Fear, Loathing & Euphoria In The Valley

Summary

Podcast Summary: Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz

Episode: Fear, Loathing & Euphoria In The Valley
Date: August 12, 2026
Host: Tom Schwartz
Podcast Network: PodcastOne

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Episode Overview

In this solo episode, Tom Schwartz experiments with a new format: it’s just him and the audience, going deep on wellness trends, sobriety, curiosity, and personal comfort zones. He responds candidly to the influence of Instagram algorithms, samples ayurvedic “kanna” gummies (a South African plant-based supplement), and riffs on euphoric mood, quirky Valley encounters, and the meaning behind everyday idioms. At its heart, the episode is an open meditation on trying new things, overcoming fear, and feeling good—without guilt.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Influenced by the Algorithm – Opening Thoughts

• [01:28-01:56] Tom introduces the solo format, shares how his Instagram algorithm is “targeting” him with wellness ads and jokes that “it’s starting to kind of feel like my pusher, man.”
• References a range of “feel good” products cluttering his desk: Molly pops, CBD/THC drinks, an “anxiety whistle,” and notably, kanna gummies.

What is Kanna? – Sober Curiosity and Euphoria

• [02:45] Tom hones in on kanna, calling it “nature’s ecstasy,” with a nod to its sacred status in South African culture.
• Reads from the product: “One dose, one gummy, soft smile. Two gummies, Social spark. Three gummies, Warm buzz. Four gummies full effing glow up... Do not exceed four gummies per day.”
  • “This show's not about excess, mindful moderation. But also remember, we don't feel bad about feeling good.” – Tom ([03:47])
• Tom identifies as “sober curious” and debates maxing out the suggested dose “so you don’t have to.” Eventually, he goes for it, planning to check back after 30 minutes.

Checking In – Effects of Kanna & Valley Life

• [09:05] After a 30-minute pause (and a CVS run), Tom reports:
  • “I think I feel pretty nice. But I guess the question is, did we level up? I mean, yeah, I feel nice. … I can dig Kana. I'm down with Kana, man.”
• He then riffs about how kanna is traditionally used (chewed, smoked, as tea) for mood enhancement and as a “natural serotonin reuptake inhibitor. SSRI vibes.”
  • “So, yeah, it's not like popping a pill, if you will. I feel the mild euphoria. I can dig it.” – Tom ([11:45])

Valley Vignettes – CVS Adventures & Empathy

• Tom describes CVS on Lankershim in Camarillo as “a freaking movie... like Grand Theft Auto over there”—recounting an interaction with a stranger asking, “What have you done for your country lately?”
• Expresses empathy and admiration for “bite-sized” CVS employees who handle rowdy customers:
  • “She's like, cause I said so. Wow. Three of the most powerful words in the English language.” – Tom ([13:49])

Idioms, Etymology & Personal Relevance

• [14:55-18:36] In a mellow, philosophical mood, Tom unpacks the historical origins of idioms we say without thinking:
  • “Two birds, one stone”: “Why would you want to kill two birds...period? … Do you ever think about that?”
  • “Steal someone’s thunder”: “He was very pissed off... don’t you steal my thunder. Don’t you dare.”
  • “Give someone the cold shoulder”: “Ooh, that’s a good visual... Not in Bravo Land. Dished out plenty of those myself. I like them extra cold. Just like my revenge. Best served cold. Kidding.”
  • “Let the cat out of the bag”: “I’ll take a cheap cat over a pig any day… if it’s like your only source of food, I get it. Famine or the cat.”
  • “Caught red handed”: “These are so relevant for reality TV in Vanderland and the Valley.”
  • “Turn a blind eye”: “Strategic selective blindness. I guess that’s the kanna talking.”
  • “Bite the bullet,” “Break the ice,” and more—always circling back to Bravo/Valley/reality TV references.
• This riffing is both playful and introspective, revealing Tom’s penchant for language and connecting personal experiences with universal expressions.

Closing Reflections – Embracing Discomfort, Choosing Courage

• Tom wraps by reflecting on the episode's true experiment:
  • “If there was any point to today's show, honestly, I was just overcoming my fear of doing an episode alone. … Getting out of your comfort zone. That's how you grow, right? Shit's scary, man.” ([19:36])
  • “You can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both. … Feel the fear and do it anyways.”
• Thanks the audience for joining him in a new experience, encourages self-love and experimentation (but not medical advice).
• Quick plug for Bravo’s “The Valley” reunion and a warm, upbeat sign-off:
  • “Don't feel bad about feeling good. Till next time. Love you guys.” ([22:50])

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Instagram ads and wellness fads:
  “I keep getting targeted... Every time I open it up, it’s starting to kind of feel like my pusher, man.” – Tom ([01:33])

