Berner Phone - Fran Mariano: Celebrity Encounters & Career Conundrums

Episode Date: July 16, 2021

Fran is the sweet and smiley chick in the office at Barstool who surprisingly thrived in hell! She opened up about her darkest moments in her early 20's and how she found her dream job. She talks about her wild celebrity encounters and spills about her love life. Enjoy little devils! GET TICKETS TO MY COMEDY TOUR: https://www.hannahberner.com/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/appSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/berninginhell/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine turning over and being like, oh my God, I really want a chip witch right now. And then being like, babe, that's definitely a bad idea. And you're just like, fuck off. Like, I want a chip witch. Sorry. Welcome to Burning Hell. What is up, guys? We're in a hot, boiling lava hell today with.

no one other than half of chicks in the office and the group chat on Snapchat and co-hosts of the dime package she's obsessed with all things pop culture Disney reality TV she's Fran Mariano from Barstool let's fucking go welcome Fran how are you I'm pumped thank you for having me Hannah quick question yes what was the decision to go by Fran rather than Francesca oh I can call my mom right now. No, so I really didn't have a choice. Francesca's been too long.

I really tried to make Francesca my name, like, all the way to high school. My mom hates Fran, despises it. She's like, I named you Francesca. Yeah. So I made it up until, like, sophomore year of high school, until all my friends were like... Too many syllables. Yeah.

I became Fran, Franny. Like, it just, it was out the door. gone. When I came to Barcelona, everybody also has shortened names. Yeah. You know, like, nobody goes by, like, some big name. I could not come in here and be like, no, you all have to call me, Francesca.

Like, they'd be like, all right, like, what? Like, everybody has some kind of nickname. I mean, even Ria has a nickname, and her name's Maria. It's not exactly like it's, you know? Tom is just T. Yeah, yeah. We're like, it's just, it's just had to be shortened.

I try and, like, keep Francesca on some of my social stuff like on Instagram I I have it as Francesca I just feel like Francesca and Fran are two different people completely probably don't even get along completely that's like my friend my family is like your franchise like my family jokes because they're like you're there's Francesca and then there's like Barstool Fran talk shit on podcast and then Francesca is a respected daughter and you know yes we don't know anything else about francesca she's pretty mysterious but so mysterious i want to backtrack with you a little bit did you want to be like an entertainer yes it's like since i was

little when i first started like really watching football with my dad which i've been doing my whole life and I would see these women on TV, sideline reporters, and I was like, holy shit, that looks like the best job ever. Specifically, Aaron Andrews. I always say, like, I wanted to be Aaron Andrews when I was little. She was so epic. And then on top of that, then she started hosting Dancing with the Stars. And I was like, this is my dream.

Fox NFL Sundays into Dancing with the Stars. I'm like, that's all my favorite things. So I was like, that's exactly, exactly what I'm. want to do. Yeah, it's cool that someone is showing you like dreams do come true. Like you can do fucking anything. And also there's something about Aaron Andrews, how she's in this male dominated space and is just full of so much grace and confidence and like, like, I feel like everyone wants to fuck her, but like her mind too because she's just like, like amazing in every way. Yeah. She has like a line of women's, um, fan apparel for like sports, for sports fans. And it's so, so cute.

And I had bought some of it and was wearing it and tagged their accounts. And she, like, responded to me on Instagram. I cried. Like, I literally cried. And then she, and then they sent me like a, you know, they sent me like a package of like, oh, we saw you post. Like, here's some more stuff. And I was like, I've died and gone to heaven.

I was like, this is the greatest thing ever. So you guys in the years you've been at bar still, I feel like have met every single celebrity. Like, for real, have come through your door. There's been a lot, yeah. Like, I even remember the first time I went to bars, little people were like, oh, you can't go upstairs. Dennis Rodman's there. And I was like, what the fuck is going on?

I was working at benches at the time. I was like, well, Dennis Rodman, which is probably an amazing interview. But are you starstruck with anyone else besides Aaron Andrews? I get starstruck all the time. But I think that's just because I'm such a fan girl at heart. Like, I've just always been such a fan girl that I can't really, like, shed that that persona. I try and play it cool. Yeah. And I think I, I think I keep my cool within the interviews and whatnot. And then I freak out. Like, I have had some moments here where I have

one thought, like, I can't even have this person on my show. Like, Rupert Grint was here one time. Ron Weasley. Ron Weasley himself. I'm an absolute Harry Potter freak. And he went on Lights Camera Barstle, which is our movie podcast here. And I, like, I went to our tell. And was like, oh, my God, Rupert Grant. And then she was like, would you want him? And I was like, I don't think so. Like, I, like, I, I don't really know if I'd be able to talk to. He shouldn't be allowed in my vicinity.

And then I would feel bad because all I would want to do is talk about Harry Potter and this poor guy's like trying to promote his Apple TV show. And I'm just like, he's like, look, I've been pigeonholed. And I'm just trying to have a longer career. So instead, like, instead I just went the full fan girl route and was like, I'm not going to go the professional route. I'm going the fan girl route. I knew what time he was coming in for the interview.

I have a Ron Weasley Christmas sweater from Harry Potter World. Like the orange one with the R from the first movie that they get on Christmas. Yeah. I have that. I wore it to work. I, like, after his interview, I like went up. I was like, oh, my God. I love Harry Potter.

