Not Skinny But Not Fat - My Fave Southern Charmer w/ Craig Conover

Episode Date: March 2, 2021

I've been waiting to have my favorite Southern Charmer- Craig Conover aka Craigy on the pod. Ever since I first saw him breaking all stereotypes with a sewing machine, and crying over ex Naomi Olindo's nose job, I've wanted to marry I mean speak to him. I talk to Craig about all things Southern Charm this past season, that unforgettable reunion, and everything the Pillow King has going on now.  Support the show by supporting our sponsorsss: Stitch Fix: Get started today at StitchFix.com/NOTSKINNY and you’ll get 25% off when you keep everything in your Fix! Ritual: Get key nutrients–without the B.S. Ritual is offering my listeners 10% off during your first 3 months. Visit ritual.com/NOTSKINNY to start your Ritual today. Woo: Head over to WOOMorePlay.com/discount/NOTSKINNY for 20% OFF your order of WOO. Or use code NOTSKINNY. Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The following podcast is a dear media production. This is Amanda Hirsch from the Not Skinny but Not Fat podcast. You might know me from Not Skinny Bonatha on Instagram where I spend my time talking about reality TV, celebrities, everything happening, and pop culture. I also talk to some of our favorite celebs and reality TV stars. We talk about what's going on. Tune in every Tuesday and just feel like you're talking about your best friends in your living room.

Okay, I legit just posted on Instagram that I'm going to record with my favorite Southern Charmer. And right before I started, someone was like, Craig, so I guess it's known that you're my favorite. Craig Conover is here on the pod today. I'm pumped. This is awesome. But it's funny because, you know, depending who you talk to, I would say that I haven't always been everyone's. favorite and has been quite a roller coaster of a ride. But some people have liked me since the beginning. Well, I'm saying me. I'm talking just... Oh, yeah. I know. I'm... No, I know, but not you're rare. Like, well, not rare. Just... Well, I'm rare. I'm rare. Yes, you're... Okay, you can... A rare. But I love, you know,

my loyal OGs that have seen, seen the truth through my eyes. And I don't know, I always laugh because everything, pretty much everything, at least that I can remember that I've ever said on the show has come true. any theory that I've had. So, yeah, I was, I loved you since day one. And I even think, I, I don't think I ever even talked shit about you, honestly. I don't remember you doing, it's funny because you actually remember that stuff, too. Like, you would remember. Yeah, as many eyes that you have on you throughout the time, you know, words, words still, you know, they, I don't want to say hurt.

But, you know, they do. especially in the winning. Of course. People need to realize, like, you can get compliments all day. You can hear Craig, you're the hottest thing alive. Three thousand times. You'll hear one like thing that's bad. And that's what's going to stay with you when you go to sleep at night. It's especially true when you bring people onto the show. You know, if you bring your significant other on, it takes some sort of dark history to kind of deal with it. Like I was bullied a lot growing up. So I am used to it and had to sell a foul. But when someone's not a part of this world and you bring them on and someone says something mean, you know, I've seen it, I don't want to say to the girls because I've seen the guys do it too. But even people that are castmates, you know, on the show, they, whether it's changed their teeth or change something about them. Because again, I'm not trying to discredit them. It's just it comes from a place of seeing it too much on the internet, you know. Craig is like alluding to so many things right now that my brain is like, wait, okay, we're talking

about his girlfriend and now what we're talking about like. Well, no, and I wasn't even talking about my ex, but it's just something that happens. Even, I mean, Natalie's awesome. She's great, you know, but people, you see stuff on the internet and no matter, yes, like you said, no matter how many good things you see, sometimes when you see something negative, it's tough to, you know, it takes a little while to be able to block that out at first. well let's talk about you for a second because i do feel like you you get a lot of love like people it's always craggy you know it's craggy like we love craggy we love craggy and i've loved you since

day one because you did speak the truth and you were always like the voice of reason in this like weird ass group that you were in like you and just hang out with thomas ravenel just like sometimes with reality tv you're you're put in situations where you're friends with and hanging out with people that maybe you wouldn't. Like, you didn't grow up with Thomas Ravenel. Right. I met Thomas through Whitney. Whitney brought a lot of us together.

And, you know, I always got along really well with Thomas, especially in the beginning of year. So I don't see him anymore or talk to him. But, you know, it was funny because those dinners that he would do and those roasts that he would go on, he'd go around the whole table. And then he'd say something nice about me. And Shep would be like, that's all you have to say about Craig. And I always got off scot-free, which always made me laugh.

I mean, the only thing the first seasons was that you were, the only thing against you was really that you were slacking on your bar. Right. Which I couldn't. Because I, well, I wasn't allowed to take it because I had never graduated. Right. And I remember Shep was so fucking angry. And I remember being like, what the fuck?

Like he was so up in your business and like angry about your life that it was It didn't make sense. That all really started after the date auction season two when it was Kelsey Ballerini. And I just feel like after that date auction, he, man, did his tone change around me. And we've had our ups and downs and we're great now. But for a while there, yes, he was not, you know, he always claimed he did it out of love and always claimed he was my biggest support of. And even on the reunion this year, Andy was like, what are you talking about? like he named your his dog Craig too yeah and his best selling shirt has my name on it too so he

there's there's definitely a lot of crags that exist in his but you took that really like in a cool way right like if someone named their dog Amanda I'd probably be a little bit offended I mean yeah what can you do you know I just laughed at it you really even though I wouldn't be worried about you know giving one of my friends power over me you just that's how you give you know, if I would have reacted poorly or negatively, that gives him the power. You know, that's, he wanted to mess with me about it. And then you just laugh it off and you just take the wind right out of their sales, you know? So I think it's weird and bizarre. And trust me, everyone gets sick of him yelling at four leg Craig because he just screams across the room for

