#7 - "Tasmanian Devil" with Josh Strickland

This episode, we bring on the superstar tenor, Josh Strickland! Through laugh out loud moments and touching stories, Josh discusses family, friendship, and the importance of singing voice messages.

Join us in our friendship revolution, one HypeFriend (and one episode!) at a time!

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
- On Route 66.

(00:02):
Hey, home Route
- 66.
- Hi. Hi. Oh, my, wait, we're in person.
We are in person. And I amdressed for the occasion.
- Oh my gosh.- I have never bought a piece of clothing

(00:23):
so fast in my entire life.
Michael, my husband
and I walked into your concert, which
we're gonna talk about.
We have a lot to talk about,but we walked into your concert
and in the lobby was thisshirt with your face on it,
and we made a beeline, and it was like,

(00:45):
before I knew it, it was on my body.
I've never been so happy to buy a t-shirt.
- I am dying. Like, oh my gosh.
I am, that is like, I'm, I'm so
- Close- Up and closer to it.
Wow. I know, I know.
Well, that's very kind
and I am very honored thatyou are wearing my t-shirt.
- We're gonna get into itthough. We're gonna get into it.

(01:07):
I think we start the episodethough. Let's do it. Oh, my.
Wait, we're in person. We're, yay.
I can like, I'm like, so right.
It and I can, it does officially put are,
- That's amazing.
- So, okay. Oh my gosh. Alright,let's do it. Let's get in.
We're still working on the decor.
- We're still working on decor,

(01:27):
but we are here in person, so
- Yes.
Yes. Let's do this. Allright. Hi, I am Ashley Stein.
- I'm Michael James Scott,
- And welcome to
Friends Michael.
Cheers. Cheers to beingin person. It's so good to
- See you in person. I know. Mm
- Mm- But you're drinking,
- So you are getting meto like sparkling water.

(01:51):
- I, I,- I never thought I would like it.
- I did not think I wasgonna like it either. I know.
But I lived in Australiafor like 19 months
and it's like a big thing there.
And they would say like, gas,do you want water with gas?
Like, and I was like, huh. And it's like,
- No, I don't want extra gas.
- I don't want extra gas.But I'm like, oh, right.
Oh, like sparkling water. Yeah.
And then I became obsessed with it,

(02:11):
and now I'm obsessed with it.
And this is strawberry, so.
- Well, I have black cherry
and, you know, I have it in myhouse for when you come over
and the other day.
- Lots of it.- I know, I know.
And the other day I was like,
I want something different to drink.
And I was like, all right.Michael says, it's good.
I'm gonna try it. And itwasn't bad. It wasn't bad.

(02:32):
- It, it, it, it, I really do.
I feel like there's, I feellike it, that's like a, a,
a hot point.
Like a hot button point.
Like some people like love sparkling water
or some people just don'tlike, it's like a thing.
- Yeah. - But I have, youknow, it's also been good
to like, get rid ofthat and not drink soda.
- Yes. - So it, like, myhusband was like, he was like,
think about it being like,you know, it has the,

(02:55):
the sensation of thecarbonation of, of a soda,
but like, it's not a soda.
So, you know, so that actually,that has, that actually
that mindset helped me.
So, I mean, I, I digress.
We went into a fullconversation about s party.
- That's what we do here.That's what we do here.
But you know what, that's part of,
that's part of friendship.

(03:15):
Its, you chat about nothing sometimes,
but it's really important stuff.
- Yes. I'm still dying at you.
Like in my shirt. Oh my gosh. Oh my
- Gosh.
Well, okay. I, I have tobe vulnerable for a second.
I am wearing no makeup at all.
- Well,- Like none. But,
- But you still look amazing,- So thank you.

(03:36):
Thank you. But back whenwe met in high school,
- Yes.
- When we established our Hypefriendship in 1996 HypeFriend
96 established 1996.
I had a, I had a real fear about
leaving the house without makeup.
I, I wouldn't do it 'cause I had acne
and I, I just didn't feel pretty.
And I, I, I literally, it wasone of my greatest fears. Mm.

(03:59):
And as I've gottenolder, you know, I I've,
I've gotten over that fear.
Yeah. I go, I post on Instagramwith no makeup. I, yeah.
I go to the grocery store, you know,
run errands without makeup,actually, when I don't have
to wear makeup, it's, it's a big day.
But honestly, the thought
of doing a HypeFriend episodewithout any makeup on, I,
I terrified me.

(04:20):
I'm like, I'm not gonna do that.
But I had an allergicreaction to some makeup,
some new makeup, and it's almost better.
- Yeah. - But the doctor waslike, Hey, if you don't have
to wear makeup, you, you reallyshouldn't, like, let your,
let your skin just air out.
And so I, it's, it's almost better.

(04:40):
But see, you can stillsee a little redness.
So I'm like, you know what?
I'm just gonna normalizenot wearing makeup,
because I bet there's a high school girl
that's out there like I was,that, you know, is terrified
of walking out the door without makeup.
And so I'm gonna be brave
and do a HypeFriendepisode with no makeup,
with a skin rash.

(05:02):
- Well, you,- But hey, here we are.
- Well, that is a very relatable
to a lot of people.
So we all, we, we allhave blemishes and all.
I also don't like leavinghome without makeup.
- I know. You're alwaysposting about your skin.
- Oh. Like, oh my God. Well,because it's, it's a thing
and there's a lot of, ofmakeup going on, like trying

(05:23):
to keep it all togetherand breakouts and all that,
and you just get self-conscious about it
and all the things, right?
Yes. So that's veryrelatable to a lot of people.
And, and you doing thatis, I think, well actually,
I think give, empowera lot of people, a lot
of our community outthere to do the same. So
- Yeah.
I mean, we're all, we're, hey,we're all in this together.

(05:44):
Yes. You know, it's like, I love
the unfiltered world that like, you know,
we're getting more comfortable to live in.
And actually, I was inspired
by my goddaughter who is in high school.
She's a freshman in high school.
- Yes. - And she was tellingme how now it's not cool
to wear a face full of makeup,

(06:04):
that she just wears likea tinted moisturizer,
maybe a little bit ofVaseline, you know, that the,
the glowy, dewy look istotally in all natural.
And so I was like, oh my goodness.
Well, if my goddaughter Peytoncan do it, then I can do it.
- Ashley, I was justlike, it was just up on,
there was like a socialmedia thing about the fact
that imperfect is in, like, not,

(06:26):
not perfect is in, and that's the thing.
And that is, which is so like,
what a complete change on so many levels.
Yes. You know what I mean?Like, from where we've come from
and where we still go as asociety and all those things.
And ps it ties very muchinto friendship Yes.
In terms of like, youknow, feeling imperfect

(06:47):
and all the things, and thennot having it feeling like you
can go and talk to someoneor, or, or make friends
because you feel bad aboutyourself and all the things.
Right? Yes. So it's such atie in on so many levels.
- Well, and to me that's a sign of like,
when a friendship becomesreal is when you can just
genuinely be yourself with someone.

(07:07):
- Yep.- With no makeup on in your sweats.
I mean, you were just chattingwith me in my bathroom,
you know, I was getting readyand, you know, my husband
and I were getting readyto leave for a trip
and our, our bedroom andbathroom is just atrocious.
Like, it looks like a tornado went off.
But, you know, that's whenit's real friendship Yes.

(07:27):
Is when you can just be yourself.
- Absolutely. And Iloved every minute of it.
- Okay. Well, Michael, I think
that brings us to Ashley Bakes. Ooh.
- Ooh. I haven't done this in person.
- I know. I'm very excited. Bake.
Wait, what do you have today? Okay.

(07:48):
So speaking of, you know, just
being real with your friends.
- Yes.- You know, I expect honesty, Michael.
- Yeah. Yes. And I,
- I, I was working hard this morning
because, okay, let meset up the situation.

(08:09):
I need to redeem pudding.
I've already had a fail. I've burned it.
Oh, okay.
I, I, I want to find theperfect gluten-free vegan
pudding recipe.
And, and also I know thatpudding's not your favorite and,

(08:30):
but, but I genuinely wantto like, make you like it,
- It definitely scares me.
There's definitely a pudding. Fear.
Know? It was a fear, butthat was not a putting fear.
But, but I'm being very dramatic.
However, it does scare mesometimes because it shakes.

(08:51):
Do you know what I mean?It's like jiggles. Well,
- This isn't jiggling, so we'll see.
But okay. So I tried.
- It's very pretty. It's very cute.
- I added something toit. So, do you like lemon?
- I do. I do like lemon.- Okay. Yes. All right.
So this is a lemon puddinglemon cookie parfait.

(09:14):
That's vegan and gluten-free.
- Did you hear that? Like, quietness,
there was like a quietness.
- So, you know,- Lemon.
- Lemon pudding. Lemonpudding with a lemon cookie.

