Podcast Summary: The Podcast by Adam Rippon Episode 1: Put on a Suit like a Big Boy Release Date: January 21, 2025
1. Introduction
In the inaugural episode of The Podcast by Adam Rippon, host Adam Rippon dives straight into his candid and unfiltered thoughts on current events, societal trends, and particularly his critical views on the rapidly evolving landscape of social media, with a strong focus on TikTok. True to his comedic and casual style, Rippon addresses a variety of topics, blending humor with insightful commentary.
2. Recent Events: Trump Inauguration and Carrie Underwood's Performance
Rippon opens the episode by referencing the recent inauguration of Donald Trump, highlighting Carrie Underwood's performance. He expresses his disappointment with her rendition, noting technical issues and missed notes.
"Carrie Underwood performed at the inauguration in the key of F for flop. Not the right notes, not the right place, and not the right time." (02:15)
He criticizes the lack of preparation and support during the performance, contrasting it with what he would do differently.
"If I was singing at the inauguration... I'm making sure every note is hit, and I'm going to make sure that I hit it in the studio beforehand." (05:30)
3. Critique of Workplace Trends and Masculine Energy
Transitioning from political events to corporate culture, Rippon comments on Mark Zuckerberg's call for more "masculine energy" in the workplace. He mocks the superficial measures being suggested to embody this energy.
"Why don't we start with taking off the Gymboree T shirt and putting on a suit like a big boy?" (08:45)
Rippon dismisses stereotypical solutions, emphasizing the need for genuine changes rather than surface-level adjustments.
4. The Decline of TikTok and Its Impact
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to TikTok, where Rippon shares his realization and disappointment over the platform's decline.
"I start crying immediately, but to me, that's not the biggest news. I feel like the biggest News is that TikTok faked its own death." (12:05)
He reflects on the platform's transformation and its potential evolution into something chaotic akin to Twitter.
5. Authenticity and Content Creation on TikTok
Rippon delves into the notion of authenticity on TikTok, criticizing the performative nature of content creators.
"I just can't think of something more inauthentic than pretending to be authentic, because I don't really think many of these people were authentic." (19:40)
He contrasts this with his own approach to content, valuing genuineness over constant posting.
"When I don't have something to say, I zip it. And when you don't have something to say, you lie and you take blurry pictures." (25:50)
6. The Rise of Small Businesses and Marketing Trends
Highlighting TikTok's role in promoting small businesses, Rippon praises the platform for providing opportunities but also critiques the aggressive marketing tactics that emerged.
"I thought that was great. But what was really interesting to me was there was that side of it where a lot of people were like, no, we have to buy locally. We want to support small businesses." (35:20)
He discusses the juxtaposition of supporting genuine small businesses versus falling for dubious products marketed aggressively.
7. Over-Production and Scripting of Content
Rippon addresses the shift from spontaneous content to highly scripted and overly produced videos, which he believes detracts from authenticity.
"When I go on my phone and I do an Instagram stories... I'm not scripting it out, I'm just kind of riffing, right? I'm doing just whatever comes to the top of my head." (42:10)
He criticizes creators who meticulously script their content, arguing that it leads to a loss of genuine connection with the audience.
8. Consumer Behavior and Grifts on TikTok
The host highlights the prevalence of scams and unethical promotions on TikTok, expressing frustration over misleading content.
"I went, you're going to prison. You're not going viral. You're going into a car in cuffs." (50:55)
Rippon laments how the platform enabled fraudulent activities under the guise of genuine hacks and tips.
9. Gatekeeping and Community Dynamics
Rippon explores the concept of gatekeeping within TikTok communities, advocating for a return to moderated and quality-controlled content.
"Let's bring back gatekeeping, if only for the fact I never need to hear from somebody saying, well, I'm not going to gatekeep it." (1:05:30)
He argues that without proper gatekeeping, the platform becomes inundated with low-quality and harmful content.
10. Final Thoughts and Farewell to TikTok
Concluding the episode, Rippon shares his decision to distance himself from TikTok, reflecting on both the positive and negative aspects of his experience.
"So this episode is truly my official goodbye. And maybe I'll be back. Probably the addiction runs deep, but I think we'll reminisce because truly, it wasn't all bad." (1:15:45)
He expresses gratitude towards the community while acknowledging the platform's detrimental effects on mental health and societal interactions.
"I think when we think back to TikTok, we'll think of Bethany Frankel trying to give her old makeup to his sales associate at a TJ Maxx. We will think of the viral recipes. We'll think of the friends we met and of the people that we wish we'd never met." (1:25:20)
Conclusion
In this first episode, Adam Rippon sets the tone for his podcast by offering a blend of humor, critical analysis, and personal reflections. His candid critique of TikTok serves as a central theme, encapsulating broader concerns about authenticity, consumerism, and the impact of social media on modern life. Listeners are left anticipating future episodes where Rippon promises to delve deeper into various topics, continuing his engaging and unfiltered exploration of contemporary issues.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- "Carrie Underwood performed at the inauguration in the key of F for flop." (02:15)
- "Why don't we start with taking off the Gymboree T shirt and putting on a suit like a big boy?" (08:45)
- "I just can't think of something more inauthentic than pretending to be authentic." (19:40)
- "When I don't have something to say, I zip it." (25:50)
- "Let's bring back gatekeeping, if only for the fact I never need to hear from somebody saying, well, I'm not going to gatekeep it." (1:05:30)
- "This episode is truly my official goodbye." (1:15:45)
Connect with The Podcast by Adam Rippon
Stay tuned for the next episode where Adam Rippon tackles voicemails from listeners, continuing his journey to provide honest and humorous insights into the world around us.