Pablo Torre Finds Out
Episode: Share & Tell with Katie Nolan & Dwayne Johnson's Friend Ariel Helwani
Host: Pablo Torre, with Katie Nolan & Ariel Helwani
Date: October 20, 2023
Main Theme / Purpose
This episode’s Share & Tell format brings together Pablo Torre, Katie Nolan, and MMA journalist Ariel Helwani for a lively, cross-topic conversation. The trio deep-dives into the wild world of influencer boxing (Logan Paul vs. Dylan Danis), the social and existential value of video games, the high-stress life of NBA news breaker Shams Charania, and the woes of modern group texting. Along the way, they debate cultural shifts in sports and tech, tease each other's quirks, and dish surprising personal anecdotes—including Ariel's DMs with Mark Zuckerberg and texts from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ariel Helwani’s Library & The Art of Zoom Backdrops
[00:34–03:16]
- Ariel is tuning in remotely, prompting Pablo and Katie to question his impressive bookcase background.
- After some playful interrogation (“That’s a green screen, right?” – Katie Nolan, [00:54]), Ariel proves the shelves are real, sharing that it’s a set-piece from his ESPN days.
- “I like being in a warm library… this is a library. I can’t believe anyone would think this would be in my house, look how many books this is.” – Ariel Helwani [02:20]
2. The Logan Paul vs. Dylan Danis Incident & Influencer Boxing
[03:35–14:32]
- Pablo brings up the viral press conference bottle-throwing incident involving Logan Paul and Dylan Danis, narrating Ariel’s quick reaction to avoid being hit.
- “If I would have stayed exactly where I was originally, I would have been pelted in the head with a water bottle.” – Ariel Helwani [04:54]
- Ariel details Dylan Danis’ rise from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu expert to infamous social media troll, and how pre-fight drama (including personal attacks on Logan’s fiancée) fueled the event’s popularity.
- Ariel likens the influencer boxing craze to WWE, underscoring its appeal to a young, online audience rather than traditional fight fans.
- “It’s not boxing. You cannot call it boxing… it’s influencer boxing, a whole different thing.” – Ariel Helwani [13:10]
- Ariel describes the Manchester crowd as more similar to WWE than UFC, packed full of kids who know every YouTuber on the card.
- “It’s a whole other universe that we don’t know anything about.” [14:30]
3. Promotion, Attention, & the Business Model of Influencer Boxing
[14:32–18:47]
- Pablo posits that the talent to “sell a fight” has found a new farm system in influencer culture.
- “The skill set of how to sell a fight… the world of influencer YouTubers is such a natural farm system for at least that part of combat sports.” – Pablo Torre [14:32]
- Ariel, though sometimes disheartened by the “sizzle-over-substance” trend, insists that true boxing is still thriving and sees influencer events as a “sign of the times” rather than an existential threat.
4. Video Games: Legitimate Life Lessons & Social Value
[20:06–28:35]
- Katie shares a powerful Paris Review piece about Red Dead Redemption, exploring how video games can offer lessons about morality, control, and redemption.
- She and Pablo reminisce about their pandemic-era mutual gaming adventures and the social opportunities gaming creates.
- “Every night we play video games together. Every night, around the same time, we get on a headset with a group of people and we play whatever we feel like playing.” – Katie Nolan [22:43]
- Ariel admits to enjoying gaming in his youth but now avoids it due to time constraints and concerns over being a good role model for his kids.
5. Parenting, Hobbies, and Screen Time
[25:00–28:35]
- The trio debates modern parenting challenges: giving kids iPads, encouraging “real-world” play, and the hypnotic draw of handheld consoles even for toddlers.
- “The intuitive aspect of just how to manipulate any sort of tablet and or video game system is unnerving.” – Pablo Torre [26:50]
6. How to De-stress: Games, Sleep, and… Soccer?
[29:12–30:29]
- While Katie and Pablo unwind with games, Ariel proclaims he has “no real hobbies,” preferring early sleep and, recently, a deepening love for soccer.
- “If I could go to bed [at] 9:30, I’m thrilled.” – Ariel Helwani [29:48]
- The crew tries to entice Ariel with Rocket League (described as “flying car soccer”), but he jokes that his kids have already outgrown it.
