Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth S1: #38 - Vaping Dads & Social Media Burnout
Release Date: November 6, 2019
Hosts:
- Courtney Miller
- Noah Grossman
- Olivia Sway
In this engaging episode of Smosh Mouth, Courtney, Noah, and Olivia delve into a myriad of topics ranging from personal anecdotes and dietary choices to the complexities of social media and the pressures of content creation. The conversation weaves through light-hearted stories and deeper discussions, offering listeners a comprehensive look into the hosts' lives and viewpoints.
1. Personal Anecdotes and Experiences
Olivia's Squirrel Encounter ([06:11]) Olivia shares a heartfelt story about encountering an injured ground squirrel. She describes stopping her car to avoid hitting it, only to discover that the squirrel was struggling to move in circles due to what appeared to be a neurological disorder.
"It could only move in circles, and the circle would shift very, very. It took him probably 35 loops in order to like, move to the sidewalk." — Olivia Sway [06:16]
Despite her efforts to help, Olivia experiences guilt when the animal welfare official decides not to intervene further, leaving her questioning if she inadvertently contributed to the squirrel's plight.
Noah's Crow Rescue ([09:00]) Noah recounts a childhood memory where he rescued an injured crow from a mob of aggressive crows. His efforts to save the bird led to unexpected consequences, including being called in for yard duty.
"So I chased the other crows away, but this crow didn't want to go near me, but obviously was clearly injured." — Noah Grossman [09:22]
2. Dietary Choices and Veganism
Courtney's Meat Reduction ([10:34]) Courtney discusses her conscious decision to reduce meat intake, driven by ethical considerations and personal health reasons.
"I have not been eating meat... I really cut down on meat intake." — Courtney Miller [10:34]
She elaborates on the challenges of maintaining her dietary choices, especially in social settings, and her affinity for cows, highlighting the inconsistency in finding certain animals cute over others.
Olivia's Vegan Struggles ([12:38]) Olivia expresses her difficulty in adopting a fully vegan lifestyle, citing challenges with hamburgers and digesting red meat.
"I really want to stop eating hamburgers. But that's not, like, gonna save my life." — Olivia Sway [12:14]
Despite these struggles, both hosts emphasize the importance of personal choice and finding a balance that aligns with their values.
3. Parenting and Personal Lives
Noah's Father's Firefighting Career ([14:27]) Noah provides an in-depth look into his father's demanding career as a firefighter, sharing stories of rescue missions and the physical and emotional toll it takes.
"My dad had to go down get her. So, like, basically someone's managing the rope that goes down while he goes down, grabs this person, wraps him up, brings them back up." — Noah Grossman [14:21]
Courtney adds a humorous yet heartfelt narrative about meeting Noah's father during a car ride, highlighting the camaraderie and mutual respect among the hosts' families.
"And now I'm gonna be your mom." — Courtney Miller [22:13]
4. Social Media Impact and Conspiracy Theories
Olivia's Take on Social Media ([33:02]) Olivia delves into the darker aspects of social media, discussing how platforms like Facebook have integrated surveillance-like programs, raising concerns about privacy and government oversight.
"Facebook integrated an NSA style program. It's architecture. So the NSA was gathering information and wanted to gather information on the average American." — Olivia Sway [35:15]
She connects these concerns to broader societal issues, including the manipulation of information and the erosion of privacy, drawing parallels with historical events and government actions.
Discussion on Information Overload ([36:33]) The hosts discuss the overwhelming nature of information available online and the anxiety it can cause. They emphasize the importance of selecting reliable sources and maintaining a balanced worldview to navigate the complexities of modern media.
"We have such a large influence. So it's a responsibility, in a way for us to be educated and to have knowledge on that kind of thing." — Noah Grossman [32:56]
5. Content Creation and Burnout
Reflections on Smosh Days ([52:30]) Courtney reminisces about their early days working on Smosh, particularly the exhausting shoots for shows like "Put It in My Mouth." She reflects on the challenges of adapting from acting to being authentic personalities on camera.
"We were all actors. We did not know how to be personalities. That was unnatural for me." — Courtney Miller [03:29]
The conversation highlights the mental and physical toll of content creation, the pressure to constantly entertain, and the process of finding their unique voices amidst the chaos of daily shoots.
"You have to find your voice, your personality, your shtick." — Courtney Miller [58:11]
Mental Health and Support Systems ([55:16]) The hosts acknowledge the importance of supporting each other through stressful shoots and the emotional exhaustion that comes with maintaining high energy levels for content.
"But we did that for each other. And it worked so well because the fact that you guys were there, the energy in the room was just better." — Courtney Miller [55:16]
6. Future Plans and Creative Ideas
Friendsgiving Gathering ([26:23]) Courtney proposes a Friendsgiving event, contemplating whether to host a large communal meal featuring paella or opt for a restaurant outing. The idea sparks enthusiasm among the hosts as they reminisce about past gatherings and the joy of hosting.
"I just want to be Martha." — Courtney Miller [26:23]
Clothing Line and Merchandising ([29:36]) Noah discusses his clothing line, mentioning the unique designs inspired by personal interests like avocados. The conversation touches on the challenges of branding and maintaining authenticity in merchandise.
"But you came up with the avocado with the tree coming out." — Olivia Sway [29:41]
7. Navigating Personal Beliefs and Public Perception
Balancing Activism and Personal Choices ([44:56]) Olivia and Courtney explore the concept of cognitive dissonance in the context of supporting brands with questionable practices. They emphasize the importance of individual choices and the difficulty of aligning personal ethics with consumer behavior.
"It's about finding your own place on the spectrum between the two extremes." — Olivia Sway [44:56]
Addressing Stereotypes and Judgments ([45:49]) The hosts discuss the dangers of stereotypes and the importance of understanding individuals beyond their publicly known identities, advocating for a more nuanced approach to judging others.
"Stereotypes are dangerous." — Noah Grossman [46:21]
8. Closing Thoughts and Reflections
Acknowledging Growth and Overcoming Challenges ([62:11]) Courtney reflects on the personal growth resulting from their challenging experiences on Smosh, highlighting the resilience and adaptability they've developed as content creators.
"This job has taught me how to adapt so easily. Nothing can break me." — Courtney Miller [62:11]
Embracing Authenticity ([59:30]) Olivia emphasizes the importance of authenticity and giving people the space to be whole individuals, rejecting the notion of discounting someone based solely on their public persona.
"It's about allowing people to be a whole person and not just what you see online." — Olivia Sway [59:30]
Notable Quotes Highlighted with Timestamps
- "It can only move in circles, and the circle would shift very, very." — Olivia Sway [06:16]
- "People drew on your backpack." — Courtney Miller [03:29]
- "I love you guys." — Noah Grossman [01:29]
- "We have such a large influence. So it's a responsibility, in a way for us to be educated." — Noah Grossman [32:56]
- "Stereotypes are dangerous." — Noah Grossman [46:21]
Conclusion: In this episode of Smosh Mouth, the hosts navigate through personal stories, ethical dilemmas, and the intricacies of modern media consumption. Their candid discussions offer listeners insight into the human side of content creation, the struggles of maintaining personal integrity, and the impact of societal structures on individual well-being. With a blend of humor and earnestness, Courtney, Noah, and Olivia provide a thought-provoking conversation that resonates on both personal and societal levels.