Life Wide Open with CboysTV
Episode: The Career that (Almost) Changed Micah's Life
Date: February 13, 2024
Episode Overview
In this lighthearted and candid episode, the CboysTV crew dive into untold stories, mishaps, and the chaotic fun that makes their content resonate. From travel adventures (including the Bahamas), wild business ideas, and revealing behind-the-scenes moments, to debating embarrassing situations and dissecting new tech trends, the boys keep it unfiltered and hilarious. A recurring thread throughout is how the group handles internet criticism, and Micah opens up about a career path that almost changed his life. The episode wraps up with reflections on viral moments, audience connections, and the balance between evolving and staying authentic.
Key Discussion Points & Highlights
Handling Viewer Criticism & Internet Trolls
[00:51]
- The boys joke about some negative/unhinged comments:
- Mike: “Some of these people, we have like 99.9% awesome viewers … that .01% are just squids, man.”
- Ben shares how even “corrections in post” won’t stop hardcore critics: “We put a little asterisk and put, like, the correct term... but that wasn’t good enough for you.”
- They embrace making mistakes live and owning corrections, showing that imperfection makes them relatable.
Embarrassing Moments & Bahamas Adventures
[04:06-06:55]
- Story: Mike spills a $25 drink in the Bahamas:
- Mike: “It was a nice ass restaurant. Everyone turned and looked, it was pretty embarrassing.”
- The group laughs about expensive drinks and the absurd cost of living on the islands, including 100% vehicle taxes.
- Surprise: They meet fans in the Bahamas, revealing CboysTV’s unexpected global reach.
- Mike: "This kid...legitimately had been watching all our vids...I was like, dude, the life he's living, how the f--- do you enjoy watching our videos?...But it was really interesting."
- Ben admits he pictured the Bahamas as more primitive ("like a primitive tribe" [06:46]), but they discuss tourist areas, casinos, and mini truck culture.
Gambling Tales and ‘Winning Too Much’
[08:04-09:55]
- Mike admits to losing $1250 gambling after nearly being up $565:
- Mike: “I ended up going down 1250...not the best. Made the drink prices, everything, hurt.”
- Alex (Ken) describes winning over $4,300 in Vegas almost "too quickly," leading to an unsatisfying victory:
- Alex: “I hit a couple mini jackpots...I was up $4300...But I won in, like, five minutes with that second $500...I was like, I’m winning too much.”
International Fans and the Joy of Travel
[11:01-13:08]
- The crew reflects on meeting loyal fans abroad, feeling a sense of community everywhere:
- Ben: "There’s not many things better than when we’re traveling abroad and locals bring us in."
- They agree traveling and returning home is the best of both worlds for content and personal recharge.
Hair Transplants & 'Would You Do It?'
[13:20-17:27]
- Cboys jokingly plot a trip to Turkey for CJ to get hair transplants (notorious for being affordable and high-quality):
- Ben: “I think we go to Turkey and we get CJ’s hair transplants.”
- Mike: “If you guys pay for it, I’ll let you film it.”
- The group dives into the graphic realities, aftercare, and influencer deals in the hair transplant industry.
- They riff on the stigma and secrecy around procedures:
- Ken: "That’d be like getting a boob job and not wanting to show it off."
- Mike: “People don’t want you...to know they were uncomfortable with their body. But if you’re gonna change it, who cares?”
Embracing Embarrassment & Making Great Content
[20:13-21:48]
- CboysTV succeeds by laughing at themselves—even editors struggle to cut their gaffes:
- Mike: “A lot of them send the edits back, and they take out the tip-overs and the little mistakes...But that’s the funniest.”
- Evan clarifies he’s only uncomfortable when the group embarrasses strangers, not themselves:
- Evan: “I’m totally cool running around watching Mike and Ev look goofy. But...messing with other people, that’s what gets me.”
- The viral “boat ramp scene” is relived:
- Ben: “It’s one of our most viral moments ever, when that woman flicks me…It was so legendary.”
- Mike: “She was so mad. We need to get that woman on the podcast.”
Monetization in Streaming, Wild Business Numbers
[28:11-33:25]
- Aiden Ross pays Playboi Carti $2 million (plus a Ferrari) to stream, only for the rapper to barely participate:
- Ben: “For all I know, it could have been just his friend in a ski mask.”
- Mike: “That’s a rob. Yeah, full on.”
- The group debates how Kick (streaming platform) is possibly making money:
- Mike: “How are they monetizing Kick? They’re not playing ads, are they?”
