Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe - Alex and Jon Bouffard | From Swiping Right to TikTok Spotlight, Real-Life Married Couple Share Life, Laughs, and Love!

Episode Date: February 20, 2024

#712. Join Kaitlyn Bristowe in this week's candid conversation with TikTok sensations and real-life couple, Alex and Jon Bouffard. Listen in as they share their journey from meeting on Tinder to becoming a dynamic duo in the world of content creation. Discover the highs and lows of their relationship, their creative process behind the scenes, and their humbling experience of making their short film, "#Cringe." Get an insider's perspective on the realities of being full-time content creators, navigating online criticism, and the importance of setting boundaries in both work and personal life. Plus, learn their secrets to maintaining a strong relationship while juggling the demands of social media fame. So grab a glass of wine and join Kaitlyn and the Bouffards for an entertaining and enlightening conversation you won't want to miss! Today’s Highlights: 14:00 - Alex and Jon discuss how they almost got divorced creating their short film, "#Cringe” 15:40 - Kaitlyn asks the couple about their gradual rise on TikTok and the challenges they face. 23:00 - Discussing the importance of saying no to certain brand deals to maintain integrity and trust with their audience. 26:40 - Alex shares how she stays inspired and motivated for creating content and that Jon is her muse. 34:20 - Kaitlyn asks how they compromise in their relationship. 48:45 - Jon shares an embarrassing story that happened on their honeymoon. Thank you to our Sponsors: BOMBAS: Head over to Bombas.com/vine and use code vine...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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So whether it's your first time experiencing Pride and Prejudice or you've read it a million times, you're going to fall absolutely in love all over again. So go listen to Pride and Prejudice now at audible.ca slash Jane Austen's. Off the line. Okay, you know them as the funny, relatable couple on TikTok. I feel like you'd want to get brunch with her and like, bro, I was. with him. It's Alex and John from TikTok. They have a new short film coming out that is going to be absolutely iconic. I can already tell from the trailer. It's called hashtag cringe about influencers. And it is honestly just so fun to hang out in the studio with them and talk all

about their relationship, how they work together and how they kind of got to where they are. I'm such a basic bitch for so many things. Candles. Yes. Spray tan, rosé. Like all the things that make someone basic is me. But like I embrace the basicness. I don't care. Call me off for being basic. Like, I'm sorry that I like the things that everyone else likes. There's a reason why people like those things. You're being safe about it, right? Because spray tan's better than actually, like, baking in the sun, right? Yeah, sure. I'm not getting the

any vitamin D. Cancer. I'm just getting... No vitamin D. But I'm definitely breathing in chemicals from the spray tan. So I don't know how... Mouth open, just getting shot in the face with it. Life is about balance. See, the girl that comes to my house, she does it all-natural spray tan. It has, like, no chemicals and it's amazing, so then I don't feel as guilty.

Yes. Yeah. Again, life is about balance. You can't be perfect everywhere. I do try, which is also a problem, because I'm a perfectionist, and it's not good. It's not good. Tell me that you met on Tinder. Yeah, we did. Swiped trying. Was it your first swipe, or did you take a few?

No. Oh, my God. Many a swipes later. Years. I think it was on there for a while. Really? Really? Really? Like, you weren't either.

No, I wasn't on for years, John. My God. Like two years. How long have you two been together? Now? We met in 2016, so. Oh, cute. I don't know.

What year is it? How many years? is that six I don't know seven eight my god eight yes married for married for almost five yeah you guys are not on the same page here no if we did one of those tests because it's not five it's still four if we did one of those tests or people like how well do you know each other we spend 24 hours together Ryan Reynolds and what's her name at the end of the movie well they like listing questions often they didn't get any right yeah they actually didn't really know each other like they worked together they weren't like married that's you two spend a lot of time together oh yeah too

much time together. I always am mind-blown by couples who can do that because I live for a little bit of like a separate life. But you like work together. You had your own photography, wedding photography business. And then you're like, we have to stop her right there. She can't say photography. Oh, film, whatever. Videoography. Get it right. Oh, Jesus job. Cinematography. Okay. So, but you didn't do photography? No, no. We never did wedding photos. Call me out. We did a wedding videos. Well, because wedding videos is kind of like, the editing is how we got into TikTok, like the editing part of things. But yeah, so we spend 24-7 together really, but we make sure to take intentional me time.

Yeah. Like, we definitely do separate during the day. You'd have to, otherwise I'd be like, how are you still together? I know. It's a lot. But when you met on Tinder, did you know right away that you were going to be together? I did. You knew right away.

You're like, this is the thought people's. Even though she ghosted me like six different times, but I knew. A persistent king It's because he was like A second date We're at wine and design We're getting hammered On wine and design

It's wine and design It's like you paint night Oh fun Where you bring your own wine to this one And then you make a really horrible painting So we're painting and at the end He goes sign my last name on there So when we get married

We can hang these up in our house And I go red flag And I threw the paintings away No! Oh I stopped talking to him after She threw it away in front of me actually No, I didn't. No, I did not. I didn't throw it away in front of you.

Just a lighter on the bottom. She just was so sure and I was so unsure that I was like, no. I was getting older. I was like, you know what, I'm ready. Like, my biological clock is taking. That's right. I'm like, I need to settle down. He's like, my back hurts.

I'm done with these streets. And I was like, I'm just getting started. Is there an age difference between you two? Five years. Oh, that's not bad. Yeah, no, it's not terrible. You go, oh, yeah. Just five years.

I notice it now. Not in the beginning I didn't because I was 29. Yeah, we were both still like having fun and partying. But now we're definitely like 36, I could feel the difference. But now again, we're getting into the Mediterranean life, the European lifestyle. It's like, let's drink during the day. Some of conversation with our... Be home by seven.

Yes, in bed by nine. Skin care, everything's done. I'm all about that lifestyle. I really am. Okay, so you met on Tinder. You knew right away. You were unsure. Many red flags, many green ones for you.

And then how did it come together where you're like, Actually, yes, this is good to work. In the end. I can tell. I can tell. You are taking over. So we have to take it over. So I stopped talking to him and then we go to a bar.

