43,846

like you turn to what's available.

:

00:59:43,846 --> 00:59:44,846

What's what's there.

:

00:59:45,106 --> 00:59:49,326

, to, to have the influence, the corporate

and governmental, advocacy, whatever.

:

00:59:49,496 --> 00:59:51,686

, he knows like he'll fear if you're.

:

00:59:51,956 --> 00:59:55,546

How'd the ability . Create that

vision create the vision that the

:

00:59:55,546 --> 00:59:57,136

corporations could stand behind.

:

00:59:57,166 --> 00:59:57,946

Create this.

:

00:59:58,546 --> 01:00:03,736

, Because I was talking about how

much cars and the commuting into the

:

01:00:03,736 --> 01:00:06,766

city, you know, just like a lot of

the obstacles that Atlanta faces.

:

01:00:07,216 --> 01:00:10,996

He was like, The corporations

aren't necessarily always trying

:

01:00:10,996 --> 01:00:12,856

to make a big public statement.

:

01:00:12,856 --> 01:00:16,726

It's just like they need or want

a certain level of power and they

:

01:00:16,756 --> 01:00:18,226

want it certain level of visibility.

:

01:00:18,876 --> 01:00:21,786

If you create enough noise,

a strong enough vision.

:

01:00:21,906 --> 01:00:23,706

And enough validity to it.

:

01:00:24,396 --> 01:00:25,566

Like the corporations.

:

01:00:25,596 --> 01:00:27,936

I can and we'll start paying attention.

:

01:00:28,206 --> 01:00:32,826

And if you give them the option of like,

oh, We want to build a headquarters here.

:

01:00:32,826 --> 01:00:36,006

We want to bill, you know,

expand our operations in Atlanta.

:

01:00:36,156 --> 01:00:36,546

Yeah.

:

01:00:36,606 --> 01:00:40,266

And they get to show up to an Atlanta

where there's this very strong vision

:

01:00:40,506 --> 01:00:44,796

of what the city is, is going to

become., that's like, oh, well, yeah,

:

01:00:44,796 --> 01:00:47,136

we want to put our money behind that

rather than like throwing our money

:

01:00:47,166 --> 01:00:48,756

at cop city or something like that.

:

01:00:48,756 --> 01:00:48,936

Like.

:

01:00:49,446 --> 01:00:54,456

And all of a sudden it's like, yeah, like,

oh, we're talking about sustainability.

:

01:00:54,486 --> 01:00:56,046

And, , we're talking about.

:

01:00:56,162 --> 01:00:59,792

Affordability and things like that

that are easy to adopt as you know,

:

01:00:59,792 --> 01:01:01,652

part of your pillars as a corporation.

:

01:01:02,732 --> 01:01:03,992

Yeah, we can support that.

:

01:01:04,022 --> 01:01:07,802

So part of the page was like, man,

I can take some of these ideas.

:

01:01:07,802 --> 01:01:08,252

I have.

:

01:01:08,682 --> 01:01:11,082

, because that is one thing, like there

there's documents and stuff that exists,

:

01:01:11,082 --> 01:01:16,902

but I don't see a big, strong, overarching

vision for the city of Atlanta.

:

01:01:16,992 --> 01:01:18,342

And there's lots of little.

:

01:01:19,122 --> 01:01:19,992

I think.

:

01:01:20,622 --> 01:01:22,482

There's a lot of enthusiasm.

:

01:01:22,782 --> 01:01:26,382

The people that you bring to Atlanta,

and I think it bubbles up and goes away.

:

01:01:26,802 --> 01:01:30,372

And what you mentioned earlier

is that we need people who are

:

01:01:30,522 --> 01:01:33,282

staying here and who are invested.

:

01:01:33,672 --> 01:01:38,172

And don't just come and, you know,

Share their opinions and leave.

:

01:01:38,202 --> 01:01:38,532

Yeah.

:

01:01:39,012 --> 01:01:39,192

Yeah.

:

01:01:40,302 --> 01:01:42,762

And capture the other people's vision.

:

01:01:42,822 --> 01:01:44,142

You know, a lot of this stuff, isn't mine.

:

01:01:44,172 --> 01:01:47,502

I'm trying to, you know, Capture the ones

that I'm like, oh, I think this could

:

01:01:47,502 --> 01:01:49,152

really make a difference in Atlanta.

:

01:01:49,152 --> 01:01:51,042

And like, let me see how I can amplify it.

:

01:01:51,552 --> 01:01:52,152

I love that.

:

01:01:53,052 --> 01:01:54,132

That was my little throwback.

:

01:01:54,762 --> 01:01:58,122

You had one piece in two piece in the

conversation, I just had to connect them.

:

01:01:58,452 --> 01:01:59,982

Those are very important dots to connect.

:

01:02:00,882 --> 01:02:01,392

Yes.

:

01:02:01,452 --> 01:02:01,812

Well then.

:

01:02:02,352 --> 01:02:02,742

All right.