(09:34):
Perfect. Perfect.
- Okay, here we go.
- Okay. Oh. Oh. The texture'salready a little better,
- But like that noisejust now, it was like,
there was a suction.
It was, there was a suction noise.
The suction noise is what scares me.
- Like, so I haven't tried this

(09:55):
yet, I'm just gonna warn you.
I haven't tried it. It smelledgood, but I haven't tried it.
- It smelled good when Iwalked into this house,
so I'm Okay.
Here we go.

(10:17):
Hmm. Hmm. Hold on, hold on, hold on.
While I start sweat every time I dance.
You know what, you knowwhat? You know what?
Actually excited. Honestly. I'm not mad.
You're not mad. I'm notmad. I'm not mad. No way.

(10:39):
I'm not bad. The
- It's a little, it's, it is tart it.
That's why I snorted bebecause I took a bite
and I was like, b, there's definitely a
- Tart.
It's tart. However, I'm not
mad at the consistency of it.

(11:01):
And it, there I am. I am not.
- No freaking way. There'sa pudding that you like.
- I, I, I really like it. Wow.Like, I actually think it's
- Great.
Wow. Ashley baked. Oh my gosh.
- You did. It's great. It's

(11:23):
- Great.
That just like made my day. I'm
- Done.
Like you have no idea. I'mbeing very honest with you.
I was scared. We were scaredin the beginning. I was scared.
It was a, it was a toughrole getting there,
but I am really, I am, I'mlike, I'm going in for another,
like, it's Wow. But like,
- Wow.
- Okay.- You know what I have to say,

(11:44):
the consistency last time was troubling.
It. Troubling. It was troubling.
I, you know what, you know what I did?
Because that's the thingwith a recipe, you have to,
it's trial and error.
And the recipe
before called for four tablespoons
of cornstarch.

(12:04):
And I was like that, thatwas a bit much less time.
So I did four teaspoons ah, of cornstarch.
And I think that was it.
- Ooh. I, yeah. I love it.Okay. I actually love it.
And I think the Lemonreally, really brought out.
And it's, I feel likewe have found Ashley X
Epstein's drag name.

(12:26):
Are we ready for it? I think it's
Lemon Love ine.
Nah, that's so good.
That's so good. Ashley's drag
name ladies and gentlemen is Lemon Love.
- Oh my gosh.

(12:48):
I cannot wait to tell Nina West.
- Well, you have to. Ninais gonna die. Oh my gosh.
That's your new, oh yeah. That's it.
- Lemon love.- Lemon Love Lemon Love Eckstein.
- I have never been sohappy with the name.
I'm just envisioning myoutfit with, with a sequins

(13:09):
and sparkles
- And, and yellow all over it.
Yes. Oh, yes. Lemon Love honey.
- Oh my gosh. Cheers. Cheers to Lemon.
Love it. Started herewith my Lemon. Oh, love.
Oh my God. Alright, so
- Speaking of love, lots of love.

(13:32):
I have to hype up thelove that has come from
'cause we're going into Hypes and Gripes.
There's been a lot of love lately.
Well, there's, I'm veryblessed with a lot of love
around me, and I, I, andI'm very conscious of that.
Right. But I started have to call it out,
but the hypes of a right now into our Hype
and Gripe as we move intoHypes and Gripes, Hypes

(13:53):
and Gripes, Hypes inGripes, Hypes and Gripes.
I'll work on that one.
It
- Was good. It was good.
- But I'm just going to just start
by it immediately justmade me think of like,
just hyping up the lovethat, that like, that
to me has been such an amazing thing.
So thank you for all the love.
Like there's a lot.There's been a lot of love.

(14:14):
- Well, it's just gettingstarted because Okay.
We need I am, I'm kicking off Hypes
and Gripes by literallyhyping you up so hard.
I, I, okay.
So my family
and I went to Michael'sconcert, solo concert
with the Orlando Philharmonic.
- Yes.- In Orlando, Florida.

(14:34):
The Dr. Phillips Center,which is our big theater.
- Yes.- It's, you know, it's
where all the Broadway touring shows come.
I mean, it's just gorgeous.
And as I mentioned, we walk in
and there's Michael's facestaring at us on t-shirts,
but we go in
and Michael,
the first song you have

(14:56):
the a children's Well, yes,they were high schoolers.
- Yes. The, the Orange County,
the Orange County school'sAll County Choir joined for,
for the concert.
- So they're behind you with the orchestra
and you come out andyou take us to church.
And this opening song thatliterally brought the house down,

(15:17):
and I just started bawling.
- Aw.- Like just bawling with like,
like the biggest happy tears
because not only were you amazing,
but then I was lookingat those kids, you know,
those high school kids singing and,
and I was just imagining me
and you in high schoolbeing in that chorus.
- Yeah.- You know, what an honor

(15:38):
and privilege it would've been for us
to be a part of that concert.
- Yeah. - And them watchingyou, you know, being like,
one day, one day maybe I can be like him.
And that was us.
And it was just a, adream coming full circle.
And I just, I criedthroughout the whole concert.
I was so proud of you. Thank you.

(16:00):
- That's very, what, what'sso crazy, and you know, the,
because we talked about this,
like we literally are those kids.
Like we are, we are theproduct of all county choirs
and show choirs and theaterdepartments and all the things
and the community aspectof, of young, young kids

(16:20):
around Orlando, at least
for us in our community where we grew up.
But the, the, the mostamazing thing for me
thinking about it was, was exactly
what you said was the factthat it, it was something
that would have been a dreamof mine when I was that age,
looking out, you know,into this gorgeous theater

(16:42):
and thinking about, you know, oh wow.
Is that like, that it's possible
to maybe do something like that.
And to, to be able to turn around
and see their young faces,like full of just, you know,
excitement and, and,
and wonder was just, was, wasreally, really a blessing.
And Ps I found Ashley

(17:04):
and her husband during this,
the crazy thing is I did notknow where they were seated.
Yeah. Until there's a, acertain moment during the show
where I sang, I did awhole nineties medley
and I sang Spice Girls Want to Be, and
- It was brilliant.
- And literally thelyric friendship. Never.

(17:26):
And I literally found Ashley Yes.
Locked eyes with her duringthe word friendship. True.
No joke. Like true story.It was the craziest thing.
And I literally, like, I thinkI was like friendship that I,
like, I literally wasjust like pointing at you
and David, it was like, it was straight

(17:47):
- Out of a movie.
- It was so crazy.- Yes.
- Oh my gosh. So yes. I, I'm, yeah.
Thank you for being there. Thank
- Y'all.
Thank you being there.We would not miss it.
We would not miss it.
And one thing I wanna hype up
and I wanna bring up, you know,
obviously you sounded amazing.
Like you sang your face off.

(18:07):
- Thank you.- You sounded amazing. You looked amazing.
I mean, your outfits were just,
it was a full out fashionshow. Thank you. It was
- Amazing.
Amazing folks, Andrew McClain,who is an amazing designer
who was the winner of the very first
her universe fashion show.
I mean, literally it's likefull, like years ago. Yes.

(18:27):
And he ended up hiring him
and he designed be two beautiful looks
for me, which was so awesome.
Yeah. Him and some otherdesigners mayor in, in Canada,
and then also Brucely, but yes.
So another friend hyping up.
- Well, I'm not donehyping you up real quick
because I want you to knowthis was actually my takeaway

(18:48):
and, and my entire family,this was our takeaway.
Now I know you
because you know, obviouslywe've talked about it here.
We've reconnected after all these years.
We've been friends since high school.
You are the same personsince from high school.
You have the same heart,you have the same joy,
you have the same sparkle.

(19:10):
But my mother-in-law whodoesn't know you very
- Well,- She said, she goes, tell Michael
how genuine he was.
And you were so real and genuine,
and you took us on a journeyand you showed us your heart
and you opened up your heart.
And, and that's one thing,as I've gotten older,

(19:31):
I've realized the power of being genuine.
And, you know, you had theentire audience captivated.
And not just because your voice, not just
because your fashion, butbecause of your heart and, and,
and your how genuine,
how genuinely we believedyou that it's like

(19:55):
you're taking us to church.
You made your dreams come true.
We can make our dreams come true too.
Oh, that's, and all those kidsin that choir, I promise you,
they left that concertbeing like, you know, ready
to conquer the world.
And so that is your superpower.
You are genuine
and it just, it, it justradiates off of you.

