Smosh Reads Reddit Stories

Episode: Campfire Reddit Stories | Reading Reddit Stories

Date: September 20, 2025
Host: Shayne Topp
Guests: Arasha, Courtney
Theme: The Great and Not-So-Great Outdoors

Overview

In this outdoors-themed episode, Shayne Topp is joined by Arasha and Courtney for a laugh-filled and thoughtful journey through some of Reddit’s wildest "Am I the Asshole" and "Relationship Advice" stories, all centered around the joys and perils of venturing outside. From heated debates over backyard hammocks to epic snowstorm rescues and etiquette on the trails, the Smosh crew offer humor, empathy, and the occasional impassioned rant. Throughout, they also reflect on social conventions, traditions, and the unpredictable nature of both wilderness and people.

Key Stories & Discussions

1. Sleeping Outdoors in My Yard: AITA?

Segment: [01:11–09:46]

• Story: A man enjoys sleeping in his own hammock in his backyard. Neighbors complain, claiming discomfort about their privacy and children's safety.
• Discussion:
  • General consensus is that the neighbors are overreacting unless more information paints the hammock guy as a legitimate threat.
  • Hammock-sleeping is harmless; "You literally can't look scary on a hammock... you become like a banana." — Courtney [03:15]
  • Shayne reflects on the pandemic’s impact, relating to wanting space and peace outdoors.
• Contextual Notes:
  • The hosts riff on quirky film crew habits, like sleeping outdoors and not drinking water.
  • They agree the neighbors should resolve privacy concerns themselves, e.g., "put up a fence, plant trees, close their blinds…" — Redditor, relayed by Shayne [06:50]
• Verdict: Not the asshole—details matter, but backyard hammock napping isn't inherently wrong.

2. Camping Solo on Mother’s Day: AITA?

Segment: [11:16–18:49]

• Story: A frustrated mom, tired of her husband and sons’ indifference to Mother's Day, decides to go camping solo with her dog rather than endure more apathy and complaints.
• Discussion:
  • The crew is upset and empathetic toward the mom:
    • "That is so sad... At least as a kid, you try to do something." — Arasha [13:08]
    • "The husband's doing a terrible job... kids will only care as much as the other parent cares." — Courtney [13:44, 14:05]
  • Rant on "self-care" culture vs. showing up for loved ones, supporting the idea that sometimes you "do things that inconvenience you" for relationships.
• Memorable Quote:
  • "She's not even making demands... all they have to do is literally anything with her." — Shayne [16:42]
• Verdict: Not the asshole—her solo trip is well-deserved.

3. Blizzard Rescue in Buffalo, NY

Segment: [19:02–33:02]

• Story: During the 2022 Buffalo blizzard, a Redditor pleas for help rescuing his stranded brother. Another local answers the call, embarking on a near-superhuman trek through deadly snowdrifts to save him.
• Discussion:
  • Epic retelling of the rescue, admiration for Reddit’s local utility, and the heroism of the anonymous rescuer:
    • "Truly, I earned this hot cocoa, bro. You earned a medal." — Arasha [28:33]
    • "Doing things that inconvenience you to help another human... exactly that, to the most extreme." — Courtney [28:58]
  • Connection to previous story: putting others first is at the heart of humanity.
• Memorable Moments:
  • Laughter at the "loadout" description of snow gear
  • Girlfriend waiting at home with hot cocoa: "Epic guy. Epic, epic, epic." — Arasha [30:24]
• Verdict: Community warmth and heroism celebrated.

