Mention It All - Karen's Sentence & Carl’s Therapy Tools Ft. Carl Radke

Episode Date: February 27, 2025

Dylan starts today’s episode with the breaking news from Karen Huger’s sentencing, and what the outcome means for the future of RHOP. From there, he’s joined by Carl Radke to chat about the new season of Summer House, and how it feels to be nine seasons into this wild ride. Carl opens up about his stressful return to the house after his breakup with Lindsay, and how the show has given him tools to deal with those emotions. He also weighs in on the newbies in the house, and his hopes for Paige and Craig’s future as exes. Later, he shares some updates on his Soft business venture, and reflects on four years of sobriety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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See Store Online for details. Betches Media presents. Ha ha, laugh, funny. Mention It All, a Bravo by Betches podcast. We don't say that, but now we said it. With me, Dylan Hafer. We're going to check me, though. Hey, everyone.

Welcome back to the Mention at All podcast. It is Thursday, and what a day it is. We have some news to talk about, obviously, on the Karen Hugar front. And I am going to get into that. Now, the bulk of this episode is going to be my conversation with Carl Radke. You can keep listening for that. I had a good time talking to him. It's now, I don't know, the third, fourth, fifth time he's been on this show.

We have been around the block with Summer House, and I always love checking in with that cast and seeing who's getting dunked in the hot dog water this season. But first, yeah, we have to talk about Karen. Now, if you are not already aware, I'm sure most of you have seen the news on Wednesday morning, Karen Hugar was sentenced in her DUI case. She received the maximum sentence of two years in jail, but one year is suspended, which means that unless she violates her probation or, you know, whatever. She only really has to serve a one year sentence. And on top of that, she can get additional time off for good behavior.

I've seen it suggested by lawyers on social media. Hey, shout out to you. We love our lawyers on social media. I've seen it suggested that she could serve as little as three to four months in our sexuality, you know, if there's overcrowding, good behavior, whatever, you know. But on paper, one year jail sentence. And that's a, it's, it's not nothing. We saw over the weekend the prosecutor was recommending a six-month sentence. So, you know, in theory, this is twice that. There were some quotes that came out from the judge during the sentencing hearing where he, you know, first of all,

said he had never seen Real House of the Potomac, which hats off to him. If you're a judge, good. I hope that you have better things to do than watch Real Housewives of Potomac. No shade to Real Housewives of Potomac. We don't talk about trash TV here. You know, this is high brow. But I actually would hope that the judge was not, you know, taking into account what's happening on the show. Because the fact of the matter is, We found out this is her fourth alcohol-related traffic incident. I'm trying to use the technical term, spanning back about 19 years. And that's a lot. And she's never served jail time before.

I think it seemed, once we knew that, it seemed unlikely that she would be able to fully avoid jail time. And an interesting thing about this, obviously sometimes people get sort of a grace period before they are forced to report to serve their sentence. Karen Huger is in jail right now. She was taken directly from the courtroom. She shouted out, you know, to Ray. It's a tough thing. I mean, I don't want to seem callous toward Karen because, of course, being sentenced to a year in jail is a traumatic thing.

It's going to be really tough for her. I feel confident about that. And it's a, it's a sad thing overall, but it's really, really hard for me to feel bad for Karen. I think that's the difference. I can feel sad for her. I don't feel bad for her. And I, I hope, I hope that she is able to really learn something from this, but also heal something from this and find some, growth from this because it's clear knowing about those four traffic incidents over the course of

20 years before she was on TV, after she was on TV, spanning, you know, that's a lot of life. She hasn't learned her lesson. She hasn't grown out of this. And I, it's tough. Even, you know, leading up to the sentencing motions filed by her attorneys were talking about how, you know, the stress and upset of losing both of her parents. let her to be taking a prescription medication that was she shouldn't have been mixing alcohol with. And so the stress was blah, blah, blah. And I'm not saying that those things aren't real and hard and maybe contributing factors. But the fact of the matter is she did what she did.

And this is the consequence. Now, the bigger question here, obviously, you know, with those good behavior, other factors. We don't know exactly how long she'll be behind bars, but the question is what happens with Real Housewives of Potomac. Nine seasons, Karen's been there through it all. I think that this reunion that Karen has been absent for could not have come at a better time, quite frankly, because this reunion has been outstanding. I'm excited to see part three. I'm going to be talking about part three on a Monday's episode of the show, among other things. This reunion has been outstanding. And Karen is not there. And I don't know that the reunion would have been bad if Karen was there.

That's not what I'm suggesting. But I do think the absence of Karen has perhaps allowed the energy to go in a different direction that feels a little lighter, a little more fun. I mean, Jaze's having a great reunion. Stacey's having a great reunion. Wendy's having a great And yeah, they've talked about Karen. It's not like she's been fully absent from the conversation, but we haven't had to devote a whole part of the reunion to the Karen Hugar show. So if she serves a year in prison, in jail, she'll likely miss a full season of the show. And I'm not worried about that. I think that these women will be just fine. Now, the more interesting question is, if her sentence gets further reduced from that one year, and she's out by the summer,

if she's out by September, if she's out any time before they're sort of fully done with the season, even if filming is wrapped, if she gets out and they have finished filming the season, but it hasn't aired yet, and they still are editing it, I feel like there is a strong potential to get some glimpse of Karen, whether that is her being brought back on the show for however much of the season is left, or whether it's maybe Giselle just kind of having a one-on-one reunion with her and an emotional moment. I don't think that we have seen the last of Karen, but I do think that unless they really, really decide to hold the show, which I don't think they should, we're going to get some time without Karen on the show. And I think that we are in a really solid position,