:

01:02:03,552 --> 01:02:03,942

There you go.

:

01:02:04,332 --> 01:02:06,282

It is so much of my

Atlanta brain right now.

:

01:02:06,672 --> 01:02:08,682

Well, Blake, it's interesting.

:

01:02:08,712 --> 01:02:11,262

This episode is going to

air this coming up Monday.

:

01:02:11,292 --> 01:02:15,812

So the Monday before Thanksgiving, and,

, we've got, I would say the majority of

:

01:02:15,812 --> 01:02:19,592

our listeners are in Atlanta, but as of

yesterday, Clover club has been listened

:

01:02:19,622 --> 01:02:22,982

to in 14 countries, which is post.

:

01:02:23,222 --> 01:02:24,332

That's crazy.

:

01:02:24,362 --> 01:02:27,182

Like, I love how detailed analytics

are, because I'm just like, we'd

:

01:02:27,182 --> 01:02:29,212

really This is going worldwide.

:

01:02:29,302 --> 01:02:30,532

Oh, Glen worldwide guys.

:

01:02:30,582 --> 01:02:33,792

I mean, that's the goal,

but what I hope is that.

:

01:02:34,242 --> 01:02:37,902

As we gather on Thursday with our

friends, with our family, or however

:

01:02:37,902 --> 01:02:40,602

you're going to spend the day,

whether you're American or not.

:

01:02:41,442 --> 01:02:45,912

It's interesting thinking about

past, present and future and what

:

01:02:45,912 --> 01:02:49,662

our rules are and how we connect,

whether it's in our family and our

:

01:02:49,662 --> 01:02:51,372

community, or in a broader sense.

:

01:02:51,612 --> 01:02:53,892

And I'm, I'm feeling just very.

:

01:02:54,202 --> 01:02:57,862

Energized and excited by this

conversation and just kind of the

:

01:02:57,862 --> 01:02:59,902

ripple effects of this type of.

:

01:02:59,962 --> 01:03:00,112

Yeah.

:

01:03:00,502 --> 01:03:01,522

And thought, you know?

:

01:03:01,552 --> 01:03:01,882

Yeah.

:

01:03:02,092 --> 01:03:04,582

Well, you know, going back to

like that, that guy, , with the

:

01:03:04,582 --> 01:03:06,812

journalist, , What are we talking

about that before the podcast?

:

01:03:06,992 --> 01:03:07,352

I don't know.

:

01:03:07,412 --> 01:03:08,432

There was a gentleman who wants.

:

01:03:10,772 --> 01:03:11,612

No, not that one.

:

01:03:12,452 --> 01:03:14,912

The Alpharetta dad who, uh, like found my.

:

01:03:16,292 --> 01:03:17,402

Shout out to Alpharetta dad.

:

01:03:17,522 --> 01:03:17,732

Yeah.

:

01:03:19,142 --> 01:03:22,562

Uh, who doesn't pay attention

to anything transportation.

:

01:03:22,562 --> 01:03:25,832

And, uh, I came to my journalist friend

just like bragging about, , the story that

:

01:03:25,832 --> 01:03:27,362

he heard and the information you learned.

:

01:03:27,632 --> 01:03:30,822

But , that's one thing that

I'm learning about my page is

:

01:03:30,822 --> 01:03:32,172

I'm equipping people for co.

:

01:03:32,442 --> 01:03:33,192

For conversations.

:

01:03:33,402 --> 01:03:33,972

Yes.

:

01:03:34,032 --> 01:03:37,842

Like just that tidbit is enough

that they're like, wait, did you

:

01:03:37,842 --> 01:03:41,712

know that Atlanta used to have

200 miles, , streetcar tracks or,

:

01:03:41,742 --> 01:03:44,802

you know, do you know that Atlanta

is the most surveillance city?

:

01:03:45,312 --> 01:03:46,272

In the United States.

:

01:03:46,692 --> 01:03:47,082

What.

:

01:03:47,742 --> 01:03:50,292

Oh, yeah, the most surveilled city.

:

01:03:50,562 --> 01:03:52,032

In the United States per capita.

:

01:03:52,092 --> 01:03:53,952

Once we, we are.

:

01:03:54,672 --> 01:03:57,192

Twice that of Philadelphia.

:

01:03:57,272 --> 01:03:59,582

, we have, I believe it is.

:

01:03:59,642 --> 01:04:00,002

Hang on.

:

01:04:00,272 --> 01:04:04,442

Philadelphia heads 17

on average 17 cameras.

:

01:04:04,622 --> 01:04:06,572

Per a thousand people.

:

01:04:06,572 --> 01:04:07,562

And so we have.

:

01:04:07,636 --> 01:04:07,966

What was it?

:

01:04:07,996 --> 01:04:13,566

4 30, 8 or 40, uh, cameras, , per

a thousand people on average.

:

01:04:14,346 --> 01:04:14,886

For the city.

:

01:04:15,456 --> 01:04:15,726

Yeah.

