He was a workaholic political copywriter writing clickbait fundraising emails for people he didn't agree with. Then a moment in Central Park changed everything. Josh Banfield, the creator behind Josh the Ronnie Stan, shares how he vision boarded his way out of politics and into the queer digital space within a year.
Josh is a pop culture savant and the unofficial historian of Bravo. In late 2023, a year and ten months into his job, he realized he wanted out. He left politics full time and became his own boss. Along the way, he found the Bravo tagline that sums up his life, and it comes from either Carole Radziwill's "politics of friendship" or Lisa Vanderpump's "throw me to the wolves and I shall return leading the pack." Listen to find out which one fits. We learn…
• His real-life Bravo run-ins, including a bad Jill Zarin meeting at BravoCon 2022 and the time he yelled "be nice to Bronwyn" at Heather Gay, then diplomatically told her he'd read her book
• His takes on the new Vanderpump Rules cast, Teresa Giudice, Lisa Barlow, smart vs dumb housewives, Margaret, and Heather Dubrow
• Why the Sur watch parties felt sad, even though he liked the cast as people
• His Ultimate Girls Trip ideas, including a couples-therapy getaway for former housewife friends who had falling outs (Kyle Richards and Lisa Vanderpump, Candiace and Monique, Monica Garcia with an OG Salt Lake woman), plus a non-housewives trip and a one-season wonders trip
• Then comes a round of This or That, Josh's Bravo and Beyond edition. RHONY classic or reboot? Bluestone Manor or Villa Rosa? Beach house or rooftop bar? Chest or butt? Some of the answers are about Bravo. Others are much more personal.
• Josh doesn't plan to start a podcast. He wants to write books and TV shows. He also wants to get in a "housewives fight" with other creators, reads every comment, and hopes to be remembered for his heart, though he admits he's "bitchy and wholesome at the same time."
• Perfect for Bravo obsessives, anyone eyeing a career leap, and fans who want to hear how a lifelong love of pop culture became a job. You can find Josh on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook as Josh the Ronnie Stan, and on TikTok for vlog-style content as Josh's Inner Monologue.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Josh Banfield and his background
02:25 The light bulb moment: from political copywriter to TikTok star
05:19 Authenticity and returning to pop culture roots
06:16 Goals and future plans in content creation
07:41 Memorable interactions with Bravo cast members
11:04 Thoughts on the new Vanderpump Rules cast
13:06 Ideas for a Bravo-inspired reality show
16:29 The chaos of TV and creator culture
20:59 Quick fire Bravo and pop culture questions
27:16 Balancing wit and heart in content and personality
Bravo, Bravo podcast, Josh Banfield, Josh the Ronnie Stan, pop culture, Real Housewives, Vanderpump Rules, BravoCon, queer creators, career change
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OutLoudAndLaughing?sub_confirmation=1
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Visit us at www.OutLoudAndLaughing.com (http://www.OutLoudAndLaughing.com)
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7obVHRF8knOr0WUMOZLJnM
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvTk63DP29cMR3QjT_xkkHygIX2MZi1c9