Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast

Episode: 578 – "Post-Negativity" (feat. Shawn Gardini)
Date: September 25, 2025
Guests: Shawn Gardini (Mayor), Joe, and others

Episode Overview

This episode finds Matt and Shane, joined by Shawn Gardini (“the Mayor”), in a classically raucous discussion that oscillates between mocking global travel, the perils and thrills of being an American overseas, social commentary, hunk rankings, bodily functions, and jabs at European culture. The gang riffs on post-negativity, the healing power of American truth, wild stories from Italy, swimming adventures, and hilarious observations on cultural stereotypes, all while maintaining their signature irreverent tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Post-Negativity and the State of Comedy

• The hosts joke about the recent “post-negativity” trend, discussing attempts to do more “positive” podcasting, and reflect humorously on the failed attempt to have a world-problem-solving episode.
  • “I think negativity's done. I think it might not be cool anymore to be negative.” — Joe (00:51)
  • Matt and Joe reflect on cancel culture, free speech, and how support systems in the comedy community vary starkly (“He was canceled for 48 hours? Mine was a couple years, but no big deal.” — Matt, 01:33)

2. Shawn’s Italian Travel Adventure

• Shawn (the Mayor) recounts his first big trip abroad as an adult, visiting Rome and Tuscany. He emphasizes the beauty, but jokes about his discomfort, missing home conveniences and dealing with language barriers.
  • “I don't care to go anywhere still. I was so happy to come back.” — Mayor (04:53)
  • Struggles with Italian customs: fake taxi scams, “ruffians,” and aggressive street sellers:
    “Italians are the worst...I did run into two, like, ruffians. I was stumbling home at like 3 in the morning...I thought I was gonna get down and molested or something.” — Mayor (05:57–06:38)
  • General theme: American conveniences and comfort trump European aesthetic for the crew.
    “Like WI fi is bad. Outlets are dumb. Stuff closes early.” — Mayor (03:57)

3. Cultural Observations & Stereotypes

• They poke fun at global travelers, the prevalence of Asian tourists in Italy, local Indian street vendors, and the tired trope of Americans being more obnoxious than Europeans.

  • “I'm tired of Europeans being like, Americans are so obnoxious. Have you talked to one person from England? It's crazy.” — Matt (07:51)

• The group discusses the differences between Italian Americans and native Italians, and jokes about how black Americans often culturally “prefer” Italians over the Irish.

  • “It's hard pitching Irish swag to black people...they're just like, bro, you're Italian guys are so cool.” — Joe (11:08)

• Riffing on airline etiquette, differences in physical build (“lack of muscle mass in Europe’s humiliating”), and how unhelpful European customer service can be.

4. Smoking, Addictions, and Local Life

• A lengthy riff about the challenges of being a nicotine addict in Europe — the scarcity of snuff, the “scary pictures” on cigarette packs, and mid-flight cravings.
  • “I just did zins and got really, really angry because they don't really help.” — Mayor (19:37)
  • Jokes about using Lucky Strikes and feeling like a “doughboy.”

5. Current Obsessions: TV Shows & Politics

• Matt admits bingeing on a Mussolini biopic and they launch into a (humorously muddled) discussion about fascism definitions, AI, and the vagaries of left vs right, all with loose accuracy.

  • “Mussolini...He invented fascism. Hitler copied him.” — Matt (15:58)
  • “I’ve looked it up this week...ultra nationalist, authoritarian political ideology characterized by a dictator, aggressive nationalism, militarism, force of suppression of opposition.” — Matt (16:50)

• Brief discussion about ChatGPT’s “memory,” after Shawn is alarmed his Xanax questions are “remembered.”

  • “It said, ‘I'm sorry, I won't do it again.’” — Mayor (19:04)

6. Plane and Travel Etiquette

• Stories about coach and Comfort Plus, switching flights, “elbow wars,” the hierarchy of who gets arm rests, and the shared misery (but also comfort) of sitting near a “heavyset woman.”
  • “There was a heavyset woman next to me whose buttocks was just pouring into my seat the whole flight. But it’s kind of comfy…an extra pillow.” — Mayor (20:04–20:11)

7. Swimming and Local Austin Flavor

• Post-Italy, the group swims at Barton Springs in Austin, Texas, with detailed stories of rough currents, cold water, encounters with topless swimmers (Austin’s “loose tit laws”), and musings on whether bare chests are freeing or just indicative of mental breakdowns.
  • “That would scare me…bear titties is scary.”— Matt (27:05, 27:57)

8. Movie Recaps & Hunk Rankings

• Joe details watching “The Kissing Booth” (called “girl TV”), Matt and Joe discuss the merits of hunks like Jacob Elordi and Aquaman for the top “hunk” slot.

  • “Jacob Elordi is the top hunk, dude.” — Matt (30:42)
  • “Aquaman is just too damn much...a mythical hunk.” (30:25-30:34)

• Debrief on the movie “Saltburn,” with particular focus on the infamous “bathtub scene.”

