That’s a solid burn right there.Pete once told me after he met me he ‘stopped hiring escorts since he had me’ and I told him ‘Everyone you know is your escort, they just don’t know it’ and he didn’t understand at the time what I meant. I imagine he does now.
I can't ever
*Yes, Pete was a misogynist. That was clear as day. The starting salary for women on the team was a couple thousand less than the starting salary for guys. The guys were sometimes given expensive gifts when the women were not (Apple watches and game stations for example). And the women were mocked quite viciously behind our backs at times when he was hanging out with the guys (so I was told).I can't ever imagine calling JL a thief. @imjenilynn , so do you feel Pete is strongly sexist towards women?
Also, I wondered in the past if Pete didn't like you because he thought Dustin was attracted to you. I think that we all know that Pete has his insecurities, so I wouldn't doubt it. When I watched the show back then, I always wondered if you and Dustin had a small flirtatious thing going on.
I actually got married in 2021 at the courthouse (taxes) so it was my second year but it was about the same. Neither of our families live near us so we go to the parks for all major holidays. Yesterday was in the high 60s so it was really nice.Hey Sean, welcome back how was your first Thanksgiving as a married couple? I think we could all be grateful and thankful this year that you help Dustin come forward and take down that hideous man, allowing people to be free of his control abuse and manipulation so in this board we are super thankful for you.
Yes, the only other person attached to The Dis that I have known longer than Panda is Jackie. They both were a part of my first steps in the Disney community, The Disney Driven Life and a webcast called Inner Mouse. Panda and I have remained friends the entire time even though we go for long spells without seeing or talking to one another.JL, I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that. It appeared that you and Panda have or had a good relationship. Did he question what happened with you at the Dis before he joined? Did he just fall for Pete’s superficial showering of gifts, etc also?
No, my feelings about Ryno don't have anything to do with returning the check. He told me that he gave Pete the check, and I believe him. Regardless, I texted Pete about the check, so he would have been aware it was waiting for him even if Ryno hadn't given the check to Pete.I definitely noticed Panda got the golden treatment in the beginning that Sean and JL mentioned.
@imjenilynn don't worry about the length of your posts, I didn't watch The Dis when you were on, but I am enjoying learning about your background and story. I find your writing insightful and reflective, I understand why you were a fan favorite on the the show. I am so disturbed that John allowed Pete to go through with termination under the guise of stealing. Pete was the one that wrote the check, not you taking money without permission from him. If anything, Pete should have been in trouble with John for overpayment since Pete always mentioned John was the money person in the business. The only confusing part I feel is that Ryno mentioned on one of his livestreams that you didn't like him, but didn't get into the reasons. You don't have to share the story, but did it revolve around this returning the check issue or was it a different incident?
Craig and Ryno were great on the Universal Show, and I give Ryno credit for being one of the more creative and witty minds on the team. He does truly have cool and original ideas that are "out of the box" (or at least that was the case when I was there). Ryno and I, initially, had a great start. I think I was the first person to welcome him because I didn't want him to feel like I did when I first came on board. I asked him out to lunch so that I would have a chance to get to know him and help him not feel awkward about being new.I've been wondering about this as well. I would guess that he took part in throwing coworkers under the bus for his gain or protection or whatever you want to call it. Pete asked me who my favorite person on the show was as well. I said JL, especially when she was on the universal show because was the adult in the room with a couple of adolescents. But I actually loved how relaxed and ridiculous Craig and Ryno were on the universal show, and then JL would just comically sigh out of annoyance as she tried to keep the conversation and topic moving along. Anyways, back to when told Pete that JL was my favorite, he told me "well you know she was actually a very hard person to work with. Craig and Ryno always complained to me that she was lazy and would never pull her weight." Again, I have seen the light and recognize that I can't really trust anything he told me. But I do wonder if they talked bad about JL to Pete before and after her termination to help them stay in good graces with the evil queen.