like, Craig. And everyone's like, dude, just shut up. But yeah, you know, you have to, you have to pick and choose your battles. And we've definitely had ours. But that one, Shep's just a different human. And, you know, I was, I was flattered. I get, not flattered. I mean, I definitely thought it was weird, but. Wait, so I have to ask you a question. I was listening to your podcast. Craig has a new podcast with Austin called Pillows and Beer. Very literal because you do pillows and Craig. I mean, you do pillows and Austin does beer. And it's going really well. I want to also tell. people how serious you are you came on today he has equipment he's super timely he's not first

second season crag you guys he's but it's always the nail polish and i love that remind us what that is again that one nail so it's for my i paint my one nail my ring finger nail um this turquoise like aqua blue and it's for the polished man campaign so it represents one out of every five children that's abused but it goes unreported because they don't know the different between a safe human and the bad human that's abusing them. So it's the raise awareness. Basically, they had a lot of footage and research of these kidnapped kids and abused kids being out in public with their offender, grocery stores or whatnot. And as they got older, they're like, why did you never ask for help? They'd be like, well, how did I know that that person wasn't bad

too? And so that's kind of how it started. Also an excuse to paint my nails. How do you always have it? How do you, you're so, you're like better at it than me. Like, I feel like you never. I love the I love the nail slot. It's one of my relaxing places. So I go and get my nails done once every other week, if I can. And Anna Hamer likes it because since I'm trapped in a chair for an hour, she just sits next to me and goes through all of the emails, all of the assignments.

And so that kind of becomes our office for the day. Oh, so it's a professional one nail thing. I thought it was just you painting it at home. Oh, no, no, no. I've tried. I mean, I like shake a little bit too much to paint my own nails. I can't really figure it out. I mean, not a bad way. I did. But it's kind of the nail salon. Oh, you're getting a weird. You're getting a whole manny on the way. You're getting like the cuticle. You're getting the whole shendig. Yeah. Like it was part of my routine for HSN the other night. Like I actually went and got a manicure before I was on HSN. Because it's kind of soothing to me. It's kind of therapeutic and I don't know. I like being pampered. Like, I like getting my hair cut. I like getting, you know. You like being groomed. Yes. Weirdly, like, that's one of my, yeah, pleasures in life. I like being groomed. That's another thing that I always loved about you, things that Naomi, your first girlfriend, less liked about you. I tell you guys about products that are cool and that you probably saw around and thought about and said, hey, like. I just need another little push to get this, but I secretly really want it because everyone

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that's not only a discount for your first month, for your second month, but for three whole months. You go to ritual.com slash not skinny. Again, that's 10% off your first three months by going to ritual.com slash not skinny to start your ritual today. You need it in your life. Check it out. That's another thing that I always loved about you, things that Naomi, your first girlfriend, less liked about you. You had the gardening and then the sewing, which like the sewing is like, boom, in your face now. But I, I remember, like, even if, I mean, you know, like, you would know if I said anything bad. I was always like, it was just so endearing that you took on, of course, listen, if you were my boyfriend and you were slacking and you weren't working and

you were home all day, could I get upset? Like, did I understand Naomi at times? Yes. Do you a little bit in retrospect, like, understand where she was coming from? I do. What happened was that for the first year of our relationship, we were on the same schedule. So she was working a real estate career that she could stay up with me all night, watching movies or whatever, sleep late into the day, and it didn't matter. But when she started to go back to grad school, she had to start waking up at 8 a.m. She went on to a regular schedule. I stayed on the same schedule. And yes, I can see how that would be very frustrating. So I understand it. And to her credit, you know, it wasn't necessarily so much about the activities. It was just every, look,

there's a lot of pressure when you're filming and there were a lot of people in her ears that it's taken me a few years later to realize that. But a lot of the stuff that she was saying, I would put my money on to not come from her brain. But what that did was, you know, I mean, she was convinced of it. It's just, it's tough because I wanted, I think the one day that it was really bad that I can't blame production or I can't blame anyone else, that it was all her. It was the day I got the sewing machine, her reaction to that kind of broke my heart because

I think one of the most attractive things you can do is be comfortable enough to do these things that aren't in the norm. And I think most people or a lot of people would think it was really attractive that I didn't care about the stereotypes or what people would think, but I wanted to sew and so I was going to sew. And so, you know, she was a little in the box for that. You know, she couldn't see the bigger picture. And so, yeah, that was tough.

But, you know, fortunately because of all of those struggles and those dark moments surrounding it, it makes kind of the come up and the success so much more fun. Oh, my God. I mean, you're saying that really nicely, but I feel like the undertone to that is like, booyah because it's literally that it's like the sewing which was an issue and we all remember those scenes at least i do when you were at home sewing and she would walk in from school like annoyed being like and you were like and then knowing that that led to your actual company today your pillow brand and your success today is is is a huge in your face it's it's fun i

I, you know, it's funny because people ask, well, who are your biggest supporters, blah, blah. I'm like, or who believed in you? And I was like, I did. I was the only one that could see what it could turn into. Obviously, my parents are great. But everyone else just thought I was nuts. And I was like, guys, stepping out of the box and doing something that other people aren't being kind of a disruptor, that's what's great. And I really, there was a positive message to go with it. I will say on, you know, to Naomi's, I guess to the Naomi point of all of this, she has thanked me on two occasions very sincerely and said that I taught her how to love and she's where she's at in life because of me.

The show is an awesome opportunity that, you know, she has her company. And it was a very genuine, sincere conversation that we've gotten to have. And so she has been super supportive, you know, at the end of the day, she's, she's been great about it. But yeah, I always, you know, Leva talks about it a lot. Leva is like, if I was more, if she was more into Naomi's life at that point, she was like, I, Leva saw it. Because Leva, even though she hasn't been on the show until now, she was always around us and she was involved in our lives. So she saw it. And she was like, Craig's on to something.