:

01:04:16,026 --> 01:04:17,736

I mean, it, it helps that.

:

01:04:17,836 --> 01:04:21,856

The actual city of Atlanta only has

500,000 people compared to the Metro.

:

01:04:21,916 --> 01:04:24,946

, so that kind of messes with

the, the numbers a little bit,

:

01:04:24,946 --> 01:04:26,796

but, , yeah, we, , We are.

:

01:04:27,696 --> 01:04:29,706

Number one per capita.

:

01:04:29,826 --> 01:04:30,846

Yay.

:

01:04:31,476 --> 01:04:34,326

Which is very interesting because the

thing that people always bring up is.

:

01:04:34,439 --> 01:04:35,429

, this is, , another warning.

:

01:04:35,489 --> 01:04:39,399

, the lady who was stabbed, , you cannot

park Katie Jeunesse and her dog Bowie.

:

01:04:39,429 --> 01:04:39,819

Yes.

:

01:04:39,839 --> 01:04:41,609

The security, there were security cameras.

:

01:04:41,819 --> 01:04:43,169

I didn't work and they didn't work.

:

01:04:43,288 --> 01:04:43,589

Yeah.

:

01:04:43,829 --> 01:04:46,529

And then, you know, people always

bring that up and which is a huge

:

01:04:46,559 --> 01:04:48,029

part of the conversation of like,

:

01:04:48,059 --> 01:04:51,269

I think, I think the Atlanta police

foundation and they have like

:

01:04:51,329 --> 01:04:54,749

two separate programs, like they

claim now that there's 18,000.

:

01:04:55,229 --> 01:04:57,599

Camera's a part of their, their network.

:

01:04:57,899 --> 01:04:59,429

, all monitored from Peachtree street.

:

01:04:59,759 --> 01:05:03,089

What'd I have to dig into because what I

hear from the PR and what their website

:

01:05:03,119 --> 01:05:06,509

says, there's some discrepancies,

, Because from the sound of it, like

:

01:05:06,538 --> 01:05:08,249

police officers can literally tap it.

:

01:05:08,249 --> 01:05:11,689

Like . If you have attached to

your camera, to the network, and

:

01:05:12,199 --> 01:05:14,959

what the website says, giving

them permission to access.

:

01:05:15,049 --> 01:05:18,229

From my understanding police

officers can just straight up access.

:

01:05:18,279 --> 01:05:20,559

, the cameras that have been

like allowed him to there.

:

01:05:20,949 --> 01:05:21,909

Network, which.

:

01:05:22,359 --> 01:05:24,999

So these are like residences

who have agreed to let their.

:

01:05:25,869 --> 01:05:26,889

It's like the rings.

:

01:05:27,249 --> 01:05:31,209

I think there's some like 11 or

12,000 official city cameras.

:

01:05:31,209 --> 01:05:34,479

And then they have an entire

program where people can either.

:

01:05:35,169 --> 01:05:38,469

Connect into the city, just so that

the city knows that they have a camera

:

01:05:38,469 --> 01:05:41,649

there or they can give like full access.

:

01:05:42,429 --> 01:05:44,259

No, the live stream to the city.

:

01:05:44,349 --> 01:05:45,309

Uh, no.

:

01:05:45,389 --> 01:05:45,989

, So.

:

01:05:46,949 --> 01:05:51,659

And surprise, surprise, you know, like

a majority of the city's cameras are

:

01:05:51,929 --> 01:05:55,199

downtown and or black neighborhoods.

:

01:05:55,259 --> 01:05:55,919

how, okay.

:

01:05:55,949 --> 01:05:57,029

We have the most cameras.

:

01:05:57,119 --> 01:05:58,379

How many of them work though?

:

01:05:58,769 --> 01:06:01,739

Do we have the most working cameras

because the, the Katie Janeth

:

01:06:01,769 --> 01:06:04,409

thing, I obviously have very

strong feelings about, I think it's

:

01:06:04,409 --> 01:06:06,179

embarrassing that this is not solved.

:

01:06:06,659 --> 01:06:11,038

I have my theories, but I mean,

it's unbelievable that that

:

01:06:11,038 --> 01:06:13,559

could happen at Piedmont park.

:

01:06:14,279 --> 01:06:15,569

And it's been the summer.

:

01:06:15,569 --> 01:06:16,529

We passed two years.

:

01:06:16,739 --> 01:06:17,099

Nothing.

:

01:06:17,399 --> 01:06:19,288

Just since we're hitting

all the conversations, this

:

01:06:19,288 --> 01:06:20,579

is where we're talking.

:

01:06:21,029 --> 01:06:22,979

Like 200 yards away.

:

01:06:23,339 --> 01:06:25,559

From her opening story.

:

01:06:25,676 --> 01:06:26,726

Oh, my God.

:

01:06:26,726 --> 01:06:27,566

You're right.

:

01:06:27,686 --> 01:06:28,316

Jeez.

:

01:06:28,766 --> 01:06:30,206

Alan up to 10th street.

