Smosh Mouth – Season 2, Episode 85: American Horror Story: Adulting

Release Date: October 21, 2020

In Episode 85 of Smosh Mouth, titled "American Horror Story: Adulting," hosts Shayne Topp (Shayne), Amanda Lehan-Canto (Courtney), and Damian Hauser (Damian) embark on a candid and humorous exploration of the challenges associated with becoming and being an adult. The episode delves into the multifaceted aspects of adulting, offering listeners relatable anecdotes, insightful discussions, and practical advice to navigate the complexities of grown-up life, especially in the tumultuous context of 2020.

1. Introduction to Adulting

The episode opens with the trio setting the stage for an in-depth conversation about adulthood. Shayne introduces the topic by acknowledging the prevalent insecurities and challenges that come with transitioning into adult responsibilities.

Shayne ([00:22]): "There's so many things that I was just so deeply insecure about when I was a teenager that now I'm just like, yeah, that's who I am."

2. Navigating the Modern Adulthood Landscape

Damian initiates the discussion by highlighting the unique hardships faced by the current generation. He points out the unprecedented sense of isolation brought about by modern societal changes.

Damian ([05:55]): "We have this weird sense of isolation that hasn't been felt before."

Shayne concurs, emphasizing the difficulty in understanding past generations' experiences due to the lack of accessible social media records.

Shayne ([06:24]): "We're not gonna get drafted to go to Nam, but you gotta stay home forever and never talk to a person."

3. The Struggle for Independent Decision-Making

A significant portion of the episode centers on the challenges of making independent decisions without excessive reliance on others' opinions. Courtney shares her personal struggle with decision-making, especially in professional settings.

Courtney ([12:45]): "I actually struggle with it a lot sometimes... I'm expecting... to be able to be led to the right decision."

Damian adds his perspective, recounting his own journey towards trusting his instincts and the importance of embracing failure as a part of growth.

Damian ([12:32]): "You do have to practice learning how to fail and knowing that every decision isn't going to lead to something perfect."

4. Overcoming Phone Call Anxiety

Listener questions lead the hosts to discuss common anxieties related to phone conversations, particularly in professional contexts like job applications. Courtney offers a transformative outlook based on her experiences in customer-facing roles.

Courtney ([20:05]): "Every conversation with somebody you don't know is just practice for the next one. Make their day a little bit better by just being a nice customer."

Damian echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of having clear goals during phone interactions to mitigate anxiety.

Damian ([22:32]): "Have a goal in mind... and just say hi, here's my problem. That's it."

5. Balancing Work and Self-Care

The hosts delve into the perennial challenge of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Shayne candidly discusses his own struggles with work anxiety and the destructive cycle of constant productivity.

Shayne ([36:19]): "I always have this thing in the back of my head of being like, how am I being productive right now."

Courtney shares her strategies for balancing work with personal time, such as using planners to organize tasks and prioritize self-care.

Courtney ([33:49]): "I write down my meetings... and then give myself one hour of me time."

6. Essential Adult Skills: Cooking, Laundry, and More

Transitioning into practical adulting skills, the hosts share their humorous yet enlightening experiences with everyday tasks like cooking and laundry.

• Laundry Mishaps: Courtney recounts her first foray into handling dishes in a shared apartment, leading to a messy spill.

  Courtney ([48:00]): "I tried popping the salad box open and all the leaves went everywhere."

• Cooking Adventures: Shayne and Damian discuss their initial struggles and eventual mastery of basic cooking techniques, emphasizing the importance of following recipes and embracing mistakes.

  Shayne ([55:02]): "You can make everything delicious. I think it's... keep it simple."

7. Listener 'Shoot Dude' Stories

A highlight of the episode is the "Shoot Dude" segment, where listeners submit their most embarrassing adulting moments. An anonymous caller shares a vivid story of tripping in Santa Monica while possibly mistaking Shayne for his doppelgänger.

Anonymous Listener ([58:26]): "I was staring very hard, trying to distinguish whether it was just another white dude or him... I may or may not have tripped and eaten absolute shit against the asphalt."

The hosts respond with a mix of disbelief and humor, sharing their own similar experiences to empathize with the listener.

Shayne ([60:07]): "You've never been to Santa Monica?"

Courtney ([50:00]): "I actually love Mario Kart."

8. Final Reflections and Encouragement

As the episode concludes, the hosts offer heartfelt advice on self-acceptance and the importance of embracing the imperfect nature of adulthood.

Shayne ([43:49]): "You're allowed to slow down. You're allowed to stop."

Courtney ([56:51]): "Those tasks aren't as big a deal... Sometimes when it's over in just a few moments..."

Damian ([57:46]): "Don't beat yourself up for not knowing something yet. You have to learn it somehow."

They emphasize that adulting is a continuous learning process, encouraging listeners to trust themselves, seek help when needed, and recognize that everyone is navigating the same journey.

Notable Quotes:

1. Shayne ([05:09]):

   "We're talking about what it's like being an adult, how to become an adult, how we're doing as adults."

2. Damian ([12:32]):

   "You do have to practice learning how to fail and knowing that every decision isn't going to lead to something perfect."

3. Courtney ([16:02]):

   "I'll give myself one hour to do it. After that, no matter what, uninterrupted, I want 90 minutes of me time."

4. Shayne ([18:48]):

   "I'm just like, yeah, I can be indecisive. Oh, I'm okay. That's not the end of the world."

5. Damian ([24:07]):

   "You need to have some time to decompress. So to not let it affect the quality of your work, just do the most... the best job you can during the time that you've allotted."

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace Imperfection: Adulting involves making mistakes, and it's essential to accept and learn from them rather than strive for unattainable perfection.

• Prioritize Self-Care: Balancing work with personal time is crucial for mental and emotional well-being. Scheduling and setting boundaries can aid in achieving this balance.

• Develop Independent Decision-Making: Building confidence in making decisions without excessive reliance on others fosters personal growth and autonomy.

• Learn Practical Skills: Mastering everyday tasks like cooking and laundry is fundamental to independent living and contributes to self-sufficiency.

• Seek Support When Needed: It's okay to lean on friends, family, or professionals when facing challenges, as seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

In "American Horror Story: Adulting," Smosh Mouth delivers a blend of humor, relatability, and genuine advice, making it a valuable resource for anyone grappling with the intricacies of adult life. The hosts' honest conversations and shared experiences provide comfort and encouragement, reinforcing that adulting is a shared journey filled with both challenges and triumphs.