New Rory & Mal: Best of 2025 | Part 2

Release Date: January 2, 2026
Podcast: New Rory & Mal – iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This “Best of 2025 | Part 2” episode is a lively mosaic of the most memorable moments, laughs, and unexpected debates from New Rory & Mal. The hosts reflect on cultural phenomena from flat Earth conspiracies to the legacy of D’Angelo, and dissect the state of music, fan culture, and personal growth. The episode features witty banter, vulnerable reflections, and a signature unfiltered take on music, pop culture, and personal evolution.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Ads and Intro

(Ads and promotional content are omitted from summary.)

The Great Space & Flat Earth Debate

[03:24 – 12:36]

• Conspiracy Theories & Public Skepticism

  • Maul raises doubts about commonly accepted images of earth from satellites. The conversation playfully spirals into questioning the legitimacy of recent private space flights and the moon landing.
  • Notable skepticism of how billionaire space tourists (“Cosmic Cunts”—Maul, [03:48]) experience space without proper gear.

• Celebrity Space Voyagers

  • Maul criticizes Katy Perry's ethereal description of her “space experience,” craving real science talk instead of “love and connection.” He also mocks Jeff Bezos’ wife's lack of visible side-effects from leaving gravity.
  • “And then you have fucking Katy Perry describing what the fuck happened. Why would you pick her?...We're talking science.”—Maul ([04:22])

• Cultural Commentary

  • Jokes on star guests (“Gayle King, Oprah’s stunt double”) and pseudo-scientists' inclusion for credibility.
  • Satire about the shifting meaning of “space” (“safe space in space”).

• Flat Earthers in Antarctica

  • Mall shares the story of Flat Earthers going to Antarctica to prove their theory, only to abandon it when confronted by the 24-hour sun and then getting exiled by their own community.
  • “They camped out. That sun stayed there. And they were like, that's CGI. That's AI...” – Mall ([11:03])

• Critical Take on Internet Misinformation

  • The crew exposes the ease with which misinformation about flights is spread in flat Earth circles.
  • “They just put out misinformation as a fact.” – Mall ([13:07])

Dame Dash vs. The Breakfast Club: The Viral Interview

[13:28 – 24:51]

• The Dame Dash Interview Legacy

  • Recounting Dame Dash’s most recent and wildest Breakfast Club appearance, where interviews devolve into absurdity, with few actual questions answered.
  • “Every time he's done it, it's a classic. ... He has the greatest Breakfast Club discography of all time.” – Mall ([14:48])

• Absurd Exchanges

  • The interview erupts into mutual accusations (Charlemagne calling Dame broke, Dame calling Charlemagne gay) with audience and crew dragged in for on-the-spot votes.
  • “How do you argue with someone? And when you ask a valid question, the only response ... is 'it's because you’re gay.'” – Mall ([20:16])
  • “Dame became a chairman in the middle of calling somebody that has been on Revolt gay. Everything was insane...” – Mall ([15:38])

• Chairman Saga

  • Discussion on Dame's claim that he was the new Chairman of Revolt, which was later denied by the network. Mall suspects it was just a power play for the interview.

• Reflections on the Interview’s Value

  • Despite the chaos, the hosts praise Dame for his art of going viral, saying whatever he wants, and being unapologetically himself.
  • “Anybody that has the ability to do that, people are gonna watch it. ... Dame is not crazy. Dame is crazy. Dame is definitely crazy. His methods ... are a little unconventional, but he's had success in being unconventional.” – Dixon ([24:01])

Tribute: Remembering D’Angelo

[29:52 – 40:31]

• D’Angelo’s Legacy

  • The hosts pay heartfelt tribute to D’Angelo, recalling how his artistry impacted their lives and R&B as a whole.
  • “Like, you can't compare his voice or style to any other artist, period... He changed the face of music during it." – Mall ([30:29])
  • They reflect on the loss, noting how D’Angelo remained out of headlines, focused on music and privacy.

• Personal Anecdotes

  • Dixon and Mall share personal stories, like being at Electric Lady studio and marveling at just occupying the same space D’Angelo once did.
  • “We like didn't work for an hour and a half because we were just sitting there talking like, yo, like, D'Angelo sat right here.” – Mall ([35:17])

• Rumors of More Music

  • Discussion about D’Angelo reportedly working on six projects before his passing, and hope for meaningful posthumous releases.

• On Misguided Tributes

  • Discussion about Benzino’s parody of the famous "Untitled" D’Angelo video as both disrespectful and laughable, even though it predated D’Angelo’s death.
  • “Some tributes should just be, like, kept in the tuck.” – Mall ([38:16])

Music Consumption in 2026: Too Much?