You're like, I stood behind him and just smelled his hair. Yeah, it was just, like, I was like, I'm sorry for going full fan girl, but I'm just going to go this route instead of, like, being like, oh, hello. Like, please come in my show. I would love to speak to you like I just I went full you also you don't just meet celebrities like you full on spend like at least 30 minutes sitting with them and like feeling their aura are a lot of the celebs like how you imagine them most of them most of them are you know what sucks is like I really miss feeling celebrities oras like we haven't gotten to do that in a while yeah true you know

and now that you bring it up I'm like fuck I really miss like having people in here it's not the same over It's really, it's really, really not. And I, like, I always go back to the Jones brothers and I'm sure, like, everybody who listens to Chicks in the office knows that, like, I've talked about this nine million times. But that was like an alternate universe. Like, I pretended like I wasn't even myself. Like, I went back to the hotel and was like, that just happened. I'm a very emotional, could not deal with it. But then there's people that I would. wish we had in real life that I like would have geeked over like Sophia Bush came on our show a couple weeks ago. And she is just like everything I dream she would be as someone who's like watched one tree hill like 9,000 times. Yeah. So sweet. So soothing. Like literally the nicest human. The most charitable person I feel like. He is like not only that but she's very, you know, vocal about her beliefs and like she puts her thoughts out there and she doesn't shy away from like telling people how she feels and getting political and whatever people hate that but i respect that

and she um she then also afterwards sent us like the nicest note for us having her on our show handwritten like by her she sent us she sent us a diffuser no like we get it sophia you're a fucking angel why do we were like everyone look bad around you oh my god well burning in hell stem from like when I worked at betches I was interviewing a like a decent amount of people who I like looked up to and I want to know from your perspective honestly Teresa Juadici still to this day one of my favorite clips every time you posted I'd pee my pants laughing every time I was you're Italian right yes I was being a cocky Italian I was like I'll pronounce this shit and I hadn't really watched real house so I was interesting but then people afterwards told

me that like she pronounces it in different ways but the funniest thing was her reaction when she goes what you say yeah i her reaction is the best because she she thought to talk and then she was like i got to say something about what she just said like she was like about to be like hey how are you and that was like wait i'm sorry what did you just call me i did the same thing with luan too who i love but i was like luan and then i was like fuck i don't know how to do this and i was like de lesseps and she was like deliseps yeah and then you're just awkward the right the interview. But I want to know from you, do you overall think these celebrities are happier than the average person in accounting? I think the ones that are super famous but have somehow

been able to like stay fairly private? 100%. Like I would die in the hill that like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have a picture of perfect life. Don't tell me that they don't. I know that they do. They go to their fucking farm wherever it is in New York. And they got their apartments in the city and whatever they do. And they go back and forth and they have these beautiful children. And the only press they get is like cute little tweets when they're making fun of each other, which is adorable.

Exactly. Like they don't have any bad stories out about them. Like you said, you read any E-News headline about them. It's like Ryan Reynolds teases Blake Lively on her birthday. like it's like it's so fucking wholesome yes so wholesome i that they have a happy life and 10 times happier than the schmuck who's working in accounting it's just it's true okay let's not shit we need our taxes done right this this year oh please please i can't yes absolutely i also want to know from you though did you really want to be a sports broadcaster

When did it shift? It's not necessarily that it shifted. It's just that football was like my first love. And then as I got older, I was like, wait, I'm just like, just this, like, teen girl, boy, crazy fan girl, Justin Bieber, John's Brothers, One Direction. Like, I loved it all. So that really blew up and just like my love for celebrities and gossip and whatnot. So, like, then it kind of shifted where I loved watching like Juliana Rancic. So I was like, okay, well, you know, sideline.

Like, I was like, I literally was like, if either one works, that would be great. Like, could be a sideline reporter for celebs. Yeah. Wait a second. Yeah, pretty much. I was like, wow, you can just stand on the red carpet and look glamorous and talk to celebrities. Like, I want to do that. But I feel like what's awesome about you is you, like, have real passion for shit.

Like, you like love shit. Like, even your description was like, I love Disney and pop culture and I just want to put my face in it. And like, you have. I always, for people ask me advice on podcasts, I'm always like, make sure it's something you want to talk about for like forever. Like it can't be something that you're just interested in for two weeks. Actually, I wanted to be a sports broadcaster. Because I was a tennis player at Wisconsin. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And that's where I learned how to edit videos. And I was like doing sports broadcasting. And then I fell into betches. But like sports broadcasting, again,

is this like male dominated space. Have you always felt comfortable putting yourself out there to be like a female in a world that isn't necessarily full of females um honestly not completely i think when i first got here i was really really nervous about it and um it took just kind of like getting to fully know the people around me and knowing that everybody was like yeah if you want to do that do that like there's no one should tell you you're you can't be talking about that or anything like that and then I think I just needed like a little bit of positive reinforcement because you always get the bullshit like, oh, what does she know about sports? Yeah.

Whatever. And I'll never forget we did our first like, it was when I first started working, we did, we were in a basketball league, like a New York fucking wreck basketball league. Yeah, like as like a bunch of the guys in the office. And I jumped on as like coach managers. that girl like top girl yeah like and um and just once everybody like within here and also online like realized i knew what the fuck i was talking about they were like oh wait shit she like she's good like she can she can figure this out because it's not necessarily what i was hired for in the

first place like i was just hired as a as an intern to help out and was like i really love philly sports and you can say that so in that moment i was like no watch i know what i'm doing and you'll all see and they did and then after that they were were like oh well friend can we can have friend do basketball stuff if you ever do once you prove yourself they're good but it's like everyone will have the assumption like that you just are saying i like philly sports because you like yeah i mean the assumption is the assumption is bullshit to begin with i hate that but if a guy came in here and was like oh yeah like i fucking love the celtics and like it's like okay like do you actually or are you just

saying that because you know everybody here's like from boston right yeah yeah yeah Yeah, but it's also like, if a guy comes in and he's like, yeah, love Bravo. I'd be like, oh, so who's your favorite underpump? So what's your favorite housewife and why? Yeah, yeah. So, I mean, everybody, that's like, that's just the world of everybody wanting to one up each other. But it's, it's, no, now, now I feel very comfortable doing it. I love putting it out there.

Like, everybody was laughing at me Monday night because I was live tweeting The Bachelorette and the Sixers game at the same time. And I was like, guys, huh? I'm going to pass out here. Like, I was doing cutting stems, our Bachelorette after show. There was two minutes left in the Sixers game. And I'm like, yeah, guys. So what do you think about what Aaron said? Oh, fuck.

Like, I'm like, God, fucking damn it. Like Kelly and Rio were like, pick one. You either can talk to us. We're live. Mm-hmm. Or you can, like, you know, watch the Sixers. Well, women are multifaceted, complex beings. And that's what I fucking love about you.

