*PATREON PREVIEW* Riff of the Year

Summary

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Throwing Fits: PATREON PREVIEW Riff of the Year

Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: James Harris & Lauren Schwassman

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Episode Overview

This Patreon preview episode finds James (the "Voting Viking") and Lauren (the "Ballot Baron") deep in the run-up to the Throwing Fits "Fitties" awards, their annual celebration of the year’s best in brands, trends, and style. The pair riff on their influence on mirror selfies (and how their style got compared to infamous bad actors), share inside baseball about voting procedures, tease the upcoming Critics Choice episode, and do a classic TF fit check that spirals into lively discussion about their favorite labels and the mythos of John Elliott. All with trademark irreverence, self-deprecation, and cultish insidery banter.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

TF’s Mirror Selfie Legacy

• Lauren and James talk about their meme-ification as "the guys flicking up in a mirror" and comparisons to a viral Epstein and Bannon pic.
  • Lauren notes that while they didn’t invent the mirrored fit pic, “it is cool that in a year and a half, we have taken kind of like ownership over [it].” (02:25)
  • "In a weird way, I'll say it—I was flattered." — Lauren (03:47)
  • They joke about the idea of “AI, Epstein & Bannon in a Throwing Fits fit pic,” humorously wrestling with the discomfort and flattery in being style-referenced alongside such infamous figures.

“Fitties” Awards: Voting & Housekeeping

• Main announcement: Voting for 2025 Fitties is live from Dec. 19th through Dec. 31st.
  • James: “The voting for the 2025 Fitties begins today, December 19th. Voting will run until the end of the year, December 31st.” (04:08)
  • Upcoming episodes: Critics Choice Awards/Spectacular Holiday Special drops Monday—2h40m long, with Sheff (Sean) sending in picks via FaceTime due to illness.
    • Lauren: “He sent a voice note that sounded like Kermit on heroin.” (05:12)
    • They joke about the marathon length and “Larry’s Dozen” (13+) of Kiran Ichibans consumed during recording (05:38).
  • Voting rules debated: Can listeners vote more than once?
    • James wants to keep it open (“Why not?” 06:40), Lauren warns about ballot stuffing: “You're gonna have one guy vote for Two Hollis a thousand times. No one's gonna do that. Me.” (06:41)
    • They agree one should “think long and hard about who you want to vote for,” but don’t enforce restrictions due to not wanting to collect emails, joking about “Palantir-ass type shit.” (07:05)

Fit Check & Riffing: Brand Talk and “Riff of the Year”

• Lauren’s Fit Check (09:41):
  • Rider boots from Second Layer — “quickly becoming my boot of the year.”
    • “They have kind of been tossed aside in favor of these beautiful bedazzled suede stompers. So good shout out to Josh, our entire Second Layer family. I love these, dude.” (09:41)
  • Socks: John Elliott — which segues into discussion about the brand’s hiatus and comeback.
    • Lauren: “Did you see, like, they're… coming back…they closed some stores.” (10:49)
    • They note John Elliott is “associated with a certain period of time that was super impactful” but took “some time off to, like, relaunch.” (11:04)
    • James quips about social media engagement: “Aggregated news article, skimming the caption, leaving goat emoji.” (11:38)
  • Denim: Our Legacy Workshop
  • Top: Bare Knuckles thermal (“best for years, great ‘essentials’”)
• Memorable tangent: Lauren reminds everyone about the infamous “Worm/Poop from a butt” riff, labeling it the “real riff of the year” (10:19–10:35). - James: “Poop from a butt.” (10:23) - Lauren: “For some people, silk is just poop. It's wearing po-…”

Voting, Breaks, and Patreon Teasers

• Show Scheduling:
  • Fitties results in early January
  • Guest episodes return January 19th
  • Written content and other bonuses continue on Patreon during holiday break (08:22)
• Patreon Listeners:
  • Early access to voting (“Your early votes count twice” [09:00]—clearly a joke)
  • Get the inside scoop before public rollout