• On wellness, pleasure, and moderation:
  “Do not exceed four gummies per day. This show’s not about excess, mindful moderation. But also remember, we don’t feel bad about feeling good.” – Tom ([03:47])

• First impressions of kanna:
  “I think I feel pretty nice. But I guess the question is, did we level up?... I can dig Kana. I'm down with Kana, man.” – Tom ([09:05])

• On Valley CVS culture:
  “It is a freaking movie. It’s like Grand Theft Auto over there… Shout out to the employees at the CVS there, the shit they put up with!” – Tom ([10:55])

• Admiring real-life fortitude:
  “She’s bite-sized, too. She’s probably like, 4 11. I was like, how'd you do it? She’s like, cause I said so. Wow. Three of the most powerful words in the English language.” – Tom ([13:49])

• Philosophy of personal growth:
  “If there was any point to today’s show, honestly, I was just overcoming my fear of doing an episode alone... You can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both, right? ... Feel the fear and do it anyways.” – Tom ([19:36])

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• Solo host intro & wellness product rundown: [01:28–04:52]
• Kanna experience & effects: [04:52–09:05]
• CVS anecdote & empathy for retail workers: [09:05–14:55]
• Exploring common idioms: [14:55–18:36]
• Reflection on fear, courage, and trying new things: [18:36–22:50]

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Episode Tone & Style

Tom’s tone is candid, playful, sometimes self-deprecating, and always eager to connect. He brings empathy, curiosity, and a wink to both wellness exploration and the Valley’s everyday surrealism. It’s a mellow, gently humorous episode—perfectly embodying Detox Retox’s “mindfulness and mischief” ethos.

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Summary prepared for listeners who want the highlights, humor, and insights—without missing Tom's unique voice.

Transcript

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It's now time for your weekly detox with Tom Schwartz.

[C]

Guys, what is up Today on the show? It's just me and you. That's right. I was thinking we'd try something new. I keep getting targeted my algorithm on Instagram. I don't know, every time I open it up, it's starting to kind of feel like my pusher, man. You know what I mean? It's just like. It's nice. It's just.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Every time I open it up, it's like tired of alcohol, still want to take the edge off. Wanna feel clear, Feel connected. Yeah, all the above. Look at all this stuff I got here with you guys. I got Molly pops, feel good energy. I got magic cactus botanicals. I think these are CBD D and THC drinks. Oh, look at these tranquil tangerine feels. Oh, yeah. I got. I got an anxiety whistle. Yeah, I don't know if it. I guess I have to wait till I'm having actual anxiety to use it. But have you guys heard of these? This brand right here? Oh my God. It's kind of cool. Kusu. I don't know much about it, but yeah, I guess it's some sort of whistle that's inspired by Japanese monks and engineered to quiet your busy mind. Helping you relieve your anxiety. Maybe we'll try that another time. Today I want to try some kanna. What do you guys know about kanna? Apparently it's a South African plant and it's colloquially referred to as nature's ecstasy. Well, I like the sound of that. Okay, I don't know if purists would be insulted or if that's like disrespectful. It's a sacred plant in some cultures. Maybe I'll take some with you guys and hang out and we'll learn about it. See what I got here. This is the Sohe brand Hana gummies. Let's see here. Vegan, gluten free. Yeah man. Feel clear, feel connected. This is Watermelon Wave, a smooth euphoric edge powered by Kana, your sober, friendly boost for social energy and calm confidence. By the way, it's not an ad. Sounds like an ad. Ready? Lets see here. One dose, one gummy, soft smile. Two gummies, Social spark. Three gummies, Warm buzz. Four gummies full effing glow up. Suggested use. Take one to two gummies as needed for social energy and calm confidence. Do not exceed four gummies per day. This show's not about excess mindful moderation. But also remember, we don't feel bad about feeling good. And I am sober. Curious. Yeah, should we just take four? Alright,

[D]

let's.

[C]

Let's do the full dose and maybe wait like a half an hour. I'll check back in with you guys. Maybe we can just riff a little. Be a short one today. Yeah, we'll go on a little trip together. I'm trying it so you don't have to. Or maybe so that you can too. Yeah man, I just. I've been seeing so many ads lately. Kanna, Nature's ecstasy. Or at least someone told me that. Yeah, a South African succulent known for its mood, energy and pain benefits.

[A]

Ooh.

