Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth – S1: #36 - Damien Is Not A Psychic

Episode Information:

• Title: Damien Is Not A Psychic
• Host/Author: Smosh
• Release Date: October 23, 2019

Introduction

In episode #36 of Smosh Mouth, titled "Damien Is Not A Psychic," hosts Shayne Topp (Shane), Amanda Lehan-Canto (Sarah), and Damien Haas delve into a range of intriguing topics. From personal paranormal experiences to fears of natural disasters and the intelligence of animals, this episode offers a blend of humor, storytelling, and thoughtful discussions. The trio also touches upon their journey towards 25 million YouTube subscribers, adding a motivational twist to the conversation.

Debunking the Psychic Myth

The episode kicks off with Damien clarifying his stance on psychic abilities, responding to online compilations that humorously label him as a psychic.

• Damien Haas [00:14]:
  "There are fun compilations online called Damien is a Psychic. They are fun to watch. I'm not a psychic. I think if anyone tells you they're a psychic, they're full of crap."

This sets the tone for a playful yet sincere exploration of personal beliefs and experiences related to the paranormal.

Personal Paranormal Experiences

Shane's Unsettling Encounters

Shane shares a series of eerie incidents from his past, ranging from unexplained noises to apparitions.

• Shane Topp [00:00]:
  "There was a time I woke up and I rolled over and I opened my eyes and there was a woman standing next to my bed... she was gone."

One of the most harrowing stories involves Shane hearing a loud scream in his apartment, leading him to suspect a supernatural presence.

• Shane Topp [20:49]:
  "There is nothing in this tank that can eat them... someone flips a coin, ... It landed at my feet."
  (Referring to an unexplained coin flip sound)

Damien's Family Encounter

Damien recounts a mysterious phone call that seemed to connect him with his late grandmother.

• Damien Haas [13:35]:
  "My dad got in a really bad accident... the receptionist said, 'your mom called.' She was like, 'tell him his mother called.' It had a German accent."

This story underscores the thin line between belief and skepticism regarding paranormal phenomena.

Sarah's Ouija Board Experience

Sarah details a chilling experience with a Ouija board during her teenage years, where the group experienced unexplainable movements of the cup.

• Sarah Whittle [28:15]:
  "The cup was going so fast that people's fingers were falling off of it. It was rotating so quickly across the table while also rotating itself."

The intensity of the event left a lasting impression, highlighting the group's fascination with the supernatural.

Fear of the Unknown: Scary Movies and Natural Disasters

Scary Movies: A Mixed Bag

The hosts discuss their varying experiences with horror films, highlighting how certain movies can leave a lasting impact.

• Shane Topp [07:34]:
  "I watch a lot of scary movies by myself in the dark... 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' was really rough."

Natural Disasters: Tornadoes and Earthquakes

Shane shares his longstanding fear of tornadoes, exacerbated by movies like Twister, while Damien and Sarah discuss their real-life encounters with earthquakes.

• Shane Topp [57:07]:
  "I was in Arizona, one of my biggest fears was twisters. I watched 'Twister,' and it ruined my life. Anytime there was a slight storm, I'd be like, is that a twister?"

• Damien Haas [58:05]:
  "When we had that earthquake, Mark and I were in a restaurant and everybody was fleeing. The lights above us were swinging around."

These stories emphasize how real-life events can heighten our fears and sometimes blur the lines between fiction and reality.

The Mysteries of Dreams

Lucid Dreaming and Prophetic Dreams

Sarah and Damien delve into their experiences with lucid dreaming and how certain dreams seemed to predict future events.

• Sarah Whittle [39:49]:
  "I had a lucid dream where zombies burst through the door while I was trying to make it a sexual dream."

• Damien Haas [40:28]:
  "I had a dream that my ex-girlfriend was with another guy, and when I saw her the next day, she confronted me about it."

Shane shares a personal story where a dream seemingly saved his life.

• Shane Topp [35:28]:
  "I drowned when I was 18 months old... my mom heard a voice say my name and found me in the backyard."

These anecdotes explore the profound impact dreams can have on our waking lives and beliefs.

Intelligent Animals: A Source of Awe and Fear

Octopus Intelligence

Shane narrates an astonishing story about an octopus demonstrating remarkable intelligence by escaping its tank and returning, showcasing the creature's problem-solving abilities.

• Shane Topp [60:46]:
  "There was an octopus that crawled out of its tank to steal sharks from another tank and then returned to avoid getting caught."

Crows and Their Behavior

Damien shares how crows have shown intelligence through gestures like bringing shiny objects as tokens of appreciation.

• Damien Haas [62:43]:
  "There was a lady who fed crows, and they started leaving shiny garbage on her balcony as gifts."

These stories highlight the deep intelligence of animals, prompting reflections on their potential and our interactions with them.

Clowns, Mimes, and Cultural Fears

The hosts discuss their complex feelings towards clowns and mimes, blending humor with underlying fears.

• Damien Haas [50:26]:
  "Clowns are creatures that exist entirely to make you laugh, but culturally they're seen as scary."

• Shane Topp [51:30]:
  "I almost fought a mime in a video where I faced my fear of dolls."

These conversations showcase how cultural portrayals can transform entities meant to elicit joy into figures of fear.

Conclusion and Call to Action

As the episode wraps up, Shane passionately shares their goal of reaching 25 million YouTube subscribers. He humorously ties this milestone to personal challenges, like attempting to do over 200,000 push-ups.

• Shane Topp [66:04]:
  "I'm taking a quick break for this podcast. But when we were 200,000 subscribers away from 25 million, I started doing push-ups, and I am not stopping until we hit 25 million."

Sarah and Damien join in, urging listeners to support their journey by subscribing and engaging with their content.

• Sarah Whittle [65:15]:
  "Tell ghosts to subscribe. We need to grow our crow audience."

This segment blends humor with genuine enthusiasm, encouraging the audience to participate in their growth.

Notable Quotes

• Damien Haas [00:14]:
  "I'm not a psychic. I think if anyone tells you they're a psychic, they're full of crap."

• Shane Topp [35:28]:
  "I drowned when I was 18 months old... my mom heard a voice say my name and found me in the backyard."

• Sarah Whittle [37:02]:
  "Maybe you're making this up. Whatever. It's like, no. Everything that you see is not what's actually in front of you."

• Shane Topp [66:25]:
  "Do nice things for crows so that crows will start subscribing. We need to hit 25 million."

Final Thoughts

Episode #36 of Smosh Mouth offers a captivating blend of personal anecdotes, humorous banter, and thought-provoking discussions. From debunking psychic myths to exploring the intelligence of animals and sharing supernatural experiences, Shane, Sarah, and Damien create an engaging narrative that resonates with both long-time fans and new listeners alike. Their heartfelt call to reach 25 million subscribers adds an extra layer of connection, inviting the audience to be part of their exciting journey.

For those who haven't tuned in, this episode is a must-listen for its honest conversations, relatable fears, and the unique chemistry of the Smosh trio. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer in the paranormal, "Damien Is Not A Psychic" offers something intriguing for everyone.