My Momma Told Me

Episode: The Mycelium Network Theory (with Aaron Branch)
Date: December 9, 2025
Podcast: Big Money Players Network & iHeartPodcasts
Hosts: Langston Kerman & David Gborie
Guest: Aaron Branch

Episode Overview

This episode of My Momma Told Me dives into the so-called "Mycelium Network Theory" with comedian Aaron Branch. The hosts and guest take their signature humorous, insightful approach to Black conspiracy theories—this time examining the idea that fungi, specifically interconnected networks of mycelium (a.k.a. mushroom roots), could be influencing life on Earth, including potentially humans. The discussion journeys through the science, the wildest extensions of the theory (are we all mushroom-controlled zombies?), pop culture riffs, personal anecdotes, and adjacent Black cultural touchstones.
The trio also tackles a listener’s voicemail about whether dating “gurus” targeting Black communities are part of an FBI psyop, spiraling into a discussion on algorithmic influence, social engineering, and media manipulation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spirit Airlines, Libraries & Black Meme Art (02:09–11:38)

• The conversation opens with jokes about flying Spirit Airlines and childhood memories of library DVDs, riffing on being broke and resourceful.
• Quick shout-out to artifacts of Black meme art and a playful, fictional “museum” of Black culture.
• “We hit a lick if your library had good DVDs!” – Langston (04:12)

2. Fashion as Psyop & Youth Culture (11:47–13:14)

• David floats a “conspiracy” that three-quarter zip sweaters are a psyop to normalize uniforms—a fashion push to make people more compliant.
• “It feels like we’re being made to dress like losers so we just get comfortable with being made small.” – Langston (08:37)
• Commentary on cyclical fashion and how even “dorky” aesthetics are now mainstream.

3. Introducing the Mycelium Network Theory (14:01–18:34)

• Aaron Branch introduces his “My Mama Told Me” conspiracy: The Mycelium Network Theory.
• He explains mycelium as underground fungal networks that function similar to a nervous system for plants and trees—enabling communication and resource-sharing underground.
• “Fungi are like Earth’s original organism.” – Aaron (15:02)
• The group jokes about how mycelium fungi are basically nature’s first “Black” organism, leaning into the show’s playful subversiveness.

4. Are Humans Already Fungi-Zombies? (18:34–21:19)

• Aaron speculates: are we already being controlled by fungal parasites, much like some ants and insects are overtaken by fungi?
• “Are we zombies already? Are we being controlled by mushrooms?” – Aaron (18:37)
• Langston connects the idea to pop culture, referencing The Last of Us TV show/game, where a fungus turns people into zombies.

5. Debunking & Extending the Theory (21:19–23:32)

• The group parses the plausibility, pondering whether psilocybin (psychedelic fungi) may have sparked early human consciousness (the “stoned ape” theory).
• Langston draws a parallel between the biblical apple (from Adam and Eve) and “forbidden” mind-expanding substances—“It almost makes it feel as if the apple stands more as an allegory for something else.” (23:12)

6. What Do The Mushrooms Want? (25:37–30:23)

• Aaron ponders: If mushrooms control us, what is their goal? Considering how destructive humans are, maybe the plan isn’t working.
• They riff on Bill Gates’ quote likening humanity to a fungus overtaking the planet, and discuss how tech moguls sometimes just market existing ideas (Jobs, Gates, Musk).

7. Pop Culture Tangents: Black Planet, B2K, and Goofy Movie Theories (33:30–54:31)

• Extended, funny digressions on Black Planet (the Black social media network), who the real stars of B2K were, and conspiracy theories about Goofy being Black.
• “If you thought Raz B was your favorite member of B2K, you’re sick for…” – Langston (38:11)
• Aaron notes the black cultural impact of Disney sequels, especially A Goofy Movie, because they reached Black audiences via direct-to-video.

8. Real Fungal Zombies In Nature (54:02–60:40)

• Langston provides scientific examples:
  • Fungi and parasites manipulate animals (e.g., ants, wolves, pill bugs).
  • The cordyceps fungus takes over ants’ bodies and behavior before killing them.
• They voice concern that human scientists, not the fungi themselves, might engineer a scenario (like The Last of Us) where such fungi could threaten people.
• “My fear is not that mushrooms have already taken us over, but that we tinker with these chemicals enough in a lab…” – Langston (59:52)

9. Do Fungi Influence Human Desire? (62:44–65:12)

• The conversation turns to cravings and parasites—could existing fungi/parasites in bodies influence desires (like food urges)?
• “Craving you might have… could be a fungus that’s already within you that you have to feed the host.” – Aaron (62:48)
• Aaron jokes about his brief “hotep” phase, and Black wellness myths involving fungus and food timing.