if that's the case. I just, I think that this cast has so much left in the tank. I mean, Giselle and Wendy have had such a good season, and I'm excited to see them kind of keep leading it. And yeah, I don't know. I mean, I just, I hope that Karen is, I hope that she's going to do great and I, you know, I believe in her, but it's, it's tough. It's tough. I mean, we, we've seen, we've seen this before. We've seen our housewives go to prison. We've seen them come out. We've seen various, various and sundry legal situations. And I saw a lot of comparisons yesterday to Shannon Bador. Obviously, she and Karen had DUIs within several months of each other. and the situations were not exactly the same,

but the way in which each of them chose to handle their situation could not have been more different. And we're seeing that play out. I mean, Shannon obviously had her legal side of it to deal with, but she also had a great season on the show after that happened. She took accountability. She was really, it felt like she understood the gravity of the mistake that she had made

and the choices that she had made and that she was actually focused on moving forward in a way whereas it felt like Karen kind of stuck her head in the sand and it wouldn't take accountability and didn't want to talk about it and beyond the legal thing

of not being able to talk about it, it just was frustrating. It didn't feel like she was really bringing the energy that we would hope to see in a situation like this. So we'll see. I mean, we're not going to hear from her for a little bit.

And next time, who knows? I'm excited to see part three of the reunion, though. This has been, I think, a good season of Potomac and more to come. But stick around now for my conversation with Carl Radkeith. So good, so good. Everything you want for summer is at Nordstrom rack stores now and up to 60% off. Stock up and save on the brands you love like Vince, Sam Edelman, Frame and Free People. Join the Nordy Club to unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first, and more.

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Those sandals you can wear all day and all night And you've had enough of shopping from your couch Done hoping it looks anything like the picture When you tear open that envelope It's time for a little in-person spring treat It's time for a trip to Ross Work your magic Happy to be joined by Carl Radke

Welcome back to the show Thank you, thank you Season 9 off to the races Can't believe it. Season 9 has it all As we say It is kind of wild I had Kyle and Amanda in for the premiere talking about just almost a decade of this show,

and you guys have been there through all the ups and the downs and the upside downs and everything. Yeah, we've been through a number of houses, a number of relationships, breakups, fights, think finger bangs. Sorry. We're going to write into it. It's matches. I feel like we got out. Speaking of the houses, is this the longest you guys have ever stayed in one house? Season 6, 7, 8, 9, yeah.

Four seasons is the longest in a house. I feel like this house feels like the house. It is the most well-equipped house for doing what we want to do, which is obviously we need our own individual rooms or at least some separation. We've had some rooming ups and downs over the years, but I think also for the partying and the like the backyard. The backyard is important. It is a sick backyard. I like that there are downstairs bedrooms and upstairs bedrooms. I think that is a good element.

I like the whatever that bed is that is like a full tree trunk that's iconic in and of itself that bedroom is actually I would argue the worst bedroom the worst bedroom Kyle figured this out because there's um in that room there's like a really high like arched window yeah but there's no shade over that arched window so even if you have the other windows closed there's this one arch that I swear every morning it goes right to Kyle's so if you're up until like 4 a.m. as perhaps Kyle has been once or twice you're screwed And then you're up at like the crack of gone. Wow.

It's hard. But no, I would say this house the last few years has been one of the best houses. And fun fact, when we first got to that house, I think season six, I went to ask someone for the Wi-Fi password. The Wi-Fi was DiCaprio. Okay. Do you know why? Did he used to live there? He rented that house.

He rented it. Yep. Oh, my God. Wow. Is the Wi-Fi? I mean. It's now changed. It's now changed.

It's now changed. somewhere when we took it over. Now it's like send it nine two four. Yeah, it's like, yeah, we're all idiots. Season nine, one, two, three. It is, what do you kind of feel like? Obviously, you have had so many life changes and things, which we can talk about, but like just thinking about that nine year timeframe and that so many phases of your life have been captured and shared in this way. Like, what is it like to actually think about that? I think about it when I meet people out, You know, when someone is, I've been watching you. I just watched all nine, all eight seasons last week.

And I'm like, that was eight full years of my real life. Yeah. Honestly, it's been an amazing journey and ride. I feel like I grew up kind of on people, in front of people's eyes. You know, I started the show, season one when we started filming, I was 30. I just turned 40 a couple weeks ago. So, you know, my 30s were a very formative part of my life, and I've put a lot out there. But I don't know if I would be where I am today had I not.

watched myself back every season and learned from it and kind of been guided by what I don't want to be in my life and learning about myself. It is kind of like there's no way that you can replicate that experience other than doing it for nine years. Totally. And I was thinking about that like obviously coming into this season with you and Lindsay like that kind of just mentally knowing that that was going to be the situation that you had to deal with. I feel like maybe in a way, going through so many other things in the last nine years and dealing with things and having to sort of talk through things on camera and have those conversations for the show. Like, maybe that gave you tools that you wouldn't have if you were just like a random dude who was like in a situation.

