Throwing Fits: SUBSTACK PREVIEW Performative Intelligence

Episode Date: August 29, 2025
Hosts: James Harris & Lawrence Schlossman

Episode Overview

In this Substack preview, James Harris and Lawrence Schlossman return to the studio for an off-the-cuff discussion blending their signature irreverent humor with takes on menswear, lifestyle, performativity, and personal vices. The hosts riff on everything from J. Crew’s stumble with AI-generated marketing to their latest fit checks and nicotine experiments, exposing the ever-more-performative nature of male tastes and personas in the digital era.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcome & Setting the Tone

• The hosts introduce the episode with self-aware banter about their podcast’s influence and exclusivity of premium content on Substack.
• James Harris: “We are joined by one half of one of the 101 podcasts that changed the way we listen... Welcome to the weekly run of the boys.” (01:00)

2. J.Crew’s Performative Flub with AI

• Lawrence alludes to J.Crew’s botched use of AI imagery in a recent campaign, teasing a deeper dive later in the episode.
• Playful tone about how artificial intelligence intersects awkwardly with traditional brand storytelling.
• Lawrence: “Shame on you.” (01:27)

3. The State of the Zeitgeist: Everything Is Performative

• The hosts reflect, with irony, on how even the most mundane daily actions (like fit checks, caffeine choice, or nicotine intake) become acts of performance or branding in the current zeitgeist.
• James, joking: “Everything is performance wear... when you’re as performative as we are, everything is performance wear.” (10:58)

4. Fit Check: The Weekly Ritual

Lawrence’s Fit (01:35 – 02:59)

• Clark’s Wallabies
• Reese’s socks
• Vintage Levi Silver Tab jeans
• Maximum Henry belt
• Hanes beater
• Throwing Fits cut-and-sew shirt (their first-ever design)
• Homage hat (reference to the movie Heat)
• Rolex on the wrist, wedding ring, and a chrome pinky ring

Notable moments:

• Discussion about their first cut-and-sew shirt:
  • “This was the maiden voyage.” – Lawrence (02:06)
• Movie references:
  • Banter about Val Kilmer in Heat and unrealistic firearms scenes versus John Wick and Wanted.

James’ Fit (08:27 – 11:50)

• Echo Collective “Hey Dudes” mules
• Amazon socks
• MF Pen (Danish denim)
• Literary Sport merino performance T-shirt (“Because my whole life is a performance”)
• Our Legacy overshirt

Notable quotes:

• On the performance tee:
  • “My whole life is a performance, because I’m just performative out here.” – James (10:57)

5. Nicotine, Health & Rituals

• Lawrence reveals he’s giving up Celsius energy drinks due to potential heart health concerns, debating which vice to keep.
• James, gifting Lawrence 24mg “Bags” (nicotine pouches) from Greece, marvels at the strength and branding.
• Digestible, humorous exploration of addictive habits within friend groups.

Best Exchange:

• James: “Glad you picked nicotine because they got you a little present from Greece, bro.” (04:29)
• Lawrence: “This is 1,000% going to singe my gums.” (05:44)

6. Euro Footwear & Collabs: Echo Collective vs Camper

• James reviews Echo Collective’s sub-line shoes and the brand’s collaborations with designers like Kiko Kostadinov and Bianca Saunders.
• Light ribbing on Euro “trash” brands and their surprising quality/price points.
• Conversation veers into the difference between Echo and Camper in contemporary footwear trends.
• “They’re like the Euro trash final boss, Echo.” – Lawrence (08:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I need to get my blood pressure under control. I got to pick, right? Nicotine or Celsius, and I’m choosing…” – Lawrence (04:14)
• “Bags, dude. Let’s map out this week’s amazing destinations and travel tips.” – Lawrence, segueing from nicotine bags into faux travel banter (06:04)
• On Bianca Saunders/Echo loafers:
  • “They were like, the color of, like, jizz.” – James (10:01)
• “When you’re as performative as we are, everything is performance wear.” – James (10:58)

Segment Timestamps

| Segment/Topic | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Main show begins/Introductions | 01:00 | | J.Crew AI mention | 01:22–01:27 | | Movie/fashion banter (Heat, fit check) | 01:34–03:15 | | Energy drink health chat / Nicotine gifts | 04:03–06:04 | | “Bags” branding & Euro discussion | 07:04–08:14 | | James’ fit rundown & Euro footwear culture | 08:27–10:57 | | Performance wear/philosophical note | 10:57–11:50 |

Tone & Style Notes

• Self-deprecating, brash, and conversational—banter is both thoughtful and playfully idiotic
• Frequent pop culture and movie references serve as in-jokes and cultural shorthand
• Irony about personal branding and performance, but also genuine camaraderie

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a classic example of Throwing Fits’ blend of insider menswear talk, lifestyle confessions, and sardonic humor about cultural trends. Whether deconstructing the performance of everyday masculinity or breaking down sneaker and shirt histories, James and Lawrence keep things refreshingly unserious, even as they touch upon issues (health, marketing, self-image) that are deeply current. If you’re interested in where fashion, vice, and the modern male ego collide, this is a lively, memorable taste.