(20:18):
So I wanted to hype that up.
- Thank you. Ashley EcksteinFran. That's, that's very kind.
And and I will, I'mtaking that in. Thank you.
I, I, it's, you know,it's sometimes hard to,
there's like a, the, youknow, the Michael James Scott
who was like the, the sortof like out like, you know,

(20:39):
big and all the things.
And it's important to,
to have those quieter moments in terms
of just like really tryingto be expose, you know,
yourself in terms of your heart and,
and what you're feeling andwhat you're going through.
And really just like letting it out there,
which is a huge part of myhusband, who was my director,
who I'm also hyping up

(21:01):
and wrote the, the script
and in terms of like, whatthe dialogue and all of that.
And it was very, he was like,you must, you must be open.
You must let them in,
and you must be able to just let go
and be yourself.
And in that, he was like, and,
and even though there will be, you know,

(21:21):
2000 people in front of you,he was like, you've gotta,
you've gotta let them in.
And so it was a huge, it wasa big, in an amazing way,
a really great learningexperience in terms of how to do
that, you know, with a big, big group.
I think you do that reallywell when you're on panels,
when you're talking even to, to, you know,

(21:43):
to your followers on social media
and in terms of justlike letting people in
and you, you know,we've learned from that,
we've learned from you letting people in.
And so doing that on thestage, was it, it, you know,
it's, it's not easy.
It's, it's actually harder
for me than I think people maybe realize.
And so I wanted to, you know,be uncomfortable in certain,

(22:05):
allowing myself to beuncomfortable, but like,
but breathing through that and, and, and,
and living through that. So,
- Well, let me tell you what,it was a massive theater.
Like massive theater. Every seat was full,
but I felt like I was in your living room
or at your church, like yousaid, you know, we, we, we came
to the church of Michael James.
God and I, I just felt likewe were just sitting there in,

(22:29):
in a small congregation havinga one-on-one chat with you.
Yeah. And shout out toyour husband Jeremy,
director of the show.
Yes. It was amazing.
And you know, like meand my husband David, you
and your husband Jeremy, you know,
it just worked so well together.
Yeah. And it was, it,
it it was just anincredible accomplishment

(22:51):
and one that I know you've been working on
for a very long time.
- Yes, thank you. We have,we have. Thank you so much.
Really, it, it was, it was amazing.
It was, it's a big hype andI, it's a big, big thank you.
Now there's a big gripetoo in it actually kind
of connects to, to,
- Okay.
- And the big gripe for mewas the fact that I didn't get

(23:12):
to see everyone.
Oh. And, and to, and, and bebecause there was so much love.
There was so much support.
I really felt that, I mean,
I literally gasped in my, you know,
when I saw your, your socialposts with like, you know,
a group of like six ofsome of our old friends

(23:32):
who we literally grew up with,
and there, y'all all were
wearing my t-shirt inthe middle of the lobby.
And I, it's
- My new favorite t-shirt,- But I didn't get
to see everyone.
And, and, and you know,it's, it, it's obvious.
I, I know people understand and all that,
but for me it was, it, it's hard

(23:54):
that I didn't get to see them.
I really felt the love and all the things.
And I feel like that happenswith, you know, with a lot
of people when even you'renot doing a concert, you know,
everybody doesn't do concerts.
I know. But even in their own lives
and their own professions, like, you know,
there's a big event of some sort.
You've worked hard to do something
or like what, whatever it is.
And you don't get to seeeveryone who comes to the event

(24:16):
or who comes to, you know,whatever outing is happening for,
for work or for, for life.
And, and so it's something,you know, I'm like, oh man.
But I felt the love. So you
- Know what though?
I I I, this is not my gripe,
but my gripe is iffriends don't understand

(24:37):
that you can't see them,
because, you know, firstof all, you did two shows.
So Michael did two,like full out, full out
where he was against singing his face off.
Like it was unbelievable.
He did two shows in oneday and I was at the
- Matinee. Yes.
- And you know, yourhusband Jeremy was, I'm

(24:59):
so glad he did this.
He said, no, you can'tsee anyone between shows.
You had to rest your voice.You had to rest your energy.
- Yeah.- You know, because this show was massive.
And I, I became protective too,
as people were like, areyou gonna see Michael?
Are you gonna seeMichael? And I'm like, no,
he has a second show to do.
And so people need tounderstand that, you know,

(25:20):
it's like sometimes insituations like that,
that's not the time to be like,well, we gotta go catch up.
No. Actually send someone a message
and say, Hey, next time you'rein town, I would really love
to catch up and, and gush about
how great you were at the concert.
- Yeah.- And so I think that is a good kind
of social etiquette lesson.

(25:41):
Yeah, yeah. Of, you know,you are showing your,
you're being a HypeFriend by showing up,
but you can also be a HypeFriendby saying, you know what?
Like, I I, I, I'm not evengonna bother him after the show
because, you know, the entirecity was there to see you.
You could not have seen everyonethat came to see you. So

(26:04):
- Yes, yes.
Well, that, yeah.
- Yeah. So yeah. That's good.
I, I have a gripe if peopledon't understand that.
- Yeah.- But I, my, my gripe is actually,
this is kind of random.
Okay. This is off the wall. Okay. But this
just happened to me.
And because you've sharedyour, what do you call it,
pornography, like choreography on a plane.

(26:26):
- Yes.- I, you know, you and I travel a lot.
- Yes. - And you know, Ifeel like we're go, you know,
we're in the summer season,
people are traveling a lot more. Yep,
- Yep.
- And, and I feel like there's a lot
of social etiquette on aplane that, that, you know,
people need, we need to talk about.
And, and also everyone's different.

(26:48):
So I'm a very friendly person.
- Yes. - Very friendly. Ilove to chat with people.
I mean, you see me ata convention like you,
you can't get me to stop chatting.
- No. We have to peel you away.
- Yes. Yes.
I love chit-chatting,
but I'm kind of a differentperson on a plane,
because actually when I fly, I, that's

(27:10):
where I catch up on my sleep.
- Yeah. - And that's,honestly, that's where I kind
of turn off.
- Yeah.- You know, everyone has,
not everyone is up here all the time.
Yes. You know, we have to flip our
switch and we have to turn off.
And so I was flying home the other day,
I was taking a red eye Oh.
Which I was already tired and,

(27:31):
and I was set up, I was gettingready to, you know, to go
to sleep and, you know, I was waiting
until we were pulling,you know, taking off.
Yep. But I, I, I was ready to go.
And this guy sits down next to me,
and first of all, I, I, Iwill say he had had a couple
of adult beverages and,

(27:53):
and you know, I always am polite
and I say hello to my seatmate.
- Yep.- But, but I'm on my phone. Like, I am not
- Right. You're not engaging.
- I'm not engaged.- Right. Yes.
- You know, I, I had a pleasant, you know,
exchange pleasantries.
I'm back on my phone trying
to wind down so I can go to sleep.
Well, he starts in with the questions.

(28:13):
Now, if it was my husband,my husband, he like,
gets really uncomfortable.
But like, he will keep engaginguntil that person, you know,
stops talking or doesn't.
Like my hu my poor husband.He'll, why is that so funny?
I know he, well, becauseDavid's not a talker,

(28:33):
but if somebody talks to him on the plane,
like he just gets really uncomfortable
and he'll talk to them thewhole flight versus me,
I, I don't wanna talk.
I wanna go to sleep. And
so this guy is liketalking, he's a talker.
I'm like being polite, butI'm giving one word answers
- Yes.
- And, and,

(28:53):
and so I'm thinking, okay,it's gonna naturally wind down.
Naturally wind down. Oh no. Oh no.
He like kept going in, kept going in.
And, and so he asked, youknow, what I did and, and
- Did you make up something?
'cause I wasn't made up something.
- Well, I didn't even havethe brain power at that point.
I, I, I, I said, well, I do alot of things, which is true.

(29:17):
And, and, and he goes, well, that's vague.
Why aren't you telling me theanswer? And I was like, oh,
- Absolutely not that, that, so, so
- He kept pressing,
and finally I did like, I did something
that made me very uncomfortable.
I looked at him and I said, I'm so sorry.

(29:39):
I'm looking forward tosleeping on this flight.
I'm not, I I'm not here to chitchat.
- You did.- I did. Can you believe
- That?
I I Good for you.
I think that that's, that's,
that's actually hard for people to do.
- Well, and, and I didn't say it rude.
I just, I realize like, I'm gonna have

(30:01):
to set a boundary right now,and it makes me uncomfortable.
But he was making me uncomfortable
and I just wanted to sleep.
So I was like, you know whatI'm gonna say, I need to sleep.
And I, I'm, I'm not wantingto chit chat. And he did.
He stopped. So, I know,

(30:22):
but my gripe is of like, you know, you,
you gotta pick up on social cues.
- Yes.- 'cause I gave so many social cues
and he, he wasn't gonna stop.
So I, I had to verbally say, can we,
can we please stop, sir?
But I was so uncomfortable. But it worked.
And he stopped and Islept and it was fine.

(30:44):
But yeah. That's my gripe.
- Ah, let's get into some good gossip.
- Okay. So what you got?
I have a good, good gossipstory today. So the good
- Gossip.
- Yes. The good gossip.See, I, I still, I,
- Oh my God, I just choked. I was choked.
- I think I sound, I think I sound like

(31:06):
- Sexy. You're still giving me
- Sexy. But
- Delilah, the good gossip,
- Did that sound better?
- Like the, the stress on gossip
is quite a situation.
Okay. What you did. Gossip.
- So speaking of just our hometown roots,

(31:26):
I feel like we're really bringing it back
to our hometown today.
I had the privilege
to speak at a pep rallyat my old middle school.
Oh yes. Southwest Middle School.
Southwest Middle School, shouting it out
to Southwest Middle School.
Oh my gosh. So I was reconnected
with Southwest Middle School.