No, it's actually a really good way to like frame it. I mean, Kyle also says this pretty well too. Like every summer that we film or we've been filming, it always feels like you're being asked tough questions about yourself, your relationship or your career. And it forces you to have those tough conversations with if you weren't on the show or weren't in this environment. I honestly, people avoid those tough questions of themselves or their job or people just go through life and sometimes don't ask. So I feel very lucky to have that opportunity to look at it and learn from it and grow from it. I mean, trust me, I watched old seasons back. It's Bravo TV even put up an old clip from season four,

Paige, me, like, Kyle. We're like wasted, wasted. It's, like, hard to see myself. I mean, we're just being idiots and having fun, but it's hard to watch yourself back like that. So, yes, as much as I've learned from it, I still am kind of like ashamed and embarrassed by some of it. Yeah, and no, and like you said,

when you run into somebody and they're like, oh my God, I binged it yesterday. You're like, okay, so for me, that was 2017. Yeah. And for you, it's like an hour ago I was that person. I know. And I try to remind people like there is some gap in that, but it's just part of what we sign up for. And I wouldn't trade it for the world. I feel very lucky. Someone earlier today stopped me for a photo and was very complimentary and very kind. And like it's those little moments that feel really good. And it reminds you kind of like, yeah, like there's drama. There's ups and downs. But it's if you can make an impact on one person, like that's actually really amazing. Ready to soundtrack your summer? With Red Bull Summer All Day Play, you choose a playlist that fits your story. summer vibe the best. Are you a festival fanatic, a deep end DJ, a road dog, or a trail mixer?

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Your next obsession is waiting. Watch only on Prime. Well, I think people, obviously, people enjoy watching your show because there's drama and hookups and whatever, but also it's like people feel like you're, you guys are like some sort of presence in their lives. I mean any any show that you're sticking with over the course of many years there is that kind of weird relationship where it's like oh yeah like I know these people they're like the summer house people yeah yeah I mean I feel like well similar to what I was sharing at the beginning it's just like I've gone I've basically grown up on

this show in my 30s yeah and I think a lot of the people that either really love our show or have been following along also probably tune in because of some of the things we go through that that they may relate to or aspire to. And I think we've carried a lot of, every person on our show for the last nine years has brought something really amazing individually. Yeah. A different story, a different personal experience.

And I think a lot of our audience really connects with it because it's, I don't know, it feels like it's more relatable. Yeah. That's no, that's no shaded other stuff. It's just like our, we're like kind of regular people. Well, I think it's like the concept of spending the summer in the Hamptons is aspirational in a way, but then it's like, you guys as people feel more relatable and like the things that you're going through are like

situations that anybody could yeah anybody would relate to is you know I find this a lot too especially in New York is you find people that also used to do summer houses yeah or used to share houses in Jersey or even hear about friends in California that rented houses together and even that dynamic people can relate to like getting a big group together yeah going on a big trip um so I love it for that I mean we've our fans have been an unbelievable Unbelievable. Yeah. You know, I feel like Summerhouse fans are the best because when they ride with you from day one,

they're with you the entire time. Yeah, it is. I feel like I talk to a lot of people who are like, I watch a little bit of Housewives. I watch shows here and there, but like Summer House is like my jam. Like that's people are. Well, Summerhouse is, I used to say this too, like Kyle and I would be at lover boy events. Yeah. A guy would confidently walk up at this wife.

Yes. And the guy would be like, I watch the show. And I would be like, yeah, man, awesome. and his wife would be like, yeah, he didn't want to, he doesn't like the other stuff, but he'll watch yours. And then I'll jokingly say back to the wife or the woman or I say, well, just before you know it, he'll be watching Housewise by himself. You'll catch him in like another room. And the joke is, Summer House is the gateway drug to Bravo. Kind of. It's the one that you can kind of get like a guy who's not really into that thing. It's a good, yeah. Real him in pretty quickly. Right. And then once he's like

sat on the couch, then you can put on, you know, you can throw on the really like, throw on Salt Lake, And that'll be like another. Then suddenly he's like, Lisa Barlow. Next thing you know, he's actually buying caviar online from Meredith Marks. It's a slippery slope, you know. I think that your cast, I mean, talking about this nine years and how strongly the fans feel,

like there is something really like special that this cast has. And I think that with what you and Lindsay went through last year, I do feel like there was kind of a question mark of like, is there something in this dynamic that isn't going to be able to survive this? Sure. And there was that question. And you guys both came back and it seems like you both kind of like, you know, put on your, you know, you went into battle and you did it. And was there a question for you of kind of like, can I keep doing this?

Do I want to keep doing this? What's the right way forward? Yeah. I mean, I think after last year with the breakup, I wasn't sure how, you know, I didn't know where she would. what her journey would look like or where her next steps would take her. I wasn't sure, you know, how the group would come back together. But I mean, listen, I've been going out there for over 10 years. I love being out there. I always viewed it as like a, you learn a lot about yourself in the summers. It's a chance to let loose, get away from everything you're working so hard for and just like spend

time with friends and family. Like, and I've always, I love being out there with everybody. So just because I'm not in a relationship with someone anymore and I was, I was willing to face it. And my therapist actually was like, Carl, this is actually a really good chance for you to like face that situation and move on and get real closure. And once I did learn she was pregnant, like that actually was closure. It was, you know, hearing that information allowed me to realize, okay, like she's actually moving on. And each conversation and each little awkward moment, I think actually improved. And I think you'll see after this week's episode that, you know, I think there is some cordialness. We have some inside jokes and we're laughing at the same time.

thing, not at each other, but with each other. Right. So there's some small moments of maturity and just kind of taking the high road, which I think is healthier. I mean, I even felt like the first conversation that you guys had in episode two was like, it went a lot better than it could have gone. You know, like thinking about like the on paper of the situation. Sure.

Yeah, I mean, I was, I still cringe at it because I remember how awkward and nervous I was. Sure, yeah. You know, and I said this a little bit earlier, but I was, We broke up at the end of August. We have about four or five months before the season then starts airing. Yeah. But obviously that four or five month gap was all over the news. We were at BravoCon.

There was a lot going on. Then that we started the season airing. And I'm reliving everything. Yes. And I think people forget that that is something that is unusual. Yeah. Because fast forward to April this past year. I was at a wedding with Kyle and Amanda.

