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It’s been 1,293 days since I began working full-time at Grandex but it feels like yesterday. To anyone that has read the site or listened to our network of podcasts, I can’t express anything other than my sincere thanks for reading the site day-in and day-out and enduring the hiccups — both major and minor — along the way.
As you’ve noticed, there hasn’t been anything posted on the site today, November 14th. This is a product of major changes that have taken place at Grandex, one of those changes being difficult layoffs that have affected me (and the company) both personally and professionally.
In addition to other employees that were let go, I’ll confront the people you’re wondering about — Dave and Dillon. Yes, they were a part of the layoffs. This clearly means that drastic changes are on the horizon not only for this very website but for Touching Base, the podcast we hosted together.
Dave hired me in 2015. On my first day of work, he picked me up from the parking lot I incorrectly Ubered to and brought me to the office where I would work closely with him for the next three-and-a-half years. Not only was he my boss and confidant for much of my tenure here, but he remains one of my best friends who I plan on continuing my relationship with despite the changes we’ve seen.
I walked into Dillon’s office in March of 2016 with an idea — I wanted to record an episode of a podcast with him. We didn’t have any grandiose plans to turn it into anything more than a standalone piece of content, but many of you know that it was the first episode of what would become Touching Base.
And boy, was it a ride. A very bizarre, weird, niche, unorganized, enjoyable ride. The most fun ride I’ve ever been on; a ride I shared with not just two coworkers but two people who mean more to me than I can even begin to explain. For three years, I talked to Dave and Dillon more than I talked to anyone — my other friends, my family, my girlfriend, anyone. Hearing the news that they would no longer be with the company I’m still employed by was news that I still haven’t fully digested and will likely carry with me for longer than I’d like to admit.
I’m a sap. I’m soft. That’s not news to anyone. And more than anything, I hate business. I hate numbers. I hate the realities that go along with anything business-related, especially when it involves people you grow with and love. The harsh reality is that business decisions often get in the way of the fun, and that’s the only way I can put it despite its complete lack of eloquence.
This wasn’t a decision I made, nor was it a decision I had input in. But everything aside, it was a decision that was made and the only thing I (and you) can do is understand that a lot of things in life (especially the things you don’t want to accept) are out of our control.
I know this isn’t helpful, but I don’t have much of an explanation for what’s going to happen moving forward. That’s what the next few days, weeks, and months are for — to figure that shit out. What I do know is that Touching Base is no longer. Am I going to make every attempt possible to pull off a Charlie Conway and get the band back together to record a farewell episode? Absolutely, but I can’t promise it. As far as the other podcasts on the Grandex network that the affected employees were a part of, well, I think you see the writing on the wall there as well.
As for the site itself, it’s my first priority to sort out the logistics of what’s going to happen. Frankly, I don’t have an answer right now for what it’s going to look like tomorrow, next week, or next month. That’s for me, Grandex, and our incredible remote staff to figure out.
I understand there will be a lot of questions, concerns, and comments from you, the readers and commenters. While I’m sure they’ll be difficult for all involved parties to read, I assure you that I’ll read every last one of them. Fair or foul. Compliment or criticism. Statement or speculation.
The community they were instrumental in building is a strong one. From anonymous trolling to engagement rings, I’ve seen it all. I’m sure many of you will have things to say, and I ask that you say them with a kind heart and an understanding that certain things are the way they are despite how miserable those things may seem right now.
I know this feels bleak, but things are on the horizon. Bear with me. Now if you don’t mind, I’ve got beers to drink with Dave and Dillon. Maybe even an El Dave if things escalate. .
Respond
Will
Will (Twitter / Instagram) is the host of The Sunday Scaries Podcast.
@willdefries
@willdefries
defriewf
will@grandex.co
FUCK.
Getting laid off. PGP.
Getting laid off by the same company twice in two years. PGP. – Dan Regester
Also, this makes the recent Touching Base F/Marry/Kill segment on who Will, Dave, Micah, and Dillon would fire quite ironic.
