Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth - Episode S1: #19 - How To Make The First Move & Not Be A Creep (Smosh Advice)
Release Date: June 26, 2019

In this engaging and humor-infused episode of Smosh Mouth, hosts Shayne Topp, Amanda Lehan-Canto, and rotating Smosh friends delve into listener questions centered around making the first move in romantic pursuits, staying motivated academically, and overcoming personal insecurities. Balancing comedic banter with genuine advice, the trio offers insights that resonate with a college-aged audience navigating relationships and personal growth.

1. Introduction to Smosh Advice

The episode opens with the hosts introducing their segment, humorously referencing their less-than-traditional qualifications for dispensing advice. Shayne quips, “I will say I've used Shane before. I had my real therapist. I used Shane as my free one" (06:04), setting a lighthearted tone for the episode. They emphasize that while they aren't professionals, their personal experiences and camaraderie aim to provide relatable guidance to listeners.

2. Navigating the First Move: Listener Question from Ixxinative

Question:
“I have a crush on this guy in my class in college. We've been friends for a few months now, and next week is our last week before we leave for summer break. Should I tell him I like him then or just wait a little longer?”
— Ixxinative (06:30)

Discussion Highlights:

• Timing is Key: Shayne advises, “there's no better time than now” to express feelings, especially in the transient setting of college where opportunities may be fleeting (07:42).

• Embracing Awkwardness: The hosts collectively stress that making the first move can be inherently awkward but manageable. Shane states, “there's no right move” and emphasizes that awkwardness is a natural part of dating (09:07).

• Handling Rejection: They reassure that rejection, while painful, is a common experience. Shane shares his perspective, “regardless, there's never gonna seem like a convenient time... you’re going to feel great that you went for it” (12:48).

• Avoiding Procrastination: Amanda (Courtney) reinforces the idea of seizing the moment, stating, “a better now than never” and discouraging overthinking about the perfect timing (08:48).

Notable Quote:
Shayne Topp encapsulates the essence of taking initiative: “There's no better time than now. Especially in a situation like college. If the person rejects you, it's fine. It will be a funny story later on” (07:42).

3. Staying Motivated: Listener Question from Cas

Question:
“How do you guys stay motivated? I struggled this past semester because I couldn't focus on the work and was just wondering how I could fix that and motivate myself to do it.”
— Cas at Take Five (16:29)

Discussion Highlights:

• Reward System: Courtney discusses the importance of recognizing rewards in completing tasks versus procrastinating. She explains how immediate rewards for putting things off can undermine motivation (17:58).

• Discipline and Habit Formation: Shayne shares his approach to building habits, such as committing to a 30-day chart to track progress, which helps in reinforcing discipline (21:24).

• Goal Setting: Ian emphasizes focusing on one task at a time and prioritizing the hard tasks first. He relates personal experiences from transitioning from high school to college, where increased interest in subjects boosted his motivation (18:05).

• Overcoming Procrastination: The hosts suggest breaking down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps. Courtney mentions, “half the battle is just getting situated and just getting ready to do it” (20:35).

Notable Quote:
Courtney Miller offers practical advice on task management: “If I have dishes building up in my kitchen... I could wait and be on my phone right now... Or I can get this done now and then not only be able to chill on my phone after, but also have no dishes to worry about” (17:58).

4. Dealing with Rejection and Maintaining Friendships

Questions:

1. “How can I say in a good way that I'm not interested in a person who likes me, afraid of hurting his feelings, but I just want to be friends, and I don't want to lose a friendship with him?”
   — JoannaChips (27:31)

2. “I need help on rejecting people in breakups. I have a hard time saying no to going on dates, even when I don't like the guy. And when we split, I'm heartbroken, even though I never even liked him in the first place.”
   — Kudermiller (27:31)

Discussion Highlights:

• Honest Communication: The hosts advocate for clear and honest communication when rejecting someone. Shane advises, “you just have to be definite. You have to, you have to... you're telling them the truth” (29:18).

• Setting Boundaries: They emphasize the importance of setting boundaries to prevent further emotional turmoil. Courtney suggests, “You just gotta eat it [reject], tough but necessary” (37:58).

• Managing Reactions: The hosts acknowledge that despite delivering the message kindly, the other person may still react negatively, stressing that the responder cannot control those reactions (28:00).

• Preserving Friendship: If the individual accepts the rejection maturely, maintaining the friendship is possible. However, if the person cannot handle it, Shane questions the value of preserving such a friendship (31:43).

