S1: #17 - Body Dysmorphia & Why Damien Hates Dating

Summary

Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth – S1: #17 - Body Dysmorphia & Why Damien Hates Dating

Release Date: June 12, 2019

Hosts:

• Shayne Topp (Short)
• Amanda Lehan-Canto (Tall)
• Damien Haas (Rotating Smosh Friend)
• Ian Hecox

---

Introduction and Opening Anecdotes

The episode kicks off with light-hearted banter among the hosts, establishing a relaxed and humorous atmosphere. Damien shares an amusing anecdote about a persistent bug in his ear, setting the stage for deeper discussions later on.

Notable Quote:

• Damien Haas (00:08): "There was 100% a bug in my ear."

Body Dysmorphia: Damien's Struggle

Damien opens up about his long-standing battle with body dysmorphia, expressing his insecurities regarding his physical appearance. He recounts how his upbringing, with parents who were highly physical, influenced his self-image. Damien admits feeling disconnected from his body and discusses how his busy lifestyle has contributed to neglecting physical fitness, further fueling his insecurities.

Key Points:

• Childhood Influence: Damien's parents were involved in fitness, leading to high expectations.
• Current Struggles: Balancing a busy schedule with self-care has been challenging.
• Body Image Issues: Persistent feelings of being uncomfortable in his own body.

Notable Quotes:

• Damien Haas (24:28): "I've let myself go by the wayside a bit. But I'm trying to figure out how to still feel good about myself, even if it's not in a physical way."
• Shayne Topp (26:53): "You would still have those insecurities even if you were in the best shape of your life."

The Two Truths, One Lie Incident

A significant portion of the podcast revolves around Ian's story about playing "Two Truths, One Lie" with his ex-girlfriend, Pamela. Ian intended to use cheating as his lie but ended up accidentally confirming it by spraying her with water during the reveal. This public mishap caused considerable emotional turmoil for Ian and Damien.

Key Points:

• Game Setup: Ian planned to use cheating as the lie in the game.
• Mishap: Due to nervousness, Ian mistakenly sprays Pamela, making her believe he cheated.
• Emotional Aftermath: The incident led to immediate regret and awkwardness among the hosts and involved parties.
• Reflection: Ian emphasizes the importance of acknowledging mistakes and the value of being honest.

Notable Quotes:

• Ian Hecox (08:33): "I didn't cheat on you, and this is not the reveal that I did."
• Shayne Topp (14:23): "I felt bad for both of you, and I think we all do."

The Importance of Therapy and Overcoming Insecurities

Following the anecdote, the discussion shifts to addressing personal insecurities and the role of therapy in managing them. The hosts delve into their struggles with self-image, anxiety, and social interactions, advocating for seeking professional help to navigate these challenges.

Key Points:

• Therapy Advocacy: All hosts agree on the benefits of therapy for mental health.
• Personal Experiences: Damien shares his difficulties in finding a comfortable therapist, while Ian talks about anxiety attacks and the support he received from Pamela.
• Insecurities: The conversation highlights how insecurities can stem from various sources and affect personal well-being and relationships.
• Support Systems: Emphasis on the importance of having a supportive community and being there for one another.

Notable Quotes:

• Damien Haas (19:23): "I just have a hard time finding someone... This isn't for me."
• Shayne Topp (24:02): "We know far less about ourselves than we think we do."

Dating Challenges and Social Anxiety

Damien opens up about his aversion to dating, explaining how past relationships and internal pressures have made the prospect daunting. The hosts discuss strategies for overcoming social anxiety, such as stepping out of one's comfort zone and focusing on genuine connections rather than perfection.

Key Points:

• Damien's Perspective: He finds the idea of dating stressful and time-consuming, preferring to focus on his career.
• Ian's Role: Acts as a wingman, though his efforts sometimes add pressure.
• Shayne's Insights: Emphasizes the importance of being authentic during dates and not succumbing to self-imposed expectations.
• Mutual Support: Hosts encourage each other to take actionable steps towards overcoming their fears.

Notable Quotes:

• Shayne Topp (35:36): "If you're not being 100% yourself on a date, then you're presenting a false version of yourself."
• Damien Haas (34:54): "I am open to the idea of dating."

Reflections on Content Creation and Burnout

Towards the latter part of the podcast, the conversation shifts to the pressures of content creation, particularly on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. The hosts discuss burnout, the demands of streaming, and the competitive nature of online content creation.

Key Points:

• Burnout Risks: Constant streaming and content creation can lead to exhaustion.
• Platform Challenges: Twitch's evolving landscape and the need for consistency pose significant challenges.
• Community Support: Despite the pressures, having a supportive community helps mitigate some of the stress.

Notable Quotes:

• Ian Hecox (58:10): "People get burned out because it's so demanding. You just can't stop ever."
• Shayne Topp (60:54): "It's so tough... to play a video game while also being entertaining is so much harder than you think."

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode concludes with light-hearted remarks about upcoming projects and merchandise, maintaining the show's signature humor. However, the primary focus remains on the candid discussions about body image, mental health, and personal growth.

---

Overall Insights:

• Vulnerability and Honesty: The hosts exemplify the importance of being open about personal struggles to foster a supportive environment.
• Mental Health Awareness: Advocacy for therapy and addressing insecurities highlights the podcast's commitment to meaningful conversations.
• Balancing Humor and Serious Topics: While the show maintains its humorous tone, it effectively balances lighter moments with deep, introspective discussions.

Key Takeaways:

• Self-Acceptance: Embracing one's imperfections is crucial for personal well-being.
• Seek Support: Professional help and a strong support system can aid in overcoming mental health challenges.
• Authenticity in Relationships: Being genuine in dating helps build meaningful connections and reduces personal anxiety.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

1. Damien Haas (00:08): "There was 100% a bug in my ear."
2. Damien Haas (24:28): "I've let myself go by the wayside a bit. But I'm trying to figure out how to still feel good about myself, even if it's not in a physical way."
3. Ian Hecox (08:33): "I didn't cheat on you, and this is not the reveal that I did."
4. Shayne Topp (14:23): "I felt bad for both of you, and I think we all do."
5. Damien Haas (19:23): "I just have a hard time finding someone... This isn't for me."
6. Shayne Topp (24:02): "We know far less about ourselves than we think we do."
7. Shayne Topp (35:36): "If you're not being 100% yourself on a date, then you're presenting a false version of yourself."
8. Damien Haas (34:54): "I am open to the idea of dating."
9. Ian Hecox (58:10): "People get burned out because it's so demanding. You just can't stop ever."
10. Shayne Topp (60:54): "It's so tough... to play a video game while also being entertaining is so much harder than you think."

---

This episode of Smosh Mouth delves deep into personal insecurities and the complexities of dating, all while maintaining the group's characteristic humor and camaraderie. It serves as a reminder of the importance of self-awareness, support systems, and the continuous journey towards self-improvement.

Transcript

[Shane Ta]

Ramble.

[Damien Haas]

Oh, yeah. Just so you know, there was 100% a bug in my ear.

[Ian Hecox]

That was a complete mess up. I didn't cheat on you, and this is not the reveal that I did.

[Shane Ta]

I still don't think, like, I'm that big. I think of my body as being rather average.

[Ian Hecox]

We're at the moment of the podcast where Damien's making squeak noises. It's his signal. Please change the subject.

[Damien Haas]

What happened? What happened?

[Shane Ta]

What happened?

[Damien Haas]

What happened? What happened?

[Ian Hecox]

Oh. Welcome to the smoshcast. I am Ian Hecox of the Smosh Channel. Smosh. I'm joined by my other Smosh Channel members, Damian Halls.

[Damien Haas]

Hello.

[Ian Hecox]

And Shane Ta.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, you're in for it now.

[Damien Haas]

Uh.

[Shane Ta]

Oh.

[Ian Hecox]

Is this the first time that the three of us boys have been on a pod?

[Shane Ta]

That is correct.

[Damien Haas]

I think, yes. But last time we had Courtney with us, so it's the first time it's just us three boys.

[Shane Ta]

Just the three of us? Yeah. Damon and I haven't been on the podcast together.

[Damien Haas]

We haven't?

[Shane Ta]

We haven't?

[Ian Hecox]

No.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, weird. We have not.

[Ian Hecox]

It has been a highly requested pairing.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah. For the boys, it's got the itchiest ear. Let's talk about that.

[Ian Hecox]

Okay. What's wrong with your ear?

[Damien Haas]

I don't know, but it's itchy.

[Shane Ta]

That's a real problem.

[Damien Haas]

Next topic.

[Ian Hecox]

Mm.

[Damien Haas]

Why is it. Oh, my God. Look at that go.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, no, we can't do this. We gotta stop this.

[Ian Hecox]

Maybe you got a spider in there. Have you ever had an insect crawl into your ear?

[Damien Haas]

Yes. Story time in elementary school, I heard, like, the. And then I felt it go in my ear. And when I went to go talk to the teacher, I was like, I think there's a bug in my ear. They were like, there's no bug in your ear. You're fine. And I was like, okay. And so I kept trying to get them to believe me that there was definitely a bug in my ear. Eventually, I get sent to the nurse, and she literally does like. She goes like, you're fine. There's no bug. And so after, like, hours of pleading, I get to go to the doctor. And my mom, of course, believes me, thank God. And the doctor's like, oh, yeah, bugs in ears. We get it all the time. And sure enough, there was a bug in my ear. It was biting me. It formed a blood clot because of how much it was biting within my ear. Yeah. And so they tried to, like, flush it out, and you'd see little bug parts coming out with the water. But then they actually had to like, go in and take it out. So I had two major shots of novocaine in my ear so they could, like, extract it.

[Shane Ta]

And.

[Damien Haas]

And the next day I come in with like an all cottoned up, bandaged ear. And I'm just looking at everyone like, oh, yeah. Just so you know, there was 100% a bug in my ear also. F you.

[Ian Hecox]

What kind of bug was it something.

[Damien Haas]

It was like mosquito size. So it wasn't too crazy, but not fun.

[Shane Ta]

I just would love for it to be like. And all of a sudden you're like. It's calm, there's nothing. And all sudden you hear. Now listen to me very carefully. I am the mosquito deep in your ear. You're going to listen to me.

[Damien Haas]

Played by James Earl Jones.

