Ruthless Podcast Episode Summary Title: From Colbert to the WNBA...The Libs Are Not Alright - Plus, Karoline Leavitt Joins the Progrum
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook
Guest: Carolyn Levitt, White House Press Secretary

1. Introduction to the Episode

The Ruthless Podcast kicks off with a blend of humor and political commentary. Hosts Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook navigate through current events, focusing on the recent cancellation of Stephen Colbert's show, issues within the WNBA, and an exclusive interview with White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt.

2. Stephen Colbert’s Show Cancellation

The episode begins with a discussion about the abrupt cancellation of Stephen Colbert's late-night show. The hosts highlight the financial woes CBS faced, citing a loss of $40 million and the high cost of production.

• Josh Holmes [08:11]: "It costs $100 million to make it. They have 200 people on staff. He's paid $15 million and it loses 40."

The hosts critique the show's shift from entertainment to a partisan platform, suggesting that this pivot alienated a broader audience and led to its downfall.

• Comfortably Smug [09:17]: "It's better than a contribution to a super PAC. They get a nightly deal."

3. Drunken Parent Timers at Summer Swim Meets

Shifting gears, the hosts humorously delve into issues faced by parents volunteering as timers at summer swimming pools. The discussion centers around reports of intoxicated parents mishandling race timings, thereby affecting the fairness of competitions.

• Josh Holmes [04:31]: "If you are timing, this is how they sign off on this thing. If you're timing and notice another timer becoming impaired, please ask the head timer to find a replacement."

The banter highlights the challenges of maintaining integrity in youth sports amidst parental lapses in responsibility.

4. Exclusive Interview with Carolyn Levitt

The podcast features an in-depth interview with Carolyn Levitt, the White House Press Secretary. Levitt outlines the administration's accomplishments over the past six months, emphasizing the defeat of inflation and securing the U.S. border.

• Carolyn Levitt [32:00]: "Inflation is gone, prices are dropping, the economy is booming again."

She also addresses recent intelligence revelations, criticizing the mainstream media's handling of intelligence reports and defending the administration's stance against what she describes as a "Russia hoax."

• Levitt [37:46]: "When Barack Obama was leaving office in 2016, he conspired with the intelligence community to cook up a fake intelligence report and leak it to the press that Donald Trump was a Russian asset."

Levitt discusses efforts to streamline intelligence operations and ensure only trusted individuals have access to classified information, positioning this as a safeguard against misinformation campaigns.

5. WNBA: Relevance and Pay Equity Debate

The conversation transitions to the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), examining its struggle for relevance despite improvements in viewership fueled by star player Caitlin Clark.

• Josh Holmes [22:33]: "Whatever you think about Caitlin Clark, it has become relevant in the era of Caitlin Clark. People pay tickets to go see her."

The hosts critique the WNBA's financial model, highlighting the dependence on NBA subsidies and questioning the league's sustainability without substantial ticket and merchandise sales.

• Comfortably Smug [21:08]: "And for folks who are unaware, the WNBA gets money because they force NBA teams to subsidize them."

A heated debate ensues over pay equity, with the hosts questioning the logic behind demands for increased salaries in a league that historically struggles financially.

• John Ashbrook [25:00]: "I want to see the actual financials and then it's not up to us. Right?"

6. Hunter Biden’s Fiery Interview

A standout segment features clips from Hunter Biden's impassioned interview, where he lambasts media figures and Democratic consultants with unfiltered vitriol.

• Hunter Biden [56:31]: "Why do I have to fucking listen to you? What right do you have to step on a man who's given 52 years of his fucking life to the service of this country?"

The hosts react with a mix of amusement and disbelief at Biden's aggressive rhetoric, using the clip to underscore perceived media and political frustrations.

• Josh Holmes [58:05]: "He's not done. He's got more for us."

7. Engagement with Audience Comments

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with listener comments, fostering a sense of community and encouraging audience participation.

• Listener Toni Colet [28:22]: "I vote that we don't do anything with the NPR money. Reduce the deficit and do not spend it."

The hosts discuss these inputs, emphasizing themes like deficit reduction and editorial independence, aligning with their conservative viewpoints.

8. Conclusion and Final Remarks

Wrapping up the episode, the hosts reiterate their perspectives on the discussed topics, maintaining a blend of humor and political critique. They express gratitude to Carolyn Levitt for her insights and encourage listeners to subscribe and engage with future episodes.

• Josh Holmes [67:06]: "What do you think a WNBA player ought to make? Should we open the books or what should we do? You answer all of that when you like and subscribe to the Ruthless Variety program."

Notable Quotes:

• Josh Holmes [08:11]: "It costs $100 million to make it. They have 200 people on staff. He's paid $15 million and it loses 40."
• Carolyn Levitt [32:00]: "Inflation is gone, prices are dropping, the economy is booming again."
• Hunter Biden [56:31]: "Why do I have to fucking listen to you? What right do you have to step on a man who's given 52 years of his fucking life to the service of this country?"

Timestamp Highlights:

• 00:00-01:05: Introduction and initial banter about Stephen Colbert and political figures.
• 04:31-07:12: Discussion on drunken parent timers at summer swim meets.
• 08:11-12:22: Deep dive into Colbert's show cancellation and its implications.
• 22:33-26:13: Conversation on the WNBA's relevance and Caitlin Clark's impact.
• 31:01-46:43: Exclusive interview with Carolyn Levitt covering administration achievements and intelligence issues.
• 56:31-67:00: Hunter Biden's aggressive interview clips and hosts' reactions.

This episode of the Ruthless Podcast offers a mix of political analysis, humor, and exclusive insights from a high-profile guest, providing listeners with a comprehensive look at current events from a conservative perspective.