Podcast Summary: "Olympic Prep, Office Drama, and One Puppet Comparison"

Podcast: Intrusive Thoughts by Adam Rippon
Episode Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This late-night episode of Intrusive Thoughts by Adam Rippon dives into his Olympic prepping chaos, workplace tech gripes, and an unexpectedly humbling puppet comparison from a listener. Adam seamlessly blends heartfelt storytelling about his journey as an Olympian and entertainer with his signature self-deprecating humor. The episode features candid reflections on moving past athletic identity, the surprise of being compared to a “LazyTown” puppet, and personal takes on the new Netflix skating docuseries he narrates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Olympic Prep and Late-Night Recording

• Adam candidly describes his “midnight episode” energy, blaming it on intense Olympic prep—editing, filming, researching for NBC, and prepping his digital life for Milan.
  • Quote: "It just takes all day. I want you to know that I've been, like, sitting in a chair for, like, hours on end. It's like, I've been, like... the amount of time you would if you were in, like, a transcontinental flight. My hip flexors are locked.” (01:38)
• Tech struggles—Adam details his battle with an aging MacBook, a two-port USB-C dilemma, and a (minorly traumatic) external hard drive mishap.
  • Quote: "It is not your right to be plugged into my computer. It is a privilege... That being said, I do. Right. I do need to ask, because otherwise you'll do it not properly ejected." (04:58)
  • Lighthearted frustration at Apple’s constant updates, with a mock “open letter” to Tim Cook.
    • Quote: "Tim, I would really like if we could kind of workshop just a one update. How about... once every other month?" (06:17)
• Shout-out to Canva Pro as his “God’s greatest tool,” spending hours on YouTube thumbnails and organizing social media pre-Olympics.
  • Quote: "God made us perfect, but he made Canva even more perfect. I would shout that from the rooftops. I'm saying this completely unsponsored—actually, in the hole. I'm paying them every month." (14:45)

Upcoming Netflix Skating Documentary

• Adam talks about his role as narrator/commentator for the new Netflix docuseries “Glitter and Gold,” following ice dance teams prepping for Milan 2026.
  • Quote: "Now, here's the thing. I am in the documentary not as an ice dancer, as sort of like a narrator, commentator, storyteller... I'm really excited because... I think it's going to be amazing." (17:38)
• He shares behind-the-scenes context without violating NDAs, describing hours-long interviews where he “waxed poetically” about figure skating’s landscape while “trying to get a rise” from the Netflix team.
  • Quote: "I'm doing anything to get a laugh, a rise out of these people. And I got it. I did, I made them all fall in love with me—which I don't know is true, but I'm gonna say it." (19:58)
• Adam praises the documentary team and reflects joyfully on the adult-focused angle and complex dynamics among featured athletes.

Reflections on Athletic Identity & the Olympics

• Responds to a thoughtful voicemail from Taylor about feeling bittersweet when no longer competing in one’s sport (24:37).
• Adam provides an unvarnished, introspective history—missing Olympic teams (2010/2014), feeling failure, and eventually reframing self-worth apart from competition.
  • Quote: "For a really long time, the Olympics was like this boogeyman to me... In 2014, I did not make the team... I had this mourning of my career... Did I waste my time?" (25:38)
• Describes his realization that not achieving Olympic status doesn't invalidate a career or life. Offers empathy and perspective to other athletes facing similar feelings.
  • Quote: "If you don't ever make it to the Olympics, that's completely fine... The Olympics are amazing... but it's two weeks. All the same people... it's kind of like any other event you’ve done." (27:23)
• Shares how post-2014, diminishing pressure made him a better skater and person, eventually leading him to the 2018 Olympics and beyond.
• Explains his evolution from athlete to entertainer—finding joy and identity in media, comedy, and storytelling rather than athletic performance.
  • Quote: "I don't think of myself as an athlete. I think of myself as somebody who does work, like, in Hollywood and in entertainment and, like, comedy... I just have this skating experience." (48:14)
• Credits his “Runthrough” skating podcast with friends for rebuilding healthy ties to figure skating.
  • Reflects on balancing past glories with present creativity, and the importance of moving forward into new chapters.

Listener Text: “Stingy the Puppet” Comparison

• Reads a text comparing him to Stingy from “LazyTown” (59:16), roasting himself and the texter:
  • Quote: "Okay, One ego check, right? This is, like, a really humbling text message... If there was a way for me to send a cease and desist letter to somebody who texts the podcast, it would go to this person." (59:32)
• Jokes about his “ears that stick out,” watching ear pinning surgery videos, ultimately deciding to accept his features.
• Reminisces about “LazyTown,” doubles down on crush on Sporticus, and hilariously laments not being compared to someone hotter.
  • Quote: "Not the greedy child puppet... I need to get hotter immediately. So people are like, 'You look like Austin Butler...'" (01:05:20)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On physical therapy and trauma:
  "If you see me record a video similar to that [crying after pigeon pose], I want you to know it's because there's trauma being built up and it's sort of like in the groin area... Not in a sexy way—in like a very physical therapy sort of way." (10:42)
• On skating as an entertainer, not an athlete:
  "I feel like I'm in it as an entertainer. And I think that, like, I feel very comfortable in it in that way." (48:45)
• On accepting listener feedback:
  "Go to LensCrafters, go to church, get on your knees and beg God for forgiveness. You're bullying me. But Stingy the puppet, I'm—I hear you, I see you, I do hate it now." (01:05:00)
• On the duality of podcast content:
  "Isn't it interesting where sometimes this podcast where, like, I talk about complete, utter nonsense, and now I feel like this is, like, you see the duality of me, right?" (41:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Olympic Prep & Tech Woes: 00:00–10:30
• Canva & Social Media Preparation: 10:30–15:30
• Netflix Docuseries Commentary: 15:30–22:00
• Voicemail: Bittersweet Olympic Feelings: 24:37–54:10
• Text Message: Puppet Comparison/LazyTown: 59:16–end (approx 1:05:20)
• Closing Reflections & Call for Listener Input: 1:07:35–end

Recap & Takeaways

This episode skillfully oscillates between sharp-witted humor and deeply personal reflection. Adam offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at Olympic coverage and content creation, shares hard-won wisdom on moving past athlete identity, and handles listener jabs with humility and comedic grace. Whether defending his laptop, singing Canva’s praises, or processing old ambitions versus new directions, Adam Rippon always keeps it honest, relatable, and genuinely funny.

For feedback, intrusive thoughts, or puppet comparisons:
Text/call the Intrusive Thoughts Hotline at 310-90-97117 (also in Adam’s Instagram bio).