Unsubscribe Podcast Episode 181 Summary: "Fat 5: The Purple Heart ft. Angry Cops & The Fat Electrician"

Release Date: October 14, 2024
Hosts: Eli Doubletap, Brandon Herrera, Donut Operator, The Fat Electrician, Nick, and Cody

1. Live Show Tour Announcement

The episode kicks off with the hosts, Eli Doubletap, Brandon Herrera, Donut Operator, The Fat Electrician, Nick, and Cody, excitedly announcing their return to live shows. They reveal a series of tour dates across major cities, highlighting the enthusiasm and camaraderie among the team.

• Brandon Herrera (00:23): "We are announcing, officially announcing the dates to buy live show tickets."
• Donut Operator (00:27): "Unsubscribe is going back on tour. Eli Double Tap's gonna be there. Fat Electric Christian is gonna be there. Mr. Angry Cops, Brandon Herrera and myself, Donut Operator. We're all gonna be there. It's fucking awesome."

Tour dates include Nashville (November 14), San Diego (November 15), Dallas (November 16-17 at the Granada Theater), Atlanta (December 4), Boston (December 5), and Buffalo (December 6). The hosts encourage listeners to purchase tickets, emphasizing that missing out would make them "lame."

2. The Purple Heart Controversy

A significant portion of the episode revolves around a contentious and humorous discussion about a Purple Heart medal. Brandon Herrera receives an honorary Purple Heart from a veteran, leading to tension and playful conflict among the hosts.

• Nick (04:06): "I have a gift. It's your Purple Heart, everyone."
• Brandon Herrera (04:31): "Connie, leading the way with that double salute. Nick, stand it. Attention. A tense parade rest."

Eli Doubletap questions the authenticity and appropriateness of the honorary medal, expressing discomfort and confusion about its significance.

• Eli Double Tap (04:47): "Can we get a flashback to when fucking Eli tried to pin his Purple Heart on me and that started this whole shit?"

The conversation escalates as Brandon insists the Purple Heart is legitimate, while Eli and Nick rib him about its authenticity and the implications of receiving such an award without actual combat experience.

• Nick (05:10): "You have the letter. Brandon, no one ever said it had to be the US Military you needed to serve in in order to consider yourself a veteran."
• Brandon Herrera (05:26): "This is your moment of my life I've been waiting for that I didn't know I needed."

3. Veteran Community and VFW Discussion

The hosts delve into a critical analysis of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), particularly focusing on a VFW post established within a Colorado prison. They highlight disturbing behaviors of members and question the organization's decision to support veterans who have committed serious crimes.

• Nick (120:00): "They decided that some of the members didn't qualify to be members because of some of the actions that they took."
• Brandon Herrera (127:35): "The VFW didn't stop having a prison post because of the bad people in it. They said they stopped having a post because the membership was no longer enough to substantiate a VFW post status."

This segment underscores the importance of accountability within veteran organizations and the need to support genuine veterans while distancing from those who misuse their status.

4. Social Media & Harassment Issues

The conversation shifts to the challenges of managing online presence, dealing with trolls, and the impact of social media harassment on the hosts' mental well-being.

• Nick (110:00): "See? All app and website activity. Zero. Zero."
• Eli Double Tap (112:28): "I spend more time on Twitter than YouTube."

The hosts discuss their strategies for handling negative comments, the addictive nature of social media, and the importance of maintaining a positive online community.

5. Pop Culture References and Banter

The episode is rich with pop culture references, inside jokes, and humorous anecdotes, showcasing the hosts' chemistry and playful dynamic.

• Donut Operator (14:34): "Turn your takes into cash by picking higher or lower on your favorite athlete's stats."
• Brandon Herrera (136:35): "Hold on, how do I even do this?"

These segments include playful mockery, fictional storylines about interactions with celebrities like Richard Petty and Lance Armstrong, and humorous takes on everyday situations, adding levity to the episode.

6. Personal Stories and Anecdotes

Personal military experiences and humorous mishaps are shared, providing listeners with a glimpse into the hosts' backgrounds and personalities.

• Nick (147:16): "They're like skin from like, the arm and thigh of our leg of somebody."
• Brandon Herrera (148:29): "She's a sweetheart, dude."

These stories range from combat experiences to light-hearted moments, emphasizing the diverse and often contradictory nature of the hosts' lives.

7. Promotional Segments

Interspersed throughout the episode are brief promotional segments for various products and services, seamlessly integrated into the conversation.

• Underdog Promotion (14:30): "Turn your takes into cash by picking higher or lower on your favorite athlete's stats."
• Raycon Earbuds Promotion (30:00): "Go to buyraycon.com unsub to get 15% off of your order plus free shipping."

While these segments serve as advertisements, they are woven into the narrative, maintaining the episode's flow without detracting from the main content.

Conclusion

Episode 181 of the Unsubscribe Podcast offers a blend of serious discussions about veteran affairs and the authenticity of military honors, intertwined with light-hearted banter, personal stories, and promotional content. The dynamic between the hosts, especially surrounding the Purple Heart controversy, highlights both comedic and introspective elements, making for an engaging and multifaceted listening experience.

Notable Quotes:

• Eli Double Tap (04:14): "It was Fat five. Fangry and Furious."
• Nick (05:24): "I have the letter."
• Brandon Herrera (27:28): "We'll toss it. We toss it."
• Donut Operator (14:34): "Turn your takes into cash by picking higher or lower on your favorite athlete's stats."
• Nick (110:02): "I've got 13 hours, 14 minutes and 43 seconds."

This summary captures the essence of the episode, providing an informative and coherent overview for those who haven't listened to the podcast.