So what was it like talking to them about burnout? Because they started out pretty passionate about this whole project.

Yeah, this is something that makes this company unique.

It's not a job.

That just isn't really the way.

That doesn't put it.

That doesn't suffice.

It's a mission.

Is that right?

Were you a space cadet and why Firefly? I mean, you'd have to be a space cadet to even know about Firefly, but how did you get attracted to Firefly?

Well, I'm not much of a space cadet, so I'm mildly a space fan, only mildly.

I was doing a project for one of my clients.

They are Autodesk.

They do some software stuff, AutoCAD, fantastic group.

And they said, you got to go see this rocket company.

They're using our software to design their first rocket.

Tell us the story.

What are the biggest unknowns in your mind right now? And what's the scariest part about walking away from that stability?

I was thinking about this the other day and talking to my girlfriend about it.

It's a tricky thing to put into words, but as you grow up, you obviously get into jobs and that's the kind of path that you're pushed down to get a typical nine to five job, get promotions and all of that.

And it gives you a stable income.

But the more you think about it, And this is obviously true for more people.

It's not true for everyone, but it's true for some people.

That nine to five job isn't as stable as we're led to believe, potentially, because a job can get rid of you at any point.

What's the reality and advice you would give

Yeah.

So I was trying to get all the names in.

So then, uh, Mac and Fawn, uh, were a big part, and then we brought in, uh, Ritchie, who was the contractor, had the building experience.

And what was amazing was everybody had a talent.

I was good at sales and marketing.

Bob was always the creative side, helped with recordings and artwork in, in advertising, marketing-wise, print-wise.

Mac was always the guy that would pick up the comics, make sure the place was stocked, set the room.

Scott first, what is your strongest memory of the D- Delta Queen Room? It could be a, a show, a set, a comic, the e- the, the structure, whatever.

Yeah, remote access.

Remote access.

You know, sometimes the manufacturer requires it so that the manufacturer can log in and do updates on them.

There's all kinds of reasons.

But the problem is, is many of these, you know, systems, water systems don't have security-minded individuals on their staffs, and so they just plug these into the internet.

They leave default passwords on them.

They make them completely open to the internet, you know, ports wide open.

But is it just-- is there, like, a next level of, like, um, danger at this point because we're, we're up against AI?

... with the badge is not gonna stop me

...

I was like, these military guys at the airport, they ain't, they ain't gonna do nothing.

They didn't, I ran the roadblocks, they didn't do nothing.

So I'm at the Rwanda airport, and I buy a tick for E- a ticket for Ethiopia, and I go to get on, and they go, "Uh, we need to see your visa." So I go, "Here." And they go, "It doesn't start for two days." And I go, "Eh, I'll take care of it when I get to Ethiopia." And they go, "No." And I go, "Look," I go, uh, I, "The gate's right there." I go, "The, you're crazy." I go, "I, I got this." And they're like, "No, you can't go." And I was like, "I'm going.

Let me go to the gate." So I walk to the gate, and I turn around, and the military's b- it's like in a movie.

They're, they're coming down the frigging hallway.

... gets outta hand, you can...

[laughs]

Uh, which stinks, because they are two of, you know, I think Natsupoi is a great tournament wrestler when the Wonder Belt isn't around her waist.

And I think that Syuri has proven to be a great tournament wrestler year after year after year, despite them keeping her out of it, uh, to do whatever nonsense she will be doing beyond the Sundae Girls match.

Uh, yeah, I mean, it's, [sighs] it, it's two ways to look at it, right? It's like, oh, these two weren't good enough to be in the tournament, but they're good enough to main event the first night, so that's awesome.

Um, you know, I, I, it's just, it's just a weird feeling.

Like, Natsupoi not being in the tournament affects me way more, 'cause like, I think it's more of a sign of where we're at in terms of, you know, how they see her.

Um, which, you know, if you told me this was how we would end up with Natsupoi after Tam retired, I would've not believed you in any way.

Do something amazing.

[laughs] Yeah.

And, and you wonder, "Well, why is it so big?" It, it may be because their ancestors were really big, and although their bodies got smaller, maybe their eggs didn't get as small as quickly.

I, it's a really, it's a really strange situation.

Um, and so, uh, their, you know, they've modified their lifestyle so extremely.

They're almost blind.

They can't see very well.

They can smell very well, so, but they forage at night, and so this whole flightless syndrome has, um, resulted in a lot of really, uh, really interesting adaptations.

Mm

Mm-hmm.

And it was a, a great learning experience.

Uh, you might find this hard to believe, but I was the, uh, face and voice of the company and did the sales, and then the guys would, uh, help me do the work.

But, uh, what you...

And we were really successful for 17.

We did all the McDonald's in northern California, all the Safeway stores, um, several other projects, and it was a great learning experience.

But what it taught me is that if you're in the construction industry, you have to be able to think of all the different aspects.

But what has podcasting meant to you? I mean, obviously, like you said, you're able to stay in tune with your roots, but are you also, like, a y- a giant podcastee? Do you listen to a lot as well? Is it a way to scratch an itch?

I know you're not happy [laughs] about Maki Itoh winning and what that would lead to later in the night.

My problem is, like, a- and I've been saying it very openly, so it's not like a shock.

But, like, this is, this is the continuation of Natsupoi is no longer a priority in the company.

Maki Itoh is, and it's, like, very backwards in my brain of how that is the reality I live in.

Um, because Natsupoi is a fantastic pro wrestler in her own right.

Um, but it is what it is, you know? It is a result that I think you look at at the end of the day, it's like, yeah, I'm not shocked.

Um, I'm not shocked.

What did you think, Scott?