Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth – Season 2, Episode #78: "Advice for Our Younger Selves"

Release Date: September 2, 2020

Introduction

In the 78th episode of Smosh Mouth, Courtney Miller and Damien Haas delve into nostalgic reflections, sharing their childhood experiences, favorite games, cartoons, and the valuable lessons they've learned over the years. The episode, titled "Advice for Our Younger Selves," offers listeners a heartfelt exploration of personal growth and the impact of early experiences on one's present self.

Section 1: Reflecting on Childhood and Personal Growth

Courtney and Damien open the discussion by touching upon their personal journeys and the therapeutic processes they've undergone during quarantine.

• Courtney Miller shares her experience with video chat therapy, stating, "I've been taking this time in quarantining... to dive into my past and really digging out the issues that have affected me today" (06:25).

• Damien Haas echoes similar sentiments, reflecting on his past struggles and how he's managed to compartmentalize them: "I've done a good job of capping them and being like, all right, it's in the back of my brain. We're good" (07:04).

They discuss the profound impact of childhood experiences, both positive and negative, on their adult lives. Courtney emphasizes, "You have no idea how much these small things that happen in your childhood affect you when you're a 40-year-old" (07:31).

Section 2: Favorite Childhood Games

The duo reminisce about the video games that shaped their early interests and provided countless hours of entertainment.

• Damien recounts his early gaming memories, mentioning titles like Runescape, Super Mario World, and Donkey Kong Country. He shares, "The first game that really stuck with me was the Sims 2" (09:00).

• Courtney discusses her limited access to consoles growing up, highlighting games like Reader Rabbit and Sims. She fondly remembers playing Goldeneye with her cousins: "I played Goldeneye and loved it, even though I was always so bad at it" (12:09).

They also touch upon the mature themes of certain games they were exposed to at a young age. Damien shares his unique introduction to Diablo at five years old, describing it as "incredibly dark" yet fascinating (11:12).

Section 3: Beloved Childhood Cartoons and Their Influence

Courtney and Damien explore the animated shows that left a lasting impression on their sense of humor and creativity.

• Damien lists his favorite cartoons, including Angry Beavers, Invader Zim, Ed, Edd n Eddy, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. He remarks, "Invader Zim definitely influenced my humor. It's dark as hell for a children's show" (28:32).

• Courtney shares her love for SpongeBob SquarePants, Johnny Bravo, and Dexter's Lab. She comments on the unique humor of these shows: "I loved Dexter's Lab because it totally reminded me of my relationship with my siblings" (29:56).

Damien expresses his disdain for Jimmy Neutron, criticizing the character's annoying traits and the show's animation style: "He's an asshole. He doesn't learn anything ever" (29:05).

The conversation highlights how these cartoons not only entertained them but also shaped their comedic styles and storytelling preferences.

Section 4: New Segments – "What I'm Watching" and "Shoot Dude"

"What I'm Watching": Courtney and Damien introduce a new segment where they discuss their current viewing habits and interests.

• Damien talks about his newfound interest in the YouTube channel Extra History, mentioning episodes on the history of Hawaii and Mansa Musa: "Extra History has been incredible. The episode on Haiti was eye-opening" (61:10).

• Courtney shares her recent binge-watching experiences on Netflix, including Glow Up and Next in Fashion, and expresses her appreciation for educational content despite her past aversions: "There is some really cool stuff on YouTube. Shane has shown me a lot of different things" (61:43).

"Shoot Dude": This segment involves sharing and reacting to listener-submitted embarrassing or "yikes" moments.

• Damien reads a story from a listener named John, who accidentally displayed an email receipt during a professional presentation:

  "From John: I was just in a call presenting two weeks of findings... I see an email notification saying your receipt from Manscaped. I quickly closed it and then pretended it didn't happen for the remaining 30 minutes." (66:03)

• Courtney and Damien humorously analyze the situation, labeling it as a mild "shoot dude" moment. They discuss the importance of maintaining professionalism and handling such slip-ups with grace.

Section 5: Lessons and Advice for Their Younger Selves

Towards the end of the episode, Courtney and Damien reflect on the advice they would give to their younger selves based on their life experiences.

• Courtney offers profound advice regarding self-expression and dealing with peer pressure:

  "I wish I could tell my younger self, hey, these girls are putting you down because they're threatened by you and they don't want you to look prettier than them. Fuck them. Wear and look however you want." (25:21)

• Damien reflects on embracing his identity and mental health:

  "Hey, you have OCD. You need to lighten up a little bit and learn that it's okay to stray off the straight and narrow every now and then." (27:18)

They emphasize the importance of self-acceptance, resilience, and understanding that past struggles contribute to personal growth.

Conclusion

In "Advice for Our Younger Selves," Courtney Miller and Damien Haas provide an engaging and introspective look into their formative years. Through discussions on childhood games, cartoons, personal challenges, and current interests, they offer valuable insights and relatable moments for listeners. The episode serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of early experiences and the continuous journey of self-improvement and acceptance.

Notable Quotes

• Courtney Miller at [06:25]:

  "I've been taking this time in quarantining... to dive into my past and really digging out the issues that have affected me today."

• Damien Haas at [07:04]:

  "I've done a good job of capping them and being like, all right, it's in the back of my brain. We're good."

• Courtney Miller at [25:21]:

  "I wish I could tell my younger self, hey, these girls are putting you down because they're threatened by you and they don't want you to look prettier than them."

• Damien Haas at [27:18]:

  "Hey, you have OCD. You need to lighten up a little bit and learn that it's okay to stray off the straight and narrow every now and then."

Timestamp Key:

• [00:00] – [00:30]: Chumba Casino Advertisement (Skipped)
• [00:30] onward: Main Content Begins

This summary captures the essence of Smosh Mouth's episode, highlighting the hosts' reflections and the engaging conversations that offer both nostalgia and meaningful advice.