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On March 7, 2016, Will deFries, Dave Ruff and I recorded episode 1 of what was then simply called “Spring Break Preview.” Members of Grandex media were one week out from embarking on a floating EDM festival aboard a Norwegian cruise ship to the Bahamas. For spring break. Will asked Dave and me if we wanted to discuss the cruise in front of microphones, as he had just completed formulating a SWOT analysis of everyone going on the trip, so we sat down at the conference room table and started recording.
No intro beat, no podcast studio, no idea what we were getting ourselves into, and not even a podcast name — we’ve often said we refuse to listen to the first episode because of how bad and awkward we assumed it was. We were nervous and inexperienced. I finally did it today after noticing we just passed our two-year anniversary.
Here it is:
Touching Base episode 1 was an interesting listen two years later. Below are some highlights.
0:00 – What a fire intro. Like I said, we didn’t have an intro beat at the time, nor did we have a podcast name. “This is Will deFries…” and we were off and running. We then introduced ourselves, explained what we did for Grandex and how long we’d been working here. It’s slightly awkward.
1:12 – Dave explains that he’s not going on the cruise and says “I’m not exactly sure why I’m in this room right now doing this.” Crazy. We could have very easily asked someone who was going on the cruise to sit in his seat instead, and Touching Base would have looked so different. Dave’s a star. It wouldn’t have been the same.
1:32 – Dave’s voice cracks.
2:05 – I begin talking for an extended amount of time, for the first time as a podcaster, and I sound pretty nervous. There’s some hesitation in that faux-deep voice of mine.
4:42 – Will begins discussing his SWOT analysis for each person going on the trip. “I just know that if you’re not a hoe, get up out my trap house.” -Dave.
7:33 – Will mentions the Chainsmokers for the first time, who performed on the beach during our trip. We all know he loves the Chainsmokers. We got a couple minutes with them backstage, and this is when Will recorded his very infamous interview of a lifetime.
Still kills me.
20:25 – Dave’s voice cracks again. He acknowledges it this time.
21:00 – Many of the Grandex employees who went on this cruise are now our former Grandex coworkers, so it’s a little strange to hear us talk about people who are no longer with us. They’re not dead or anything; they’re just no longer with us.
21:40 – Will is doing well. I remember talking about this after we recorded that day, but I was impressed with Will’s ability to keep the conversation moving.
21:50 – Former coworker of ours, Kayla, was in the conference room while recorded, which I’m reminded of when I hear myself say her name. She would join us couple times as a guest of ours.
23:46 – “Is this for the PGP audience? It is, isn’t it?” -me, speaking generally about the podcast. Weird question in hindsight.
30:15 – Am I crazy for thinking we’re hitting a little bit of a stride here…? You know, considering it’s episode 1, of course.
33:16 – We have our first mention of sidewalk slammers. Wow, I didn’t realize that was an episode 1 mention. Huge for the Killshot brand. Shouts to the homie Killshot, aka Intern Denis with one N. We miss you and love you.
38:22 – Will EGREGIOUSLY mispronounces the last name of coworker Rachel Varina. He says “Verion” or some shit. Shouts to Rachel.
41:26 – Will comes for Dave’s neck with a comment about his thinning hair. Damn, not even to episode two yet. He a savage for that. Dave takes it in stride, though. Good on him.
44:56 – Will signs off with “bon vayage” and episode 1 of the not-yet-named Touching Base is in the books.
A few final thoughts:
• No Micah. He was there with us, of course, but he didn’t speak during this episode. The show isn’t the same without regular commentary from the greatest small-to-medium podcast producer in the game.
• I thought it flowed surprisingly well considering none of us had ever done anything like that before.
• This brought back a lot of memories from that cruise. What a fun trip.
• Dave gets the “Most Improved” award from then to now. First episode: meh. Currently: dude is a star.
• Will was strong from the jump.
• I’ve improved, as well. I need to articulate better.
• We had zero sponsors. No fun sponsorship reads. No Fulton and Roark or Avión or even a Man Outfitters mention. Weird.
• Overall, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected.
• So many jokes and bits happened since then. So much so that we have a March Madness-style bracket full of them now.
• Touching Base is much more entertaining now.
Thank you to all of our listeners, whether you were with us back then when we were finding our way or you joined during episode 164. If you are brand new, though, and haven’t yet subscribed, please do that now. Throw us a 5 star rating and a review, too. We love you..
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Dillon Cheverere
Dillon Cheverere is the Vice President of Media for Grandex, Inc. Email: dillon@grandex.co
@dcheverere
@dcheverere
RogerJDorn
Dave, to quote the great Sheryl Crow, “You’re my favorite mistake”.
thanks?
Humble Beginnings to what has blossomed into a haven for us all
My man
Long time, first time. As in long time reader, should I become a first time listener? I can’t function at my job while listening to podcasts so is this worth my time off the clock? Serious question to the “touchers.” Up vote, down vote me, whatever, just let me know.
I was never a podcast person, until I listened to TB. I listen in the office, in the car, while I’m cleaning/cooking, honestly everywhere. I highly recommend it.
Same
Same. Love the “fun and easy banter”. Just relaxing, easy, pleasant. I listen in the gym, doing work, it’s great.
I’m the same way with podcasts, can’t do work while listening, but I find random times to listen. While getting ready, cleaning, cooking, etc. I’ve had to stop cooking at times because I’m standing in my kitchen laughing my ass off. Would highly recommend.
Great for long drives, and Fridays when you aren’t doing anything at work either way.
I had started listening to podcast more frequently then as I was trying to get into shape. You guys have been part of a personal journey of mine in losing a lot of weight. Thanks for the smiles along the way.
No, king, thank you.
38:00: “I think i’ve taken 1 spin class since I’ve been down here” – Will
…
3/16/2018: “I think i’ve taken 1 spin class since I’ve been down here” – Will
I’ve probably taken upward of 25 at this point.
This has blossomed into a beautiful flower of aural sex and laughter. I think my favorite episodes is gonna be the one where you have me on because, I mean, why the hell wouldn’t you at this point lol
Did not need the duffle bag to carry cash, but Jared and I both walked away with like a cool G. Fun times.
Great poddy.
Bring back the SWOT team
I realized while listening to the bracket episode that I know far more about what’s going on in Dillon, Will, and Dave’s lives than all but two or three of my friends