Oh man when I heard the news on RBP my first thought was “I bet that guy who had the FMK about who would you fire feels like a real ass right now”
Fuck the forums, bring back Dorn (and Dave).
Ive liked Dorn since te TFM days. And think all those pedo accusations against him were totally unfounded.
retweet. I remember coming across TFM my freshmen year of college in 2011 and seeing dorn post all this bs and talking shit to everyone in the comments. Also, Bacon just getting manhandled. I was like this is wild. I have been reading TFM (what happened there?) since then and PGP since its inception. I always thought that like Dorn, Bacon, the OG TSM girls and Ross were the founders or owners…going into this weekend with sad feels. Thanks Grandex.
Madison is bitch made for pawning this off on Will. What a great move – completely pivot your staff to podcasts and then whack them when they’re hitting their stride? Madison, you stupid dick!
Not sure why you are making Madison the Bad Guy. The podcasts simply don’t bring in enough revenue to justify the salary+benefits of Dillon/Dave/Dan. Will has the ability to provide significant written content (which the others can’t), and he’s really the voice/face/muse of PGP. Got to put your money where it makes a profit.
wrong
Wrong advertisers for the demographic. Broke twentysomethings can’t buy enough $100 sweatpants and $30 body wash to keep a company afloat.
No but us cube jockey 30 somethings can drizzle TF outta some F&R
I do think that has something to do with it. Dorn/Dave had significant titles but seemed to do a lot of content generation.They could have been doing VP-Media and In-House Counsel things between content generation but that seems like a massive workload and Dan… well he was collateral
That’s about all that I can muster right now, also. This is a bad move.
This is an absolutely awful move
If anyone needs a lesson on real irony, not the Alanis Morissette kind, I was listening to The Who Would You Fire FMK segment from last week’s episode when I read this.
Motion to start a GoFundMe to get the Homie the dopest Christmas presents ever.
And for Dave too.. he just bought a house and his wife is a teacher for special needs kids. They are saints and deserve so much more than this!
YES!!! Do it! I just started one for the homie, it’s on my Twitter @RandaBee you can also search on gofundme for A Merry PGP Christmas for the Homie. It won’t let me post the link here
Yes! I was just thinking this!! We can post the link here
I say we try to get him a Nintendo Switch. Lots of kid friendly games.
https://www.gofundme.com/a-merry-pgp-xmas-for-homie
If Dave & Dillon are gone, then we’re all walking out that door with them. Simple as that. It’s been a hell of a ride, family.
Right there with ya.
They should start a Patreon of their own podcast. I would certainly contribute for that cause.
Dan too. Id empty my bank account to support that.
Yeah Grandex can pretty much kiss any RG/#spon content goodbye, at least from the PGP crowd. This is a tradegy. I will in fact actively boycott those brands.
Yup, ain’t getting a dime from me. Feel for Will, he’s in a tough spot here. But gotta vote with the wallet, and Madison’s an asshole.
Absolutely. If they think that cutting Dillon and Dave to cater more to “gamers” and druggie teens instead of the PGP crowd who actually has money to spend is the right move they are in for a rude awakening. I like RBP but not enough to keep any ties with Grandex after this. Shocked and devastated
Dan has now been laid off twice by the same company and no one even cares to mention him in 80% of the comments, poor guy… but also kind of hilarious
When is the first episode of the new independent podcast “Circling Back” airing with you guys and how can I listen?
Maybe they can be part of CMV and I’s skunk works podcast called “Thoughts & Prayers”…..there’s no “lol” for this one folks, you’re not getting that shit from me after this news
Let me know if you need a guest
^^^ THIS. Well done, sir.
Holy shit this needs to happen
What bites is that Madison and whoever else made this decision don’t seem to understand that PGP ended up becoming more than a website, it was and is a community that brought struggling 20 somethings together. I mean, for fuck’s sake, I met my fiance through the groupchat that popped up from this site. When I started reading this, it was like someone understood the kind of weird directionless depression that came with the territory of being 23 and a “productive adult”. I haven’t gotten that from this site from some time, but I hope you get back there, however you need to do it.