[Shane Ta]

We're going to take down the American government, you and I. I've chosen a.

[Damien Haas]

Fourth grader as my vessel as the most powerful being in America.

[Ian Hecox]

I mean, they wouldn't know any better.

[Shane Ta]

No, we're all titans to them.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah.

[Damien Haas]

This is true.

[Shane Ta]

We're all their gods.

[Damien Haas]

Yes.

[Ian Hecox]

Mm.

[Shane Ta]

Actually, mosquitoes have taken down surprisingly, the most humans out of all animals.

[Ian Hecox]

Oh, actually, you're totally right. Malaria. Yeah.

[Damien Haas]

They're fighting back.

[Shane Ta]

There is a war going on between us and them.

[Ian Hecox]

That's true.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah.

[Ian Hecox]

I don't know. No, I guess malaria probably has killed the most people.

[Shane Ta]

I think I wanna. I'm obviously not an expert. I do think mosquitoes, technically with malaria, have killed most humans out of all animals and stuff.

[Damien Haas]

No. Hippos. Cause they charge.

[Shane Ta]

Hippos have killed most people physically.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah.

[Damien Haas]

Out of all the bugs, hippos are.

[Shane Ta]

The most dangerous, strongest insect, without a doubt.

[Ian Hecox]

It would be funny if we found out the hippos were the. The most prolific killers in all of history. Like that. They've killed billions of people and we just didn't know it because they killed all the historians just above Hitler.

[Shane Ta]

Historians.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah, they just went after historians. So they didn't tell anyone. Yes, they'll suspect nothing.

[Damien Haas]

They, like, just spread lies where they're like, mixing it in with hippo facts, where they're like, a hippo can eat up to two bushels of food per day. Also, the earth is 100 years old. And we're all like, ah. There was no before time. Only hippo, ever. Hippo.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah.

[Shane Ta]

Foote's in his office, like, and then the Civil War and all of a sudden just through his office eats him. We'll never know what happened. Cause Shelby Foote was killed.

[Ian Hecox]

Who the fuck is Shelby Foote.

[Shane Ta]

Shelby Foote is a prolific historian who wrote a massive compendium on the Civil War.

[Damien Haas]

There is one person listening or watching this right now that's like, oh, my God. Everyone else is just like, yeah, yeah, Shelby Foote. I don't know who that is.

[Ian Hecox]

I was gonna let it slide, but then you just had to say it again and again.

[Shane Ta]

Dude, Shelby Foote, man. There's a doc out that that follows his whole thing. And also he has like these three books that are all like 2,000 pages each, and it just covers the entirety of the Civil War.

[Ian Hecox]

Wow, he must have had no life to just talk about Civil War. What a friggin nerd.

[Damien Haas]

In the middle thousand pages are just him writing war over and over again.

[Shane Ta]

Nobody's read it, but everyone just claims they have.

[Damien Haas]

War, war, war, war.

[Shane Ta]

You're not reading this. War, war, war, war, war.

[Damien Haas]

North, south, north, south, States, rights.

[Ian Hecox]

Do you think that's how he got out of fighting the war? He's like, oh, no, sorry. Sor history book. So.

[Shane Ta]

Well, he wrote it in the 20th century. Century.

[Ian Hecox]

I don't believe you. See, you're just making this all up.

[Damien Haas]

I bet his real name was Sheldon Hand. Yeah, and he wrote something about the Iran Contra issue.

[Shane Ta]

The mosquito in my ear. Shelby Foot is like, okay, no, don't say anything more. Yeah, just keep your mouth shut. Now they're on you.

[Damien Haas]

If you'd asked me where I thought this podcast was going to go, I didn't think it would be about sentient mosquitoes and Shelby the Foot Footerman.

[Shane Ta]

Anyways, should we all just, like, take out some blood and just, you know, leave it out in the open? Yes.

[Damien Haas]

Good.

[Shane Ta]

Good idea, Shane. Keep it going. Keep the ruse going.

[Damien Haas]

No, he's type B positive. That's the worst one.

[Ian Hecox]

Oh, that's right.

[Shane Ta]

You just found out your blood type. Bad blood.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, I just found out my blood type.

[Ian Hecox]

How'd you find out your blood type?

[Damien Haas]

I asked my mom to send me my actual, like, birth information because we did the every astrological sign ever. And I learned that, like, when someone's like, I'm a Capricorn but a Pisces rising, I was like, what does that mean? And you have to know your BIR. So it turns out I was born at exactly 12 noon exactly. And I am blood type B positive.

[Shane Ta]

See, I thought you went and asked. You went to the blood palace and you were like, yeah, I'd like to know my blood type, you know, because I'm just having a really hard time and they're like, oh, be positive. And you're like, oh.

[Ian Hecox]

Boo, I don't.

[Damien Haas]

Think I can do this. I don't think I can do this. I'm sorry, Boo.

[Ian Hecox]

This man. Boo.

[Shane Ta]

That was a terrible joke, Shane. Get out.

[Ian Hecox]

The worst part is I was busy also ruminating on a joke for the positive thing.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah, you were.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, I saw you in Jamaica. It'd be a be positive. Sometimes the comments make me look at them and just go like, oh, negative.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, God dang it.

[Damien Haas]

Universal donor receiver.

[Shane Ta]

So I'd say overall that this whole joke was a positive experience.

[Damien Haas]

What do we got, like, two minutes left or what?

[Shane Ta]

This has been a great podcast. Thank you, guys.

[Ian Hecox]

This week is a little bit of a rough one because I had to give final approval of the two truths, one lie that I did with Pamela.

[Shane Ta]

Right, right.

[Ian Hecox]

For those of you who don't know, Pamela being my ex girlfriend and I thought it'd be such a hilarious idea to do two truths, one lie with her. And that video will be out by the time this podcast comes out. So if you haven't watched it, watch it right after you listen to all this.

[Damien Haas]

Can we speak freely about what happened?

[Ian Hecox]

Yes. Yes. I thought it'd be hilarious. And I was like, ok. One of the great. One of the great lies that I'm gonna drop on her at the very end is that I cheated on her. And then obviously that didn't happen, so that was gonna be the lie. Then something happened. I was obviously, like, very nervous during that part, and I was very excited, and I had been waiting a long time to do this. Two truce, one lie. And it was. This was the moment. And she was. She was confusing me with her word jazz and. And whatever.

[Shane Ta]

It's called English.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah, Whatever it was, it was like she was, like, saying things. I've had to watch it back, like, six times to understand where it all went wrong. But basically, I, for a moment forgot how the game was played. And then she guessed that the lie was that I cheated on her.

[Damien Haas]

Which is correct.

[Ian Hecox]

Which is correct. And so she's supposed to spray me if she gets it right. I, for some reason, sprayed her, which then proceeded to. What then happened next was probably one of the worst moments in my life where I sprayed her. Then I realized, oh, shit, she thinks I cheated on her. And this is the moment that I reveal it to her. Spraying her in the face with water.

[Damien Haas]

In public, on camera.

[Ian Hecox]

On camera in front of people.

[Shane Ta]

And you were laughing. You were kind of like laughing as you did.

[Damien Haas]

Gotcha.

[Ian Hecox]

And like, the moment the Water, like, hit her face. I realized, like, looking at her reaction, I was like, wait, wait, she thinks I cheated. Oh, God. Oh, no. Oh, no. And like, and you guys, Damien and Shane, like, you guys were in the peanut gallery and I told you guys that I was gonna drop that.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah.

[Ian Hecox]

And so you guys knew you guys were ready for it. And you're like, what are you doing? You're playing the game wrong.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah.

[Ian Hecox]

What was. What was going.

[Damien Haas]

Some thoughts on.

[Shane Ta]

You kind of caught it. No, I was gonna say you kind of caught what it might have. What might have caused his confusion.

[Damien Haas]

We rewatched it the other day to give, like, notes on it. And first of all, I will say, like, you didn't just come up with that idea out of the blue. Like, Olivia had one of the best two truths, one lies of all time with her boyfriend Sam by dropping the bombshell of I'm pregnant, which was also the lie. But just that moment was great. So I think that inspired.

[Ian Hecox]

Yes. I was like. I was like, oh, I'm gonna one up it.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, exactly.

[Shane Ta]

And no matter what. And no matter what, we did know. Like, you did have to know, because it was same with Olivia. By saying, oh, I cheated on you, we obviously know it's a lie, but there's still that moment of like, there's the.01% chance of, like, is he really willing to do this? Like, whatever. And so you could see that kind of. With her.

[Damien Haas]

Are you that crazy of a man?

[Shane Ta]

Because Pam goes like, oh, well, I definitely know you wouldn't reveal it like this.

[Damien Haas]

So that's. That's the thing. So when we watched it again, we caught where the mix up happened. So it's two truths, one lie. Right. So she's dissecting. Dissecting it after you say everything. It's. I prefer whatever type of peanut butter done on my mom's birthday. And I cheated on you.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah.

[Damien Haas]

So she says, well, I know you didn't cheat on me. That's for sure. And then she continues on. So if she really knew that she. She also playing the game correctly, should have said, like, that is for sure the lie. But she says, I know you didn't cheat on me. So that. Okay, that one. And so she keeps going. And so you're thinking, all right, she's correct about that. True. So then next. And so the idea of true got switched up for both of you all there. She's like, well, I know you didn't cheat on me, so let me go to the other ones. And then she kept dissecting him. And then that's when you were like, well, wait, so you're trying to find a lie? And she's like, oh, that's right. Well, I know you didn't cheat on me, so. Because that first switch happened for you in your mind when she revealed, like, okay, lie. You. You didn't cheat on me. And it's like, no, the lie is that I cheated on you, not that I didn't cheat on you. So it got reversed for both of you guys. It was just more visceral for her.