:

01:06:30,686 --> 01:06:31,586

Yeah.

:

01:06:32,126 --> 01:06:32,996

Wow.

:

01:06:33,536 --> 01:06:34,376

Murders in arms.

:

01:06:34,976 --> 01:06:36,296

And realize Midtown.

:

01:06:36,386 --> 01:06:38,516

It's such a happening place.

:

01:06:39,206 --> 01:06:42,806

And I think I want to do like a

little respect to Katie Janessa.

:

01:06:42,806 --> 01:06:45,626

Let's just share the super

CliffsNotes of what happened.

:

01:06:45,866 --> 01:06:50,996

This is a local woman who walked her dog,

I think around midnight, on a weekday.

:

01:06:51,446 --> 01:06:53,426

, and to Piedmont park and a.

:

01:06:53,426 --> 01:06:55,796

At her and her dog were

found stabbed to death.

:

01:06:56,366 --> 01:07:00,896

Extremely gruesomely, not just not

that there's like a stabbing that

:

01:07:00,896 --> 01:07:02,726

isn't gruesome, but this is extra.

:

01:07:03,116 --> 01:07:03,626

, And.

:

01:07:04,316 --> 01:07:06,566

Our police department and

the FBI has even evolved.

:

01:07:07,076 --> 01:07:07,616

Unsolved.

:

01:07:07,819 --> 01:07:08,719

It's unbelievable.

:

01:07:08,869 --> 01:07:09,169

Yep.

:

01:07:09,839 --> 01:07:10,709

uH, man.

:

01:07:10,848 --> 01:07:12,828

I feel like there's still so many more.

:

01:07:13,188 --> 01:07:14,148

Topics to hit.

:

01:07:14,328 --> 01:07:16,008

And this is all just me with Mike.

:

01:07:16,368 --> 01:07:19,508

The stuff that I think about Atlanta, , I

feel like we could've gone off on a whole

:

01:07:19,508 --> 01:07:21,818

other, just like personal side of things.

:

01:07:21,878 --> 01:07:24,278

I feel like you should come back

like once a month and we should do

:

01:07:24,278 --> 01:07:28,268

like a check-in of like what you

need to know about Atlanta now.

:

01:07:28,778 --> 01:07:29,498

Are linked.

:

01:07:29,708 --> 01:07:30,488

Correspondence.

:

01:07:32,588 --> 01:07:33,188

That would be fun.

:

01:07:33,818 --> 01:07:36,158

But I, yeah, I would

not be opposed to that.

:

01:07:36,258 --> 01:07:37,668

, talk about table is comfortable, right?

:

01:07:38,538 --> 01:07:39,618

So comfortable.

:

01:07:40,128 --> 01:07:40,728

My back.

:

01:07:41,688 --> 01:07:41,928

Yeah.

:

01:07:42,048 --> 01:07:44,478

Bag and ass or just,

you know, celebrating.

:

01:07:45,018 --> 01:07:46,098

Sarcastic as your password.

:

01:07:46,265 --> 01:07:47,285

No, I got, I got enough back.

:

01:07:47,285 --> 01:07:48,845

There is no say it.

:

01:07:51,305 --> 01:07:52,565

Every chair's comfortable for me.

:

01:08:00,515 --> 01:08:02,015

No comment.

:

01:08:02,465 --> 01:08:06,335

Like, what am I even supposed

to do and respond right now?

:

01:08:06,395 --> 01:08:08,525

I mean, I guess I did start

it, but yeah, you started this.

:

01:08:08,795 --> 01:08:09,365

Just finished it.

:

01:08:12,005 --> 01:08:12,455

Yeah.

:

01:08:12,485 --> 01:08:16,505

Like, yo, I feel like we could hit so

many other , conversations about just

:

01:08:16,505 --> 01:08:21,965

like human goodness and like digging and

like, we didn't touch any of that stuff.

:

01:08:21,965 --> 01:08:26,135

I feel like we could have gotten a whole

bunch of, uh, other, uh, juicy topics.

:

01:08:26,404 --> 01:08:30,365

But I hope everyone enjoyed

just the amount of things I have

:

01:08:30,365 --> 01:08:32,255

crammed in my brain about Atlanta.

:

01:08:32,345 --> 01:08:33,845

I suspect that people will.

:

01:08:33,875 --> 01:08:37,024

And if you, if there's something specific

that we touch on that you want to know

:

01:08:37,024 --> 01:08:41,255

more in detail about, we can either a

do another episode or you can reach out

:

01:08:41,255 --> 01:08:43,984

to Blake, or I like we'll post about

this on our social media in the past.

:

01:08:44,495 --> 01:08:47,734

If somebody just gave us like

bullet points of, or like, we

:

01:08:47,734 --> 01:08:49,715

just took like, okay, Yeah.

:

01:08:49,745 --> 01:08:51,154

It was a list of question about this.

:

01:08:51,154 --> 01:08:52,684

Like, let's get clarification about that.

