"This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von" — Episode #626: "Baby Me"

Release Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Theo Von
Guest/Co-host: Riley Mao

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and irreverent Thanksgiving episode, Theo Von reflects on gratitude, the complexity of holidays, and the small meaningful moments in life. He’s joined by Riley Mao, who shares life-changing news. Together, they discuss purpose, family, and listener calls about mental health, family struggles, and new beginnings. The episode blends Theo's signature humor, philosophical musings, and authentic listener engagement, offering comfort, laughs, and encouragement through the holiday season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving Reflections and History (00:28–03:30)

• Theo acknowledges that Thanksgiving is complicated, especially for Native Americans:

  "I just wanted to honor those people and say, look, you know, our bad or whatever. I didn’t do it. Somebody did it. And I hope we catch them." (01:01)

• He muses on how "the history of time is just stacked on sin," encouraging listeners to focus on togetherness and gratitude.
• Classic Theo humor about staring someone in the eyes and demanding garlic bread:

  "Don’t you want some garlic bread? God, I want that." (02:01)

2. Charity and Community Impact (03:45–06:15)

• Theo thanks listeners for supporting a charity jersey auction, raising ~$40,000 for Cumberland Heights, a rehab center.
• Emphasizes collective action:

  "If you even listen to this podcast... you were a part of this." (04:44)

• Notes a donation to the Gary Sinise Foundation.

3. Philosophy, Connection, and The Importance of Groundedness (06:15–14:00)

• Theo addresses “wild times” and the information overload, referencing conspiracy theories and the modern sense of “awakening.”
• Encourages listeners to stay grounded in real life:

  "The one thing you have to lock into even more is things that are real, things that are tangible in your world. Your family, your friends, familiarity—connecting with people." (11:49)

4. The Small Joys List (14:00–15:44)

• Theo shares a quirky and genuine “little things about life” he enjoys:
  • Accidentally touching a stranger’s leg in a theater.
  • Petting cats who strike back (“I call it a little bitch.”)
  • Showing up for loved ones.
  • Making loud noises around a hard-of-hearing grandmother.
  • Burying secret items (“Get you a trowel, which is just a little baby shovel. And they should just call it baby shovel.”)
  • Calling the cops on noisy neighbors.

5. Big Life Moment: Riley Mao is Having a Baby (15:44–18:13)

• Riley announces he's expecting a baby boy at the end of the year.

  Theo: "Oh my gosh, bro. Dude, I remember when you hadn’t even come out of your own nuts or whatever." (17:00)

• The two share a playful, sincere prayer for Riley’s soon-to-be child:

  "We want to lift up this unannounced child to you that at this point is still just a batch of semen and egg that you are helping cultivate and moisturize." (19:19)

• Riley reflects: "I do [feel like this gives me purpose]."

6. Calls from Listeners: Real-Life Struggles and Hope

(1) Bailey on Mental Health and Recovery (30:34–35:25)

• Bailey (23): Last Thanksgiving in a psych ward, now things have changed.

  "Almost a year later and turning 24, and I don't know, man, like, it feels cool to live." (33:37)

• Theo reflects on borrowed hope:

  "Even if I just let your words be my glasses for a minute...I could see, oh, there’s so much possibility." (33:04)

(2) Anna Struggling with Family During Holidays (42:46–47:11)

• Anna: "I hate my family... they’re so mean to me, and I have no one to celebrate with."
• Theo validates her feelings and examines the fine line between self-pity and meaningful release:

  "That place can get kind of tricky...I got addicted in my life to self-pity and I didn’t realize it." (47:19)

• Encourages her to seek connection, even in small ways.

(3) Cage Announces Twins, Seeks Advice (50:25–53:07)

• Cage: already has a boy, now expecting twin girls, looking for advice.
• Theo jokes about his disbelief in twins but emphasizes love and readiness as a father.

  "You just got to just be there and love them." (51:37)

(4) Danielle on Meeting God Halfway (56:50–59:10)

• Danielle: Struggling spiritually, asks what “meeting God halfway” means to Theo.
• Theo’s view: maintain an active, warm relationship with God through prayer, thought, checking in on others—"so if I need God for something, the walkway is already warm." (58:20)

(5) Listener Appreciation and Self-Care (60:05–61:11)

• Listener expresses gratitude for Theo’s work and influence.
• Theo touches on the challenge of rest and self-organization post-touring, how football games and therapy have helped him restore joy.

7. More Personal Life: Riley’s Baby Story Explored (39:06–44:00, 65:04–67:23)

• Theo probes Riley about the moment they found out, his initial fear, and whether it’s changed his outlook.
• Riley shares initial terror, and that he and his partner are adapting:

  "At first, I was terrified...I was like, oh, like you're not kidding?...She's like, yeah, I'm pretty sure. I'm like, oh, okay." (39:10–39:56)

• On what he wishes for his child:

  "Oh, I just, you know, wish that he’s healthy." (66:05)

8. End-of-Episode Thoughts: Purpose and Authenticity (53:58–56:50)

• Theo discusses what matters—being grounded in his own plan, reconnecting with God, and expressing gratitude for the show and its listeners.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On gratitude:

  "Things have changed so much over the years, and, like, things in my life have kind of changed and, like. But it’s like mo. Like, and so it’s been. You know, I didn’t ever know what it would be like to have a podcast and to. And do it and. And to navigate and stuff. So it’s, you know, it’s. It’s been interesting..." (67:24)

• On family and holidays:

  "Sometimes you have to say something, you know? Sometimes you have to say stuff. I hate my family. I don’t give a. I think somebody’s a wizard. You piece of. Those are five things I just said that were inside of me." (44:09)

• On life’s small joys:

  "Petting a cat ... and it strikes at you, like that and you call it a little bitch ... there’s something unique about it. There’s something very human about it." (15:00)

• On finding purpose:

  "If this is what the world is, right, then what is my purpose in it? ... you have to look at it, right? Not in an egotistical way, but it’s like that I’m the first player. That’s what I mean. You’re player one. We’re all player one for our own lives." (35:25)

Memorable Segments (Timestamps)

• Thanksgiving reflections, garlic bread bit: 00:28–03:30
• Charity and community update: 03:45–06:15
• Theo’s “small joys” list: 14:00–15:44
• Riley Mao’s baby announcement & prayer: 15:44–19:47
• Listener call: Bailey’s recovery journey: 30:34–35:25
• Listener call: Anna’s family struggles: 42:46–47:11
• Listener call: Cage—new twins: 50:25–53:07
• Theo on “meeting God halfway”: 56:50–59:10
• Theo and Riley on purpose & dad fears: 39:06–44:00, 65:04–67:23
• Final reflections & gratitude: 67:24–end

Tone and Style

True to form, Theo is candid, tangential, heartfelt, and consistently funny. The episode moves between wild humor ("I call it a little bitch"), deep vulnerability, and arms-around-the-shoulder warmth. Listeners get both comic relief and community comfort—seasoned with offbeat metaphors and backyard philosophy.

Summary Takeaway

Episode #626 is a warm, oddball Thanksgiving special about life's joys (big and small), facing anxiety about the future, and remembering what matters: connection, family (chosen or blood), and meaning—however you define it. Theo and Riley’s conversations with listeners celebrate growth, endurance, and hope, all filtered through funhouse-mirror humor.

For more:

• Check out listener-submitted small joys next year via theo.com
• Browse American Originals (small US-made businesses) at TheOvon.com
• Watch Sebastian Maniscalco’s new special on Hulu (27:57)
• Stay tuned for the next special episode with Mike Rowe

Happy Thanksgiving!