[41:38 – 54:10]

• The Stream-Driven Overload

  • Dixon laments the volume and pace of releases, making it impossible to build deep connections to albums anymore.
  • “It just feels like you always playing catch up when it comes to your favorite music.” – Dixon ([51:55])

• Nostalgia for the Past

  • Hosts recall the days of waiting by the radio and tapes, the thrill of scarcity, and the shared moments music created before streaming.
  • “You shouldn't have that much access to art at any time. It's a catch 22. ... It did definitely take away from the moments you have with music.” – Mall ([57:14])

• Impact on Artists & Fans

  • Fast-release cycles force artists to work harder for core fans and accept that casual listeners may barely notice them.
  • “You trying to. I get it. You got to grow and get more fans, but the best way possible... it's still the core that’s really going to matter and return, and that's the only people you really should feed.” – Mall ([48:31])

The Power of Fanbase: NBA YoungBoy’s Arena Tour

[63:49 – 76:06]

• NBA YoungBoy’s Ascendancy

  • The crew is in awe of YoungBoy’s ability to sell out arenas and inspire diehard fans who know every lyric, even if his music hasn’t touched them personally yet.
  • “If you go out on stage as an artist... there's nothing probably greater than looking out into a fucking arena, and everybody knows every word you're saying. … So to see that and to see everybody so, like, just turned up and you know what I’m saying? … that's an artist’s dream.” – Dixon ([65:00])

• Generational Divide

  • Rory admits his age and biases have kept him from the NBA YoungBoy wave, but he wants to catch the energy from the viral TikToks.
  • “I want to feel this passionately about music.... I want to feel that, I'm a boss' feeling again.” – Rory ([68:55])

• Dangerous Concerts

  • Discussion of the most “dangerous” shows they’ve attended and the unique energy different fan bases bring.
  • “There was so much tension in that small, small venue. Yeah, that was probably the... the one time I been at a show where I'm like, I don't know if it's worth staying in here.” – Mall ([80:36])

Vulnerable Reflections: Forgiveness, Ego, and Self-Growth

[83:49 – 98:04]

• Forgiveness and Maturity

  • Rory asks about the possibility of truly forgiving someone while not letting them back in your life.
  • “I think that energy is just on you. But when you forgive, you’re like, listen, it's all good. … you have to be at that point in your life. ... As God has forgiven us for our sins... you battle.” – Dixon ([84:23])

• Ego and Relationships

  • A deep discussion on the challenges of letting go of ego, being tit-for-tat, and the role of insecurity in relationship habits.
  • “There's an insecurity in making sure nobody plays with me. ... I don't like that feeling of, like, not being in control or somebody knowing something that I don't know.” – Rory ([95:30])

• How to Grow

  • Dixon advises recognizing and working on these flaws as a sign of maturing.
  • “You start looking at shit like, that was stupid. Oh, I should have never said that. I should have never did that.” – Dixon ([93:43])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 04:22 | “And then you have fucking Katy Perry describing what the fuck happened. Why would you pick her?...We're talking science.” | Maul | | 11:03 | “They camped out. That sun stayed there. And they were like, that's CGI. That's AI...” | Mall | | 14:48 | “He has the greatest Breakfast Club discography of all time. When he put out the first one, it was like, how could he ever top that?” | Mall | | 20:16 | “How do you argue with someone? And when you ask a valid question, the only response ... is 'it's because you’re gay.'” | Mall | | 30:29 | “You can't compare his voice or style to any other artist, period... He changed the face of music during it.” | Mall | | 41:38 | “It just feels like you always playing catch up when it comes to your favorite music.” | Dixon | | 65:00 | “If you go out on stage as an artist... there's nothing probably greater than looking out into a fucking arena, and everybody knows every word you're saying. … that's an artist’s dream.” | Dixon | | 93:43 | “You start looking at shit like, that was stupid. Oh, I should have never said that. I should have never did that.” | Dixon | | 95:30 | "There's an insecurity in making sure nobody plays with me. ... I don't like that feeling of, like, not being in control..." | Rory |

Important Timestamps

• Space and Flat Earth Debate: [03:24 – 12:36]
• Dame Dash Breakfast Club Interview Recap: [13:28 – 24:51]
• D’Angelo Tribute: [29:52 – 40:31]
• Music Consumption Culture & Streaming: [41:38 – 54:10]
• NBA YoungBoy Fanbase & Concert Culture: [63:49 – 76:06]
• Forgiveness, Ego, and Growth: [83:49 – 98:04]

Tone and Style

The episode is hilarious, self-aware, and at times deeply vulnerable. The hosts riff on pop culture with irreverence, deconstruct music industry trends with insight, and get real about life’s toughest questions—all with the easy camaraderie and wit that define New Rory & Mal.

For New Listeners

If you missed this episode, expect a whirlwind of genuine laughs, shrewd commentary on the state of the culture, and candid moments about growing as a person in a rapidly changing world. From trolling flat Earthers to mourning D’Angelo, and learning why NBA YoungBoy’s shows look lit even from the outside, it’s a quintessential slice of 2025 cultural conversation, as only Rory, Mal, and their crew can deliver.