7. Modern Communication Prison: Group Chats & the Tyranny of Notifications
[31:00–44:00]
- Ariel presents a profile of NBA newsbreaker Shams Charania, whose 18-hour phone usage and 500+ daily messages epitomize hyper-connectivity.
- “It’s a personal jail that you’re living in.” – Ariel Helwani [32:53]
- The trio confesses their own screen-time habits and email inbox tallies (Katie: 22,922 unread; Ariel: 57; Pablo: 3,282).
- Katie laments the inescapability of group chats, especially when there’s a dreaded “green texter” (non-iPhone user), making leaving the group impossible.
- Ariel expresses loyalty to WhatsApp (ubiquitous in global sports circles), noting everyone “looks the same” on it.
8. Mark Zuckerberg & Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: Celebrity Connections
[44:26–46:59]
- Ariel reveals Mark Zuckerberg follows and DMs him about MMA, and that Zuck wants to appear on his show.
- The group jokes about celebrity interactions, culminating with Ariel sharing a text snippet from The Rock:
- “‘You’re a class act. And chat soon.’ I’ll just leave it at that.” – Ariel Helwani [46:42]
9. What They Found Out: Lightning Round
[47:17–49:07]
- Katie: Reminds herself which Paul brother is which (Jake = younger, Logan = older, etc.).
- Ariel: Admits he learned to be less negative about video games, especially as a social outlet for “hermits.”
- Miscellaneous: Discussion about how The Rock cryptically tweeted about Osama bin Laden’s death before it broke, leading into jokes about who’s a “class act.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “If I would have stayed exactly where I was originally, I would have been pelted in the head with a water bottle.” — Ariel Helwani, [04:44]
- “It’s not boxing. You cannot call it boxing. It’s influencer boxing, a whole different thing.” — Ariel Helwani, [13:10]
- “It’s just fascinating to witness it all… it’s a whole other universe that we don’t know anything about.” — Ariel Helwani, [14:30]
- “This is just a sign of the times.” — Ariel Helwani, on the influencer boxing business model, [17:04]
- “Every night we play video games together. Every night, around the same time…” — Katie Nolan, [22:43]
- “I don't like violence, but this guy threw an energy drink at this guy’s crotch and I was there, front row seat.” — Katie Nolan, [25:29]
- “If I could go to bed [at] 9:30, I’m thrilled.” — Ariel Helwani, [29:48]
- “It’s a personal jail that you’re living in…” — Ariel Helwani, regarding the newsbreaker grind, [32:53]
- “The moment I see that someone is green texter, I feel like there’s like a block between us. Like, I can’t fully embrace you…” — Ariel Helwani, [43:16]
- “You’re a class act. And chat soon.” — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, via Ariel Helwani, [46:42]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Ariel’s bookcase & green screen speculation: [00:34–03:16]
- Logan Paul vs. Dylan Danis saga: [03:35–14:32]
- Influencer boxing’s cultural and economic context: [14:32–18:47]
- Red Dead Redemption and video game think piece: [20:06–28:35]
- Parenting and technology struggles: [25:00–28:35]
- Hobbies and Rocket League: [29:12–30:29]
- Modern group chat anxieties & email confessions: [31:00–44:00]
- Ariel on Shams Charania’s life & newsbreaker burnout: [32:53–39:52]
- Ariel’s DMs with Mark Zuckerberg & texts from The Rock: [44:26–46:59]
- What They Found Out Round: [47:17–49:07]
Tone & Flow
The conversation is quick-witted, irreverent, and self-referential, with plenty of ribbing between the hosts. Despite the humor, the trio delivers thoughtful perspectives on the shifting nature of sports, tech, and communication in contemporary life. The guests bring both expert insight and personal vulnerability, making for a rich blend of journalistic curiosity, nostalgia, and cultural critique.
For New Listeners
This episode is a microcosm of Pablo Torre Finds Out at its best: part sport documentary, part cultural salon, part group therapy for our extremely online existence. Expect honest hot takes, nerdy confessions, and great stories—plus, a few very famous names dropped.