(31:48):
It was like 2021, actually it was 2021.
'cause it was the weekof my 40th birthday.
And I, I had the opportunity to,
to go and visit the school.
And it was just in the middleof COVID, you know. Yeah.
Schools were back insession here in Florida,
but it was just really in the thick of it.
- Yeah.- And I'll be honest, the school,

(32:12):
it was a, it was atough time back in 2021.
The, the, you know, the, the kids
and the teachers, you know, we were,
we were all in our ownway going through it Yeah.
At that time. And I just remember
how difficult it was for everyone.
You know, they were happyto be back in person,
but there was a lot of emotion,a lot of emotion, a lot

(32:35):
of fights at the school.
- And - I remember how sad Iwas, you know, them telling me
how common that was.
And, and I think that'sjust a testament of,
of the time Yeah.
That we were living in.
- Yeah. - You know, everyonehad all of these emotions
after what we had been through in 2020.
But luckily I've, I've stayed in touch

(32:57):
and I've had the chanceto go back a couple times
and shout out to Miss Marma.
She's the drama teacherat Southwest Middle
- School. Hi, miss Marma.
- Yes. Marma
- Marma.
Just loud them wrong.Marma. Hi, Ms. Marma.
- Well, you know, I got my start

(33:19):
as an actress at Southwest Middle School.
- Yeah.- Literally in the drama club.
And so she just is so lovely
and continues to bringme back for, you know,
to see the plays and talk to the students.
Well, she sent me a message
and she said, we got a new principal
and he's completelyturned the school around.

(33:40):
His name is Principal Rosado.
And she's like, you know, I,
I want you to come and meet him.
And he encourages students to come back
and, you know, he's just really making
an impression on the school.
So this was last year.
Now fast forward to thisyear, to the pep rally,
and I show up
and Michael, I kid you not theentire school was in the gym

(34:02):
having the most amazingelectric pep rally.
And they even said, they said back in
2021, we couldn't have done this.
The kids couldn't havebeen, you know, peaceful
- Yeah.
- In the gym together.
And, and, and Principal Rosato was there.
The kids love him. The teachers love him.

(34:23):
And he's completelyturned the school around.
- Wow.- You know, the, the ratings
of the school have just skyrocketed.
The teachers are happy,the kids are happy.
You know, there's, he'sencouraging clubs and, and,
and teachers to havetheir own, you know, just
to do what they wanna do.
Field trips.
He's encouraging as manyfield trips as possible.

(34:46):
He's encouraging the arts.
He wants the arts to havea place in the school.
- Oh. - And you know, I, Ijust have to shout out not only
to Principal Rosado and Mrs.
Marma, but also just to teachers,
you shouted out teachersin your, in your concert.
Yes. Which I thought wasamazing, which gave me the idea

(35:08):
to share this good gossip story.
But, you know, oftentimes wedon't hear about all the good
stuff that's happening in schools.
- Mm.- We hear about what's wrong with schools
or test scores or ratings,
but what about the heroes?
The real life superheroes
- Yes.
- That are teachers and, and educators

(35:28):
and principals that areworking so hard every day
and giving their heart,giving their everything.
You know, principal Rosado was telling me
how much he does out of his own pocket
- For- The school, how much he advocates
and fights for his teachers and students.
And so that is my good gossip today.
That's what I'm shouting out.

(35:49):
And I feel like we need to just, you know,
constantly applaud
and bring up all the goodthings, all the positive
that people in oureducation system are doing
because they're working so hardand they deserve our praise.
- Yes. Cheers to that.I love that to Yes, yes,
- Yes.

(36:09):
- Mm. That's some good gossip.- Yes.
- Okay. Well, we, I I I, I,
I feel like I say this every time
because I'm so excited about our guests.
- Oh, I'm so excited about our guest.
- I feel like I say it every time,
but I just, you know, we, we got,
we got some fun people in our organ.

(36:30):
Yes. And in our, in ourcommunity, in our neighborhood.
And so I'm really excitedabout this, this guest
who we just, we both love and
- We love him.
- And you will love, youwill love him too. Okay.
So let's, let's, let's do, let's
- Do this. Let's
- Get,- Let's do this.
- Okay. All right, y'all. Sotoday's guest is a powerhouse

(36:52):
performer known for his dynamic voice
and charismatic stage presence.
You know, he rose the national prominence
as a finalist on American Idol,
and then went on to Star as
the original Tarzan in Disney's Tarzan
on Broadway.
He's also been featured

(37:13):
as a headliner on the Las Vegas Strip,
and has made numerousappearances on television
and in concerts around the globe.
Whether it is on stage
or in the studio, hebrings passion, talent,
and an unapologeticlightning bolt of energy.
Yes. And that is for real.For real. True. For real.
Please welcome to the Hype hood, a true,

(37:33):
ultimate HypeFriend Josh Strickland.
Yes.
- Hi. Hey, everybody. I am so Exci.
Say more about me. No, I'm just kidding.
I am so happy to be with you guys.
- Aw, we're so happy.We're so happy to see you.
Happy to have you apart. I mean, obviously

(37:54):
- We need to have, obviously,you know, Josh Michael,
when we first startedtalking about HypeFriend
- Yeah.
- Like in the very beginning.
And we were like, oh, whatwould, what are we gonna do?
Who are we gonna have on?
And we were buildingour neighborhood. Yep.
And we're like, who do wewant a part of our Hype hood?
And instantly we're like, Josh
- Strickland.
Josh Strickland.
- I am- The Tasmanian Devil.

(38:15):
Honey, you better batten down the hatches.
I'm coming through thisneighborhood hot and heavy.
- Well, we're gonna get into it.
We're gonna get into all the things,
but I, you know, I have to tellyou, when we were, you know,
as we're building our neighborhood

(38:36):
and talking about howwe both know you, Josh,
which Michael's known you alot longer, I feel like I'm,
I'm, I'm, you know, newerto the friend group,
but just as passionate.
- Yes.- I am a passionate Josh,
Josh Strickland fan and friend.
But I remember when I gota birthday message from you

(38:56):
and you were singing me HappyBirthday, I was like, Ugh,
- My friend.
'cause Josh and birthdaymessages are epic.
- Well, thank you. You know, I, you know,
there's this whole thingthat people like to post
and do, like, you know,a little something,
something on this gramor you know, Facebook.
But I don't know, I liketo send a little, like,
personalized little message.

(39:17):
I think it's kind of fun.
- Well, we love it. We love it. Well,
- Thank you.
- We also, you knowwhat also we love right
now is this whole setup.
You're giving us like a full situation.
You're giving us a thankyou. You're giving us
- Yeehaw, babe, baby.
Oh, I need to know
what state this neighborhoodFriender Hood is at.

(39:38):
Do you know what I mean?Maybe it could be in Texas
picket fences and cows.
We
- No, but on the road, our,our neighborhood goes, it goes,
it goes, it travels.
- Exactly. Honey. OnRoute 66. Hey, on Route

(40:00):
- 66.
- This is honestly whatit's like with Josh.
We're always laughing and Oh my gosh.
You know, I, I have tosay, I feel so honored to
to to know you.
And I met you through Michael
and Ashley Brown and y'all.

(40:21):
What's your origin story?
- Oh gosh. Well, Imean, I think that it's,
obviously we know Michael
and Ashley, they've knowneach other since middle school
and like, since they were born.
But it is interesting
because then I think it's,I only kind of came in
because when I starteddoing Tarzan on Broadway,
that's when I met Ashley.

(40:43):
And then that's kind of,Michael has been on Broadway
since he was two.
So I mean, he,
but I'm saying he has been in the Broadway
community for a very long time.
And so then I just kind ofstarted to get to know Michael
and through like Gin Gais
and people who were inTarzan on Broadway as well,
because he worked with themin different shows too. So

(41:03):
- We had a lot of mutualfriends in the community
and, you know, end up at the same parties,
end up at the same, you know,events and all the things.
And then I came into Tarzanliterally as it was closing,
like literally like a month before. Wait,
- I didn't know you were in Tarzan.
- Yes. Yes. And we were likeso crazy, like the most Yes.

(41:23):
- What? - Yes and yes. Ohmy God. And it was so fast.
And I, and, and I actuallyremember Josh being in like,
I was like, Josh, I comingin and he was like, Ooh, wow.
Like, you know, of course the whole thing.
And I got to see him livein his role, all mean,
I had seen it, but Igot to be a part of it
and actually see it up closeand personal from the state.
Right. Which was just ridiculous.

