Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth - S2: #54 - Hold My Leash (Smosh Advice)
Release Date: March 11, 2020
Hosts: Shayne Topp, Amanda Lehan-Canto, Damien Haas, and Mari Takahashi
Overview
In episode #54 of Smosh Mouth, titled "Hold My Leash (Smosh Advice)," hosts Shayne Topp (Short), Amanda Lehan-Canto (Tall), along with Damien Haas and Mari Takahashi, dive into a series of listener-submitted questions, providing their unique blend of humor and heartfelt advice. The episode is structured into two main segments: Advice Cast, where pivotal life questions are addressed, and Shoot Dude, featuring hilarious and bizarre listener stories.
Advice Cast
1. Encouraging a Friend to Vote Without Being Pushy
Timestamp: 09:20 - 17:48
The episode kicks off with a listener question from Superistism Shane, who is struggling to persuade a friend to vote without coming off as overbearing. The conversation emphasizes the importance of voting beyond just presidential elections, highlighting local propositions that directly impact communities.
Notable Quotes:
- Courtney Miller (Tall): “Voting is so much more than just voting for the next president. It's about propositions that affect your local roads, schools, and community services.”
- Mari Takahashi: “Empower people to understand that they have the power to make a difference. It’s your choice, and you make changes.”
The hosts discuss the significance of local elections and encourage approaching the topic with empathy and factual information rather than frustration. They underscore that democracy is fragile and requires active participation to maintain.
2. Deciding to Stay or Leave a 10-Year Relationship
Timestamp: 18:08 - 24:34
Melissa Joyce poses a profound question: “Would you stay or leave a 10-year relationship even if you love the person so much, but you're not as happy as you used to be?” Mari shares her personal experience of leaving an eight-and-a-half-year relationship, emphasizing that love does not necessarily equate to perpetual happiness.
Notable Quotes:
- Mari Takahashi: “Life is too long to be unhappy.”
- Damien Haas: “If you're recognizing this for yourself, it might be a good idea to communicate it and maybe see if you can go to couples counseling.”
The discussion revolves around the balance between love and personal happiness, the courage to make difficult decisions, and the importance of defining one’s own relationship goals. The hosts advocate for honest self-reflection and communication, suggesting that sometimes leaving is necessary for personal growth and fulfillment.
3. Breaking Up in the Nicest Way Possible
Timestamp: 32:39 - 37:19
A listener named Aussie Zombies asks for advice on how to end a relationship amicably. The hosts agree that honesty is paramount, even if the conversation is uncomfortable.
Notable Quotes:
- Courtney Miller (Tall): “Don't think of yourself as the good guy by being vague. You can't.”
- Damien Haas: “Be as kind as possible, but be as straightforward as possible.”
The consensus is that while breakups are inherently painful, approaching them with clarity and compassion can mitigate hurt feelings. They stress the importance of ending relationships respectfully, without leaving the other person in limbo, and recognizing when it’s time to move on for the sake of mutual well-being.
4. Working with a High School Bully and Being a Third Wheel
Timestamp: 37:32 - 44:50
Two related questions emerge: one about handling a work environment with a former high school bully (Jorthan Ronald) and another from a friend who feels like a third wheel on dates.
Notable Quotes:
- Damien Haas: “If they weren’t actively trying to ruin your life, I would give them a chance.”
- Mari Takahashi: “Can you rise above it? Can you lead by example? Can you be bigger than that event and that person?”
The hosts explore the nuances of interacting with former adversaries in professional settings, advocating for professionalism and personal boundaries. For the third wheel scenario, they advise open communication with friends to express discomfort and seek arrangements that respect everyone's space and feelings.
5. Motivation to Return to the Gym
Timestamp: 50:03 - 57:53
Listener NAT V97 seeks advice on rekindling gym habits after a five-year hiatus. The hosts offer practical tips on building routines and finding enjoyable forms of exercise.
Notable Quotes:
- Mari Takahashi: “Just try out a class here and there. Maybe you’ll really like dance classes or just do 10 push-ups in the morning.”
- Damien Haas: “Start going once. Once you show yourself you can go even when you're tired, you get back into the routine.”
Emphasizing the importance of consistency and self-compassion, they suggest finding workout partners for accountability, varying exercise routines to maintain interest, and setting long-term health goals over short-term aesthetic ones.
Shoot Dude
Incident at Spencer’s Gifts
Timestamp: 57:53 - 64:21
The Shoot Dude segment features a listener story from a former manager at Spencer's Gifts, recounting a bizarre encounter with a customer who handed over her boyfriend—on a leather dog leash—for a brief moment.
Notable Highlights:
- The manager humorously describes being tasked with holding a man on a leash while other customers walked in, leading to awkward and funny interactions.
- The story underscores the unpredictability of retail work and the importance of maintaining professionalism in absurd situations.
Notable Quotes:
- Courtney Miller (Tall): “If you give someone a leashed person, maybe say no.”
- Damien Haas: “Working retail sucks.”
This segment adds comedic relief to the episode, illustrating the hosts' ability to blend serious advice with lighthearted, relatable humor.
Conclusion
Episode #54 of Smosh Mouth adeptly balances heartfelt advice with entertaining anecdotes, showcasing the hosts' versatility and camaraderie. From navigating complex personal relationships and civic responsibilities to managing quirky retail mishaps, Shayne, Amanda, Damien, and Mari provide insightful and often humorous perspectives that resonate with listeners. The inclusion of notable quotes and real-life experiences enhances the episode's relatability, making it a valuable listen for those seeking guidance or simply a good laugh.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Mari Takahashi (03:02): “I'm really gonna work on staying here. I was everywhere last year.”
- Courtney Miller (24:00): “If you don't want to be alone, it's just a swipe of a phone.”
- Damien Haas (22:06): “It's not the craziest thing in the world to leave a 10-year relationship.”
- Mari Takahashi (37:19): “It's okay to not be able to fix something.”
- Courtney Miller (46:15): “Conversation over text is not a real conversation.”
- Mari Takahashi (55:05): “I absolutely despise the gym. I get so bored within minutes.”
These quotes encapsulate the episode’s key themes of self-improvement, honest communication, and finding balance in personal and professional relationships.