:

01:08:52,684 --> 01:08:56,285

I'm curious about X,

like I do my homework.

:

01:08:56,675 --> 01:09:00,484

I will tell you, I mean, I think Blake,

this is why we get along, but we both

:

01:09:00,484 --> 01:09:04,774

have, uh, you know, a way of engaging with

community and storytelling that I think

:

01:09:04,774 --> 01:09:09,545

that we could collaborate on in like,

, Just share more interesting fun stuff.

:

01:09:09,665 --> 01:09:10,925

Absolutely.

:

01:09:11,035 --> 01:09:11,515

Blake.

:

01:09:11,694 --> 01:09:12,895

What are you most thankful for?

:

01:09:13,188 --> 01:09:13,788

This year.

:

01:09:14,238 --> 01:09:15,468

Oh this year, this year.

:

01:09:15,948 --> 01:09:17,778

Okay, this is we're doing here.

:

01:09:17,808 --> 01:09:19,968

Here's the site that you all did not get.

:

01:09:20,077 --> 01:09:23,388

, this year has been massively,

transformative for me.

:

01:09:23,538 --> 01:09:25,068

, So I started the Atlanta page.

:

01:09:25,127 --> 01:09:27,228

, cause I was laid off from my tech job.

:

01:09:27,377 --> 01:09:27,678

Okay.

:

01:09:28,228 --> 01:09:31,288

So I did some job applying,

but like tack was still in his

:

01:09:31,288 --> 01:09:33,388

full, like crazy layoffs phase.

:

01:09:33,388 --> 01:09:34,138

And I was like, you know what?

:

01:09:35,278 --> 01:09:36,058

I've got unemployment.

:

01:09:36,087 --> 01:09:36,778

I've got savings.

:

01:09:36,808 --> 01:09:38,278

Like, let's go do some of these projects.

:

01:09:38,377 --> 01:09:40,858

So, , I started the page.

:

01:09:40,957 --> 01:09:41,707

, And.

:

01:09:41,768 --> 01:09:45,077

Through it, , there was

a lot of asking myself.

:

01:09:45,587 --> 01:09:47,688

What I needed from life.

:

01:09:47,898 --> 01:09:48,618

To be a piece.

:

01:09:49,742 --> 01:09:52,442

And there was, yeah, it's thick.

:

01:09:52,442 --> 01:09:52,982

It's beautiful.

:

01:09:53,102 --> 01:09:55,352

This opportunity that I had of.

:

01:09:56,432 --> 01:09:57,872

Sitting in these parks.

:

01:09:58,528 --> 01:10:03,275

And just like, I'm a guy who always

has had a huge vision, a huge plan.

:

01:10:03,275 --> 01:10:05,675

Like this is everything I

want to achieve in life.

:

01:10:06,575 --> 01:10:09,945

And this was like the first time I

had to sit and be like, what, what

:

01:10:09,975 --> 01:10:12,495

am I able to accept in my life?

:

01:10:12,645 --> 01:10:13,695

And still.

:

01:10:14,092 --> 01:10:17,572

Love myself and be pleased

with the life that I live.

:

01:10:18,262 --> 01:10:20,122

Like, because there's.

:

01:10:20,842 --> 01:10:24,352

There's all these expectations

and conversation and ideas of.

:

01:10:25,222 --> 01:10:26,782

You have to achieve

something with your life.

:

01:10:27,092 --> 01:10:27,482

, which.

:

01:10:28,502 --> 01:10:31,792

I feel like a very,

, capitalistic, , American mentality.

:

01:10:31,942 --> 01:10:32,092

Yeah.

:

01:10:32,192 --> 01:10:36,022

, but , you still have to like sort

through that and process it and, , You

:

01:10:36,022 --> 01:10:40,402

know, I had the opportunity to like, get

to sit there and be like, is long as.

:

01:10:40,515 --> 01:10:42,465

I get to be the genuine.

:

01:10:42,488 --> 01:10:43,208

Good human.

:

01:10:43,252 --> 01:10:45,322

I have always known myself to be.

:

01:10:46,122 --> 01:10:47,442

And can stay true to that.

:

01:10:47,512 --> 01:10:49,402

I can take whatever life throws at me.

:

01:10:49,882 --> 01:10:51,292

And be content with the life I have.

:

01:10:51,892 --> 01:10:55,892

And that was such a transformative,

, Period of getting to sort through that.

:

01:10:57,002 --> 01:10:59,342

I think that's so beautiful and.

:

01:11:00,242 --> 01:11:02,582

I shared on an earlier episode,

our second episode, actually,

:

01:11:02,582 --> 01:11:05,312

the story of me getting fired.

:

01:11:06,242 --> 01:11:07,112

There were no layoffs.

:

01:11:07,112 --> 01:11:07,802

It was just me.

:

01:11:08,232 --> 01:11:09,312

, but that was.

:

01:11:10,122 --> 01:11:15,162

The platform that I created all of

this on and had I not had that moment.