No, no, no. I had gone to a bar with my sister and two guys that she worked with. And she was like, oh, like we can hang out with these guys. I was like, sure. You know, I'm not talking to John anymore. And then I see him from across the bar. We make eye contact and he literally goes and turns. He gives me the little wave with my spray tan hands.

And he turns and he ignores me. And I'm like, oh, no. She had two linebackers next to her. What was I supposed to do? I'm like, bye. I was like, oh, my God. No, I'm his queen. How dare he ignore me.

So I went after him and I was like, no, you're mine. And then we hooked up and have been together ever since. Aw. Okay. Do we have a different take on this? That was, that wasn't the last, what happened, what really did happen was I ended up ghosting her in the end. Yeah. And she's missing out. No, I was actually hanging out with some other girl. Oh.

And then Alex, again, I didn't, I didn't know that when you were out at the bar. You just ignored me. But she saw it and she was like, oh, no, no one else. Yeah, yeah. That's literally a story I just told. Did you say the girl? No, because I didn't know that you were talking. That's a key part of the story. Like, I wasn't by myself like, ugh, and then like walking. That is what I pictured.

Yeah. That's what I pictured, too. Am I crazy? You were with the group, though. Doing a pathetic wave and like, yeah. You were with a group. Loser. You were with the group, John.

I didn't know that you were talking to a girl. You left her pretty quick once I came over. I mean, no comment. No comment. I'm just going to drink this rosé. That's why I like to have rosé, too, because when things get, like, you guys just keep going, and I'm like, I'm just going to sip this. And then you got engaged in my house.

happy place, Hawaii. Yes. Did you know you're getting proposed to that day? 100%. Yeah, because John, he doesn't like to hike and he doesn't like champagne. And the two things that he said we do when we get to Hawaii, he goes,

we should go on a hike tomorrow and we should stop and get some champagne. And I said, you're proposing. Did you say that? No, but in my brain. And then as soon as he does it because you kind of have that moment where you're like, is it going to happen? Is it not going to happen? And then I'm like, but I don't want to assume and then feel like an idiot.

Yeah. But then when it happens, I'm like, girls into Yeah, you really can't fuck with that. The intuition is crazy. Whatever. I had this ring on me for like a week. Yeah. I'm like, I'm going to lose this thing. So now I'm on a plane flying across the country.

I'm like, I want to get rid of this thing as soon as possible. Get rid of it. So as soon as we got to Hawaii, I was like, hey, we're waking up early tomorrow and we're going on this hike. Yeah. And we're getting a champagne. I'm like, oh, okay, champagne that you don't drink. That's so funny. You don't like champagne?

I do now. It's weird how your palate changes It really gets like mature, more mature When you are, what, do you say 36 now? 36, yeah I like the finer things in life. Yeah, yeah, you're like, I know I'm like a nerd about champagne

I like have certain bubbles that I like And don't like the size of the bubbles We learned when we went to Napa Like the size of the bubbles Have to do with the quality of champagne Yes Well, I mean, and there's no champagne in Napa So that's what we learn to.

Poseca or whatever You can't call it It's not champagne unless it's made in champagne for it. Oh, you're right. You're right. You're right. Yeah, sparkling wine. Spircling wine.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever. My bad. My bad. No, I have my own wine label and I don't know a lot of things about it. This is FDA approved, right? Totally. It's low sugar.

That's all I need. That's all the matter. That's good. Low sugar and delicious. That's how I sell my wine. We will get all into influencing and how sometimes, you know, like, what if I didn't like my wine, but I was still selling it. People do that, you know? You've got a little short film coming out.

Oh, yes. short film, we haven't released it because we would get disqualified from film festivals if we did. But we when we moved to L.A., our goal was to pitch a show, and then the strike happened. So we were like, how can we navigate this world

how could we still use our skill and what can we do during the time? And we're like, oh, well, we can make a short film and hopefully get into some film festivals. And that's what we did. That's so cool. It was the most exhausting thing of our life, and we almost got divorced over it. Definitely a learning curve. I believe you. Yeah. It was

horrible. Tell me why. It was only the two of us. We shot it in a weekend. We actually shot it in 14 hours. What? So how long is the short film? It's 14 minutes. Holy! That's it. But like you would think that based off of like that time, it actually, because we came from the filmmaking background in weddings and like we would do like small business commercials, music videos, whatever, we're like, oh, we have all the gear. We could totally do this ourselves. You know, how hard could it be? But then when you're getting the shots, you're doing the audio, you're checking the framing, the lighting, everything. We're like, oh, we have all the gear. We could totally do this ourselves. You know, how hard could it be. But then when you're getting the shots, you're doing the That's a big job. Memorizing lines. I'm like, I can't do this. It's definitely a humbling process for shows. And then you realize like why sets or like movies or shows have a crew of people. Right. I mean, even just a podcast, it takes a team of people.

You know, it's not easy. But I think in the beginning you're like, oh, we can handle it all. Yeah, because you want to and you want to like be smart about money and budgeting and you're like, we can totally do it. And then you get there and you're like, yeah. Yeah, we have made a great. mistake. But no, it was definitely a learning experience. It was awesome, though. I love doing it. It's called

hashtag cringe. Yeah. Yeah, we got submitted to the Mammoth Film Festival, so we'll be there next month. Holy shit. Yeah, it's the log line of it is a husband and wife, influencer couple. Go on a brand trip when they uncover secrets about their marriage. So it's kind of based off of like our

lives loosely. It's like, write what you know. And I was like, hmm, we'll give a little behind the scenes of kind of like what this life looks like for us and how again like you're making you're you're promoting products that like you might actually not use not us but of course not we love all of the products we represent yeah me too i i really do though yeah i think that's so interesting to watch this because like i watched the trailer for it and i was like oh my god i'm i was like laughing but also like wanted to cry at the same time because i'm like it's becoming such a real thing

It's so real And I felt like your guys Is like emotion through it And I was like oh shit This is kind of dark It is It like I think initially we're like Oh it'll be like a rom-com

And then I was like oh no This is pretty dark Yeah Started shifting real quick Yeah yeah And like based off the music choices too It's definitely darker than we anticipated But I don't mind

Well because in the short film Like your vacation turns into work Which I also relate to Because I'd There's a point in my life Where I'm like I'm not enjoying traveling because I keep having to do it for work and like I feel guilty even saying that because

what a dream exactly I know but but it is a double valid but it is a double edged sore because like you are kind of like waiting to go on these trips for work you're like well I'm going to go for work so I'll just wait but then you have to work yeah but then you're not really taking the intentional time to vacation not for work yes and so vacationing then always become stressful how do you two take intentional time that doesn't become work We try to plan date nights, but it's hard. It's like really scheduling out. Like you just planned something recently.