It's not cookie cutter success like everyone else. whoever stays with him is, is going to have a pretty fun life at the end of the day. Do you think at the end of the day that Naomi, I know this is going back for you, but like you have to understand, for me, I've wanted to talk to you since I've started watching Southern Johnny. So I'm going back. Live it with me. So do you think at the end of the day, the bottom line and the trigger for Naomi was kind of like a financial thing? Like she was worried that you weren't going to cut it, like you weren't going to bring home the dough? Well, no, because we were doing so well with the show.

And that's what frustrated me so much. Oh, and you couldn't break the fourth one. Be like, we're making money from the show. And so whenever anyone would call me lazy or stuff like that, I'm like, I am doing, I don't know what I'm allowed to say, but I'm like, financially, I'm in easily the top 3% of people my age at that time. You know, I was just like, this isn't about money. And so that's, so it wasn't about the money.

It was about, I think she just had in her head that you were supposed to, live like everyone else. And it, she couldn't see out of that box of fun, which was interesting because her dad was an entrepreneur and he lived outside of the box too. But I don't, I think it was more of a status thing. I think whether she sees it or not, every, she couldn't handle everyone else what they thought. So you had Shep constantly saying that I was a loser, that I should be a lawyer. You had Cam constantly say I was being a loser and that I should be a lawyer. And she respected and looked up to these people. And that's who formed her opinions for her. Were the people on the show. And let's just put another side note in there that what did what else did you do this

week, Craig? Open a. Oh, a law firm. Yeah. So I just opened a law firm. And that's that's what level always says. She's like, I knew it. It was just going to take like two or three years to let Craig kind get his footing. Because how old were you when you started the show? It was 24. 24. Okay. So everyone was giving you shit, but you were 24 years old. You know what I mean? It's not like you were 33, which you just turned 32, right? Just turned 33. I saw my parents got confused too because Google has it as 89. So I know where you got, I just saw it yesterday. So I was like, I knew it for my brain. It was my girlfriend, Natalie threw me a surprise party this year or like, you know, a surprise get together or whatever, which I guess were. Yes, whatever. She gave me. some birthday surprises. And she said that she had to call my parents. What? What'd she give you? What you give you, Craig? She gave me, so she gave me a really nice personalized necklace and some other stuff. She set up some Zoom stuff. And it was just cool. She brought together some friends and family

in a way that was special. She put together this video of where she had my best friends from college who still have videos on their computers and phones. She made a highlight reel of our college, which was one of the most entertaining things I've ever watched. It was insane. It was like baby Craig in college and all my friends. That's so nice. Yeah. And then she had,

she had confessional, you know, then she had messages from my family around the country that sent in messages and my friends. And so it was kind of a roast, kind of a, it was a roast mixed with, you know, loving messages from my family.

So it was really sweet. But she had said that the internet said I was 32. And she was like, I swear you said 88. So I am 33. Okay, you guys, sorry to interrupt. I've told you guys about Stitch Fix before. If you saw me on Instagram with my free people, Juggers, as like the Brits would say, that I love. So that is something that I got with Stitch Fix. It's a super cool idea. Basically, online shopping can be daunting.

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towards the pieces you keep. So try on pieces at home before you buy. Keep what you love. Return what you don't. Like I said, Stitch Fix has free shipping, easier returns in exchanges, and the prepaid return envelope is included. Get started today at stitchfix.com slash not skinny and you'll get 25% off when you keep everything in your fix. That's stitchfix.com slash not skinny for 25% off when you keep everything in your fix. Stitchfix.com slash not skinny. Everyone was giving you shit like, oh my God, he's such a slacker. He's such a this. But you were a 24, 25 year old coming up on this show, making money off the show and enjoying it and putting off like responsibilities a little bit. So I was giving you grace.

Yeah, no, and I, and I appreciate it. And I remember you could see it. And yeah, it was, it was a little absurd. I, you know, everyone liked to just dismiss the whole law school thing. And that's when people call me stupid and everything, I'm like, again, I don't really care. I'm, I know how to deal with it, but I'm just like, you know, passing them bar on the first try wasn't, wasn't the easiest thing for most people, you know, and know it. No, that's insane. But it's like you don't have

Shepp's vocab, right? That's like I put up something of Shepp's like t-shirt because I thought it was funny One of his shirts said something Yeah, tan fat is Equals muscle.

Muscle, yeah. So I didn't know it was his merch. I just thought it was a funny shirt And I put it up and then he reposted it and he was like, that's my merch. And I was like, oh, you have mercy. And then he said some word that I had to Google. And just that response to me.

He was like, oh, it's a plodis that you wouldn't. I don't know what he said. I don't even know how to, but it could be like a vocabulary thing. Do all those people? Well, Shep has a high vocabulary. But I guess the rest of the cat. Yeah, I mean, he went to Varenda Belt for a business school. He lived in Dubai for a while.

