DOPE AS USUAL Podcast – "Evil Overlords!" (Feb 10, 2026)
Main Theme / Purpose
In this lively, candid episode, hosts Thomas Araujo (Dope As Yola) and Marty O’Neill unpack the state of the world in 2026, riffing on everything from the Super Bowl and celebrity scandals to the Jeffrey Epstein files, “evil overlords,” government conspiracies, and dystopian power structures. As always, the conversation blends dark humor, sharp observations, and self-deprecating storytelling, all fueled by a healthy serving of skepticism—and weed. Alongside these big-picture themes, the hosts open up about personal stories, podcast milestones, pop culture, buying too much “heady” hash, awkward hookups, and the spirit of just “not being creeps.”
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Super Bowl Talk, Fakeouts, & Social Media Hysteria ([00:10]–[10:35])
- The episode opens with light banter about fashion, then shifts into post-Super Bowl reflections.
- Thomas describes a viral prank where he Photoshopped himself into the Super Bowl broadcast booth with Tom Brady, ostensibly smoking a fat joint. Many thought it was real due to the rise of AI and hyper-realistic imaging.
- “In the caption, it says, if you think this photo is real, you should slow down on the dabs.” (A, [07:53])
- Discussion spreads into how AI and Photoshop have changed what people believe online, plus anecdotes of old-school sneaking joints into stadiums and evolving weed culture at public events.
2. Five Years of “Dope As Usual” and Podcast Nostalgia ([10:35]–[11:57])
- Celebrating the 5-year anniversary of the show.
- “This has become a lifestyle. We’re out here against all odds because of you guys.” (B, [10:42])
- Reminiscing about memorable guests and the blending of memories over hundreds of hours recording.
3. Epstein Files, Celebrity Scandals, and "Evil Overlords" ([11:59]–[21:03])
- Massive, candid speculation about the newly surfaced Epstein files implicating countless celebrities and billionaires.
- “A lot of your favorite people are in those papers, man. Jay Z has left the country… Push a T. Also, you know who’s not in there? The guy they called crazy? Mr. Kanye West. He’s not in there.” (A, [12:56])
- Kevin Spacey's bizarre public statement about playing Epstein.
- The theory of a long-overdue “reset in entertainment” where “creeps” are finally revealed and ousted.
- “Glad we’re not creeps. … Even if we got one view a month from now on, we’re not creeps.” (A, [18:22])
- Government secrecy, redacted names, and frustration with how high-profile people evade justice.
- Marty: “Like we always talk about them sharpieing their names out of the emails… Who’s above the law that’s sitting there with the fun?” (B, [18:03])
- Implications that gatekeeping in LA media spaces is often driven by those who want to keep out “normal,” non-predatory voices.
4. Power, Corruption, and the "Overlord Playbook" ([21:03]–[25:10])
- Discussing the implications of money and influence, from minor hustles to elite-level evil.
- “If I have billions and billions and billions and the strings and the cops… I could do whatever the fuck I want.” (A, [22:34])
- Entertaining the idea of reincarnation, video game/Westworld-level conspiracy, and how the ultra-wealthy think differently about morality.
- Joking about forming their own “evil overlord” island—but with only consenting adults: “We need our own island. Start transporting of-age people. So everybody’s like, damn dog, that island’s the shit… No, no kids, no. Don’t hurt nobody though.” (A, [76:10])
5. Deadpool, Movie Theories, and Pop Culture Tangents ([25:10]–[37:36])
- Detailed riffs on Deadpool, Deuce Bigelow, Rob Schneider’s politics, and the oddity of idolizing presidents or public figures via merch.
- “Identities wrapped up in another guy or another human is so creepy to me.” (A, [28:25])
- Jokes about weird celebrity encounters and the transition between supporting Obama vs. Trump in pop culture.
6. Race, Social Performance, and Satirical Commentary ([37:36]–[40:09])
- Bantering about performative wokeness, racial guilt, and trends like bowing to Black Israelites during BLM.
- Returning to a running joke about a friend’s hookup with a woman “like Shaq,” showcasing the hosts’ irreverence for taboo or awkward subjects.
7. Conspiracies: “Simpsons Did It,” Nephilim, and Redacted Power ([40:09]–[47:35])
- Suggesting the Simpsons’ predictive powers are because “they’re the ones doing it” (A, [35:39]).
- Debating conspiracy theories around Nephilim/giants, child trafficking (Pizzagate), and tunnel networks.
- “If I wanted to do these things, what would I do to stop and not let anybody know? I’m gonna own the local news… Blackmail the local news and go, hey, if you ever put anything out there, this tape’s coming out…” (A, [40:14])
8. Life, Hustle, and the Challenges of Content Making ([47:35]–[54:13])
- Update about Thomas's content schedule: Three new videos every week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday at 3pm) for 2026, plus behind-the-scenes struggles with overbooking and time management.
- Discusses the tension between making reviews ("I’ve always done reviews. You just don’t like it now.") and fans’ desire for more storytime or “hangout” content.
9. Weed Economics, “Heady Hash,” and Burning Through Bands ([54:13]–[81:36])
- Long, confessional segment detailing how much Thomas spends weekly on weed and hash—upwards of $2,000 for 1.5 ounces of flower and various grams of top-shelf hash.