Well, I planned something because I kind of f***ed up Christmas. Oh, you asshole. I didn't know. So I got Alex like these gifts that I thought she wanted. I know she said this to me in the past. 100% I never said that. And she looked at all these gifts and it was nothing she wanted. And then like I felt terrible.

So I actually like planned something for later this week. like a wench that I'm like you didn't get me what I want it for Christmas like no John I just was like oh like I won't use this so we should do a giveaway and he was like what do you mean I was like no truly like thank you so much I love you you tried but like I really won't use this so you're making up for Christmas yeah that's so sweet in two days yeah two days for now we're going somewhere now do you know have any idea no no it's a surprise so yeah Does it involve a hike in Champagne? Stop asking questions, though.

I'll probably give it away. He can't keep secrets. That's the thing about him too. But yeah, no, I think it is really tough to take intentional time away. Or like, you know, me time or time with one another. Because again, like, it's like we're always around either each other or other people. But, yeah, it's just scheduling it in. And then, like, having that non-negotiable, like, me time or date nights.

But you're in the same industry, something always comes up and it's last minute always you can't plan anything I'm surprised we're gonna be able to do this in two days like I'm shocked yeah it's came up yet so when people ask me they'll be like hey I want to come plan a trip to Nashville can I come there in like April and I'm like I don't know yeah I tell everyone to get flight insurance I'm like you can come you can even stay at our house but I don't know if we'll be there yeah yeah that's what I say too I'm like you stay my house yeah I'm there and enjoy I'll give you a list of places to go yes

that's so true and you you guys obviously have like immense success on tic talk how did that happen did you get one viral video and then people just went nuts no i wouldn't say that it was like an overnight success for us no ours it was a slow growth over time because we would see people who would always comes up on my i've seen you guys for you like as long as you're doing it oh yeah yeah yeah because i think like well anyone relationship based like that's our realm is couple comedy so like if you are a person in a relationship like you might have seen us yeah but we started during the pandemic because all of our weddings got postponed to the following year, John was still working as an occupational therapist, but I was like,

I have this editing skill. And then initially we were putting these high quality videos on there, and they weren't doing well. So it was like, you have to work native to the app. And so we started doing stuff on our iPhones. But yeah, it wasn't one video. It was like a slow growth over time. Because a lot of times people blow up and then kind of like die out. Yeah. But you guys has just been like the slow burn into like more and more success. Oh, that's great. Yeah. We're like consistently growing but slowly at the time. How often do you feel like you have to post on TikTok to keep it consistent? It was a lot in the beginning. Yeah, definitely less now, but still weekly. So like three to four times a week, but we give ourselves so much more grace now than we did in the beginning

because it's a hamster wheel. Like, you know, even as a content creator, you're like, I need to always be relevant and show up every single day. But now I'm like, if we take a week off, it is what it is, you know. Good for you. Yeah. Because that's a therapy. Yeah. Therapy helped. Yeah. Definitely have to take a step back for sure. So you were a therapist? Yep. Occupational. What does that mean?

I know. I didn't know either. When I met him, I was like, so you help people with their jobs? It was just so long ago. Occupational therapist. So there's like physical therapy. Yeah. Occupational therapy.

It's like you could do anything. You'd be in the school system. I was in a skilled nursing facility. Like working upper body ADL's activities of daily living. Like showing you how to like dress yourself again, use the bathroom. Got it. Shower. All those things you normally do.

So. And then that was, I had to remember that from school. well now you get to be like a full-time content creator right but that's so i mean how was that lifestyle change to go from working it was a shift from it was actually o t to the wedding industry first and then once we did that then it was a shift from yeah yeah okay so i think that's why like content for us came so seamlessly working together because a lot of people who are in like because you made this short film and it's hashtag cringe you must have like had some eye-opening moments as influencers that made you go like, holy shit,

what is the most eye-opening moment you guys have had as content creators? Well, I think overall, it's just like how much people care, and you're like, why are you, how am I impacting you so much that you have to write something so negative? And again, we don't get a lot of negative comments. Like, thankfully, we have a really positive audience,

but when you do get the ones that are like, hashtag cringe, it's insane to just think, and I'm like, I feel bad. They feel personally attacked. I'm like, I feel bad for people who are trolls of the internet because I'm like what type of person like imagine being a friend yeah but imagine like finding out that like one someone that you knew was a troll

my producer and I always talk about that if we found out one of our friends was doing that on social media I would be like mortified I know like that is a specific type of person so I think that's the more eye-opening thing is I'm like wow people get invested you don't know me and you're so invested

in my decisions yeah and like in a negative like you're so invested in a way where you actually want to hurt my feeling Right. Well, how is it different for you, too? Like, being in, like, what was the eye-opening thing as, like, a content creator? That my version of funny is not funny to other people. That is so true. When I think something is not going to land, it lands so hard, and I'm like, what?

And then when I think something is so funny and I'm like, this is going to go viral, it, like, bombs. And I'm like, ah. Or the things that you put the most effort into, flop, and something that took five seconds. Yes. So true. Like, the most eye-opening thing for me in the last few months was that, I was grinding on Santa Claus like a fake Santa. He was fake.

But he was doing this and he was a life-sized Santa. So I wanted to twerk on him doing that. I'd lost followers. People thought their daughters should not be following me. I was like, that's what does it? I get wasted on Instagram. Exactly. I went crowd surfing. That's where we draw the line.

We like mom juice but we don't like to abuse Santa. Right. I was like, my God, he's not real. You're not going to please. Everyone. And it's just like, we say this all the time. If you're going to be in this industry, like, you have to have tough skin.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yes. You're going to get shit from someone. Yes. Do you find TikTok audience to be more pleasant than Instagram audience or worse? I think it depends. It depends what side of the algorithm. Like, generally TikTok is nicer.