Lindsay was also there with her boyfriend. The show was airing that night and we're engaged on the show. and she's at a wedding with someone else. And we've later learned was pregnant, too. So it's just like these. Yeah, it's a lot. It was a lot to process. But again, I'm happy for her and all of that.

But it's just hard to kind of rectify in your mind when you're, the reality of right now, she's with someone else and moved on. Great. But then I'm watching TV and I'm reliving the breakup. I think, yeah, there are a few different situations within your show that kind of highlight the sort of, I don't know, heightened nature of this. timeline where it's like with, um, with West and Sierra where she's, you know, she's saying, we filmed the reunion and then I went to Scotland and then now it feels very fresh. And

even with page and Craig these last few years juggling multiple shows and what aired and was filmed and, you know, it's, there's a lot of these dynamics where it's like, obviously you guys are real people living your real lives and these are things that are added on top of that. But like, there are things about it that are like, well, okay, yeah, that is, that's different. It's, And it's stuff that it is part of what we sign up for, just what we deal with. But I think it, I mean, I'll give you an example. I mean, I feel like after this season with our show and then Southern Charms, like, I feel like Paige and Craig are reliving it again now because they were together on this season.

And that, I have a lot of grace for both of them just because it's got to be really strange because they're both moving on. Yeah. And especially now that those shows are both currently airing at the same time, there's like a staggered time. And I think these first couple episodes, I think Page has been very upfront about, like, I have changed as a person. There are things that I don't want now that I thought I did or vice versa. And, like, I think it's healthy to be able to acknowledge those things and that I think similar to what you've gone through too, like, to be able to say, like, me, me realizing that I need something different is not inherently a negative thing.

It just, like, is the next step of what I am working. Yeah, I mean, relationships, I mean, especially on our shows, are very complex and challenging. I give them a lot of credit for, you know, exploring that and going as long as they did. I feel like the summer was presenting them with these tough questions that I was saying before in that, Kyle Amanda had to face those tough questions. Lindsay and I had to face these tough questions. I think at some point it's hard and you have to kind of look in the mirror and do what's best for you. And I have a lot of grace for just going through what they went through.

but I'm happy. Like it seems like it was the right decision to move in a different direction. I just hope it, yeah, the error is cleared and we kind of all moved past. Yeah, it's like I feel like there are some, we have a couple of reunions to get through.

We have a lot of episodes left there. Like, I think, I feel like in six months, hopefully things will feel like calmer waters for everyone involved. I think they will be, you have, you know,

two very beloved people that love both of them. Yeah. Equally, I'm a big page fan. all love to Craig but you know I'm trying to rally around Paige and support her yeah she's our girl it is like it's crazy to think like when page joined the show like there was a time when it was like oh the like new the new people on summer house now it's like how would you do this without her i don't it's been around forever she's been around a long long time and to think of not having her

around yeah there is you know we have like this kind of core crew that if one person's missing it almost doesn't feel like it's the same yeah um but yeah page I mean, been an amazing addition since season three. Yeah, it's been season three. That is crazy. It feels like, they played an old clip too. It was like the pantry. Me and her used to have like a fun flirtation. Yes. But yeah, it's watching her evolve and grow and seeing her, you know, crush her career and do really well. It's been, it's been awesome to see. Yeah, it's crazy. How time flies, because it feels like that was like a million years ago, but also like it just happened. I mean, I remember when she first came in. I've said it on a podcast earlier or recently.

I want to say when she first joined the cast of Summerhouse and I first met her. I remember looking at her Instagram. It was like, I want to say it was like 3,000 followers. Yeah, she like wasn't. I mean, she was just a, you know, living in New York, living the dream, working hard, playing hard, having fun. And, you know, joined our crew, which, yeah,

I'll never forget the day she came in the house. I was like, okay. You're like, it's a new day. Yeah, I was like, she's very attractive. See how long I can take to screw this one. I do want to talk about kind of your arrival to the house that first weekend, because obviously it was drawn out over a couple episodes. It was, you know, clearly there were, you know, some feeling, stress, whatever on your side.

Kind of walk me through just that, like, initial ripping the Band-Aid off of like, okay, we're here, we're doing it again, season nine. Yeah, I mean, just try to, you know, do the things that I need to do to keep myself. in a good place. You know, just trying to like, I hated being like kind of the center of negative attention last the previous year. And like everybody always talking about us. So I certainly know like this is the big thing that's everybody's talking about before I walk in the door.

You know, the day before I'm supposed to be at the house, I found out via the news and through friends that she had announced her pregnancy, which I was happy for her. But I was just processing that information because the next day I'm literally driving to the Hamptons. So within a 24-hour period, I'm learning she's pregnant and I'm now having to go to the house and kind of face that. So it was just that there was a lot of different emotions. I wanted to say the right thing. I didn't know what her demeanor would be. Now, I had brought in previous feelings of the past that I thought she might be, but I was very wrong.

She was very happy. Doesn't give a fuck about me whatsoever. And that's totally great. And she's screaming it from the rooftops. Very loud about it. But anybody who says that loud that many times, I think actually. Okay. Has other deeper feelings still.