He, you know, he worked for one of the famous golfers, old golfers, real estate companies for a while. So he's, yeah, he's very well educated. It's, we're great yang and yang, which is, which is good because we really are opposites on pretty much everything. And, um, you know, we know how to push each other's buttons, uh, but there's a true brotherly love at the end of the day. It used to be a brother or a cousin that you would only see on Christmas and hang out with us. I would definitely say we're brothers now. And Taylor's really hit. Just to finish up on the Naomi thing, because I told you I'm still living in that era. No, I know. I'm sure you had to.

years of questions. Oh my God. Yeah. So yeah. Yeah, what? Are you cool with it? No, I was just saying I had years of answers. The one thing is, is that, and it happened with Austin, too, and it'll take a couple of seasons for people to see it. But when you truly love someone, you protect them. And so you're not going to go after them or throw them under the bus on the show. And so that's where you see this arc of, you know, people for season really didn't like me because they had, you know, kind of an incomplete view of me and then you get out of these relationships and you start to really thrive and just be yourself and people get to see more and more of you and it seems I think Austin will have a similar arc but yeah sorry so what are we going to say about Naomi you are such a good friend to

Austin we're going to get to Austin because yeah you're such a good friend in general so just the Naomi thing things that stuck with me from the first seasons are when she got her nose job and you like cried when you saw her new nose, broke my heart. Well, yeah, I mean, I, because I truly, you know, loved her for who she was. And I, right. And I hated that she, in my opinion, couldn't see what I saw. I mean, now I'm really happy for her because I know it was something that she had always, always wanted. I just, I wanted her to know that she didn't need it. But I know that she had always wanted it and she was super happy with it. And I'm happy for her. But I also at that time thought it was kind of a final, you know.

Like the new Naomi. Yeah. Is she still with that dude? Yeah, they're still together. I actually ran into them in the airport. We were in the Sky Lounge. I was coming back from somewhere and they were coming back. And, you know, you always remember people in your peripherals, no matter if you see.

And like, she walked in or her and Matul walked in. And I was like, no fucking way because they didn't see me at first. And they sat, you know, two tables away. And I went over and I started by standing and talking to him, but I ended up sitting with them and talking, you know, especially now that I've been dating Natalie for a while. We're just good friends. But it was just funny, you know, how life is crazy, how you can spend years with someone having your whole future planned out and then just be.

Strangers. Yeah, strangers. It's nuts. See, that's why I love you. because you're so sensitive, like, that is something that most women feel. And a lot of times, at least women think that men don't have that same feeling. And you're a guy in the sense. And you're always, like, surrounded by, like, playas.

And I always got the sense with you from the beginning. Right. You're surrounded by, like, Shep, you used to go out, hook up with girls every night. And even when you were going out and hooking up, you never felt, you know, you were probably a play. No, so I'll tell you, I'll tell you, you're not wrong. I was a three-week guy, which I don't know if that sounds bad or good, but I was always only with one person at a time, but we would have a good, a fun three weeks together. And a lot of times I was a rebound guy. And it was like a girl would get out of a relationship and my best friend at that time, Corey, he's still one of my best friends, but we lived together. And they knew they could go out with us and have a good time and it didn't feel safe. And, you know, and no one was going to mess with them out and they didn't have to worry about their ex. And then, you know, three weeks would go by. And it was. It was never, no one was ever misled into thinking it was anything more. And I think it's selfish to stay with someone over a month unless you can see yourself marrying them because, you know, just to see the possibility.

Because if you stay with someone more than a month and you know there's no chance of getting married, then you're doing it for selfish reasons. You're doing it because you're insecure and you're not sure if you're going to find another boyfriend or girlfriend. So I think it's a little messed up to lead someone on, I guess. I have really weird kind of theories in that stuff. I don't think they're weird. I think they're nice, but it was always like a fun little fling.

And I don't think anyone really was ever, like never was angry or anything. It was just, it kind of worked. And it wasn't always, it was, I wasn't always hooking up with someone. But when I did hang out with someone, you know, it was, it was a special three weeks or whatnot. Does that sound bad? I just, no, it doesn't sound bad at all. I mean, you're single and you're, you know, attractive and you're running around and you're hooking up with girls. You were saying that you wouldn't lead women on for a long time.

Well, like, I wouldn't, they never thought that we were going to date, you know, like it wasn't. Unless you were dating. Unless we were dating. And if I liked them, then I would stay with them. I wasn't against a relationship. It was just, I think it would have been selfish to lead someone on, which I know some people can say sounds like what other people do, but I just think we would have a really good time for those three weeks. And it wasn't. Like, there was never, I was never grabbing my golf bag in the morning being like, oh, I've got a tea time. You've got to go.

You know, like it was just for three weeks, we kind of had a special thing. But I think the reason it didn't feel, you know, like it does with other people when you see it on TV is because it was genuine for those, you know, it was a genuine connection if I was with someone. I remember Shep brought, he met this girl on Instagram when we went to my parents' house second season for that dinner. scene where Whitney told them I was lying about graduating. And so this girl from Instagram showed up at my parents' house for dinner. And the producers are like, what the hell,

Shep? Like, can we explain this at all? And he's like, well, I just thought it'd be cool. He's like, I asked Craig's mom if my, like, girlfriend could come. And my parents are like, who is this girl? But so they kind of, they, you know, they cut around her as much as possible. But oh, my God. Sorry to interrupt, guys. And you're going to be like, Amanda, you told us, leave me alone. So no, sorry. I'm here to tell you again about Woo. Woo. Woo. I've told you guys on Instagram about Woo. I've told you guys on the podcast about Woo. So many of you shared your intimate Wu stories with me. Like, hey, Amanda, we made freaking babies with Wu. Honestly, for real. This is true story. So here I am again. Just a quick little reminder about Wu. And their amazing sexual wellness, natural sexual wellness products, like their love oil, which I am obsessed with. It's made out of coconut oil, beeswax, stevia, all natural, tastes like a freaking vanilla cupcake. And they have it in their regular size and also in a smaller kind of to go size from a little sotty bodies.