I can multitask my ass off. Everyone was like, damn, look at her. Girls were tweeting at me. We're tweeting at my basketball tweets being like, wait, I thought this was a basterette tweet and got really confused. You're like, and he slammed dunks. And it's like, he dunked on her? He's like, what?

It's like Ben Simmons is on the on the bachelorette. But I always say sports and reality TV are very close. I feel like sports is the best version of reality TV. And then, WWE is just straight up reality TV. I read, you went to Georgetown, which is a very esteemed college, and then you dropped out. Yeah. Well, I dropped out before, like, the barstool thing even happened. College for me was just, like, not great.

Explain. Yeah. So I, first of all, like, I am the oldest grandchild on both sides of my family. Oh, my God, same. So we're the favorite. The favorite, by far. Like, my grandpa's phone is just me in the background and that's it. Yep, by far.

So, like, I have, you know, there's 12 on one side, 10 on the other. Like, there's a lot of us. And so I was first to be applying to colleges, first to get in. Not only was I going to go to Georgetown, but my parents met at Georgetown. My grandpa graduated Georgetown in 1959. like your legacy yes yes francesca the legacy yep that's who that's who francesc that's who francesca is um 100% and so like what's funny is i because i always wanted to do the sports stuff i was like this is my junior year of high

school was like god like everybody always drove oh friend's gonna go to georgia obviously we all know is your parent everybody and i loved i loved the school i loved rooting for the sports teams I loved everything. But when I actually was like, do I, what like do I want to do in college? Like, what do I want to study? When I realized that was kind of like broadcaster sports or sports management, things like that, Georgetown doesn't have any of that. Like their closest communications thing is just like being an English major.

And so I think I just got like influenced by the outside world a little bit too much. I got into other schools with these great sports programs and was like, like how do I say no to Georgetown I end up going I'm in business school oh boy I'm just like on your way to being a finance bro yeah and and it was just kind of like the path that my mom took yep so I think that which is normal as a young kid that's all you know I think you know with I think I don't think she necessarily knew she was doing it but definitely influencing me in the way that like oh well you know what about business school and me being like I guess she knows better than you so i end up there for like a year and a half and it's basically just

one giant disaster i'm doing so poorly in school um i'm lying to my friends my family like nobody knows how bad it is because i was like so incredibly embarrassed and felt like i was like this biggest failure that i couldn't make this work and eventually it just like blew up in my face was it because you weren't like yeah why do you think you were doing badly I think I was doing badly because, one, I hated where I, I just, like, was not happy in my environment. Yeah. And I think I legitimately fell into, like, a little bit of a depression. And I don't know if it was, like, homesickness or a lot of it, too, I think was very social media influence.

Like, I was seeing all my friends from high school, having all this fun in college and being like, well, why am I not doing any of those things? And then I have this, I, and I've worked on. on it and I think I'm better at it now, but I have had this extreme fear of failure where like if I something started to go wrong, I just went into a ball. I don't know. I did not know how to be like, I need help. I'm not doing well. I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing. In my brain, I was like, what's wrong with you that you can't figure this out? And so I just like and then I just completely shut down I would just stay in my dorm room no one would talk to me I would sleep to like 5 p.m. I would be up all night like I just was like a shell so it's not like you

were partying and shit like you were just paralyzed by like it kind of sounds like you were putting a square peg into a round hole and you were like not on your right path oh no I was like how do I tell my parents this how do I like how am I like going to admit to my family that I just don't think I can do this and like how disappointed are they going to be and is it like I just always was I was always put up high by everyone and I was like I'm I'm not living up to what everybody thinks that I can be doing and it turned into just such a disaster and like I said like I went started going to counseling and like my counselor was like I think you have been like legit I think you've been depressed I think you need to leave school. I think this is not working for you. Oh, wow. So the counselor was not

like, hey, get back in there. You're going to be fine. They were like, you're bad. They were like, you're bad. And also like you're literally, you're, you can't continue staying here with the way you're like going about classes. You're clearly like a very intelligent person to even get into Georgetown. So it's not like you mentally couldn't keep up. It was your like mental health that was suffering. And it was just like I said a combination of all those things and then just like never really having to worry about school that much growing up is just something that was sort of natural. I would never really was like, oh, God, like, worry about grades. I was a good student. And I got there. I was like, holy fuck. Like, I am way in over my head. I don't know what I'm doing. I was in all the wrong

classes, doing all the wrong things. Like, it just was so bad. And all it took was like my first few like really bad grades for me to be like oh my god like this isn't gonna work i lose confidence yeah yeah and then and like i said that were all these things that like made me totally shut down so i left school um like you know in the night almost everybody was like where the fuck does she go and irish goodbye yeah i was just like i'm yeah i told like my closest friends and was gone and And went home, kind of like with my tail between my legs, because it's like where I grew up, everyone just kind of good, good high school, good college, good job. Like there's no in between. So I'm like, okay, I'm home.

I'm working in like the little country store deli that my mom runs. Like I'm in here and everyone, all these parents are coming in. Like, oh, why are you in here? Oh, my God. I'm like, it's just, it was so miserable. but thankfully like you're like it's a gap you're in the deli yeah right basically basically and you know I was able to figure out like how to try and like stay happy and like be social and continue to like do things and then I started taking classes at other schools because I was like what the fuck do I want to do

I have no idea like how is your depression like how long did it take to get out of that like really dark place you ran um I want to say like probably a year I want to to therapy like once a week for that entire year that I was home and had such an amazing cat like therapist. I loved her so much. That's amazing. And she just like helped me unpack so much of just like my childhood pressures that I put on myself and like kind of just like letting all that stuff go and not worrying necessarily what other people are going to think and how it's going come across and just like try and really do what's best for myself and when you know someone in my family or outside or friends or someone in town has a snarky comment to just kind of be like whatever

because that like when I used to hear those things I would stay up all night like it'd be like oh I I'm stuck with this and just kind of like learning to brush things off a little bit more it's hard I mean I feel like a lot of the listeners because I'm similar to you a lot of listeners too are type bay. And like to get where you are, it's great to have a fear of failure. Like I went to Wisconsin and they talked like how the basketball coach is so good because he hates losing more than he loves winning. And like that's not healthy. If you live just like so scared of losing all the time, the way you succeed is by failures. Like if you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough at things. And also your experience was, if you had enjoyed it, you would

have just been on the wrong path. But I also love your story too because people. people like hype up college like it's the best time of your life that's what everyone says like oh you're going it's going to be the best time your life it's like a fucking holding cell because you're not like socially prepared to deal with real life but then you don't really know what you're doing and you don't know why and then they're like don't worry about the future and then like senior year they're like worry about the future what do you want you're like I thought we didn't care anyway I agree college you fucking sucked um it's just no but it's just funny because like the pressures that they put on you school wise is so crazy I

