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
Welcome to Clover club, everybody.
2
:This is your host, Erica.
3
:And, I have a quick announcement
before we start today's episode.
4
:Last episode was our producer
Kelly's last episode.
5
:So we want to thank her for her creative
input on the Clover club, adventure and
6
:wish her well on her future endeavors.
7
:, and so,
8
:.
Thank you, Kelly..
9
:Okay I'm super excited
about today's episode.
10
:I am sitting at the taco
bell table right now with my
11
:delightful friend, Blake Schultz.
12
:The creator of it's our Atlanta.
13
:And hi.
14
:Hello.
15
:How are you?
16
:I'm so wonderful.
17
:Blake, how are you doing great on this?
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:Oh, I can't remember what day it is.
19
:You know, I think both of us
have had those last two weeks.
20
:So, , that is accurate.
21
:That is a completely accurate.
22
:So Blake, there are so many things
that I'm excited to talk about
23
:with you on this episode and to
share with all of our listeners.
24
:But I thought that we could kick things
off with a story that really bonded us.
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:Yes.
26
:So.
27
:Blake.
28
:And I were hanging out recently and
I told Blake a story that took place
29
:in an area that he's familiar with.
30
:And if you've lived in Atlanta for a
long time, you may know this story.
31
:, So Blake, I want to tell the story just
again, like I'm telling it to you and then
32
:I want to wait for the end, for the part
where you added like a very important.
33
:, Yes details.
34
:Yes.
35
:Okay.
36
:So.
37
:Years and years and years ago, I worked
at a salon, , in Midtown and, , Something
38
:crazy happened across the street.
39
:And I heard about this crazy story
from two people who lived at the
40
:place that it happened, who heard
it from the maintenance person at
41
:the building that this happened at.
42
:So.
43
:Reliable sources.
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:Reliable, super reliable sources.
45
:, alright.
46
:There were two gay men who were a couple.
47
:Who lived in an apartment.
48
:And in this apartment, they filmed porns
lots and lots and lots and lots of.
49
:Importance.
50
:The way you're making it.
51
:Polaro porn.
52
:, I just need to like emphasize that
there's like a lot of sex that happened
53
: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.
55
:And then the other partner gets
diagnosed with HIV and he's like, fuck.
56
:So they're like, We've been
having unprotected sex with.
57
:Tons of people in all of these porns.
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:, How many people could we have
infected, like holy shit.
59
:We can't live with ourselves.
60
: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.
75
:, 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.
78
:I mean, other than my face
has been in pure shock.
79
:Again, laughing through the
entire telling of the story.
80
:So it is a horrific story, but it is
also, well, I mean, I'll let the listener
81
:decide, but you're you're correct.
82
: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.
89
: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.
93
:They go back to their apartment and they
write a letter to their property manager.
94
:And that they say, Hey, like we
are going to take our own lives.
95
:You're going to want to call 9 1 1.
96
:Send up a cleanup crew and
they drop it in the mail slot.
97
:And, , they go upstairs.
98
:And I don't know this part.
99
:But I would like to think they
hopefully at least have like a drink.
100
: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.
107
:Yes.
108
:So they turn on the circular saw
and one of the gentleman's saws
109
:off the arm of the other partner.
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:And then that partner.
111
:So I was off the arm of the other partner
and then that partner saws off the arm.
112
:His last arm of that partner.
113
:And then they're like, fuck, we've got
an extra arm and we can't sell it off
114
:because I'm armless somewhere in there.
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:They also did the legs
before getting into the arms.
116
:I believe.
117
:I thought it was, I
thought it was three limbs.
118
:Yeah.
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:Three arms.
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:Okay.
121
: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.
127
:Okay.
128
:Okay.
129
:So we've got three arms on
the floor, lots of blood.
130
:We've got a remaining arm and a poor plan.
131
:And these dudes presumably.
132
:Collapsed from blood loss.
133
:Their apartment fills us blood.
134
: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.
139
:And just , check on this.
140
:I'm sure it's nothing.
141
:So the guy goes up and
he knocks on the door.
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:No response.
143
:He knocks on the door, no response.
144
:He knocks on the door.
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:I am entering no response.
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:He opens the door.
147
: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.
154
:So he's like, oh shit, this is legit.
155
:So they call nine 11 of course, and a.
156
:The way I told the story to Blake was.
157
:These dudes are dead.
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:There's blood everywhere.
159
: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.
168
: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.
180
:Um, so why did you just.
