Beyond Balance - Bartender Stories

Hello bar world! This is the introduction to my cool new podcast. Forgive the audio, music, and all that stuff. Still working the technical kinks out, but I wanted everyone to know what I’m working on! Please share any feedback as I am open to criticism! Thank you!

“There are people who have the privilege of not being judged for the worse thing they’ve ever done.”

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Beware of horses

I mean a horse is a horse of course, but who rides is important

Sitting high with a uniform, barking orders, demanding order

And I'm scared that I talk too much about what I think's going on

I got a way with this, they might drag me away for this

Put me in a cage for this, I might pay for this

So I just say what I want like I'm made for this

But I'm just afraid some days I might be wrong

Maybe that's why me and Mike get along

Hey, not from the same part of town, but we both hear the same sound coming

Woo

And it sounds like war

Woo

And it breaks our hearts

When I started this band, didn't have no plans, didn't see no arc

Just run with the craft, have a couple laughs

Make a buck and dash, yeah

Get a little dap like "Yeah I'm the fucking man!", yeah

Maybe give a little back like, "Here, I do what I can"

It's all jokes and smoke 'till the truth start schemin'

Can't contain the disdain for y'all demons

Talk clean and bomb hospitals

So I speak with the foulest mouth possible

And I drink like a Vulcan losing all faith in the logical

I will not be confused for docile

I'm free, motherfuckers, I'm hostile

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Choose the lesser of the evil people, and the devil still gon' win

It could all be over tomorrow, kill our masters and start again

But we know we all afraid, so we just simply cry and march again

At the Dem Conven my heart broke apart when I seen them march mommas in

As I rap this verse right now, got tears flowing down my chocolate chin

Told the truth and I've been punished for it, must be a masochist 'cause I done it again - RTJ

“Whatever Forever.”

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In this episode, Ramsey and I talk about the importance of queer spaces and how the pandemic has shuttered the doors for many gay institutions. We speak to the importance of why bartenders should advocate for themselves more in order to create change in your bar/restaurant. We talk about the significance of Ramsey’s project which created a safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and we also talk about the semi-recent displacement of unhoused individuals in Echo Park.

“Be the best version of who you are but, also don’t forget who you are.”

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*Content Warning* Topics in this episode include self harm and substance abuse.

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In the Season 4 premiere, I have the wonderful and talented Marina Spidla! We speak about her sobriety, the highs and lows of being sober behind the bar, and why people abuse drugs and alcohol. Marina shares the trauma that led to her excessive drinking and why recognizing the darkness of her thoughts helped her accomplish sobriety. We talk about social media and why it can be a toxic environment but also highlight the benefits of networking on said platforms.

“We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.”

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Have you missed every episode of Season 3? Have you been lurking but not listening? Then give this episode a whirl as I sum up Season 3 and share feedback on all previous guests. Thank you again to everyone who has supported and has made this podcast possible. Taking a small break from the pod and social media to regroup and invest in better equipment. See you all in little while!

“Just be a good fucking person.”

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In the Season Finale for Season 3, Carissa and I discuss the latest controversy surrounding Gina Carano. We discuss how Carissa got into Boxing & Muay Thai, representation of women in combat sports, and why having a large social media platform comes with big responsibility. We discuss the broader issue of politics as it relates to our culture and why we are so quick to conform to the mob-like mentality of cancel culture. We discuss whether there is any room for forgiveness/teachable moments or if we’re bound to continue to de-platform/cancel/censor people and ideas we don’t like.

“You know we own our emotions, they don’t own us.”

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In this episode, Kalena and I discuss the issues surrounding the conversation regarding mental health. We talk about emotions being data, toxic positivity, and dealing with grief. We talk about the rise of depression and suicide during the pandemic and why having difficult conversations is conducive to our growth and well being.

“I enjoy being happy while being light.”

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In this episode, Aly and I talk about connections in and out of the bar. We share our perspectives on dating in the industry, cat calling, and infidelity. We talk about how dating within the industry is almost inevitable, and how working in close quarters with people is bound to yield feelings between co-workers.

“Your cocktail probably sucks.”

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In this episode, Sherwood and I talk about our criticisms of the bar industry. We speak about competitions, suburban mom’s capitalizing on batched cocktails, and hierarchies in the cocktail community. Sherwood talks about the truth in every meme he shares and how nobody is impervious from his scrutiny. We do a deep dive on the lack of diversity in positions of power and why cocktails need to be accessible to everyone. *Pardon the audio, we had to move locations and the second location had a host of happy kids playing in a park which I found to be totally annoying. Ugh, kids are the worst

“Two Mexicans and a bottle of Whiskey.”

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*Content Warning* - Brief description of sexual assault when describing immigration experience.

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In this episode, Adhel and I talk about her days in booty shorts to working at some of the best bars in the city. We talk about being Mexican and the struggle with finding identity within ourselves. We speak about issues affecting marginalized groups in Mexico, why so much of our culture is embedded with a colonized way of thinking, and the importance/problems with decolonizing. We revisit the term LatinX and explore the nuances behind immigration.