  • “Once one person told me [he drank come out of the drain], I was like, I'm never going to Watch that movie.” — Matt (32:11)

• Group reactions to “The Book of Clarence” (called “Sinners” throughout), semi-serious review mixed with jokes.

  • “I thought it was great…at the end where he kills all the KKK guys, I was like, all right, this was actually kind of cool.” — Mayor (35:40)

9. American Exceptionalism (Tongue-in-Cheek)

• Extended riff about the “Epcot ride” and how animatronics make you feel “there’s nothing we can’t do” as the white race; Matt deadpans this as the Disney indoctrination, and everyone has a good laugh at the jingoism.
  • “You got out of Epcot like, the white race, there's nothing we can’t do.” — Matt (37:21)

10. Homeownership Woes & Construction Mishaps

• Matt’s trash can and planter are destroyed by a construction crew; classic guy logic on how to negotiate damages and whether to claim injuries.
  • “I might claim neck injury…You guys got to redo my front porch.” — Joe (44:05)
• Segment on shoddy modern home construction, drywall shortcuts, and homeowner frustrations.

11. Food, Racial Stereotypes, and Growing Up

• Chicken, watermelon, and banana jokes are used to riff on food stereotypes, their origins, and cultural discomforts.

  • “Last night, Brian Simpson walked into the green room eating a banana...he took one bite, he was like, oh.” — Matt (50:52)

• Joe’s stories working for a “very racist” but comically memorable Korean shop owner whose idea of advice, business, and showing his gentiles was, according to everyone, “a beast” move.

12. Swimming Gags & Closing Hijinks

• Giant segment about pool games, who’s got the “power,” underwater ball taps, and how cold water makes it impossible to have a “good showing.”

  • “Yeah, I touched your penis today...He got me underwater. There's levels to this.” — Matt & Joe (57:04–57:12)

• Group discusses “Memphis pool parties,” jumping in clothed, and Black streaming game culture.

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• 01:33 – "He was canceled for what? What was that, 48 hours? Yeah, mine was a couple years, but no big deal." — Matt
• 04:53 – “I don't care to go anywhere still. I was so happy to come back.” — Mayor
• 07:51 – “I'm tired of Europeans being like, Americans are so obnoxious. Have you talked to one person from England?” — Matt
• 11:08 – “It's hard pitching Irish swag to black people...they’re just like, bro, your Italian guys are so cool.” — Joe
• 19:04 – “I said, I don't like how you remembered that. I asked you that and it said, I'm sorry, I won't do it again.” — Mayor (about ChatGPT)
• 20:04–20:11 – “There was a heavyset woman next to me whose buttocks was just pouring into my seat the whole flight. But it’s kind of comfy…an extra pillow.” — Mayor
• 27:05 – "That would scare me...bear titties is scary." — Matt
• 30:42 – "Jacob Elordi is the top hunk, dude." — Matt
• 32:11 – "Once one person told me [he drank come out of the drain], I was like, I'm never going to Watch that movie." — Matt
• 35:40 – "At the end where he kills all the KKK guys, I was like, all right, this was actually kind of cool." — Mayor
• 37:21 – "You got out of Epcot like, the white race, there's nothing we can’t do." — Matt
• 44:05 – "I might claim neck injury…You guys got to redo my front porch." — Joe
• 50:52 – "Last night, Brian Simpson walked into the green room eating a banana...he took one bite, he was like, oh." — Matt
• 57:04–57:12 – "Yeah, I touched your penis today...He got me underwater. There's levels to this." — Matt & Joe

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:51 — Post-negativity, comedy, and free speech talk.
• 03:04 — Shawn discusses his return from Italy; culture shock.
• 06:38 — Faux-panic over Italian ruffians and airport scammers.
• 13:03 — Muscle mass and masculinity comparison: Europe vs. US.
• 19:04 — ChatGPT “remembers” Shawn’s drug questions.
• 20:04–21:10 — The physical comedy of airline seating.
• 27:05–27:57 — Austin’s topless laws & comfort with public nudity.
• 30:42 — Jacob Elordi as “top hunk.”
• 32:11 — Refusal to see “Saltburn” due to its infamous scene.
• 35:40 — Reflection on movie "Sinners," its fights, and music.
• 37:21 — Epcot ride as white jingoism joke.
• 44:05 — Joe plans fake neck injury after construction mishap.
• 50:52 — Brian Simpson and the banana: food stereotype discomfort.
• 57:04–57:12 — Underwater ball-tapping prank in the swimming pool.

Conclusion

Ep 578 is classic Matt & Shane: meandering, brutally honest, and joke-packed, with a unique mix of personal stories, cultural criticism, and constant one-upmanship. Whether it’s navigating Italy, ranking hunks, or riffing on fried chicken lore, the crew keeps things unfiltered and hilarious, making this another essential installment for fans of the “funniest podcast out there.”