I'll talk about that later in the season. It was something that is an unusual thing, but I was trying to figure out the right way to go about it. I didn't think walking right into the house and walking right into the backyard and saying, congratulations, Lindsay. I wanted to one-on-one tell her. Yeah. But I didn't know what exactly to say. I also have carried in previous fears and just behavior of our past, like a lot of our dialogue. I mean, the last conversation I really had with her was at the reunion. And Andy sat in the

middle of us and there was a lot going on. So the next time I'm seeing her, she's now pregnant. I'm just trying my best. Yeah. And I felt like I said what I wanted to say. I wish I could have said some more. But I felt like once that moment happened to the kitchen and Kyle was in the other room eavesdropping, which is actually classic because he had these like heart shaped clear glasses on that looks so ridiculous. If there's not some sort of costume element, he would be wrong. He looks like those construction workers, like the clear glasses because he's like grinding something. It's like welding. Yeah, welding. He's just watching me and Lindsay try to weld our, our relationship. I did have to laugh though, because you were like having your feelings. We see Lindsay's like giant

blown up sonogram on the mantle. Meanwhile, Jesse's like, oh, hey, here's the love of my life, Lexi. It's classic summer house. Of course. So many layers. But one thing I want to add, though, and part of what's maybe not picked up on is I was cooking dinner for everybody. Mm-hmm. And believe it or not, we actually cook a lot of our own food and like prepare.

I had went out of my way to buy a bunch of steaks, which you saw in the episode, I bought these big tomahawks. I really wanted to make a nice dinner for everybody. I also thought, given the elephant in the room, me showing up, it would be nice if I cooked a big dinner for everybody and really leaned in and made something nice. So what people don't realize is while you're doing what we do, which is have fun, enjoy, I'm cooking and also like doing all these things. Right. And I was cooking massive steaks.

I was, you can see me sweating, not only from the grill and just like the stress of getting the stakes right, but also having that conversation with Lindsay. So you're like I, you're like this conversation, I only have six minutes because I do have to turn out of those stakes. Do we want a medium rare or medium? It's important. You got to time those things. You got to time it. Because then if you overcook the steak, then. Well, everybody's going to rip.

you or make fun of you. Exactly. And I actually, Jesse is a big steak guy and he said the steak was good. And Lindsay did compliment me. Lindsay, that's the thing I'm saying. We're at night one. She already said thank you for the. I was surprised. I actually wasn't sure if she was going to say that. And it was really nice of her to watch. Yeah. So I want to talk about Jesse and Lexi because in these first couple episodes, their presence as an entity looms large. So you weren't there that first dinner. So I want to know what it was like for you watching that premiere episode and seeing them essentially on a one-on-one date across the table from everyone else. I mean, it was fun to watch back because I remember that first moment I walked into the house. And I was like, Jesse, motherfucking solomon.

And like, I saw her. And the way he looked at me and the way I like, the energy, I was like, oh, he's, that's it. That's what he's focused on. But watching it back, I mean, it's kind of cute, actually. Like, I've, we don't always get to see the early stages of relationships in some house. I mean, Weston's here you saw a little bit. Certainly, you've seen me and Lindsay at times. But some relationships on our shows, they've already been fully baked and then they're now.

Like, you didn't see some of the early beginnings of something. So it's cool to see that. And the baby talk and the weird little flirting. I personally love it. But Jesse, I mean, he, like, the guy is focused. Yes. And he's very set on that. And I was surprised within a good hour, like, of now actually, like, downloading because

the way he was talking, he was like, he didn't have her cell phone number yet. That's why I asked him at the lunch. Those first couple episodes, because it is, like, truly so fresh, there are a few of those moments where it's like, my man, you got to. He hadn't even looked at her Instagram until the drive home from that lunch, I don't think. And that's when I actually realized we looked at her Instagram. I was like, oh my God. Yeah, like she has, she's like a successful model.

And like she's been, you know, doing really well. It is. It's such a delicate thing to bring new people into this group. Obviously, you know, nine seasons. There's been some faces that have come and gone. I think last season everybody felt like West and Jesse were really strong additions to the show. Definitely. This season, you have a couple more.

We haven't met Emeril yet on the show. But what are you kind of feeling about the new dynamic? dynamic in the group. I mean, it's a good dynamic. I think it's a very different season than last season, which I love because you're going to have some new energy. Anytime we bring in new people or have new friends join us, I think it's always a challenge for them to integrate because we have all these longstanding history and there's a lot of just nuance that they're not privy to, even just some of the jokes. And like at one point, Lexi actually learned while Danielle was there one weekend. Danielle visited a few times. She's like, wait, Danielle and Carl, like she was,

Just like trying to understand. Oh, yeah. Like, she's like, I don't, like, what? So it's hard for some new people to come in, but I will say Lexi came in. Obviously, you know, was kind of falling for Jesse. And that's been really, I was rooting for them. It was fun to watch that. But it brought a lot of drama.

You know, anytime you're exploring a relationship in the house. Right. So I don't, you know, I give Lexi credit because she really opened herself up and was really trying to meet someone. And I think that makes really good stuff to watch. Yeah. I'm excited for people to see. that part of it. The new guy brings a lot of good stuff.

I mean, as a guy on this show, it's refreshing to see someone else to just let it all hang out. Yeah. He's not, he's just having fun. He's being himself. And I think it certainly will provide some interesting stuff. But yeah, I mean, I personally have gotten to know him

over, you know, the fall. I do really like Imrule. He has a really interesting story, but he definitely like, he's having fun. He's single. meeting the girls and doing his thing. So that'll, I think, bring another element to the new season. What was it like, obviously you've been single in this house on this show before. What was it like coming back this season knowing that like, I don't know if,

I don't know if it's right to say the expectation is that you're going to be like, you know, putting yourself out there in that way. But like that has just historically been sort of part of the recipe of the show. Part of the deal. I mean, I was looking forward to like forcing myself to. to go back out there. You know, I embarrassingly and cringially shared that I had not really been with someone since my ex.