- “I’ll just be transparent right now… I got an ounce and a half for two bands. Basically. That’s a lot.” (A, [57:14])
- Joking about drug dealing, markups, and ethics in using his internet fame for weed discounts (he never does).
- Forays into hash snobbery, obsession with rare/exclusive strains, and a plan to bulk buy from favorite companies to cut costs (“I need a bucket. I need a bucket. I just want to bug people.” A, [81:38]).
- Relating weed obsession to coping with family chaos and the podcast grind.
10. Family Identity, Cultural Chameleons, and Identity Snark ([86:03]–[98:18])
- Hilarious, open riffing about Thomas’s mom cycling through cultural identities (Mexican, Asian, Black) and how his family shifts their mannerisms/identities based on relationships and vibes.
- Broader commentary on people who let nationality, group, or friends define their identities.
11. Comedy Journey & Austin Trip Recap ([113:36]–[129:20])
- Thomas shares performing a tight three-minute spot at Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership in Austin, swapping stories with comedians like David Lucas and Rachel Wolfson.
- “Shout out to David Lucas. I did that. It was super fun.”
- Reflection on the challenge of cramming bits into short sets, especially bits about race and culture that sometimes make crowds freeze before the punchline.
- “I said, all the black people speak Spanish. The crowd went silent. Not a word.” (A, [118:21])
- Expresses a renewed hunger to do stand-up more consistently; describes the kill-Tony show and hanging with the top comics.
12. Rat Saga: Marty’s Truck vs. The Rodent Assassin ([103:00]–[112:04])
- Ongoing story about Marty’s war with a crafty rat infesting his property and now destroying his car wiring, leading to hundreds in repairs and a deepening vendetta.
- “It’s gone even deeper. So now me and this got real actual murder beef… Now it’s on me to strike again.” (B, [105:50])
13. Closing Banter: The “Dope As Usual” Family, Stray Thoughts, and Meta-Humor ([132:07]–[135:00])
- Jokes about self-identification (“Guamanian, city of Downey, not Guam”—a running inside joke).
- A few final callbacks: “I ain’t no kids” (the hosts’ catchphrase for disavowing anything suspect or creepy), brothel island hypotheticals, and referencing the 5-year mark for the show.
- Celebratory outro and shout-outs.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
- On Creeps and the Industry:
“Glad we’re not creeps. …Even if we got one view a month from now on, we’re not creeps.” (A, [18:22]) - On Blacked-Out Justice:
“Like we always talk about them sharpieing their names out of the emails…Who’s above the law that’s sitting there with the fun?” (B, [18:03]) - Cynicism About Power:
“If I have billions and billions and billions… I might even go kill them over, because I can… That’s how these fools are thinking.” (A, [22:34]) - On Explaining Pop Conspiracies:
“The creator of the Simpsons is in the files… Nah, dog. They are the ones doing it and just drawing it early to let people know, like, this is what we’re going to do to you.” (A, [35:39]) - On Hash and Weed Spending:
“I got an ounce and a half for two bands. Basically. That's a lot.” (A, [57:14])
“I need a bucket. I need a bucket. I just want to bug people.” (A, [81:38]) - On Family & Identity:
“Her vocabulary consists of 14 words… Their vocabulary of an average Mexican cholo is limited. You know what I mean?” (A, [85:43])
“It's like when south park again, when the Dog Whisperer comes in and Cartman and he gives up. That's my mom right now.” (A, [93:00]) - On Joking About Dark History:
“Essentially, Peter Pan is a fucking thief, kidnapper, creep. Taking kids somewhere where they’ll never not be kids. An island where they stay children.” (A, [72:50]) - On Podcast Morality:
“We’re out here against all odds because of you guys.” (B, [10:42])
Important Segments / Timestamps
- [07:53] – Photoshop prank & commentary on media fakery
- [10:35–11:57] – 5-year anniversary of the show
- [11:59–21:03] – Deep dive on the Epstein papers, celebrity outtings, and “evil overlords”
- [35:39] – The “Simpsons did it” conspiracy joke
- [54:13–81:36] – Massive, detailed segment on hash, weed pricing, and the economics of being a weed influencer
- [86:03–98:18] – Family, identity, and cultural chameleons
- [103:00–112:04] – Marty’s rat saga
- [113:36–129:20] – Stand-up in Austin / kill Tony experience
- [132:07–135:00] – Final inside jokes, podcast family vibes, outro
Tone & Style
- Comedic, brash, raw, and deeply irreverent—never shying away from sensitive subjects but always grounded in self-aware, anti-authoritarian, pro-freedom-of-speech banter.
- Frequent use of running inside jokes (“I ain’t no kids”), callbacks, absurd hypotheticals, and pop culture riffs.
- Intimate, confessional, sometimes conspiratorial—offering listeners the sense of being “in the room” for real talk between longtime friends who’ve seen it all.
Summary Takeaway
This episode of "Dope As Usual" traverses the highs and lows of the zeitgeist, from Super Bowl antics to the rot at the top of society, always peppered with humor, self-reflection, and the irrepressible urge to call out BS in all its forms—whether from billionaires, creeps, or weed dealers gouging prices. It’s a reminder, in the hosts’ own words, that “not being a creep” and staying real is a full-time job, and no amount of views or hash jars is worth losing that integrity.