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I'm just, I don't know what it is about me, but I don't want to say I never took advantage of it. I just never used it. I never met anyone on Instagram. I would meet people in person. And so for a while, I was traveling around and I was staying out of Charleston really as much as I could. So I was doing like L.A. and Miami and New York,

which it's funny because there's a lot, to my life that you don't get to see sometimes on TV. Remember when you became a fisherman in the Bahamas or something? Yeah. Well, and then for two years, I lived in the Bahamas, which... Oh, my God. Craig. No, that's insane. You legit lived in the Bahamas and you were like fishing on a boat. Yeah, well, I would wake up and we'd go spear fishing and bar hop on the boat. That was two years? It was on and off for two years. So I would come back, you know, for a little while in Charleston. And then I would go back anytime I got a chance.

It was amazing. And so Hurricane Dorian, that's where Hurricane Dorian sat for 28 hours. So that island that I spent two years on is just completely gone. But it was awesome. And so what I would do is I would, in the Bahamas, I think I went six months before meeting someone because that's not why I was there. I was just there to cleanse my body and soul and mind. And then, you know, I met someone for a little while down there too.

And I just, yeah, they were just kind of short. lived fun things that I would meet people in other places. But Austin answers messages and sends messages. I just I don't know if I was too shy or if I was naive or you know. But you probably look through them and

like there were probably a lot of just girls hitting you up. Yeah. I remember I was on Raya because it was just fun. It was the only dating app I had and it was obviously for validation. You know, it felt good if someone liked your profile. And I met up with

pro surfer in New York one time. And she was great and everything, but it's just different. It was the first time I had ever met up with someone off an app. And there's just, there's something about in-person chemistry. You know, she was beautiful, but I, you know, it's not, you don't really have anything there. So we had a nice night as friends, you know, we hung out with my friends. And then she went home and that was it. But it's just never been my style, I guess. And there was one Bravo person that you had, or are there more at Bravo. There was Summer House. What was it, Jules? Yeah, Jules and I had had fun. She was great. Well, I mean, it was one of those things that we, we met at the party. And then I stayed in the city for a couple weeks and we hung out. And then, you know, I had to,

I was time to go back to Charleston. And that was it. It was kind of a, yeah, I didn't see you ending up with Jules. She was a sweetheart. Yeah. Yeah, I actually. I was in New York, I think after Jules or whatever. I actually ended up staying there for two months. I was dating this actress for a while. And I lived in Nolita for like two months. And yeah, that always somehow I'm like, I don't somehow fly under the radar, I guess, which I will say sometimes you're like, I kind of thought it would be cool if other people

knew what I was doing. You know, I mean, you do have those feelings. That's when people like, pay. paparazzi and shit like that to randomly. So you're not in on it. But that, I feel like in California that happens, you know. I feel like you're in a hundred percent tell too. Yeah. But they don't get called out on it, at least that I see. But like, you can tell where you're like, no one is following you to the beach with a camera. Yeah. Yeah. Like, do you follow any like celebrity gossip thing? Um, I mean, yours. And I have like, do, but I heard on your podcast, you,

You watch TV. Do you watch like Bravo and stuff? So the only unscripted show I watch is 90 day fiancé, which is my favorite show on television. You are such a fun boyfriend, Craig. Like I'm about to leave my like what 90 day fiancee sewing like all this shit. Okay. You know, we're-

See, that's what I thought too. You know, back then I wanted to be like, guys, I feel like it's kind of fun dating me. But so yeah, I watch a lot of scumption. scripted television. I will say that the actors and actresses that I've met that are on like scripted television, they can't watch scripted television or movies because it stresses them out thinking about lines that they have to remember. So they watch unscripted television. And a lot of unscripted television

people watch scripted television because when they watch unscripted, they know exactly what's going on behind the scenes when they're watching something. So the reunion. Because, okay, this season, we're going to say it the way it is, Craig. Your storyline this. season was like via Austin a little bit. Like you were kind of like, you were like with Austin this season. It was like both of you, two peas in a pod. There was COVID. There was whatever. There was a lot going on. But, but that was a lot of it. Yeah. I mean, we had COVID really through a wrench in stuff, obviously with everyone. But we had one of the most fun seasons planned. And that's why when you see me upset in those scenes and people are like, oh, he was a COVID denier and stuff,

it's because I was pissed off because like this season was about to be awesome. And when we were told about it, you know, obviously I was like, are we sure? Like, can we not like all, you know, everyone go home right now because we had something called Carolina Cup, which is a huge horse race down here that we used to go to in college. We were going to film Carolina Cup. We're going to film the bridge run, which is a 60,000 person run like 10K over our bridge here. We have I have River Dogs tickets, which is the Yankees minor league team here. So we were going to have dates at the baseball stadium. It was just cool.

Like the city had really embraced our us being here. Not that they haven't already, but it just, it seemed like the rules were out the window. So then COVID happened. And yeah, I mean, we were lucky to be able to continue filming when we were. But, you know, it just kind of changed things. I actually enjoyed the season. It was very bingeable. Like, I'm not very good at binging.

it usually takes me like forever. And it was a very like easy to watch entertaining season. I mean, I, I thought it was, I think it was new and fresh and different, which I'm happy that I know a lot of people had opinions, but I'm happy with what we did because it was exactly what was going on.

So there was like we just, when the cameras were able to come back, we just continued addressing everything that was happening in real time. And I don't think a lot of shows, did that. And I think it was like, I don't know why I said like. I just, I, I thought it was very authentic and organic and transparent of what was going on and, you know, as much as it could be. And I was proud of it. And then the reunion came. And Craig was pissed off. What do you say

for small to people that are like, he was wasted? I mean, I was pretty drunk. It was definitely more drunk than I should be on television. What happened was... But no, no, no, no. I haven't... No, no, I haven't... I... The last time I took Adderall, I think was two years ago. So, no, it was no drugs. It was... It was just drinking. And the night before, you know, Austin had done a good job of not watching this year, which, you know, good job for his mental state, essentially. But when it comes to the reunion, you need to know what had happened. And so, Shep, I... flew in a little later and Shep was like, Craig, come down to Austin's room. I'm making him

watch the last four episodes of the season because he was still in kind of denial about stuff. And so it ended with him and I on the floor of the hotel with our backs against the bed watching TV, just passing, you know, a bottle of bourbon back and forth. Just, you know, just being there for your buddy. And so then I kind of had the shampoo effect the next day. You know, I had some rosé and I also went like 45 days without drinking just as a challenge, like a month prior to that. And so my tolerance is not anything what it used to be. And so. But I liked, I liked you on Leach.

