Giggling about networking, nervous stomachs, and tough mudders

Giggly Squad

The Giggly Squad dives into candid conversations about networking anxiety, fashion choices at high-profile events like the US Open and Giant

Key takeaways

• Authenticity trumps curated image—being naturally present often resonates more than planned appearances.
• Networking anxiety is real; many people feel discomfort when forced into artificial social interactions.

Main topics

• Networking anxiety
• Celebrity fashion and public perception

Notable quotes

"I've never asked someone for coffee. I've never seen someone in a room. Fuck off. No, they have to come to me."

"It was like part of the reason they fired you."

Conclusion

The episode ends on a lighthearted note with gratitude and playful ban

Transcript preview

Speaker 2 (0:00) What does it take to push bold ideas forward? Build new ways of working. And how can businesses help solve society's biggest challenges? Take on Tomorrow is back with a brand new season. Join us as we meet innovators and experts from around the world to discover the secret to building momentum. Visit pwc.com slash take on tomorrow or wherever you listen to podcasts for season five. Speaker 4 (0:36) Sup, gigglers? Speaker 1 (0:37) Gary, fix the Wi-Fi. Manifest Speaker 4 (0:39) that shit. Speaker 1 (0:40) We can't be managed. I mean, the day just got away from me. Speaker 3 (0:49) Hello. What's up, my gorgeous gigglers? Okay, she's awake. Speaker 4 (0:58) Paige was like, let's record at 8 a.m. And I'm like, okay, well, I'm tired. You go. Speaker 3 (1:03) Oh, now you're yawning. Now you're yawning. You were so confident. Speaker 4 (1:07) That was a good one. That was a good yawning. Speaker 3 (1:09) I was so confident. You want to know what? I don't know what day it is. Like, I didn't have a weekend. Speaker 4 (1:17) Fashion week? actually fucked you up plus you were like the face of the nfl because we're a sports podcast so wait Speaker 3 (1:26) what the fuck i Speaker 4 (1:27) think they thought you were a sports reporter i Speaker 3 (1:29) think they were like aaron andrews went brunette i was sitting in a box with jadakiss so Speaker 4 (1:38) iconic and Speaker 3 (1:39) um jose Speaker 4 (1:40) alvarado yes Speaker 3 (1:41) the next player And so like I figured oh yeah, they're gonna take your picture in like the merch and like where you might put it on like the Giants Instagram and I was like totally of course like I'll do whatever you need. And really I got this I only got the tickets because my brother wanted to go. And so then when I saw the page six video I was Speaker 2 (2:00) like wait Speaker 3 (2:02) Guys, it's not that big of a deal that I'm at the Giants game. Don't give us a fuck that I'm at the Giants game. I Speaker 4 (2:11) do. I really do. Actually, all the gigglers were waiting. The best thing about the gigglers is there's all these sports pages that occasionally will post us. Speaker 3 (2:21) Or just a woman. Or just... someone that looks like a woman anything close to long hair they freak out they're really mad about it Speaker 4 (2:34) then there was the you the w the atp is like the sorry it's so fucking early you guys it but i like it when it's early because i have the thoughts of the day haven't hit me yet like this is our purest form these are souls Speaker 2 (2:49) this Speaker 4 (2:50) is like when you're supposed to meditate Speaker 3 (2:55) I haven't been tainted by anything yet today. Speaker 4 (2:57) I haven't checked an email. No one's bothered me. So yeah, the ATP tour posted like all the celebrities and I was sitting in front of Jalen Brunson, but it was like, honestly, the best pic I've ever taken sitting in front of Jalen Brunson. No, Speaker 3 (3:12) you looked gorgeous. And you were like, you were like so unaware of the camera. For Speaker 4 (3:18) the Speaker 3 (3:18) first time in my Speaker 4 (3:19) life, by the way. Speaker 3 (3:20) No, so you can pick up on like, wait, she's just being naturally pretty. By Speaker 4 (3:25) the way, I've never not been aware of a camera. The US Open is the only time that they're able to catch me in my natural habitat-o. And... Speaker 4 (3:34) I was so into the match. But anyway, the comments. It's 400 Speaker 2 (3:38) gigglers being like, Tag had a fucking burner. Speaker 4 (3:42) And then if anyone said anything like, who is that girl? They go, she played Division I tennis and she deserves to be Speaker 3 (3:48) there. Speaker 4 (3:49) She Speaker 3 (3:49) deserves Speaker 4 (3:49) to be there. Speaker 3 (3:51) No, they're so funny. It Speaker 4 (3:55) made my life. Speaker 3 (3:56) Someone didn't like my shoes. And the gigglers were like, um. She actually planned this outfit and it's actually perfect for a football game. You wouldn't, you don't know what you're talking about. Speaker 4 (4:08) There were valid concerns about my outfit with Chelsea Handler at the US Open. I just want to talk about it. Speaker 2 (4:14) Yeah. Now, Speaker 4 (4:15) as you guys know, my truth is admin is not my strong suit. Also, if you listen to the pod and you're a real one, you know, I didn't