(41:45):
And we literally got ourclosing notice. I think I
- Got on your pud in,- It was like, yeah.
It was my put in.
- It was like, welcometo the show Michael.
Your last check will be next Tuesday,
- Hashtag Broadway.
- Hashtag- Welcome to
- Broadway.
- Exactly. Craziest thing.Isn't it crazy? Yes.

(42:07):
So we, I mean obviously wejust, we kind of go back, we,
we go back in, into thecommunity, which is amazing.
Yeah. And to, you know, befriends all these years.
And, and, and,
- And obviously Michael and I,
we just do not have thesame like light and fun
and personality.
So we just, you know, opposites of trait.

(42:30):
Oh my gosh. But I thinkthat's also what helps is
because we've just, wehave that energy for life.
That energy for like friendsand, and love and community.
And that's what's kind of fun to have in,
in your friendship group is,is people who actually care.
That's why I love aboutwhat you guys are doing
with this podcast isthat the HypeFriend is
because it is about that.
It's about like, you know, supporting

(42:52):
and being there for your friends.
- So how now, and how did,do y'all remember when y'all,
when you and, and Ashley met, like Ashley,
when you remember when you met Josh?
Like where, how did that come about?
- I think it was at a D23. You know what, yes.
It was at D 23.

(43:12):
- Yeah.- And it might've even been when you
and I reconnected
- Around that time.
- Yeah. And Ashley Brownwas there too. Yeah. Yeah.
And it was super quick.
Like it was just like a meeting backstage.
- Yeah.- You know. Hi, nice to meet you.
You're right, Josh. That wasthe first time and then you
- And Brett were doing something.
Yes. I think that's what it was.

(43:33):
And we came backstage to say hi.
- Yep. D 23 for all of you,all of our community out there
who may not know what D 23 is,is like basically the, the,
the fan extravaganza, like Comicon
for Disney fans, for Disneyfans, all things Disney. Yes,
- Yes.
It's the ultimate Disney fan club.

(43:53):
And so, so yeah, we were at D 23 Expo
and then fast forwardto Festival of the Arts.
Hmm. Yes. And I thinkyou were doing a show,
was it with Ashley?
Yes. I think And you werestaying at the Riviera. Yeah.
And I, I just happened tobe there, you know, eating
with Brett and, and youand Ashley were there.

(44:14):
- Yeah.- And we chatted a little bit more.
- Yeah.- But, but our friendship,
I feel like was a littlebit of a slow burn.
Yeah. Because we met and I waslike that Josh, he's so nice.
But I have to be honest, Iwas so intimidated by you.
Not a, not in a bad way.
Like, not that you weren'twelcoming, but your talent.

(44:36):
- That talent.- Josh,
- That is sweet. Thank
- You.
I mean, you literally have,
and I tell you this allthe time, you have a
voice of an angel. Oh,
- Thank you. It's
- Just unbelievable.
- It is certainly a gift,that's for sure. I don't,
- Yes.
When I, I've said this many,Josh Strickland has one
of the best tenor male voices. Period.
- Period.- Thank you. Period.

(44:58):
- Period. You know, I'm more of an alto.
- Well, it's funny because Ialways kind of grew up like
with a high voice
and everybody was like, oh,
it's gonna change when he hitspuberty and all this stuff.
And it just never dropped.
So, you know, it just,it just keeps going up.
- Well, it, it is truly agift to me. But I appreciate

(45:21):
- That. Thank
- You.
I, I, I just, I would sitand I would watch you in awe
and, and then I, I wasstarstruck to be honest,
whenever I would meet you.
And, and so the thoughtof us becoming friends,
like I almost had to likesomehow act normal around you
because I'm like, how do I act

(45:42):
normal around Josh Strickland? Like, he's
- So good.
But isn't that funny? I feel like
that happens with everybody.
'cause again, like, come on,Ash, don't, you know, display
what you be gotten going on.
Okay. So like that's thething too, is that like,
unbeknownst to all ofus, like we're just kind
of like in awe of each other's gifts
and each other's talents,
which I think is just, it's so fun.

(46:04):
'cause each one of usbrings something different
to the world, and it's just,that's what it's all about.
- Yeah. Well, speaking ofthat then, like, you know,
just sort of like making afriend and that sort of thing.
Like, or, or just in friendship for you.
- Right.- You know, it's a, it's, it's like a,
it's a big question,
but like, what is, what isfriendship to Josh Strickland

(46:24):
- Friendship?
My goodness. I think thatit can come in all shapes
and sizes because it,there's not just one thing
that fits every friendship.
And so I think friendshipsare ever changing.
I think we can learn from eachfriendship as well, you know,
and, but I think friendshipto me is being able

(46:44):
to lean on someone in time of need
or in time of loss or confusion.
Being able to call onsomebody to text somebody
and just be able to tell thatother person what you're going
through and them listening, you know,

(47:04):
because I think thatsometimes there are a lot
of the one-sided friendships
that I'm sure we all havehad in our lives before,
and they just don't go anywhere
because you can't get to adeeper level with that person
and, and get to a apoint where you know that
whenever something is upor wrong that you can text
or call them and they're gonna pick up.

(47:25):
Do you know, because that's,that's really important.
And I hope and I to do thatfor my friends as well,
you know, because in theworld of social media
and in the world of our phones
and everything now, you know,we have a lot of distractions.
And I'll think sometimesI, I miss being able
to go knock on my friendsdoor down the, down the street

(47:48):
or just pick up the landlineand it ring ring and mom
and daddy pick up and say,Hey, can I talk to Charlie?
You know, it's just like you,I just miss kind of sometimes
that, that time.
But hey, we still do havethe positive side of it
where you can FaceTime andyou can, you know, chat

(48:08):
and at any moment's noticeanywhere in the world.
And I think that that also helps with,
with keeping a friendship alive.
- So I have to say how,
how our friendship went fromme being in awe of you to,
I feel like a, a, atrue, genuine friendship.
Is it, it was really because of you, Josh,

(48:28):
because you,
when we would see each otherin very busy times, you know,
the member crews
and, you know, Disney VacationClub member crews and,
and Festival of the Arts, when you have
so many things going on and,and you could be so distracted,
but you always went out ofyour way to, to just like,
make sure that you saw me,like, Hey, how are you?

(48:52):
Yeah. Hey, can we takesome time to go on a walk?
You know, Hey, just checking in on you.
And, and that's when I realized,I was like, oh my gosh.
Like he, he really wantsto be my friend. Right?
This is not just a Disney acquaintance.
Like he wants to be my friend.
- Yeah.- And, and,
and then, I mean, you know,

(49:13):
who doesn't wanna be your friend Josh Lin,
but it's like, as soon asI, I realize that, you know,
there's a genuine connection here.
I feel like it was off to the races.
- Yeah. That it, that's very Josh. Yeah.
Like Josh will make you feelseen. You know what I mean?
Yes. Like he will, healways makes it a, a,
it makes it a priority
- Will thank- You to to, to to, to see you

(49:35):
and to like check in in themidst of full craziness.
Yes. Like in the midst offull craziness. It will.
- I think that where that comes from is,
and this is maybe a segue,
but it's kind of, you know, growing up
and like sometimes not fitting in
or not like having thebest of friends, you know,

(49:58):
call on you or, or say hey or check in.
And, and I think that that's just one
of the things is I know how that feels.
I think a lot of us have gonethrough things in our lives
that make us feel, you know,less than or put aside.
But I think that it helps mymental capacity to just to say,
you know what, I don't wantthat person to feel unseen.

(50:18):
I don't want that person to feel unloved
or, you know, that they are not important.
So I think that that's whereit's a trigger for me that it's
of like, I want to dothat for somebody else.
I want to make sure that,and it's a genuine thing.
It's not because I feellike I have to do it, it's
because I really want to do it.
And that, because you guys arelike my close friends, I want

(50:39):
to make sure that, Hey, are you good?
How, how's everything going? You know?
I mean, it's a genuine thing,
but you know, it, it's, thankyou for those kind words.
- Well, no, I mean, we'vetalked about on here
how friendship is a practice.
- Yes.- And you know, it's, it's something
that you have to work at.
It's something that you have to do. Yeah.

(51:00):
It's not something that just happens.
- No. - And you know, the factthat, that you specifically,
you make sure friendship is a practice
and you know, you treat othersas you wanna be treated.
- Yeah. - So how can youexpect to have the friendship
that you wanna have if you don't give it?
- Yeah,- Exactly.
- I feel like you didn'teven, I feel like Josh,

(51:21):
I feel like you don't, even,for you the practice of it has,
you've been doing thatsubconsciously since you were little.
Yeah, yeah. Like really, really little.
Which is it,
it feels like it's just sucha part of his being, you
- Know?
- So you've kind ofstarted to talk about that
as you were coming up, right?

