Podcast Summary: Pablo Torre Finds Out

Episode: Share & Tell with Dan Soder, Katie Nolan, Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, Don King, and Pablo

Date: December 15, 2023

Overview

In this lively, irreverent episode of "Pablo Torre Finds Out," Pablo is joined by comedian Dan Soder and sports media personality Katie Nolan for a round of “Share & Tell,” an unpredictable session where they riff on everything from failed gym memberships to communicating with the dead via AI. The show is peppered with wild impressions (Macho Man, Don King, and others), sharp observational humor, and earnest reflections on memory, loss, and the fine art of salesmanship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Podcast Plugs (00:36 - 02:07)

• Deposition Vibes: The trio jokes about their “deposition water,” launching with Dan and Katie’s comedic camaraderie.
• Podcast Updates: Dan shares excitement about his new podcast ("Sodor"), and Katie plugs her upcoming "Celebrity Jeopardy!" semifinal appearance (01:53).

2. Old Classmates: Vivek Ramaswamy Stories (02:10 - 07:23)

• Reflections on College: Pablo’s past with Vivek Ramaswamy (now a political figure) elicits a memorable quote:
  • Dan: “Yeah, he sucks, dude.” (02:10)
• Publicly Calling Out Past Peers: They debate the ethics and joys of roasting old college acquaintances who make it big (Trump, Vivek).
• Pablo’s Media Feud: Pablo recounts the New York Post contacting Ramaswamy’s campaign for comment on their shared alumni status. Pablo’s official response was simply, “Lol.” (07:33)

3. Salesmanship as a Throughline (Throughout)

• Show’s Theme Identified: Dan notes the episode’s running thread is salesmanship—whether it’s gym memberships, AI grief tech, or even podcasting itself. (43:47-44:04)
  • Pablo: “He identified the through line of today’s podcast, and that is correct...an episode about salesmanship.” (47:47)

4. Gym Memberships: The Equinox Experience (14:03 - 27:18)

• Legislation in New Jersey: Discussion kicks off around a new bill proposing easier cancellation for gym memberships.
• Inside Sales Stories:
  • Katie details her brief career selling Equinox memberships—combating competition, learning corporate sales tactics, and the psychological tricks gyms employ.
    • Katie: “We had a whole training program that I did really well at. Turns out I was a good salesman. I just didn’t like the way it made me feel on the inside…” (16:51)
  • On cancellation difficulty: “Canceling a gym membership should not need to be like a Jason Statham movie.” — Pablo (27:12)
• Personal Anecdotes:
  • Katie shares how she bonded with a wealthy client, going so far as to promise she’d call her if absent—a story culminating in post-gym outings and gifts. (23:44 - 24:56)
  • The infamous “seven no’s” rule: salespeople had to get rejected seven times before letting a potential customer leave. (25:28)

5. AI and Grief: Talking to the Dead (27:50 - 39:17)

• Article Discussion: Dan brings up an article on using AI to interact with avatars of deceased loved ones ("Storyfile").
  • Dan: “I wouldn’t like talking to someone that I’ve lost through AI because it would be the feeling of like getting a prostitute, where you’re like, this isn’t real.” (29:22)
• Philosophical & Emotional Observations:
  • They debate the morality and psychological impact of preserving the voices and images of the dead artificially. Katie is skeptical, connecting it to "Black Mirror" plots. (31:46 - 32:12)
  • Dan reflects on his own losses:
    • “I don’t remember the sound of my dad’s voice. Don’t remember the sound of my sister’s voice. And I’m okay with that.” — Dan Soder (36:36)
• Impressions as Connection:
  • Dan recounts nearly being asked to impersonate Macho Man for the late wrestler’s brother, reflecting on the potential emotional impact. (39:34 - 41:00)
    • “If someone could do a perfect impression of my dead sister, I wouldn’t want to do a podcast with that person.” — Dan (40:12)

6. Comedic Bits & Standout Impressions (Throughout)

• Macho Man, Don King, and More: Dan peppers the episode with riotous voice work.
  • Macho Man comforting you as your dad:
    • “I was always very proud of you...When you buy with your heart, it’s the best gift you can have.” — Dan as Macho Man (42:36)
  • Don King and Andre the Giant get their time to shine.
• Wild Merch: Pablo discusses his father’s urologist shirts, leading to an absurd breakdown of the design ("let’s go crazy, let’s go nuts" – attributed to Prince), sparking analysis of the shirt’s anatomical references. (10:50 - 12:07)

7. Poignant Moments & Reflections

• Vulnerability about Loss: Dan’s honest and humorous airing of grief, the role of technology, and the limits of memory, mark some of the most heartfelt moments.
• Sales Ethics: Katie’s discomfort with the manipulative aspects of her sales gig is explored with both humor and real self-reflection.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Soder (On AI afterlife):
  • “This is the Nicorette gum of death...you’re not really quitting.” (31:06)
• Katie Nolan (On Equinox sales):
  • “Turns out I was a good salesman. I just didn’t like the way it made me feel on the inside.” (16:51)
• Pablo Torre (On canceling gym memberships):
  • “Canceling a gym membership should not need to be like a Jason Statham movie.” (27:12)
• Dan Soder (On grief and memory):
  • “I don’t remember my dad’s voice...I would like to hear it, but not this way. Not artificially.” (36:38)
• Katie Nolan (On customer connections):
  • “That’s why I couldn’t handle it emotionally. I signed enough people up for the gym, and I’m like, I got seven people who didn’t show up this week. I have to call them. I have to let them know I care.” (25:11)
• Comic relief (on gym sales):
  • “It's like murdering someone with an icicle. It melts. It's gone. No evidence.” — Katie Nolan, on using eucalyptus towels (16:28)
  • “You have to get rejected seven times before you can let them out of your office…” — Katie Nolan (25:38)
• Dan Soder (On the theme of the episode):
  • “As we're kind of...the theme of this podcast episode is salesmen doing whatever the fuck you need to do to get the sale done.” (43:47)
• On a potential future episode:
  • “Your Frost Nixon episode is going to happen.” — Katie & Dan encourage Pablo to interview Vivek Ramaswamy (44:04)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:36 – Opening water/deposition banter; podcast plugs
• 02:10 – Pablo and Vivek Ramaswamy stories
• 14:03 – The New Jersey gym cancellation bill and Equinox sales training
• 16:51 – Katie’s ethical dilemmas as a gym salesperson
• 23:44 – Anecdote: Katie bonds with a rich client
• 25:28 – The “seven no’s” sales rule
• 27:50 – AI grief/“Storyfile” article and discussion
• 29:22 – Dan on AI dead loved ones/comparison to prostitution
• 31:06 – “Nicorette gum of death” metaphor
• 36:36 – Dan on loss, memory, and the voices of loved ones
• 39:34 – Dan’s Macho Man impressions and emotional impact
• 43:47 – Dan and Pablo summarize the theme: salesmanship
• 44:04 – Pushing for the “Frost/Nixon” episode (Pablo vs. Vivek)
• 47:47 – Final reflections and production credits

Tone and Style

The vibe is smart, quick-witted, intimate, and self-aware. The group transitions seamlessly from jokes about OnlyFans and urology merch to frank, emotional conversations about death and the ethics of modern tech—with constant self-parody, absurdist humor, and a willingness to get real.

Conclusion

This episode is a microcosm of what makes Pablo’s “Share & Tell” format sing: a mix of goofiness, honesty, and curiosity. Whether you’re interested in how gyms trap members, why AI grieving tools might help or harm, or just want to hear some pitch-perfect impressions, this episode entertains and provokes in equal measure.