Thank you again for sharing your experiences, JL, they are really helpful in being able to put the pieces together. You've mentioned Theresa a few times. Given the family relationship with Pete that she had, did she ever challenge him or "fight back" when she felt something was out of sorts or unfair?*Yes, Pete was a misogynist. That was clear as day. The starting salary for women on the team was a couple thousand less than the starting salary for guys. The guys were sometimes given expensive gifts when the women were not (Apple watches and game stations for example). And the women were mocked quite viciously behind our backs at times when he was hanging out with the guys (so I was told).
*I'm sorry to disappoint you, the boring truth is Dustin and I never had a flirtatious thing going on. I'm significantly older than Dustin. Plus, I have three kids, and he was in a relationship with my boss. There was quite a bit in place to keep our interactions platonic. We worked on the shows together, but that truly was it. Aside from the occasional outing for The Trip (with Teresa) or work-related projects (with the whole team), I only ever saw or talked to Dustin in the studio.
I mentioned in my Instagram posts that Dustin was very complimentary a couple of times--enough so that it made me question his sexuality. But I also mentioned that Dustin had begun self-medicating by drinking a lot. He got to a point where he was not always sober at work. You wouldn't have been able to see it on camera, but more than once there was a beer bottle back there with Dustin in the production nook when we recorded The Trip (understandably, now that I have the full picture of what he was going through). Anyway, it was during times I suspected he wasn't sober that he was very complimentary, and that likely had more to do with his personal struggle than with me. I never suffered from the delusion that Dustin was genuinely attracted to me. We were friends, but I wouldn't even say that we were close. Pete kept him pretty isolated.
I fully back Dustin coming forward with his story. I am firmly in his corner, but that is not motivated by a special connection we shared back then. It is simply because what happened to him is beyond comprehensible to me. I hate that it was going on right under my nose, and I hate that I didn't know how to navigate it and help him back then. I'm not repeating that mistake. I am here to support him now.
The heart and the passion dropped off BIG time a few years ago, in my estimation, and I did stop supporting them. The attitudes and behaviors by the leadership of that company, ths DIS, the boards, Ryno's monetizing of the whole thing, since Pete's disgusting predatory actions have been revealed have absolutely destroyed any chance of me ever giving them another shot.Why are people still supporting those individuals? Thanks again, JL, for your ongoing contributions. I find myself increasingly disheartened by the direction things have taken. The initial charm of the DIS felt like fan club, where it felt unique and like a community of friends discussing Disney, has shifted. It's now less about friendship and more about condescension regarding Disney and left-wing politics. The focus has shifted from informative segments and fan interactions to what feels like a C-level vlog channel. Mammoth Club achieved impressive subscriber numbers in less than a year.
Yes, sadly this was the case. Jackie's determination to remain positive about everything grated John, Kevin, and Teresa. They weren't kind behind her back, and they were passive-aggressive to her face. Kathy, of the Disboards, was also particularly vicious to Jackie since Jackie was initially hired to moderate the Disboards and change the negative quality that had taken hold.I can imagine him aiming any meanness towards Jackie. She comes across as very nonconfrontational and meek and I can see him targeting someone he perceived as the weakest of the pack.
I don't have many stories about John because I didn't interact with him or Kevin much. They were primarily off doing their thing with the travel agency. When I was at D23 with the team, the three of us got along really well. It was the one time that they actively included me in their plans because we worked the booth together. I liked them while I was there. I got along with them.Hey Jenny Lynn thank you for being a part of the discussion and adding your valuable input. I want you if you can delve deeper into John he seems like he’s really getting off light here but we know he’s an enabler also tell us some interesting behind the scenes stories!
It was pretty standard to offer incentives to essential people on the team when others were fired. It might be a raise. It might be a stake in the profits coming from YouTube or Patreon. It might be expensive gifts. It all was done to make it harder for the remaining members to walk just in case they were considering doing that.I can't explain why else they would stick around after everything that has come out. Maybe he offered Craig and Rynon MASSIVE retention bonuses to stay on? At least that would make some sense.
