Real Talk with Benny T

Buckle up, my friends, this one's a banger 💥

Uber Stories: Atlanta definitely went differently than how I thought it was going to go, but it was still an incredible trip, I met some amazing people, and more than anything else, I was reassured that I am on the right path.

So this episode is going to run a little differently than my normal Uber Stories episodes go, but I think you'll enjoy the stories.

I start today's episode by welcoming first-time listeners to the show and sharing some of the reasons that I'm doing this show, I share my Golden Gate Bridge story (27:19), plus plug a lot of other little things like my playlists, the email for The Doctor Is In submissions, and asking for your best Uber Stories, as well.

Why did I stay in Atlanta for 10 days when I was originally only supposed to be there for 4? It's a pretty funny story, actually (46:00), definitely a learning moment, but it all worked out for the best.

I spend some time telling the story of hanging out at Sport & Social at The Battery, being featured on the big screen, and getting to drink for free all day (58:00), then I get to the story most of you are here for.

I got to meet 40 (1:18:16). Like, Drake's 40. Noah Shebib. At Magic City on a Monday. He bought me a Choe shots, he vibed with the show, and he may or may not be joining me as a guest at the point, but even if that never happens, that moment has already done more for me than a regular Uber story ever could.

Just the video of me telling the story of meeting 40 went viral on TikTok, has like 30k views, almost 4k likes, 200 comments... It was a really cool moment that served as validation of what I've been doing over the last 10 months. It was awesome.

Later in the episode (2:08:51), I share how I went to the Atlanta Beltline and pitched like Mariano Rivera, walking 17k steps, 7.5 miles and making 55 quality impressions on a handpicked audience.

Finally, some big picture takeaways and observations from the trip I wanted to speak on before wrapping up.

Please subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, hit me on social media @bennytomp18, check out the Facebook and IG pages for the show @realtalkwbennyt, and always, I hope you enjoy the ride 🥳

Big things coming up, my friends, big things. I can't wait to bring you next week's episode and begin my new city series that I'm doing this spring and summer... check out today's intro to see where I'm headed first 👀

Stories on today's episode include:

Easter Sunday Service (22:27) – I wanted to do something really special since it was Easter, and since I only had 5 rides until I completed an incentive, so I got creative and did something for these five special riders that came from the heart. And it couldn’t have gone better 🐣

Health King (40:17) – A rider question’s his buddy’s life choices when his buddy questions the notion of taking the covid vaccine out of his concern for not wanting to put unknown and potentially unknown substances into his body 💊

Bomb Squad (44:58) – A veteran recounts his days as an Army combat engineer, clearing routes and sweeping the Middle East for IEDs and explosives during his deployments, and shares a few of his closest calls 💣

Kindness ≠ Weakness (1:09:09) – A rider who’s the director of North American markets and Puerto Rico for a big pharma company shares the truest piece of business advice he’s ever given or received, which leads to a story about a juicy dilemma he’s currently in with one of his direct reports and the tough decision he’s faced with 🙅🏻‍♂️

They’re Crazy (1:32:02) – A psychiatrist makes a remark that is both surprising and hurtful, which leads to a bigger picture takeaway and serves as a teaching moment for all of us 🤪

Please drop a rating and review either on Apple Podcasts, or for my Spotify listeners, drop one on the Facebook page for the show, @realtalkwbennyt. It seriously helps and I love seeing it so please take two seconds and help a brother out! 💯

What's good my friends, we're back in the saddle this week with Uber Stories Pt. 27, plus some updates on some big things we're doing around here, like expanding to new cities, doing my own taxes and starting an LLC! Godfather Media, LLC. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

By the way, the doctor is NOT in this week as we didn't have any submissions, but email me if you need some advice and would like to have your submission featured on the show (anonymously, of course). Hit me up, [email protected], or send me a DM on social media @bennytomp18.

Okay! Stories on this week's episode include:

Pee Pee Problems (39:13): A rider recounts a very painful story but laughs like a savage the entire time 😂

Pilot’s Dilemma (45:47): Man vs. machine, a tale as old as time. In the latest saga, two pilots revive the debate and present their arguments in this true pilot’s dilemma ✈️

Southside Bonnie and Clyde (53:51): A couple educates me on how to make money selling heroin and answers some of the questions I have about that process 🧐

Propaganda Machine (1:14:19): A solider tells me what it was really like being in Iraq and Afghanistan during the war, including what it was like being some of the very first boots on the ground 🪖

Lost Luggage (1:33:44): A rider in town for an interview sidesteps potential disaster after the airlines lost his luggage, but luckily he was able to get a new suit, and get some real talk from your boy 💯

Uber Stories will return next week, but I wanted to take this week's episode and open up about something that's been weighing heavily on me and has left me feeling pretty depressed these last couple weeks since coming back from Las Vegas.

Returning from a vacation or a holiday or PTO and jumping right back into your normal schedule is difficult enough, but add in a time difference, a lack of a plan, and having to say goodbye for 7 months to the person you love the most? That, my friends, is a recipe for a rough couple of weeks.