[Ian Hecox]

It's also the most simple game in the universe. And this is the second time that I've messed it up, because I messed it up the last time I played it, I think. And so I sprayed her in the face. And then obviously she got very upset, which I completely understand. And then we had to cut the cameras for a moment and allow. Allow everyone to, like, settle down a little bit. And I'm like, that was a complete mess up. I didn't cheat on you. And this is not the reveal that I did on camera. And it was. It was the. It was the worst. It was the worst feeling ever. And I, you know, people. Everyone was very. Was very thoughtful afterwards. And everyone, you know, want to make sure we were okay. And I was. And they were like, are you all right? And I'm like, well, it turns out I really don't like hurting the people I care about.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, I felt bad for you too. I felt bad for both of you. But I ran into you in the bathroom. I ran into you in the bathroom afterwards. I was like, hey, man, are you doing okay? And you're like, well, I'm worried about Pam. And I was like, yes. And I know that as well. You know, we all are. But, like, you know, obviously you didn't mean to do that. I'm worried about you too. And then Pam comes out of one of the restroom stalls and just says, am I in the wrong bathroom?

[Ian Hecox]

Oh, yeah.

[Damien Haas]

Just like, hi, Pam.

[Shane Ta]

What the fuck?

[Damien Haas]

It was the weirdest moment.

[Shane Ta]

I definitely felt bad for her. We cut a lot because, I mean, she knew pretty quickly. Like, we cleared it up very quickly. But still, that just reaction.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah.

[Shane Ta]

Of like, oh, my God. Because, yeah. What we cut was her getting sprayed with a super Soaker. And then be like, you cheated on me? And like, we were all just like, oh, no. And you were just like. I could tell in that moment. I felt bad because you looked at her like, what? Obviously. No, like, hold on. What. What's going on? And then it. It Slowly hit. And I mean, everyone in that room. The problem is everyone in the room, I think, except you and Pam, knew it was going wrong because we were looking at each other, Damian and Courtney and I. And I was looking at the cameramen and everyone in the room, and everyone was like, eyes wide open, mouth agape, being like, what are you doing? And then after it all went down, my favorite quote from the day was, brennan, our cameraman, just looking at you and just went, ian, that was the dumbest thing I've ever seen. But I felt. I felt horrible. Cause then later, I saw you in our Castro, and you were just kind of standing there, and I was like.

[Ian Hecox]

Hey, how are you doing?

[Shane Ta]

Like, it must have been, you know, I'm sorry. And you're just like, yeah, I just. I've never hurt her that way. And I was like.

[Damien Haas]

I was like, ah, Ian.

[Shane Ta]

Like. And to hurt someone on that level, when you didn't do anything wrong, like, you accidentally pulled a horrible prank is what happened. And you would never, obviously, do that to her, the sweetest human. So it's hard to see that. So, yeah, I felt for both of you, and I think we all do.

[Ian Hecox]

So, yeah, it's really funny. When we broke up, I was having little sort of anxiety attacks, and I kind of told her about it, and she was like, okay, well, I have this kind of medication that, you know, if you're having an anxiety attack, you could take it, and it kind of kills it immediately. And she kind of, like, gave me, like, a small. Like a small amount. Like, not like a full dose. She's like, if you ever feel it, you know, take one of these. So I kept it in my backpack. I actually never ended up using it. I got better. I still had it in my backpack. And so, like, after. After the shoot, like, I walked into the room, and she was there, and I was like, are you feeling okay? And she's like, no. I was like, are you. I have that medication you gave me.

[Shane Ta]

Do you want it?

[Ian Hecox]

She's like, yeah. So it strangely, like, came full circle, full circle.

[Shane Ta]

She seemed fine pretty quickly. Like, she. She really pulled it together very well.

[Damien Haas]

But it just shakes you a little bit.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, my God. Yeah, well, it's the context. It's. Getting told you were cheated on is one thing if it's told in a specific way, but getting sprayed in the face with a super Soaker in front of a bunch of people is having.

[Damien Haas]

Having said that, I respect the hell out of you for putting out the video and acknowledging it and, like, talking about it now, because I. I feel like I would have been like, no, please. Like, there's no way we can cut it to make this fine. Like, please. But you were like, no, we. We.

[Shane Ta]

It happened pretty immediately. I. Because I talked to you and Pam after. I was like, you guys, you know. You know, you don't have to put it out there. You can cut whatever. And both of you were like, nah, we did it. Let's do it.

[Ian Hecox]

So I was like, dang, I'm not a perfect person, so.

[Shane Ta]

Wow. We just. I'm not singing a song, and we had to cut it, so I'm really sorry. He sang the entire song.

[Ian Hecox]

That song by Hubastank.

[Shane Ta]

He sang an entire hoobastank.

[Damien Haas]

My question is, who be stank?

[Ian Hecox]

Jesus.

[Shane Ta]

Sorry, I can't make it to band practice. My hooba stank.

[Damien Haas]

Doesn'T make.

[Shane Ta]

Even. That doesn't make sense at all. See, I replaced the T with an H instead of a tuba. It's a hooba, and it's stink.

[Ian Hecox]

Oh, I didn't. I just figured the hooba was just some sort of, like, maybe, you know, Dr. Seuss instrument.

[Shane Ta]

It's what they call the baritone tuba.

[Damien Haas]

There's a hooba under my booba. And there's a squid under the dit.

[Ian Hecox]

Anyways, if you guys want to see the worst moment of my life. Yeah. Feel free to watch that video. It's so painful for me to watch, like, and I had to watch it many times, and, man, I am such an idiot. But I think it's also important to show that, you know, we all. We all make mistakes. I'm not a perfect person. I keep thinking the hoopest thing song it is, really.

[Shane Ta]

If there's ever a video I recommend to watch, man, it's that one. It's.

[Damien Haas]

It's incredible because it is also still funny. There's just such a roller coaster of human emotion where we're just like. If you could see, like, a waveform of people's emotions, it would just be, like, spiking in all different directions.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah. And then Pam had to turn after you, and hers was like, sometimes I fart to distract you. Hey, my favorite color's purple. It's like, oh, okay.

[Damien Haas]

No, it was about Dr. Amal. Don't you listen?

[Shane Ta]

Yeah. The real question, though, Ian, is, what is your mom's birthday? Honestly, you still. You didn't after that video. I don't.

[Damien Haas]

Do you know the month?

[Shane Ta]

You have to know the month.

[Ian Hecox]

It's like, March or something.

[Damien Haas]

Some Timtember 19th.

[Ian Hecox]

I mean, I guess I could check the Internet. The Internet probably knows.

[Shane Ta]

Until Ian finds out when his mom's birthday is, we have to assume every day is Ian's mom's birthday. So happy birthday, Ian's mom. Let her know happy birthday in the comments.

[Ian Hecox]

I would check Facebook, but I didn't add her on Facebook.

[Shane Ta]

Guys, we're adding more to the petition. Ian needs to go to therapy, and he needs to find out his mom's birthday and get her a gift. And clearly, probably, you know, a bunch of gifts. Cause you probably.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, some retroactive gifts or one big one. Like a big old. Like a hen that'll lay her eggs constantly because it'll give gifts year round. And that way you don't have to know when her birthday is because it will probably lay an egg on her birthday.

[Shane Ta]

That's true. That's the key.

[Ian Hecox]

Is that how it works?

[Shane Ta]

Yeah, that's what I do.

[Ian Hecox]

Okay.

[Damien Haas]

Just get her a fat hen.

[Ian Hecox]

Okay. You're right. I do need to go to therapy.

[Damien Haas]

Still, Everybody needs to go to therapy.

[Shane Ta]

Damien, you should go to therapy.

[Damien Haas]

I straight up should.

[Ian Hecox]

Damien, you and I talking about making a therapy pact.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah. It's weird because I'm very vocal about how I think therapy is great. There's no shame in it. I think everybody could benefit from it. But I myself have also not had a therapist in the past that I felt really comfortable with. I've had, like two or three before, and I've just never felt great about them.

[Ian Hecox]

Maybe you need to go to therapy. About going to therapy, hey, I need.

[Damien Haas]

A vacation from this vacation. But, yeah, I probably should. I just have a hard time finding someone. It is definitely an investment emotionally, trying to find someone, open up that first time, be like, do I like this person? Like, you know, I've had people before that I think would work for others, but, you know, for me, they'd be like, you know, hey, well, everything you talked about makes sense. Here's a bunch of worksheets for you to fill out. And I'm like, homework, like, what? It's like I feel blank when I blank. And I'm like, I don't. This isn't for me. It's. I don't know. Yeah.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah. Well, there's so many different types of therapy, and that's true. Yeah. It's about finding the right. Right one. It sucks. It takes time, but, yeah, it's worth it.

[Damien Haas]

I'm not against it at all. I just. I don't know why I haven't sought it out. For myself yet. I think also. Also for me, it's a lot easier to, like, ignore my problems sometimes and pretend they don't exist. And if I'm going to therapy for them, it's like, all right, let's acknowledge that these problems are very real and deal with them one by one. So, like, you know. Yeah.

[Ian Hecox]

I mean, isn't that what therapy's all about?

[Damien Haas]

Yes.

[Shane Ta]

It's not higher on our priority lists.

[Ian Hecox]

Generally, instead of ignoring my problems, I just forget about them. Our director was referring to some sort of, like, bad thing that happened during the downtime small. She's like, yeah, you remember when. Like, can you, like, I'm just still, like, freaking out about this thing that happened, like, six months ago. And I was like, what? And he's like, you don't remember this thing that happened? I was like, no. He's like, if only I could have your brain for just a day.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah. I mean, hey, it's. There's benefits and drawbacks to that, but definite benefits of being able to forget benefits.

[Shane Ta]

Don't have to deal with the problems. Your problems. Not remembering your mom's birthday.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, his mom's birthday is a problem because he was.

[Shane Ta]

That is actually a massive problem.

[Damien Haas]

So. Yeah.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah. You forgot about it.

[Ian Hecox]

I. Courtney showed me this, like.

[Damien Haas]

Oh, you know Courtney?

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah. I mean, I don't usually make it known that I know Courtney sick, but yeah. Yeah, I know Courtney. We're. We're.

[Damien Haas]

Okay, cool.

[Ian Hecox]

No, I love Courtney Cartboard.

[Shane Ta]

Very cool.

[Ian Hecox]

She showed me this website that had, like, you could, like, put your ad, like, address in, and it gives you, like, a map of, like, where, like, all these therapists work. And I was like, this feels like a dating website. Like, they have all these, like. Like, all the therapists have, like, headshots.

[Shane Ta]

And they're all psychology Today.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, I think so.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah.

[Damien Haas]

That's how I found people before. Yeah.