You meeting your fiancé through PGP brought tears to my eyes. That’s awesome
I think they realize the community, they just think the PGP name is bigger than its personalities. They assume everyone will follow them along and adjust. Not I. I wish Will the best here, but as a TP4R, I roll with Dave & Dorn. Love you, bye. (Dorn voice)
We follow Dave and Dorn wherever they go
Does this group chat still exist?
That would be wicked if it did.
it got out of hand quite a while ago and we had to blow it up unfortunately
Communities of struggling 20-somethings don’t pay the bills.
Dave, Dillon, & Will (even though you are still with the company, you’re still part of this sentiment)- I just want to thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for all of it: the articles that kept me entertained at work when I wanted to be anywhere else, the laughs I got from the podcasts on my commute, the inside jokes that no one understood except for the other amazing people I met through this site. I stumbled upon PGP when I was going through a rough patch, and as cliche as it sounds, this site helped me through it and opened up a whole wonderfully weird community to me. Even though I don’t know you personally, it feels as though we were friends. And that sounds weird as hell to me as I’m writing it, but I know others feel the same. Thank you. We love you guys, and we’ll be Touchers forever.
damn….could not have said it better. Not sure what I’ll listen to in the car anymore. This hurts
I’m crying in the club.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
You need to get a grip. As does everyone who sent Dillon money. He isn’t hurting.
Frig off, buddy.
Just want to say to anyone who’s making this the last PGP article they ever read, I’m very appreciative of y’all reading my (and everyone else’s) writing for the past few years, and being an engaged and supportive base. It was a pleasure and I’ll miss y’all.
Jumping on Kyle’s bandwagon, but I sincerely appreciate all of the support and feedback (even when it was shitty) all of your crazy commenters have given us over the years!
I still miss Don’t take it from us!! Thanks for all the entertainment!
Echoing Kyle’s sentiments, all us remotes are incredibly grateful to have this community. I know most if not all of us will keep writing as long as there is a PGP to write for. We hope you’ll stay and be a part of whatever this site will be in the future, but it’s completely understandable if you don’t.
I was really getting into The Corporate Ladder. If you ever publish that on another site, I look forward to reading it.
^ Echoing the echo.
I have only been reading your stuff, Jenna’s stuff and TGDAG for some time now. And I’ll keep reading only those things
Will, I know this isn’t you, but unfortunately, this comment section is now our platform for disapproval.
Grandex, Madison, whoever else made this decision; big mistake. Touching Base was a community. It was built on common connections that we all have and 4 guys who could bring us together. Now that two of them are gone, you’ve destroyed that. My clicks are how you get money from me, and this will more than likely be one of my last.
Important to remember that Madison is a horrible leader. Ruins TFM. Failed with man outfitters, and now PGP. This is my farewell to Grandex media. It was a solid decadeish, but smell ya later
TSM also failed too
Didn’t Grandex just upgrade their office? Stupid dicks
Madison leased them an abandoned paint factory lmao. He has no idea that they drive the business, not him. It would actually be funny if it wasn’t so sad.
Absolutely. I think they are going to be shocked at the impact this has on the business. Dillon and Dave ARE Grandex
nah dude he read like, a Peter Thiel book one time so it’s cool
^retweet
What ever happened to man outfitters? I must have missed it
Have they ever announced what happened with Man Outfitters? I missed it if they did
My best guess is Madison is cashing out and sold to someone bigger aka Barstool or something. It’s been tossed around by the commenters, albeit without any credibility, for a while now. Just a guess.
Grandex brass doesn’t even have the guts to announce it themselves. They made Will do it.
Dillon, Dave, and Danny Regs need to give Boosh a call
Fuck IFC, we’re going underground
10/10 would listen to a poddy with Dillon, Dave, and Dan.