Yeah. But then if it hits a certain, like, side of TikTok, forget it. But I say, I'd say that Instagram, because it's more of like an older. generation on Instagram like they can have harsher opinions yes I think you're also hitting your followers more on Instagram right then you are on TikTok that's true they're seeing your videos more so it's people that already like you oh that's a good point TikTok can go to anyone yeah yeah but I don't know I stay out of the comments I really don't read them because like one will set me off and like again they can all

be great but like one will sit with me and I'm like we should quit I do that too I should I'm like a roller coaster, but John, he loves the comments. Can you find it humorous? Yeah, I can't take any of these people serious. You don't know me. What are you talking about? That's good, because there are days where I can find the humor in it, and those days are really entertaining.

Entertaining, and then it can get dark. And then it can get dark real quick. If I'm on my period, forget about it. Oh, yeah. That is just a whole other, like, I don't want to cry today. Just shut your phone off. Yeah, I'm like, I actually have my assistant schedule things around that. Like, she won't bother me as much.

on certain days where we won't like we'll try and not have certain meetings because I really am a different person yeah right but I've heard of that I say right like I know sorry yeah let me get part of this conversation right now you should track my cycle but I've heard people doing that like working creating their schedule around their cycle which is smart like certain times of your month you're more creative yeah so John listen to my you got it you got it whatever you want More me time during that time of year.

That's not what I said. For you, more me to make me like more snacks. You're like, oh, yeah, more snacks, that would be nice. Chocolate wine. Also, also talking about your, the cringe film is that you make fun of promoting brands that you don't use. So how do you guys approach collaborations with brands? Because I know all, people have probably heard the story for me so many times, but I'll tell you because you won't know. But when I first came off, Bachelorette, I got, I was going from like working at a restaurant to someone being like, I'll pay you thousands of dollars to wear.

this like belt that makes you lose weight around your belly and like it doesn't work you're like i don't care what it does i was like amazing right of course i will take a photo and promote that and one of my girlfriends she was like delete that right now i'm she goes i'm gonna help you because this is going to be a long term career for you yes and you need to say no to a lot of money right now to make a lot more later in life and it was like the best piece of advice i've ever gotten because I would cry saying no to things because I'd be like, how could I say no to this amount of money? But I really wanted to build trust and loyalty with my audience.

Because that's what most important. And then I find that now I actually really will not promote something I don't like. But that is also because I'm in a good place where I'm like, I can pick and choose and I enjoy doing that because I really do want to, I think people are really over buying what we're trying to sell. So I try really hard, but how do you guys approach it? In the beginning, we were like you, we're like, we'll do things for free. Like, just, you're going to send me a phone case?

Oh, my God. I'll make eight videos for this phone case. Like, I just was like, we made it because we were getting free things, like, not even getting paid for things. And then we started slowly charging, like, a few hundred dollars. And again, because we were comparing it to the wedding industry. And I was like, okay, this is a 15 second video. Weddings are like eight minutes long.

And I'm like, so we were trying to, you know, justify it in that way. So again, we were saying yes to everything until we signed with me. management and they were like we'll help you yeah and they initially we had a negotiate we were negotiating with one brand and they were like we strongly advise you pass yeah this is yeah a scope that is should be 10 times the amount you know so we're gonna walk you through they they they opened up our eyes but then through that that's when we kind of learned like we don't have to say yes to everything we do only want to promote products that we're proud of and that we do use because it's a reflection of

our self right it's our integrity yeah and so we draw the line on like certain like yeah avenues of income but to your point to like we're blessed now at this point that we can kind of pick and choose between who we want to partner with and what we want to walk away from but I think we really do pride ourselves in like at this point in our career only promoting things that we actually use yeah I think that's awesome and like we all have to go through that yeah to figure out you know it's a journey we all have to promote the flat tummy tea at some point to get to the other side and it's it's again humbling to to go through that, so funny.

Like, my followers, I remember they shit on me when I posted that belt. Like, really? Oh my, they were like, you sell out. Because also, it was at a time where people would tell me every comment was get a job, get a job, get a job, and I'm like, this is my job. Now people are more understanding.

I feel like I'm working harder now than it was as an OT or even when we were doing. In a different way. In a different way. It's still a good job. No, no, I'm just saying like, it's every day. We don't shut it off. Where I was working, like, a shift, and I got to shut it off at the end of the night.

It's like, no, we're doing something every single day. I'm like, hey, John, I just got inspired. Wake up. No, no, I'm not knocking, like, rehab or therapy or any of the industries, like, they all work very hard. It's just, like, you have to stay on, constantly. Well, that's true because an idea could come to you at 9 p.m. And then you, like, not just that. Like, obviously, that sounds easy.

But it is, people don't realize how much work it is behind the scenes. Behind the scenes. Yeah. That goes into it. It's such a full-time job. And I always say on the podcast, like, because I saw somebody write this in a meme or something where it was like, I didn't want to work a nine to five. So I started working for myself and now I work 24-7.

Yeah, exactly. And that's really what it is. Yeah. But people, I think, too, in the comments are going to call you a sell-out no matter what. Yeah. And so that's one thing we've had to get past is like, even if it's a product, I truly believe in, people are going to be like, sell out. Yeah.

I'm like, do you yell at the TV when a commercial comes on? Or when you're driving down a highway and you see a billboard or you're like, I'm not going to take this road. because there's billboards. How dare you? I'm like, that's just part of it. This is where advertisers go now. And we give you so much good free content. Your skits and stuff that you do are so funny.

Like, how do you stay inspired? Is it always just something that you're like, this probably is so relatable? I have a list. Really? I just observe everything. And so, like, I just keep my notes app open always. And then it just depends on like what's inspiring me that day.

I'm like, okay, what do I think is funny? But John, he just does things. And I think he's like, things just happened to him. And he's just amused. Like, his identity just got stolen. Oh, yeah. Yeah. That happened yesterday.

That would happen to you. Your identity got. Like, so here of that happening to people. And because we're getting a house, the mortgage guy was like, yo, John. You got some bills. And he's like, yeah, I had no idea. So that's been fun. It is scary.