[C]

Okay. Why not? Let's try some kanna today and we'll riff a little bit. I'm gonna wait about 30 minutes. I haven't eaten anything other than a cabbage salad today, so pretty much an empty stomach. We'll give it about 20, 30 minutes and we'll check back in. Maybe wax philosophical. Just kick it with you guys for a little bit. I'm looking at their website now. So what are you replacing tonight? Alcohol, energy drinks? Nothing yet. Just curious. Your social life just got an upgrade. A gentle lift for your mood and confidence when you need it the most. Calm confidence without the crash. Zero alcohol, zero regrets. I'm just reading off the website. Let's give it a whirl, right? Trying to cut back on the booze a little bit lately. You saw that Daily Mail photo. Come on now. Not going to vilify alcohol because I think it's great in moderation. I'm a drinker, but I'm also sober curious. So yeah, let's. I'm going to chill out for like 20, 30 minutes and we'll check back in, maybe learn a little bit about Kana. You're listening to this podcast, so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact you might not know yet. Drivers who switch and save with Progressive save over $900 on average and they make it super simple. Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions. You'll get a quick quote with coverage options tailored to your choices. Plus you'll see which discounts you may qualify for, like the online quote discount or savings from paying in full. In fact, 99% progressive auto customers earn at least one discount. See if you could save when you switch to Progressive. You'll feel good about making a savvy choice. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little extra cash back. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates national average 12 month savings of $946 by new customers surveyed who saved with Progressive between June 2024 and May 2025. Potential savings may vary.

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[C]

guys, okay, I'm back. I mean, I ran some errands. I think I feel pretty nice. But I guess the question is, did we level up? I mean, yeah, I feel nice. I Feel okay? I'm not sure if it's placebo or. I don't know if I was supposed to wait longer, but yeah, I can dig Kana. I'm down with Kana, man. I guess I did it in a processed gummy form. Of course, I would have rather flown to South Africa and tried it the traditional way with you guys. Maybe next time. Canna. Yeah, I like it. Went to CVS, by the way. Maybe circle back to that. CVS's in the Valley are crazy, man. But yeah, Kana. Traditionally the Kanna plant has been chewed, smoked or made into tea for its mood enhancing, sedative and pain relieving effects. Yeah, used to reduce stress, tension, anxiety, fatigue, improve cognitive performance. Yeah, man. Also promoted as the all natural party drug. Is it psychoactive? I guess it is psychoactive, but it's not psychedelic. So like it changes how you feel more than how you perceive reality. I don't think there's going to be any synesthesia if you know what I'm talking about, man. Yeah, it acts as a natural serotonin reuptake inhibitor. SSRI vibes. Keeps your existing serotonin active rather than flooding the brain. So yeah, it's not like popping a pill, if you will. I feel the mild euphoria. I can dig it. I can dig it. Feels nice. Kind of nice. Man, the CVS's here are insane. I'm in North Hollywood now. The one on Lankershim in Camarillo. It is a freaking movie. It's like Grand Theft Auto over there. I mean, this without any condescending attitude or superiority complex or. I'm full of empathy, compassion. Especially now with my Kana kicking. There's some aggressive people that loiter there. Why? I don't know, like a moth to light. Something about CVS's, especially in the Valley. Just draw out some of the most fascinating characters. The other day I walked in Kiki just to grab some stuff from the pharmacy. And yeah, we were chilling, maybe some snacks, some Perrier, maybe my favorite little Haribou candy. And on the way in is this guy, scruffy, weathered looking fella, just stared me right in the eye and he's like, what have you done for your country lately? I'm like, bro, God, I don't know. Felt like a time traveler. He sounded like straight out of 1973, borderline hostile, but more like sanctimonious, you know? I was like, you had me thinking, shit, I pay my taxes, I'm a good citizen. Anyways, shout out to the employees at the CVS there, the shit they put up with, man. The hooligans that come in there, the thiefs causing a ruckus, smoking a joint, hitting their vape. There was this firecracker in there. She's like, I had to kick two of them out earlier, man, roughing up the place. I mean, she's bite sized, too. She's probably like, 4 11. I was like, how'd you do it? Well, they said, why do I have to leave? And she's like, cause I said so. Wow. Three of the most powerful words in the English language. I think it must have triggered some sort of primitive. Not primitive, but maternal, paternal thing. Remember when your parents used to tell you, but why? Because I said so. Okay, that's four words. But, yeah, kicked them both out. And I was like, nice. Two birds, one stone. And I was like, two birds, one stone. How many times have I said that without any notion of where the saying actually came from? Right? Like, do you ever think about that? How many times have you said that? Two birds, one stone? Versions of the idea go back centuries, but the English expression appears by the 1600s. It refers to accomplishing the extreme difficult feat of killing two birds with a single throw in stone. Hence accomplishing two objectives with one action. Why would you want to kill two birds with period? I mean, I get it. What other ones? Guys steal someone's thunder. I like that one. How many times have you said that? In the early 1700s, playwright John Dennis invented a new theatrical technique for creating the sound of thunder. But his play apparently, like, completely flopped in another production. Stole his technique, and he was very pissed off. And essentially he was like, they will not let my play run, but they steal my thunder. That's funny. Don't you steal my thunder. Don't you dare.