(51:41):
And as you were growing upand where, where, how did
that feel in terms of it, it it,
when you really break it down,
it really was a practice for you.
Yeah. So how did that come about?
And was that somethingthat you were taught
that you feel like youwere taught at home?
Or is that something thatyou just, it just was,
it just came out of you?
- Well, I think that, youknow, for those listening,

(52:04):
I was adopted and Iwas adopted from birth.
So, you know, I didn'treally know my birth mother.
I met her later in life. Excuse me.
But I think that growing up
as an adopted child didn't find out
until I was really in the fourth grade.
And isnt that at that point. Wow.
And at that point, you don'treally know what that means.

(52:25):
You know, your mom and dad sit you down
and they're like, so you're adopted it.
What that means is thatmommy didn't carry you
and another mommy had you, but we got you.
You know? So, so it's likea, a simple little thing.
And then I'm like, okay, you know, just
can I get another toy?
You know, it's justlike one of those things

(52:47):
you don't consciously, like,
I'm not like intellectuallythinking about what that means.
And then later on I would startto kind of make fun of it.
In, in elementary school,you know, you're like, I was,
I was found on aislefive, the cookie aisle.
You know, it's just like,I really would say that
to kids at school becauseI was like, I'm a do
because everybody would belike, you look like your mom.

(53:08):
Oh my gosh, you have this features.
And I'm like, no, I don'tbecause I'm adopted.
And I was found at PigglyWiggly on the cookie aisle.
Like it was just, I made a joke out of it.
But then later as, as you start to grow up
and really understand what that means,
it is an interesting thing.
It's an interesting feelingfor an adopted child

(53:28):
to feel the questionsof the feeling, unwanted
feeling like cast aside.
Because when you thinkabout it, you're like, well,
why did she give me up?
Like, why did that happen?And was it my fault?
But then I think about it and I'm like,
but I was just an infant.
Like, of course it's not my fault.
Something else happened

(53:49):
that ha made her feel like she needed
to do this for herself.
And I'm beyond thankful that she did.
Like, it's really awesomethat, you know, I don't know
that she gave me a blessing,you know, she, after I met her
and found out how hard herlife was, my birth mother,

(54:10):
then it, it truly was a moment
that I was like, you know what?
This was a gift from God that like,
I didn't grow up in a place that was hard.
I mean, there are people that I'm,
that are in a hard space right now.
And I, my heart goes out to them
and hope that they find a better place.
But there is a moment whereyou're just thanking God

(54:30):
for the, the life and theparents that he gave me.
You know what I mean? Because it's really,
it could have gone a different way.
I probably wouldn't besitting here with you.
I wouldn't be singing, Iwouldn't be doing what I love
to do and my passion.
So it, it was, it was a, a timeto figure out like who I was
as a person without knowing all of these,

(54:51):
these pivotal information
points. You know what I mean? Like,
- What- Does, what does she look like?
Where did I get my voice from?
You know, there was so muchof this that just did not
work out for her.
But I'm, I'm hopeful thather life is different
'cause we don't keep in touch.
But, you know, there issomething that I'm just thankful

(55:14):
and I think that that hastaught me a lot of lessons of
how somebody, or how Iwant to treat someone
and how, again, like we were talking back,
like wanting somebodyto feel seen and loved,
because I do feel likejust innately, it just kind
of happened for me becauseof all the emotions
and everything that happened being adopted

(55:35):
and all of that that I wentthrough being adopted kid.
I think that that kind ofgoes hand in hand a little bit
with the emotions and likehow somebody else feels.
And so I just, I think Ithink about that a lot.
- You know, one theme that comes up a lot,
and a lot of, you know,especially Disney movies,

(55:57):
but especially Star Wars,is your found family.
- Right.- And, you know, some people are blessed
with a family that they're born into,
but some people find their
family not through blood.
Right. You know, throughwhether it's adoption
or whether it's justfriendships, which is why

(56:20):
- Exactly.
- This is so important totalk about HypeFriend,
because some people findtheir sense of belonging
through a found family.
Right. And, you know, I'vehad the chance to meet your,
your adoptive parents.
- Yes.- And
- Sarah and Jamie.
- Yes. And they're just wonderful and,

(56:40):
and you have such an incredible bond.
So, you know what, what,
what did they teach you about friendship?
- Oh gosh. You know, mom was a teacher
for over 40 years as aphysical education teacher.
So I think that her, like, just

(57:03):
embodiment of like what shedid, she wanted the kids
to have fun and she was ateacher in elementary school.
So I mean, she's got the,you know, little kids.
And so like that's a pivotalmoment in their lives
to teach them kindness, a teamwork
and all of those things.
And so I think that watchingher do that constantly

(57:23):
and consistently
for almost four over40 years really helped
shape my decisions andhow I want people to be
or friend to be a friend to dad.
You know, he, he was like a salesman.
So he wasn't really likearound all the time,
but it was, I would sayI saw it more in family.

(57:46):
So because like, my mom is one of 10,
but dad's one of seven as well.
And so like
- Big family,- My dad, big families.
And so like my dad'sside though is so close.
We are so close.
And so like what I wouldsee him bend over backwards
and do anything for them.
And like, I guess it's funnyabout, like, we go back to,

(58:08):
you know, I sing HappyBirthday to people, well dad,
it doesn't matter, hewould always get a card.
He would always hand write a card
and he would always puta few dollars in there
for any member of the family.
Oh. And so, and sometimes he'deven draw little characters
and say, you know, this is,this is you, or this is us.

(58:28):
And, and I, I think thatthat's the truly what, like
those two things from both ofthem really helped shape like,
kindness, put, put, putting it forward.
- Mm.- And like that,
that the littlest thing canput a smile on somebody's face
or change their day, you know?
And I think that that's, you know,

(58:49):
dad passed just a fewmonths ago, so there's like
a little bit of thatthat's like missing now in,
- At least for me.
But I try to like justremember what he did
and carry that on.
And I think that that's whatI truly, you know, just hope
that I can be a lightfor in that same way.

(59:11):
- Well, you are, and Yesyou are. It is. It is.
You know, you also have been, so,
I think what's amazingabout your and, and, and,
and you, what you've, knowing you
as a, as a, as a good friend,
truly you have embodied what I believe

(59:34):
your parents to what they have,
what they exude, everything you're saying.
Because you literally are the friend
that does all those things.
Like you are, you arethat, like that is, yes.
You're absolutely. And so that'san in an incredible legacy
that will always be in your life

(59:57):
and always a part of your light.
I mean, 'cause that is whatmakes you Josh Strickland
and why I believe you are so special.
And so thank you so much. You know, on
so, on so many levels.
- Oh my goodness. Sorry.
No, actually he lives in, youknow what? Where's makeup?
Makeup? Hey,
this is a makeup free episode, John.
Amen. Amen. You know whatthough? I wanna go back to that.

(01:00:21):
First of all, no need to say sorry.
All tears are good tears.
- Yes. - You know, there'sno bad emotions. Right.
It's what we do with them that matters.
And so, if it's okay,I wanna go back to it
because, you know, we'veall been with you, you know,
unfortunately, mostly virtually, you know,

(01:00:42):
the past several monthsafter your dad's passed away.
Yeah. But, you know, our hearts are
with you and you've allowed us to be,
because you've been so open.
Yes. You've been so open about your grief.
- Yeah.- And, you know, that's, that's tough

(01:01:02):
because I think whensomething like someone passes
or, you know, something tragic happens,
oftentimes friends don'tknow what to do for you.
Right. Right. They don'tknow how to help you.
So I thought, I'd loveto ask you about grief.
Like what have you learned,what have friends done

(01:01:22):
that have helped you?
What do you wish friends would've done?
You know? Yeah. What,what have you learned?
- So, I think that, you know, I,
I've never lost anybody'cause I'm the only child.
So I've never lost anybodythat's close to me.
I mean, obviously grandparents
or, you know, uncles and aunts.

(01:01:43):
But when there's somebody thatlike immediate in your family
that you lose, I, I, it was new and fresh.
And so, like, to be honest,
being the only child alsocatapulted me into like, okay,
we have to take care of things.
You know, like, I haveto be there for mom,
because now she might notknow how to facilitate where

(01:02:05):
to go next.
And so I think that therewas a moment in right in the
moments right after him,like about a month or so
after he passed, where I, Iwasn't allowing myself really
to feel and to grieve
because I was worriedabout other things for mom.

(01:02:25):
And after that,
and she's such a strong woman,
like she didn't need my help at all.
But I just wanted to, you know,at least be there for her.
Obviously
- She needed you.
- She needed, yeah, she did. She did.
I'm just saying like, as faras like me thinking, oh, I have
to do this for her
or do that for her, I thinkshe just needed my presence.

(01:02:48):
Yes. And so we did that for each other.
And I think that once Iallowed myself to grieve,
like the heaviness that I wasfeeling, my friends stepped in
and stepped up and checked in.
And I think that thatis again, so important
to just when, like we weresaying at the very beginning,

(01:03:09):
like, when somethinghappens to somebody, one
of our friends, to just reach out
and just to say, I'm there for you.
You know? And I thinkthat that is, it goes
beyond anything else
because like, I sometimescan't even explain it.
You know? I can't even sunderstand myself how it,
how I'm feeling, you know?