[Ian Hecox]

And it was like. And it was like, most of them were, like, women, and they were, like, attractive, like, headshots. I was like, I'm not trying to have sex with my therapist. I just want.

[Damien Haas]

But that's something to unpack in therapy. Why, when you see an attractive woman, do you immediately think, ah, I would be having sex with her? Well, can't you?

[Shane Ta]

Boy, you got a lot of work to do.

[Ian Hecox]

I have. I have a friend, straight guy, and he says he only goes to gay male therapists.

[Shane Ta]

Interesting.

[Ian Hecox]

Because he doesn't. He doesn't want that. That sort of, like, thing even in the equation. Or maybe.

[Damien Haas]

Or maybe I think that's actually a cool idea.

[Ian Hecox]

Or maybe that just works.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah.

[Ian Hecox]

I don't know. Hey, and I have somebody that only goes to women therapists, so maybe it's. Maybe it's. You just gotta find. Cause you would also get that person.

[Damien Haas]

You would get that perspective of somebody who would date men, but also knows what it is like to be a man. That'd be interesting. They sorta can see both sides. If you are a straight male, they would see both sides of what you need to hear. Maybe. I don't know. I can see that working for sure.

[Ian Hecox]

Do you guys struggle with any sort of like insecurities? Well.

[Damien Haas]

Oh, for sure.

[Shane Ta]

A reason I also. I think therapy is great is because, you know, I don't have. I'm not an expert in psychology, but from the classes I've taken, like, the big takeaway is that we know far less about ourselves than we think we do. So you might think you know what your insecurities exactly are and you probably know a lot of them, or you think you know what your issues are, but there's probably a lot that you're just simply unaware of that through a therapist asking you the right questions and just conversing with them will be brought to the forefront. And then you'll be like, oh my gosh, I wasn't aware of some of these things that then it helps so much.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, I mean, I think everybody has a lot of insecurities too. I mean, I have not been feeling good about my physical appearance lately. Probably for the past like year, year and a half. Like if you watch older smosh videos. I was like much thinner then and also had a lot of stomach problems, which is, you know, partially why that is. But you know, my parents were always very physical. They met because my dad owned a gym and my mom taught aerobics there. And so that was always a way to like.

[Ian Hecox]

I bet they have great photos from like the 80s.

[Damien Haas]

None. Literally none.

[Ian Hecox]

What?

[Damien Haas]

I asked my mom for 80s photos for a potential video that we. And they're literally none.

[Ian Hecox]

Bullshit. Bullshit.

[Damien Haas]

But like, I, you know, that was a good way to get like attaboys from the parents and like, ah, you've been exercising. Like, that's great. And now that's not a part of my life so much because I'm just so busy doing either voiceover, Twitch streaming or being here that I just do not have time to exercise right now. And I've let myself go by the wayside a bit. But I'm trying to figure out how to still feel good about Myself, even if it's not in a physical way. And I've never been comfortable in my body. I was a chubby kid.

[Shane Ta]

But, yeah, I would say you're insanely hard on yourself in that regard, because I don't think anyone would. Definitely. People watching, I don't think would ever claim you to be out of shape. But I notice all the time, you talking like, oh, yeah, I don't know about this shirt. It makes me like, this or whatever. Or we'll take a group photo, and you'll be like, I don't know. I don't know. I don't like how I look in that or whatever. You point it out in videos and edits. You're like, ah, I look like this. And I'm like, I would have never noticed it. You're holding such a lens to yourself, being so hard on yourself.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah. Oftentimes, we're our own biggest critics.

[Damien Haas]

Thank God, because if anyone else was worse on me, I'd be like, that dude's just an asshole.

[Ian Hecox]

Well, we wouldn't keep them around. Honestly, I think one of the greatest things about the people that we've sort of kept around ourselves and surrounded ourselves with here is everyone is super supportive of each other, and. And, you know, we all. We all want the best for each other. I would hope that, you know, if any of us are struggling with anything, that, you know, we would all be here for each other.

[Damien Haas]

Sure.

[Shane Ta]

Absolutely.

[Damien Haas]

No, I love these. There's no real reason for it. I love the people around me. Nobody's been, like, mean about anything on the Internet, which is shocking, but, like, it just comes from within. And I know it's something I've got to work on mentally as well as physically.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah. I feel like. I feel like I'm. I'm mean to you when. When you're talking shit about yourself, and I'm like, you shut up right now.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, you do that. I like it, though.

[Ian Hecox]

I feel like I'm like, well, maybe I'm being too mean. But I'm like, shut the hell up, Damian.

[Shane Ta]

And I don't think those insecurities would leave you if you got into the best shape of your life. You would still. Those insecurities are still there, and you're still gonna be like, oh, I don't know about this today, or, I don't. Whatever. If you're insecure about your body, you're gonna be insecure about your body, and you can't. The only way to beat that is to mentally, you know, counteract that or to Find ways around it.

[Damien Haas]

I mean, you're somebody. You exercise all the flipping time. And when I see you, I think you're like the most shredded person I've ever met. But if you're talking about those insecurities not leaving you, do you feel like you still deal with that stuff?

[Shane Ta]

Absolutely.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah. And I mean, I'd say part of the reason I work out so incessantly is because, like, if I go two days without working out, I'll be like, oh, God, I feel. I feel like goo today. Yeah, I hate it. And it's. It changes, right? Like. Cause it'll be, you know, for the longest time it was that I was like, oh, I'm too skinny. I'm like, whatever. I. You knew up until, like, I want to say the age of 23 or 24, I wore jackets year round. Like, even when it was like, I.

[Damien Haas]

Can think of that black jean jacket. It's what I met you when you were wearing it.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah, that. Or that was. It was like that Robert Pattinson Y type black. Black one. And then I switched to the green leather, which I would still wear when I started here. And I would wear them if it was 90 degrees outside, I'd still be wearing that jacket. And it was just. Just because I was just like, oh my. I don't like how my arms look today.

[Damien Haas]

Wow.

[Shane Ta]

I didn't know that. Yeah. So. So, yeah. No. And then like pool parties and stuff, I'd be like, oh, shit.

[Damien Haas]

Like, no way. Because I feel like that. And if you feel like that, there's no hope for me.

[Shane Ta]

It's just. It's just. I don't know. And it's. And then it changes, man. Like. Cause I definitely, you know, I can't self diagnose, but you know, with like body dysmorphia and stuff, I still don't think, like, I'm that big. Like, I don't think I'm that buff or anything. Like, I don't. I don't. I think of my body as being rather average size. But what'll happen is sometimes even if I do get bigger, then I'll just be like, oh, but it's shaped. My body's shaped weird. Or it just looks weird or it just doesn't look good. I don't look. I just don't look like I'm in great shape. I just. Whatever. So it changes all the damn time. And it's really tough to keep up with. And I really am a, you know, it's. I'm a prisoner to it. Sometimes because there'll be days where like, if I haven't worked out for a couple days and then say it's, you know, oh, I haven't worked out for the past two days, but today everyone's going to Disneyland. But if I go, I'm not gonna be able to make it to the gym. And I'll be like, should I go?

[Damien Haas]

Interesting.

[Shane Ta]

Should I, should I go or should I go to the gym?

[Ian Hecox]

See, I had no idea, I had no idea that, you know, you struggled with this because I, you know, I mean, we make jokes all the time and I don't know if it's, if it's, if it's hurtful. Now that I'm thinking about it, we make jokes all the time about how swole you are. Yeah, like, it just.

[Shane Ta]

I think I have gotten much better at about everything through smosh. Just because, not necessarily through praise, doesn't really help any of it. In fact, sometimes I think it makes it worse. A lot of the most insecure people I know physically are the models and the like, best looking people I've met. Because growing up they were constantly told, you're so pretty, you're so attractive. So it's like, oh, that's my entire worth. So if I lose that even for a moment, I am nothing.

[Damien Haas]

Got it?

[Shane Ta]

And probably the same why people who are praised for being super smart then get super insecure if their intelligence gets, you know, questioned.

[Damien Haas]

But that's the thing about you too, that's interesting to me is like you're, you're an incredibly well rounded person. So like, yeah, you exercise constantly, you're doing fine in that department, but also you have a lot of intelligence to back it up. Your house, which we saw in the house tour, is stacked with books that you've read, not even counting the books that you gave away. Cause you know, you're just not going to read them again. You're always trying to like, you know, discover more things about like music. You were teaching yourself guitar, right now you're learning Spanish. Like there's so much that like, even if your physical stuff went away, even if all your books burned and you couldn't read anymore, like you would have so much to fall back on. So it's interesting to hear. And I know nothing I say can fix anything, but it's just interesting knowing that like, you know, a lot of people have one thing to build self worth off of. You've got a lot of things.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah, I mean, I don't know, it's tough. I mean, I. But we could all say that for ourselves, right? Like, I don't know, I feel like a lot could be the exact same could be said to you could be said to all of us that work here. And for so many people who are insecure and I think there's an aspect of insecurity fueling that motivation, but I don't think it's a good fuel. I think a better fuel is just enjoying life and doing things because it's fun and wanting. Improving yourself because improving yourself is fun for the sake of it, not for, oh, I need to improve myself to become something that's worthwhile.

[Ian Hecox]

Did those insecurities become worse after your last breakup or.

[Shane Ta]

I actually think they were. They've gotten better, I think and it changes, you know, as you get older. Just different. Just in life, insecurities just switch around. I think when I'm insecure, I am insecure about anything. I will find the thing to be insecure about. You know, I'll be like, oh, I'm short or oh, I'm this or oh, I'm not whatever. Like if it's. And it'll be physical or then it'll be just who I am or something like that. I mean, and I think that goes for everybody. I think insecurity is insecurity. It takes many forms.

[Damien Haas]

I think there is a good humble way to look at that and be like, you know, everybody can say that we all have these different talents and different things to fall back on, but I found that you are somebody and just speaking as a friend here, I found that you are somebody that will do that all the time to the point where it's not even a sense of necessarily being humble but you're taking victories away from yourself. Everybody has different things that they can consider, you know, a source of pride for themselves or I should, I should hope so. And if you don't feel that way, you should definitely do some soul searching and find it because it is out there. But with how many different areas of expertise you have, Shane, I think it's okay to like every once in a while say it just for yourself. And it's not even an arrogant thing. It's like, you know what? Not everybody is able to do all these different things. Good for me because it's not like I was born being the best runner, smartest boy in comedy. Like you work flippin hard in a lot of areas. So I would just encourage you to, you know, acknowledge that for yourself. You know, everybody has the insecurities. Everybody can fall back on stuff but you work hard to have a lot of things you're good at. Good for Shane.