Triple D’s.
“Put some D’s on it”
And Bacon. I liked that dude.
Ross, Dave, Dorn, Boosh, Dan, Will, Goldman, Bacon, Duda, and Jared could pitch one hell of a sale to Barstool.
Barstool likely has little interest in taking on a company that takes in yearly ad revenue what PMT does in 2 weeks.
You’re kidding
^^^what he said
Grandex, YOU’RE KILLING ENTERTAINED GEORGE!!!
The community only dies if we let it die.
That being said, where my CO touchers/PGPers at
Philly, anyone?
Right here
Who’d be down for a PGP Philly happy hour to pour one out for our poor lost souls?
Out in the burbs, but just a train ride away.
Currently crying outside suburban station
You can’t be serious. It’s a minor diversion in the life of a fake internet friend, it’s not like your dog died. Tomorrow you will find another podcast to listen to.
Yoo
Mile high livin’
If anyone wants to organize a meetup, you know I’m there
A brewery seems appropriate
Tried to post a Groupme link on here but it’s not going through. Check the “No Posts Today” thread on /r/postgradproblem for it
Do we have those in Colorado?
CO right here — Denver?
Might fuck around and drive in from Salt Lake City for that ish
Same here
There used to be a groupme or something – is that still a thing?
Any ATLiens?
It me.
ATL here
Atl
ATL
What up.
Does anyone know if there is a Dallas group?
Would definitely be down for a DFW crowd.
Oh yes! This is a good idea. Let’s do it!
I’m in DFW too, Flowermound.
far north dallas here fam
Uptown checking in – let’s do it
DFW folks, I created a groupme so we can plan events and such but since we can’t post links on here anymore you have a couple of options. You can email DFWpostgrads@gmail.com and I’ll send you the link to join or you can dm me on insta.
DFW folks, I created a groupme so we can plan events and such but since we can’t post links on here anymore you have a couple of options. You can email DFWpostgrads (it’s a gmail account but it won’t let me post email links either) and I’ll send you the link to join or you can dm me on insta.
DFW fam standup.
Down for a Dallas group. Uptown here
If you build it we will come
How about Indianapolis? Big will I know you’re out there
Indy, checking in! Who wants to grab a beer and cheers to a once great website
New Orleans anybody?
Hey new orleans here. Down for a beer
NOLA here!
NOLA here as well. Beers at the Uptown Bulldog sometime?
On mag? I don’t drink, but I’d love to meet fellow PGPers
Nola friends, I made an email of anyone wants to make plans! KreweofPGP @ gmail
Ohh I may be moving to NOLA in the near future. Gonna need some friends
Nola also!
West Texas / Oil field country anyone?
I come out there for work sometimes! Midland/Odessa, Lubbock, and Amarillo mostly.
Yeah I moved back to Odessa from Lubbock to work in the patch. We should get a local PGP chapter going or something!
NOLA here
NOLA here!
San Antonio anyone?
Will, I can’t imagine how hard this was for you to write.
Dave/Dillon, where you lead I (we) will follow.
^^^^This
This x 1000. Also started tearing up reading this.
Same, this is breaking my poor little heart
This is an absolute punch to the gut in a way that I haven’t really ever felt. I’ve spent well over 250 hours listening to every TB episode (and most more than once) and I feel like you guys are my friends. It’s been a damn good ride and I appreciate Dave and Dillon’s contributions so much. Genuinely hope the best for them. It might take a while for me to come back here.
Right there with ya Merlot Miata. This one really hurts.
Also, start looking and get the hell out now, Will. You’re way too good at what you do to die with this brand.
Seriously Will, you are so talented. Bail from this sinking ship while you still can. Dust off that resume and start sending it around. You are too good to stay with what will turn into a gamer/high school tragedy.
I don’t normally think about other dude’s packages, but I hope Dillon and Dave got a good one if you know what I mean.
I needed that