Like, first of all, you brought the whole, you brought the savageness to the reunion. But does it? Okay. Question that's random. When Andy kind of like, when it comes to Andy and Andy's like, Craig, not now. Or like, I feel like I cringe like for you. Do you get what I'm saying? Like, I feel like when Andy, I don't know like the word to use,

but when Andy kind of like shushes you, isn't that like, it hurts. It hits different. I'm not used to Andy disciplining me. Yeah. And I knew that I was a little hot. Like I was, I was a little hot when Andy was telling me to relax. And you definitely listen to him. Because he, I mean, he doesn't do that.

You know, he's there to facilitate, you know, the conversation. And when he was like, Craig, you didn't need to calm down a little bit. I was like, fuck, fuck, fuck. I'm coming in way too hot. But then you didn't. But what I loved about it was that then you didn't really stop. And so can you tell us a little bit? Obviously, you're an amazing friend to Austin.

And you definitely have a different relationship with him than with Shep. It's very supportive. It's very like equals and everything. But you're, but it almost. seemed like you care more than him. Like he seemed like he took a chill pill and he was like mad chill. And you were like hot for him. Yeah, I mean, I had my own own reasons.

But also, you know, the reunion is a great place to air your grievances. And I've always been a truth teller. And I think I this year read a little bit too much on the internet about people's opinions and some not like basically like, summaries of what was going on and a lot of their opinions were very wrong and I think that fueled to my fire of just wanting to what you're talking about Austin and Madison no just just I had a lot going on you know I just I just was ready to clear the air I just had a lot of stuff to say and you know I said it and that's not really me because well I definitely speak the truth but in that

you know, it's usually in a much calmer, subtle way. You know, I'm a positive person. I like to lift people up and I definitely don't like to be around all that negativity. I think that's where the frustration was, was that this, you know, stuff had been going on for so long that I just had it. And I was like, it's very simple and cut and dry. And this is what's going on and this is what should happen. And I'm sick of hearing about it. And I'm just going to lay it all out there now. and I'm not going to play this, you know, smoke and mirrors game anymore. And I'm pissed at Austin because he's not able to stick up for himself,

which people rightfully so are like, yeah, this is on him. You know, a lot of it for, you know, for allowing this to, you know, like I said, I left it all out on the stage and it's fine and I've moved onwards and upwards and upwards. It's just, I guess, you know, I'm not going to sit back and hope someone else takes care of business. I had stuff to say. I was provoked. That doesn't mean that what I said wasn't, you know, I didn't believe in. I just, I usually wouldn't, I'm usually calmer. But do you feel because you had like, you've been on the show longer that you have kind of like the balls in a way

to do that? Whereas like Austin maybe doesn't feel as comfortable. I mean, I think I've always been that way. I mean, if you think back to the dinner where I called Whitney out, you know, for the Catherine stuff. I've kind of just, there gets to a point where you can only see stuff be perpetuated so much. And then, you know, you sit around and you see everyone sugar-coded or talk around it. And I'm not talking about anything in particular. I'm just saying it's happened a couple times in my history on the show. And, you know, like, Shep didn't talk at all at this reunion. And everyone was like, oh, I love Shep this year. He just went swimming with his girlfriend the whole time. And it's like, cool, we would all love to do that. That's not, that's not real life.

Like, screw you, chef. Now I have to say everything that you're not saying. But, you know, it's how I felt. I definitely have not been too embarrassed to watch myself in a long time. And I watched it and cringe, but I laughed. But, you know, I said what I felt. That's a thing. It's like such a long, it's like a thing after a thing because it started with. with, obviously, your Instagram live with Kristen Cavalry, Austin, and Justin Anderson. And then he's great, by the way. Justin's one of my favorite people. Oh, my God, he called me out one day and, but we're cool. We're cool. We're cool now. Okay, good. No, that's the thing. People are like, he's calling you out. But he just said,

like, why is she saying this? But then we talked and he was like, no, I was just saying, so we're cool. That's why everyone always thinks if someone like says your name, it's in a bad way and it's not. Right. But he's really cool. Yeah, we get it. You guys connected. It's It's like, have sex already all of you. It's like I'm listening to the podcast. You guys are all obsessed with each other. You hung out. We get it.

Yeah, I was, you know, I wish, it's funny because you obviously have to deal with your consequences, consequences of your action sometimes. But I wish, you know, at least in the past, it's been, it only lasts a couple days. And then you let it go and everyone's just kind of had an understanding like you just move on with stuff. And so, yes, this has been, it's continued to go. I kind of thought, I don't know, I'd laugh about it because, yeah, we just hit it off and it was awesome. I just remember you in the chair, shirtless, like petting a dog.