I was very lucky because I did, when I was home, I really kept all my relationships with my friends at school. Like, I, one, I was dating a kid who still went to Georgetown. So, like, I would take the train down on weekends. I would see my friends. Like, I literally got to experience, like, all the fun stuff without, like, actually going to class. We're like, we're like, it actually took, I'll never forget it, like, three months after I left, I was there. and one of my guy friends overheard me talking

to someone else about like being at home and like whatever and he was like you're what? Like what do you mean? Like I literally see you every weekend. Like it's like, yeah, yeah, I'm just coming for the weekends. You're like, I'm like college just on the weekends.

Yeah, I'm like, yeah, it's pretty fun like when you don't have to worry about all the pressures and being in all the wrong classes and doing all the bad shit. So thankfully, like I, it was so great though, because those friends that I made there also, like, gave me the confidence I needed because, like I said, like, growing up, it was so competitive. So in high school and things, it was like, I was so embarrassed to tell my high school

friends that things, like, didn't work out for me at Georgetown and how they would react and would they be weird about it and all this stuff. And I had that same fear, like, when I sat, when I was leaving, it was like, oh, my God, I got to tell my friends and I'm, like, going to be gone, whatever. and they were just like the best people you know they never treated me any differently I would come for weekends they would be so excited and make sure I was invited to everything any kind of event that was going on like I would be texted about like hey like make sure you pack this we're doing this Saturday night like it was so nice that I was like it's just I mean they're the best and they're all like still my best

friends most of them are all in New York so I see them all the time but it's just like that I'm so grateful for because thankfully even though like the college stuff didn't work out all of those people are like so amazing and just I'm like yeah because they didn't like like like you just because like you would get good grades at Georgetown they liked you for you which is like really what friendship should be about that like unconditional like caring because everyone has their ups and downs in their life like I remember I quit my marketing job and was interning at Betches for like no money a week at 26 years old and my friends were like oh is Hannah okay yeah And I just had to kind of, like, find the right people who, like, were supportive of me and didn't think I was a fucking loser.

Yeah. But also, we're all losers. We're all losers. That's moral of the story. And also, it's just everybody, like, there's abs and flows, baby. Like, that friend who makes fun of you for maybe, like, taking that internship or taking something for less pay or, like, taking some time off. Like, their time will come around where they're in a job. They got a job problem. going on and you're just like huh hope hope you get out of that like you know so tell me the moment when like you got involved in bar still and how that all went down um so okay so finally i decided i wanted to finish school um at mary mount manhattan which is on the upper east side i was like i was like i'm like older now and and this was like 2016 the beginning of 2016 so my friends were all in their senior spring semesters. So I'm like, okay, they're all graduating. Like, they're all probably going to come to New York.

Let me get a head start. I'll get to New York. I'll go to school. And I was like, I also think I'd be much more likely to get an internship living and going to school in the city and like trying to like at least start a career a little bit, whatever, if you want to say behind, like, you know, compared to everybody else. so I was in school finally for like something that I liked doing broadcast journalism and I saw I had always followed Smitty who's our Philly guy who works here and I just started to like

kind of pay attention more to the New York stuff to KFC Dave Big Cat I really loved part of my take so I like listened to part of my take all the time and I started and literally I kid you not like one day I'm going to school whatever I smitty tweets out that he's looking for an intern in new york um and fortunately for me like it's just so crazy because this would never happen now the way that this place is now and it's so crazy to see how it evolved but like he literally tweeted this out was like you know serious inquiries please like don't fuck with me because everybody loves to fuck with him and so he got all these kids are emailing him like fuck you smitty like and i sat down with my mom and was like do i think this

is something i would actually really want to do um what's the environment like i think i had all the worries that you know a lot of people have when they're like coming into a place like this and my mom was like just try it like who cares see what happens like okay so i send a nice email attach my resume like do the whole thing And he's like, wow, thanks for, like, actually sending me a resume. Like, it's like, and he, he was, like, come in at whatever 9 a.m. Thursday we're doing, at the time they were doing, like, a little morning show called Drive Time. They were doing it on Facebook watch or, like, Facebook Live, whatever Facebook Live.

Throwback. Yeah. And I was like, okay, great. So I show up. I think he had told, like, three other kids to also be there at nine. I was the only one that showed up at nine. So I'm like, I'm the only one there. Score.

he's like okay um we sit down we have like a you know 15 minute conversation i tell him what i want to do and he's you know see he says what he's trying to do and he's like all right you're hired and i'm like okay great so i just like stay the rest of the day i was like my i was like okay i'm i'm starting right now like they're like yeah it's like okay um and then i started just like you know editing helping edit stuff and um put stuff up for for drive time and like run the drive time social and put stuff out for that and then a few months in not even less than that like a month i think the guys who do drive time are like oh friend like why don't you pop on you know we could use some some female energy on here and so i started to do the show with them which was really really fun and um we had a blast and at the

like ria was already here and we were you know say hi like wasn't like we were best friends like whatever and we would sit down and she would be like the only one who also cared when I'd be like oh my god so and so just did this and she'd be like oh my god what and like so we ended up bonding over like stupid shit about a pop culture stuff and that was like okay I think that maybe something here could work and it was actually Kevin Clancy and and Brendan um his brother who were like you guys could really have something cool here do you want to do like KFC radio questions from your perspective, we'll film them, we'll put them on social and see what happens.

And we literally, like the first one we did, we were like, oh, this is going to be good because we were just doing emoji, like, translations. It was like, what does this emoji mean? And we're going through all of them. We're laughing. And there's like the emoji of a baby crawling. And it pops up and I'm like, that's a baby.