:

01:11:15,162 --> 01:11:20,202

And the vacuum that it created

for me to think and to focus and

:

01:11:20,202 --> 01:11:23,562

to, to really get clear on, like

you said, What are my values?

:

01:11:23,562 --> 01:11:24,252

What's important for me.

:

01:11:24,252 --> 01:11:25,032

What do I say in the four?

:

01:11:25,392 --> 01:11:28,422

What does happiness and

contentment look like for me and

:

01:11:28,422 --> 01:11:30,282

only for me, because we're all.

:

01:11:30,882 --> 01:11:33,072

We're always bombarded with that.

:

01:11:33,132 --> 01:11:34,122

You should be doing this.

:

01:11:34,122 --> 01:11:35,562

This is what success looks like.

:

01:11:35,872 --> 01:11:37,762

And it's like, are these my ideas?

:

01:11:37,762 --> 01:11:39,052

Is this what I want for me?

:

01:11:39,082 --> 01:11:43,492

Or is it just something that I forever

have been told I'm supposed to want?

:

01:11:43,702 --> 01:11:48,202

And I think it's really in that

quiet, you get a lot of clarity and

:

01:11:48,202 --> 01:11:49,912

a lot of people keep themselves.

:

01:11:50,872 --> 01:11:51,442

Busy.

:

01:11:51,922 --> 01:11:54,052

Mentally physically all of it.

:

01:11:54,112 --> 01:11:55,882

And they don't let that come in.

:

01:11:55,912 --> 01:11:56,092

Yeah.

:

01:11:56,332 --> 01:11:59,482

And I think that, you know, I'm

sorry you got laid off, but I

:

01:11:59,482 --> 01:12:01,372

think that it's really beautiful.

:

01:12:01,372 --> 01:12:02,362

What you've done with it.

:

01:12:03,232 --> 01:12:04,132

And that wouldn't have happened.

:

01:12:04,162 --> 01:12:06,502

You know, you're going to get me

started into like a whole nother

:

01:12:06,502 --> 01:12:07,612

hour and a half conversation.

:

01:12:07,822 --> 01:12:10,132

Just like finding your purpose in life.

:

01:12:12,292 --> 01:12:16,402

And these are the types of conversations

that, I mean, I have clients come in and

:

01:12:16,402 --> 01:12:20,032

it's so satisfying, but I literally had a

lady come in the other day and she opened

:

01:12:20,032 --> 01:12:21,982

up the notes app on her phone and she had.

:

01:12:22,672 --> 01:12:25,072

Comments and just stories and

things that she had listened

:

01:12:25,102 --> 01:12:26,512

to on our podcast episodes.

:

01:12:26,512 --> 01:12:28,942

And she was like, this

really resonated with me.

:

01:12:28,942 --> 01:12:30,892

Like thank you for

sharing that story or dah.

:

01:12:31,492 --> 01:12:33,292

and I'm like, Wow.

:

01:12:33,532 --> 01:12:39,892

That's fucking amazing and it wouldn't

happen if people like you and I weren't

:

01:12:39,982 --> 01:12:42,922

brave enough to sit down and just

have authentic, honest conversations.

:

01:12:42,982 --> 01:12:45,532

And before doing that, you have

to be honest with yourself.

:

01:12:45,982 --> 01:12:46,282

Right.

:

01:12:46,702 --> 01:12:47,422

That's so beautiful.

:

01:12:47,572 --> 01:12:48,262

That's so beautiful.

:

01:12:49,912 --> 01:12:51,262

Oh man.

:

01:12:51,352 --> 01:12:54,592

It just connects into like right now,

like, especially in my personal it's.

:

01:12:54,892 --> 01:12:57,592

This is probably the connection

between my personal life and the page.

:

01:12:57,692 --> 01:12:58,652

, his community.

:

01:12:58,862 --> 01:12:59,132

Yeah.

:

01:12:59,202 --> 01:13:04,512

And everything you're sharing is such,

such a so important to community.

:

01:13:04,752 --> 01:13:07,032

, Because the more authentic

people can show up.

:

01:13:07,512 --> 01:13:11,172

Within their community, the healthier the

community will be the more engaged the

:

01:13:11,172 --> 01:13:13,122

community is, , you know, the healthier.

:

01:13:13,572 --> 01:13:15,312

The greater community's going to be.

:

01:13:15,312 --> 01:13:18,762

So absolutely so many different

aspects of all of this.

:

01:13:18,852 --> 01:13:21,512

And, , you know, that's, that's just

a big passion of mine right now.

:

01:13:21,512 --> 01:13:24,392

I think the change we want to see in

the world happens through community.

:

01:13:24,722 --> 01:13:27,592

And so, , that's kind of where

my mind is just constantly

:

01:13:27,592 --> 01:13:28,992

revolving around, , right now.

:

01:13:29,382 --> 01:13:29,712

And.

:

01:13:29,952 --> 01:13:31,872

I love hearing that people.