So now we're like. I also do stuff to myself, like the internet thing, the other couple weeks. months ago where I answered the call and I was like, oh, John got scammed because the people on the internet, they're like, we're running a promotion with Target and you could pay in gift cards and as soon as I heard gift cards. I'm like, John, hang up the phone. 50% off our internet bill is like, oh my God, perfect. Let's do it. He's like a 70 year old man. Oh my God, you're like, say less.

Actually, they problem. You want my social security number? Yeah. Sure. Stop selling. You've already sold. Yeah. Say no more. So now if we do partner with that. life lock it's because we're going to be using that yeah yeah that's so crazy yeah so it's just i'm i'm constantly inspired by everything around me i mean it is it have you always been a creative person yeah yeah i've always been like writing or filming or making videos yeah oh when you were a dancer you were on dancing with the stars yeah the dancer growing up too so just like timing wise with videos i'm just like everything's on account to eight and john's like i cannot i don't understand that at all At six, seven, eight.

I'm like, what? What do you want? I can only, like, function in counts of eight. Yeah, growing up as a dancer, I'm like, everything is six, seven, eight. Yeah, and then you just, like, make up words for things. And I'm like, John, it's on this beat. Gaka, gaka, poop, poop. And he's like, I don't get what you're doing.

The gacca is really just like, it's like its own dance language. Right. Yeah. Is it on the two, three, four, five, six, seven, or the three, four, five. There's different counts of the eight. And if you don't grow up in that word. world. What's another language?

I'm like, oh, but it's just a second language. But John, he doesn't. I have no clue. I can't get it. Yeah. Because we were like, Alex, you were a dancer. Why don't you dance? I'm like, what am I going to dance alone?

Yeah? I could. Um, yes. I do. That's true. I want to see you dancing. Yeah, yeah. I mean, when I do, I'm like, I'm doing like full ballet moves.

I'm like, yeah, right. He's like, what? Yeah, yeah, yeah. You're speaking a different language. Well, it is. French. Bonjourno. Nope.

That's, don't know what that is. It's Italian, I think. Yeah, that's Italian. You're like, I'm half French and Italian. Don't know any of their language. I can barely speak English, so, you know. Let's just leave that there.

We know you're dyslexic, John. We got it. Hey, no shame, but are you a stinky? It's in situations. I have a question about compromising in a relationship. Oh, cool. All right. She's bringing out the hard questions now.

You must do some compromising because you're doing everything together. And my friends do this thing called Hilda Dion. So every time there's a new idea project or whatever, they each get one Hilda Dion. So if redoing their kitchen or something, then somebody wants, like, the black cabinets. How long does that last the Hilda Dion? Like, how many do you get in a certain time frame? Or is it choosing? Yeah.

Like, yes. They get one a year? No, no, no. No. Like, what is your Hilda Dion, you know? I'm not going to be like, this backslash and that. house that's the hill I'm gonna die on for the rest of the year your hill to die on was like I'm not staying in LA yeah it was yours yeah I was like okay well then we're

not there's no limit yeah you just it's just like that's the compromise and so I'm like okay well then like New York I just want to know if there's one or not because then you got to really think I'm what you want your hill on I think I'm just saying I regret asking that question John is very like structured so he's like I need to know who's going where what the rules are I'm like, I don't know. Honestly, that's why we shouldn't even have our own podcast, because when people ask us questions,

I want to know all the details first before I can give a response. What do you guys talk about on your podcast? Ours is called Give It to Me Straight, where we give mediocre advice. So people write in their questions, which are crazy sometimes. And we, like, don't actually know what we're talking about. So we just are like, disclaimer, this is just our opinion. Don't really take our advice. You're like, I said occupational therapy.

Yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. Okay. That's fun. Psychological. Yeah, we just do our best, but it's more about us bantering back and forth about the advice because I'm like, my advice is obviously better than John's, but he thinks that has, yeah. I mean, no, I do think mine's better, sorry.

But what's fun is, like, then the comment section goes crazy. And, yeah. So that's actually another thing, because I don't know, since you have your podcast as well, do you notice a difference? Like, when we get comments on our TikToks and Instagrams because it's skip-based, it's so different compared to, like, getting comments on our podcast because that's really who we are. So that almost kind of, like, can affect us a little. little bit more. People like you're so much more connected to you from the pod.

What I really want to know is what unique strengths that you each bring to a relationship because in order for you to last this long. Right. John doesn't even know how long. And to work together and do life together, what skill set do you each bring to the relationship? I think, again, like you have to align on values, but opposites truly do attract. So like I'm more of the creative, like go with the flow, but John is more of the structured person and he's like more of the well maybe before we make that decision let's think on it

and we're like live laugh love baby let's do it so aggressive let's do it for the plot I'm like I do everything for the plot yeah yeah and John's like or not we don't I'm just super organized so I just make sure we get our shit done and see that is good yeah it is because otherwise like I like a brand deal for example I will procrastinate until the day that it's I'll do it well. Yeah. I do my best work under pressure. But John will be like, hey, the due date's here.

We should start it now. And I'm like, we had time. The due date was actually today for two of them before we got on this podcast. Really? We had a whole week to do it. We're fine. You are me and you are my assistant. You need both to work.

Yeah, I would not have what I have without her. Exactly. There you go. And neither would you. Exactly. That's true. And then social media, like, I feel like everything always changes. Like all of a sudden, the aesthetically pleasing shit is out.

People want like raw content and like, how do you keep up with it? Do you just try and like go with it or do you have strategy? I really pay attention to the numbers. So I'm like, what in this video performed best as opposed to a video that flopped? So I will dissect every single video really based off of the numbers, the analytics. Okay, like maybe this video went viral, but why didn't we gain a bigger audience from it? Or this video didn't get as many viewers? but like we garnered a larger audience like more people engage with it so I try to figure out

and it's always changing so I have no answers I never know it really is always changing I feel like it's so hard to keep up with like it's so tired yeah because I'm not super active on TikTok I'm one of those like I'll do the cute dance once in a while but I love scrolling TikToks yeah I love it and I always get so like impressed but also jealous of people that can do skits like you guys because I'm like why didn't I think about right yeah you always have the skits that I'm like why didn't I think about and that's the thing too as like as soon as I think of something I try to like jump on it and do it but also like sometimes some days you're just not inspired I'm like I don't want to shoot today I don't I'm not happy you do a voiceover and it kills it right yeah like you never know like I think we have the structure of like husband wife comedy content whatever but it's like what we do like we started with voiceovers right and then that kind of faded out and we did skip bass but then we'll mix in voice like we'll go back and forth but when it comes to like the content itself I try to think from the lens of our audience and be like, what would they like? Like, is this video serving me

or is it serving other people? Like, if I was an outsider, would I share this? You know? And so I try to think in that light and just be like... In your opinion, what video is your favorite that you've ever done? Even if it didn't, like, get as many views as you thought. You were like, what's the funniest one you guys?