And Ria was like, and she was like, I was like, what? She's like, that's a baby? And I was like, yeah. And she was like, I've been no joke using that as like sex. Like as like, like I like, let's bang. Like it's like a baby like. Like let's do do do doggy. Yes.

Like I'm like, I'm like, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. That is literally a baby crawling on the ground. And she was like, no, I swear to God, I've been using it in a sexual way. Like we're like, no. That is so not it. And everybody thought it was hilarious. And we were like, okay, great. like let's start chicks in the office that is like the startup culture that gets me so excited how

they're literally like hey let's throw up this content and see if it gets a response and if it does just start a podcast tomorrow and i also love that you do have that sports knowledge i made a video once that was making fun of like girls watching the bachelor on monday nights and how the guys were complaining like oh they take the tv every monday and they're like can you guys explain the rules to us and we're like no we can't like they're like why are they so obsessed with that one guy they don't even know him like it's really such a similarity between monday night football and the bachelor and i know and i feel like you encapsulate both of them so since working at barstool you basically go from like a girl that could be everyone's friend to suddenly like barstool's

yeah everyone's best friend right how have you dealt with like honestly like being in the public guy. It's like it has its pluses and and minuses, you know, it's great and it's so much fun, like running into girls who love chicks in the office and who love like just, who say to us, like, I have been following you guys from the beginning. I've loved every, like, I've loved what you've done and the energy that you brought to that place and how things have kind of changed since you both have been there. It's tough. because this is not like a typical media place to work where you have fans who like you, but there's no like, there's no extremes.

It's not like love and hate, but here it's like love and hate. So if you guys are like the team they're rooting for and people have their favorites. Yes, yeah, but then there's also the people who just like fucking hate our guts or hated us from the beginning or just like don't like what we do, whatever it is. so it is just like sometimes hard to navigate because also the barcel fan base is so strong that you know that they're like paying attention and you sometimes have that in the back of your mind you're like oh god is somebody going to see this like what's going to happen um and it's just been a little bit harder like trying to maintain like some semblance of a private life like I said I joke about the Francesca and the Barcelona

like my boyfriend says the same thing like we've been together for over four years so he has been with me like from almost the beginning of like when I was just straight up doing internship to now so he's like seen it all and there are times when it's amazing and like we're out and these girls are like oh my God

like we love everything we love chicks in the office and there's times when you get like some drunk dude who's like yo friend what are Saturdays for and you're like oh god i can't do this oh geez i mean it's funny i was talking to my therapist the other week dealing with like reality tv and i was talking about like oh people are mad at this or people hate this or they love me or they hate me and she was like is is that you though because you're talking about it like it's an avatar yeah and she's like you have to separate like the you that

people know and the you that is like entertaining people and i mean the podcast i think are great because people really get to know you at a deeper level, but it's still like just what you show. I went on this podcast, um, horrible decisions and the girl like posted me and some, some fan was like, watch out for her. She's horrible. Like make sure you read up on her. Yeah. And weezy responded.

The girl was like, um, I'm with her in real life. I don't have to read up on her. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So there is like a helpful thing for your sanity to like, when people say mean stuff to you. It's like, yeah, you hate my avatar. Yeah.

And I will say I have loved, that's one of the also reasons why I have loved from like a fan perspective, speaking and actually becoming friends with people who are on reality TV. Because it's changed my viewpoint, right? Like, so being friends with you, being friends with some people from The Bachelor, being like, oh my God, like, there's, it's just not what you're watching on TV. Like, all my friends are obsessed with Summerhouse, literally like, every, like, watch Summerhouse, like, religiously, like, whatever. whatever. And so yes, we've talked about this, you know, not, not a fantastic season for you,

right? So they're like, in our group chat, they're like, oh my God, you know, what's going on with Hannah? Like, I just like, and I'm like, guys, she's fine. She went through a lot. Like, let's, you know, and they're like, okay. But it's just funny because they're like, okay, no, Fran, like, calm down. We believe you. Like, you actually, like, they're like, we know you know her in real life. So we're going to believe you and like, not where we're watching on TV. But I'm like, no, but you guys have to understand, like, the way you just. responded to that watching that is how she

is getting like shit on so badly and now because I've been in this seat where I'm like God it's so brutal and I'm just like guys don't like don't say don't do it because you just fall into the trap you do it with everything

you watch reality TV and you're like oh my God I totally know exactly who that person is and I'm like I'm promised you guys I've sat with some of these people and they're just not what you think but also the crazy thing is like you'll you'll watch multiple like the bachelor you'll remember like we watched demi on the bachelor and everyone was like okay like villain and then you watch her in bachelor in paradise and you're like oh my god i love her she didn't change she didn't nick nick phial but even like

i literally hated nick just like despised him like at and he hated himself oh my god andy season like i was like this guy i cannot get behind this guy like the whole thing and it finally took like Bachelor in Paradise before he was the Bachelor to be like oh he's really not that bad and any end besides that it also took meeting him in real life and actually sitting down and talking with him to be like oh this guy is a good guy like and it's just also you think of people in general like I don't think anyone is like unless if they're like out there being rude to everyone like everyone has their complexities but also Nick he didn't decide either season he's not in control either season that's what I'm saying they have no control over like how you look

summer house people are like what hurts the most is when people are like I used to love you and I'm like I swear in three months I did not change like I didn't suddenly become some I mean in the pandemic we all had our dark moments yes for sure but I do appreciate you being in the public eye in a place where like there's a lot of like male opinions of you that you I mean at least I don't have men like talking about my body or my looks that much because like there's not that many men watching but I can't imagine the that you have to deal with. How's your self-confidence? It goes up and down.

It's hard, right? Like, it's also hard because I've had to, like, really talk to myself about this and look in the mirror and be like, look, women, first of all, I started here. I was 20, 90, I was born in 19, 40. Carry the one. Six? No, I'm 26 now. What am I saying?

