Smosh Mouth Podcast - Season 1, Episode 35: "Demonetized For Life w/ Mini Ladd"

Release Date: October 16, 2019
Hosts: Smosh (Ian, Damien, and rotating guests)
Guest: Craig Thompson (also known as Mini Ladd)

1. Introduction and Guest Introduction

The episode kicks off with the usual light-hearted banter among the hosts, introducing Craig Thompson, a well-known YouTuber and friend of the Smosh crew. They set the tone for an informal and engaging conversation, steering clear of strict podcast formatting to maintain a fun and spontaneous atmosphere.

2. Craig Thompson’s Tour Experiences

a. Challenges on Tour Buses Craig delves into his recent touring experiences, highlighting the physical and logistical challenges faced on tour buses. He shares anecdotes about unstable bunk beds and uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, emphasizing the toll it takes both physically and mentally.

• Notable Quote:
  Craig Thompson (00:43): "Sleep up there because it's too wobbly. Say for example, I was insane."

b. Introduction of Stand-Up Gaming Hybrid Tour Transitioning from his touring woes, Craig discusses his new venture—a stand-up gaming hybrid tour called the "Demonetized Tour." He explains his desire to blend comedy with gaming to create a unique show that resonates with both his existing audience and new listeners.

• Notable Quote:
  Craig Thompson (52:20): "I want people to leave with a message of, you know, life can get real shitty. You gotta, you gotta go through the bad to really enjoy the good."

3. Navigating Industry Relationships

The conversation shifts to the complexities of maintaining friendships and professional relationships within the content creation industry. The hosts discuss the difficulty of discerning genuine friendships from connections made purely for mutual benefit.

• Notable Quote:
  Ian (49:06): "If somebody is only reaching out to you saying like, hey, you wanna grab drinks? You wanna, how are you doing? You know, as a person, that's good."

4. Content Creation and YouTube Policies

a. Demonitization Struggles A significant portion of the discussion centers around demonetization issues faced by content creators on YouTube. Craig shares his personal experiences of deleting raunchy videos in an attempt to align with YouTube's brand safety standards, only to find that his channel still struggles with monetization.

• Notable Quote:
  Craig Thompson (55:37): "Everything is fine. I would upload that same kind of content onto my new Craig Thompson channel. And most videos I upload on my Craig Thompson channel get trending...the other doesn't show up and recommended."

b. Balancing Authenticity with Platform Restrictions The hosts reflect on the challenge of maintaining authentic content while adhering to platform-imposed restrictions meant to make content "safe for all ages."

• Notable Quote:
  Ian (54:16): "It's interesting how it's affected some channels more than others. And I know you've been fighting with that for like over a year."

5. Video Games and Pop Culture Commentary

a. Favorite Games and Gaming Experiences The discussion includes a deep dive into favorite video games, with Craig highlighting classics like the original Pokémon series and the BioShock franchise. They also touch upon newer titles like Sekiro and Goose Game, sharing personal gaming experiences and preferences.

• Notable Quote:
  Craig Thompson (44:50): "Favorite gaming series is BioShock. BioShock 1's fantastic. BioShock 2 is as good. Just a little bit short. BioShock Infinite was a little."

b. Critique of Media Franchises The hosts critically analyze popular media franchises such as Star Wars, Transformers, and Game of Thrones. They express disappointment with certain creative decisions, particularly in the later seasons of Game of Thrones and the prequels of Star Wars.

• Notable Quote:
  Craig Thompson (20:02): "The whole, literally like five seconds beforehand... I'm like, it's a dragon. Come on."

6. Cultural Discussions and Personal Interests

a. Northern Ireland and Portland Living Craig shares his personal journey from Northern Ireland to Portland, Oregon, discussing the cultural differences and his reasons for relocating. He emphasizes the importance of self-care and maintaining a balance between work and personal life.

• Notable Quote:
  Craig Thompson (28:22): "I love LA, but I'm a big believer in making sure that you're okay as far as like self-care."

b. Music Production and Future Plans Looking ahead, Craig reveals his plans to venture into music production, aiming to release his first single or EP. He discusses his passion for house music and his desire to be taken seriously in the music industry beyond his YouTube persona.

• Notable Quote:
  Craig Thompson (56:10): "I'm writing music right now and I'm trying to release my first single and EP next year."

7. Thematic Discussions on Friendship and Support

The episode concludes with a reflective discussion on the nature of friendships within the industry, stressing the importance of loyalty and maintaining a close-knit friend group. The hosts encourage supporting one another genuinely rather than seeking relationships based solely on mutual benefit.

• Notable Quote:
  Craig Thompson (48:24): "Just keep your friend group small. Stay loyal to them and they'll stay loyal to you."

8. Conclusion and Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, the hosts promote Craig’s upcoming tour and his music endeavors, reinforcing the supportive community among the Smosh crew and their guests. They also briefly touch upon continuous efforts to adapt content in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• Touring Challenges: Craig Thompson highlights the often-overlooked physical strains of touring content creators.

• YouTube Policies: There's an ongoing struggle between maintaining authentic content and adhering to platform monetization requirements.

• Authentic Relationships: Genuine friendships are crucial, as opportunistic connections can lead to disillusionment.

• Passion Beyond Content Creation: Diversifying into other creative fields, like music, can provide personal fulfillment and career growth.

• Critical Media Consumption: Engaging critically with popular media can lead to deeper discussions and varied perspectives among creators.

Notable Quotes:

1. Craig Thompson (00:43): "Sleep up there because it's too wobbly. Say for example, I was insane."
2. Craig Thompson (52:20): "I want people to leave with a message of, you know, life can get real shitty. You gotta, you gotta go through the bad to really enjoy the good."
3. Craig Thompson (55:37): "Everything is fine. I would upload that same kind of content onto my new Craig Thompson channel. And most videos I upload on my Craig Thompson channel get trending...the other doesn't show up and recommended."
4. Craig Thompson (56:10): "I'm writing music right now and I'm trying to release my first single and EP next year."
5. Ian (49:06): "If somebody is only reaching out to you saying like, hey, you wanna grab drinks? You wanna, how are you doing? You know, as a person, that's good."

This episode of Smosh Mouth offers a candid look into the multifaceted lives of content creators, balancing professional challenges with personal growth, all while fostering genuine connections within the creative community.