:

01:13:32,322 --> 01:13:35,772

Like find you as part of their

community is really beautiful

:

01:13:35,832 --> 01:13:37,182

and you know, I've always.

:

01:13:37,327 --> 01:13:40,208

I've always known of like the

joke, how hairdressers are,

:

01:13:40,238 --> 01:13:42,378

, like, , unlicensed therapists.

:

01:13:42,827 --> 01:13:43,338

Yes.

:

01:13:44,178 --> 01:13:47,058

You know, it's on surprising

that people come and trust you.

:

01:13:47,418 --> 01:13:49,548

With our stories and their

interests and things like that.

:

01:13:49,758 --> 01:13:51,528

Um, and I wish.

:

01:13:52,248 --> 01:13:57,348

We had more human spaces that

people could feel and connect like

:

01:13:57,348 --> 01:13:58,908

that and build their community.

:

01:13:59,268 --> 01:14:01,248

That's such a beautiful sentiment and.

:

01:14:01,818 --> 01:14:03,138

I think on that actually.

:

01:14:03,618 --> 01:14:06,378

As I could have this conversation go

on forever, but I think that that's

:

01:14:06,378 --> 01:14:09,228

something that I would like our

listeners to take with them, into

:

01:14:09,228 --> 01:14:11,418

their conversations for Thanksgiving.

:

01:14:11,698 --> 01:14:13,827

, to bring it back to when this

episode's going to air, I was

:

01:14:13,827 --> 01:14:16,678

just having a conversation with a

good friend of mine about therapy,

:

01:14:16,678 --> 01:14:18,388

which I'm a big advocate for.

:

01:14:18,508 --> 01:14:23,008

, and, , how, , Going home for the holidays

is like the therapy Olympics, because

:

01:14:23,068 --> 01:14:27,028

all of your old labels and triggers.

:

01:14:27,898 --> 01:14:28,348

Right.

:

01:14:28,408 --> 01:14:29,577

Like it's hardcore.

:

01:14:29,577 --> 01:14:30,748

And I know people are listening to this.

:

01:14:30,748 --> 01:14:31,018

Who are we?

:

01:14:31,558 --> 01:14:33,268

Y conversation about this.

:

01:14:33,898 --> 01:14:34,678

You have to come back.

:

01:14:34,678 --> 01:14:35,518

We have to have more time.

:

01:14:35,788 --> 01:14:41,098

Just let me know, but yeah, but I think

if, if, if you're listening, I would

:

01:14:41,098 --> 01:14:45,048

like to invite you to, , whatever you're

doing on Thursday for Thanksgiving.

:

01:14:45,378 --> 01:14:49,428

, show up authentically or whatever

version of authentic works for

:

01:14:49,428 --> 01:14:50,928

you and your family dynamic.

:

01:14:50,958 --> 01:14:54,708

Because I think that making that choice

to do things even just a little bit

:

01:14:54,708 --> 01:14:59,118

differently, The ripple effect that

that will have on your whole family is.

:

01:14:59,628 --> 01:15:00,228

Tangible.

:

01:15:00,438 --> 01:15:00,648

Yeah.

:

01:15:01,158 --> 01:15:01,368

Yeah.

:

01:15:01,398 --> 01:15:04,128

And I think that's something

that I'm super thankful.

:

01:15:04,128 --> 01:15:07,638

I'm really close with all my family

members, , despite, you know,

:

01:15:08,058 --> 01:15:09,318

Quite quite a lot of differences.

:

01:15:09,418 --> 01:15:12,808

, but everyone feels like they

can show up authentically.

:

01:15:12,898 --> 01:15:14,668

That's beautiful and

not everyone has that.

:

01:15:14,698 --> 01:15:15,028

Yeah.

:

01:15:15,148 --> 01:15:15,718

And.

:

01:15:16,348 --> 01:15:20,008

So far it's, it's not had

any negative reactions.

:

01:15:20,608 --> 01:15:22,948

Our two grand of negative reactions.

:

01:15:22,978 --> 01:15:23,398

So.

:

01:15:23,758 --> 01:15:27,418

I'm thankful for that, but, you know,

A lot of that, sometimes it just

:

01:15:27,448 --> 01:15:28,738

starts with one person, like, so.

:

01:15:29,158 --> 01:15:30,868

People are sitting there inside their box.

:

01:15:30,898 --> 01:15:34,168

Like, so timid of like, well, I don't

want to do this because like this

:

01:15:34,168 --> 01:15:35,428

isn't how they know me or whatever.

:

01:15:35,518 --> 01:15:35,848

Yes.

:

01:15:36,568 --> 01:15:40,708

Yeah, I know there's, there's, there's

higher consequences of when you're not

:

01:15:40,708 --> 01:15:42,508

accepted for being, , authentic, but.

:

01:15:43,018 --> 01:15:47,608

, you owe it to yourself to be as

authentic as you can safely do.

:

01:15:47,782 --> 01:15:48,952

I completely agree with that.