I'm 22. I started when I was 20. 22. Baby. I started when I was 22. And just historically, like if you want to study anatomy, like women's bodies change in that like post-25. Your metabolism just dies. Like I, exactly. Like 22, I was a stick. I could do whatever the fuck I wanted. It did not matter. Just easily shit whenever you need to. Yes. It was just like had literally not a care in the world. And now four years later, like, There's just adjustments that have to be made. I'm like, I'm not even necessarily like, okay, I got to start buying some clothes that maybe

are a couple of sizes bigger than what I used to and not like freak out about it. But there is, there has always been like a problem with being here, I think, and having that be in the back of your mind as like, oh, God. Like, if I post this picture, what are people going to say? Like, do I look smaller? Do I look bigger? Like, what's going on? And it definitely, like, it definitely takes a toll.

It's just really trying to drown that out and be like, am I happy myself in the way that I am, in the way that I feel. If you're not because you're not, then that's fine. And you can work to change that. But if you're not happy about it because of what other people are saying, then then that's like a very dangerous place but it's funny it's like college when my friends told me i had a really long torso and i never knew that and then after she said it i was like fuck i have a long torso yeah but i do think i've always i feel like sex sells we love anyone who like can

make money however they want yeah but i do kind of love that you never like put forward i felt like you're like sexuality i feel like people always respected you for like the shit you saying like it was always like what is fran saying it's never like look at fran's you know because i'm uncomfortable and it's literally i kid you not it's just because like i sometimes i wish i could because i truly have like i guess i i don't know it's just the way i grew up i think but i'm just like such a prude sometimes that i'm just like i look at sometimes i take the picture and i'm like i i can't post this yeah like i'm like it's so uncomfortable like I just don't know how to pose I don't know how to do any like I'm like I look so

awkward I just need to but I feel like go like the other route there's millions of girls though that I think feel the same as you and it makes I hate to sound like you relatable but it's it's nice to see someone who's like doing really well and she doesn't have to be like nips out while she's doing the pod I joke that was like I can't I said to my parents like early on I'm like I can't be a sports broadcast or I'd have to get fake tits and dye my hair blonde yeah which like is not true but also that's all I was seeing on TV so I was like I'm not I was like I don't I don't like invasive surgery no it's hard because like I have like I mean I my boobs are like kind on the bigger side so like for like not not to not to brag not to brag but like there are times in the summer where I'm just like I want to

wear these outfits I'm like this is so cute and I'm like I can't wear this to work like what am I doing i literally sat rea and i recorded last week and i was wearing this shirt and i'm talking to her and we're literally next to each other and she looks at me and goes i'm sorry i was just staring at your boobs like i don't even know what you said like and i was like oh my god like and i was like fuck i wore this to work like i what do you feel like you know but dealing with men if you're an office of all men it's so easy to be sexualized like so easy but it's it's like almost a conscious effort i'll do like when i'm dealing with men where i just like that like non-flirt voice where you're very just like montone and firm and you just like everybody knows not to fuck with me like one because i'm

just like i don't give a like i don't care what you're like there's there's always drama and shit that's going on and and people are going back and forth and i own like i get my stuff from ria like ria tells me what's going on and then and then like in the office everybody's like well we know friend doesn't care i'm like yeah i don't like don't don't don't don't don't involve me. You are not meant for reality TV. That's all I have to say. No. Unfortunately, like, I'm so just the watcher. Like, I'm so entertained by it. Yeah. I have immense anxiety when I'm involved that I just... But that's why you're good at watching it, I feel like. Yes. Because you're fascinated by people who would do that crazy shit.

It's like therapy for. Yeah. No, I've really like this sometimes is stuff I just listen on like, damn but i'm like i can never do that fear was like going reality tv and people perceiving me in a way that i didn't feel like was authentically myself but then i think the universe does that to you to be like oh you want to level up yeah you have to get over your fucking fears the only the only way i could potentially be good on reality tv if i was it was if i was single and like yes really was like my entire storyline would be just like me trying to like make out guys because that's why i think Like, that was, I think. My first two seasons were fun.

My first two seasons were like, we're single, having fun. And then I, like, started talking to people. And the next thing you know, you're, like, dealing with, like, complicated stuff. But, um, I want to wrap up with a final game. You're doing amazing in hell. The Devil approves. It's called The Seven Deadly Sins. Seven Deadly Sins.

What are you greedy about? This is a bad one. but I think like, I feel like this is going to be my answer for like every single thing. My phone, like I'm always on my phone and then when I get called out for not being like for called out for being on it, I'm like, what do you mean? Like this is mine. Like I'm fine. Like I'm like and then I just want to be on it more. I'm like, give me, give me, give me. But this is the problem. You're so good at your job because you're on it. No, I know. I know. It's like when my dad's like, get off your phone. I'm like, I'm doing emails. I'm doing business. And he's like, no, you're not.

But even scrolling TikTok, like, it's all informative to us. But there is that, like, sick unhealthiness of, like, forgetting to actually live. No else I'm greedy about shopping. Ooh, where are your favorite places to shop? I have a problem. Probably, like, I think Eritia is probably my number one. Nice. And I've been having, like, a bad Zara addiction recently where, like, I,

go in and because all the freaking dressing rooms in New York are still closed I go in with my bag of returns and I'm like I'm gonna walk right into that line and return everything and turn around and walk out I did it yesterday I walked in and was like ooh that's cute and like ended up at the register with like 90 things

and every time I'm like okay well I'll get a few things so that at least it'll turn out a zero Like a, I won't be spending any more money. Yep. And then I'm, and the guy's like, $250. I'm like, nice. Okay. It's always in the 200s.

Whatever I do. Always. But I'm proud of you for at least returning that shit because I'll get a ton of stuff. I'll try it on. And then two months later, I'm like, I should return it. Just kidding, I can't. Also, yeah. Zara, when you're in line, it's straight up like the mean girls scene when they're all like

turn into animals. Like someone will put something down and like everyone's swore. worms like what is that what is that size small size medium um it's a scary place it is it is if you survive you're stronger for it um who are you envious of besides aaron andrews oh i mean it's totally her um how is she doing now what is she up to she still does all i mean she's she does all the football stuff still and she does she has a podcast now that she does as well um with another woman in sports that's that's very good and then she has all all the, like the clothing, the wear by EA stuff, like, she's really active in that.