181
:I was just, I wanted to people
to know what the insulation
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:setting up the blood sounded like.
183
: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.
196
:But Fox news still had an article
up, so I'm not my typical.
197
:New source, but, , same.
198
:Yeah.
199
:They were alive.
200
:Oh, my God.
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:I don't know what time they decided,
you know, if neighbor, you know, did
202
:they do it rolling off the neighbors?
203
:Didn't get mad about a
saw going off, who knows?
204
: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.
210
:So, yes.
211
:So Blake, you sent me a link to
this article where yes, these men
212
:are alive and they were rushed to
Grady and they were somehow saved.
213
:And then also spent some
time at the psychiatric ward.
214
:Yeah.
215
:Came checked out, getting checked out.
216
:But now they're just alive and armless.
217
:I have not out in the world.
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:You know, I should have gone in dug
through Reddit or whatever sources.
219
:And you do that.
220
: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.
223
: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
226
:together, but you know, Or if, you
know, here we are, 14 years later.
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:10 years later.
228
:We're still alive.
229
:You know, one of these guys
just walking around with like,
230
:Um, people being stared at with no idea
what crazy story a is connected to it.
231
:, 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.
237
:Oh my God.
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:Bleak.
239
:Yes, I give homework
assignments starting now.
240
:So if you're listening and you are
also captivated and amused by this
241
:wild story, you should Google it.
242
:Let us know.
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:At us.
244
: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.
250
:I'm a collaborator is the thing.
251
:And so who am I to take over
all of the research, right?
252
:That would just be so completely.
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:'cause I'm sure with, yeah.
254
:I mean, God, we're givers.
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:Such givers.
256
:Okay.
257
:Well, why she gets her breath back?
258
:Yeah.
259
:What other topics were you going to ask
me if I'm just getting actually what's
260
:going through my mind right now is just,
you know, when I get to share this.
261
: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?
271
:So for some context, I grew up
in a very conservative home, both
272
:religiously and politically, , politics
doesn't matter, quite as much here.
273
:But, , I went through this phase.
274
:Not that I've really outgrown it
where I'm still connected with
275
: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.
283
:We get underneath some people's skin.
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:, and yeah.
285
:, 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.
288
:Okay.
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:, despite her still like wishing happy
birthday to like my high school
290
:girlfriends and stuff on Facebook.
291
:I'm like, oh, okay.
292
:Cool.
293
:Cool.
294
:Cool.
295
:I haven't talked to.
296
:The old high school girlfriend
and however many years, and
297
:you're wishing her happy birthday.
298
:So don't bring her up, but like not
go even like engage with my non,
299
:, investigative social media posts.
300
:And yes, I am 29 and still on Facebook.
301
:Okay.
302
:Are you regularly on Facebook?
303
:Or just when you get like a
notification, mostly when I get
304
:notifications, , that's allowed also
kind of drives me crazy and this may
305
:be a good segue, but there are a few.
306
:Atlanta, uh, account.
307
:That their only social media
presence is on Facebook.
308
:That's wild and they have
a much older audience.
309
:And so.
310
:Getting into more of a, you know,
my page and stuff like that.
311
:I'm like, okay.
312
:I need to, , get this in
front of some of these people.
313
:So I'm on Facebook far more
than I would like to be.
314
:, but.
315
:I am there so well, we
won't judge you too much.
316
:It's okay.
317
:Well, Blake.
318
:Okay.
319
:So you have created this page.
320
:About Atlanta.
321
:When did you start this?
322
:Uh, End of June early July.
323
:So it's, it's only a few months old.
324
:Okay.
325
:Tell me, what did, what
was the impetus for this?
326
:, well, it's a few things.
327
:My background is marketing.
328
:So marketing storytelling.
329
:, convincing people of ideas and
instigating them to action.
330
:, those are all things that
are always going in my mind.
331
:Hello.
332
:That is the, uh, you know, my
vantage point on a lot of life.
333
:And so.
334
:I've had ideas boiling of
like, how do I get people more
335
:involved or more interested in
what's happening in the city?
336
:Just in Atlanta alone, there's so
many history accounts and, , you
337
:know, Yeah, just a lot of accounts
with really important information,
338
:but I'm like looking at him like,
okay, you got like 15 likes.
339
:Yeah.
340
:Oh, my gosh.
341
:And it's like, but then, you know,
you're on Tik TOK and somebody.
342
:Is sharing very similar information,
but they have changed the
343
:format of what they're telling
and how they're telling it.
344
:And all of a sudden.