know I was going to the US Open that day. I forgot that I had told Chelsea Handler. Yeah, I'll come to the US Open with you. Speaker 3 (4:28) You want her to just whip out an entire full Ralph Lauren look? I'm not Paige Aldi Speaker 2 (4:32) de Speaker 4 (4:32) Sorbo. I don't have Speaker 3 (4:34) a closet full of just, oh, for Speaker 4 (4:37) a U.S. Open night. Speaker 2 (4:38) She Speaker 3 (4:39) didn't see something on a website in February 2024 and think, one day I'll wear this to the U.S. Open and just have it in her closet. So Speaker 4 (4:46) I had an outfit planned for a Fashion Week party, which if you look at it in that lens, you're like, oh, I could totally see, you know, in Soho, Hannah. walking in with that we Speaker 3 (4:57) couldn't be more different so Speaker 4 (4:58) then i was like how do we make this tennis and then there's this amazing harlem designer that i found she has like 2 000 followers and she has this um it's called four c's official and she has this tennis bag that i had her courier it to me and i was like now the outfit is tennis And but granted, yeah, I looked like a little club rat. But then also it's the U.S. Open. It's the U.S. Open nighttime. But it also Speaker 3 (5:26) kind of, yeah, it also kind of gave like, wait, she's like cool. She's not like, she's not coming to the U.S. Open and wearing like. a maxi skirt with a collared shirt you know like that was the first time it actually kind of like worked in a in like an early 2000s way i kind Speaker 4 (5:45) of felt like i was the celebrities that go to the um coachella who were like we've been here so many times we're just gonna wear whatever no Speaker 3 (5:56) you were like a senior you were a senior at the u.s by the way we have so Speaker 4 (6:01) much to talk about i Speaker 3 (6:02) have so much Speaker 4 (6:04) I guess I'll just get mine out of the way of the US Open thing where, look, you guys, I... First of all, Andy Cohen. Speaker 3 (6:15) He was there. Andy Cohen. Speaker 4 (6:17) I don't know if you saw this. Andy Cohen gets interviewed by, like, I think it was, like, the ESPN girls, who you know are gigglers. And they're like, Andy, which Bravo Leopardy would you want to be your doubles partner? And they're, like, so excited. You could tell they're, like, setting him up. And he's like, huh. Speaker 4 (6:35) Like, no idea. He's like, couldn't pull a name. Like, goes on a little too long being like, what? Who? And they're like, Hannah Berger. And he's like, oh, Hannah. Yeah, I love her. And then I'm like, did I not make it clear enough on Bravo that I play tennis? Speaker 3 (6:52) I feel like you did. I thought Speaker 4 (6:53) I did. Speaker 3 (6:54) I feel like you said it enough times. Speaker 4 (6:59) Did you Speaker 3 (6:59) guys know Speaker 4 (7:00) I Speaker 3 (7:00) play tennis? Apparently not. It was like part of the reason they fired you. Speaker 4 (7:04) No, literally, they were like, if tennis comes out of her mouth one more time, we're going to have to pull the plug. There Speaker 3 (7:08) were like three guys that were like, wait, she's actually really good. Get her off the show. Someone Speaker 4 (7:14) said their favorite part was when someone was having a fight and I was in the background playing tennis. They were like, I feel like you're just here for the zip line. Oh, my God. Grace is going to kill me. You're not recording? No, Speaker 3 (7:27) I was recording, but my volume was all the way down. Speaker 4 (7:29) Oh, it's okay. Oh, yeah. Okay. So then we got there. I'm really good friends with a girl who works for the USTA. If you don't know what Speaker 3 (7:40) the Speaker 4 (7:40) USTA is, it's Speaker 3 (7:41) the Speaker 4 (7:41) United States Tennis Association. Now, as you guys know, I'm not a good networker. I'm not going up any ladders. Speaker 3 (7:48) And Hannah, that's one thing we're really aligned with. When I graduated college, I feel like people were like, and then you have to network and you have to network. And I'd get a pit in my stomach. And let me just tell you something. I've never networked in my life. I've Speaker 4 (8:01) never asked someone for coffee. I've never seen someone in a room. Fuck off. No, they have to come to me and then we'll hit it off because it's natural. So I happen to play tennis with this girl, Le Speaker 2 (8:15) Pop. Shout out Chelsea, since Speaker 4 (8:17) we're like 10 years old. And Speaker 2 (8:19) we weren't like Speaker 4 (8:19) friends. per se but we we never had beef which is actually huge so like if you haven't had beef with someone who you played junior tennis with you're like we're best friends you're Speaker 3 (8:30) basically sisters and then she went Speaker 4 (8:32) on to play for illinois and i went to play for wisconsin anyway long story short she texted me she was like if you want to go to the semis let me know i got you i was like amazing i'll go come with chelsea so we come in and they're like okay let's take your seats we're walking past sierra and russell wilson who went to wisconsin go badgers We walk past Anna Wintour. I'm like, okay, that's kind of weird. We walk