Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth - S2: #84 - Damien Finds a New Best Friend

Release Date: October 14, 2020
Host/Author: Smosh (Damien Haas, Ify Nwadiwe, and rotating guests)

Introduction

In episode #84 of "Smosh Mouth," titled "Damien Finds a New Best Friend," host Damien Haas navigates the bittersweet transition of finding a new best friend after his longtime friend Shane launched his own podcast. Damien invites Ify Nwadiwe, a close associate from Smosh Games, to participate in this heartfelt search for companionship.

Seeking a New Best Friend

At [00:49], Damien opens up about his recent change:
"I no longer have a best friend. He's made his decision, and that's okay. So today I'm going to be interviewing to fill the position."

Damien explains his intention to build a new friendship by adapting the "36 Questions to Fall in Love" into a format tailored for friendship, aiming to create a deep and meaningful connection with Ify.

Shared Interests and Hobbies

The conversation swiftly moves to their mutual interests:

• Japanese Snacks and Anime Collectibles:
  At [02:59], Damien reminisces about his favorite Japanese Cheetos:
  "Japanese Cheetos... they're sweet and they're pungent, and they're amazing."

  Ify shares his enthusiasm for Japanese snacks and anime figures, discussing the intricacies of collecting items like Gundam models and Studio Trigger merchandise. Their shared passion for pop culture and fitness becomes a cornerstone of their budding friendship.

• Fitness and Building Models:
  The hosts delve into their fitness routines, debating the merits of indoor versus outdoor workouts and sharing tips on powerlifting and equipment. Damien humorously admits his past struggles with building model airplanes:
  "I think I'd be good at building them."
  (Timestamp: [06:05])

Family Dynamics and Personal Stories

As the episode progresses, both Damien and Ify share personal stories about their families:

• Damien's Family Background:
  At [33:00], Damien discusses the closeness with his mother and the challenges after his father's passing:
  "I love my family so much, but we don't have the ability right now to be a very tight-knit unit."

• Ify's Family Dynamics:
  Ify recounts his diverse family background, highlighting the blend of Louisiana and Nigerian cultures:
  "My mom's side is very close-knit... my dad's from a polygamous family in Nigeria."
  (Timestamp: [36:50])

These personal anecdotes deepen the conversation, revealing the hosts' values and how their upbringing shapes their approach to friendships and relationships.

Values in Friendship and Communication

A significant portion of the episode focuses on what Damien and Ify value in friendships:

• Honesty and Open-Mindedness:
  Ify emphasizes the importance of honesty and open-mindedness:
  "I never want to have any friends who immediately dismiss what I have."
  (Timestamp: [25:48])

• Acceptance and Support:
  Damien echoes these sentiments, highlighting the need for acceptance and honest support rather than blind agreement:
  "You can always be who you are around Shane and it's very comfortable."
  (Timestamp: [27:02])

They discuss different communication styles and the necessity of understanding and adapting to each other's approaches to maintain strong, enduring friendships.

The "Shoot Dude" Segment

In the lighter segment titled "Shoot Dude," the hosts share embarrassing moments submitted by listeners:

• Damien's Retail Mishap:
  At [54:21], Damien recounts a hilarious mix-up while working retail:
  "I meant to say, have a great day, guys. But it came out as have a great gay. They just laughed and said, 'We will.'"

• Ify's Embarrassing Moments:
  Ify shares similar experiences, highlighting their ability to laugh at themselves and connect through shared vulnerabilities.

This segment injects humor into the episode, showcasing the hosts' chemistry and mutual understanding.

Building the Friendship: 36 Questions Adapted

To foster a deeper connection, Damien and Ify engage in an adapted version of the "36 Questions to Fall in Love," tailored for friendship:

• Dinner Guests Discussion:
  Damien chooses Jackie Chan for his incredible blend of athleticism and comedy:
  "Jackie Chan's awesome. He combines incredible athletic talent and ability with comedy."
  (Timestamp: [09:24])

  Ify selects Kendrick Lamar, citing a personal connection through their shared ties to Compton:
  "Because of that connection, we can ease into conversation by having something relatable."
  (Timestamp: [08:26])

• Life Priorities:
  They discuss whether they'd prefer retaining their minds or bodies into old age.
  Ify opts to keep his body at 30, emphasizing his dedication to fitness:
  "I'm considering... my body two years ago was at its prime."
  (Timestamp: [12:27])

  Damien reflects on his desire for continuous personal growth, choosing to retain his mind:
  "I want to continue learning and getting wiser. This is not my mental peak."
  (Timestamp: [16:52])

Their answers reveal shared values and complementary perspectives, strengthening their bond.

The Eye Staring Exercise

In a playful yet symbolic gesture, Damien and Ify participate in a "four minutes of eye contact" exercise to cement their new friendship:

• Exercise Start:
  Damien announces, "The final step of this is to stare into each other's eyes for four minutes."
  (Timestamp: [46:55])

• Humorous Commentary:
  Kevin, the rotating Smosh friend, provides funny play-by-play commentary, adding levity to the moment.
  Damien humorously notes the difficulty of maintaining constant eye contact without blinking:
  "Can we blink?"
  (Timestamp: [51:26])

• Friendship Confirmation:
  Upon completion, Ify declares, "You're my best friend now."
  (Timestamp: [51:26])

This heartfelt moment underscores the success of their friendship-building efforts.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode winds down, Damien and Ify reflect on their journey to becoming friends:

• Valuing Communication:
  They acknowledge the importance of communication and understanding different styles:
  "I have to walk away and then talk about it tomorrow."
  (Timestamp: [32:23])

• Encouraging Listener Engagement:
  Damien encourages listeners to rate the podcast and engage with their content, emphasizing community support.

• Charity Shoutouts:
  Ify proudly mentions raising over $12,000 for the Bail Project during their recent stream:
  "We raised $12,000."
  (Timestamp: [56:34])

The episode concludes on a high note, celebrating new friendships, shared values, and community accomplishments.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Damien Haas [00:04]:
  "Was my childhood happier than most? I think in a lot of ways, I was really lucky."

• Ify Nwadiwe [02:30]:
  "Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die, man? Was this the funny one?"

• Damien Haas [09:24]:
  "Jackie Chan's awesome. He combines incredible athletic talent and ability with comedy."

• Ify Nwadiwe [25:48]:
  "I never want to have any friends who immediately dismiss what I have."

• Damien Haas [27:02]:
  "You can always be who you are around Shane and it's very comfortable."

• Ify Nwadiwe [29:08]:
  "I think without open-mindedness, you get stuck in a rut."

• Damien Haas [33:05]:
  "I love my family so much, but we don't have the ability right now to be a very tight-knit unit."

• Damien Haas [51:26]:
  "You're my best friend now."

Key Takeaways

• Intentional Friendship Building: Damien's proactive approach highlights the importance of taking steps to cultivate meaningful relationships.

• Shared Interests Strengthen Bonds: Common hobbies and passions serve as a strong foundation for building and maintaining friendships.

• Honesty and Open-Mindedness: Valuing honesty and being open to new experiences are crucial for healthy, fulfilling friendships.

• Communication Styles Matter: Understanding and adapting to different communication preferences can prevent misunderstandings and foster stronger connections.

• Humor and Vulnerability: Sharing personal stories and humorous moments can deepen bonds and create a sense of camaraderie.

This episode of "Smosh Mouth" offers an engaging blend of heartfelt conversations, humor, and insightful discussions on friendship, making it a compelling listen for both existing fans and newcomers alike.