And that's exactly what these last two weeks have been since getting back from our trip to Vegas. I've been burying the reality of this looming goodbye and my emotions about it with work and food. Literally stuffing down my sadness with Chick-fil-A and fruit gushers. Not great, Bob.

But I finally reached the point where I realized what I was doing to myself, why I was emotionally eating, why I was feeling depressed, and so I wanted to use this week's episode to open up about these things and own the last couple weeks because doing that is like therapy for me. Speaking about these things on this episode was cathartic for me. And I gotta say, I feel much better now ☺️

Life is full of moments that we might not post on social media, we might not want our friends or family to know about, and we certainly wouldn't open up about with strangers, but there are gonna be grey days in life. There's gonna be some times you get down and depressed and things are rough and even though those moments might not be super popular to talk about, they happen, they exist, and it's important to remember that you're not alone, even when it's dark out.

So I hope you enjoy this episode, I hope you enjoy the new segment I'm doing called The Doctor is In (1:20:42), and I hope you'll be back next week for Uber Stories Pt. 27 🥳

- Ben

Well my friends, it was PR Week Pt. II and we officially set a new personal record of 64 rides in a week. Now, because of that high yield in rides, it meant more opportunities for better stories. And because of that, this week's episode is a banger.

I got five stories for you this week, plus the debut of a brand new life advice segment, The Doctor Is In (1:05:44). Need some advice? Wanna speak to the doc? DM me @bennytomp18 or email me at [email protected] and I'd be happy to feature your submission on a future episode. Stories on this week's episode include:

Where I Belong (15:37) – A young man hops in the car headed home from his first day of work at a new job and begins sharing his story of growing up from the age of five without parents as a self-proclaimed gypsy to finding a sense of belonging for the first time in his life 🥰

Applebee’s Too?!? (29:40) – In 26 episodes, people have said some funny shit man but this has gotta be the funniest things I’ve ever heard doing this. And I didn’t even hear it firsthand, a couple gets into the car and shares a story of something they overheard standing in line at Applebee’s that is outrageously funny 🍎

Fruit Ninja (32:49) – A couple of ICU nurses each share the craziest things they’ve ever seen on the job… parents, you might cringe a little bit on this one. Hell, I’m cringing thinking about it and I don’t even have kids. I’m cringing for your kids. Hopefully they’re nothing like these kids, who wound up in the ICU after their attempt at playing Fruit Ninja in real life went terribly wrong 🥷🏻

Pretty Woman (38:20) – A sex-worker tell-all. Ever wondered what it’s like to be a sex worker in Louisville, Kentucky? Maybe you haven’t, but now that I mention it, you’re kinda curious, don’t lie. How much do they make? How do they get clients? How’d they get into it? How do pimps work? All of those questions answered, plus some big picture thoughts as it relates to consent and misperceptions about the sex worker industry 💋

Your Damn Self (50:59) – A young father lands two jobs in one day, only to have his girl tell him that he can’t use her car to get to his new job. He thought she’d be happy for him, just like he thought his parents would be happy for him, but neither seemed too impressed. So we end today’s episode with a story that serves as a reminder of why we do things in the first place, and why when we depend on others for our own personal happiness, it leads to bitter disappointment. That kinda sounds like it’s a sad one but it’s a feel good one, I promise 😤

Don't forget to rate and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts, like the show's Facebook Page @realtalkwbennyt, and be sure to check out all of the music used on the show and in the car by searching @bennytomp18 on Apple Music and Spotify. Be well, my friends, I'll see ya next week 🥳

Welp, thought this was gonna be a shorter one but surprise surprise, I went unscripted and ran long so here's two hours of me recapping an amazing week spent in Las Vegas with the love of my life, plus some thoughts on the fragile male ego, how to win at roulette, what driving a Tesla feels like, and how to start the pool party season off right. Enjoy, my friends 🥳

One more thing... I'd like to start a new life advice segment on the show where listeners DM me or email me their story or situation they're dealing with and just like I do with all my riders, I offer whatever I can in terms of advice, encouragement, connections, and most of all, real talk 💯

So please, email me ([email protected]) and I'd be happy to read your submission and begin speaking on these things. As always, they will remain anonymous 👤

Oh, yeah! I almost forgot... Last thing, I promise! Check out all of the music I use on the show and all of the playlists I vibe with to my riders by searching for me on Apple Music and Spotify @bennytomp18. There you'll find all of the bomb playlists I've made and you can hear what my riders hear when we're zipping around the city ✌🏼

I said at the beginning of the week that it was PR week and I ain't talking no public relations, ya diggggg? And boy did I mean it. I hit a number of personal bests and smashed a few old records and even got to prove a concept I've been talking about for a while... Uber Stories from another city. This Spring and Summer, I plan on bringing you Uber Stories episodes from cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati, and continue building this thing out.