(01:03:30):
I just know there's this emptinessand so it's in this loss.
And so I feel like through thisgrieving, I definitely have
felt my friends.
Do you know what I mean? And I think that
that is truly all you can do for someone.
I mean, just the smallest thing of a text

(01:03:52):
or a voice memo oranything, it truly is just
because maybe I can't receiveit in that exact moment,
but I can receive it when my body
and my brain are ready to receive it.
You know? Like I haveto cry and receive that.
And then that is whathelps me get out of it
and helps me get out of that grief

(01:04:13):
that I'm, that's so heavy.
And like you said, crying is okay.
And I think that that's thething that I've had to learn
as well, is that in thesemoments, in these moments
of sadness, because itcomes in waves, like
that is truly what it is.
'cause there's happyness,there's like happy times
that I'm like, oh my gosh,dad would've loved that.
And I don't feel sadabout it. Do you know?

(01:04:34):
But then there's these momentsof just heaviness of like,
he's missing, he's no longer here earthly.
And so it's, it's hispresence that's missed.
And I think that, you know,that's this the sad part
for us humans down here on earth,
because we're the ones that are sad.
They're not sad, you know?Yeah. So they're, they're happy.

(01:04:57):
They are somewhere else better.They're in a better place.
And, and I think that the good thing
to remind oneself is Ithink that that's what's
so wonderful about faithis that like, having that
knowledge and that faith to know
that I will see him again in some way
or fashion is so comforting.

(01:05:17):
And knowing that like,
I will hopefully get to hug him, you know?
Because there's any,anybody, you can believe any
however you want to believe,you know, whether there's a,
a heaven or there's just aplace that everybody goes,
or that they still are here
and different ways, you know, I think
that it's just havinga belief of something

(01:05:38):
and knowing that they're aroundus and that they are here,
and that they are still presentjust in a different way,
is really, really comforting.
- Hmm.- Amen to that.
- Amen. Yes. That is comforting.
Just hear you talk aboutthat with the faith
of it all is, is a beautiful threat.
- Yeah, I definitely believethat. Definitely believe that.
And, you know, again, Ijust have to applaud you for

(01:06:03):
just being open.
I think you know, anyonethat's in the public eye,
whether you want to or not,so many people watch you
and they see your posts
and they, they, theysee how you're reacting.
Yeah. And you know, somany people know you
as Josh Strickland, the, youknow, over the top, you know,

(01:06:23):
out of this world, youknow, incredible performer,
but you're, you're very realand you've been very open and,
and honest about your grief.
And that is real, that is genuine, like
what we were talking about earlier.
And that's realistic.No one is ever one note,
- Right.

(01:06:43):
- It's like a song.- Yeah.
- If a song was one note,
that would be the mostboring song. Oh, ever.
- Lord, don't we know it?
But I think that that'swhat Ashley, that's
what I love about like, whenyou do mental health Mondays,
I think that it's so incredible that,
'cause I actually have a,you're way better at being able

(01:07:05):
to talk about it,
like on social media,on that types of stuff.
I'm not really like that.
I should, I would try, I'dlike to try and do it more,
but I think that it's so special how you,
you let all of your guards go away
and you talk about what is going on

(01:07:26):
with you in this moment
and how you can use that to help others.
And I think that that is what is
so incredible about you and Michael.
You are the same too.
You use that joy
and that that love toreach through screens
and social and,
and even in life, like in whenwe're all together, that is

(01:07:47):
what you exude.
That's what you bring.
Like I know you just hadyour, your orchestral debut.
Yes. Yeah. And there's theT-shirt got the T. Yes.
Oh my goodness. I need to grabme one of those www dot what?
But I think that what's socool is that I was seeing

(01:08:09):
so many people's posts abouthow joyous that room was
and how joyous that concert was.
And I think that that iswhat you exude. You know?
And that's what you give to the world.
And you both give so many things.
And I just think that it's so beautiful.
You know, I thank you forsaying that I help others,

(01:08:31):
but truly, I mean, likewhat you do to motivate
or to just talk about things
that maybe some people don'tfeel like talking about.
And stripping away all of that is so, so,
so cool and so important.
And I am so in awe, both of you, you
- Making friends, figuringout, you know, all the things.

(01:08:52):
And especially having beenadopted, like it, what,
how do you think it, like,maybe is there something
that really sticks out to you?
How it impacted your ability
or your, just the ideaof making friends, right?
And like coming into an adultfor you, what, what did,
what have you learned?
What have you noticed about those things

(01:09:15):
and your journey specificallywith, with how you, you know,
have come up and, and how that
- Happened?
Well, you know, I thinkalso being an only child
catapults you into
a craziness of having tolike, create your own world,

(01:09:36):
you know, because my parents,they both worked really hard
and, and weren't really,you know, when I wanted
to play a game, they werelike, play by yourself.
I'm tired. But theywould get bored games out
and, and everything like that.
But it's just one of those things
that I always leaned on myfriends because that's it.
They were like, sisbrothers and sisters to me,

(01:09:57):
because that's who I gotto play with, you know,
or get to know or do things with.
And so I think that itwas being an only child,
and then later, you know, finding out
that the adoption thingtruly was just kind of,
it's molded me into aperson that like, I kind
of feel like wherever I go,I can, I, I can make a friend

(01:10:19):
or I can make, you know,
or try to at least makea bond with someone.
You know, they're, they mightnot be lifelong friends.
But, you know, in our business,we're all over the place.
We're meeting new people allthe time and we're, you know,
and some people you mesh withand some people you don't.
But I mean, like, thereis just something about me
and specifically that I justthink that I just really like

(01:10:43):
to also feel at home for myself.
So, I mean, like, I don'twanna be lonely sometimes.
So like, whenever I amsomewhere, I'd like to be
with someone or meet someone
or, you know, my husbandmakes fun of me that like,
sometimes I, if he's at work
or something like that, I,I may just go see a show
by myself or go, you know,sit at a bar and chitchat.

(01:11:03):
You know? I mean like, just because
that's just kind of how I am.
I like to strike up conversationand, and meet new people.
And so that's kind of moldedwho I am as a person, truly.
Because I'm just kindalike, it's that little kit
that little Josh little bowlcut blondie that was like, Hey,
you wanna play with me?

(01:11:24):
You know, it's just like, let's go
bowl cut. Bowl cut. I mean,
- Blondie, - I think we allhad a bowl cut at some point
or some, some sort of version of it.
But yeah, it was, it's, that's definitely
molded me into I think,the person that I am
because it's, there were momentswhere I didn't have anybody

(01:11:45):
to play with, so then Ihad to go and find a friend
and I had to go and,
and, you know, I can'tplay Barbies on my own.
So, I mean, so, you know,
it was one of those thingsthat I just was really
finding those people that,that tribe to connect with
and to, and become friends.

(01:12:05):
- I will say when it'stime to go, like when it,
towards the end of a trip,it, like, Josh is like,
I do not want, he does notwant it to end, first of all.
Like, it is not, it isnot a thing for like,
it is absolutely imperative
that we like stay likethe last night, you know,
it's gonna be a late,late lately a late night

(01:12:27):
because Josh, she is like,
- I don't like to say goodbye.
Like, I just, I really don't, like,
there's something about it.
I think I, I and my mom said,
you were always like this as a kid.
Like, you know, summercamps, anything like that,
that we would go away
and like, it would be overat the end of the week
and I would just go into thisdeep, like sadness, depression

(01:12:49):
after it, because I just, I missed it.
I missed, I missed the people I missed.
- Yeah.- It wasn't necessarily like, oh,
I loved like making a spaceshipat a paper like that wasn't
what I missed, but I'mlike, you know, it was,
I missed the connection.
Yeah. I missed like the people. So Yeah.

(01:13:10):
- But you know, that's actuallywhy we're doing this podcast
as well, to stress theimportance of connection.
- Right.- And, you know, yes,
social media technology isfantastic to send messages
because we need thatconnection in the meantime.
But coming together or,or just simply hanging out
with someone in person,

(01:13:32):
- Yes,- We are social beings.
We need that connection. Yeah.
I have to tell you oneof my favorite friendship
stories of all time.
And to be honest, I lookback and it's still surreal.
Josh posted that he wasreprising his role as Tarzan
- Yes.
- At, at Tuan.- Yes.
- Yeah. Am I saying thatright? Tuan. Tuan. Yeah,

(01:13:54):
- That's- Right. Tuan.
- So at Tuan,
and you know, I didn'tget the chance to see Josh
as Tarzan on Broadway.
And so when he posted it, I was like,
oh my gosh, I gotta go.
Well, simultaneously I get a DM from Jody,
which still I find surreal.
I know. To, to, I thinkwe all do to be like,

(01:14:17):
- Yes.
- Are we friends with Jody Benson?
- Yeah. Okay. Right. Like, it's the
- Yeah, totally.
Right. Yeah. And, andtrust me, I don't say that
as like a name drop thing.
Like even I find disbelief in it.
So, but, but Jody Benson sends me a DM
and she says, oh my gosh, we have
to go see Josh in Tarzan.

