Smosh Reads Reddit Stories: "School Is In Session | Reading Reddit Stories"
Episode Overview
In the August 9, 2025 episode of Smosh Reads Reddit Stories, hosts Shayne Topp, Damian and Angela delve into a collection of back-to-school themed tales sourced from Reddit. The episode intertwines humorous commentary with relatable anecdotes, exploring themes of friendship, revenge, self-perception, and parental guidance. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the hour-long episode.
1. Introduction and Set-Up
Timestamp: [00:30] – [03:16]
Shayne welcomes listeners to the episode, noting a slight change in the set due to the ongoing "Summer Games" week. He introduces Damian and Angela, playfully addressing Damian’s role as the “superintendent” of the games. The trio briefly reminisces about past Smosh clips, including Shane’s infamous French horn moment ([02:02]).
Notable Quote:
- Angela: “[...] We're winning, by the way.” ([01:17])
This segment sets a light-hearted tone, emphasizing camaraderie and anticipation for the upcoming stories.
2. Back to School Confessions
Timestamp: [03:16] – [06:07]
The first Reddit story revolves around Shane’s confession of faking his participation in the middle school band. Compelled by his mother despite having no prior experience, Shane played the French horn by simply pressing buttons to mimic the sounds. His deception was so convincing that judges at a state competition praised his performance.
Key Points:
- Shayne’s Strategy: Pretended to play the French horn without actual musical skill ([03:24]).
- Outcome: Received positive feedback, avoiding solos ([04:25]).
- Discussion: The group humorously debates the authenticity and consequences of Shane’s actions, with Damian noting, "It's very funny."
Notable Quotes:
- Shayne: “I faked playing my instrument in the school band all throughout middle school.” ([03:24])
- Damian: “It's very funny.” ([06:07])
The hosts highlight the universal teenage struggle with authenticity and the lengths one might go to fit in.
3. Petty Revenge: Roommate Eats Food
Timestamp: [13:32] – [23:09]
Shayne narrates a Reddit story about dealing with a college roommate who consistently ate his groceries, including his mother's cooking. Frustrated by the lack of common decency, Shane retaliated by selling the roommate’s books and clickers to a resale bookstore. This act of petty revenge effectively stopped the food theft.
Key Points:
- Initial Problem: Roommate repeatedly ate Shane’s food despite assurances ([14:01]).
- Revenge Act: Sold roommate’s books and clickers without monetary motive ([15:39]).
- Discussion: The hosts debate the ethics and effectiveness of Shane’s response, weighing escalation versus fair treatment.
Notable Quotes:
- Shayne: “I entered his room, collected all of his books and clickers, and sold them...” ([15:39])
- Damian: “It's a dick move. It's bullying. It's like, really entitled.” ([16:20])
- Angela: “If you have to grab their books, what are they gonna grab my wallet next?” ([17:19])
The conversation delves into the complexities of roommate relationships and the fine line between standing up for oneself and escalating conflicts.
4. Holding Grudges: The "Carrot Boy" Incident
Timestamp: [25:06] – [35:31]
In a poignant tale, Shane reads about a man who held a grudge for 29 years over a childhood nickname, "Carrot Boy," given by a classmate. Attending a high school reunion reignited his unresolved resentment, leading him to act out by confronting the classmate with carrots, only to discover that no one else remembered the insult.
Key Points:
- Long-Standing Grudge: The nickname deeply affected the individual’s self-esteem ([26:02]).
- Reunion Incident: Overreacted by eating carrots aggressively in front of everyone ([29:18]).
- Consequences: Felt embarrassed and isolated after realizing the lack of shared memory ([31:05]).
Discussion: The group reflects on the lasting impact of childhood bullying and the importance of self-awareness in overcoming past traumas.
Notable Quotes:
- Damian: “Carrot Boy, that sucks. That does suck.” ([29:18])
- Angela: “He became Carrot Boy. He did the carrots at the reunion as an adult.” ([30:25])
- Shayne: “Research has shown that siblings intentionally differentiate themselves from each other.” ([56:18])
This story underscores the significance of addressing and releasing long-held grudges to achieve personal growth and emotional well-being.
5. Misguided Advice: Teaching Self-Defense
Timestamp: [36:33] – [61:35]
Another story shared involves a parent advising their 8-year-old son to use violence to defend himself against a bully targeting his peanut allergy. After following this advice, the child assaults the bully, leading to school suspension and an emotional aftermath. The parent narrates the unfolding events, including a heartfelt reconciliation with the bully’s family.
Key Points:
- Initial Conflict: The child was bullied over his peanut allergy and threatened with peanut butter ([64:54]).
- Parental Advice: Encouraged the child to use a throat punch as a last resort ([64:57]).
- Outcome: The child assaulted the bully, leading to suspension and subsequent reconciliation ([78:16] – [81:15]).
Discussion: The hosts debate the appropriateness of teaching children self-defense through violence, emphasizing the importance of restraint and peaceful conflict resolution.
Notable Quotes:
- Shayne: “I told him that sometimes you have to do the wrong thing to protect yourself...” ([73:06])
- Damian: “If someone’s doing that, that is attempted murder.” ([70:46])
- Angela: “You don't want to teach that’s how you solve things.” ([75:52])
This segment highlights the delicate balance between empowering children to defend themselves and discouraging violence as a primary response to conflict.
6. Final Story: Teacher’s Reddit Slip-Up
Timestamp: [58:06] – [73:54]
Shayne recounts a story where a teacher inadvertently revealed his Reddit username to a student, leading to the discovery of an inappropriate post where he mentioned "finger blasting himself into oblivion." The incident resulted in the teacher losing his Reddit account and facing embarrassment.
Key Points:
- Unintentional Revelation: Teacher discussed Reddit during a class, unaware of anonymity ([59:46]).
- Inappropriate Post: Responded to a Reddit question with a cringe-worthy comment ([60:08]).
- Consequences: Faced disciplinary actions and personal embarrassment ([65:00] – [73:54]).
Discussion: The hosts explore the ramifications of digital footprints and the challenges educators face in maintaining professionalism online.
Notable Quotes:
- Shayne: “…I had rather immaturely answered that question on Ask Reddit with finger blast myself into oblivion.” ([60:08])
- Damian: “That's a huge mistake.” ([60:10])
- Angela: “You can't even imagine going to school in this day and age with digital footprints being that big...” ([61:02])
This story serves as a cautionary tale about the permanence of online actions and the importance of maintaining boundaries between personal and professional digital presence.
7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Timestamp: [73:54] – [82:14]
The episode concludes with a reflection on the discussed stories, emphasizing themes of personal growth, conflict resolution, and the enduring impact of childhood experiences. The hosts reiterate the importance of addressing past grievances and fostering healthy relationships.
Notable Quotes:
- Shayne: “It’s okay if even in your 30s you haven’t figured it out, because it’s just so fucking hard...” ([56:18] onwards)
- Damian: “Time to defeat my last enemy.” ([75:43])
- Angela: “That's the truth.” ([81:47])
The trio wraps up by encouraging listeners to check out their ongoing Summer Games and wishing a happy birthday to those celebrating, maintaining the episode’s upbeat and engaging spirit.
Final Takeaway
The "School Is In Session" episode of Smosh Reads Reddit Stories offers a blend of humor and heartfelt discussion, presenting relatable scenarios that resonate with listeners' own school experiences. Through engaging storytelling and candid conversations, the hosts highlight the complexities of personal interactions, the lasting effects of early experiences, and the importance of thoughtful conflict resolution.