The only thing my girlfriend said was she was like, why were you sucking on your necklace like that? That was the weirdest thing I've ever seen. And then I saw it and I was like, you were like 100% correct. Like that was just weird. Yeah, I mean, we were, but that was a day after the reunion or two days. after the reunion, which is we filmed or we recorded with Kristen there. But what happened was, I mean, Austin was coming out of a huge, just emotional, you know, he was dealing with his own stuff. I had a ton of anxiety because I knew that, you know, I knew that I had quite the performance at the

at the reunion. And so it just kind of, and it was our first interview ever. And there's definitely something, a huge difference in being guest and host on a show. And so I think I'm an incredible guest. No, I think I'm great at being asked questions and answering. And I ramble and I go to different stuff. But at the end of the day, it's a lot easier than asking those questions. Oh my God. A Honda. When I go on a podcast, I'm like, legs up. Are you kidding me? But when you are doing it, it's much different. And I want to tell you guys how seriously Craig takes everything that does. I listen to his podcast and you even said on there. You're like, I read reviews and I'm trying to get better at things that we're not, you know, the best at yet. So I'm a stand. I'm a Craig's stand,

as you can tell. Thank you. Well, asking questions is tough. Like with, you know, we did better with the second time around, but especially if you know the person or your friends or have some sort of a relationship, asking those hard ending questions is going to be tough. We actually have, we're doing Spencer Pratt's filming with us this week for the next. episode, just out of complete, you know, randomness. We did his podcast one time. And so I'm going to practice my question asking with, um, with, oh my God. So, but, so you said on your podcast with Kristen that you're recording that it was your second go around of recording. Yes. So the second, so the one that you guys heard was recorded, you know, a week before you heard it. So it was a,

it was a month after the first time that we recorded her. So why do that? So why, you nix the first one. Just because of what I was saying, we had just come off the reunion. Like we, it was true. Oh God. That would have been so good.

Well, it would have been, but we hadn't figured out how to be host yet. You know, so it was very, and we'll do a special episode maybe, you know,

one day and release it. But it wasn't, this was better. It was, this was way better the second time around. Because it just was all over the place. So it was, it was good that we got a second,

uh, second chance to do it. it also you know it was we recorded it after the reunion it aired and everyone kind of had stuff they wanted to clear up and so it was good to do it again but yes i don't know how many podcasts are actually recorded twice so when when you that what i wanted to tell you that as a viewer like as much as i love reality tv and i and i know that you film it and i know they're producers and i know i want to watch it at face value i want to i don't want to think about that shit and you guys did in this episode with Kristen

kind of break the fourth wall and say you know Kristen was very open she was talking about you guys should listen was a good episode talking about how she did her show for to promote her line and how um you know you guys she said that she likes you guys a lot for kind of saying what you just said about CHEP like that you can't just like go swimming in the pool like you have to do the work like do you feel

the pressure when filming of like like, shit, I got to bring this. Like, I got to make it interesting. I want to make sure we're like renewed. Like, I want to make sure there is a little drums, drums. I just think you either get it or you don't. You know, you're either, you either add value to stuff because, well, no, I mean, it's, it's not that you're going to act any different than you would if the cameras

weren't there. It's just about finding people who are kind of this ridiculous and open. And Kristen's a good example about, you know, she's going to tell you how she feels. And she's going to tell you, you know, it might not be how everyone else sees something, but it's how she sees it. And she's not going to not say that because she's being filmed. So it's not about there. Actually, that's a huge difference that I've never thought about.

There are people that will do stuff that they wouldn't normally do because there's a camera around. And then there's people that will just do the exact same thing that they were going to do anyway. If the camera shows up. Oh. That's a. a good way to put it. That's a perfect way to put it. Yeah, I think I just kind of came like, reached a relegation. You're like, I think

I'm a genius. No, I think that's really, there are people that the cameras turn on and they're going to act differently because of the cameras and put on the show. Or there are people that would not say something because of the can't, but the people that make it work are

people that would do the same shit in front of the camera and kind of not give a fuck. Right. And it was like, you know, whatever happened, yeah, basically would have happened if the cameras were there or not. And you're like, oh, shit, this person's crazy. And it's like, well, they just tell it how it is. And that's how they felt. So I think that's the, I think that's why, I think that's why Southern Charm has done so well is that I think we have a really organic group of friends that there's no, you know, none of us ever picture ourselves in show business. We lived in

Charleston, South Carolina. That's not a thing. Right. You know, we didn't, it's, that's, yeah, there's just not show business. So you never had a baby dream, like a baby, like a, I definitely did. If I, I mean, I was in law school, so I was not going to pursue that dream. But, you know, I have different, if I had nine lives, there's definitely, you know, different lives I would live. I'm a huge fanboy of special forces and intelligence. Those are like the books I read and the shows I watch. And I would have loved to do that life, but I'm too much of a scarity cat in real life to do that. So I have utmost respect for that world. But another one would have been Hollywood. And, you know, I was in law school and I was happy to be in law school. I was excited to have an opportunity to make a lot

of money doing something that I really liked. But, you know, even now, I'm not going to go to Hollywood to pursue anything. But like when Randall came and asked if Shep wanted me and him to be, if me and Shep wanted to be in his movie, we were like, yes, we would love to. Wait, what movie? Randall's Randall? Yeah, we, Shep and I are in one of his movies. Doing what? I'm a police officer and Bruce Willis throws me a shotgun. So Bruce Willis, like, I like stop him in the street and he throws me a shotgun. As Craig? As Craig? As Craig or as an act as like a character? No, no. I'm, it's, it's, It's this movie reprisal, and I'm playing a police officer's. I got in full costume and, like, you know, it was awesome.

I had a trailer and everything. And then Schep was an EMT, like ambulance driver, and him and Olivia Copa had a scene together. And all of his stuff got cut because he ended up being kind of obnoxious that trip and someone didn't, he wasn't, he wasn't on his best behavior. And so I'm pretty sure he got cut from it. But my line's still in the movie. Oh, my God.

So, okay, so you had this baby dream of entertainment that you never pursued. And then the show happened. That's so wild. Even though you're a, you finished law school and you're living in Charleston, which is like not where that usually happens. Right. And so, you know, looking back, I wouldn't change anything. You know, it's had its ups and downs.