John will look at the boards if someone directs him to it. In this case, I could see him being directed to it by a number of people. They probably sought him out for guidance on how to handle posts about me. How it is being handled is very predictable.On the DIS Boards there are people who are referencing you and your struggle, but in a very oblique way so not to be censored. The comments are being read by the moderators yet they stay as they document the shit that they have suffered. I don't expect John ever looks at the boards so it goes under his radar.
I'm trying to take the questions directed at me in the order that they were asked so that I don't lose my place. And because I'm trying to carefully consider my words before I throw them carelessly out into the universe, it is taking me a little longer than we would probably all like. I promise I will get to your question. I have every intention of answering it. I'm just having to balance my responsibilities at home and work with posting, and it is all taking time.@imjenilynn , I asked a week or 2 ago about the cameras in the bathroom disclosure by Charles. Not sure if you saw it or felt uncomfortable talking about it. Do you really think that Pete was twisted enough to have the capability to do something like that which is a criminal offense? Once again, if you don't want to answer then ignore this or tell me to go away. Thanks for sharing your stories with us.
This. 100% this.And they are gone. Totally expected that John wants no talk of how truly horrible things are at his company. No investor will buy that cesspool and then he can't cash out and live a life of leisure.
She does know the truth. And because she is married to Corey, she probably knows more of the truth than half of the team. If she ever steps away from the company, maybe she will explain why she did make this choice. I think I know why (and if it is what I think, I totally get it), but she has to be the one to tell her story. No one should expect that to happen, though, until she and Corey are disconnected from The Dis.I think Julie is terrific. And admire her in many ways. But she has elected to continue to appear on the show. And she has to know the truth.
So grateful to you for taking the time to respond to everyone as thoughtfully as you are, JL.Yes, sadly this was the case. Jackie's determination to remain positive about everything grated John, Kevin, and Teresa. They weren't kind behind her back, and they were passive-aggressive to her face. Kathy, of the Disboards, was also particularly vicious to Jackie since Jackie was initially hired to moderate the Disboards and change the negative quality that had taken hold.
Jackie is a Pollyanna. It is her nature. She is loyal. She is supportive. And she works incredibly hard to make the lives of those around her easier. I understand how people can find her unconditional blasts of sunshine frustrating because it can read as a denial of existing problems; however, it is her way. And it does make her an easy target.
Corey has been more successful with protecting Jackie from Pete than he has been with others like me. Around the time I left, he convinced Pete to move Jackie under his umbrella. At that point, Jackie (who understands a bit about html and maintaining websites), took on content creation for the site. I think the argument could be made that she is now Corey's right hand. He would be sort of up a creek if she wasn't there to support him, and that gives her a good degree of protection from the people in the company (past and present) that would threaten her job.
---
I don't have many stories about John because I didn't interact with him or Kevin much. They were primarily off doing their thing with the travel agency. When I was at D23 with the team, the three of us got along really well. It was the one time that they actively included me in their plans because we worked the booth together. I liked them while I was there. I got along with them.
That being said, when I was ousted by Pete, John stood by and did nothing. Also, John blocked me from being able to retrieve my phone number from the company's account. To explain, when I was hired, my personal phone number was absorbed by the company so that I wouldn't have to worry about paying for a phone bill. When I was fired, I asked for my phone number to be released back to me since it had ALL of my contacts prior to being at The Dis as well as after--family, friends, everything. Corey tried very hard to make that happen for me. He contacted the phone company and wrestled with them quite a bit as the president of the company. It still came down to him needing John or Pete, one of the owners of the company, to talk with the phone carrier and approve the release. He went to John since Pete would have been a dead end. John denied Corey and blocked his ability to help me even though the phone number was mine prior to being hired. There was no reason for this other than John being afraid of Pete or John just being cruel. It definitely messed up a lot for me and added insult to injury.
John also yanked my medical insurance a month before our agreed-upon time without giving me notice. I was stuck paying for labs upwards of $1k because I didn't realize they were no longer covered until I received the bill. That would have 100% been John because Pete didn't manage our insurance.
You guys saw what he felt was a professional response to the news about Pete coming to light. It is completely in line with his character. What more can be said?
