In the Season I Finale of The White Collar Therapy Show, Robb and I ditch the Seinfeld+Groundhog Day effect that we began with in September. We also break out of the 30-minute framework, talking fluidly about our first 6 shows, and what the new year might look like.
The result? 60-plus minutes of raw authenticity, reflection, and perspective.
Friends, Coffee, & Careers
As explained in the original press release about White Collar Therapy, the show is about two close friends meeting in a coffee shop to catch up on each other’s personal and professional lives. We only have 30 minutes together, and Ryan (that’s me) has something pressing to share with Robb.
For our season finale, we just got on camera and started talking.
The chemistry we share is born out of a genuine friendship that spans nearly 10 years – when we both lived in West Chester, Pa. Robb remains there, but I have been in the Chicago area going on 6 years now.
Through the years, Robb and I remained close. We think this is a big part of why the show resonates with fans. This is also why we both may ham it up a bit. Nonetheless, the guys you see on camera are pretty much spot on with who we truly are.
Enjoy the Show
Origins of the WCT Show
In this episode, we look back at the origins of the show, which actually evolved over the last several years. I had been pursuing the idea a few years, and even tested it out with other colleagues. But the spark wasn’t there, and so I had put in on the back burner.
Then one day in May 2018 I had Robb on one of my other shows, and was reminded of the natural synergy between us, particularly on camera. After presenting the idea of the show to Robb, he and I spent about three months collaborating and putting together a final concept.
By September 2018, we performed our first show and it went off without a hitch. So, we did five more and now here we are, at the end of a successful first season.
The Pause Button
Looking ahead to 2019, we are doubling down on our shared rules for success:
- Do the best you can with what you’ve got!
- Stick to the game plan, but be open for change.
Before we do, though, we took this opportunity to hit the pause button. As Robb points out,
“A lot of people…just move on with some new dream, some new encouragement, some new goals, and I’m like ‘No no no no no – life is way too special to just keep moving. We gotta push the pause button sometimes too.'”
Pushing pause and taking time to reflect isn’t just a good idea at the end of the year. It’s something Robb has found useful in his daily life both personally and professionally.
The new year looks bright for us. We’ve found that we compliment each other well. From my pie in the sky big picture ideas to Robb’s pragmatic how do we make it work in a sane way (or is it the other way around?). It all comes together to create a show that delivers quality content, positive support, and a few laughs, as well.
Check out the show and pencil us in for coffee in 2019. White Collar Therapy is more than just a show. It’s a community. There’s also a podcast and a Facebook Group. For information about how you can get involved, go to www.whitecollartherapy.com.
