Podcast Summary: The Real Reason Jake Left CboysTV
Podcast: Life Wide Open with CboysTV
Episode Date: August 22, 2023
Hosts: CJ, Ben, Ryan, Ken, Evan, Micah (CboysTV), and guest Jake Sherbrooke
Episode Overview
In this candid, long-awaited episode, the CboysTV crew welcomes founding member Jake Sherbrooke. Together, they discuss the real story behind Jake's departure from the group, exploring behind-the-scenes struggles, business mistakes, personal growth, friendship, and what the journey has meant to everyone. The conversation is full of laughs, raw honesty, and lessons learned over nearly a decade of creating together.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Background: How CboysTV Formed (04:00–09:00)
- The Cboys reminisce about the group's origins: seven childhood friends from Cormorant, Minnesota, who turned their weekend shenanigans into a YouTube channel in 2016.
- Early days were described as “just us doing us,” with no clear direction but a lot of fun and improvisation.
- YouTube started paying off slowly, with their first earnings ($1,100) splitting equally among the seven.
- Lesson: Business transparency and equality were key early on, but splitting ownership among seven brought unique challenges later.
2. The MTV Show Pitch and Meeting "Bob" (10:11–17:00)
- The group was courted by a producer (pseudonymously “Bob”), who offered dreams of an MTV or Discovery Channel show.
- Bob convinced them to take time off YouTube to film a TV pilot, which ultimately wasted months and went nowhere.
- “At the time, it really felt like that was the big break... we thought it was the biggest deal” — CJ (10:30)
3. The Management Split: Bob's Return and the Vote (17:00–22:00)
- "Bob" returned, now offering YouTube management rather than a TV show, promising to scale their channel and profits.
- Jake, feeling uncertain about his personal growth in CboysTV, was the biggest advocate for “Bob,” hoping for mentorship and business opportunity.
- The team voted not to bring “Bob” on. Jake felt outnumbered and conflicted about his future.
4. Jake’s Decision to Leave & Emotions Behind It (22:00–27:00)
- Jake: “I felt like I wasn’t growing as a person... just chasing a dopamine rush of having fun.” (30:55)
- He felt he was at a crossroads between taking over his family business, staying with CboysTV, or trying something new.
- Ultimately, Jake decided to leave, persuaded by “Bob’s” promises of mentorship and a greenlit show (which didn’t exist).
- Emotional moment: “Breaking up with your girlfriend just to try some other chick out. I just wanted to see if the grass was greener.” — Jake (26:08)
- Crew recalls this felt like a best friend moving away for college; the breakup was difficult for everyone.
5. Clean Exit Turns Legal: Lawsuits and Tensions (37:00–44:00)
- Jake asked for nothing in his exit: “I don’t want any money. Just cut me out.” (38:00)
- Legal drama ensued as Bob prolonged Jake’s exit, causing costly lawyer fees and business interruptions.
- “If you hadn’t signed the $1 share transfer, the group might have had to fold. That was huge.” — CJ (39:33)
- Emotions soured as outside voices and lawyers made the split more painful and public.
Notable Quote
“It was everybody else that... can really be the downfall... It wasn’t what we were saying to each other—it was what other people told us we should be feeling.” — (45:16)
6. Jake’s Post-CboysTV Struggles: The Chicago Move & Bob’s Empty Promises (53:30–66:30)
- Bob brought Jake to Chicago, but instead of filming content, Jake was doing house chores, “pressure washing his roof” (55:38).
- No videos were produced for months. Promised show deals (especially the now-defunct Quibi) fell through.
- Jake returned to Minnesota, broke and disillusioned, with only merch designs to show.
7. Burned Bridges, Public Drama, and Rebuilding Reputation (47:00–55:00, 68:00–75:00)
- Jake released a viral video burning CboysTV merch, which led to massive online backlash and local drama.
- “When you burnt those shirts, people were hating on us… that was my rock bottom.” — Ben (46:25)
- The departure motivated CboysTV to become more professional and strategic; they focused on outlasting the negativity.
