Life Wide Open with CboysTV

Episode: Ken's Response To His Phone Number Getting Leaked (March 14, 2023)

Episode Overview

In this episode, the CboysTV crew—CJ, Ben, Ryan, Ken, and Mike—dive into the aftermath of Ken's phone number getting leaked on a public billboard as part of a vaping intervention prank. The guys share behind-the-scenes stories from their travels, discuss the logistics of moving their snowmobile to Florida, recount their adventures jet skiing with alligators, RV trip planning (or lack thereof), and weigh in on the culture around internet pranks, social media fame, and their unique group dynamics. The episode maintains CboysTV’s signature humorous and laid-back tone and includes plenty of banter and memorable moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Evan’s Stressful Drive to Florida

• Evan took on a solo long-haul drive to deliver the water cross snowmobile to Florida for a video shoot.
• A major hiccup: the DEF system failed on their 2020 truck with only 30,000 miles ([04:00]).
  • CJ: "How do you have a 2020 truck and the def system, which you legally have to have, goes out at 30,000 miles?" ([04:11])
• The group explains they were all working on other tasks (editing, shipping, designs) and couldn’t help with the drive.
• COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Followers responded to Instagram stories with suggestions; ultimately, Evan got help from a local shop ([05:06]).

2. Jet Skiing with Alligators ("It’s Not That Dangerous...Statistically")

• The crew filmed a video jet skiing in Florida rivers full of alligators, which was initially nerve-wracking.
  • CJ: "Riding with alligators is just one of those ideas…so sick." ([07:04])
• Statistics are shared to highlight the low risk.
  • Ken: "From 1948 to 2021, 442 people have been bitten by alligators and 26 have died." ([10:33])
  • Mike: "Way more people die from bees every year." ([11:00])
• Locals view gators as normal river wildlife; the crew reflects on how perceived danger is often greater than reality ([09:23]).

3. RV Trip Planning and Past Road Tales

• The group is gearing up for an RV trip with almost no formal plans—intending to meet friends and film along the way ([20:00]).
  • Mike: "We might be the only people to ever plan a two-week RV trip without planning anything." ([20:48])
• Reflecting on last year’s RV experience: loud, cramped, overloaded, and memorable ([23:00]).
  • Dreaming up ideas—like sending a Hummer off the Grand Canyon and visiting an Alaskan car-jumping event ([24:21]).
  • CJ (on Alaska event): "Everyone just crowds down below and watches cars launch hundreds of feet off of a cliff." ([25:03])

4. Slab City, Vegas Underground, and Being Out of Comfort Zones

• The team debates revisiting wild locations like Slab City, bringing supplies, and possibly riding pit bikes in Vegas storm drains ([30:09]).
  • Ben: "The undergrounds of Vegas look scary. There’s like, people doing drugs and stuff down there. Just like this whole other society…" ([30:40])
• Discussion about personal limits, what’s truly dangerous (or just unfamiliar), and wanting to give back to unique communities ([32:18]).

5. The Billboard Vaping Intervention: Ken’s Phone Number Goes Public

• Full story revealed: Ben and Mike arrange an anti-vaping billboard, targeting Ken to try and get him to quit vaping.
  • CJ: "Learning that it doesn’t cost all that much to rent a local billboard in town..." ([34:11])
• The billboard includes Ken’s phone number, leading to a flood of calls and messages.
  • Ken: "My phone has been blown up... if you block people on your phone, but if they FaceTime you, it still goes through, so I could not sleep." ([39:20])
  • Accidental collateral damage: Viewers misdialing and harassing an unrelated person ([40:03]).
• Ken explains the toll: sleep loss, stress, need to get a new phone number, and the futility of blocking ([39:20]).
• Debate about the limits of pranking, reverse psychology, community reaction, and unintended consequences ([37:33]; [40:41]).
• Listeners praise the message, saying it was a positive influence on younger fans ([37:57]).

6. Internet Virality, Social Media Fame, and Platform Evolution

• The group discusses the shift in internet culture—comparing platforms like Barstool Sports' transition away from only sports, and the trend of podcast hosts cheaply courting attention with salacious guests ([61:21]; [64:33]).
  • Ryan: "...any Joe Schmo with a podcast just interviews a porn star and asks them...really weird [questions]." ([63:38])
  • Reflections on the audience’s role, especially the vocal minority of complainers ([61:59]).
  • CJ: "I'm picky as hell on the podcast I listen to. And to get into a new podcast is like damn near impossible." ([64:48])

7. Other Memorable Stories and Banter

• Ryan’s Jet Ski Triumph: After years of attempts, finally lands a backflip (with some help from a $50,000 jet ski and professional coaching) ([16:39]).
  • Ryan: "Instead of riding a ten thousand dollar jet ski, I rode a fifty thousand dollar jet ski." ([17:08])
• Evan’s Chronic Flatulence: Ongoing inside joke and concern for the upcoming RV trip ([52:04]).
• Barstool Buyout: Discussion of Penn’s full acquisition of Barstool ([63:11]).
  • Ken: "Penn paid 388 million for 64% stake that they did not already own..." ([63:11])
• Healthy Eating vs. Farting: Speculation that diet improvements might change (or worsen) Evan’s gas ([54:01]), and whether a personal chef could help.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• CJ on Adventure: "The YouTube videos have us do so many cool things we would never have the opportunity to do…like riding with alligators." ([07:04])
• Mike on statistics: "Way more people die from bees every year [than alligators]." ([11:00])
• Ken on the phone situation: "My phone has been blown up…if you block people on your phone, but if they FaceTime you, it still goes through, so I could not sleep." ([39:20])
• Ben on pranks: "To be fair to Ken, honestly, I wouldn't have put your number up there if you already didn't have your number leaked." ([43:43])
• Ryan on media trends: "It's cheap views…just podcasts interviewing porn stars with the same questions." ([64:29])
• CJ on Barstool's growth: "I'm picturing Barstool ten years from now still posting party clips or funny stuff and people still [complaining]." ([61:59])
• CJ on the audience: "I'm picky as hell on the podcast I listen to. And to get into a new podcast is like damn near impossible." ([64:48])
• Ben concludes: "Thank you to everyone who listens to this pod…we wouldn't be here or doing any of this without you guys." ([66:55])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Evan’s drive & DEF truck failure: [02:30] – [05:16]
• Jet skiing with alligators: [06:28] – [11:22]
• RV trip planning/discussion: [20:00] – [24:21]
• Vegas underground & Slab City: [30:09] – [32:38]
• Billboard/vaping prank fallout: [34:11] – [44:08]
• Ken’s phone number chaos: [39:20] – [44:08]
• Barstool Sports/Podcast Trends: [61:21] – [66:00]
• Episode close (gratitude to fans): [66:55] – [67:13]

Closing Notes

This episode balances classic CboysTV pranks and personal anecdotes with larger discussions about risk-taking, adaptation in the internet age, and camaraderie. Ken’s experience with the leaked phone number acts as a focal point, prompting humorous debate and honest reflection on the group’s impact and reach. Throughout, the crew’s chemistry and authentic self-deprecating humor shine—making the episode entertaining for returning fans and accessible for new listeners.

End of summary for Life Wide Open, Episode 69: Ken's Response To His Phone Number Getting Leaked (March 14, 2023).