Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth #57 - "We Made the News"

Episode Information:

• Title: We Made the News
• Release Date: August 12, 2024
• Hosts: Shane Topp, Spencer (last name not provided), and Selena (last name not provided)

1. Introduction and Special Episode Setup (00:00 - 02:08)

Shane Topp welcomes listeners to a special, improvised episode of Smosh Mouth, joined by Spencer and Selena in the absence of regular members like Damien. The trio shares light-hearted banter about being the last ones in the office and touches upon their Filipino heritage.

• Shane: "Hello. Welcome to Smosh Mouth... everyone’s out of the office for different reasons." (00:00)
• Selena: Shares a humorous story about believing she is Chinese due to her uncle's marriage. (01:15)

2. Genetic Heritage and 23andMe (02:08 - 04:28)

The conversation shifts to genetics and ancestry testing. Shane discusses his parents' 23andMe results, revealing a minuscule percentage of East Asian ancestry, while Selena and Spencer share their experiences and skepticism about the accuracy of such tests.

• Spencer: "I did 23andMe, and it told me everything that I already knew." (04:04)
• Selena: Expresses doubt about 23andMe's reliability, mentioning a humorous take from a Reddit post. (03:44)

3. A Huge News Spotlight: Daniel Sharkey on Good Morning America (04:28 - 10:25)

Shane announces a significant moment where their podcast was mentioned on Good Morning America thanks to a viewer, Daniel Sharkey, who was struck by lightning in Florida. The incident was captured on video, and during his hospital interview, Sharkey branded his heart monitor with "Smoshmouth," giving the podcast unexpected publicity.

• Shane: "Ladies and gentlemen, Smoshmouth was on Good Morning America... thanks to one of our viewers, Daniel Sharkey." (08:04)
• Spencer: Reacts to the rarity of being struck by lightning. (10:25)

4. Discussions on Fears: Sharks and Tornadoes (10:25 - 17:16)

The trio delves into their personal fears, discussing shark attacks and tornadoes. They share anecdotes and insights about the dangers associated with Florida, the improbability of surviving certain natural events, and the psychological impact of witnessing such phenomena.

• Selena: "I ate a really salty stick one time... everything changed." (05:58)
• Shane: Recalls a near-tornado experience in Colorado. (12:19)

5. The O Games: Predictions and Realities (17:16 - 27:00)

A major portion of the episode is dedicated to The O Games. Shane reveals they had made various predictions for the year, some of which have come true, including their unexpected appearance on Good Morning America. The hosts discuss key moments from the Games, standout athletes like Carlos Yulo from the Philippines, and the intense competition between countries, especially between the USA and China.

• Shane: "One of them was that Smosh would end up on Good Morning America... Smosh Mouth ended up on Good Morning America." (06:53)
• Spencer: Highlights Carlos Yulo's achievements. (25:47)
• Selena: Expresses admiration for the athletes and the emotional impact of the Games. (36:57)

6. Impact on Athletes and Sports Culture (27:00 - 34:05)

The discussion transitions to the pressures athletes face post-Games, drawing parallels with NFL players' career spans. They touch upon the fleeting nature of athletic fame, the mental and physical toll on athletes, and the broader implications on sports culture.

• Shane: "For a lot of them, they're done by the time they're 30." (33:53)
• Selena: Compares Olympic athletes to NFL players regarding career lengths and financial security. (34:05)

7. Unrealistic Body Standards in Sports and Media (34:05 - 46:18)

Shane, Spencer, and Selena critique the unrealistic body standards portrayed in modern sports and Hollywood. They discuss how athletes and actors often undergo extreme training and use supplements or enhancements to achieve idealized physiques, questioning the impact on public perception and individual health.

• Shane: "It's unbelievable how ridiculous the standards have gotten." (44:37)
• Selena: Highlights the contrast between real athletes and their on-screen counterparts. (45:46)

8. Book Discussions: Stephen King and Personal Reading Habits (46:18 - 59:54)

Selena shares her passion for Stephen King's novels, recounting favorite books like "The Long Walk" and "22/63." The conversation shifts to personal reading habits, with Selena boasting about reading over half of King’s extensive bibliography, while Shane and Spencer reveal a decrease in their reading tendencies, instead favoring genres like Bridgerton.

• Selena: "I've read over half of his books... 'The Long Walk' was up there for a while." (56:57)
• Spencer: Admits to no longer being an avid reader. (60:14)

9. Future Episodes and Wrap-Up (59:54 - 65:18)

As the episode nears its end, the hosts discuss upcoming episodes, including future guest appearances and themes. They express excitement about potentially attending future O Games events and the evolving nature of their podcast content in the absence of Amanda.

• Shane: "We'll see you later. We got some very different episodes coming for the next couple weeks because Amanda's out of town." (64:55)
• Selena and Spencer: Share light-hearted comments about future plans and interactions. (62:00 - 65:18)

Notable Quotes:

• Shane: "I'm going to tell you how it happened... Daniel Sharkey was struck by lightning and survived." (08:04)
• Selena: "The O Games is a positive way where it's like, oh, we represent our country in a positive way." (36:57)
• Spencer: "I did 23andMe, and it told me everything that I already knew." (04:04)
• Shane: "Bodies... they're not real." (46:17)

Conclusions and Insights:

• Unexpected Publicity: The mention of Smosh Mouth on Good Morning America exemplifies how unforeseen events can elevate a podcast's visibility.

• The O Games' Influence: The Games significantly impact both athletes and listeners, fostering national pride and emotional engagement.

• Body Image Critique: The hosts critically examine societal and media-driven body standards, advocating for more realistic and healthy representations.

• Personal Growth: Discussions reveal the hosts' personal evolutions, from childhood beliefs about heritage to changing reading habits and career outlooks.

Overall, Episode #57 of Smosh Mouth offers a blend of personal anecdotes, critical discussions on contemporary issues like body image and sports culture, and engaging insights into the hosts' lives and the broader athletic community, all enriched with humor and camaraderie.