Podcast Summary: Intrusive Thoughts by Adam Rippon – “Clown Shoes & Keurig Coffee” (September 25, 2025)

Overview

In this candid and wide-ranging episode, Adam Rippon veers from his usual lighthearted topics—like microwaves and range hoods—to open with a “brain-forward” monologue about Christian nationalism, violence, and the recent death of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk. After this powerful segment, Adam dives into listener text messages covering everything from bad office coffee to unconventional driving lessons and running shoes—peppering the episode with his trademark wit and relatable anecdotes. Adam wraps up with a personal update on his new business venture, sharing hard-won advice about entrepreneurship and perfectionism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christian Nationalism, Violence, & Public Reactions

(00:00–16:00)

• Adam opens with a raw reflection on violence in the U.S., triggered by the shooting of Charlie Kirk, a far-right media figure. Adam is disturbed by both the act and the way Kirk is being memorialized.
• Adam stresses that while “no one deserves to be shot and killed in broad daylight,” he refuses to celebrate a man whose public rhetoric stoked bigotry and hate.
• He pushes back on the framing of Kirk as a “God-fearing free speech activist,” emphasizing that bigotry and hate “disguised as religion” are not mere “beliefs”—they are racist and harmful.
• Adam unpacks the concept of Christian nationalism, asserting that the image of Jesus used by some American conservatives is historically and theologically inaccurate.
• He closes this segment calling for honesty and empathy, and for a society where it’s safe to “go to the movies or to church or to school.”

Notable Quotes:

• On violence and memorializing Kirk:
  “Charlie Kirk was consumed by the same violence he stoked… A terrible thing happened to a man who spent his life amplifying terrible ideas.” (02:00)
• On social media defense of Kirk:
  “People are saying, ‘He was killed for having different beliefs.’ No. When someone says that Black women who are in positions of power only get there by stealing the job of a white man, that’s not a belief—that’s racist.” (03:40)
• On Christian nationalism:
  “The Jesus Christ of the Christian nationalists does not and did not ever exist… the Jesus of the Bible broke bread with outcasts.” (05:50)
• On gun violence and the Second Amendment:
  “The Second Amendment is not a God-given right, okay? It was a right that was written into a document in 1776 when the firearm for you to purchase was a musket.” (13:30)

2. Keurig Coffee, Nespresso, and the Quest for a Good Cup

(16:15–29:30)

• A listener complains about their office’s “garbage water” Keurig coffee and asks Adam for alternatives.
• Adam launches into the evolution of his own coffee journey—from Keurig to Nespresso, and then to an Italian bean-to-cup machine (the “Gaga Breva”/Gaggia Brera).
• He explains the appeal and eventual disappointment with Keurig, calling its output “watered-down cream” and, in agreement with the listener, “garbage water.”
• Adam recounts being blown away by Nespresso and, later, finding out the machines are not just for the “billionaires and the 1%.”
• His current machine automatically grinds and brews at the push of a button—no tamping, no drama, “work less, drink more.”
• He gives practical advice: whichever machine you use, descale and clean it regularly!

Notable Quotes:

• On the evolution to better coffee:
  “Hindsight is 20/20, because I’m realizing I was just having, like, watered down cream that was warm...it was just like, like you said, to quote a great American writer, garbage water. Yeah, it really was.” (19:30)
• On his Italian machine:
  “It’s called the Gaga Breva. Gaga Breva. I don’t know. Listen, it’s Italian. I don’t speak it, obviously. I’ve had this machine for maybe a month now. Has it changed the game? I do believe it has.” (25:05)
• On cleaning your coffee machine:
  “You’ve got to be cleaning the things that you use. Sorry. I know a lot of people don’t like to do that...never descaled coffee machines that they’ve had for years. Yeah, that’s troubling.” (28:30)

3. Learning to Drive: Ubers vs. “The Private Box with Chairs”

(29:35–41:10)

• A listener asks Adam’s opinion about Jake Shane not having a driver’s license and taking Ubers everywhere.
• Adam tells his own story: not getting a license until his early 20s, first in Toronto (public transit), then needing one in car-dependent Michigan.
• His friend’s tough-love driving lessons included highway merges, lane changes, changing radio stations while driving, and a humbling attempt at parallel parking (“I drove up onto the sidewalk, and I was completely perpendicular to the other cars”).
• Adam is “horrified” by the idea of only using Ubers—missing the independence and catharsis of driving and sitting alone in your “private box with chairs.”
• He recognizes public transit necessity but sees driving as a unique and liberating adult milestone.