[Shane Ta]

Thanks, man.

[Damien Haas]

You got it.

[Shane Ta]

Thank you. Yeah. And I. I don't know, it's like I said, even self praise, it's not. I don't know, I feel that it's not like. That's like, oh, great. I am this thing. I am who I need to be to be happy. Right?

[Damien Haas]

Yeah.

[Shane Ta]

I just think that the pursuit of all those things for the sake of finding happiness will never achieve it. I think when I find. When I'm able to let go of those insecurities is when I. I think, honestly, what it is is in its own form, selfishness. Right. I'm doing all these things to improve myself, whatever I'm thinking, but it's just that I'm thinking about myself. I'm so focused in on improving myself and becoming something that I need to be, that I'm not looking outward. And so when I let go of that and I go, you know what? I'm gonna focus on my friends, my family, the people around me and what makes them amazing suddenly. Then you just lose yourself. And it is kind of this euphoria, this breaking free of that prison that you get into yourself when you're just locked into your own head about what's wrong with you and what everybody's thinking about you instead going, no, I'm gonna focus on what's great about everyone around me, what I love about them. And then you feel that connection to everyone. You go. And then you suddenly feel loved because you're looking for that when you're trapped inside yourself. But you can't feel that love because you're just inside yourself. You're sealed away. You get out. You go, okay, I'm with everyone. Oh, my God. I'm loved and I love them. And great. And now I feel great.

[Damien Haas]

That's the trouble I think I have in dating, actually, is I'm so focused on, like, how am I coming across? Am I being a good boyfriend or whatever? Like, am I doing anything weird that's making her unhappy or anything like that, as opposed to, like, just be with the person.

[Shane Ta]

This is. Sorry.

[Damien Haas]

No, that's it.

[Shane Ta]

Cause that is also totally my issue in that I will be on dates. I'll go on a couple dates with someone and I will be like, I am doing everything by the book. Right? Right. And I've talked about it on Courtney, and I have our show on Smosh Pit where we talk about dating and stuff. And I brought it up how there's date Change. And in it, it's me attempting to do. To be the CW version of myself that I'm trying to achieve. Like, I'm. I work out every day, and I read books, and I studying, and I try to do good at my job, and. But. And I'm so. I'm trying to be this person that at a certain point, I'm realizing I haven't even formed a connection with this person.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah.

[Shane Ta]

Because I'm not even present.

[Damien Haas]

And even if you're listening and asking questions, you're like, good. That was a good question to ask. Like. Yeah.

[Shane Ta]

And it's. It's. It doesn't even matter. And people aren't looking for that. I'm not looking for a se. CW girl. Like, I'm looking for a genuine, fun person to hang out with.

[Damien Haas]

I'm looking for a CW girl.

[Shane Ta]

I'm not being that. I'm not being what I like in other people.

[Ian Hecox]

If you're not being 100% yourself in the date, then you're presenting a false.

[Shane Ta]

Version of yourself, and eventually that has to go away.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah.

[Shane Ta]

That has a timeline.

[Damien Haas]

Or it comes back to bite you. It comes back to bite you for sure.

[Ian Hecox]

Oh, yeah, absolutely. So, I mean, like, it's not about. I'm not saying, like, go in there like you don't give a shit, but actually kind of.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah. Like, still be nice, but, like.

[Shane Ta]

Sure. I think what it is, is go in there and. And don't. Because what it is, is. It's lying. It's lying on. On how you react to things, how you think about things, and. And. And all that lying. Even if it's your body language, even if you're trying to attempt to change your body language, you're lying in an aspect. Care. Genuinely care about that other person. That's. That's you giving a shit. But. But to. To act in a way that you wouldn't normally act is lying.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah. We were trying to hook Damien up with this girl that.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, he hates this.

[Ian Hecox]

I don't.

[Damien Haas]

I don't.

[Ian Hecox]

Can I mention it?

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, of course.

[Ian Hecox]

Okay, so we were at. Can I say where?

[Damien Haas]

I guess. Yeah, let's be more vague.

[Ian Hecox]

Okay. We were at a medieval fun game. Medieval.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, now he hates this.

[Damien Haas]

I do, but let's do it.

[Ian Hecox]

This is how we get through it, Damian.

[Damien Haas]

Great. That's great. You're helping.

[Shane Ta]

Welcome to therapy.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, actually, I think I'll hit up a therapist after this.

[Ian Hecox]

We're gonna hit this thing head on. We were running into a whole lot of people at Ren Faire. All these people that we knew, and we ran into one of the people that works here. She. Some friends that were with her from a previous job. And Damian struck up a conversation with one of them. You guys were talking about anime, was it?

[Damien Haas]

Nah, she. I think she'd brought up something about like, oh, I really like stout beer, but no one knows how to pour it right. And I was like, oh, yeah, like, no one pours the. And you don't get the head properly. And she was like, ah, this guy gets it. And that was more or less it. But it's a good.

[Ian Hecox]

Meet cute.

[Shane Ta]

That is actually a very cute conversation.

[Ian Hecox]

And she had mentioned to our friend or coworker that she thought he was cute.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, snap. Oh, snap.

[Ian Hecox]

Which is true.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, my God. Poor. A Guinness for this boy.

[Ian Hecox]

And so when I heard this, when I heard this, you know, Matchmaker Ian set in and I'm like, we gotta make this happen. And I was immediately met with a wall.

[Damien Haas]

Oh, yeah, yeah, that's me.

[Ian Hecox]

That will all be in Damien.

[Damien Haas]

Well, here's the thing, man. I haven't. So my last major relationship was about two years ago. And in that time I've dated a little bit. But that last relationship really sort of shook up the image I had of what I wanted in my future. I'd always wanted that, like, meet each other while you're young and sort of play house for a little bit. And then you're gonna get married and you're gonna have the kids and all that stuff. And after that ended, I sort of was left looking at, you know, the time I'd spent and what I'd learned from it and what I wanted going forward. And to this day, I'm still not really sure what I want. So I've been in this weird space of, like, dating sounds stressful. It sounds time consuming. Like, during that time, I didn't focus on my career at all. I really, like, wanted to focus on that now. And it's not that I don't want to date. It's not that I don't want companionship. It just sounds. I don't know, the idea of it automatically gets me a little, like, flustered and stressed. So, you know, hearing that that girl thought I was cute was really nice. And I thought she was cute too, to be frank. But it was just this mindset of, like, oh, what? And now I've got to go on, like, dates and like, oh, what if she texts and I'm busy? Like, immediately it just became very, like, it became more out of obligation as opposed to the place where it should come from, which is like, oh, that sounds like fun. We could go grab a drink and hang out and do blah, blah, blah, you know, So I don't know what that wall comes from.

[Ian Hecox]

I think also you mentioned you don't know what you want from a relationship. I mean, you don't. I mean, I think going in with an expectation of what you want could also be setting you up for disaster as well.

[Damien Haas]

That's true.

[Ian Hecox]

Like, I don't. I mean, I don't. I don't know what the next person I'm gonna meet is going to do to my life. Like, I don't have any. Any, you know, expectations to have kids. But who knows? Maybe I'll meet that person and they'll be. And I'll be like, yes, I would like to impregnate you and have a child. I'll probably say that in a less creepy way, but I won't.

[Damien Haas]

Yes, madam, would you enjoy breeding with yours truly?

[Ian Hecox]

Let's mate. Are you fertile at this moment?

[Damien Haas]

Let's talk about jeans. And I'm not talking about laundry.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, God.

[Ian Hecox]

So I think just. You don't have to. I think going in with any sort of expectations is a bad idea. You don't know this person at all. But also, you're never gonna know them if you don't just shoot your shot.

[Shane Ta]

I also think you're not respecting your own boundaries and everything. Cause you're talking about your fears, and I get it. Cause I know how you think. And I think with regards to dating, I'm very similar in that you're like, oh, God, why should text? And I'm busy. Oh, what if I let her down in this way? What if I'm not, you know, what if I have to flake on a date? And, oh, God, that's so much pressure, and I'm gonna mess it up. You get to live your life. You're busy. You're doing your thing, and you can keep doing your thing. And no one, especially if you're just dating someone, they don't get to dictate anything. And if they don't understand that and they don't respect that, they're not mature enough.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah. This is the thing. This is the biggest, big, big difference. We're all adults now.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah.

[Ian Hecox]

And if this person is also an adult, then they'll understand.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah.

[Ian Hecox]

So I think if. If, you know, you know, you went out and you guys were like, oh, stouts and beer. And then the conversation ended there, and you're like, oh, I don't relate to this person any other way. And I didn't have a good time.

[Damien Haas]

Also, I don't drink that often. It's more of a rare treat kind of thing. And you should be like, oh, drink seven times a day on the hour. And it was like, ah, I'm drunk right now. I was drunk when we met. I'll be drunk when I die. Yeah.

[Ian Hecox]

And then at that point you say, well, I think you should probably seek help and hit me up when you've figured that out.

[Damien Haas]

But I get what you're saying. I'm just, I'm not good with pressure. And there's a lot of pressure that comes from within myself. It's no one else doing anything. I just build up a million different anxiety bombs in my head. Hence should go to therapy. But I get what you're saying, you know, it's. Yeah, I'm open to the idea of dating.

[Ian Hecox]

I just, yeah, I wish I had a more eloquent way to say, but you just don't know until you try.

[Shane Ta]

And I think it's one of those things too. Those anxieties simply. I think you're waiting for them to go away. I think you're hoping that in time you're gonna be like, oh, suddenly I no longer feel anxious about dating. It might be one of those things. You just kind of gotta, you know, condition yourself, right? Like, you just gotta do it. The only thing I can think of to compare it is I went rock climbing with Monica the other day. And you know, I was trying to do it and I think I'm strong enough to do it, but man, it's just impossible. Cause my fingers just aren't built for it. And I'm like, ah, it's nerve wracking. I don't know if I want to do this, but I'm like, the only way I can ever do this is if I just keep doing it and keep failing. And I think in a way dating is like that, man, for sure.