I have to scroll through. I feel like we've done so... Actually, I just thought of it. My favorite one... I think I love this. So, we did one, and John thought, it was so stupid, but I was like, this is... Disclaimer, I think 90% more than what I do was too.

Okay, so we, I heard this song, so sometimes, like, songs will inspire a video, so I'm, like, scrolling through music bed or whatever, and I hear a sound, and I'm like, oh, my God, John, we have to do what a couple would argue about in the 1800s, and so, like, we dressed as, like, older generations, and John's, like, poking around, we pretended that our dog was a cow and it was just an argument like based in the 1800s

and I couldn't stop peeing my pants I was like even if people hate this I love it and that's all that matters and did people love it people found it hilarious as well thankfully

but then we tried to continue the series and it plops part two's never no no no no that's like it was a one and dumberer no no it was a one

and done and that's what we've realized we're like we're not a series you know we're just like one and done I like when we do anything with like an epic sound like the vineyard one like get loose oh so a song like whatever is that a whole song for sure yeah like when you said sound i was like a sound effect yeah that's what i say to say oh no no like the yeah

they get loose song or whatever we're like in a vineyard in napa so you just want to be in a music video basically okay so you felt like you're living true yeah yeah i did a little dancing in it but you did what was the get loose it was uh us like getting it was like uh expectation or like us trying to not get lit in napa on a wine tour and then we do get lit and then it's chose us in bed at 5 p.m. Ah, that is so Napa? Yeah. I've got to Napa so many times, and I'm like, how do people do it?

I know. It's, and nobody's using the spit buckets. No, no. No. That's stupid. I feel like that's rude to use the spit buckets. The spit batons? So you were, yeah, you were doing like a, like, reality versus like what you're, yeah.

Which, that's funny because I was going to talk about how you talked about that on your podcast, the Instagram versus reality. Do you think you do a good job showing reality on social media? Like, do you feel like you mix in, like, a good amount of like, this is. actually us. No. I don't think so. I would say like in our stories or on our podcast is mostly us, but like I think we are

just recreating things that have happened in our lives, but like we don't really get personal. Yeah. Like people don't know things about my family members or like the extracurricular hobbies that I'm doing. Like people don't really know unless again, they listen to our podcast or like maybe on stories. We're really just creating entertaining content in our skits.

That's kind of nice. Yeah. it does create like a nice you know separation I try and do that with well now moving forward I was like I'm I was known for relationships because bachelor bachelor and then people feel so invested in relationships now but I'm like I'm never sharing a relationship ever again I'm because I share everything else right next time I get a relationship that's sacred to me and I'm not sharing it until I'm married yeah yeah I'm married I said this on one of my podcasts that I really think social media like ruined two relationships that I had yeah really do I I mean, I don't know there's a lot of creators out there who are showing their entire lives. And a lot of people connect with that because it's very vulnerable. And I see the value in that,

but I just feel like doing a podcast. It's like a place to be vulnerable because your listeners are just a little bit more kinder because they know there's more context, there's more backstory. So I just feel like it's a safer space to be vulnerable on a podcast as opposed to the internet can just be so nasty.

And so I do not want to open up Pandora's box there. But people do it. And yeah, the box is open for me. I have panic attacks on social media now, like show myself crying. Yeah, but people connect with that. Yeah, I guess. You get numb to, you get used to, like, showing yourself like that. I really do.

Yeah. You don't care anymore. Well, because I also like it. Like, I'm, I always thought all growing up, I was like, I'm going to have my own reality TV show. And so now I feel like I do. It is. I'm like, if I think about how many people will watch an Instagram story, I'm like, that's, like,

going to a concert. I have an audience. I can make my own little reality story. And it's your own narrative, which is great. So, like, you get to control what is out there as opposed to an edit, you know, or anything like that. But, but, yeah, I just think you just have to be careful about protecting your piece at the same time as making sure that you're connected with your audience. Yeah, but that's a good point. The podcast helps for sure.

Yeah. How long is your podcast? It's like an hour. Nice. Yeah. I think people are obviously wanting to listen to you for an hour. So obviously, they're going to be a supportive group of people. Yes.

Otherwise, they are wasting their time. Yeah. Yeah, as opposed to people being with us for 15 seconds on TikTok, and they're like, mm, you look old. I'm like, okay, thanks. Yeah, when is your, the hashtag cringe coming out? Like, when will we get to watch the full thing? We should.

We have to wait. Yeah, we'll get through this film festival circuit, probably, like, midsummer. Okay. And then if we don't get into anything else, we'll share it. Yeah. And then, or after, like, film festival season is over. Yeah. So probably, like, end of summer, like, maybe fall.

I'm excited. I'm nervous. Also, I've watched it so many times, and I hated at this point. I love it. I'll watch it every day. Really? Yeah. I love it.

But I edited it and he didn't. And so me looking at it, I'm like, oh. I could never edit my own. Do you edit your own podcast? No. No, we stopped. It's so great that we could do all these things, though. Like, you go from reality TV, content creation into like you do a podcast.

We do a short film. Like, I love doing the short films. Like, I think we're going to try to do one like every year. Can I be in one? Even if I'm just standing in the background. I just want to like be in it. I actually think I could be a really good actor. Yeah?

I do. Have you done any? I did theater growing up I was like a theater kid and then I also took improv classes and I really wanted to take improv again now because I think it would just help me in life. I also just feel like

dancers are just good at everything so I'm like you'd be great. I'm terrible so I feel like if I can do it anyone could do it. Give yourself more credit John. I saw the trailer for it I was like okay. I could do one line I could crush it. The trailer was the best moments. Watching it

I'm just like, don't say that. Way more better moments We'll edit that out You're like just all you You basically saw the whole movie in the trailer It's good, it's good, it's good No, I'm excited I'm just like you're always going to be your own worst critic

I have a game to play with you It's called Most Likely 2 between the two of you I would like to know who is more likely To be late for an important meeting Oh Alex For sure Okay, yeah I'm always late

Yeah I mean I just I gotta fit in as much as I can Yeah minutes I hear you Okay who is more likely to be romantic Uh, I feel like equally. It's probably equal. Yeah. Yeah, it's probably equal.