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lauren on the meme-mirrored fit pic:
  • "It's cool that in a year and a half, we have taken kind of like ownership over two Guys. Flicking up in a mirror. ... That is now associated with us." (02:25)
• On being style-referenced alongside bad guys:
  • Lauren: "In a weird way, I'll say it, I was flattered." (03:47)
  • James: "That's not weird. That's not surprising. That... is twisted, though." (03:53)
• On voting procedure and rules:
  • Lauren: “Because you're gonna have one guy vote for Two Hollis a thousand times. No one's gonna do that. Me.” (06:41)
  • James: "That's fucking Palantir-ass type shit." (07:05)
• On John Elliott and “Goat Emoji” Culture:
  • James: “Aggregated news article, skimming the caption, leaving goat emoji.” (11:38)
  • Lauren: "You just… like someone posts… like somebody died or something… Go, go, go." (11:47)
• Classic lowbrow riff of the year:
  • Lauren: “You remember Worm?” (10:23)
  • James: “Oh, yeah. Poop from a butt.” (10:25)
  • Lauren: “For some people, silk is just poop. It's wearing po–” (10:35)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:19] Main show start, intro of hosts
• [02:25] Claiming “ownership” of the fit-pic meme
• [03:47] Lauren: “In a weird way, I'll say it—I was flattered.”
• [04:08] Fitties voting opens / Details & timeline
• [05:12] Sheff's absence and “Kermit on heroin” impression
• [05:38] Beer tally (“Larry’s Dozen”) in Critics Choice recording
• [06:36] Discussion of voting rules and ballot-stuffing
• [07:05] “Palantir-ass type shit” quote
• [09:41] Fit check and favorite brands
• [10:23] “Worm/Poop” riff—“Riff of the Year” callback
• [10:49] John Elliott brand comeback/hiatus talk
• [11:38] “Goat emoji” social media culture
• [12:09] Bare Knuckles thermals and ‘essentials’

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Tone & Style

• The show is “two grown dirtbags tryna navigate the zeitgeist”—raucous, inside-joke heavy, self-mocking, always fashion-forward and not above veering into absurd, crude humor.
• Plenty of meta-commentary on the state of men’s fashion podcasting and the echo chamber of their community.
• Hosts alternate between sincere inside talk (brand comebacks, voting mechanics) and surrealistic riffs (“Poop from a butt,” being flattered by evil drip comparisons).

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Summary Takeaway

This episode sets the table for the year-end content by reveling in their own memes, hyping up both fans and themselves for the annual “Fitties,” and bringing signature fits discourse and comic irreverence. It’s a must-listen to catch the energy of the TF universe as they wrap up 2025—full of inside jokes, fashion nerdery, and the kind of lowbrow wit that can only come from years on the mic together.

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Transcript

[James Harris]

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[Ad Read Voice]

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[James Harris]

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[James Harris]

We are joined by the ballot baron, Lauren Schwassman and myself, the voting Viking, James Harris. Welcome to the weekly run of the.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Boys with today's full episode only available on www.Throwing fits.com.

[James Harris]

You may have come to this episode via our Ban and Epstein style mirror selfie.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yeah.

[Ad Read Voice]

Which.

[James Harris]

Did they steal our swag or did we steal theirs? Since I think theirs is from pre Epstein getting suicided.

[Lauren Schwassman]

So. Yeah, I mean, we didn't invent the. We didn't invent the mirror cell. Wait, he killed himself in 2019?

[James Harris]

No, sorry.

[Lauren Schwassman]

He. He. He killed himself.

[James Harris]

He was suicided in 2019.

[Lauren Schwassman]

2019? Yeah. I don't know. Was there a year on that pick?

[James Harris]

He was holding it. The iPhones. 15. So it's like. It was like taken a few months ago, I think.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Okay. And I know we didn't. We didn't invent the mirror selfie.

[James Harris]

We just popularized it.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Well, no, I think it's. We just have taken ownership. And how long ago were we doing the rooftop fit pics? Right.

[James Harris]

We moved into here May 2024.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Okay, so what's that?

[James Harris]

Year and a half.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Year and a half ago. It is cool.

[James Harris]

23. I don't know.

[Lauren Schwassman]

I. I think it is cool that in a year and a half we have taken kind of like ownership over two Guys. Flicking up in a mirror. Awesome. That. That is now associated with us. Wait, are we gonna. We're just talking about this right off.

[James Harris]

Rip, I guess so. I don't know what else you want to talk about. How. Well, for me, I'm wearing. I'm kind of wearing a bed right now.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Well, the picture that was used, you know, as the side by side, basically, like, before and after pedophile conversion therapy.

[James Harris]

Which way is it worthy after?

[Lauren Schwassman]

We're not pedophiles. It's just like the style of fits that Bannon and Epstein are doing. And obviously the pose and style photo, it is like someone was like, yo, AI, Epstein and Bannon in a Throwing fits. Fucking fit. Pick up with my boy. It's literally one for one. I was flabbergasted from the footwear. You love fucking layer.

[James Harris]

You loved it, bro.

[Ad Read Voice]

You.

[James Harris]

You had a fucking. I used to make fun of you for dressing like Jeffrey Epstein. Just like a 90s Republican conservative.

[Lauren Schwassman]

It's. And it's funny because, like, blazer with.