---
It was pretty standard to offer incentives to essential people on the team when others were fired. It might be a raise. It might be a stake in the profits coming from YouTube or Patreon. It might be expensive gifts. It all was done to make it harder for the remaining members to walk just in case they were considering doing that.
---
John will look at the boards if someone directs him to it. In this case, I could see him being directed to it by a number of people. They probably sought him out for guidance on how to handle posts about me. How it is being handled is very predictable.
---
I'm trying to take the questions directed at me in the order that they were asked so that I don't lose my place. And because I'm trying to carefully consider my words before I throw them carelessly out into the universe, it is taking me a little longer than we would probably all like. I promise I will get to your question. I have every intention of answering it. I'm just having to balance my responsibilities at home and work with posting, and it is all taking time.
---
This. 100% this.
---
She does know the truth. And because she is married to Corey, she probably knows more of the truth than half of the team. If she ever steps away from the company, maybe she will explain why she did make this choice. I think I know why (and if it is what I think, I totally get it), but she has to be the one to tell her story. No one should expect that to happen, though, until she and Corey are disconnected from The Dis.
Moderator Kathy has a special place in the hearts of many on the DIS Boards and over here, albeit with comments couched in significantly more colorful language and descriptors than "vicious".Kathy, of the Disboards, was also particularly vicious to Jackie...
WebmasterKathy and I got in some notorious battles. Jackie has always been a bright spot for me, she brought me on there. Others (Kathy, Doc, Pete) seemingly tried to shut me up, and of course eventually got rid of me. Seeing some of those Jackie and Kathy behind the scenes battles was eye opening for sure.Yes, sadly this was the case. Jackie's determination to remain positive about everything grated John, Kevin, and Teresa. They weren't kind behind her back, and they were passive-aggressive to her face. Kathy, of the Disboards, was also particularly vicious to Jackie since Jackie was initially hired to moderate the Disboards and change the negative quality that had taken hold.
Jackie is a Pollyanna. It is her nature. She is loyal. She is supportive. And she works incredibly hard to make the lives of those around her easier. I understand how people can find her unconditional blasts of sunshine frustrating because it can read as a denial of existing problems; however, it is her way. And it does make her an easy target.
Corey has been more successful with protecting Jackie from Pete than he has been with others like me. Around the time I left, he convinced Pete to move Jackie under his umbrella. At that point, Jackie (who understands a bit about html and maintaining websites), took on content creation for the site. I think the argument could be made that she is now Corey's right hand. He would be sort of up a creek if she wasn't there to support him, and that gives her a good degree of protection from the people in the company (past and present) that would threaten her job.
There was a mass-banning from the boards back then and a bunch of the banned came together on a new message board. If you google "circle of sarcasm undis" you'll find it. The posts can get pretty snarky about some of the posts and posters on the DIS (particularly from the community forum) but they've also kept up with the news and talked about PW, the mods, etc.What is very interesting indeed is that there was once something called the 'UnDIS'. Does anyone have any idea what that was? The link is now dead. If that was anti-Dis Unplugged entity and it was as early as 2008 that would be fascinating.
Thanks, I edited my post to include this.There was a mass-banning from the boards back then and a bunch of the banned came together on a new message board. If you google "circle of sarcasm undis" you'll find it. The posts can get pretty snarky about some of the posts and posters on the DIS (particularly from the community forum) but they've also kept up with the news and talked about PW, the mods, etc.
Yes I do believe she got in trouble. To what extent I’m not sure. She’s good friends with John and Kevin so I can’t imagine her being out of the picture completely.Out of curiosity I checked, and it appears that our favorite webmaster hasn't posted on The DIS (at least under that account) since the incident in early August where she violated the posting guidelines. I wonder if that's a battle that Corey was able to win. That said, the account does still appear in a search so hasn't been deleted entirely.
Didn’t she say something antisemitic? Not that I think John and Kevin care much, but I’m glad she hasn’t been back around.Yes I do believe she got in trouble. To what extent I’m not sure. She’s good friends with John and Kevin so I can’t imagine her being out of the picture completely.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?