But I'm really happy to have the, you know, the path that I've had and experiences. But yeah, I mean, I said no for about, Cam Schep and I didn't know what we were going to do. It took several months for us to kind of make a decision because we didn't try out. We didn't ask for this. You know, we were just approached and, you know, we were all friends and hanging out. And we were like, we're going to do this. And so what it came down, because I knew I was kind of risking my legal career, which was, you know, it was going in the right direction. And so it came down to, I woke up one morning and I was like,

like, what would I regret more, not doing it and wondering what if and being one of those people that are like, if the show took off, like, oh, I could have done that or they asked me to do it, or just do it and deal with repercussions later in life. And that was a no-brainer. So I knew I wanted to do it. And so I said yes. And, you know, eventually had to face those consequences when, you know, entering the bar, I had my hearing. And it went well. And I had to explain that, you know, I had some questions to answer. And, uh, it all worked out. It all worked out. So before we get to the million things that, um, I want you to remind everyone that you're doing, Cam, that left me kind of like jaw dropped at the reunion that you guys don't really speak. Like,

you were the best of friends. So that's what I don't understand. I don't know why I said that. And like, it's not that I blacked out or anything. I just, I don't know where that. came from or what I was talking about. I don't know if I was talking about when we were filming or what, but I texted her because I read it somewhere and I was like, what did I say? And then I saw a clip and I was like, Cam and I still talk a lot. Obviously, you know, after everything that happened in the beginning of filming, it slowed down a little bit. But for the last few months, her and I have been, you know, in the same communication that we were always in. We don't get to see each other as much. But yeah, so I don't know why I said that. And I texted her and I apologized. I was like,

I can, I was like, I honestly have no idea what I was talking about. But it's my fault for being and, you know, so intoxicated that I said something that I don't know what I was talking about. So I take full responsibility. But I was like, I am sorry. And she was like, I don't hold grudges, Craig. It's fine. And, you know, we love each other. So yes, I don't know what I was saying. And it's not. It wasn't. Yeah, I was sad. I was like, you had the cutest friendship. Okay. So Craig, you guys, sewing down south, is it exclusively with HSN or is it, can you get at other places? Yeah. So that's just one of our lines.

We are with Thomasville and their stores. We have a line for them. We have our website sewing down south where we have about 12 different lines now. We have outdoor pillows indoor. And we're about to open our first store on King Street and Charleston. So that's super exciting. We're pumped. We found an amazing, huge storefront right on the main street where I used to.

to the college bars I used to go to and the restaurants I still go to are all right around there. So there's a ton of personal history. The law school is right there. And, you know, we'll have Austin's beer on tap for fun when you walk in the store. And there will be a few experiences. Like, you can embroider stuff yourself and I'll be there a lot. So I'm really excited about that. Is the dream to expand like brick and mortar and be in like other states as well? We, you know, I don't think so. Not right now. now product line-wise, you know, that's my dream is to really expand in the kitchen stuff. And, you know, we do have kitchen stuff now, but I want to go into an entire home decor space.

But yeah, so we'll start with this store. It'll be kind of a tester store. You can only get certain things here. And then the law firm. Yeah, it's exciting. It was, I mean, it's nerve-wracking kind of taking that step. But I have a great team. I have a couple partners. And we, opened the uh well we took possession of the office which is a mount pleasant by my house and you know we're slow will slowly unveil it but i just went and did a lot of the marketing campaign which you're going to die when you see it but why why are we going to die? Because it's it's a you know it's a personal injury firm but so people have you know preconceived notions about that But that's what I worked in before and you can really help people with it.

And, you know, so people laugh. Money, money, money. Yeah. Well, you know, it's, I'm Craig Conover from Conover Law Firm. You might not know, but 8.1 million people are hurting out auto accidents every year. And, you know, if you need someone you can trust, you can call me. But it's, you know, we, I'm excited about it. I'm proud of it.

I was good at it when I worked for my first firm, a Nassboa law firm. And I think we're going to do a lot of good. and, you know, I spent a lot of money and time into law school. I was fortunate that my parents paid for my undergrad, but I paid for law school. And you can't own a law firm in South Carolina unless you're a member of the bar. So now I own a restaurant. The reason I said restaurant is because just because you own a restaurant doesn't mean that you make all of the meals. It's how I kind of describe it. So I'll be a big part of it. But of course, we'll have a very solid team of lawyers working for us. You're on a roll, Craigie. You're proven them all wrong. Trying. It's funny because it comes with some, it's not a complaint,

but some anxiety where you start to do really well and we are doing well and you start to get a little nervous because there's more room to fall. I guess maybe. I don't know if that's a natural feeling. But yeah. And Austin and I are about to go do, I can't say anything about it, but we're going to do a new project. So we leave tomorrow, actually. So you'll see a lot of me in Austin together. And so there's good things happening. So we're just- Oh, yay. That's so exciting. Well, thank you for

coming on. You know, I've been waiting. I've been waiting for you. So everybody, go listen to pillows and beer. Get pillows. Get beer. Well, you should come on. Because Austin and I, like I said, we'll be together a lot for the next couple weeks before the project even starts. And so you should come on and be a guest and we can pick your brain. It would be fun. I've been a Craigstand from day one. Thank you for coming on. It's long overdue. So thanks for having me, Amanda. Thank you guys so much for listening to this episode of Not Skinny but Not Fat. Follow me on Instagram at Not Skinny, but Not Fat. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. Rate the podcast that you love so much on Apple podcast and write a little review. If you tell me you did, I'll give you a big virtual smoochero. Thank you

guys so much for listening and I'll see you next Tuesday.