DOPE AS USUAL Podcast

Episode: "Getting Set Up: STORY TIME"

Hosts: Thomas "Dope as Yola" Araujo & Marty O'Neill
Date: August 19, 2025
Theme: Solo catch-up, wild life stories, live show adventures, behind-the-scenes podcast insights, and brand updates.

EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this high-energy solo episode, Thomas and Marty get back to their roots: telling personal stories, catching up on wild travel adventures, reliving brushes with danger, and talking candidly about the realities of podcasting, performing stand-up, and running a creative cannabis brand. They banter about growing up around gang culture, awkward math moments, their approach to podcast guests (especially politicians), and exciting new drops for their fans. The episode keeps the fun and irreverent "Dope as Usual" spirit front and center.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Recent Stand-Up Shows & On-the-Road Moments

• Thomas’ Stand-Up Gigs:

  • Hosted four shows at Tempe Improv, opened for comedian David Lucas.
  • Upcoming (now past) shows at Covina Laugh Factory and multiple dates at the Miami Improv.
  • [01:14] “First time traveling to do stand up, which is sick…Hosting is easy. As soon as I’m done with my set, my heart’s gotta go up and say your name. I’m gonna get drunk or do whatever.” – Thomas
  • Finds Miami unique: “Every black guy speaks Spanish!” – [02:30]

• Reflections on Performing:

  • The importance of having fun on stage and not letting nerves control the experience.
  • [04:46] “The last set I went up there, I was like, just have fun. And I had the most fun I’ve ever had on stage.” – Thomas

• Travel Observations:

  • Heat and homelessness in Arizona:
    • “Could you imagine waking up and you have third degree burns on just one side of your body?...That’s an apocalypse white.” – Thomas [05:08]
    • Tempe Improv was filled with supportive fans, and one rocked the very first shirt Thomas ever designed.

2. Meeting Fans in Unexpected Places

• [08:12] Thomas talks about frequently being noticed by fans at random spots, from Denver’s art markets to airports coast to coast.
• [10:31] Marty adds: “I hit the Chicago airport. Fools coming up to me. Down in San Diego shooting the Lawrence brothers. Fools coming up to me.”
• Both reflect on the surreal reach and diversity of their audience.

3. Content Strategy & YouTube Changes

• YouTube Monetization & Story Channel Plans:
  • Inspired by YouTuber Luna, Thomas considers using his “YOLA Clips” channel for monetized, animated story times (no smoking for algorithm-friendliness).
  • [12:27] “Some of my story times have five stories in each episode. That’s five different monetized posts...What if I could take over that little lane?”
  • Recent YouTube policy: No more AI voices or low-effort content for monetization after July 15th.

4. Classic Story Time: Almost Getting Set Up for a Robbery

Main Segment: [15:02–28:40]

• Setting: Teenage Thomas delivering pizza at apartments known for recent robberies in Merced.
• The Setup:
  • Senses something off about a delivery to a vacant apartment and a group of intimidating men nearby.
  • He’s circled by the group—about to get mugged—when a former friend (Jerry), now in the gang, recognizes him.
  • Jerry defuses the situation and safely walks Thomas out.
  • Memorable Quote:
    • “He walks up to me, puts [an] arm [around me], looks at his guys: He’s like 'what’s up fool…just go back to work…these fools are crazy.'” [23:14]
  • Thomas reflects: “Sometimes gang bangers can be cool, you know. They remember you.” [28:07]
• Moral of the Story: Situations can flip fast, and the right connections can save you in dangerous moments. Also, sometimes “one big episode” of wild life just keeps rolling.

5. Business & Creative Updates

• Push Trees Drops:

  • New packaging, premium strains, and exclusive merchandise.
  • [34:02] Launching first-ever numbered bongs (only 420 units, all signed).
  • Show & tell of product details, including a built-in lighter in the new bong:
    • “Instead of homies for life, I put the bong in the lighter instead of the blunt lighter.” [36:59]

• Partnerships:

  • Cookies x Push Trees collab dropping exclusively at Zoomies, with pop-ups planned with Burner.
  • [39:57] “We’re just waiting on all the designs, so Cookie Science, Push Trees…going to be a sick turnout.”

