have you ever been the main character?

Summary

Sixteenth Minute (of Fame) - Episode Summary: "Have You Ever Been the Main Character?"

Release Date: May 1, 2025
Host: Jamie Loftus
Produced by: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

---

Introduction and Formal Announcement

In the kickoff segment of the episode, Jamie Loftus delivers an important update to her listeners. At [00:00], she announces that Sixteenth Minute (of Fame) will be going on hiatus to transition into a more seasonal format. Jamie explains that this change is motivated by both listener feedback and her personal capacity to delve deeper into topics.

Notable Quote:
"Starting in a few weeks, 16th minute is going to go on hiatus for a bit while we reconfigure the show into a more seasonal format." [00:05]

Reasons for the Transition

Jamie elaborates on the factors influencing this shift. She acknowledges the show's current format of weekly episodes featuring internet characters but notes a growing audience preference for comprehensive explorations of internet history.

Notable Quote:
"People really seem to enjoy when I have the time and the bandwidth to get deeper into a single topic about Internet history." [00:25]
"I am but one person and I write and research and record this show and I edit the interviews. With the current format, it can be difficult to go as deep as I'd like to or interview as many people as I would like to without never sleeping." [00:40]

Future Direction: Seasonal and In-Depth Content

Jamie outlines the new vision for Sixteenth Minute, promising more in-depth and season-based episodes that tackle underexplored moments and trends in internet history. She emphasizes a broader contextual approach, examining how internet culture intersects with various societal facets.

Key Topics Highlighted:

• Internet's Influence on Legal Systems:
  "Digging into how Internet culture has shaped the way that court cases go as the new court of public opinion."

• Impact on Incarcerated Individuals:
  "Looking into the role of the Internet with incarcerated people."

• Niche Internet Communities:
  "Histories of niche Internet communities that are misunderstood or fully formed online."

• Transformation of News Consumption:
  "How the Internet has permanently changed the way that we write and consume news."

Notable Quote:
"We're going to be back with seasons of episodes, going deep on underexplored moments or trends in Internet histories, talking about main characters where there is a much larger context to look at." [01:20]

Engaging the Audience: Calls for Participation

Jamie invites listeners to contribute to the show's future direction by suggesting figures and topics of interest. She encourages participation through the show's Reddit community and by submitting voice memos discussing personal experiences related to internet fame or evolving relationships with the internet.

Notable Quote:
"Have you ever been a main character of the Internet on any scale? And if so, what was it like?" [04:30]
"If you record a voice memo when you hear this and send it to the email address smalliceresurfacermail.com... I will go through these voice memos and air my favorites in our last episode before hiatus in a couple weeks." [04:50]

Personal Reflections and Appreciation

Sharing her personal viewpoint, Jamie compares her relationship with the internet to that of a "bad parent," highlighting the complexities and dependencies formed over time. She expresses gratitude towards her production team, voice actors, guests, and contributors who have been integral to the show's success.

Notable Quote:
"For me, it's been like a relationship with a bad parent that has only gotten stranger as I grow more and more dependent on it." [04:15]

Closing Remarks and Final Instructions

Jamie wraps up the episode by reiterating the process for listener submissions and extending her heartfelt thanks to the audience and everyone involved in the show's production. She underscores the importance of listener stories in shaping the final episode before the hiatus.

Notable Quote:
"Thank you to my amazing producers Sophie, Ian and Robert. Thank you to Grant for doing incredible voice work week in and week out. And biggest thanks of all... to the guests on this show who have been unbelievably generous with their time and entrusting me with their stories." [05:00]

Listeners are reminded to send their voice memos to smalliceresurfacermail.com and are encouraged to stay connected through the show's online platforms for future updates.

---

Conclusion

The "Have You Ever Been the Main Character?" episode serves as both a thoughtful reflection on the show's journey and a strategic pivot towards more comprehensive, seasonal content. Jamie Loftus effectively communicates the reasons behind the transition, envisions a richer exploration of internet culture, and fosters a deeper connection with her audience by inviting active participation. This episode marks a significant evolution for Sixteenth Minute (of Fame), promising more nuanced and impactful storytelling in the seasons to come.

Transcript

[Jamie]