[Damien Haas]

I'll meet a girl at the top of a rock climbing wall.

[Shane Ta]

Yep, that's right.

[Ian Hecox]

I mean, that'd be a good meet. Cute.

[Damien Haas]

That would be. And I'd be like, excuse me, you dropped this. And she'd be like, I dropped it all the way down to the ground. How did get my cell phone? I'm like, I caught it midway down in my teeth. Yeah, like a balloon whale.

[Ian Hecox]

You caught it during a dino. That's a rock climbing word.

[Damien Haas]

Everybody knows that.

[Shane Ta]

Everybody knows dino movement.

[Damien Haas]

Oh, see, I did dino you didn't just go there. Cut it. Cut that line, please. Please.

[Ian Hecox]

I think. I think also the thing is, like, I don't know. So much of my. So much of my life is like, I'm just. I just don't want to regret not taking a chance at things. And I think that's the worst thing ever is regretting not doing something or trying something and then kicking yourself in the ass later on for not doing it.

[Shane Ta]

I have. In the past two years that I've been single, I've definitely failed pretty hard a couple times. And honestly, they're just funny stories. And. Yeah, like, I'm kind of. I'm kind of. Kind of glad about it.

[Ian Hecox]

This is the best thing about our lives is the worst stories are so good for these podcasts. I mean, I accidentally. And. And I. I told my. My ex that I cheated on her when I didn't. That's the worst fricking thing ever. And I'm gonna put it out on the Internet, you know, can it really. Can your date really be worse than that, Damian? Can it?

[Damien Haas]

It's not the date. It's like, I'm such an introvert. The date, I'm sure, would be great, but. Yeah, I get what you're saying. I do. I'm just an introverted man, but I need to break out of my shell because I don't want to be alone forever.

[Ian Hecox]

You could invite her over to watch anime.

[Damien Haas]

That's a little forward. I mean, anime is a second date kind of thing, for sure.

[Shane Ta]

Anime is for sure a second date.

[Ian Hecox]

Naruto and chill.

[Damien Haas]

I actually, like, a year ago, I very briefly dated a girl who was super into Naruto, and we actually had a date planned for, like, we should watch Naruto, but then I wasn't feeling it, so, you know.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah. Yeah. We're at the moment of the podcast.

[Shane Ta]

Where Damien's just making squeak noises.

[Ian Hecox]

Damien's making squeak noises? It's his signal. Please change the subject.

[Damien Haas]

I'm awkward as hell. Okay. I will go to therapy. I'll go on a date sometime sooner or later. And I'll try not to be so introverted. Next topic.

[Shane Ta]

You better be careful, man. We're gonna just end up making a smosh pit video out of nowhere where you go on a date.

[Damien Haas]

What have you done? Hey, remember when Ian did that Uncomfortable two through someone lie? Isn't that crazy? Let's talk about.

[Shane Ta]

Wait. Ian, are you dating anyone?

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, Ian.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah. Any leads? Damian just slapped sticky, Tried to drink his water bottle Slapstick.

[Damien Haas]

It's when he fall down in a cherry pie it's all sticky.

[Shane Ta]

What?

[Damien Haas]

Ian, are you dating anyone?

[Shane Ta]

Ian, are you dating anyone?

[Damien Haas]

Ian?

[Shane Ta]

No. Ian's face. I think he's lying.

[Damien Haas]

But are you, like, are you.

[Shane Ta]

Any leads?

[Damien Haas]

You know, any leads?

[Shane Ta]

Any leads?

[Damien Haas]

Do you have any leads on, like, dating anyone?

[Ian Hecox]

Very, very light, Very light leads. Yeah.

[Damien Haas]

Nice. Sick. Sick.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah, very light. Oh, but keeping my heart open. You know, I don't have girls that are telling other people that they think I'm cute.

[Shane Ta]

Snap. So you're saying Damian has a greater lead than you?

[Ian Hecox]

Damien has a million times better lead.

[Shane Ta]

Damian has someone, like, he could go on a date with.

[Ian Hecox]

100%.

[Shane Ta]

That's crazy.

[Ian Hecox]

100%. And we even tried to, like, I was planning with my coworker. I was like, I was like, how are we gonna do this? She's like, all right, here it is. He follows her.

[Damien Haas]

That right there is too much pressure. That, that right there is too much pressure.

[Ian Hecox]

What? What?

[Damien Haas]

Here's the plan of setting you up. I, I, at any time could find this person and message her.

[Ian Hecox]

I even, I even planned on having, like, a little dance night thing where, like, I was hoping that you, you know, you and that girl would be able to go, this is, this is how I hooked Anthony up with his, with his current girlfriend.

[Shane Ta]

That worked?

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah, yeah. My ex girlfriend, the one from the way back when she was visiting la, she knew this very funny girl and she was like, she'd be perfect for Anthony. And Anthony was single at the time. And Anthony's like, no, no, no. I don't want people. I don't want to be set up with the guy.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, Anthony's got it. He's got the right idea.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah. Anthony was also, like, he wasn't. I don't think he was into, like, dating around or anything. And he was very resistant to it. And we did this dance night thing. They met at my house and they hit it off immediately. I'm like, guess what, Damian? They're still together after like, three, four years, so. Holy crap. I'm not saying it's going to happen.

[Damien Haas]

I have no problem with it. I just. I'm not good with pressure. But, yeah, sure, let's.

[Ian Hecox]

You're talking to us, aren't you?

[Shane Ta]

Wait, what are you saying right now?

[Ian Hecox]

What's the difference between talking to us?

[Shane Ta]

Hold on. I think we just got confirmation.

[Damien Haas]

No, I'm saying, like, pressure in this situation of just like, yo, dude, you should go on that date. Yeah. Message that girl. I'm like, ah, let me feel it. Out when I do it for us.

[Shane Ta]

Damien, Look, I don't think this. Whoever this girl is, I don't think she listens to this. And so she won't know what we're planning right now, like we're just saying casually.

[Ian Hecox]

Also for the viewers, this is not an invitation to go on a crusade to try to find out who this girl is in Predator. That's also not cool. And it's none your business. Even though we're making it our business.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, right. It's no one's business. But the person involved. The person involved, the one we're just trying to be.

[Ian Hecox]

We're just trying to wingman this shit for viewers.

[Damien Haas]

We have viewers. We're not alone in a room.

[Shane Ta]

The good news is it's not gonna be a dance night. It's gonna be right now. Why don't you come on in, Lorraine.

[Damien Haas]

Lorraine.

[Shane Ta]

Lorraine's obviously a made up name. Can you imagine?

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, Anyone named Lorraine. That's a type of quiche, you know.

[Shane Ta]

My heart's open because if Kathy Bates ever decides she's interested to read even.

[Damien Haas]

One of your letters.

[Shane Ta]

Even one of my 50 million letters I've sent her. Yeah.

[Damien Haas]

No, but I'll be honest. Like, I am open to the idea. I'm on the dating apps right now, which I've actually had some matches and stuff there. So, like, I'm just. I'm not very open about talking about dating stuff usually. So that's part of. So it's not like I'm not. It's not like I'm completely out of the loop entirely. I just don't want to give the wrong impression.

[Ian Hecox]

Hmm.

[Damien Haas]

I fucking hate how long we've been talking about this, by the way. I'm literally dying. This is killing me. I'm sure you can all see how wildly uncomfortable I am.

[Shane Ta]

We kind of run through, like, what should we talk about on this podcast before we start? And this was not a topic.

[Damien Haas]

I wanna die.

[Shane Ta]

And, boy, we are sticking to it.

[Ian Hecox]

Ladies and gentlemen, will you agree no. To at least follow her and, like, one of her posts?

[Damien Haas]

Sure.

[Shane Ta]

Open up.

[Damien Haas]

Can we talk about anything else?

[Ian Hecox]

Open up that door, please.

[Damien Haas]

Can we talk about anything else?

[Shane Ta]

Well, I mean.

[Ian Hecox]

So we're getting to know each other better. Damien.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah. I'm gonna know a lot about you and what you'll do for views, what.

[Ian Hecox]

I'll do for love.

[Shane Ta]

That's true.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah.

[Ian Hecox]

This is all for love, Damian.

[Damien Haas]

Thank you.

[Shane Ta]

I think if Cupid was real, he would have the personality of Ian.

[Damien Haas]

Just a little old bastard.

[Ian Hecox]

He's like, how you fuck, you looking to get married? I'll set you up, you little bitch.

[Damien Haas]

But we are getting to know each other a little better. Arrow, he doesn't even shoot. He's like, here, you know what to do. Boof boof.

[Ian Hecox]

Arrow to your dick.

[Damien Haas]

But yeah, I think in terms of smosh Squad, you and I probably know each other the least.

[Ian Hecox]

Is that right?

[Damien Haas]

I think so. Because when I did pop in every now and then to a pit video, like back in the day, it would be like core pit cast. And you might not always be in it and we are friends, but you have also always been in this world, my boss. And so there is, I think, that little layer of separation. And so, yeah, I'm enjoying getting to know you a little bit better. I think you're. To be frank, you're probably the toughest person for me to figure out here. You are.

[Shane Ta]

Well, that's true. I think that's just genuinely true.

[Ian Hecox]

Well, yeah. And I mean, it's probably. I probably exacerbate your sort of social anxiety where, you know, I just, you know, because I want to get to know Damian, but Damian is like, haha, joke, joke, joke, joke, joke.

[Shane Ta]

You both are actually. You're somehow opposites, but also the same in how you kind of have walls.

[Ian Hecox]

Up, how we deflect.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah, yeah, you're both, you're both very extreme about it. Game recognized game.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah, we're both walled up, boys. So I wonder what can we do, you and I, to not to break those down? Is it a time thing for you or is it experience things? Do you and I just need to hang out more or like, what. What would help us get to know each other, like in a more legit way?

[Ian Hecox]

Hmm, that's a great question. Yeah, I think we probably just need to hang out more. I think it's also just. It's also just, you know, you have a tendency to. Your reflex is to make a joke. And I just want to see real Damian. I want to know real Damian.