This week I've got Uber Stories Pt. 25, next week I'll have a recap of my Vegas Baecation trip that I speak about in the open, and then we'll be back with Uber Stories Pt. 26 the following week.

Ever wondered about the music I play in the car with my riders? Now you can hear all the hits they do. Go to Apple Music or Spotify, whichever you use, and search @bennytomp18. There you'll find all of the playlists, built by your boy, that I play for my riders. Enjoy!

Alright, the stories, ladies and gentlemen. Stories this week include:

Foul Play (40:22): Did I just become a murder podcast? Yep! Well, maybe. This story is about the death of a riders daughter under what the rider claims is suspicious circumstances. Is this a case of foul play, or just a mother refusing to accept a harsh reality? We may never know 🕵🏻

Philly Street Soldier (1:00:18): A rider shares his experiences as a foot solider in the streets of Philadelphia from age 14-22 🪖

Across the Street: (1:09:16): A CNA recounts two of the most emotionally challenging situations she's had to work with during her career 🔪

Wrong Car (1:13:45): Finally, a funny story! A harmless mix-up leaves one car freaking out and another car laughing out loud 🚗

Stay in the Fight (1:22:59): A man shares his ongoing battles with cocaine and alcohol addiction, an untenable roommate situation, and gets connected with exactly the person he needs to help him stay in the fight 🥊

Please please PAH-LEASE subscribe, rate and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven't done so already! You have no idea how big of an impact that has for me and how little time it actually takes (less than 10 seconds) 🙏🏼

Follow along on Twitter, TikTok and Instagram @bennytomp18, and on Facebook @realtalkwbennyt. New listener? New episodes Wednesday's. Offended by foul language? I'm probably not for you ✌🏼

I'll be back next week, Vegas Baecation recap, can't wait. Be well, my friends, see ya next week 🥳

I almost had to punt on this week's episode, but aren't you glad I didn't? With the snowstorms and icy road conditions all of last week, I wasn't about to spend long hours on the road and risk it, and because of that, this week's episode is a little different.

Instead of telling the five stories like I usually do on these episodes, I have one story... about the longest trip in distance and duration that I've ever completed. 129.4 miles and 2 hours and 29 minutes later, I found myself north of Cincinnati and decided to stay up there for a little proof of concept moment. It was awesome.

I spend some time at the beginning discussing what's coming up in the next few weeks in terms of content... Uber Stories Pt. 25 next week, and then I'm also headed out to Vegas next week with some pretty dope stuff on the itinerary so I'll have a trip recap the following week (3/10), and then Uber Stories Pt. 26 after that (3/17).

The second half of this episode is titled 'Feedback' because I spend a big chunk of time on some feedback I received recently and wanted to share my thoughts on it as well as workshop myself a little bit and better understand why I was feeling what I was feeling in regards to that feedback.

And wrapping things up on a more somber note, I say goodbye to a friend of mine who lost his battle to addiction. If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction and need a friend, my DMs are open, please feel free to reach out to me and I'd be happy to talk with you.

Kicking things off this week, a quick Valentine's Day shoutout to my boo, a history lesson on the origins of Las Vegas and Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, some thoughts on "SNOWMAGEDDON," why there should be retesting for driving privileges, plus some new show and music recommendations 😎

1000th Ride (26:14): A machinist is reaching his ceiling at the shop where he's worked for 7 years but the fear of the unknown is keeps him from making a change ⚙️

White Girl Wasted (39:20): A drunken woman suggests an impromptu trip to Tahiti, much to the surprise of her lover 🍹

Mrs. Lemonis (54:37): A female business professional who's been brought in to help turn things around at a struggling location is struggling herself with how to go about it 👩🏻‍💻

Accounting Error (1:02:34): A massive error results in thousands of people being improperly billed hundreds of thousands of dollars 🙄

New Beginnings (1:07:37): A rider shares some perspective on COVID-19, jobs, and relationships 🦠

Please drop me a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy the show 💯

🚨🚨🚨 WE'VE GOT A NEW NUMBER ONE ON THE HOLY FUCK POWER RANKINGS 🚨🚨🚨

Tweakers (10:43): The most insane ride I've ever done... A couple who's high on meth is on their way to confront someone that robbed their homie 🪓

Let's Stay Together (44:00): A couple who's been married 34 years shares a story about the hardest thing they had to overcome in their relationship 👫🏼

Key to Life (58:00): A man tells me what the biggest thing he's learned about life and people is 🔑

America's Backbone (1:07:21): A teacher, who's married to a nurse, details what it's like teaching students who are blind via NTI 👨🏻‍🏫

How We Met (1:12:02): A lesbian couple shares the story of how they met and how one of the partners’ then-husband took the news 👩🏼‍🤝‍👩🏻

Got any good Uber Stories? Send them to me, [email protected]. If they're good, I'll read them on-air. Be sure to follow along on TikTok, Twitter and IG @bennytomp18, and follow along on Facebook @realtalkwbennyt 🥳