Podcast Summary: New Rory & Mal — Episode 435 | Plus Dome, Say Word

Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: Rory & Mal, with Damaris
Podcast: New Rory & Mal (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a mix of hilarious storytelling, sharp pop culture commentary, NBA hot takes, relationship debates, and reflections on personal growth. Rory, Mal, and Damaris riff on internet drama, the value of pettiness in rap, NBA Cup celebrations, relationship "rules," and the blurred line between internet persona and real life. Throughout, they balance signature humor with genuine insights and vulnerable moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast/Netflix Deal Rumors & Business Moves

• New Netflix Deal: Rory and Mal confirm their podcast’s upcoming move to Netflix, debunking fan speculation about contracts, IP, and creative control.
  • "We dealt directly with Netflix. We had the decision whether we want to do it or not. We negotiated. It's our deal." – Rory [05:35]
• Owning IP: They reiterate they remain in control of their intellectual property.
• Industry Landscape: Commentary on the “streaming wars”—Paramount, Warner, Disney, and more fighting for content creators [06:34].

2. NBA Cup & Knicks Celebration

• Knicks NBA Cup Win: The crew jokes about the Knicks' "championship parade," with secondhand embarrassment for overly celebratory fans.
  • "Of course this would be the thing. The Knicks win the dumbest fucking thing ever." – Rory [07:55]
• Cup Format: Mal defends the NBA Cup, seeing value in mid-season competition and opportunities for lesser-known players [08:04].
• Saudi Influence in Sports: Brief discussion of Middle Eastern money increasingly influencing US sports [09:24].

3. Wale, Kai Cenat, & Internet Ego

• Wale’s Vulnerability: Debating Wale’s admission he was deeply affected ("in bed 5 days") after streamer Kai Cenat didn’t recognize him.
  • Mal argues it’s an ego thing; Rory offers empathy:
    "I think it's just... I've given 13 years of my life to this shit. I'm around my peers, and now the Internet is making me out to be this type of way, and it makes me feel bad." – Rory [19:47]
• Internet Power: Damaris and Rory unpack how online commentary can genuinely hurt artists, while Mal suggests giving less power to the Internet [22:20], before agreeing that vulnerability deserves respect [22:35].

4. Petty Rap: Drake, Ebro, and “Die Slower”

• Drake vs. Ebro: Extensive debate over Drake’s DM to Ebro ("die slower, pussy") in the wake of ongoing media criticism.
  • Mal sees this as justified pettiness; Damaris points out that words have power and critiques the escalation of online threats.
  • "Words do mean things... words have meaning and words have power." – Damaris [29:06]
• Hypocrisy Questioned: Rory notes the inconsistency in critiquing Wale for being sensitive while excusing Drake for reacting similarly to public slights [24:46].

5. Relationships, Lies, and Vacation Myths

• Date Rules & Romantic Lies: The group runs through stereotypes about dates, lying on vacations, and the meaning behind affectionate pet-names, playfully exposing their own boundaries and contradictions.
  • "You gotta lie on vacation, baby." – Maul [57:04]
• Toxic Arguments: Stories about over-the-top romantic fights and make-ups, including listening back to breakup calls to “improve” argument skills (Damaris admits to screen-sharing her argument tapes for feedback) [67:21].

6. Rap’s Pettiest (50 Cent, Mayno, Jim Jones)

• 50 Cent’s Business Tactics: Recounting 50 Cent’s ongoing beefs and how his pettiness has affected industry peers. Commentary on whether beefing with 50 is ever “worth it” for clout or clicks.
  • "Nobody can out Petty 50." – Mal [61:18]
• Business Consequences: Discussing the possible real-world fallout when pettiness affects leases, studios, or business operations [63:06].

7. ASAP Rocky’s New Project

• Creative Freedom & Motivation: Speculation on why Rocky would return to music when married to a billionaire mogul (Rihanna) and raising a family.
  • Rory: "I did it from a place where this is not my livelihood... that's the perfect time to create." [71:03]
• Passion Projects: Each host shares what their passion project would be if money were no object—community centers, culinary arts, gardening, and giving back [73:34–75:10].

8. Music Recommendations: "Put Me On" Segment

• Rory: Jesse Reyez – Paid in Memories
  • "One of the greatest R&B albums this year – and I don't think it got the attention it should have." [83:46]
• Maul: Chris Patrick (East Orange, NJ) – Pray for Me
  • "Somebody I think I'm gonna watch out for, pay attention to his trajectory." [84:55]
• Damaris: Ken the Man – Kind of Famous (Deluxe)
  • "Her and Mona Leo... They don't make pussy rap. They just make 'fuck that nigga' music." [86:18]

9. Voicemail & Audience Q&A

• Audience asks: Is it ever too late to check someone for old disrespect?
  • Maul: "It ain't never too late to check nobody..." [89:09]
  • Rory tries to see both sides—sometimes there's nothing to gain from reopening old wounds [90:13].
• Group discusses partner loyalty, snitching, and what to do if you see a friend’s partner acting shady.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Netflix Deal Speculation:
  • "We dealt directly with Netflix. We had the decision whether we want to do it or not. We negotiated. It's our deal." – Rory [05:35]
• On the NBA Cup Celebration:
  • "Of course, this would be the thing. The Knicks win the dumbest fucking thing ever." – Rory [07:55]
• On Words Having Power:
  • "Words do mean things... words have meaning and words have power." – Damaris [29:06]
• On Relationship Lies:
  • "You gotta lie on vacation, baby." – Maul [57:04]
• On 50 Cent’s Pettiness:
  • "Nobody can out Petty 50... He's the pettiest man of all time." – Maul [61:18]
• On Passion Projects:
  • "I'd just go full chef... cooking and flowers." – Rory [74:47]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Netflix Deal Clarification: 05:02 – 06:34
• NBA Cup & Knicks Talk: 06:43 – 08:56
• On Wale & Kai Cenat: 16:58 – 22:35
• Drake DM Controversy & Petty Rap: 22:46 – 32:00
• Relationship Lies & Vacation Stories: 55:23 – 59:59
• 50 Cent vs Mayno/Jim Jones Beef: 61:11 – 65:22
• ASAP Rocky’s New Album: 69:38 – 74:10
• Put Me On Segment (Music Recs): 83:07 – 87:32
• Voicemail: Checking Old Disrespect: 87:40 – 93:49

Tone and Style

The episode was quintessential Rory & Mal—irreverent, raw, and hilarious, but also insightful and at times vulnerable. Their easy chemistry and willingness to poke fun at themselves, celebrities, and each other generated both laughs and genuine discussion. Damaris added both sharp perspectives and comic relief.

This episode is a perfect snapshot of what makes New Rory & Mal compelling: a seamless blend of barbershop banter, pop culture analysis, and introspective moments—all with an East Coast sensibility that keeps it real and relatable.