Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth - S2: #74 - Olivia & Noah Haven’t Left Smosh

Introduction In episode #74 of Smosh Mouth, released on August 5, 2020, hosts Shayne Topp (short), Amanda Lehan-Canto (tall), and rotating Smosh friends Olivia Sway and Noah Grossman delve into personal anecdotes, professional transitions, and important conversations about diversity and inclusion within the Smosh community. This episode provides listeners with an insightful look into the dynamics of freelancing versus full-time roles, the evolution of Smosh post-Defy Media, and the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive environment.

1. Personal Anecdotes and Lighthearted Banter The episode kicks off with light-hearted discussions about personal grooming habits and humorous takes on audition experiences.

• Hair Bleaching Adventures: Noah Grossman shares his ongoing battle with bleaching his hair, resulting in a "Ramen" color. Noah (01:40) humorously states, “The next time you see it, it'll be different again.”

• Podcast Studio Setup: Noah's newly built podcast room, which Ian Hecox likens to a Nickelodeon set, becomes a topic of admiration. Noah (08:12) responds, “I got a couple of times, and that is the biggest compliment you could give me because that's all I watched when I was a kid.”

2. Navigating Personal Relationships and Apologies Olivia and Noah discuss a recent incident where Olivia forgot to assist Noah, leading to a candid conversation about friendship and reliability.

• Olivia’s Apology: Olivia admits her oversight, saying, “I totally forgot,” to which Noah reassures her, “You're fine. Courtney stepped up.”

• Flaking on Plans: A humorous exchange ensues about Olivia never flaking on plans. Ian (03:19) teases, “This is when we reveal that Olivia is a terrible human being that just flakes on people's plans,” while Olivia clarifies, “I don’t ever flake on plans.”

3. Audition Experiences and Quirky Stories The hosts share their most bizarre and memorable audition experiences, highlighting the often strange demands of the entertainment industry.

• Creepy Audition Requests: Noah recalls an audition where he had to take his shirt off. Noah (01:05) jokes, “Yeah, well, that sucks, because I do,” in response to Ian's concern about "weird nipples."

• Foot Acting and Unique Auditions: The conversation shifts to unconventional audition tasks like foot acting. Olivia (11:08) shares her experience, saying, “I've had to be in a ballerina outfit,” while Ian quips about the impracticality of such requests.

4. Transitioning from Defy Media to Freelancing A significant portion of the episode delves into Noah and Olivia’s experiences transitioning from full-time positions at Defy Media to freelancing within Smosh, exploring the benefits and challenges of this shift.

• Noah’s Reflection on Defy Media: Noah discusses how his relationship with Defy Media impacted his professional growth. Noah (22:15) explains, “If my relationship with Defy Media wasn't that great and I didn't feel passionate about going to my job, I wasn't necessarily hurting Defy Media. I was like, hurting my friends.”

• Olivia’s Evolution as a Creator: Olivia reflects on her journey, stating, “This job has realized that I want to be a creator, I want to be a writer, I want to be a producer.”

• Balancing Freelance and Full-Time Elements: Both guests highlight the flexibility freelancing offers while expressing nostalgia for the collaborative environment of a full-time role. Noah (26:36) mentions, “I've learned so much,” emphasizing the value of teamwork at Smosh.

5. Diversity and Inclusion at Smosh A crucial segment of the conversation focuses on Smosh’s ongoing efforts to diversify its cast and foster an inclusive environment.

• Acknowledging Lack of Diversity: Ian openly addresses the predominantly white makeup of Smosh, stating, “Smosh is white as fuck. This has been a conversation for years.”

• Initiatives to Improve Representation: Ian elaborates on the financial and strategic measures taken to diversify Smosh's on-camera talent. Ian (35:39) explains, “We've sunk thousands upon thousands upon thousands of dollars into trying to not make Smosh so white.”

• Olivia’s Experience with Inclusion: Olivia shares her initial feelings of disconnection and how recent changes have made her feel heard and valued. Olivia (37:04) says, “I feel like we're at a place where I feel really safe and that I can say things and voice my concerns and people would respect it.”

• Creating a Safe Space: The hosts discuss the importance of allies and open communication in addressing systemic issues. Noah (42:19) emphasizes, “We can't correct those blind spots without having allies.”

6. Final Rant and Humorous Wrap-Up The episode concludes with a humorous segment where Ian shares his personal mishaps, leading to a playful "Shoot dude" segment.

• Ian’s Concussion Stories: Ian recounts two incidents where he accidentally gave himself concussions, ending with a funny rant about the dangers of shower heads. Ian (53:11) narrates, “I knocked myself out, but didn’t realize it as when I woke up, I just thought I had fallen asleep.”

• Noah’s Rant on Racist Laws: Noah utilizes his 60-second rant to discuss the historical context of racist laws in America, asserting, “I’d like to quickly rant about how the United States of America is and has always been built on racist laws.”

• Closing Remarks: The hosts wrap up with light-hearted banter and promotions, reinforcing their camaraderie. Ian (56:00) concludes, “You relate hard to that, Olivia. Poor thing,” followed by playful exchanges about their respective stories.

Notable Quotes

• Noah Grossman (01:40): “The next time you see it, it'll be different again.”

• Olivia Sway (08:12): “I got a couple of times, and that is the biggest compliment you could give me because that's all I watched when I was a kid.”

• Noah Grossman (22:15): “If my relationship with Defy Media wasn't that great and I didn't feel passionate about going to my job, I wasn't necessarily hurting Defy Media. I was like, hurting my friends.”

• Ian Hecox (35:39): “We've sunk thousands upon thousands upon thousands of dollars into trying to not make Smosh so white.”

• Olivia Sway (37:04): “I feel like we're at a place where I feel really safe and that I can say things and voice my concerns and people would respect it.”

• Noah Grossman (42:19): “We can't correct those blind spots without having allies.”

Conclusion Episode #74 of Smosh Mouth offers a blend of humor, personal storytelling, and meaningful discussions about professional growth and diversity. Through Olivia and Noah’s experiences, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by creators navigating the evolving landscape of digital content creation. The episode underscores the importance of fostering inclusive environments and the ongoing efforts to make Smosh a more representative and supportive community.