Notable Quotes:

• On learning to drive:
  “She turns to me and she goes, these are just real world things that you’re gonna have to do when you’re in the car. Sometimes you’re not gonna like the song, and you’re also gonna need to change the lanes.” (36:00)
• On the importance of driving:
  “I love being in my own car...Sometimes I will get to where I’m going and I will just sit in the car for a few minutes and I will just soak up being in that private box. And it feels so good.” (39:15)
• On relying on Ubers:
  “I could not imagine not being able to get into my own private box with chairs, which is...you know, that’s what I call the car. Private box with chairs. I couldn’t imagine it.” (40:25)

4. Running Shoes: Nike, Asics, and the Clown Shoe Dilemma

(41:15–46:10)

• A listener wants advice on running shoes: stick with Nike or branch out.
• Adam admits he’s not a runner and never has been—he prefers walking.
• He genuinely likes Asics for their support (“fraternizing with the enemy,” as he once broke a foot in them) but doesn’t care much for Nike’s “garbage” materials or super-light builds.
• Adam dislikes the look of “cloud shoes”—comparing their cartoonish look to clown shoes—though he admits they are comfortable.
• He gives a plug for Converse shoes for casual walking.

Notable Quotes:

• On running:
  “I’m not a runner. Okay. I’m not a runner. I don’t like running. Never have. And I really...there’s a part of me that wishes that I was.” (41:30)
• On “cloud” shoes:
  “I saw my reflection in the mirror and it looked like I was like Bozo the fucking clown, right? Like, nobody should be wearing shoes that comical.” (45:00)
• On Asics:
  “I think the best sneaker for me is an Asics sneaker...even though I did break my foot in a Asics sneaker...I guess I’m gonna be fraternizing with the enemy.” (43:00)

5. Starting a Business: Adam’s Medical Spa

(46:15–48:30)

• Adam closes with updates on launching his medical spa, sharing the current excitement and minor stress of choosing paint, equipment, and furnishings.
• He shares advice he received: “Whatever your dream is...cut the arms off, cut the legs off and don’t be afraid to just like get it out there.” The point: start somewhere; perfection isn’t the goal.
• Adam welcomes listeners with business experience to reach out and find community around the journey.

Notable Quotes:

• On entrepreneurship:
  “Just get it going. You can always upgrade, you can always change. It’s great advice because sometimes I am definitely guilty of this, where I will...be like, no, it’s gotta be perfect. And sometimes you just need to remember there is no such thing as perfect. Right?” (47:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “If your idea of faith requires other people to be less safe, less free, less human, that’s just bigotry and racism disguised as religion.” (09:45)
• “I want to live in a place where, like, you can feel safe to go to the movies or to church or to school or a concert and you shouldn’t have to fear that you could go there and get shot.” (12:00)
• “Let’s go to our boss, let’s go to our floor manager, and let’s tell them, hey, we got to get rid of this Keurig machine because it is just making dirty garbage water.” (29:15)
• “You can be an insane person in your own car while driving safely, I will say, but that’s what you’re allowed to do in your own car.” (39:30)
• “Nothing’s perfect. But we’re all doing our best, right? We are all doing our absolute best.” (48:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Section | Start Time | |-------------------------------|---------------| | Christian nationalism & Kirk | 00:00 | | Keurig coffee woes | 16:15 | | Coffee upgrades & cleaning | 19:30 | | Our relationship to driving | 29:35 | | Adam’s driving lessons | 35:00 | | On Uber everywhere | 40:25 | | Running shoe advice | 41:15 | | On clown shoes | 45:00 | | Medical spa & entrepreneurship| 46:15 |

Tone & Style

The episode is a mix of introspective, comedic, and at times righteously indignant, staying true to Adam’s “comedic, casual, and completely unfiltered” style. Adam blends humor with sincerity, whether talking about the state of the world, bad coffee, humiliating driving lessons, or simply clownish sneakers. His openness and honesty invite listeners to laugh, think, and connect with the everyday absurdities and challenges of life.

Perfect For:
Anyone wanting a smart, funny, and earnest take on heavy and light topics—delivered with Adam Rippon’s unmistakable wit and authenticity.