Notable Quote:
Shayne reinforces the necessity of honesty: “You're also just telling them the truth. It's the truth. So you're not doing anything mean to someone... you're telling them what the reality of the situation is” (37:58).

5. Humorous Interlude: The Body Hiding Scenario

A playful and unexpected shift in the episode occurs when the hosts tackle a fictional and humorous question about how to hide a body. This segment showcases their comedic chemistry as they devise increasingly absurd methods, blending dark humor with their signature silliness.

Notable Exchange:
Shayne imagines a scenario involving historical figures:
Shayne: “Maybe I'd make the statue just a giant ween. Just a giant. You know, penis and testicles have Hitler on the inside of that.” (51:31)
Ian: “That is horror.” (51:56)

6. Embracing and Overcoming Insecurities

Question:
“How can I start to learn to accept love things about myself that I'm insecure about?”
— Aleenelattis (57:33)

Discussion Highlights:

• Self-Acceptance: The hosts encourage embracing imperfections as what makes individuals unique and interesting. Shayne emphasizes, “Each and every one of us has so many different types of features... those that make you imperfect are often the things that make them human and endearing” (59:10).

• Confidence Building: Courtney shares personal experiences of overcoming insecurities, highlighting the importance of self-love and understanding that others may admire what you perceive as flaws (60:42).

• Perspective Shift: They discuss shifting focus from perceived flaws to strengths, fostering a positive self-image. Shayne references Tyrion from Game of Thrones, advocating for using personal flaws as armor (63:55).

Notable Quote:
Ian underscores the power of confidence: “There really is, like, nothing more sexy than confidence” (62:15).

7. Making Money Without a Traditional Job: Listener Question from Cole Hirsch

Question:
“How to make money without job. #sponshadvice”
— Cole Hirsch (73:06)

Discussion Highlights:

• Creative Solutions: The hosts offer tongue-in-cheek suggestions, such as selling elaborate selfies and even delving into humorous, fictional methods like hiding a body in a Ween statue (74:28).

• Reality Check: Despite the humor, the underlying message nudges listeners to consider legitimate avenues for income, albeit delivered in their characteristic comedic style.

Notable Exchange:
Shayne humorously suggests, “make sure of the coming Tinder for Hot Dogs apocalypse” (73:21).

8. Conclusion and Merchandise Promotion

As the episode wraps up, the hosts transition back to promoting their merchandise with jovial enthusiasm. They highlight items like the "Tinder for Hot Dogs" T-shirt and the rainbow hoodie, maintaining the episode’s playful and light-hearted tone.

Notable Quote:
Shane enthusiastically declares, “We rescued the yellow hoodie from the Defy era. We like, hit up the company that had some in stock and they were like, where's... Give us those sweaters” (04:52).

Key Takeaways

• Take Initiative: When interested in someone, taking the first step is encouraged over waiting indefinitely.

• Stay Motivated Through Structure: Implementing reward systems, discipline, and manageable task breakdowns can enhance motivation and reduce procrastination.

• Handle Rejection with Honesty and Respect: Clear communication is vital in managing interpersonal relationships and maintaining self-respect.

• Embrace Imperfections: Accepting and loving personal flaws contribute to authentic confidence and meaningful connections.

• Humor as a Coping Mechanism: Utilizing humor can make discussing sensitive topics more approachable and relatable.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Shayne Topp (07:42): “There's no better time than now. Especially in a situation like college. If the person rejects you, it's fine. It will be a funny story later on.”

• Courtney Miller (17:58): “If I have dishes building up in my kitchen... I could wait and be on my phone right now... Or I can get this done now and then not only be able to chill on my phone after, but also have no dishes to worry about.”

• Shayne Topp (37:58): “You're also just telling them the truth. It's the truth. So you're not doing anything mean to someone... you're telling them what the reality of the situation is.”

• Ian Hecox (62:15): “There really is, like, nothing more sexy than confidence.”

• Shayne Topp (63:55): “And it's like, that girl from Black Panther is what's.”

Conclusion

Episode #19 of Smosh Mouth effortlessly blends humor with heartfelt advice, addressing common dilemmas faced by young adults. Whether it's making the first romantic move, staying motivated in academia, or embracing personal insecurities, the hosts provide a mix of practical tips and comedic relief. This episode not only entertains but also offers listeners relatable insights, making it a valuable listen for those navigating the complexities of college life and personal relationships.