Like, I'm, like, telling you everything she does. Like, I know her. I'm like, you're a manager now. Yeah. I'm, like, just promoting all of her stuff. She would definitely go on chicks. Yeah, that, and she's been on, like, Erica's podcast. Like, she's done a bunch of stuff, like, and I just.

Or she's going on the dime package for sure. Yeah, I know, I know. I'm just like, I'm scared. This is what I'm saying. I'm just get so nervous. I'm like, oh, my God, can I? I just something that I probably should be over by now. And then you're just, like, hanging out.

Yeah. double dates I'm trying to think of somebody like I don't know I want to say like sometimes I feel super jealous

or super envious of like the influencers who just fucking travel the world I'm like that looks like really nice like I don't know why I just always think of Helen Owen

of all people but like Helen Owen is just always in like these beautiful tropical locations on vacation looking beautiful you know

wearing cool clothes drinking cool drinks so I'm like that seems like that could be nice flowing yeah like she's getting paid to do it she's getting paid to do it I'm like fuck that like seems like that could be pretty sweet also on vacation I eat my face off like I eat myself through every country I am so I'm like how are you sitting there with no bloat with a pinacolada it's not logical it doesn't make sense it's edited and it's all and it also like you need to eat when you're drinking you're drinks like that like or else you're fucking blacked out on your family vacation in the Caribbean because you've

had four pinacoladas and nothing to eat. Oh my God. Yeah, I used to always joke about like fitness influencers. They always seem so great. But then at night they're just like snorting cocaine and smoking cigarettes and fucking doing horrible things for the body. I, you know, food is a great thing. So love it. As Italians, it's how we spread love. It is. What are you gluttonous about? So like, what do you overindulge in besides your phone? Food? Food. Food. What's your go-to? Because I was talking to, Ria was like fast food and she was giving me like all these lists of fast food.

Okay. What's your guilty pleasure? All right. I have, and this is very New York, but I have, like people will know what I'm talking about, but I have this personal pizza order from Gotham pizza, which is not a good pizza place. But they do like a personal size pie and it's buffalo chicken. and it is so bad, but so good. I know exactly what you're talking about,

the like old chicken that's on it. It's just crispy enough. But it's just crispy and they drizzle. You know what I love? They drizzle the ranch on there. Oh, yeah. And it's just... It's something, but it's not pizza.

It's not pizza. And it is... Your Italian ancestors are rolling in their grave. I crave it sometimes so hard. And then I'm just like a big dessert person. I just, I have a sweet tooth. Like, I definitely dabble. I have fast food like often not I mean not that often but enough and but there is if you

haven't tried it I've talked about this on tricks in the office the domino's cookie brownie everybody talks about the lava cake uh-huh and I'm telling you the world is sleeping on the cookie brownie the unsung heroes the cookie brownie it really is I got one sunday night um no but that you could add that to yourself you want to pick up a little Ben and Jerry but it comes in like a small pizza box and you open it up and it's like a three by three cut tray of brownies. They're marble brownies.

They're half cookie, half brownie. And they are so good. I mean, I can't even imagine. I don't even want to know what's in them. Like it's crack. I don't know what it is, but they're like so gooey and soft. And you're like, this probably isn't even chocolate.

I don't even know what this is. but it is like it's so fucking good like we like weekend out down the shore came home Sunday night and my boyfriend looked to me and was just like cookie brownie I was like yes I feel like that's what bonds like I'm I've gained weight in my relationship because we enable each one million percent but it's like it's a full on dopamine hit to look at someone and be like are we getting ice cream and he's like what is he going to say no and be like ruined the night thank God, I could only think I could date someone who, like, shamed. Like, if I, sometimes I joke. That's why guys with six packs are the worst. I joke all the time with Ria, like, we,

you know, you whatever, see these guys on Instagram. You're like, oh, my God, they're so hot. And I'm like, we would not want to date them. Imagine turning over and being like, oh, my God, I really want a chip witch right now. And then being like, babe, that's definitely a bad idea. And you're just like, fuck off. Like, I want a chip witch. Sorry. That's why I date someone who'll be like, oh, my God, get three. I know. No, it's so bad. But, you. You have so much fun and then you're eating it together and just being naughty together. You just feel great.

It's literally one of my favorite memories is when me and Joe first started dating and he was in this tiny apartment in the West Village. And one night I was just like, God, I really like want some ice cream. And we went online and ordered these like, these specialty cookie ice cream sandwiches. Always overpriced, like $20 for delivery. But we like, we ate them in bed. Like it was gross. But it was like, I was like, oh, my God.

I love you so much. You'd be like, I need to go to therapy tomorrow. Yes. Yes. But with someone, you're like, this is heaven. Yeah. And you go out to dinner and you're like, I think we should get one of like every appetizer. And they're like, yep.

Yeah, that's a good idea. We should. When a guy orders multiple appetizers, it's so fucking hot. I know. Because yet, when guys are like, oh, I need the chicken, but hold the seasoning, it's like, this is hell. Absolutely. It's really, I've come to realize it's such a deal breaker for me.

I don't think I could ever date someone who didn't like really love. food as much as I do. Yeah. Yeah, like in an unhealthy way. Yeah. When was the last time you were a sloth? So like just lazy, didn't do anything all day. Like all the time.

But I feel like you're always consuming media. Like even if you're passed out, you're watching shit. I absolutely am. I want to say like... Would you consider yourself a workaholic in a way? Kind of in that I just have a... There's something in my brain that's always like you need to know what's going on and you can't like you can't turn off.

You turn off. You're going to miss something. Something's going to go. FOMO of reality TV. Yeah, 100% or just like what's going on at work or what's happening. But no, I definitely have my like Monday, like one of the days where I'm not necessarily working and recording that I stay in bed and just watch like one show all day long. Yeah.