(01:14:39):
And I was like, for real?
I was just telling myhusband that, no, I'm in,
I'm going, okay.
What did the young kids say when, when it,
when when it finallyleaves the group chat?
What, what, what did they say?
When, when the plans exit the group chat
and it actually happens. It ha Yeah.
- So, oh girl, I don't know. Oh gosh.
- I know. Wow. We justdated ourselves. We're old.

(01:15:01):
We're old. I feel likethis happens at least
once in every episode.
I know. Saying it. Well,the young kids say on
- Takey- Talk when the plans exit the group chat.
So basically I was like,okay, well we're going.
So I book my trip
because you know, thisis in, this is in Utah.

(01:15:22):
- Yeah.- And so I messaged Jody
and I was like, Hey, myhusband and I are going.
And she's like, okay,I'm gonna book my trip.
- Yep. - Next thing youknow, like flights are booked
and you know, plans are madeand we're going to Utah.
So my husband and I pickJodi up from the airport

(01:15:42):
and we drive to Josh was so kind
to set us up at a hotel right.
By the theater. And here we are
for no other reason thanjust to cheer on our friend.
And we had the epic couple days. Aw,
- Yes.
And it was so special thatyou guys even made that trip
because honey utah's hardto get to in the middle

(01:16:03):
of the desert, you know what I mean?
Like, it is planes, trains, automobiles
and riding on the back of a lizard.
So, I mean, like, it is oneof those things where it,
it's not easy to get to,
but once you're there, it's so beautiful.
But it was so gorgeous.
I was so thankful, and wehad such a wonderful time.
We got to do some walks outin the beautiful Red Rocks

(01:16:25):
and just chat and enjoyeach other's company.
And that's, that's truly whatit's all about. You know?
I mean, like, I thinkthat doing these, these
impromptu trips with yourfriends truly just like bring
a, so much joy to the friendship,
but also b just, you know,it, it makes you realize

(01:16:47):
that life is too short notto take the opportunity
to get out there and to just enjoy it.
- What would you tell,
because there's so many, you know, people
who have been adopted,who have been, you know,
that that, that journey.
Right? What, and, and you,especially with like, you know,
wanting to, to, you know,not, not wanting to leave

(01:17:10):
and like how you work through that.
Like what would you tell them?What would you tell them?
How you get through that?
How you have been getting throughthat journey for yourself?
- Yeah, I mean, like, I think that
what was a really special moment was
when we were doing Holly's world.
We, I, they helped me facilitatemeeting my birth mother

(01:17:33):
and, 'cause it was a closed adoption.
We didn't know anything.
So private investigators came and,
and we found out all this stuffand she was willing to meet.
And it's a beautiful episode.
It turned out, and it was coolbecause it was a door closed.
It was a full circle moment that all
of those questions that I had,
- You- Know, were now answered.

(01:17:54):
And I saw why she gave me up for adoption
and I understood it
because I was in a, you know,I was in my late twenties at
that time, so I got it, you know, and,
and I think that I just hadquestions I wanted to ask her
and my mom, my bur myadopted mother, Sarah,
she was just like, all Iwanted to do was hug her neck
and thank her for giving me you

(01:18:15):
and giving me that baby thatI so desperately wanted.
And it was a beautiful momentbetween two mothers that knew
that both were making sacrifices
For whatever their journey was, you know?
And I think that that'swhat was so eyeopening
and so beautiful to watch.
The reason why I bring that up is

(01:18:36):
because like people watched it
and there's so many peoplethat have reached out
and actually now because it's, I mean,
that was a long time ago, butlike, you know, we've got the
IES and all the free, thefree TV that, you know, these,
these shows are still on.
So even some people recentlyare like, I watched the adopted
mother episode with youmeeting your birth mother.
And I just have to say that I was adopted

(01:18:58):
and it really helped me, you know,
like figure out those emotions
and find out maybe I dowanna meet my birth mother.
'cause I think that that's what a lot
of adopted kids feel isa lot of them don't know
who their birth mothersor birth fathers are.
So it's, it is one of those things where
if you are feeling lonely
or those questions that you need answered,

(01:19:20):
it's all you can do is reach out.
All you can do is do thework to see if that's a, a,
an option for you.
You know? And I think that it really
is therapeutic.
I think that it's, it'swonderful to be able
to find those answersand whether they be good
or not, you know, I mean,like, I think that that's life

(01:19:43):
and we have to be preparedfor whatever those may be.
But it's the fact that now we have that,
that full circle door closedmoment that like, okay,
I don't have these questions anymore.
I can actually say I've met her,
I know now why, and I am, I'm happy
and I'm good with that answer.

(01:20:04):
You know, I mean, like,I think that that's
what helps move on.
And so I think that, you know,for, for the adoption story
and people out there,it truly is, you have
to follow your heart and follow what
emotionally you are feeling.
Because if it's sadnessthat you're feeling, then,
then maybe you do need to reachout and find those answers

(01:20:26):
because it, it truly is, it's helpful.
It really is.
- Well, Josh, thank you forbeing so open with us today.
Thank you for your time today.
This is, this is the first ofmany times we're gonna ask you
'cause you're part of our high hood now.
- Yes.
- She, Tasmanian devils coming for you.

(01:20:50):
Yes, yes.
But, you know, I just,
I just wanna take just thelast moment to hype you up.
- Yes.- And
because I think one, onelast thing, one takeaway
that you've taught mefrom, from this episode is
no matter what journey someone is on,

(01:21:11):
'cause we're all on ourown journey To show up
for your friends and, youknow, and in order to, yeah.
It's almost like you have tomanifest the type of friends
that you want in your life.
If you want this type offriends, then you have
to be that friend too.
You treat others as you wanna be treated.
And, and you do that, notonly do you talk the talk,

(01:21:33):
but you walk the walk, youshow up for your friends,
you're there for us.
We feel so blessed tocall you our friend and,
and you set an examplefor all of us to follow.
So thank you, thank you, thank you
for being the best HypeFriend.
- Well you guys, youare the OG HypeFriends

(01:21:53):
and you are spreading that joy
and that love througheverything that you do.
So I'm just, I'm just thankful
and proud to be a HypeFriendalong with you guys.
- Yeah. So much. Thankyou. We love you Josh.
We love you. I love you
- Guys.
- Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.He's amazing. He's so amazing.

(01:22:15):
I'm so glad we got to finally have him on.
- What is even happening with my hair, my,
my, my, I'm on no makeup.
My hair is now cre For those that are,
that are listening, you're like,
wow, what is she talking about?
But for those that are watching,you know what, some days

(01:22:38):
- Honey, you're still giving.
Come on though. I love, I love that, that,
that, that one last thing.
I really, I really love thatin terms of just showing up.
Yes. That's the perfect, thatis such a, like, that is a,
I feel like a Josh Strickland of it all.
Like I just love that forus to, to kind of remember.
It's a great, great one last thing.

(01:22:58):
- It it, it really is. Andhe's the perfect example of it.
You know, you in many ways, you have
to manifest the type offriends that you want.
- Yeah.- How do you expect to have like,
these great friendships ifif, if you don't also give it
- Yeah.
- And Josh gives it. Yes.
And, you know, and,
and it makes you want tobe a great friend to him

(01:23:20):
because he's giving you so much.
- Absolutely.- I mean, you showed up for me. I know.
Speaking of that, oh my gosh.
Sometimes you gotta just show up
and you gotta wear the t-shirt
and I'm gonna wear thist-shirt everywhere.
But, but you know, definitelyshow up for your friends.
Yeah. Think about it this week.
What, what can you do this week? Yeah.

(01:23:41):
How can you show up for yourfriends? It's really important.
And sometimes honestly, you never know.
You know, like Josh said, you know,
when those messages sometimes
or when you show up forsomeone, it might mean more
to them than you even realize.
You know, those messagesthat people sent him
after his dad passed away.

(01:24:03):
- Yeah.- You know, they were there
for him when he was grievingand he needed it. So.
- Exactly.- You just show up.
- I love it. This was,this was, this was awesome.
It was so, so good. Thanky'all for joining us.
- Yes. Thank you. Thank you- For joining us.
- Michael, I think we needto go grab lunch now. Okay.
And I'm gonna wear this t-shirt
and when we go into therestaurant, I'm just gonna be like,

(01:24:25):
I'm gonna point just like,
just just sit like this at the restaurant
and point to your face
- And I'll be eating my lemon.
Love ine
- Lemon love.
Oh my gosh. Okay. Thisis going off the rails.

(01:24:45):
I'm Ashley Eckstein.
- I'm Michael James Scott.- And always remember,
- Be a HypeFriend.
- The Hype starts with you.
Cheers. Cheers to that.