Story Warz Podcast Episode 037: Tony Hinchcliffe, Kim Congdon, & Ari Matti | Lies
Hosted by GaS Digital Network
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Introduction
Story Warz: A Game of Deceptive Storytelling is a lively podcast hosted by comedians Big Jay Oakerson and Louis J. Gomez. In this episode, titled "Lies," the hosts welcome three prominent guests: Tony Hinchcliffe, Kim Congdon, and Ari Matti. Filmed live at The Stand Comedy Club in New York City, the episode promises a blend of humor, deception, and sharp wit as contestants vie for the coveted Story Warrior crown.
Guest Introductions
Big Jay Oakerson & Louis J. Gomez kick off the show with their characteristic banter, setting a relaxed and humorous tone. The guests are introduced as follows:
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Kim Congdon: Known for her "Childless Milf" YouTube takeover and affiliation with King Kong, Kim brings a dynamic presence to the panel.
Big J. Oakerson: "How about it for the hilarious Kimberly Congdon?"
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Ari Matti: A regular on Kill Tony and a fixture at the comedy mothership, Ari adds his unique flair to the game.
Big J. Oakerson: "Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Ari Ma."
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Tony Hinchcliffe: Famous for his appearances on WWE roasts and Kill Tony, Tony is poised to showcase his storytelling prowess.
Big J. Oakerson: "How about it for the hilarious Tony Hinchcliffe?"
Gameplay Overview
The essence of Story Warz involves each panelist submitting several stories centered around a specific theme—in this episode, Lies. The rules are straightforward:
- Story Submission: Each participant provides three to five stories on the chosen subject.
- Story Presentation: Stories are read aloud in a randomized order.
- Guesser's Role: If a story belongs to the reader, they must convincingly pretend it’s someone else's. Conversely, if it's another participant's story, the guesser must identify the true owner.
- Scoring:
- Correct Guess: 2 points.
- Successful Deception (fooling others): 1 point.
The ultimate goal is to accumulate the highest points, with the prize being a copy of Hillary Rodham Clinton's memoir, In Living History.
Louis J. Gomez: "And by the way, we're not playing for nothing here... today we're playing for a book from the Story Wars library in In Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton."
Round Summaries
Round 1: Dog Adoption Story
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Story Presented: One panelist claimed to have lied about their apartment size to adopt a dog from an online service, resulting in the dog being sent in a crate under a plane.
Ari Matti: "I bought him off of a website called nextday.pets.com..."
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Notable Interactions:
- Louis J. Gomez expressed skepticism, suggesting the story sounded like Big J's.
- Tony Hinchcliffe attempted to humorously malign the story's authenticity.
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Outcome: Tony achieved a clean sweep by successfully deceiving the panel.
Tony Hinchcliffe: "I tortured my dog for 18 years. He's like, okay, next story."
Round 2: Donation Bucket for Concert Tickets
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Story Presented: A contestant described setting up a donation bucket for the homeless, diverting the funds to buy concert tickets for the band Incubus.
Louis J. Gomez: "It's a brilliant idea... we're so close to Incubus tickets."
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Notable Interactions:
- Big J. Oakerson and Louis J. Gomez debated the plausibility, with humor directed at the deception tactics.
- Tony Hinchcliffe humorously dismissed the story's authenticity.
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Outcome: Louis J. Gomez successfully identified the story as his own, gaining points and challenging the panel's perceptions.
Round 3: Fake Vaccine Card
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Story Presented: A panelist lied about having a world-class server position to secure a job at a fancy restaurant, subsequently stealing money while pretending expertise in wine and fine dining.
Narrator (Ari Matti): "I once lied about being a world-class server to get a job at a fancy restaurant."
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Notable Interactions:
- Big J. Oakerson and Louis J. Gomez debated the authenticity, focusing on details like workplace settings and personal behaviors.
- Tony Hinchcliffe provided humorous skepticism regarding the story's veracity.
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Outcome: The story was correctly attributed to Ari Matti, showcasing his ability to weave believable lies.
Notable Moments and Quotes
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Deceptive Banter: The hosts and guests frequently engaged in humorous exchanges, often teasing each other about their storytelling abilities and personal quirks.
Big J. Oakerson: "We are your story warriors. Big J Okerson, the Puerto Rican rattlesnake..."
Louis J. Gomez: "Jay's throwing it on me so hard right now."
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Humorous Accusations: Tony Hinchcliffe and Big J occasionally criticized each other's stories in jest, adding to the episode's lively atmosphere.
Tony Hinchcliffe: "I love the fact that you guys finally took my advice and started a show with a format and tables and red microphones and buckets. This is very exciting. Really smart."
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Audience Engagement: Audience members contributed to the conversation, often adding humorous takes or questioning the authenticity of the stories.
Audience Member: "Fill her up."
Conclusion and Winner
As the game progressed, points accumulated, leading to a climactic finale. Despite fierce competition, Kim Congdon emerged victorious, securing the Story Warrior crown and the prize book.
Big J. Oakerson: "Kim Congdon is the newest story warrior on the wall of legends, making history."
The episode concluded with heartfelt acknowledgments and thanks, reinforcing the show's community-driven spirit.
Big J. Oakerson: "We'll catch you guys next time on Story Wars. Until then, peace. Thank you all so much."
Final Scoreboard
- Tony Hinchcliffe: 18 points
- Kim Congdon: 12 points
- Louis J. Gomez: 10 points
- Ari Matti: 7 points
- Big Jay Oakerson: 9 points
Alex (Scorekeeper): "And in the lead with 18 points, Tony Hinchcliffe."
Key Takeaways:
- Engaging Gameplay: Story Warz effectively blends competitive storytelling with humor, keeping both participants and listeners entertained.
- Dynamic Interactions: The chemistry between hosts and guests fosters a lively and engaging environment, essential for the show's success.
- Effective Deception: The theme of lies challenges participants to craft believable yet deceptive stories, highlighting their creativity and improvisational skills.
Story Warz continues to captivate its audience with episodes like this one, where humor, strategy, and storytelling prowess intersect seamlessly.