Scam Goddess Podcast Summary: "The HiStudio Hype House with Chris Gethard"

Release Date: May 2, 2025
Host: Laci Mosley (Scam Goddess)
Guest: Chris Gethard (Comedian)

Episode Overview

In this episode of Scam Goddess, host Laci Mosley teams up with the talented comedian Chris Gethard to unravel a series of intricate scams within the podcasting world. The episode combines personal anecdotes, in-depth analysis of fraudulent operations, and lighthearted discussions, all delivered with the signature comedic flair that Scam Goddess is renowned for.

Introduction and Guest Welcome

[00:00] Laci Mosley:
Laci kicks off the episode by welcoming the "Congregation" to Fraud Fridays, a segment dedicated to revisiting classic Scam Goddess episodes. This episode features the first recording from Laci's new setup, adding a personal touch to the introduction.

[02:03] Laci Mosley:
Expressing her excitement, Laci introduces her guest, Chris Gethard, praising his comedic prowess and intellectual depth. She highlights Chris's work, including his popular podcast Beautiful/Anonymous and his current stand-up documentary Half My Life.

[01:48] Chris Gethard:
Chris humorously describes himself as a "low energy human being" but assures he's ready to engage despite feeling "blown out of the water" by Laci's enthusiasm.

Personal Experiences with Scams

Laci's Birthday Yacht Scam

[02:57] Laci Mosley:
Laci shares her recent experience of being scammed during her birthday celebration. She rented a yacht for a grand party, expecting a luxurious experience with friends and family. However, the event quickly spiraled into chaos:

• Planning and Arrival:
  Laci describes renting a mansion, organizing yoga sessions, and ensuring everything was perfect for her guests. However, when it came time to board the yacht, unexpected issues arose, including delays and an unprofessional captain named Pablo, who was excessively sweaty and uncooperative.

• Boat Shenanigans:
  The transportation to the yacht involved multiple smaller boats, creating an unsafe and disorganized environment. Despite raising red flags, Laci reluctantly continued, leading to an unpleasant experience that marred her birthday celebration.

[08:55] Laci Mosley:
She laments, "This was just what you did for your birthday," highlighting the stark contrast between her expectations and the grim reality of the scam.

Chris Gethard's Encounter with Scams

[03:12] Chris Gethard:
Chris opens up about his own experiences with scams, admitting his gullibility. He recounts an incident where he received a flood of unsolicited Amazon boxes filled with low-quality protein powder, questioning whether it was a scam or a bizarre coincidence.

[04:29] Laci Mosley:
Laci empathizes, adding humor by suggesting Chris could have turned the protein powder situation into a multi-level marketing scheme, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

Historic Hoodwinks: The High Studios Hype House Scam

Introduction to High Studios

[08:00] Laci Mosley:
Transitioning to the Historic Hoodwinks segment, Laci delves into the High Studios Hype House, a supposed sanctuary for podcasters aiming to foster creativity without the constraints of traditional advertising models.

[21:43] Chris Gethard:
Chris humorously compares Peter Vincer, the CEO of High Studios, to a blend of Mark Cuban and Michael Rapaport, emphasizing his negative demeanor despite his charismatic appearance.

Unmasking the Fraud

[23:30] Laci Mosley:
Laci breaks down how High Studios, under Peter Vincer's leadership, transformed into a fraudulent operation. Initially promising financial support to podcasters, the company quickly devolved into mismanagement and unethical practices:

• Misleading Promises:
  High Studios boasted a $100 million investment to attract podcasters, deviating from the industry's norm of relying primarily on ad sales. However, this promise turned out to be a facade masking fraudulent intentions.

• Workplace Misconduct:
  Former employees filed lawsuits alleging inappropriate behavior, including cocaine use, hiring sex workers, and creating a toxic work environment. Vincer was accused of sexual harassment, racism, and sexism during the hiring process, blatantly rejecting diverse candidates based on superficial criteria like appearance.