And I was just being honest. Yeah. I needed some time. And I wanted to take some time. I dated a little bit, but still was finding myself unraveling previous feelings and just emotions from the past. And again, we were reliving all of this. Like, imagine try to date someone last April.

Right. While Summer House is airing, I'm engaged on the show. I don't think that's what someone. would call like a green flag if they're like oh so you're I'm gonna watch you yeah it's not like an easy conversation to start dating someone and be like oh by the way yeah so there was some of that i also just wasn't confident in my own skin took me some time to like feel comfortable and start opening myself up again for for whatever reason I had this notion that everybody hated me and a lot of people were aware that I went through this big public breakup and that no one would want to touch me

I'm damaged goods. I'm not worthy. And I kind of felt like that for a period of time. So I wanted to like come into the summer, lean on the guys. And I was glad I told the boys about some of this because Kyle was like, no, we got to get you back out there. Yeah. And it was in a healthy way. And I think they know that me now dating sober and trying to meet someone, it looks different.

But I was just trying to have some fun. But doing that as a sober person, it's different. Like I don't, I'm not used to doing one night stand sober. I've never really done that. Right. Because before I'd be drunk on tons of drugs and you'd make poor choices now I'm making a lot more clear If anything, I'm overthinking everything right and a lot more cautious. I mean, and then it's like there are the cameras there and you're like, okay, whatever I'm doing

They can use it or not. Yeah. But I mean, you'll see like I explored two different situations this summer. I'm proud of that. But as I went through it, I'm like, I still got some work. to do. Yeah. I'm still very rusty. I still, I think I'm figuring and learning what I really, really don't want and what I do want. Yeah. But through those experiences, I mean, even, I've already seen watching back a little bit of the first kind of dating. And like, I already can

just see, like, where I was back last summer. I mean, it's nice when someone's giving you, like, attention and expressing that they're interested. And that feels good. And, but that's not everything. Right. I don't think, yeah, and I think, like, you said it was, like, embarrassing, which I guess, like to share the like you know personal side of it but i mean coming from where i come from which was like fuck boy all these things and like here i am like i actually had like an eight ninth month yeah break i don't think though which was just healthier for me but i think it's also like healthy to to think about how like when you are literally like engaged and you think that's like the path your life is going down and then that changes like everybody's going to handle that and like deal with it on

a different timeline and like it's natural to want to compare it or to feel like there's pressure to like accelerate your path or whatever but like to me it's like it makes sense that you kind of have to like tidy up one thing before you can move on to the next and I mean 100% I was trying to think of a good metaphor for it but I don't I don't it's almost like you clean up for the cleaning lady before she comes over like I had to do some work yes first and really get back to a decent place in my own skin and in my own self before I could then start opening myself up to someone. Yeah. And I will say even as I've opened myself up, there have been moments where I've have some

things I'm still feeling from a previous situation or unwinding past tendencies, which is a reminder, you know, like keep doing the work, keep getting back. Yeah. And staying on track of what you've got to do. And that person, the right woman, will come along. And I believe that. But I was saying this earlier today. A lot of my friends are married and have kids.

Yeah. Certainly seeing Lindsay move on. And, you know, I'm looking around. I'm like, I'd like to move on too. Right. Everybody moves on in different ways. Yeah, you've got to, like, move on on the path that actually makes sense for you. Yeah, for me.

And like, that's great, however it is, but I compare myself to other people. And I look around. I'm like, wow, she's moved on fast or that person's doing this. And I'm like, what about me? I haven't. Yeah. So I think also, like, you were saying kind of like the perception of, like, feeling like people had negative opinions of you or of things that had happened. And, you know, being on this

platform that you are, it is an added layer of like a million people have opinions about stuff that they saw on TV last year. And whatever you do next is going to, but also, like, there's no way to really, like, actually win that game. No, it's a losing game. I mean, it's, like I said, I'm very lucky that so many people care. Yeah. You know, even the dating I have. I've done in the last six, seven months, you know, it's still certainly a challenge with some of my public life. I actually didn't even go on a date two different times, and it was all over page six that I was on a date. So there's some nuances to it that I've been a little challenging, and it's certainly, I'm not complaining, but it's given me some pause with how I've gone about certain things. because I've had some situations where I feel like certain people are maybe more interested in some of the TV part of some of this or maybe different motives.

And maybe that's my own insecurities too. Yeah. I've been doing this now nine years on Bravo and I've certainly dated a fair amount and I've met a lot of people. Yeah. Over the years, I have met some people that are more interested in like other elements of me, not actually me. I feel like you've been doing this long enough to know like, when somebody is like looking at you across the restaurant it's like you can tell when there's like the glimmer in their eye of like that's carl versus like who's that there is like a distinct

tell um you can generally i you get good enough now to recognize when someone knows who you are doesn't right if they're like whispering to their friend yeah you can there's always a tell they watch summer house yeah i can kind of i can literally see it on their face and i usually just go like i don't know i can i can hear you it's like i mean i think it's important to be to have that, like, awareness that it's like, okay, like, in a certain, you know, area, if I'm at a certain type of restaurant or place or whatever, like, somebody's going to know who I am. Yeah. The day that that stops happening, it means that our show has gone a different direction.