8. Lawsuit Aftermath & Personal Growth (68:00–90:00)
- Jake tried to sever ties with Bob legally. Bob responded with a $400,000 claim for “lost time.”
- Jake: “I gotta open up a new chapter… I just burned every bridge and spent all my money…” (68:01)
- Lawsuit dragged on for nearly two years, causing mental health struggles and business headaches.
- Jake started therapy and adopted better habits: “Started going to church, gym, quit jacking off, ice baths, therapy every week. I’ve just been freaking dialed.” (29:29)
- “You definitely are looking the best, the most healthy I’ve ever seen you in my life.” — CJ (29:53)
9. Business Lessons: Jake’s New Path and the Bums Sunglasses Brand (80:00–90:00)
- After firing Bob, Jake linked up with business mentor Anthony and started the Bums sunglasses company.
- “I finally got the mentor I was looking for in the beginning—someone who actually did business.” (80:58)
- With cousin Cody and new partner Anthony, Jake found fulfillment selling sunglasses and running his own business.
- They celebrate reaching beyond YouTube: “The last winner didn’t even know who we were!” (84:36)
10. Jake on Solo YouTube vs. The Group (90:14–93:00)
- “You wear a lot of hats, dude. It’s insane… full time, seven days a week… you gotta be dialed.” (90:14)
- Reflects on the challenge of producing, editing, marketing, and shipping with just two people (Jake and Cody).
- Lessons in maintaining work-life balance, planning content, and the importance of teamwork.
11. Reconciliation and Getting Older (126:40–133:00)
- Both Jake and the CboysTV team apologize sincerely for hurt caused four years prior. There’s a sense of closure and mutual respect.
- “Karma kicked me… you guys got the Lambo, I got stuck in a Viking costume.” — Jake (129:16)
- Discussion on getting older, nostalgia for early days, and commitment to making the most of the present:
“You’re only going to be as young as you are today… we don’t have to grow up.” — CJ (131:48)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On leaving:
“Breaking up with your girlfriend for literally, like, because you’re just gonna go try some other chick out… I was just a lost puppy.” — Jake (26:08) -
On Bob (“the manager”):
“You guys dodged a bullet, like, so heavily. I wish you could experience what I had to experience… It was terrible.” — Jake (14:50) -
On maturity:
“Now that I’m not there, we do all kinds of stuff together that is just non work related… I don’t think my relationship with my dad has ever been stronger.” — Jake (97:30) -
On therapy and improvement:
“In the last two months, I’ve just been freaking dialed, you know… I went from 225 to 181.6 this morning.” — Jake (29:29, 29:58) -
Aftermath and peace:
“I gotta say it where I mean it… I am sorry to you guys. Karma kicked me… But at the end of the day, you guys got the Lambo and I was in a Viking costume.” — Jake (129:16)
“It’s all water under the fridge now, you know?” — Ryan (129:53)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Origins / Backstory: 04:00–09:00
- Show Biz, “Bob,” and the First Split: 10:11–22:00
- Jake’s Decision and Emotional Fallout: 22:00–27:00
- Merch Burning & Legal Battles: 47:00–75:00
- Bob Lawsuit and Rebuilding: 68:00–90:00
- New Business & Bums Sunglasses: 80:00–90:00
- Solo YouTube, Lessons Learned: 90:14–93:00
- Apologies & Reflections: 126:40–133:00
- Nostalgia & Moving Forward: 133:00–end
Tone & Takeaways
The episode is a mix of heartfelt vulnerability, hilarious storytelling, and brutally honest life advice. The group’s camaraderie and willingness to air their past struggles make for a uniquely real discussion on friendship, business, and growing up in the social media spotlight.
Key Lessons:
- Trust your gut when evaluating business opportunities.
- Communication and transparency are vital (especially in business and friendship).
- Growth requires the pain of mistakes—but brings lessons that last a lifetime.
- Mental health matters; asking for help is part of moving forward.
- Nostalgia is nice, but keep living in the present and building for the future.
Links:
This episode stands out as a must-listen for anyone interested in YouTube culture, creative entrepreneurship, or the complexities of real friendship under pressure.