past Jalen Brunson and Ben Stiller. I'm like, okay, I'm so crazy. They put me in the best seat of the house right behind the server. Me, Chelsea, and then Brian Valhalla is the USA president. I realize. Wait, what's Speaker 3 (9:08) his last name? I like that. Valhalla. He's also one Speaker 4 (9:13) of the first out former tennis players. He's an icon. Speaker 3 (9:20) I that is so inspiring. Yeah. Speaker 4 (9:23) And he's and he's running the USTA, which is really, really fucking cool. So anyway, it was just Brian being like, can I sit next Speaker 2 (9:29) to Chelsea? Speaker 4 (9:33) Someone's like, how'd you get there? I'm like, I think the guy just wanted to like laugh the whole time in the front. And then, you know that I was, I thought I was coaching Tiafoe. Speaker 3 (9:42) Well, Speaker 4 (9:43) that's what I want to Speaker 3 (9:44) do at a tennis match. I want to Speaker 4 (9:45) just laugh the whole time. Speaker 3 (9:47) Did you feel. Speaker 3 (9:51) pressure being in that seat. I trained my whole life for this moment. Speaker 4 (9:54) Yeah. When I tell you I was like locked, I was locked into the point that I was like, foe, let's go. Foe, foe, breathe. Okay, I'm gonna need you to breathe right now. Come on. You're like, guys. Wait, did you ever think about being a tennis coach? In that moment, I was. You know, as you guys know, my dad was my coach and he coached the Beacons girls tennis team. I come from a line of coaches. I love coaching. And you know what? I coach the Gigglers every day. And one day I will be a coach. If you yawn one more time after you told us to record at 8 a.m. with your long fingers blocking your mouth, I could see that yawn. I know. I'm sorry. Speaker 3 (10:30) I'm just I'm a working. I'm a busy gal. I had to fit it in this morning. Honestly, you did this to me last week. So Speaker 4 (10:37) wait, you're so right. You're so right. Even I met Lindsey Vonn for the first time. Did Speaker 3 (10:43) you? Speaker 4 (10:44) obsessed with her obsessed lindsey Speaker 3 (10:46) vaughn is the skier yes Speaker 4 (10:49) now lindsey the greatest of all time skier um she also we were such girls because we met and within five minutes we were talking about like dating and like how to just like the deepest possible chat like men would never understand that and i Speaker 3 (11:05) like when you meet a girl and you have this like like the first thought that you both have is like we don't know each other but like you're a girl and i'm a girl so like also Speaker 4 (11:18) as two former athletes combined many olympic titles we really connected over that okay oh we're sitting with lindsey vaughn and renee stubbs renee stubbs eyes light up someone just walked in it's jalen brunson and ally brunson Speaker 4 (11:35) From the Knicks, the King and the first lady of New York. Now, Allie Brunson's a giggler and arguably like my best friend. So she's like, I haven't met Jalen yet. When I tell you, this man's an angel. Speaker 3 (11:53) Yeah. He looks like he's really nice. You Speaker 4 (11:57) know how people have an aura? His aura is so good and calming, but he also is silly. I've met a lot of male athletes that won't make eye contact with women in the room, and then when you say something funny, they don't hear it. He literally was looking for the next joke. He wanted to laugh and was down to clown and was so funny and cute. So we're all... Speaker 3 (12:18) And Speaker 4 (12:18) he has a podcast with Josh. And I feel like I'm like Josh and you're like Jalen. So anyway, regardless, we're having fun. I'm not embarrassing myself. Like I'm feeling good. I'm like two honey dip sips in. Honeydew sips in, which is like. Speaker 3 (12:33) I like honey dip though. I know. Speaker 4 (12:35) What's a honey dip? I don't know, but I like that. You're like, she's cute. She's. Yeah. Then Ben Stiller comes up. Am I supposed to be saying all this information? Anyway. Speaker 3 (12:45) Yeah, this is crazy. This sounds like a made-up story. Ben Seller came up. He was like, no. Speaker 4 (12:54) Ben Stiller. Well, first of all, everyone's saying hi because we're all like, you know, just. It's Ben Stiller. And then he looks at me and he's like, I know you from somewhere. And I'm like, um, co-host Giggly Speaker 2 (13:05) Squad. Speaker 4 (13:06) He was like, oh, you're a comedian. So my mind is blown. That's when I started to get a little like not cool. Speaker 2 (13:13) Yeah. Speaker 4 (13:14) And I'm so excited to stay there with Ben Stiller and Jalen Brunson. And I have this. OK, this is the one bad moment of the night for me. that I haven't forgotten clearly it keeps repeating in my head there's always one I just like there was like kind of a moment where there was a silence and I was like this came out you know this came out of nowhere I just go you Speaker 3 (13:33) always Speaker 4 (13:33) do something like Speaker 3 (13:35) this this is like I wouldn't even cross my mind to do something like this I already know what you're gonna say before you even said Speaker 4 (13:40) it my Speaker 3 (13:40) grandpa played my Speaker 4 (13:44) grandpa my grandpa was a