Yeah. I've always embraced, you know, the fact that people are excited or, I mean, we were leaving somewhere earlier today and a bunch of people stopped me. And I was like, it was amazing. Like, it really feels good. And I love meeting people that watch our show or connect with us. it's honestly like what makes all of this so fun is like when you have like we have fun with our friends but then another level is when people really connect with it

yeah like when you're out at a restaurant you're at a bar it's awesome to meet these people because you end up meeting so many interesting folks who you never in a million years actually realize that they love and watch Summerhouse yeah the amount of diversity all walks of life it's incredible like men women you name it all walks love Summerhouse

and when you get to meet them in person you're like How the fuck did you know about Summerhouse? Yeah. And it's just cool. Yeah, even like the amount of like lover boy events and bravo cons and, you know, people are traveling for this shit. And I'm coming to see you and you're working on your soft bar. Yep. You just posted a few days ago I saw an update.

You're saying early summer is like the target. Correct. Opening. How are we doing on that? We're pacing. Yes. I get nervous saying like an exact opening day. Of course.

We've told our construction and design team, the company we're working with them building it, June is our goal. Yeah. I could foresee July being the opening, but the goal is to be open for this summer. I'd love to get the cameras in there if they want and see, you know, get everybody over there. Because I'm, this isn't just a bar and a cafe. It's different than that. It's an experience. The space and the actual four walls that I have, it doesn't look like a bar or cafe.

It's actually like an industrial warehouse that we are modifying. It's got a cool garage and it's got a lot of elements that make it a really unique building. Nice. That I think also lend itself to a really cool experience regardless of the fact that we don't serve alcohol. Where is it in Brooklyn? Greenpoint. So right on the edge of Greenpoint in Williamsburg near the William Vale Hotel. Perfect.

Okay. There's a street called Banker Street. Okay. And we're right on Wife and Banker. And it's a really cool industrial spot. But it is going to take a couple months to get up and running because of the buildout. but that's what I wanted. Well, I think also when you are, I mean, people, some people have a natural tendency to be snarky or look for, like, you know, find issues with things.

And I think when you're sharing a process of doing something on a TV show and then something's not like immediately up and running and flourishing and whatever, it's like, oh, there must be, there must be something going wrong. Yeah. This is now we got to get to the bottom of it. it's like you're like building up you're like building something it takes time i mean we've worked pretty quickly yeah you know i and you're not even asking about it but like last season i was talking about this concept with lindsay funny enough at a sober bar in the east village and two of the people that were just randomly at the bar that day one of them is on my team at soft bar so even that moment there like i got lindsay gave me feedback and actually it was great feedback i i appreciate

that she's worked in hospitality PR for a long time she knows how hard it is to run a bar or a restaurant her family also ran a bed and breakfast in north carolina hubbard house which is why she named her business hub house oh okay correct so she comes from a family of yes the hospitality in one side of it i don't blame her for saying what she said at all if anything it gave me a reason to go back to the table and work on it and develop it more because that was that was your shark tank yeah i honestly I needed Mrs. Wonderful to tell me that that's not a great idea and that you should work at something else. But I went back to the drawing board and I really thought hard and I found some people to help me bring the idea of life. But it's not a sober sports bar. That was the first thought.

Okay. This is just a mindful consumption cafe and bar. It's not a sober bar because when you say sober bar, that means you have to be sober to come there. Anybody can come. You could have drank in the parking lot. We won't serve you alcohol because we don't have it, but we're going to be. to serve you an amazing drink. Okay. That will make you feel good and make you, or be healthier for you and make it feel good. Yeah. I think that's, I mean, we've obviously on Bravo and even on your show seen so many like

businesses and projects and things over the years, like having a platform and having an idea for something like it takes a lot of work and it can take a lot of time. I mean, there was a time on Summerhouse when Loverboy was like embarrassing or whatever and it happened. And yeah, I think it's, it's like exciting to. to see you guys, like you said, you've grown up in a lot of ways on this show. And like, now you're doing something new. And maybe that's like a little scary or a little challenging or whatever, but it's also exciting.

It's exciting, to your point, it's very scary and challenging. I mean, I've learned a lot from Kyle and Amanda, just building something from the ground up. We've done a lot to help that business. But we've been very fortunate with the exposure we've gotten on Bravo, with the audience and the consumers that have bought the products, the merch. people come to our events. It's been an incredible ride. But as I was further along in my lover boy career, and then I stopped drinking,

and then we launched lover boy non-alc. It just seemed natural like this is this next journey for me. And Kyle and Amanda have been very supportive of it, which has been great. You know, so I'm excited about this next chapter. I'm still supportive of lover boy. I'm still helping out there. I still have equity.

I love Kyle and Amanda, but this is my thing now. And I feel really like this is exactly where I should be. And I think, yeah, I mean, like, watching your sobriety journey on the show is what, like four years now? Yeah, I just hit four years, January 8th, 2020. That's crazy. I mean, but like, that's something where, like, we were watching when you were, like, really in the thick of that, I feel like, and it was so fresh and something you were really, like, working through. And so now to kind of be in the space where it's, like, something that is, like, a potential positive opportunity.

Like, it's cool to sort of have that, like, roadmap. Yeah, I mean, I feel really lucky that I've been afforded a chance to keep coming back, even though I don't drink anymore. I have often said this. People are like, well, how do you do it if you don't drink? And I'm like, I wouldn't be able to do it if I did drink. Right. Because my level of drinking and the cocaine and all the other substances I was putting my body. And this wasn't always, but, like, I would be chasing the night elsewhere.

And I wouldn't even be present. And that wouldn't be something good for anybody. So the way I'm able to show up now is the best thing for me. And I think best thing for the whole just experience of it. You're getting to know me for who I really am. And this summer especially, I think you're going to really see me for who I am. I'm not in a relationship on my own self, my own thoughts, my own opinions. And I'm looking forward for people to seeing that side of me.