So like Valentine's Day, what we do? We just like. We split rolls. Yeah. So I'll get, like dinner rolls. We'll trade off. Yeah, we split dinner rolls, Hawaiian rolls. We're never splitting rolls.

I want my own bread basket. No. So like I'll get ice cream. I'll get the dessert. I'm in charge of like the appetizers, the wine. Pizza. Yeah. We just like don't go out.

Yeah. We're like, it's a cheat. Like it's a cheat 24 hours. Oh, Valentine's Day. Yeah, of course. 100%. Oh, that's sweet. You're equally romantic.

Okay. Who's more likely to forget an anniversary? You. Okay. Why? He just doesn't remember anything. He doesn't know people's names. What's my name?

Uh, Caitlin. Oh. I got nervous. Oh, my God. John, you got nervous. Did I get it? I did. Did my eyes get really big?

It's written everywhere. You do that. Your face is literally red. Got it. Sweating. Now he's laughing. I'm lactating. Now you're lactating.

I just wanted to make you swift. I like that. Caitlin Bristow. Oh yeah, there you go. Nice. Who's more likely to plan a spontaneous road trip? Probably me. Alex.

I don't like doing anything spontaneous. Oh, what? I love. I'm a planner. I want to know exactly where we're going. Okay. Who's more likely to binge watch a TV series without waiting for the other one? Probably you, actually.

I don't have the attention span, like, unless I'm sitting there with John, because I'm like, if I'm watching something, I'm like, oh, but I could be writing out. We also don't. I don't like anything together. The only thing we've watched it is like Game of Thrones and we're watching Breaking Bad together, but like... You are watching it right now? We're re-watching Breaking Bad.

I've re-watched it three times and it's better. Alice wants me to watch like Disney movies with her. Yeah. But, yeah, no, John won't... I just feel like I can't really get through something unless I have someone else, like, holding me accountable. She's also addicted to her phone. Well, I'm on my phone or I'm working or I'm like thinking about other things or like,

something will pop up and I'm like, do I have cancer? Like, you know what I mean? I just can't. Or, like, who's in the cast? Like, when did they audition for this? Like, I can't focus. I'm, do you have ADHD? Because I do.

Probably. It's undiagnosed. Oh, I just had a psychiatrist diagnosed me. Yeah. I mean, for sure I do. I think everybody will in this world in the digital life that we're living. I feel like it's so. Yeah, your tension span.

Yeah. I saw the dude with a sign hold up a thing that said, if you're sending me a video that's longer than 30 seconds, don't send it. Yeah. I'm like, you just sent me that the other day. Yeah, I totally, and I'm like, yes, because our attention span is pathetic. I know. It's actually really pathetic.

So, like, if I try to watch a series, I have to put my phone in another room. I'm like, I need to pay attention. Yeah, I feel you on that. I feel you on that. Do you have guests on your podcast or do you just do Collins? Do you want to be on our podcast? Yeah, I do. I want to be in a TikTok.

I'll be in a film. I want to be on your podcast. Come to Nashville. Come to New York. Yes. I do. I force friendships on people when I like them. I do that, oh, no, we're the same.

We're the same. Because then why haven't you force. Why are you not? I'm still feeling you out. Oh, no. Are you going to invite me on your show? Are you going to have a reality TV show or something and put me on it? Well, it's more geared towards women in their 30s who are freezing their eggs.

Oh. I can figure out a role for myself there. Okay. You are a therapist. Yeah. We could talk to the women about. Right after they give their eggs, I can help them up from the chair. Yeah.

Teach them how to go the bathroom again. Yeah, I could, no problem. It's true. But it's funny that you say that, though, because our first season of it, we didn't have guests and then so we're on a break right now we took a break like for the holidays and have yet to come back a break is nice because we need to do what you're doing where you outsource you have a bunch of people helping you it does um yeah this space is legit and just it gives you like peace of mind but our goal was for this next season to bring on guests because we weren't doing that and

it just makes it more fun you get other perspectives we're already working together 24 7 now we're let's talk to each other some more and I'm like we do need guests here to break it up No, that's so nice. I love it. In life, I hope to find a partner that I'd want to do all those things with. That's nice. Ultimately, we're just friends. Like, I mean, who f***?

Yeah. I was like, wait a minute. You're like, that's what I thought. Finding best friend with benefits. Alanis Morse said in that song when she was like, best friend with benefit. That's all you need. Yeah, that's what I was like, yes, I want that. Yeah, yeah, that's what it is.

I would quote Alanis Morseh said, like, randomly. Okay, and did anybody tell you about how we confess on this? podcast. Oh my gosh, yes. John wanted to steal mine. I did steal hers because I couldn't think of one. Okay. Wait, how do you steal hers? Oh, okay, okay, okay. No, it's more embarrassing for me, but John was like, well, I was embarrassed too. Just wait. A second-hand embarrassment? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We were sitting on the couch. Alex was showing my dad. No, I wasn't. You were. Because I was like, this is how much I remember my life. Someone was showing my dad photos of our honeymoon. Videos, John. Good Lord.

The man who didn't let me say photography instead of videography You can't even remember Oh, for a video So we're We're back from our I will It's not your ick

That's what we do in our podcast Whatever the f*** it is Confession I have so many it's Yeah so this is John's confession I'll give it for him So after our honeymoon He's on our laptop

Showing his dad GoPro clips from our honeymoon And it's not what you think Where we're like You know getting it on It's me jumping into the ocean in full splash, my tits come out. And I'm part of the itty-bitty-titty committee.

Me too, CEO. So I'm like, just nips, CEO. And so his- I didn't know it was on it. I obviously wanted to just show my dad a video. If I, look at my wife's tits. So I'm swimming around in the ocean. Tits just flying out, not even realizing

because I'm just like in the oven. But it's like my dad, me and Alec, we're all on the couch. And I just stood up and I just walked away. But no, tell me how this is so embarrassing for you, John. I don't know, because my dad looked at me and like, he was like, poor John. So my dad is a, quick story.