[35:33] Chris Gethard:
Chris reflects on the outrageous nature of Vincer’s hiring practices, pointing out the blatant racism and sexism involved, such as evaluating candidates based on breast size or physical attractiveness.

Legal and Financial Fallout

[39:42] Laci Mosley:
The segment continues with the legal repercussions faced by Peter Vincer. High Studios was rebranded to Notorious after High Studios' decline, but legal issues persisted:

• Lawsuits and Evictions:
  Vincer faced multiple lawsuits for unpaid rent and property damages, with landlords demanding up to $83,000 in damages and $71,967 in unpaid rent. Additionally, eviction notices and civil cases were filed due to his failure to vacate properties on time.

• Property Mismanagement:
  Under Vincer's leadership, properties deteriorated significantly. Former employees reported scenes of disrepair, including destroyed furniture and unsanitary conditions, further tarnishing the company's reputation.

[43:31] Laci Mosley:
Laci sarcastically remarks on the ridiculousness of the situation, questioning how Vincer could sustain such fraudulent activities and maintain his extravagant lifestyle amidst mounting legal troubles.

Current State of High Studios/Notorious

[44:12] Chris Gethard:
Chris muses on Vincer’s misguided focus, suggesting that podcasting, a medium requiring professionalism and calm, was an ill fit for Vincer’s chaotic approach.

[45:27] Laci Mosley:
Laci highlights the ongoing issues, noting that Notorious continues to struggle with legal battles while attempting to pivot towards marketing and influencer-driven content, further distancing itself from its original podcasting mission.

Nut Heist: A Lighthearted Scam Story

Alberto Motomayor’s Pistachio Caper

[53:07] Chris Gethard:
Shifting gears, Laci and Chris discuss the peculiar case of Alberto Motomayor, who orchestrated a nut heist by stealing over 42,000 pounds of pistachios from Touchstone Pistachio Company in California. Using forged documents and posing as legitimate truckers, Alberto managed to repack and sell the stolen nuts, capitalizing on their high value and lack of serial tracking.

[53:10] Laci Mosley:
Laci humorously laments the absurdity of nut heists, suggesting it rivals movie plotlines like "Fight Mr. Peanut," emphasizing the bizarre nature of such crimes.

[54:50] Chris Gethard:
Chris reflects on the surreal aspect of nut heists, contemplating the serious world of individuals and law enforcement dedicated to preventing and solving these unique crimes.

Conclusion and Final Remarks

[55:05] Laci Mosley:
Laci wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to stay vigilant against scams and invites them to share their own scam stories via scamgoddesspodmail.com.

[55:42] Chris Gethard:
Chris promotes his new stand-up special and upcoming tour, humorously connecting it to the episode's themes with a nod to "counterfeit nuts."

[55:55] Laci Mosley:
Laci concludes the show with a blend of humor and solidarity, urging the "Congregation" to "stay scheming" and endorsing her other projects, including her sketch show on HBO Max and her role on iCarly.

Notable Quotes

• Laci Mosley [02:57]:
  “This scam, Chris, okay, if you can believe it, it's going to get pretty wild.”

• Chris Gethard [08:46]:
  “I feel like all of this, all of this sounds fake to me.”

• Laci Mosley [37:30]:
  “He was like, we give it Aryan over here. Okay. We giving white supremacy.”

• Chris Gethard [43:14]:
  “Wow, that's pretty astounding to me.”

• Laci Mosley [53:55]:
  “We probably all have. And I love a good pistachio.”

Final Thoughts

This episode of Scam Goddess masterfully blends personal experiences with a deep dive into podcasting scams, particularly focusing on the downfall of High Studios and its CEO, Peter Vincer. Through engaging dialogue and humor, Laci and Chris shed light on the complexities of fraud within the creative industries, all while keeping listeners entertained with unexpected stories like nut heists. For those interested in the darker side of creativity and the lengths scammers will go to exploit passions, this episode offers both insight and amusement.

Stay tuned for more episodes every Tuesday, and classic episodes re-released every Friday. Don't forget to check out the Scam Goddess TV show premiering on Freeform and Hulu on January 15th!