10. From Country Strength to The Nutty Professor (65:42–71:59)

• Hilarious debate over who is stronger: buff hoteps vs. rural farm folks.
• Unexpectedly earnest praise for The Nutty Professor as an Oscar-worthy, uniquely influential movie.

11. Listener Voicemail: Are Black Dating Gurus FBI Psyops? (79:43–85:15)

• Voicemail listener suggests Black “image consultants” and dating podcasters (e.g., Kevin Samuels, Fresh & Fit) are psy-ops to disrupt Black community cohesion.
• “I truly believe they did not want Black people forming strong bonds… outside of capitalism and white patriarchy.” – Caller (80:43)
• The hosts discuss how social manipulation by algorithms and media isn't necessarily a formal conspiracy, but still has those effects.
• “The fungus is the algorithm.” – Langston (93:21)
• They reflect on how social media, algorithms, and content promotion can zombify (numb) entire communities—tying back to the episode-wide metaphor.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• David: “Three quarter zips… it feels like respectability coded.” (07:11)
• Langston: “Fashion has hit a weird spot where everybody’s dressing like a dork.” (08:11)
• Aaron: “Fungi is really Earth’s original organism.” (15:17)
• Aaron: “Are we zombies already? Are we being controlled by mushrooms?” (18:37)
• Langston: “Mushrooms is the new crack.” (20:40)
• David: “Nature is not—‘All natural’ is savagery. It’s trying to kill you.” (55:25)
• Langston: “What often scares me as it relates to conspiracy theory is less what the earth is planning for us, and more what we are planning for us via the earth.” (62:14)
• Caller: “All these Black-focused dating gurus… are the FBI, the CIA… to control what Black people think of themselves…” (80:28)
• Langston: “It’s not so much that a mushroom is taking over our brain, but more that we are becoming numb to the shit that actually is taking over our brains. And the fungus is the algorithm.” (93:21)

Important Timestamps

• 02:09 — Spirit Airlines & clothing conspiracies
• 13:37 — Aaron introduces the mycelium theory
• 17:04 — Explanation of mycelium networks
• 18:34 — Mushroom “zombie” hypothesis
• 21:51 — Human consciousness & psilocybin
• 23:12 — Adam & Eve “apple” as allegory for mind expansion
• 25:37 — Mushrooms’ possible motives
• 33:30–54:31 — Tangents: Black Planet, B2K, Goofy Movie, sequels
• 54:02 — Real-world “zombie” parasites/fungi
• 62:44 — Fungi and human cravings
• 71:03 — Praise for The Nutty Professor
• 79:43 — Voicemail: Dating “gurus” as FBI psy-ops
• 93:06 — Wrap up: Fungi as metaphor for algorithmic zombification

Final Takeaways

• The hosts and guest take a journey from underground mushroom networks to cultural brainwashing via algorithms, using humor and cultural references to make the science and conspiracy accessible and funny.
• They ultimately decide the real “zombification” threat isn’t fungal but digital: “the fungus is the algorithm.”
• Social engineering, media, and the amplification of divisive voices get critically but wittily examined through the lens of Black life in 2025.

For Further Info

• Aaron Branch: Instagram & TikTok @aaronbranch; “Forehead Tour” begins January
• Langston Kerman: Socials @langstonkerman; "Aspiring Deadbeat Tour" dates ongoing
• David Gborie: @coolguyjokes87; live dates in New Orleans

Submit conspiracies or drops:
Email: mymamapodmail@gmail.com
Voicemail: 844-LIL-MOMS

In Their Words

“It's not so much that a mushroom is taking over our brain, but more that we are becoming numb to the shit that actually is taking over our brains. And the fungus is the algorithm.”
— Langston Kerman (93:21)

“Nature is not—‘All natural’ is savagery. It’s trying to kill you.”
— David Gborie (55:25)

“Are we zombies already? Are we being controlled by mushrooms?”
— Aaron Branch (18:37)

(Summary by AI; episode transcript time signatures provided for reference.)