Duncan Trussell Family Hour – Episode 687: "Podcast Listeners Hate This One Weird Trick"

Release Date: May 9, 2025

In Episode 687 of the Duncan Trussell Family Hour, host Duncan Trussell engages in a lively and multifaceted conversation with his producer, Josh Cabaza. The duo delves into a variety of contemporary topics, ranging from social media dynamics and sexual behaviors to the influence of satanic symbolism in modern performances and the intersection of art and politics. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Instagram Engagement Tricks and Algorithms (00:16 – 12:33)

The episode kicks off with Duncan expressing his frustration with common social media engagement strategies. He critiques the clichéd methods used to grab attention, particularly on Instagram.

• Lead-Up Tactics: Duncan highlights the frustrating pattern where content creators announce a "trick" and then drag out the explanation to maximize engagement. He remarks,

  "That's just say you have a trick and then lead up to the trick for as long as you possibly fucking can." (00:33)

• Algorithm Manipulation: He discusses how prolonged engagement through such tactics manipulates Instagram's algorithm, pushing content to go viral regardless of its actual value.

• Sexual Content and Algorithms: The conversation shifts to how Instagram's algorithms continually suggest sexual content (e.g., boobies) based on user interactions, contrasting this with private behaviors like pornography consumption. Duncan states,

  "Just say you have a trick and then lead up to the trick for as long as you possibly fucking can. And it is so annoying." (00:33 – 01:47)

2. Sexual Behaviors Among Friends (03:02 – 07:58)

Duncan and Josh explore the unconventional topic of friends engaging in mutual masturbation, questioning societal perceptions of such behavior.

• Normalization vs. Stigmatization: They debate whether masturbating with friends signifies a shift in sexual orientation or is simply a misunderstanding of personal boundaries. Duncan muses,

  "But you just don't entertain the idea you're straight anymore." (04:28)

• Kinsey Scale Reference: Duncan references the Kinsey scale to argue that sharing sexual activities with friends might indicate a shift towards more homosexual inclinations, stating,

  "If the ability to stream porn in real time was available, then jerking off with your guy friends in the same room to porn is going to land closer to the, like, hyper gay." (07:58)

3. Channeling and Spiritual Content on Instagram (12:33 – 20:04)

The discussion transitions to the rise of spiritual content intertwined with provocative imagery on platforms like Instagram.

• Satanic Symbolism: Duncan introduces the concept of channelers like Bashar and examines how spiritual messages are now being delivered alongside sexualized visuals. He comments,

  "It's genius. It's maybe the most genius thing I've ever seen. It's, like, really cracked into some new terrain here when it comes to, like, dispensing spiritual wisdom on Instagram." (12:42 – 12:33)

• Visual Contagions: They explore how certain viral trends blend philosophical discourse with enticing visuals, making spiritual content more palatable and engaging for a broader audience.

4. Social Media Contagions and Trends (20:04 – 35:00)

Duncan and Josh analyze how successful social media trends spawn numerous subgenres, often diluting the original message.

• Replication and Evolution: They discuss how once a trend gains popularity, others attempt to replicate its success by creating similar but distinct subcategories, leading to a proliferation of content that may stray from the original intent.

• Example of Shannon Blake: Duncan mentions Shannon Blake as an example of an influencer who successfully merged spiritual content with alluring visuals, contributing to this trend's expansion.

5. Concert Deaths and Alleged Satanic Symbolism (35:00 – 70:00)

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing tragic incidents at major concerts and the perceived presence of satanic symbols in performances.

• AstroWorld Festival Tragedy: Duncan recounts the tragic death of Gabby Petito during a van life trip influenced by social media trends, drawing parallels to concert casualties like Travis Scott's AstroWorld Festival where eight attendees lost their lives. He reflects,

  "Once you get to that level where, like, Lady Gaga level, she just had the most sold concert of all time... Somebody's gonna die in one of your shows." (35:00 – 37:43)

• Satanic Symbols in Performances: They scrutinize various artists' performances, pointing out recurring satanic motifs such as wings symbolizing masculinity, demonic transformations, and ceremonial elements. Duncan humorously theorizes,

  "You can know the size of a demon's dick by the wingspan." (51:52)

• Impact on Social Perception: The hosts argue that the overuse of satanic aesthetics has desensitized audiences, making such symbols commonplace and often losing their intended edge or meaning.

6. Political Endorsements by Artists (70:00 – 80:00)

The conversation shifts to the involvement of artists in political campaigns, debating the authenticity and motivations behind such endorsements.

• Authenticity vs. Compensation: Duncan questions whether artists who perform at political events genuinely support the cause or are merely being compensated, stating,

  "Are you a devil, or is it just what happens when you let too many people handle your shit and then you're just getting puppeteered here and there?" (74:47 – 75:00)

• Influence of Agents and Funding: They discuss how agents and financial influences may lead artists to align with specific political figures, potentially compromising their authentic voices.

• Case of Kamala Harris and Celebrity Endorsements: Duncan criticizes the strategy of leveraging celebrity performances in political rallies, suggesting that it often backfires by appearing inauthentic or pandering, exemplified by,

  "歌hey, we got to make America great again, or whatever. What does that even mean?" (70:02 – 70:20)

7. Reflections on Art, Authenticity, and Politics (80:00 – End)

In the concluding segment, Duncan and Josh reflect on the broader implications of their discussions, emphasizing the importance of authentic artistic expression amidst external pressures.

• Artistic Integrity: Duncan advocates for judging artists based on their work rather than their political affiliations or perceived symbolic gestures, asserting,

  "Just judge them based on what they make, not on some stupid allegiance with the devil. Come on, give them a break." (81:08)

• Impact of Fame and Power: They ponder how fame and the pursuit of power can lead artists to compromise their values, transforming them from genuine creators to figures driven by external expectations and financial incentives.

• Final Thoughts: The episode wraps up with a call to appreciate art for its inherent value and to recognize the complexities artists face in maintaining authenticity within highly politicized and symbol-laden environments.

Notable Quotes:

• Duncan on Instagram Tricks:

  "That's just say you have a trick and then lead up to the trick for as long as you possibly fucking can." (00:33)

• On Mutual Masturbation and Sexual Orientation:

  "But you just don't entertain the idea you're straight anymore." (04:28)

• Critique of Satanic Aesthetics:

  "You can know the size of a demon's dick by the wingspan." (51:52)

• On Political Endorsements and Authenticity:

  "Just judge them based on what they make, not on some stupid allegiance with the devil." (81:08)

Conclusion:

Episode 687 of Duncan Trussell Family Hour offers a candid and often irreverent exploration of modern social phenomena, challenging listeners to question the authenticity and underlying motives behind contemporary trends in social media, entertainment, and politics. Through humor and insightful dialogue, Duncan and Josh highlight the intricate ways in which symbols, behaviors, and external influences shape personal and collective identities in today's digital age.