[James Harris]

The denim, people say this about Epstein. Denim with the loafies.

[Lauren Schwassman]

People say this about Epstein all the time, where it's like, evil guy, but he had drip. But here's the thing. It's like the same with Bannon, though. This is the only instance of Bannon ever wearing one shirt ever in a photo. Which is kind of funny. No, I think. I think Bannon is kind of seen as a more if, you know, you know, evil guy would drip, whereas Epstein is the face of evil. Drip.

[James Harris]

Right. Yeah.

[Lauren Schwassman]

So I don't just like. I mean. Yeah, listen, in a weird way, I'll say it, I was flattered. That's.

[James Harris]

That's not weird. That's not surprising.

[Lauren Schwassman]

That.

[James Harris]

That is twisted, though.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yeah, I'm. If. If I'm anything, I'm so fucking twisted.

[James Harris]

Don't turn off my music, Mom. What a year it's been.

[Lauren Schwassman]

All right, all right.

[James Harris]

Oh, before we get into the best brands, trends, movies, music and Internet. Fuck. 2025. Real quick, some housekeeping. So the voting for the 2025 50s begins today, December 19th. Voting will run until the end of the year, December 31st. Yeah, you're listening to this on Friday or over the weekend on Monday will be our critics. What is it? What's the full. Full title?

[Lauren Schwassman]

It is the Throwing Fits Year. Year in review.

[James Harris]

Critics Choice Holiday Spectacular.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Hold on, hold on. I want to get it right because, like, it is something. Oh, my God. How do I find this?

[James Harris]

You know, go to the yesterday's dot. We filmed last night.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yeah, I got. I got. I got it. I'm gonna get there. I'm gonna get there. I'm gonna get there.

[James Harris]

Yo, look at this. Mfer.

[Lauren Schwassman]

All right, I'm gonna find it. I'm gonna find it.

[James Harris]

Unfortunately, Sean was not able to join us. I was a bit of a bummer because he is quite literally dying. He sent a voice note that sounded.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Like he played on the show.

[James Harris]

Kermit on heroin.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yeah, it is. Okay, so for on Monday, we have the 2025 throwing fits year in Review, Critics Choice Awards, Spectacular holiday special. Which chef unfortunately was sick for? He. He has the flu.

[James Harris]

We sent in his prestige picks.

[Lauren Schwassman]

We have all of his picks. He was FaceTimed in. We had a rollicking good time. I believe the final tally is 2 hours and 40 minutes of raucous year review podcasting.

[James Harris]

I think a bake. A Larry's Dozen of Kieran Ichibans were consumed.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Oh, easily.

[James Harris]

Which is. Yeah, right. Yeah.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Anything over 12 is a Larry's Dozen.

[James Harris]

Yes.

[Lauren Schwassman]

That's usually how it goes. Anywhere between. Anywhere between 13 and infinity beer. Hilarious.

[James Harris]

D. Robbie had. Robbie had infinite mic time because he was no longer sharing a mic with Sheffrey Epstein. Anyways, that's Monday.

[Ad Read Voice]

And.

[James Harris]

And then. Hey, guess what? We're on break.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yep.

[James Harris]

For the holidays. And we will be back. Jimmy and Larry will be back the first week of January with the full results of the cities, which, again, the votes are tallied by us, tabulated by us, but the voting is done by you, the customer, the audience.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Well, we vote. I mean, we're. We will vote. Yeah, not yet. I'm still. And we're not talking about our picks today. We're just going to kind of run through categories. Big picture. Get everyone stoked to hop in there and make your voice heard. I'm. I'm split in a couple categories. Categories, dude. Which you'll hear about on the Critics Choice.

[James Harris]

Well, I think you can vote as many times as you want.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yeah. But we don't want to encourage that.

[James Harris]

Why not?

[Lauren Schwassman]

No, you could. No, you can only vote once because that's not. Because you're gonna have one guy vote for two Hollis a thousand times. No one's gonna do that. Me. Yeah, we're all looking for the guy who voted for two Hollis. A thousand times.

[James Harris]

Two Larry. No. The reason why the only.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yes. In order to make.

[James Harris]

In order to make it required to only be able to vote once. You have to collect emails.

[Lauren Schwassman]

I don't want to do that.

[James Harris]

That's fucking Palantir as type Shit.

[Lauren Schwassman]

So you want people to vote multiple times?

[James Harris]

I'm saying you can't. If you feel so passionate about something. One category, the fitties.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yo, if I need to give Oscar Isaac and Colman Domingo my vote for most stylish.

[James Harris]

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[James Harris]

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[Lauren Schwassman]

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[Ad Read Voice]

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[Lauren Schwassman]

We help you save. Yeah.

