Betsy Andreu on the FattyCast
I’m really pleased to announce this new episode of the FattyCast. In it, I talk with Betsy Andreu about pasta recipes, her hip replacement, the threshold of sincerity in apologies, how strange it is to juggle the responsibilities of being a mom and a whistleblower, why she hasn’t written a book, and yeah… a little bit about Lance Armstrong.
It’s a focused, intense, and fun conversation. You should definitely give it a listen. Which you can do by subscribing to the FattyCast on iTunes, on my FattyCast site, by downloading directly, or in the handy little player below:
Thoughts About the Show
From the outset, let me say this: I really enjoyed my conversation with Betsy. While she and I have exchanged email a few times, this was the first time I’ve ever actually talked with her. I hope to talk with her again.
Second, I think it’s really easy to get caught up with anger anytime anything Lance Armstrong-related comes up. For example, when this episode got automatically posted on Facebook over the weekend, one person expressed disappointment in me, saying “When you change sides, you really change sides.” Meaning, I suppose, that it was a betrayal of either Armstrong or LiveStrong for me to ever talk with Betsy.
Another person — someone who needled me pretty aggressively back before Armstrong admitted to cheating — made it very clear he still has a problem with me, writing, “Zzzzzz…you can’t force me to listen to that guy.”
And even Betsy, in sharing the podcast on Facebook, described me as a “former adversary.” Which made me a little sad; I had never thought of myself as her adversary. In fact, I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve ever mentioned her in this blog.
I guess these are all legitimate perspectives. Talking with someone like Betsy might feel like betrayal to you if you feel like I owe Armstrong loyalty.
Giving Armstrong the benefit of the doubt back before he confessed might seem like absurd naïvete. I confess: I tend toward being naïve.
And while I never said anything against Betsy, I also never had her back; maybe that does make me a former adversary.
In any case, I believed and acted how I believed and acted, and I affected people how I affected them. I never meant (nor mean) to hurt anyone, but apologize to those I hurt without meaning to.
All that said, I reiterate: this is a really good episode, and you should listen to it.
Comment by Dave | 05.9.2016 | 3:44 pm
Fatty, you should run for president, unless you have found a job already. I would vote for you. You do not dismiss others, respectfully listen to others and you are nice to people who may not agree with you. In other words you demonstrate some self reflection and empathy, something most of our political candidates lack. All the good fundraising for worthy causes demonstrates that you are not just all about yourself. And I am sure you would have a good bike agenda for the nation. 3rd party? thanks for putting out a great blog and podcast.
Comment by MikeL | 05.9.2016 | 3:46 pm
It is your podcast so you are the one to decide who you wish to talk to. At the same time the listener can decide if they want to listen. Each side can make their own decisions. As mature(?) individuals we should be able to do this without descending into rancor, name calling, taking sides.
Comment by PNP | 05.9.2016 | 4:05 pm
Speaking of nit-picking (or bringing it up, anyway), why is it that the only time the word “juggle” is used is in the context of a woman and her family and whatever else she has going on in life? I’ve never heard anyone comment that men “juggle” their families and jobs.
Words matter.
Comment by ScottM | 05.9.2016 | 5:04 pm
PNP
Maybe because women are so much better at juggling than me are (in general). Men don’t juggle so much as ignore one side for the other. I learned a lot about that when I became somewhat of a single dad and suddenly had to deal with both sides. I focused more on my kids and less on the job. The kids are better off, my job not as much. And the house – forget that…
Fatty – some people hold grudges way beyond what is healthy. You’ve shown class and respect for both sides in the Armstrong deal. I try (probably to hard) to see the good in everyone – even those who hurt me. Life is just so much more pleasant that way than hating and condemning.
Comment by PNP | 05.9.2016 | 6:01 pm
@Fatty and ScottM: thanks. Sorry for the outbreak of the Mondays, but that term always irks me a bit. Sorry also for being off topic.
Comment by miles archer | 05.9.2016 | 7:03 pm
How’s the book coming?
Comment by Laura | 05.10.2016 | 5:58 am
Like Dave, I appreciate your respect and empathy for other people even when you may not agree with them. I’d call that dignity, and class. Thanks for your willingness to share your views, strengths, and shortcomings on this public forum. We are all human; we err, however how we treat others in the life speaks volumes for our characters.
Off the pedestal now, and on another topic, I love your podcasts. Thanks for producing them!
Comment by Larry N | 05.10.2016 | 7:43 am
well put Fatty.
I think you did a great job of balance in this post.
Comment by Tom in Albany | 05.10.2016 | 9:21 am
Fatty, Did you try the pasta a la Marta yet?
Comment by J-rod | 05.10.2016 | 10:11 am
Fatty, I was the person who tweeted, “tell her to move on not to let the LA thing define her life” I regret that my tweet kind of sounded like a LA supporter telling her to go away. That was not my intent. It was actually out of concern, the media has a way of making her seem obsessed with him. When I heard you quote my tweet I got scared as if she was in the same room as I and about to lay in to me, but I thought her response was very good. I felt like your podcast made her seem more personable than what the media has represented.
Comment by Jeff Dieffenbach | 05.10.2016 | 10:56 am
@J-rod, interesting observation about Betsy Andreu sounding “obsessed.” I don’t have much of a sense of how actively she’s spoken out against LA over time versus responding with strength in reaction to being asked about LA. My sense is more the latter, but again, that’s not all that informed a sense.
In any event, now that the truth is out, I don’t think she conveys obsessed at all. Resolute? Yes. Principled? Yes. But obsessed? No.
Comment by Tom in Albany | 05.10.2016 | 1:00 pm
The thing about Betsy that was most striking to me was that she gave LA another chance. She was open to the possibility that, after all the B.S., he might become a good person. What a huge heart she must have!
Comment by santiago | 05.11.2016 | 12:22 pm
I am serioulsy interested on this conversation, but podcasts (and video) are very hard to accomodate. On the contrary I can read at my own pace, in short breaks from work, etc. I love your blog, i just get a little disappointed when there is a new post and it is a podcast.