Hi, 16th minute listeners. Jamie here with a formal announcement and a request from you. Okay, I'll go first. Starting in a few weeks, 16th minute is going to go on hiatus for a bit while we reconfigure the show into a more seasonal format. Because I absolutely love talking with the Internet's characters of the day from week to week. But as time has gone on, I've noticed that people, people really seem to enjoy when I have the time and the bandwidth to get deeper into a single topic about Internet history. And if you don't feel this way, sorry for gaslighting you, but the numbers don't lie. And honestly, I am but one person and I write and research and record this show and I edit the interviews. And with the current format, it can be difficult to go as deep as I'd like to or interview as many people as I would like to without never sleeping. So we are switching things up after our hiatus. We're going to be back with seasons of episodes, going deep on underexplored moments or trends in Internet histories, talking about main characters where there is a much larger context to look at, and talks with those who want to make the Internet a better place, not just a closer approximation of what it was like when you were 11 years old. I'm talking about digging into how Internet culture has shaped the way that court cases go as the new court of public opinion. I'm talking about looking into the role of the Internet with incarcerated people. I'm talking about really taking a closer look at the areas of the Internet that can't be tackled in a single week. I'm talking about histories of niche Internet communities that are misunderstood or fully formed online. I'm talking about how the Internet has permanently changed the way that we write and consume news. And that's just off the top of my head, but I would love to hear what figures and what topics you would want to hear about. I'm really excited to do more in depth reporting, and I also want to give you guys what you're interested in, unless I think it's boring, in which case I will ignore your suggestion. But please, if you are a member of our Reddit community, our producer Ian is going to start a thread there when this episode releases, and I would love to hear what you want to hear more about. But to close out this iteration of 16th minute, I have a request. There is one more weekly character episode coming out, and we will continue to release occasional episodes in the interim, if we get an interview that is too good to resist. But for Now I would like to hear from you my question. Have you ever been a main character of the Internet on any scale? And if so, what was it like? And if you haven't been, I would also love to hear about how your relationship to the Internet in general has changed over time, whether you're an Internet native or not. I feel like for me, it's been like a relationship with a bad parent that has only gotten stranger as I grow more and more dependent on it. So, in short, I want to hear your stories. I want to hear about your favorite, your least favorite, your changing memories with this big monster that's got us in such a chokehold, and whether you feel, if it's too late to turn things around, whatever that means to you. If you record a voice memo when you hear this and send it to the email address smalliceresurfacermail.com it's in the description as well. I will go through these voice memos and air my favorites in our last episode before hiatus in a couple weeks. So again, that email address is smalliceresurfacermail.com and more than anything, I really wanted to thank you so much for continuing to listen to 16th minute as it has grown in its first year into what it is. I'm really proud of what we've done here so far. Thank you to my amazing producers Sophie, Ian and Robert. Thank you to Grant for doing incredible voice work week in and week out. And biggest thanks of all. I cannot overstate. Thanks to the guests on this show who have been unbelievably generous with their time and entrusting me with their stories. It would not be a show at all without their generosity and trust. And oh, also Zoe Blade and Sadie Dupuis who score this show. I just. There's so many great people. Okay, jumps here. Love you. Smallice resurfacermail.com voice memo Internet memories Were you the main character? Got it. Great. See you next Tuesday. Bye.

[Chumba Casino Ad]

Looking for excitement? Chumba Casino is here. Play anytime. Play anywhere. Play on the train. Play at the store. Play at home. Play when you're bored. Play today for your chance to win and get daily bonuses when you log in. So what are you waiting for? Delay. Chumba Casino is free to play.

[Jamie]

Experience social gameplay like never before. Go to Chumba Casino right now to play hundreds of games including online slots, Bingo, Slingo and more. Live the chumba [e-mail] no purchase necessary.

[Chumba Casino Ad]

Vgw group void where prohibited by law. 21 plus terms and conditions apply.

[MITI Health Ad]

It's true that some things change as we get older. But if you're a woman over 40 and you're dealing with insomnia, brain fog, moodiness and weight gain, you don't have to accept it as just another part of aging. And with MITI Health, you can get help and stop pushing through it alone. The experts at MITI understand that all these symptoms can be connected to the hormonal changes that happen around menopause, and MITI can help you feel more like yourself again. Many healthcare providers aren't trained to treat or even recognize menopause symptoms. MITI clinicians are menopause experts. They're dedicated to providing safe, effective, FDA approved solutions for dozens of hormonal symptoms, not just hot flashes. Most importantly, they're covered by insurance. 91% of midi patients get relief from symptoms within just two months. You deserve to feel great. Book your virtual visit [e-mail] that's join M I D I.com I want you.

[Psychology of Your Twenties Host]

To ask yourself right now, how am I actually doing? Because it's a question that we rarely ask ourselves. All of May is actually Mental Health Awareness Month and on the Psychology of your twenties we are taking a vulnerable look at why mental health is so hard to talk about. Prepare for our conversations to go deep.

[Jamie]

I spent the majority of my teenage years and my twenties just feeling absolutely terrified.

[MITI Health Ad]

I had a panic attack on a conference call knowing that she had six months to live.

[Jamie]

I was no longer pretending that this.

[Chumba Casino Ad]

Was my best friend.

[Psychology of Your Twenties Host]

So this Mental Health Awareness Month, take that extra bit of care of your wellbeing. Listen to the psychology of your 20s on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Chumba Casino Ad]

The biggest stars in country music will be taking the stage at our 2025 iHeart Country Festival, presented by Capital One. Ladies and gentlemen, Brooks and Dunn, Thomas Rhett, everybody. Gotta show it. Rascal Flatts Cole Swindell Sam Hunt Megan Maroney Bailey Zimmerman Nate Swift Smith Special Guest Dasha I Heart Country Festival Stream only on Hulu Saturday, May 3rd starting at 8pM Eastern, 5 Pacific.