[Damien Haas]

I think because I don't know you as well right now and like, you know, Shane and I are very close and so we have this style of humor where it's like, you know, we kind of shit on each other and that's just kind of like, ah, we're razzing each other. But because I don't know you as well yet, that's part of how I'm playful and every. And because you're not very readable person, I have these moments of like, oh, did that Actually upset Ian or is he. Is he upset that I think I cut him off just a minute ago? Like, oh, no.

[Ian Hecox]

Like, that's another thing. You are the most apologetic person.

[Damien Haas]

I am. I really am. I really am. And I'm sorry about that.

[Ian Hecox]

And, like, I appreciate. I appreciate that you are. You are very mindful. You are very mindful of everyone's feelings, and it's good to be. It's good to be, like, very, you know, a very compassionate person. Most of the things that you apologize for, I'm like, I didn't even realize any of the, like, I'm sorry that cut you off here. I'm sorry that I did this. I'm like, I don't even know what you're talking about.

[Damien Haas]

And then I have to go explain why you would be offended potentially. And that makes it worse.

[Ian Hecox]

I'm like, oh, that's. I didn't notice.

[Shane Ta]

When Damian and I first met on set back on Disney Channel, we met at, like, we had a table read, and then we had lunch afterwards and then went home for that day. The next day, I come in, I walk past his dressing room, and I was like, oh, good morning, Damian. He goes, hey, man. Oh, hey. I just wanted to say I'm sorry. Yesterday at lunch, I think I interrupted you at one point. I'm so sorry about that. And I was like, I don't remember. I don't think you did, but. Oh, thanks.

[Damien Haas]

I did. I did.

[Ian Hecox]

I'm sorry, Damian. I think you just interrupted Shane right there.

[Shane Ta]

You son of a bitch.

[Damien Haas]

Please apologize now. Will not apologize to Shane anymore. Because I've learned that even if you make a big mistake and you're the one at fault, you never apologize, never surrender, never take.

[Shane Ta]

But no, take no prisoners.

[Damien Haas]

It's definitely. I think. I think in. I didn't have a lot of friends in, like, middle school, high school. And I think it sort of goes back to that. I was. If I ever, like, talked in class, it was sort of like a oh, shut the hell up kind of deal. Or, like, I was like, oh, the annoying kid, because I would try to make jokes or whatever. And I always felt very removed because I also did, like, professional acting work, and I would miss a lot of school days. And I was always like, you know, this is what I really care about, not, you know, school stuff. So I never really felt close to those people. So I found that I had the best success when I was just quiet and didn't say anything. So I think I often apologize for my presence without realizing it, which Is a bummer, but. And I'm trying to get past that.

[Shane Ta]

Too, but sounds like both of you would really benefit from going to therapy.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah. Going to therapy. You know, we should both do.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah, probably should. If we make a pact. I mean, I could go on a website right now, find a therapist, and.

[Damien Haas]

You'Ll pay for mine.

[Shane Ta]

I believe you both have the same insurance.

[Damien Haas]

You heard him say it, folks. He will pay for my therapy.

[Ian Hecox]

Oh, that's weird. I didn't know meant. Yes, definitely, I'll pay for your therapy. If you guys want to support Damian going to therapy, subscribe to his Twitch.

[Damien Haas]

Or just subscribe to my Twitch in general. Thank you very much, Twitch tv. Damien Haas. That being said, I might have to miss a stream or two if I'm going to therapy.

[Ian Hecox]

I think they would definitely understand.

[Damien Haas]

Thank you. I will say that has been the coolest thing. I've had to take a little bit more of a step back. I'm doing like one less stream per week, and whenever I have to cancel now, people, I love my community, they totally understand. It's always like, hey, I've got a professional reason. I've got this audition. Or like, I'm super sick and we're filming in the morning, I gotta do it. But I also know that if I was ever just like, I really just need a me night, they would be like, great, take your me night.

[Ian Hecox]

I think the way that Twitch works right now is insanely unhealthy. Like, I think if you want to be. If you want to be a prolific streamer, you have to be streaming so much, and it's very unhealthy. And I want us to be on Twitch because I think it's a great platform, but the way that we create content, it's just not possible right now. Like, I want to be on Twitch. I think we can do something on there. But it's like, no, we can't be on Twitch for five hours a day, every day.

[Damien Haas]

That's the thing. I experienced the best growth immediately when I started. I mean, one, because the Smosh community really wanted to support and we're feeling a drought of smosh related people because the defy thing happened. But also I would stream for like three hours a day, five days a week. At least three hours a day, five days a week. And that was still considered pretty low. So it was, you know, but that was a lot. It's a lot of time to be on because I'm also not the type of streamer that just sits there and plays the game. And is, like, good at it. I'm more about, like, the interaction and actually listening and talking to people. And I'm like, talking the whole time. And it's not just, like, droning on. I'm like, on so that constantly for several hours, just the burnout happens real quick. I enjoyed it, but I was still just like, I'm exhausted. I can't believe I'm doing this again today.

[Ian Hecox]

And there's people that are doing that for like, eight hours a day with zero people watching in the hopes that, you know, people will come across it and they'll slowly build up a following. I'm like, it's crazy. That's insane. Can you imagine working a job? And you're like, man, I hope one day I get paid internship.

[Shane Ta]

It's. It's.

[Damien Haas]

It's.

[Shane Ta]

It's very impressive. I mean, you know, I think a lot of people who don't know anything about the community, like, I've heard people talk crap about, you know, ninja and stuff like that, being like, oh, he makes that much money playing video games. It's like, man, if you watch those streams, it's insane. And I've watched a bunch of Damien streams, and it's nuts. You're playing this video game while also answering and talking to people constantly. You're keeping up on stuff. I. It almost makes me dizzy sometimes. I'm like, how are you doing this?

[Damien Haas]

Thanks, man.

[Shane Ta]

It's very wholesome. His. His streams are incredibly wholesome because a lot of people asking advice for. For things a lot of times, mental health wise, and you're. You're just. It's. You talking to people about very real things for. For hours on end. It's. It's very impressive.

[Damien Haas]

I appreciate that a lot.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah, man.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah. I think it'll be really interesting to see what Twitch is in. In like five or so years. Cause I just. I don't know, man. Like, I feel like it's gonna catch up. Like, can you imagine being a streamer streaming for 12 hours a day for 10 years, but people are gonna keep doing it.

[Shane Ta]

They'll keep bringing new people on then.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah, but it seems like very much like a young man or woman's game.

[Damien Haas]

I think there's a push by Twitch right now to. There's like, you know, when you just join and then you can make affiliate and then you can make a partner. I think there's a big push by Twitch right now to, like, really emphasize the people that are at the affiliate level. So, like, the partners are the ones that are doing Those crazy long streams. But I think for people that are in that mid range, you know, it's probably shorter streams, probably not as often. And they're for whatever reason really pushing those. So maybe in five years it'll be more of a thing where, like, because streaming is so regular, at a certain point, you know, you might just see that person two hours a day. And there are so many streamers that it's almost like TV shows you watch. You don't want to watch Game of Thrones for eight hours a day every single day, but you're excited for the Sunday and.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah.

[Damien Haas]

You know.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah. The amount of pressure that's put on just Internet personalities and stuff. Because the same with YouTube, man. I mean, people get burned out because it's so demanding. You just. You're not allowed to stop ever.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah.

[Shane Ta]

Is the feeling. It's. It is exhausting.

[Ian Hecox]

I mean, and you're competing against the world.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah.

[Ian Hecox]

It's not like there's a couple channels that. That will. That have streamers on. It's no. You're competing against anybody that wants to be a streamer. And that's a. That's gonna be an ever expanding group of people.

[Shane Ta]

It's. It's so. It's so tough, man. Like, and. And I don't know how video game people like gamers on the Internet. It's such a hard job because when I first came on and tried to do a smosh games video or two, I was like, this is exhausting. Yeah, this is exhausting. To play a video game while also be being entertaining while you're playing a video game is so much harder than you think.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah. Well, I think also a lot of YouTubers trying Twitch get burnt out because there is that feeling of I have to be on. Whereas, like, a lot of people that came up on Twitch, there isn't. For a lot of them, there isn't like an on. It's like, oh, I kind of came up and on myself and I'm playing this game and I'm kind of doing this thing and it's more casual. But as like a YouTuber, it feels like the camera's on. You have to be on. You have to be like high energy, like super engaged, making jokes all the time. And that's just. It's impossible.

[Shane Ta]

It's so tough.

[Ian Hecox]

But massive respect for anybody that's grinding on Twitch. Keep it up. I hope one day you reach ninja status. I hope you all reach ninja status. You all get that Red Bull money. Hopefully one day y'all can all Floss in Times Square to mild applause.

[Damien Haas]

Oh, that was such a bummer.

[Shane Ta]

That was rough. I felt bad. God, so bad for him to be put on the spot there because, you know, they're, like, shot in front of you. All right, ninja, we're gonna have you stand in front of Times Square. And can you do that flossy thing you do?

[Ian Hecox]

Huh?

[Shane Ta]

What?

[Ian Hecox]

Huh? What? And, like, we will pay you this much money. Sure.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah.

[Ian Hecox]

What feels different about Smosh for you guys? Let's say after Anthony left.

[Shane Ta]

Damn.

[Damien Haas]

Mmm.

[Shane Ta]

Damn.

[Damien Haas]

Well, I don't know if I'm the best to answer this, because I. I only met Anthony, like, once, and I'm not even sure he remembers me, to be frank, because it was really quick. When I first started, he was on vacation for, like, my whole first month. He was, like, out of the country or something, or, like, he was in Europe or something like that. And then when he finally came back, like, I saw him in the bathroom. When I got out, I was just like, oh, hey, man. I'm Damian. I'm one of the new guys. He's like, hey, how's it going? I'm Anthony. Nice to meet you. And that was, like, it. And so for me, nothing. I'd sure like to meet him again. There have been a couple opportunities, but it's that weird thing where it's like, I don't know if this dude remembers me or knows who I am, so I don't want to introduce myself again, but it's also weird. And. Oh, we made eye contact, and he's all the way over there. And do I go over, say hi? And that's my brain.

[Ian Hecox]

There's old, nervous Damien.

[Damien Haas]

That's me.