345
:You know, throw over here with 40,000
views or, you know, Just some little
346
:viral video and I'm like, okay.
347
:There's a middle ground here.
348
:So me as a storyteller, how can I make
this connection of getting more of this
349
:information in front of the audience and
the people that need to know about it?
350
:, Wow.
351
:Like, yeah, just being that
middle, that middle ground.
352
:, So.
353
:That was where my thoughts began.
354
:And I was like, okay, well, I think.
355
:I like history enough.
356
:I like urban planning.
357
:I like urban ism.
358
:Accessibility, transportation, all
of these things that in my mind,
359
:all contribute to great cities.
360
:Yeah.
361
:, and I was like, I'm going to start
finding ways to tell stories that.
362
:Takes this information.
363
:And bundles it up in a way that people
not only are going to listen, but
364
:they're going to share, they're going
to engage in, it's gonna, , instigate.
365
:I'm gonna just keep using that word today.
366
:, them to action or deeper thought.
367
:, which is really cool.
368
:I, uh, there was a journalist
who, , he was actually the
369
:one that was like, Go do this.
370
:, We chatted.
371
:I don't know, a month and a half later,
my page had been up for three weeks,
372
:four weeks or something like that.
373
:And he was like, I've got a compliment.
374
:You.
375
:There's random.
376
:Alfreda dad.
377
:Came up to me, just so excited telling
me about, I forget what it was and you
378
:know, something about transportation.
379
:He was like, you've got
to fold this account.
380
:You wouldn't like, this is so
crazy that this happened, or like,
381
:you know, That Atlanta used to
have 200 miles of street cars.
382
:You know, whatever the story was,
it was something related to that.
383
:, and he was like, it was your page.
384
:And this guy has never once, like,
even though we've been friends and
385
:this is something that I talk about
as journalists all the time, he has
386
:never once shown any interest in this.
387
:And all of a sudden now he's like,
Astatic about telling me this information
388
:all because he saw one of your videos
and he's wanting me to make sure I
389
:followed it, you know, your account.
390
:And I was like, okay.
391
:Wow, I'm doing what I need to do because
I'm telling the stories that people
392
:are able to listen to engage with.
393
:, I try to tell it in ways
that set really strong hooks.
394
:, so I, I rely very heavily on my story
structuring, , far more than just, , you
395
:know, here's the correct information.
396
:And that's been one of the hard things.
397
:, you know, I've had organizations
that have wanted to work
398
:with me and things like that.
399
:And.
400
:I mean, this goes back to a lot
of the marketing consulting.
401
:I do.
402
:A lot of times you were like,
oh, this information, we
403
:need all of this packed in.
404
:I'm like you have 90 seconds
to keep somebody's attention.
405
:Yeah.
406
:I need your top two priorities
of this information and alone.
407
:I have to, you know, find
the whole, the story.
408
:I can catch people in.
409
:So a little bit of a tangent there,
but it doesn't, that is, , the, what
410
:kind of got me into the page and it's
all stuff that's super important to me.
411
:And it's all, I'm just out
here trying to educate people.
412
:Uh, I like to say.
413
:That my page talks about where Atlanta
was, where it is now and where it can go.
414
:, and so telling stories
about where it's been.
415
:Well, I am extremely inspired and
interested in everything that you share.
416
:And I think a lot of people that
set out on a venture, like what
417
:you just described, also share that
intention of I'm going to do it right.
418
:And I'm going to grow it like this.
419
:And I can use myself as a good example.
420
:I.
421
:I think I'm a wonderful storyteller.
422
:I love telling stories and people
like listening to my stories
423
:and I do that on this podcast.
424
:And we have like a hundred
followers, I'm really bad at
425
:translating that to social media.
426
:And so it's really impressive that
not only did you set out to do that,
427
:but I think Blake, you have what,
like 15,000 followers on Instagram.
428
:Yeah, I just passed
that a week or two ago.
429
:Seen for an account you just started.
430
:Yeah.
431
:Like, this is wild.
432
:Yeah.
433
:It's super cool.
434
:Some of it, you know, I think
it's all a little bit of luck.
435
:Some of it I think is, well, again, going
back to the storytelling, I think that's
436
:a hard part is especially social media
is so often, you have to have something
437
:that almost has like a shock value to it.
438
:Sometimes.
439
:Arm's getting cut off.
440
:Right.
441
:Watch this episode be
your most watched episode.
442
:Oh, my God.
443
:Petition.
444
:Actually there's.
445
: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