[James Harris]

Go and vote. I don't want to. I don't want to have anyone, you know, Jeffrey Epstein themselves because they weren't able to see the row win Best Friend of the year. Sure. Okay. And then the new season of guest episodes will commence on January 19th. So it is a few weeks of just the boys, plus written content and other stuff on Patreon.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yeah.

[James Harris]

And yeah, I believe that's it for housekeeping. The important thing is that voting is open now. Link in description.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yeah, right. Yeah.

[James Harris]

Chuck, link it right here.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yeah, you guys get to vote first. Not that it necess. I mean just. You vote first and then it will be open to the public.

[James Harris]

Yeah, your vote. Your early votes count twice.

[Lauren Schwassman]

I mean I. I guess like when you vote in real time, you. We don't do it where you can see the results or anything. Right. So like, I don't think so now. Right, right, right. We can, you know, I know on the back end pause. But like. Yeah, okay. Yeah, just make your voice heard. You know, think long and hard about who you want to vote for one time, many times, whatever. And yeah, I'm excited to. I mean, is it a weak year?

[James Harris]

Hey, we didn't do it.

[Lauren Schwassman]

With that said, I mean these categories have they got good shit in here?

[James Harris]

Yeah, but before we get into running through the nominees for the 2025 Fitty.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Fit Check to fit Check, I have on rider boots from Second Layer, which are quickly becoming my boot of the year. Normally in this kind of weather, I wear my. My butters ethically laced as a white man, but they have kind of been tossed aside in favor of these beautiful bedazzled suede stompers. So good shout out to Josh, our entire Second Layer family. I love these, dude. But yeah, it wasn't. No spoilers. Not my JN of the Year. That's a different thing. Which you guys had a lot of fun with at my expense. I was getting pretty frustrated.

[James Harris]

What was your.

[Lauren Schwassman]

I'll just. Should I just. I'll just throw out. So you remember Worm?

[James Harris]

Oh, yeah. Poop from a butt.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Okay. All right. Tap in on Monday. You guys are gna. Have a great time.

[James Harris]

Oh, that was a great. Yo, yo. Epic. Real riff of the year roadie Roadie.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Riff of the year for sure. For. For some people, silk is just poop. It's wearing po. The socks are John Elliott. Oh, the.

[James Harris]

I've heard their name in years.

[Lauren Schwassman]

They did you see, like, they're. It's coming. Like, he's coming back. But they did take some time off and they closed some stores.

[James Harris]

What did they do? What do you took?

[Lauren Schwassman]

Well, no, because they weren't.

[James Harris]

They weren't releasing clothes.

[Lauren Schwassman]

No, I don't think they were putting out. Well, you know how John was for a while was like showing in Paris and was like doing seasonal collections.

[James Harris]

Yeah, bro.

[Lauren Schwassman]

He.

[James Harris]

I think the King. King James in the cut.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yeah, I. I mean, I think John is, I think an underrated designer. Super nice fella, great guy, friend of the show. Somebody who is definitely. Whose designs and look is associated with, like, a certain period of time that was super impactful. And I think that they took some time off to, like, relaunch. I think there was some financial shit that they had to figure out as well. In terms of no investors. No, this was all. No, this is all he. John talked about this personally.

[James Harris]

Okay.

[Lauren Schwassman]

I think it was on his Instagram. I just remember reading a kind of.

[James Harris]

Aggregated news article, skimming the caption, leaving goat emoji.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Yeah, it's like you just like. You just. Like someone posts like something like a. Like somebody died or something.

[James Harris]

I miss my wife so much.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Go, go, go. Or like, I'm getting divorced, my wife let me go. Times go emoji. No, the shout out to John and Mike and all the homies over there as well. The jeans are Emporio Armani. Excuse me. Our legacy workshop. The beater is or. Excuse me, not a beater today. It's a thermal for bare knuckles. Oh my God.

[James Harris]

I forgot how good the bare knuckles thermal and the bare knuckles pullover hoodie.

[Lauren Schwassman]

For me for years ago that was the best. They make really great. What do people call it now? Essentials. Essentials.

[James Harris]

Yeah.

[Lauren Schwassman]

Sadly, I think these thermals are. They've been sold out. Hopefully they bring it back.

[James Harris]

Jacob, bring them back.

[Lauren Schwassman]

The. It's kind of like this is. I don't know, it's like a sweater and a jacket. I wonder if someone.

[James Harris]

Don't say swacking.

[Lauren Schwassman]

I was gonna say it would be cool if someone came up with a term to combine those things. You know, a jacker. I would just call this a cardigan.

[James Harris]

Kind of a jacker, bro.

[Lauren Schwassman]

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