The Brilliant Idiots — "Paranormal Permeation" (Jan 16, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this week’s episode, Charlamagne Tha God and Andrew Schulz are joined by their regular crew for a raucous, candid, and often hysterical take on the week’s big news, personal milestones, media drama, comedy’s role in politics, and more. There are major celebratory moments, reflections on parenthood and the pressures of public success, honest takes on controversy, and their trademark blend of insightful banter and puerile humor. True to the “Brilliant Idiots” mission, the hosts oscillate between sharp social commentary and wild, irreverent tangents—including the titular “paranormal permeation” discussion about ghostly sexual experiences.

Highlights and Key Segments

Personal Celebrations & Life Updates

Taylor Gets Engaged (02:07-03:30)

• Charlamagne and the group celebrate Taylor’s engagement:
  • "Congratulations Taylor Gang. For anybody who thought it never would happen. For anybody who doubted." (02:07, Charlamagne)
• Jokes about Charlamagne taking some credit:
  • "It’s all because of me...I introduced her and Pete." (02:40, Charlamagne)

Andrew Schulz Welcomes New Baby Boy (03:31-04:39)

• Andrew shares the birth of his son, Lincoln Lawrence Schultz.
• On the difference between baby #1 and #2:
  • "Nobody gives a fuck about your second kid." (04:39, Schulz)
  • Yet he admits it's "fudgeing terrifying every single time."
• Honest discussion about IVF, stress, and parenthood.

Charlamagne’s $200 Million Rumor and Media Business Moves

Addressing the Contract Rumors (09:52-14:32)

• Persistent jokes about Charlamagne’s alleged massive new deal:
  • "Tell us about that deal, though...Tell us about that deal, though." (09:52, Schulz)
  • Charlamagne confirms he re-signed with iHeart, but pokes at the “NBA contract” rumor:
    • "I don’t know nothing about that. Okay, well, who said the number?" (10:21, Charlamagne)
  • Separates his independent ventures ("Brilliant Idiots is a separate venture...has nothing to do with any of those other things.") (14:23, Charlamagne)

Media Narratives and Conflation (12:13-13:48)

• Charlamagne explain the difference between the iHeart and Breakfast Club/Netflix deals:
  • "The Breakfast Club Netflix situation is a whole other situation than me resigning." (13:13)
  • “Why would it be included? That makes no sense.” (13:26)
• Frustration with bad info online:
  • "People just talking about things they have no knowledge [of]...Please shut the fuck up." (16:42, Charlamagne)

Comedy, Offense, and Cancel Culture

Should Comedians Be Offensive? (21:13-25:55)

• Recounting times Andrew upset different communities, referencing his “Saves America” special and jokes about “Kung Flu.”
• On the role of comedy:
  • "Comedy is weird...things that people say on stage isn’t always truly how they feel in the real world." (22:40, Charlamagne)
  • "Comedians say things that are offensive. That’s what comedians do." (24:15, Charlamagne)
  • “People are allowed to be offended by jokes.” (25:06, Schulz)

Infotainment, Politics & Media Critique

The Blending of Entertainment and Politics (25:55-31:17)

• On the rise of infotainment and politicians doing entertainment interviews:
  • "Information is boring. So everything has become infotainment." (27:11, Schulz)
  • "Jon Stewart…greatest political pundit of the last 20 years." (26:47, Charlamagne)
• Discussion about holding politicians accountable in entertaining interviews (35:58-37:18)
  • Should late-night hosts and podcasts pressure politicians? Is “gotcha” enough, or do we need different approaches?

Political Memories & Media Accountability (39:42-47:41)

• Charlamagne’s scorching critique of George W. Bush’s presidency:
  • “George W. Bush was so terrible…that America elected a nigga. That’s how terrible George W. Bush was…” (41:47, Charlamagne)
• Reexamines the role of traditional media in war propaganda, especially around Iraq ("the media complex was complicit in pushing this propaganda") (43:34, Schulz).

Social Media and Anxiety (44:49-45:38)

• Tension and anxiety stoked by endless social media feeds vs. top-down media of past eras.