- Evan: "Donation only, and pay monthly."
- Chat about Joe Rogan’s new $200 million Spotify deal, and how cross-platform availability is finally happening.
The UMG vs. TikTok Music Debate
[36:37-40:30]
- Universal Music Group pulls all music from TikTok, causing viral songs to disappear. The crew discusses pros, cons, and the impact on artists:
- Evan: “How many songs have gone viral because of TikTok and UMG pulled them all?”
- Ben: “UMG is probably just trying to strong-arm TikTok into giving artists more.”
- Notable realization: Most musicians get a small fraction of streaming revenue (less than 20%).
Hot Takes: Everest, Tech Fads, and More
[40:38-49:19]
- Nepal orders Everest climbers to “bring their own shit down”—literally.
- Evan: “Nothing decomposes up there...800 a year, you got 800 people taking a couple deuces.”
- They marvel at how few people have actually summited Everest, and agree hiking > climbing.
- Quick detour into oxygen canisters and inhalers, with Ken sharing his brief asthma/military medical saga:
- Ken: “I want to make T-shirts on the computer.”
- Ben: (Joking as military recruiter) “You say it’s so cool. This guy can literally do anything. He can clean the floors.”
Apple Vision Pro & Tech Novelty Hype
[51:01-55:38]
- The new Apple Vision Pro AR headset launches, and the boys are both skeptical and intrigued by a $3500+ first-gen device:
- Mike: “All these influencers, I was just surprised. None of these people strike me as someone who would need this day one.”
- Evan: “Are we talking ourselves into these?”
- Ken: “If anyone is thinking about buying them, do it in the next two days—after that, it’s not gonna be talked about.”
- The group acknowledges Apple’s ability to legitimize and popularize now-familiar tech.
Nostalgia & Reflection
[56:49–58:15]
- The group reminisces about quirky gadgets like "tooth tunes" toothbrushes and wonders if retro-cool items will make a comeback.
- The boys affirm: “All good things—everything comes around.”
- Ben sums up: “I feel like we went over a lot of stuff.” The group agrees, wrapping up on a high note.
- Ken: "Subscribe and we'll see you guys in the next one. Peace." (58:01)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Mike [01:53]: “People don’t want to listen to the gear ratios…We want to be able to appeal to everyone.”
- Evan [21:17]: “I’m totally cool running around watching Mike and Ev look goofy. But it's when we’re messing with other people…that’s what gets me.”
- Ben [24:19]: “It’s like one of our most viral moments ever, when that woman flicks me…It was so legendary.”
- Alex [09:22]: “I hit a couple, like, mini jackpots... I was up four grand at $4,300 bucks.”
- Mike [13:29]: “If you guys pay for it I’ll let you film it.” (Regarding a hair transplant in Turkey)
- Evan [36:57]: “How are you supposed to promote yourself in 2024 without being able to post your sounds on the Internet?”
- Mike [51:58]: “It seems like more of a novelty item than a trend…and I’m just surprised at how many people were like, I need this day one.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:50 – 03:30: The crew discusses handling internet criticism and why they purposely leave in “mess ups.”
- 04:05 – 07:00: Mike’s embarrassing Bahamas drink spill story, and chat about cost of living abroad.
- 08:04 – 10:44: Casino wins/losses, and the joy (and pain) of gambling.
- 13:20 – 17:27: The group jokes about CJ’s potential hair transplant adventure in Turkey.
- 20:13 – 22:26: How they embrace being awkward/embarrassing in public versus involving strangers.
- 24:19 – 25:39: The viral “boat ramp” bit is recapped as a fan-favorite moment.
- 28:11 – 33:25: Big money in streaming: Aiden Ross’ $2M mishap and Joe Rogan’s Spotify deal.
- 36:37 – 40:30: Universal Music Group pulls music from TikTok—debate on why, and what it means for artists.
- 40:38 – 47:02: Mount Everest’s new “cleanup” rule, and the realities of adventure travel.
- 51:01 – 55:38: The crew debates Apple Vision Pro and AR/VR hype.
- 56:49 – 58:15: Childhood nostalgia and lighter moments finish the episode.
Summary
From self-deprecating laughs to serious business, epic fails to viral wins, and wild tangents on music and technology, this episode is packed with the boys’ signature authenticity. It’s a perfect snapshot of how the CboysTV crew continues to evolve, own their quirks, and celebrate the wide-open life—always with a joke ready, and never afraid to look foolish in pursuit of fun.