[E]

Like,

[C]

what other ones do we use? Give someone the cold shoulder. Lots of cold shoulders on the Valley finale. Let's see. Often said to come from serving an unwanted guest a cold shoulder of meat rather than a hot meal as a signal they've overstayed their welcome. Ooh, that's a good visual. I like that one. They say it might be folklore. Not in Bravo Land. Dished out plenty of those myself. I like them extra cold. Just like my revenge. Best served cold. Kidding. Let the cat out of the bag. Lord knows I've done that. Or at least should have done that. Least should have done that a few times. It's a popular explanation that comes from Old livestock market. Old livestock markets. A dishonest seller might substitute a cheap cat for a Valuable piglet inside a sack. So when you get home, you open up your bag and whammo, surprise, the scam is exposed. Man. Shit, I'll take a cheap cat over a pig any day of the week. But, you know, if it's, like, your only source of food, you know, I get it. Famine or the cat. I think I'm romanticizing the situation. We all love cats. What else? Caught red handed. Good Lordy. These are so relevant for reality TV in Vanderland and the Valley. Caught red handed. Oh, my God. Let me see. This one. Goes back to old Scottish law that the idea of catching someone with blood literally still on their hands after killing or butchering an animal illegally or a human. Now it's anybody caught unmistakably in the act. Lots of people getting caught red handed over my tenure on Bravo tv. What about Turn a Blind Eye? I love that one. Turn a Blind Eye. Famously associated with the British Admiral Horatio Nelson, who had lost sight and when I. During the battle of Copenhagen in 1801, he supposedly raised his telescope to his blind eye when given a signal to withdraw and said he couldn't see it. So essentially, it's like strategic selective blindness. I guess that's the kind of talking.

[E]

Sorry.

[C]

Bite the bullet. I know that one. It's essentially just gotta suck it up. You know it's gonna hurt. But it comes from back before, like, modern anesthesia and stuff. Soldiers supposedly given something hard, often described as a bullet, or it could be anything. And you wrap it in like a cloth and you bite down during something painful, like having a bullet ripped out of your arm with no anesthesia. Not even local. Lucky to get a gulp of whiskey. Bite the bullet. My God. Lord knows I've bitten that bullet many times. What about break the ice? Break the ice. Ooh. Originally, literal ships called icebreakers would clear frozen waterways so other ships could pass and commerce could begin. I like that. The guy at CVS certainly know how to break the ice. What have you done for your country lately, bro? Back off. But, yeah, Kana, I dig it. It's real nice. I guess. Yeah, I guess. I feel a mild euphoria. I can dig it. Might as well hang out with you guys. This is nice. Been real nice, actually. Yeah. Did we level up? I think we did. Give it a whirl. Let me know what you think. Do your research. Obviously, this is not medical advice, okay? We're trying to level up mind, body, soul. But we don't feel bad about feeling good. All that good stuff. Yeah. If there was any point to Today's show, honestly, I was just overcoming my fear of doing an episode alone. You know what I mean? Getting out of your comfort zone. That's how you grow, right? Shit's scary, man. I'm usually theme driven, guest driven, but maybe it was kind of nice just to kick it with you guys. Yeah, right. It was nice. Are you gonna try some, Kana? I think, I think you'll like it. I think. I think I like it. One thing's for sure, I'm out of my comfort zone right now. But thanks to Kana, I still feel comfy. Listen, you can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both, right? Something like that. Feel the fear and do it anyways. Alright, you guys, this is a short one. We were gonna do a sound bath, but she had to cancel. But I just wanted to riff with you guys and try something new and it's been real nice. If you listen to this, on Wednesday, the Valley Part 2 of the reunions on tonight. What do you think of it? So good. I love the season. I thought it was so good, man. Like, truly fascinated by these complex, deep, strange and wonderful relationships. My friends have. See the whole spectrum on the show. But anyways, yeah, tune in. Bravo. It's been real, guys. I'm gonna check out. All right, Take care of yourself. And remember, don't feel bad about feeling good. Till next time. Love you guys.

[B]

Detoxification complete.

[D]

Hi, I'm Stassi Schroeder. On my podcast, I share candid updates from my personal life, chat with some of my best friends about what's going on in our lives, give commentary on the latest pop culture headlines, and sometimes deep dive into random topics. I'm obsessed with, like, human design. It's a bit all over the place, but that's how I like it. And you will too. Listen to my podcast, Stassi, wherever you get your podcasts.

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