My dad is a type of person. Not even a handful. Yeah, oh, a little beasting. No, you didn't say that. Yeah, that's why you're embarrassed? Like, my dad and I, do you remember the movie 300? Yeah. So there's like this sex scene in the beginning of the movie.

And it's just my dad brought me, I don't know, I was like in height. I don't remember how old I was, but we're sitting there. Sex scene. I'm so uncomfortable. And it's a long scene. Yeah. He turns to me. like so uh like what are you doing tomorrow like trying to have a full-blown conversation with me

while the sex scene is going on i was like so uncomfortable like nothing just please stop talking no speaking of sex scenes with your dad that also happened what where you your dad his dad was oh i leave i know when to leave during a movie and we were watching a movie yes oh god i i'm gonna get some water my ex did the same thing to me in a very uncomfortable sex scene in yeah um um homeland homeland when he like He aggressively has sex with his wife, but he's like having PTSD. My ex left me in that point with his parents because he knew it was coming, and I was like, Oh!

Yes. You're just like, I was so uncomfy. You're like, oh, now I have to check my Instagram messages. I have so many DMs. I was mortified. It was so awkward. Sorry, I interrupted you. No, no, no.

But similar story where John left to conveniently go poop. And I'm there. I don't even remember what movie it was but I'm sitting there with your dad and he goes, he yells up to John and he goes, John, you're missing the best part! Oh my God. Oh, that's so, it's just so awkward.

I can't cue you during the sexy. I'm like, I'm all for himself. See, I'm like the weirdo that will just like now. Fast forward. I'll get up and fast forward. I'll be like, this is awkward. Yeah. Like, just say it.

You know what's actually crazy? I was thinking about, so we just went to a premiere for a show. And in the show, there's like a pretty legit sex scene in it. And I'm like, imagine you're in all your castmates, your parents, your family members, a whole theater of people are now watching you on screen. Imagine that. I'd be like, I have to go to the bathroom. I can't be in the theater for that. I have to go to the bathroom.

I'm leaving completely. Yeah, that would be watching yourself on screen. I could never watch myself act in a movie regardless, let alone a sex scene. But that's how I feel with the short film. I'm like, I can't see myself. And you had to edit it. Exactly. I'm like, I hate my face. So you don't have an embarrassing story. Your embarrassing story was her

was my dad. It was embarrassing because I was next to her. Oh my gosh. So embarrassing for you, John. Your dick was out. You don't have anything where you're like... I do. I have a bunch, but you ask for stuff that I've never talked about before. But, I mean, breaking my arm, getting staples in my head, all drunk shit in college. Oh, those would be drunk? Yeah. Yeah. Like, I felt on a flight of stairs and snapped my arm and a half. Ooh. Yeah. Look at the scar.

Not me not knowing what arm. I was like right here. Oh, shit. You want to poke it? No. You sure? No. John, stop. Okay, kind of.

It's disgusting. It's like a hernia. Oh, I thought it's going to be hard. No, it's squishy. It's like a hernia in your arm. Yeah, that is crazy. Oh, is that your diagnosis, Dr. Al? That's exactly.

Hernia in the arm. Let's go. Yeah. We are done. Don't worry. Do you want me to get my embarrassing story? Give your ick. Speed this, or whatever. What is your ick?

I keep saying it. I don't have an ick. Yeah. I think I feel like we're on our podcast. Well, hi, Caitlin. Well, welcome to our show. I've been wanting to be here this whole time. No, mine is real quick.

I fell on my face when I was a kid. And so I always had an issue with my front tooth. Yeah. So before our wedding, I was like, you know, my tooth. I haven't gotten it, like, redone in a while. It didn't really match my other teeth. John would call it my corn tooth because it was like a little bit more yellow. So I was like, I need to get a veneer.

So while I was waiting, I had like a temp on and they were like, you'll be fine. like just don't bite into any apples. So I was cool. I'm chilling at a restaurant. It just flies out at a restaurant. So I'm sitting there just waiting to get our check. Perfect timing. John goes, Alex, you said you wanted dessert, right?

The waiter came over. And she said, what do you guys like? And I'm like, Alex, home. So I'm like this, like, I'm like, um, just trying to, toothless. So I'm like, mm-mm. Just the universal signs. She wants to check. Yeah.

Yeah, so I was living without a tooth for a little bit. Oh, that's incredible. Yeah, fell out right in a restaurant in public. See, again, I would have been like, I just would have made it weird. Oh, yeah. Well, now that I have more confidence, but in my day, I was like, I'm mortified. But I did take a video of it after. Great.

And then I posted it to the internet years later on TikTok. And I was like, people will find this funny. So I'm glad I had evidence of it. There you go. It happened for a reason. It was for content. And we all know how important. that is. Exactly. Where can everybody find your TikTok when the short film comes out,

the podcast, all the places? Our podcast is give it to me straight. We're on all the places that podcast can be found. We're taking a break, but we'll be back. Okay, great. And then Instagram, Alexandra Madison, same thing on TikTok, and John is. My username, I've changed like three times. I don't know what to do. Again, this is like how uncreative. It's John, j-on. Okay, but it was. Okay. Like my last name. It was his like Gmail account before. Like, J-B-O-U-F-F- at, like, it was like a Gmail, basically. For your Instagram, Randolph? Yeah, because that's for, like, a username back in the day.

I don't know, I put my email in there. Mine's just Caitlin Bristow. Love it. Yeah. That's a good idea. It's a great idea. I highly recommend. You were so creative.

Just your name, we'll do. Yeah. Perfect. Yeah. Love it. That's all you need, truly. Well, thank you so much for coming on the podcast. Thank you so much for having us.

This was so fun. I actually really liked this. Oh, did you, John? Yeah, it was a good time. It was a good time. Miss the sweat. Mice the sweat. We're going to have to change that.

But besides that, it was a good time. We can't wait to have you in our next short film or on our pod or both. Oh, thank you, guys. Thank you. I'm Caitlin Bristow. I'll see you next Tuesday. See you next Tuesday. Thank you.