Craig Conover Offers Austen Kroll 30K for Podcast on Southern Charm

Craig Conover is adamant on the upcoming episode of Southern Charm that ending his podcast with Austen Kroll will improve their friendship — but Austen doesn’t agree.

“Austen and I were just not great at expressing — saying the tough stuff,” Craig, 35, tells pal Shep Rose during a group lunch in Us Weekly’s exclusive preview of the Thursday, January 30, episode of the Bravo series.

Craig then looks directly at Austen, 37, who is sitting across the table to give him a work proposition.

“I feel like I have a proposal with the podcast that should be pretty f—ing great,” Craig says. “Maybe we [give] you, like, 30 grand, but I keep ownership of it.”

Austen is stunned by the offer, replying, “Oh, my God. No. I wasn’t thinking about the podcast.”

Craig and Austen launched their “Pillows & Beer” podcast in 2021. During season 10 of Southern Charm, he expressed concern with their business plan and friendship. After Austen accused Craig of never spending time with him outside of work, Craig shut down.

During the January 9 episode, Austen claimed that Craig, “Can’t handle and f—ing constructive criticism.”

Craig, meanwhile, told Madison LeCroy at his backyard BBQ (which Austen wasn’t invited to) that he was annoyed that Austen allegedly didn’t take their podcast as seriously as he does.

“I recorded the podcast by myself last night,” Craig revealed, adding, “I like doing the podcast with him but not when he acts like this.”

Later in the episode, Craig told Shep that he thought the “solution” to his and Austen’s friendship woes was to “take a step back from the podcast.” He also alleged that the “chemistry” between the cohosts was no longer there because Austen allegedly would be “hungover” or “wouldn’t show up” to record.

During Us’ sneak peek at Thursday’s episode, Austen doesn’t dignify Craig’s buyout with a response. Instead, he turns the conversation into a discussion about Craig’s alleged failures as a friend.

“I thought we were fine. You did this. You came to my house and started this,” Craig tells Austen, claiming, “All I’ve done is respond.”

Austen asks why Craig couldn’t just say, “You’re right, man” and acknowledge that he has been out of touch with his friends while building his business empire.

“I don’t think you’re right. I think you were very wrong in what you did,” Craig fires back, referring to Austen claiming he was a bad friend and only cares about money and his company Sewing Down South.

Austen argues that he confronted Craig in hopes of helping him not shaming him. “It was me telling you that you have lost track of your inner personal relationships,” he explains. “I’m trying to have you find some balance, dude.”

Austen claims that instead of listening to his side, Craig cut him out when he threw a party and didn’t put his one-time best friend on the guest list.

“I felt betrayed,” Craig confesses, which hurts Austen. “I’m disappointed to hear you say that,” Austen replies.

The estranged pals leave their lunch seemingly unresolved. “We do so much together. Working out, podcasting, lunches,” Craig claims, asking Austen, “I’m just like, what more do you want from me?”

Southern Charm airs on Bravo Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET.