Smosh Mouth Podcast Summary

Episode: S2: #68 - Ghosts, Queer Icons, and a Shoot Dood in the Club
Release Date: June 24, 2020
Hosts: Shayne Topp (Short), Amanda Lehan-Canto (Tall), and rotating Smosh friends
Description:
In this engaging episode of Smosh Mouth, hosts Shayne Topp, Amanda Lehan-Canto, and guest Monica Vasudani delve into a variety of topics ranging from paranormal experiences to LGBTQ+ identities and the intersection of politics during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation is both heartfelt and humorous, offering listeners a candid glimpse into the hosts' personal lives and societal observations.

1. Ghost Stories and Paranormal Experiences

The episode kicks off with a lighthearted discussion about ghosts and paranormal sightings.

Tommy Bo shares his occasional eerie experiences:

"I'm not like, yes, ghosts are real, but every once in a while, you think you see someone standing in the stairs over there."
[00:35]

Monica Vasudani adds her skepticism mixed with curiosity:

"I'm just somebody's mom. Like, that's where I'm at."
[00:56]

The conversation takes a playful turn as the hosts recount creepy occurrences in their homes. Monica narrates a bizarre incident with her dog:

"During a break from work, I walked into my bedroom and my dog Dexter just had like a big old boner just like standing on the bed."
[03:18]

Tommy further embellishes his experiences with ghostly activities in his apartment, describing flickering lights and misplaced objects:

"Middle of the night, I'm in my bed and then I hear what sounds like maybe 15 pound rat or something scampering."
[22:13]

2. Personal Lives and Quirky Habits

The hosts transition into sharing personal habits and household anecdotes, adding humor to their stories.

Courtney Miller discusses her laundry habits:

"I change my sheets once a week because I'm, like, sweating. I am crying almost nightly."
[02:38]

Tommy Bo humorously describes his laundry struggles:

"I have four buckets of laundry that are about 4ft tall. That one is all the way full and sticking out of my closet."
[19:30]

The discussion highlights the relatable challenges of maintaining household routines, especially during stressful times.

3. LGBTQ+ Identities and Pride

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to exploring LGBTQ+ identities, the importance of pride, and the personal journeys of the hosts.

Courtney Miller opens up about her sexual identity:

"I officially came out as pansexual a year ago because bisexual doesn't quite fit it."
[32:55]

She reflects on her past and the evolution of her understanding:

"It's crazy, like, looking back when you look on your past, you're like, oh, yeah, now that I know this about myself, so many things about my past make sense."
[33:02]

Monica Vasudani discusses the challenges of raising a child in a lesbian household:

"My concern is, like, having a positive male role model for him, especially right now."
[36:58]

The hosts emphasize the importance of representation and normalization of diverse relationships:

"We try to put them into a lot of the scripts and... trying to normalize those relationships to be like, here is, you know, a queer couple."
[39:35]

4. Politics, COVID-19, and Social Movements

The conversation delves into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social movements like Black Lives Matter (BLM) and LGBTQ+ rights.

Courtney Miller expresses her frustration over not being able to participate in protests:

"I have a therapist that I talk to weekly and... it's affecting me."
[11:14]

Tommy Bo discusses the Supreme Court's ruling on LGBTQ+ protections:

"The Supreme Court... decided that LGBT people... can no longer be fired from their jobs."
[14:21]

Monica Vasudani reflects on the societal changes and the challenges faced:

"I think it's time to... just make this statement."
[44:25]

The hosts highlight the heightened awareness and activism during the pandemic, balancing personal safety with the desire to effect change.

5. Personal Growth and Community Engagement

The episode showcases the hosts' personal growth, their efforts to stay informed, and their engagement with the community.

Monica shares her reading habit to stay informed:

"I'm reading 'Between the World and Me' by Ta-Nehisi Coates."
[10:50]

Courtney discusses the importance of having a diverse support system:

"It's important to have like a support system of people that have different voices."
[11:14]

The hosts also touch upon their contributions to the community through merchandise:

"Our new merch... a portion of the proceeds will go to the Center for Black Equity."
[58:54]

6. Upcoming Projects and Anecdotes

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts discuss upcoming projects and share humorous anecdotes.

Courtney announces a new video project:

"Tommy and I did a video together. Very exciting."
[49:31]

Monica recounts an embarrassing text exchange:

"I realized I sent to Shane instead of my wife, and now I want to die."
[47:03]

These stories add a personal and relatable touch, balancing the more serious discussions earlier in the episode.

Notable Quotes

• Courtney Miller on Identity:
  "Labels don't matter to me. There are people who stand for being referred to in the way that they specifically want to be referred to."
  [32:55]

• Tommy Bo on Activism:
  "It's battles within a war. You might lose the battle, but the war could be won over time."
  [17:56]

• Monica Vasudani on Community:
  "I'm reading a lot of things that make me feel shitty but I feel like are important to read."
  [10:50]

Conclusion

In this episode of Smosh Mouth, the hosts navigate through a spectrum of topics with authenticity and humor. From personal ghost stories to deep dives into LGBTQ+ identities and the pressing social issues amplified by the pandemic, Shayne, Amanda, and Monica offer a comprehensive and engaging discussion. Their ability to intertwine personal anecdotes with broader societal conversations makes for a compelling listen, inviting both reflection and laughter.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the hosts through their merchandise, which supports the Center for Black Equity, and to stay tuned for upcoming projects that continue to bridge personal experiences with community advocacy.