Podcast Summary: Intrusive Thoughts by Adam Rippon Episode 12: Airline Status and Sandwich Regret
Release Date: June 12, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 12 of Intrusive Thoughts, hosted by Adam Rippon and produced by PodcastOne, Rippon delves into the highs and lows of airline status, personal travel experiences, and the subsequent impact on his daily life. The episode blends humor with candid reflections, offering listeners an unfiltered glimpse into Rippon's thoughts and challenges post-pandemic.

Falling from Airline Status

[00:00] Rippon opens the episode by reminiscing about his recent trip to a friend's wedding, painting a vivid picture of the idyllic American dream: "Wedding, beautiful bride, gorgeous groom, married handsome Canadian. It's, you know, really couldn't get better."

However, he swiftly transitions to a more somber tone, discussing his decline from Delta Diamond status—a prestigious airline tier that once afforded him numerous travel perks.

Loss of Privileges:

• Privilege Past: Rippon recalls the benefits of his former status, such as free checked bags and access to premier lines, which made airport experiences seamless:
  "[08:15] Adam Rippon: Back in the day, I'm not paying anything for bags. I was just checking them in. I walked into the airport and it felt like all my troubles went away."

• Current Struggles: Today, without his status, Rippon faces numerous inconveniences:

  • Bag Fees: He now has to pay for checked bags, which he finds exorbitant:
    "[10:40] Adam Rippon: I'm trying to scam Delta out of paying $30 for a checked bag, which saves me $60 round trip."

  • Security Hassles: Despite having TSA PreCheck and Clear, he experiences increased scrutiny and public embarrassment in lines he once bypassed effortlessly.

  • Lounge Access Denied: Once a frequent lounge visitor, Rippon now feels excluded and humiliated when denied access:
    "[16:20] Adam Rippon: I'm not allowed inside of a place that I used to consider like home. It's very disorienting, it's very confusing."

Changing Airline Policies: Rippon criticizes the ever-evolving requirements for maintaining airline status, highlighting how easy it became for members and how airlines continually raise the bar to limit access.

Coping Mechanisms:

• Gate Checking Bags: To avoid fees, Rippon brings a bag intending to check it but gate checks it instead, avoiding the immediate cost.

• Budget Eating: Without lounge amenities, he resorts to purchasing costly airport food, leading to unexpected expenses:
  "[20:10] Adam Rippon: I have a protein Fair Life milk, strawberry flavored. Nothing quenches the thirst like strawberry milk at 4:45 in the morning."

A Taste of Humiliation and Financial Strain

Rippon shares his frustrations with the elevated costs and diminished services:

• Embarrassing Encounters: He describes awkward interactions with airline staff who reprimand him for being in the wrong line or having an incorrect seat number.

• Financial Impact: The cumulative effect of these changes forces Rippon to spend more on necessities, turning what was once a privileged status into a financial burden:
  "[23:30] Adam Rippon: This is how the rich get richer, is that you don't pay for the bags. But how the rich get poorer is how you do pay for the strawberry milk and the Coke Zero."

Listener Voicemails

The episode features two listener voicemails, each prompting Rippon to share personal anecdotes and reflections.

Voicemail 1: Met Gala Fashion Critique

[24:55] A listener requests Rippon’s opinions on the best and worst-dressed celebrities at the Met Gala, citing his unique style as a basis for his critique.

Rippon’s Response:

• Self-Perception of Style: Rippon humbly expresses his uncertainty about his fashion credentials despite his on-air persona:
  "[25:13] Adam Rippon: I don't really think that I have good style. My dream is that I have sort of like a capsule wardrobe."

• Color Analysis: He discusses a personal journey of discovering his Autumn color palette through the House of Colour, aiming to enhance his natural glow by eliminating colors that don't complement him.

• Future Aspirations: Rippon fantasizes about embracing a signature look, such as "the green guy," pondering the challenges of maintaining this aesthetic while remaining practical:
  "[26:50] Adam Rippon: What if I become the green guy? It's not the worst idea I've ever had, but it is tough when you get to the pants part of it."

• Red Carpet Anecdote: Sharing a story from the Oscars, Rippon recounts how a simple alteration led to a standout look that was praised by Tyra Banks, highlighting his potential in fashion design:
  "[28:30] Adam Rippon: I want to wear something that's, like, fun. And I wore it on the red carpet... Tyra Banks was talking about it, and it was, like, one of, like, the best dressed on the Oscars carpet."

Voicemail 2: Personal "Icks"

[32:00] Another listener inquires whether Rippon has any personal "icks" or deal-breakers in relationships.

Rippon’s Response:

• Defining "Icks": Rippon identifies encountering stupidity and unapologetic ignorance as significant turn-offs:
  "[34:20] Adam Rippon: When people are unapologetically wrong, that gives me the ick."

• Personal Story: He shares a poignant story about a relationship ending due to his partner’s inability to recognize a fundamental error—mistaking the Eiffel Tower for a landmark in New York City:
  "[35:45] Adam Rippon: He said, 'I want to see the Eiffel Tower,' and I was like, did you mean the Empire State Building?'... It really gave me the ick."

• Reflection on Accountability: Rippon emphasizes the importance of knowledge and accountability in relationships, suggesting that basic awareness is crucial to avoid abrupt endings:
  "[38:10] Adam Rippon: We should really hold ourselves accountable to knowing just sort of where famous monuments and things are."

Conclusion

Rippon wraps up the episode by acknowledging the lessons learned from his experiences and voicemails. He encourages listeners to share their own stories and continues to blend humor with heartfelt honesty. The episode serves as both a cautionary tale about the volatility of airline statuses and a window into Rippon's personal growth and self-awareness.

Notable Quotes:

• "[08:15] Adam Rippon: Back in the day, I'm not paying anything for bags. I was just checking them in. I walked into the airport and it felt like all my troubles went away."

• "[16:20] Adam Rippon: I'm not allowed inside of a place that I used to consider like home. It's very disorienting, it's very confusing."

• "[25:13] Adam Rippon: I don't really think that I have good style. My dream is that I have sort of like a capsule wardrobe."

• "[34:20] Adam Rippon: When people are unapologetically wrong, that gives me the ick."

Final Thoughts

Episode 12 of Intrusive Thoughts offers a blend of personal anecdotes and reflective insights, all delivered with Rippon's characteristic humor and candor. Whether discussing the frustrations of diminished airline status or navigating personal relationships, Rippon provides listeners with relatable content that underscores the unpredictability of life's journeys.

For more episodes and episodes notes, subscribe to Intrusive Thoughts on your favorite podcast platform and join Adam Rippon for more unfiltered conversations.