Like the same, like I, in quarantine, I watched a bunch of the housewives from the beginning because I never did. And I just, oh my God, like flew through. them but then you're so much more informed when you have to make like little opinions oh absolutely i'm now i'm now i know everything it's like a museum for housewives yeah it is how is your like anxiety been in terms of having this career for a while that's been doing really well chicks in the office do you put pressure on yourself to grow or like to to beat your last episode or like how do you balance that kind of pressure because you're a performer we've been doing it for a while now where it's like

where how do we take this to another level what else can we be doing and we definitely have felt that we're like you know we used to do one episode a week and then we did two episodes a week and now we do three episodes a week so um we just like it's like if something works it works and you're just like giving them more get the people what they want i know i know but there is always there's always a pressure to be doing other stuff. We were locked in for a year where it's like we want to travel, we want to see people, we want to do events, we want to host shows, like we want to do a lot of stuff out in the world. Yeah. Well, hopefully, you know, might necessarily take like that next step. Yeah, that gives you the second energy of like feeling people. Yeah. Sometimes you forget, like,

especially doing a podcast, you're like, you forget that people are listening. to what you say. But that's what makes you good at podcasting. And care. And then you want, go into a public place and they're like, oh my God, I love what you said. And you're like, holy shit, I forgot people were listening to that. That's exactly what happens to me. Also, side note, because I'm in a business relationship as well as a friendship with Paige. And we're having so much fun doing Giggly Squad. But I'm so impressed by the like length that you and Ria have worked together. Do you have any advice for working with a good friend? Yeah. This is my. my advice you have to be as open as possible like there are you cannot have any secrets when it comes

to work the second you decide to be like oh i'm going to take this deal or i'm going to talk to this person about this this company approached me or whatever you're you're fucked because then you start to get like competitive and you start to think like oh my god what else is what else are they doing that i'm not doing so for the two of us we have always been like look when it comes to work and what we're doing we got to be on the same page if we got to be open we got to tell each other how we're feeling and then we've just i think it's because we've done it for so long that now we're much more open with each other than we were in the beginning like there were times when i think i bit my tongue or she did and we were like oh you know and then we just let it go and it disappears

but now like we can snap at each other yeah and then five minutes later be like i'm really sorry like I'm just having a bad day and I didn't need to snap at you and the other person is like you're so fine yeah I'd rather come out and you know what's going on yeah page and I have a thing where I'll straight up be like okay business talk now so we can kind of separate it and then I'll be like you need you do this this this then I'll go back to being like what'd you do last night but like we try to separate the two conversations I know I do the same thing too because I feel bad because I'm such a type A like I'm like you two or you know if we have all these swipe up scheduled or whatnot and I'm like we're talking about something stupid and then I'll slide in I'll be like oh by the way like not to be

annoying but you really need to post that and then be like back to yeah yeah back to like what the other thing we're talking about just to like throw it in there something that you won't take personally but then you are talking about things that are super personal and trying to balance that but I do think like like finding another woman in your life who like supports you emotionally and career wise is like a beautiful fucking thing it absolutely is when was last time you let your pride get in the way of something or your ego this is a tough one i don't necessarily think work wise i've done it but probably more relationship wise arguing about something and then just like not backing down because i'm just like i'm right because i am absolutely right and you know that's

just like not a not a great way to live your life you've been together for a long as time how long time four years over four years now we just moved in together oh my god why do you guys think you work so well together it's like it's so cheesy but he's just like the yinged my yang right like we just push each other in the right ways where like in my natural like laziness state he's just not like that at all so i just am more active when i'm around him and we just like balance each other out really well he's a really big personality and so like he is which is great because I love at work where I'm like this is all about me like this is me show like whatever and then I go home or we go out with our friends everyone's like we love Joe Joe's the best he's amazing like oh my god and I just like

sit there and I'm like yeah he's great like and he just kind of like does his thing and everybody loves him and he gets along like everybody literally everyone so it's like it's just a great like it's just been a very good balance and he is just a good old rock like keeps me grounded and in reality and like just reminds me what's you know at the end of the day like what's really important so well congrats on moving in together thank you i feel like it's like you just continue growing and you you just find out if that person like naturally fits into your like daily routines but i feel like you guys have probably spent so much fucking time together oh my god i lived at his house with his mom for like eight months in quarantine so you already you already went through the

hardships this should be easier besides your boy toy when was the last time you lusted over someone so like who's your celebrity crush saying nick jonas is so boring but like that's just always he's just always been he's always been my number one guy so you like him over joe next oh i'm i'm a nick gal always been a nick gal i respect that i mean he's the true talent of the group let's be honest um yeah though i think our energies I used to always think our energies would match up, but I actually don't think they would. Like, he's also a Virgo, and I think we're both like,

maybe you just see similarities. Yeah. He's not your person. Yeah, correct. Which is hard to admit, but I respect the maturity. Yep, thank you. Of this journey you've gone on. Thank you.

To wrap this up, because it's been an hour, and I'm so grateful that we have the chick in hell. Final question, what advice would you give to listeners on what to do when you're going through hell? when it's dark what do you do to cope oh man when you're when it's dark like like reach out you got to like if you're in this dark circle you got to get like something like just a hand out of there because someone will grab you and pull you and you've got to lean on other people i've that's one of the biggest things i've realized is you just cannot solve all your problems

by yourself no you think you can you think you can work your way out of it but you you you just can't, whether it's talking to a family member, a friend, a therapist, whatever it is, like you have to let somebody hold your hand and pull you out because if you don't, like, you're just stuck forever. I love that because, yeah, you got there by yourself, so it's going to be hard to get out by yourself. Yeah, yeah, you really, exactly. Like you, people don't realize that. They're like, you get stuck. And then it's like, what do I do? It's like, you have to be able to ask for help, which is one of the biggest things I've learned because I just never wanted to ask, but you got to ask. I love that so much. Um, friends.

Where can people follow you, listen to you? Give me the goods. So you can follow me at Francesca Mariano on Instagram, at Barcelain on Twitter. At Chicks in the Office is all of the podcast stuff. Chicks in the Office comes out Monday, Wednesday, Fridays. You can also, if you love football, you can follow the dime package. That's hosted by me and Casey Smith.

We're on a little summer hiatus right now, but we'll be back once football season starts in the fall. And you can subscribe to the group chat on Snapchat. Awesome. We love chicks in the office. Giggly Squad went on. So definitely this in those episodes. And thank you so much, Fran. You're the best. And we'll talk to you guys later in hell. Bye.