• Shoutouts to Denver & Industry Friends:

  • Tetra Lounge—the first smoke lounge in Denver.
  • Puffco’s tech support coming through in Denver, rapid replacement/upgrade stories.

6. Podcast Philosophy: No Political Guests

• “We will never, ever, ever have a politician on this show unless I'm allowed to be a dumbass...” – Thomas [50:20]
• Both hosts joke about not being “qualified” for political interviews, observing how many comedy podcasts have gone political.
• Value in irreverence: They’d only host a politician if they could ask absurd, honest, or totally sideways questions.
• [51:07] “On our show, we will never have a politician on if we can't do the Wayne's World ‘Noah’s Arcade/this guy has no penis’ interview.”

7. Personal Reflections & Advice

• Growing Up & Changes:

  • Stories reminiscing on how friends from their childhood took unexpected turns (the Jerry story thread).
  • Discussion on school struggles and learning as adults—including a hilarious segment on failing at basic math.
  • [57:32] “The muscles atrophied…I'll never do math again in my life. ChatGPT will give you some wrong information…and then you still gotta check it.”

• Motivation & Living Up:

  • Encouragement to try new things, stay productive, and not get bogged down by political bickering or negative environments.
  • [74:55] “Go get [stuff] done by yourself. Go start a company, go press a shirt, go make lanyards…Are you up at the end of the day? If you’re not, start a calendar and see how many X’s and losses you have…”

8. Upcoming Projects, Shoutouts, and Closing

• New Dope as Yola and Push Trees websites, expanded merch drops, rolling papers, collaborations.
• Shoutouts to recent and upcoming episode guests (Josh Wolf, O.T., Ralph Barbosa, Ken Flores).
• Marty heading to Las Vegas for a career-defining production shoot (Lawrence Brothers TV universe).

NOTABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS BY TIMESTAMP

• Feeling the Heat in Arizona (Homelessness):
  • “Could you imagine waking up and you have third degree burns on just one side of your body…that’s an apocalypse white.” – Thomas [05:08]
• On Surviving a (Near) Robbery:
  • “Five more seconds, I was on the ground…which one is gonna try—I would have been like, ‘Guys, take it, I work here, I don’t care…’” – Thomas [24:41]
• Podcast Philosophy:
  • “We promise we’ll never have a political podcast unless it’s going to be hilarious…and we can just…do what we want to do.” – Thomas [75:27]
• On Fan Interactions:
  • “People walk up to me everywhere I go…All walks of life, how many people come up to us randomly. Shocking.” – Thomas [10:31]
• Motivation:
  • “Go do something productive. By the end of the day, are you up?” – Thomas [74:55]

TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS

• [01:14] – Thomas recounts his first time traveling for stand-up & hosting for David Lucas.
• [04:46] – Describes letting go on stage and having real fun for the first time.
• [15:02–28:40] – Full immersive "getting set up" story, including neighborhood dynamics and the save by Jerry.
• [34:02] – Teases new Push Trees bongs, shows off the lighter-in-bong feature.
• [50:20] – Pledge to never become a political podcast.
• [57:32] – Math skills (atrophied due to lack of use), the role of AI in getting wrong answers.
• [74:55] – Motivational advice and call to be productive and authentic.

FINAL REMARKS

The episode is a showcase of the "Dope as Usual" blend: wild storytelling, street-smart life lessons, irreverent jokes, honest self-reflection, and ongoing celebration of the cannabis and creator communities. Fans get a front-row seat to both the wildness and the hard work behind the scenes—and a pep talk sprinkled with laughter.

For more, check out the DOPE AS USUAL podcast on Spotify, YouTube, or their new website. Stay tuned for wild stories, motivation, and unfiltered honesty every episode.