there she goes - jschlatt

game night

the atmosphere buzzed with energy as we walked into the bar. laughter and chatter filled the air, mingling with the clinking of glasses. the dim lighting cast a warm glow, making the space feel inviting, and for a moment, i was tempted to turn back and leave. stepping into the unknown always made me feel vulnerable, especially in a crowd that seemed to already know each other.

i glanced over at johnathon—schlatt—who was waving at a group of people gathered near a pool table. they looked like a mix of creators, friends, and fans, all drawn together by this chaotic world of content creation. my heart raced as we approached. what was i even doing here? a part of me had hoped he'd forget about me, but here i was, thrust into the spotlight.

"hey, everyone! this is charlotte," schlatt introduced me, a mischievous grin on his face. "the world's next big podcaster."i felt my cheeks flush as they turned to look at me. "uh, hi," i said, raising a hand awkwardly. "i'm just... trying to figure things out."

"don't be modest!" *ted*, one of the other hosts of *chuckle sandwich*, leaned against the bar with a playful smile. "podcasting is the future! what's your show about?""it's about... well, a little bit of everything, really," i stammered, feeling the weight of their expectations. "mostly interviews and discussions on pop culture, mental health, and, um, whatever else comes to mind.""sounds cool!" *tucker*, the third host, chimed in, his enthusiasm infectious. he had a knack for making everyone feel at ease, his eyes sparkling with genuine interest. "you should definitely dive into the things that inspire you the most. that's what keeps it fun, right?""yeah, for sure," i said, feeling a flicker of confidence. "i guess i just want to create something that resonates with people."

"that's a great goal," schlatt said, leaning in slightly. "you know, it's easy to get lost in the numbers and the algorithm. just remember why you started in the first place. that's what keeps it real."i nodded, grateful for his encouragement. my mind flashed back to childhood dreams of being a storyteller, of captivating an audience with my words. i'd always loved to write, scribbling stories in the margins of my notebooks while my teachers lectured on math or history. it was a way to escape, a way to express the thoughts swirling in my head.the night continued, and as we settled into a booth, the conversation flowed more freely. we shared stories about our early days creating content, the moments of doubt that nearly broke us, and the small victories that kept us going. each tale felt like a thread weaving us closer together.

"so, what got you into podcasting?" ted asked, taking a sip of his drink. "i mean, it's a tough space to break into."i took a deep breath, feeling a wave of vulnerability wash over me. "i guess... it was during a pretty rough patch in my life. i felt really lost after college, bouncing from job to job, trying to find where i fit in. one day, i just thought, 'why not start a podcast?' it felt like a way to connect with people, share stories, and talk about things that mattered.""that's a powerful reason," tucker said, nodding. "podcasting is all about connection. you'd be surprised how many people are looking for someone to relate to."i smiled, feeling understood. "it's been tough, though. some days, i wonder if i'm doing it right. if anyone even cares what i have to say.""you'll find your voice," schlatt assured me, though his tone was more brusque than comforting. "it took me ages to figure out mine. but hey, if you're going to get into this, you need thick skin. it's brutal out there."

as he spoke, I felt a mix of inspiration and intimidation. maybe these fears of mine weren't so unique after all, but it was comforting to know that even those who seemed so confident had struggled with self-doubt."let's play some pool!" tucker suggested, breaking the moment. "i'll show you how it's done."the group made their way to the pool table, laughter ringing out as they bantered back and forth. i watched from the sidelines, taking a moment to absorb it all. this chaotic mix of people felt like a family, a tribe that had been through the ups and downs together. i longed for that kind of camaraderie.

i picked up a cue stick, feeling a surge of determination. "okay, but i'm going to give it a shot!" i called out, trying to match their energy.as i bent over to line up my shot, i felt schlatt move behind me, his presence close enough to send a rush of nerves through me. his voice was teasing, a playful edge that made my skin prickle. "you know, you really should focus. can't let those balls get away from you."

i glanced back, catching the smirk on his face, and my heart raced. was it just friendly banter, or was there something more? i quickly shook the thought away. it was probably nothing. yet, the way he leaned in felt almost intimate, as if he was trying to share a moment that was just ours. i didn't want to read too much into it, but it sent my mind spiraling.

after a few awkward attempts, i finally managed to sink a ball, and the table erupted in cheers. "see? not so hard!" tucker laughed, high-fiving me."beginner's luck," schlatt muttered, but there was a hint of admiration in his eyes that made me want to keep proving him wrong.

as we continued playing, the atmosphere shifted back to lightheartedness, and i tried to push aside the moment that had left my heart racing. we joked about each other's skills—or lack thereof—and i started to feel more comfortable, more like myself."you know," i said, emboldened by the warmth of the moment, "i started my podcast because i wanted to share my experiences and connect with others who felt the same way. it's been tough, but also really rewarding.""that's what it's all about," ted said, leaning in. "finding your tribe and just going for it. you never know who you might inspire."as the night wore on, we all exchanged social media handles and promises to keep in touch. i realized that this unexpected invitation had become a turning point. it was a reminder that even in a sea of creators, i could find my path, my people. i walked away from the bar feeling lighter, my heart full of possibility.as i headed home, i couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. maybe i'd finally found the spark to ignite my podcasting journey, and perhaps i wouldn't be so alone in it after all.