Southern Charm Season 10 has given viewers an inside look at tensions brewing within multiple relationships — including between longtime besties and business partners Craig Conover and Austen Kroll.
In the above preview for Season 10, Episode 8 (set to air January 30), the strain between the Pillows & Beer podcast hosts reaches a boiling point, and Craig offers to buy Austen out of their business.
As Austen, Craig, and Shep Rose catch up over a meal, Craig pitches his cohost on the idea.
"I feel like I have a proposal with the podcast that should be pretty f--king great," he announces. "Maybe, we give you like 30 grand, but I keep ownership of it?"
Austen seems caught off-guard by the suggestion. "Oh my god," he replies. "No, I wasn't, you know, thinking about the podcast..."
Seemingly frustrated, Craig asks, "What do you want from me?"
Austen explains that he was still thinking about how to mend their social relationship, and not about their future as business partners.
The three continue to hash things out, with the Sewing Down South founder telling Austen they "were fine" before Austen visited Craig at his house a month prior and expressed his feelings that Craig doesn't make a social effort with him.
"You did this," Craig states. "You came to my house and started this. All I've done is respond."
When Austen suggests Craig "could've turned around and been like, 'You're right, man,'" Craig declares, "I don't think you're right. I don't agree with you. I think you are very wrong in what you did."
As they continue to navigate their different perspectives about their friendship, the $30,000 buyout offer isn't mentioned again. (At least not yet!)
Why Paige DeSorbo advised Craig Conover to discontinue his podcast with Austen Kroll
During Season 10, Episode 6, Craig's then-girlfriend Paige DeSorbo encouraged Craig to end the podcast with Austen.
"Pillows and Beer is your side hustle. Sewing Down South is your thing," she said. "The whole point of the podcast is to, like, put out good vibes and laugh and talk with your friend in a very real way. And if you guys can't even do that, then why is the podcast even a question? I think you two need to sit down and legit dissolve the whole thing."
"Like, why would you not have a podcast like 'Craig and Friends'?" she continued. "You rebrand. You have your own new name. It's a whole new vibe. It's not Pillows and Beer."
Craig approached Austen about the subject at a party later in the episode, stating, "The podcast was only good because of our friendship... Now, the chemistry's just not there anymore."
"Wait, we're doing this?" Austen responded. "Wow."
Where does Craig Conover and Austen Kroll's friendship stand today?
Great news for fans of this duo: Austen and Craig seem to be on good terms as of late.
In addition to seemingly still working together on their podcast, they opened a "dream" new business, By the Way bar and restaurant, in December 2024.
