Behind the Bastards: CZM Rewind – The Andrew Tate Story (Part 1 & 2) Hosted by Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
Release Date: April 15, 2025

1. Introduction and Rewind Announcement (00:00 – 02:51)

The episode begins with a brief, off-topic introduction by Nancy Grace promoting her show, which is quickly bypassed by the main hosts. Robert Evans announces a special rewind week dedicated to revisiting previous Andrew Tate episodes, excluding advertisements to provide a seamless listening experience. During this segment, they also encourage listeners to vote for their friends running for Webby's awards.

2. Setting the Stage for Andrew Tate’s Story (02:51 – 07:15)

Robert Evans introduces the focus of the episode: the rise and influence of Andrew Tate within the context of the mythopoetic men's movement. Due to an unexpected emergency, Robert and Amelia Clark have to leave early, bringing in editor Ian Johnson and guest Sophie to continue the discussion. They express excitement about delving deeper into Tate's impact on modern masculinity and his subsequent legal troubles.

3. Andrew Tate’s Influence and Popularity (07:15 – 13:02)

The hosts discuss Tate's unprecedented influence among young men, citing a 2022 Piper Sandler survey where Tate ranked as the top influencer among 14,500 U.S. teens, surpassing high-profile figures like Kanye West and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. They highlight Tate's strategic use of social media, particularly TikTok, where his hashtag garnered over 10 billion views in 2022 alone. Robert Evans emphasizes that Tate's rise wasn't accidental but a result of calculated tactics that resonated deeply with his audience.

Notable Quote:

Robert Evans (07:14): “I am not exaggerating when I say that he is maybe the most influential single person on teen and preteen males in the US and the UK...”

4. The Mythopoetic Men’s Movement and Robert Bly (12:20 – 21:10)

To understand Tate’s influence, the hosts delve into the origins of the mythopoetic men's movement, tracing its roots back to Robert Bly’s 1990 book, Iron John: A Book About Men. They discuss Bly’s critique of modern masculinity and his advocacy for reconnecting with primal, "wild" aspects of manhood. This movement laid the groundwork for later male empowerment gurus by addressing issues like emotional disconnection and the erosion of traditional male roles.

Notable Quote:

Amelia (12:23): “We need to reintroduce this kind of mythic understanding of masculinity and the world.”

5. Andrew Tate’s Background and Kickboxing Career (21:10 – 35:30)

The conversation shifts to Tate’s personal history. Born in Washington D.C. on December 1, 1986, Tate’s early life is painted as tumultuous with a focus on his father, Emory Tate Jr., a renowned chess prodigy. However, the hosts question the veracity of Tate’s self-presentation, noting discrepancies between his claims and available records.

They examine Tate’s kickboxing career, acknowledging his achievements but also pointing out the exaggerations in his narrative, such as claiming to be the second-best heavyweight kickboxer globally. The hosts critique Tate’s self-mythologizing and the inflated importance he places on his martial arts prowess.

Notable Quote:

Robert Evans (30:10): “At a young age, he was competing in adult tournaments, but this was likely a tactic to build his tough image.”

6. Transition to Webcam Pimping Business and Allegations (35:30 – 108:31)

As Tate transitions from kickboxing to running a webcam studio with his brother Tristan, the hosts expose the darker aspects of his endeavors. They reveal allegations of sexual assault and abuse against Tate, primarily based on testimonies from former associates and victims. The discussion highlights how Tate’s business practices involved coercion and manipulation, resembling sex trafficking operations.

The hosts reference a 2015 Vice article detailing how Tate’s operations in the UK led to multiple accusations. Despite evidence and admissions from victims, the Crown Prosecution Service declined to prosecute, allowing Tate to migrate his illicit activities to Romania. This legal loophole underscored the systemic failures in addressing his misconduct.

Notable Quote:

Amelia (107:42): “Andrew forces himself on her, debating whether he should rape her or not...”

7. The Impact of Legal Inaction and Tate’s Continued Influence (108:31 – 116:17)

Robert and Amelia discuss the implications of the authorities’ decision not to prosecute Tate despite substantial evidence. This inaction facilitated Tate’s rise to global prominence, exacerbating his toxic influence online. They explore how Tate leveraged his notoriety to expand his business and influence, further entrenching harmful masculinity standards among his followers.

The hosts lament the lack of accountability and the role it played in amplifying Tate's reach, making him a central figure in promoting misogynistic and harmful ideologies.

Notable Quote:

Robert Evans (115:24): “They're taking their money... Andrew Tate is an archon of male toxicity.”

8. Conclusion and Teaser for Part 2 (116:17 – End)

The episode concludes with the hosts expressing their dismay at Tate's actions and the broader societal issues that enabled his rise. They tease that the next part of the series will delve into the fallout from Tate’s legal troubles and his continuing influence on social media. Additionally, they encourage listeners to follow and support related content while maintaining a critical perspective on toxic masculinity narratives.

Notable Quote:

Robert Evans (117:58): “We are finally getting into the direct personal story of one of the most toxic men of all time.”

Key Takeaways:

• Andrew Tate’s Strategic Influence: Tate’s meticulous use of social media platforms, especially TikTok, has given him unparalleled influence over young males, surpassing even major celebrities.

• Mythopoetic Men’s Movement Roots: Understanding the foundational ideas of the mythopoetic men's movement, particularly Robert Bly’s contributions, is crucial to comprehending Tate’s ideology and appeal.

• Exaggerated Persona and Misconduct: Tate’s portrayal of himself as an elite kickboxer and his subsequent allegations of sexual abuse highlight a pattern of self-mythologizing combined with harmful actions.

• Systemic Failures: The reluctance of legal systems to prosecute Tate adequately allowed his toxic influence to spread, demonstrating significant gaps in accountability mechanisms.

• Continuation in Part 2: The unresolved legal issues and Tate’s ongoing online presence set the stage for further exploration of his impact and the societal responses to his actions.

Note: This summary captures the essence and key discussions of the episode, including significant quotes with timestamps for reference. Non-content segments such as advertisements and unrelated conversations have been omitted to provide a focused overview of the main narrative.