The Paranormal Segment: "Ghost Sex" and Wild Tangents

Dreams, Wet Beds, and Ghostly Sex (68:06-72:59)

• Charlamagne shamelessly recounts possibly wetting the bed as an adult:
  • "Nothing makes you feel more like a kid again than wetting the bed. Try it." (69:13, Charlamagne)
• Spirals into speculation about ghosts and nocturnal emissions:
  • “That’s when ghosts used to fuck you in your sleep.” (70:07, Charlamagne)
  • "If a male ghost sucked you off, are you gay?" (70:22)
  • A tongue-in-cheek debate ensues about sexuality and the afterlife.
• Andrew: “If a male ghost visited me in the middle of the night, sucked me off, I think I would also say I peed the bed.” (72:16)

Social and Pop Culture Oddities

Drewski’s Mega Church Sketch & Comedy’s Boundaries (51:43-58:46)

• Discussion of comedian Drewski’s parody of mega church pastors, defending satirical comedy about sensitive topics:
  • "He's making fun of the people who run the institutions, not God." (53:04, Charlamagne)
  • “Art reflects reality.” (53:57)

Micro Penis & Barbie Diversity (74:09-80:53)

• Cracking jokes but showing empathy for a man with a medically micro-sized penis.
• Mocking Mattel’s “Autistic Barbie”—wondering what sets it apart and poking fun at performative inclusivity.

Ex-Mayor Adams Confrontation (82:01-83:53)

• Reflections on how quickly public officials are thrown back into ordinary life—and the risks that come with public visibility.

Ask An Idiot & Community Q&A (89:34—end)

• Why name his son Lincoln? (89:34) — Family meaning for Andrew; named for both his brother (middle name) and wife’s grandmother.
• Quick, witty comebacks vs. quick responses? “Quick, witty response—those are the greatest.” (90:14)
• Would they eat a human for survival? The conversation goes off into absurd speculation about plant-based meat being made of people.
• Addressing internet rumors about success, Illuminati, and crazy haters:
  • "Some of y’all really sound comforting to losers..." (92:08, Charlamagne)
• What can fans expect in 2026?
  • “Merch is definitely coming. I think this is the year for a short film...I feel like only animation can capture what it is we do here." (101:40, Charlamagne)
  • Thoughts on podcasts going to Netflix/opening future content distribution opportunities.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On separating real business moves from internet rumor:
  • "Life is not about numbers. Life is about opportunity...If what you build only benefits you, it's not big enough." (10:39, Charlamagne)
• On comedy’s controversial edge:
  • “I feel like comedy should be a safe house where you can go in there and say the thing and not be canceled because the thing you said, unless you’re truly a racist.” (24:15, Charlamagne)
• “People are allowed to be offended by jokes.” (25:06, Andrew Schulz)
• “Comedy is in the hands of the people right now.” (48:26, Charlamagne)
• "If a male ghost sucked you off, are you gay?...It's a ghost." (70:22-70:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:07-03:30] Taylor’s engagement & celebrations
• [03:31-04:39] Andrew’s new baby
• [09:52-14:32] Charlamagne’s iHeart deal & business separation
• [21:13-25:55] Offensive comedy & public reaction
• [35:58-37:18] Entertaining politicians & holding them accountable
• [39:42-47:41] Bush presidency critique; traditional media failures
• [68:06-72:59] Bed-wetting, ghost sex & ‘paranormal permeation’
• [51:43-58:46] Drewski’s mega church/parody debate
• [74:09-80:53] Micro penis empathy/barbie discourse
• [82:01-83:53] Ex-mayor Adams post-office encounter
• [89:34-106:46] Ask An Idiot / Q&A / 2026 goals

Tone & Style

As always, the show’s tone is candid, brash, and deeply irreverent—oscillating between sharp social analysis and wild comedic digressions. The hosts are unafraid to confront rumors, push the limits of humor, and flout the boundaries of "good taste," all while retaining camaraderie and genuine curiosity.

If You Only Remember 3 Things

1. Charlamagne and Andrew remain unbothered by controversy or public perceptions, prioritizing real conversations and honest humor (offensive or not) above social media narratives.
2. The pair offer real insight into media business deals, reminding listeners not to confuse rumors with reality, and making a case for the evolving future of content distribution.
3. No topic is too taboo: from baby joy and engagement to ghostly sexual encounters, micro-penises, and mega church parodies—nothing escapes their lens.

In sum: Another wild, insightful, and entertaining installment of “The Brilliant Idiots,” packed with irreverent humor, reflections on fame, family, and media, and a fearless approach to controversy—epitomizing that line between brilliance and idiocy.