And it's another extension of my journey. You know, I stopped drinking January. I mean, my last day of ever having alcohol was January 7th. I drank all night January 6th watching the Capitol get stormed in D.C. That was my rock bottom night. That next day, I still was carrying on, and I had a really rough moment. But it was from that day that I said, I can't ever drink again. Kyle came over to my apartment a couple days after that and, like, sat me down and was like,

you're going to fucking die if you don't get your shit together. And it was having him look me in the eye and be like, I'm really like, you have to stop doing it. It was Coke. Coke was my big problem. Alcohol and Coke. But he read, read me, like, gave me tough love. And that's what I needed. And it was Kyle, actually, that was a big pivotal moment that I took a lot of that energy and I got a sponsor. I got support. I worked the steps in AA. Really committed to finding this. But there's no roadmap for like the ups and downs as you go through. Entering relationships, dealing with ups and downs in your career. Life. It all comes. Life doesn't stop happening when you get sober. But dealing with your life doesn't stop. You have to deal with it and manage all those things. And I've been learning how to do that in front of the camera. You know, and I'm certainly not perfect. My emotions and my energy, like, it's all been a big learning lesson.

But I'm proud of the fact that, you know, I don't use drugs or alcohol that were killing me. You know, I'm sober from all of those substances that were literally ruining my life. Nine seasons later. Nine seasons later. But yeah, like even this summer, like I finally feel like I came out of my shell probably after weekend four. Okay. I think. Okay.

Weekend four. So we got like a few episodes left. Yeah, I had a minor meltdown at the July 4th party, which you'll see or have seen. I think on this week's episode, but sorry. I, you know, I think what you'll see on this season is I'm like a little uptight. Yeah. Little tense, little stiff. And Sierra really helped me break out of my shell.

She was someone who had a light energy about it. She's like, loosen the fuck up, bro. Like, she would say shit like that. And having her kind of help just make me feel better and get out of my head. Amanda and Page did that. Like this, it was like, I needed to stop being so fucking serious. Well, I feel like that's what, like kind of going back to what I was saying at the beginning, like I feel like your group has a sort of special.

dynamic to it and that like obviously people have conflicts and people aren't always and not everybody's always getting along with each other because let's be real that would be boring TV but like there is that feeling of like when when you're struggling with somebody with something like they're they're kind of helping you out with that or when you know when page is going through a breakup that people want her to be okay and you know the sierra and west thing feeling like everybody kind of wants them both to be good. Yeah. And I think that that it creates like a good vibe for the show when it feels like,

okay, we're going to have our issues, but then everybody's kind of trying to like collectively get to a better place together. Absolutely. I mean, you nailed why I think what we get to do is people are surprised with the level of drama and all the ups and downs as friends we've had, but I think it's been really healthy at the reunions. Put it all out. Like those reunions, we don't hold back.

And I think when you put it all out there, a lot of times what's left unsaid does more damage than what's set. Yeah. And I think with our group over the last few years, for sure, at the reunions, we put it all out there. And I think that almost brings you closer in a weird way. When you're just saying it all. And I think we've also learned to move on a little bit and just kind of like, you know what? I was fucked up. They were fucked up.

It's just a bit of. Yeah. And I think that's healthy. And some other shows, I mean, maybe don't have that. But I'm proud of our group because I think we all see that if we are, we're better together than we are not. And if we can all move past some of the nuance or some of the drama, there's even more fun ahead for us. And guess what? There'll probably be some other nonsense that won't involve me anymore. You know what I mean? Like, it's always like, what's the next shoe that's going to drop?

Yeah, well, weekend three or four, Carl comes out of his show. We'll stay tuned. You'll see, you'll see me pop out of my shell, not like a Sierra Costa. gotta pop out and show them. You'll be good. But yeah, I mean, listen, I think it's one of our best seasons we've ever had. I'm excited. I think everybody, I feel like Summerhouse is a show that people really just like watching, which is fun because it's like, just enjoy it.

It's so, I mean, if we do another season after this, we'll have been on as long as friends. Which my goal as a group would be hilarious and fun if we can go 10 seasons as a group. Okay. And match friends. which is an iconic New York City show. And here we are as like an iconic reality show in the Hamptons. And they were roommates. And they were roommates.

And they all fucked each other and hated each other and then loved each other. Well, your, your mouth to whoever makes that decision's years, 10 seasons. Come on. Let's do it. Yeah, let's do it. You know, maybe we'll have another new, we will do a new house. Who knows? That'd be cool. Well, for now we have a very good season nine ahead of us, I think. We do.

Yeah, I think the only thing I'll say is, it's a roller coaster like usual. Oh, yeah. But yeah, I mean, there's probably one of my favorite parties we've ever thrown. And we've had it, like, from Kyle's tea party

to Lindsay's fairy tale. We've had unbelievable parties this summer that you're about to watch. Two of the parties that we have are some of the best parties we've ever had. Okay. Strap in, everyone. Strap in,

get your lover boys ready, get your popcorn. Yeah. Watch it on peak. I don't know. Whatever you got to do. Watch it on. Betches. Thanks, Carl.

So, thanks, man. Always a pleasure. Pleasured. Thanks for having. Thanks so much to Carl. And thank you, everyone, for listening. Don't forget to rate, review, and follow the show wherever you listen. You can follow us on Instagram at Bravo by Betches. And until next time, be cool.

Don't be all like uncool. Mentioned It All is produced by me, Dylan Hafer, and edited by Kate McCalliffe. Social media by Dylan Hafer. Additional production help from Shannon Jimenez-Sassone. Be sure to follow us at Bravo by Betches. Yamava Resort and Casino at San Manuel is California's number one entertainment destination for today's superstars. Catch the Jonas Brothers return to the Yamava Theater stage on April 30th,

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