:

01:15:49,792 --> 01:15:52,582

Okay, Blake, on that note,

let's drop the social media.

:

01:15:52,882 --> 01:15:54,562

Tell everybody where they

can find your content.

:

01:15:55,042 --> 01:15:55,342

Okay.

:

01:15:55,372 --> 01:16:00,492

Well, all the Atlanta things,, are

at it's our Atlanta there is it S

:

01:16:00,582 --> 01:16:04,242

before that, so I T S O U R Atlanta.

:

01:16:04,802 --> 01:16:07,952

, and if you care, I have a personal page.

:

01:16:07,982 --> 01:16:08,852

It's mostly just.

:

01:16:09,512 --> 01:16:14,082

Me and my hobby of photography

and, , Me ranting about the things

:

01:16:14,082 --> 01:16:18,362

on my stories, but that's Blake

Scholtz, , on Instagram, it is.

:

01:16:18,932 --> 01:16:22,352

B L a K E S C H L T Z.

:

01:16:22,622 --> 01:16:25,232

There's no U on my, uh, Personal.

:

01:16:25,502 --> 01:16:25,892

Handle.

:

01:16:28,232 --> 01:16:29,612

I was going to make a joke,

but I'm not going to make too.

:

01:16:30,902 --> 01:16:31,862

I mean, I kind of set it up.

:

01:16:31,892 --> 01:16:33,092

This is where I could make a joke.

:

01:16:33,092 --> 01:16:33,902

If I wanted to there.

:

01:16:34,682 --> 01:16:36,002

We'll both not do it.

:

01:16:37,922 --> 01:16:38,462

The audience.

:

01:16:38,522 --> 01:16:41,432

He is either like easily filling

this in or just being like

:

01:16:41,462 --> 01:16:42,632

one of you, please say it.

:

01:16:43,712 --> 01:16:44,462

We're not going to say it.

:

01:16:44,612 --> 01:16:44,882

Okay.

:

01:16:45,092 --> 01:16:45,602

More fun.

:

01:16:46,292 --> 01:16:46,562

Yeah.

:

01:16:46,682 --> 01:16:47,282

Look, I'm guessing.

:

01:16:47,762 --> 01:16:50,912

, okay Blake, thank you so

much for your time tonight.

:

01:16:50,912 --> 01:16:53,792

I truly, this is been a delightful

conversation and I think that people

:

01:16:53,822 --> 01:16:55,022

are going to get a lot out of it.

:

01:16:55,022 --> 01:16:59,552

And I'm just so glad to know you

honestly, this is just inspiring

:

01:16:59,552 --> 01:17:01,442

and wonderful and exactly why.

:

01:17:02,462 --> 01:17:03,572

I started this project.

:

01:17:03,602 --> 01:17:05,582

So I so appreciate your time.

:

01:17:06,002 --> 01:17:07,232

And if you're listening.

:

01:17:07,232 --> 01:17:08,342

Give Blake a follow.

:

01:17:08,432 --> 01:17:11,912

If you don't already follow us from

the reminder fun things, go down on our

:

01:17:11,912 --> 01:17:15,602

Instagram and it's at Clover club pod.

:

01:17:15,662 --> 01:17:19,862

And as always listeners get 10%

off@hawkinsandclover.com with promo

:

01:17:19,892 --> 01:17:22,202

code at Clover club, all caps.

:

01:17:22,592 --> 01:17:25,412

And we will hear you next week.

:

01:17:25,502 --> 01:17:26,942

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

:

01:17:27,152 --> 01:17:27,422

Thank you.

:

01:17:27,422 --> 01:17:27,722

Like.

:

01:17:28,772 --> 01:17:29,642

You are welcome.

:

01:17:29,702 --> 01:17:32,222

Thank you for having me and remember.

:

01:17:32,912 --> 01:17:36,032

I have to be the most listened to podcast.

:

01:17:36,212 --> 01:17:36,602

So.

:

01:17:37,142 --> 01:17:39,482

Share this link.

:

01:17:40,052 --> 01:17:41,642

I love a competition.

:

01:17:42,362 --> 01:17:43,652

I am so competitive.

:

01:17:44,852 --> 01:17:46,232

We should go play air hockey.

:

01:17:47,172 --> 01:17:48,372

It's on everybody.

:

01:17:48,372 --> 01:17:49,062

Thank you for listening.

:

01:17:49,092 --> 01:17:49,602

We'll see you later.

:

01:17:49,602 --> 01:17:49,932

Goodbye.

:

01:17:52,212 --> 01:17:52,872

Do you like your hockey?

:

01:17:52,872 --> 01:17:53,442

As much as I do.

:

01:17:54,582 --> 01:17:55,572

I don't care what it is.

:

01:17:55,572 --> 01:17:57,162

I'm going to be competitive.

:

01:17:57,282 --> 01:17:57,822

I don't care what it is.

:

01:17:57,852 --> 01:17:58,422

I'm going to win

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