[Shane Ta]

For me, I mean, there is a difference. You know, Anthony's great, and he was always really nice to me when he was here, but I would say there was a feeling when he was still here that it was like you and him and then the rest of us, and we kind of were very separate. You know, there was that long period of time where, you know, on Smosh Pit, it was just us, you know, and you guys would do Smosh's board, we would do our things, and you guys would do Friday sketches that we would sometimes be in, and we would be on every Blank Evers, and it was this weird, And I think it was. You know, I don't think it was necessarily intentional. I just think it just was kind of how things fell, and. But after he left, it suddenly was like, all right, well, we have no. It's all got to come together a little bit more. We have to change. This is a big change. And it took time, but it still felt like suddenly more and more, like, oh, I'm not just some new featured player on Smosh. I'm part of it. I'm part of this thing. Yeah, I will say I feel bad. Looking back, it was so weird because the week that Anthony left, the last videos we shot with him, it was the same week that I broke up. I went through my breakup, so I. Two breakups in one week. So I remember it was a day. I think it was the day, like, my breakup happened at 3am and then on a. On a day that, like.

[Damien Haas]

Or.

[Shane Ta]

No, it was the day after that, but. But still, I was just dead and I was just zoned out. And I remember we filmed with him, and then I was walking towards my car, and he was on the other end of the street. And I'm just kind of walking back to my car, zoned out, and all sudden I hear, I'll see you later, man. And I turn back, and it's Anthony just. Just waving goodbye. And I was like, oh, yeah, man, I'll see you later. And that was us saying goodbye, like him. And I was like. And I look back, I'm like, oh, man, I wish I had a. Obviously, we, like, have talked many times since, you know, but still, it was. It's weird.

[Ian Hecox]

But also, you didn't. You didn't know that was his last thing, because that was. That was. It was a secret. It was a secret that between me and him at that time. He told me he was leaving, but. But he wanted.

[Shane Ta]

I thought this was after. It was.

[Ian Hecox]

No, it.

[Shane Ta]

Wow.

[Ian Hecox]

So it was then.

[Shane Ta]

Yeah, it's weird. It all blurs together, you know, But. But looking back, I was. I'm like, wow. That was. That was. That.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah, it was. At that point, it was a secret. He asked me to. To keep it, you know, under wraps so he can try to, you know, plan his. His exit. And there he was, afraid of a, you know, a leak of sorts. So it was just between me and him. I mean, the channel. The channel before, you know, for the year leading up to his departure, the channel was so split. Like, it was. It was literally like there was two channels on one channel where it was like the Ian and Anthony show and then the Smosh Squad show. Our channel was definitely in a rut. Like, there was. I mean, the meme basically started that we were never going to leave 22 million subscribers because we were stuck on 22 million for like a year and a half. And then, yeah, I mean, you know, him leaving forced an evolution that was sorely needed.

[Shane Ta]

It really is a lesson. And I think bad things, or just not necessarily bad things, but just big changes are always scary. You always think, oh, this is the end. And they, man, that's the time when you really make changes that can lead. Cause it was Anthony leaving, started a new phase. And then the Defy shutdown was. Honestly, looking back, it's the best thing that's ever happened to us. But on that day, it was the worst day of all of our lives.

[Damien Haas]

Yeah. I didn't even know Defy was so bad because I was so ignorant to it. Like, I didn't. I hadn't done anything Internet based until I joined there. So I was just like, whatever. Why is we got the best job in the world? Why are people complaining now? Being here at Mythical, I'm like, oh, this is how things are supposed to be and could be.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah, I mean, we really, really got lucky. And I think, you know, that just goes into that thing of you, you know, when sometimes the scariest decisions are the best decisions. So Damien, go out on a date with this girl.

[Shane Ta]

Boy. Yeah, I think that's. Man, that's impressive. Ian.

[Damien Haas]

God damn, good work. We literally talked before this and I'm like, hey, just so you know, like, someone pressuring me into dating someone is the worst way to get me to date someone.

[Ian Hecox]

Oh, I wasn't there for that conversation.

[Damien Haas]

We. You and I were. You and I. Ian was in front.

[Shane Ta]

Of you, but he was not there for it.

[Damien Haas]

So now that's never gonna happen.

[Shane Ta]

Damian. Let me tell you something about Ian. He can be right in front of you, but he may not be present in the conversation.

[Damien Haas]

Didn't you moments ago just be like, show me the real Damian. I want to learn the real Damian. Are you even gonna be there to fucking meet him?

[Ian Hecox]

I'll be here.

[Damien Haas]

I don't know.

[Ian Hecox]

Well, at least don't. At least you don't have to go on a date with her.

[Shane Ta]

But just. You know what, Damien probably just don't. It's probably good if you never do.

[Ian Hecox]

But just like, how is this the.

[Damien Haas]

Main topic of this podcast?

[Ian Hecox]

But just, you know, just.

[Damien Haas]

How did we get here?

[Ian Hecox]

Just. Just shoot a small shot. Yeah.

[Shane Ta]

You know, just like a free throw.

[Damien Haas]

How about I agree to get back into the world of dating? Whether it's with this girl or however I decide to do it. I will agree at some point soon to put myself out there. Is that an attainable Goal for everybody that it matters to here. That's not me.

[Ian Hecox]

It's not enough. All right, well, I quit thinking. I want to see action. No, not like that. I don't want to see. I don't want to see any. I don't want to see.

[Damien Haas]

It's my boss, ladies and gentlemen, it's my boss.

[Shane Ta]

That is the president.

[Ian Hecox]

I'm done with words. I need to see action. Damian, Shane, it was so nice talking to you guys on this podcast.

[Damien Haas]

Thanks, man. I had a great time.

[Shane Ta]

I had a really good time, too.

[Ian Hecox]

Thank you guys so much for watching this episode. And just so you guys know, we have some new merch dropping next weekend. This is actually one of the. The OG sweaters that you can get.

[Shane Ta]

That's right. Get some. Get some retro smarts.

[Ian Hecox]

I actually never got one of these sweaters. I don't know what happened, but that's defy for you. So, yeah, it's a pretty sweet yellow hoodie. I think we got like 200 of them. We have a very small stock of them. So exclusive. We have 100.

[Damien Haas]

And each of them is hand signed by Ian Hecox.

[Ian Hecox]

Each one of them is hand sign by Damien's date, Ian.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, Damien's gonna sign them on his date.

[Damien Haas]

Hey, Tinder for Hot Dogs has a shirt.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, snap. That is correct, guys. There is a Tinder for Hot Dogs T shirt. And I'll tell you why there's a Tinder for Hot Dogs T shirt is because you can wear it now. And it drops. Tinder for Hot Dogs. The sketch which we are filming this week, we are filming it right now. We are leaving this podcast. We are getting back to set this curtain. If you're watching the video version, this curtain behind us, we're gonna pull it back. We got a whole set right here. We got everything going. Tinder for hot dogs drops July 3rd. That is less than a month away, ladies and gentlemen.

[Ian Hecox]

Ooh, baby.

[Shane Ta]

And boy, it is crazy. Things are spicing up on set. People are thinking, Shane, there's no way. This is gonna. We can't release this. This is too much. People's faces are gonna melt off when they watch this sketch. I guarantee you I am gonna get an interview on Larry King when he watches this sketch. Cause Larry King is a big fan of Smosh, and he is gonna love Tinder for Hot Dogs. And I know he loves hot dogs just as much as I do. And all of you are gonna love Tinder for Hot Dogs.

[Ian Hecox]

Is this a filibuster, guys?

[Shane Ta]

I am. Mr. Smith goes to Washington. Except it is on Tinder.

[Damien Haas]

Almost as good as your Sam Foot joke.

[Shane Ta]

Shelby Foote and Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

[Damien Haas]

I want to go to Washington.

[Shane Ta]

Guys, none of that matters. None of it matters because Tinder for Hot Dogs comes out soon. And you can wear a shirt that says Tinder for Hot Dogs. And if I see you wearing one on Twitter or anywhere, I will shed so many tears.

[Damien Haas]

I promise you, he will shed so many layers of clothes. That's right. Shantop will get naked whenever he sees that shirt.

[Ian Hecox]

And we have a very limited supply of those shirts, too.

[Shane Ta]

Oh, my God.

[Ian Hecox]

How many?

[Damien Haas]

Only 1,000. Signed by Ian Hecox.

[Shane Ta]

We may only. We only have how many? Couple guys because I had to hand sew them myself and I bled so much because I'm not good with needles.

[Damien Haas]

And he ironed on the hot dogs.

[Shane Ta]

And yeah, I ironed on actual hot dogs. Just hydraulic pressed the hot dogs into the T shirts. Guys, we have a budget of $500 million.

[Damien Haas]

How much do you think a hydraulic press costs?

[Shane Ta]

It's a lot of.

[Damien Haas]

I.

[Shane Ta]

Maybe I got a bad deal on that hydraulic press because, boy, it is going to be the biggest production you've ever seen. Do you like Avatar? Are you excited for Avatar 2? You don't need to worry about Avatar 2 because Tinder for Hot Dogs comes out in a couple weeks and it's just as good. James Cameron is shook.

[Ian Hecox]

And just as a reminder, this merch comes out next week, so be on the lookout. And if you are watching this a week later, hey, get the merch right now. Dum dum Smosh store. Show your support for Tinder for Hot Dogs. Make Shane the happiest baby boy in the universe.

[Shane Ta]

Make me such a happy boy. Damien, ask that girl out on a date.

[Ian Hecox]

Yes. And if you guys aren't subscribed to smoshcast, do that right now. You can subscribe on any of your favorite podcast apps or you can subscribe on our YouTube channel, Smoshcast. If you want to listen to this on Wednesdays uncensored, it's on podcast apps. If you want to watch us in our pretty faces and watch Damian glare at me very angrily for talking about him dating a girl or trying to get him to date a girl, you're going to have to see this in video form because it's. It's something to witness.

[Shane Ta]

If you're listening to this on audio, I recommend also watching it on video.

[Ian Hecox]

Yeah. Because Damian is not happy with me right now.

[Shane Ta]

He's really not. He's genuinely not.

[Ian Hecox]

I'm going to have to give him another nice long hug after this.

[Shane Ta]

I don't know if I'd recommend that.

[Ian Hecox]

We'll see you guys next time.

[Damien Haas]

Bye, everybody.

[Shane Ta]

Bye.