4. Playing Music on Hiking Trails: AITA?

Segment: [34:30–49:52]

• Story: Visitor to a San Diego hiking trail blasts music over a Bluetooth speaker, receives dirty looks, then incites a heated confrontation involving personal insults.
• Discussion:
  • Immediate agreement that public music on trails is disruptive:
    • "It's not my vibe... I love to be in nature and hear nature." — Shayne [34:34]
    • "Consideration of others comes into play with that." — Courtney [35:24]
  • Discussion of social rules, legality, community standards, and the right way to express grievances.
    • "If it's a public park, they can have these rules... loud noises can disrupt animals." — Shayne [38:53]
  • Group condemns the bystander’s use of body-shaming insults, saying both parties were out of line.
• Notable Quotes:
  • "When someone is doing something wrong... my instinct is maybe they don't know." — Courtney [49:32]
  • “You're not a criminal. You did something wrong... just don't do it next time.” — Shayne [48:18]
• Verdict: Asshole for breaking rules and refusing to see error, though being insulted is never deserved.

5. Fishing Trip Gender Exclusion: AITA?

Segment: [51:01–59:59]

• Story: A long-running, "no wives/girlfriends" annual fishing trip allows sons. When one member asks to bring his daughter, friends balk.
• Discussion:
  • Universal disgust at excluding a five-year-old girl:
    • "You're about to make this guy tell his daughter... you cannot come and have fun with your family." — Arasha [53:05]
    • "Assuming that a daughter’s gonna change the trip is where the problem is." — Courtney [56:38]
  • Reflection on evolving traditions and questioning family rituals
    • “Traditions are cool, but traditions can change. Question traditions.” — Shayne & Courtney [57:11]
  • Triumph when friends apologize after reading the post, and agree the daughter is welcome ("They ended up apologizing. Let’s go! Daughter is definitely coming..."). [59:02]
• Verdict: Not the asshole. The guys’ initial stance is sexist and exclusionary, but they redeem themselves.

6. Abandoned on a Yosemite Hike: Relationship Advice

Segment: [62:43–69:16]

• Story: Man’s partner repeatedly leaves him behind on challenging hikes, blaming his fitness rather than sticking with him as a group.
• Discussion:
  • All agree abandoning a partner in the wilderness is unsafe:
    • "Absolutely wrong to abandon anyone on a hike. That's how people die." — Shayne [64:02]
    • "You hike together. If one’s slow, you’re all slow. Sorry." — Shayne [64:14]
  • Personal anecdotes about hiking mishaps underline the dangers.
  • Jokes about proper hiking etiquette, “look at how I’m dressed! Ranger Shayne!” [69:15]
• Memorable Quote:
  • "No man or woman gets left behind, ever. Especially not your partner." — Redditor comment, shared by Shayne [67:17]
• Consensus: The partner’s behavior is irresponsible and indicative of deeper relationship problems.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "You literally can't look scary on a hammock. You become like a banana." — Courtney [03:15]
• “Truly, I earned this hot cocoa, bro. You earned a medal.” — Arasha [28:33]
• "If this happened to me, you couldn't waterboard that story out of me." — Arasha, on being called out on trail etiquette [48:19]
• "Question traditions." — Courtney [57:12]
• "No man or woman gets left behind, ever. Especially not your partner." — Redditor, read by Shayne [67:17]
• “I love touching grass with you, Shayne.” — Courtney [70:18]

Timestamps of Notable Segments

• 01:11 – Sleeping in a hammock story
• 11:16 – Mother's Day solo camping debate
• 19:02 – Buffalo blizzard rescue hero
• 34:30 – Bluetooth speaker etiquette on trails
• 51:01 – Annual fishing trip/sexism story
• 62:43 – Yosemite hiking partner abandonment

Tone & Style

• Conversational, silly, but thoughtful. Hosts blend irreverent jokes with real empathy and an eye for unpacking social norms.
• The mood swings fluidly from genuine outrage at disrespect to warmth about community, to laughter at each other’s camping calamities.

Recurring Themes

• Empathy for Reddit OPs seeking validation or support
• Questioning of tradition and the importance of evolving old norms
• The unpredictability of both nature and human nature
• The value of doing inconvenient things for others
• Proper etiquette—outdoors and in relationships
• A healthy skepticism toward anyone who insists "that’s just the way it's always been"

For more stories, laughter, and sometimes surprisingly deep life advice, catch new episodes of "Smosh Reads Reddit Stories" every Saturday.