Podcast Summary: "Deep Voices, Deeper Convos"
Unsupervised with Syd & TP
[Dear Media | September 18, 2025]
Episode Overview
This episode of Unsupervised with Syd & TP is a vibrant, freewheeling exchange between best friends and former teammates Syd Colson and Theresa Plaisance (TP). Fully in character, the hosts wander from philosophical reflections on nature and human connection, to discussions of Black excellence at the Emmys and New York Fashion Week, to deep, hilarious digressions about workplace shade, manifestation, readers’ advice, and their famously deep voices. This episode is a quintessential 2 a.m.-style group chat: part comedy, part therapy, always unscripted, and completely off-topic in the best possible way.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Opening Energy: Podcast Banter & Theme Song
[00:01–01:38]
- Syd and TP riff on feeling energized, breaking the “cold open” time limit, and how podcast theme songs aren’t live for the hosts.
- Syd insists, “All right, we gotta learn all the words so we could perform it.”
(01:30, Sid)
2. The Mystique of Trees & Our Connection to Nature
[02:06–06:41]
- Syd shares a viral video about how trees “talk” and protect us, joking about what they'd say (“I hear a whisper, ‘lesbo’. I’m like, who said that? I look over, the tree’s like—” (02:50, Sid))
- They explore the theme of universal connectedness, comparing human fingerprints and tree ring patterns, and discussing the “blueprint” of veins, roots, and our shared purpose:
“We’re all souls in different vessels or bodies. But despite our differences, we share the same purpose. We’re all connected, but we’ve been pushed away from that, sadly.”
(03:58, Sid) - Both share how time in nature improves mood, emphasizing “touch grass” both literally and as meme advice.
3. The Science of Vibes: Molecular Connection & Moon Madness
[05:22–06:41]
- TP muses about “walking vibrations”—the scientific plausibility of feeling moon phases, referencing ER nurses’ superstitions about full moons.
Notable Quote:
“Bring back listening and end stupidity.”
(06:33, Sid)
4. “Hot Off the Bench”: Terence Crawford & Motivational Tough Love
[07:54–12:01]
- The hosts recap Terence Crawford’s historic boxing win and how his mom’s “tough love” (including paying neighborhood kids to fight him) shaped his resilience.
- Discussion segues into parental influence, ambition, and how proving people wrong is a common motivator.
Notable Quote:
“She used to pay kids in the neighborhood to fight him… Like, you bet you can’t beat Bud. If you think you could beat Bud, line up… That’s wild. But she loves him.”
(09:17 & 10:33, Sid)
5. Ode to Black Moms & Black Excellence at the Emmys
[12:01–17:14]
- In tandem with saluting Black motherhood, the hosts touch on Robert De Niro’s political outburst at the Emmys (“He got on stage, he said, f— Donald Trump. I think he said it twice.” (12:50, Sid)), and speculate about why public figures make controversial statements.
- Focus shifts to Severance actor Tramell Tillman, who made history as the first Black winner for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama at the Emmys. His short but emotional speech about his mother’s “tough love” resonated with the hosts.
Notable Quote:
“My first acting coach was tough, but all great mothers are.”
(16:00, paraphrased from Tramell Tillman speech)
6. Black History is Living History: NYFW & Ruby Bridges
[17:14–21:26]
- They highlight Lanny Smith’s Actively Black fashion show featuring Black icons and activists, including Ruby Bridges (“People treat Black history like it was this thing that happened long ago… but Ruby Bridges, who helped integrate schools, she’s like 71.” (18:37, Sid)).
- Hosts reflect on how hate is learned and warn about propaganda’s insidiousness.
Notable Quotes:
“It’s a disease.” (20:25, Sid)
“The more you get into your own problems, you get more sucked into you, you, you. When really there’s so much around you… If you took some time to understand what somebody else is going through, your problems look a little less bad.”
(20:30, TP)
7. Deep Voices, Deeper Convos: Owning the Trolls
[26:05–27:17]
- Syd and TP address the online obsession with their “deep voices,” recounting heated comment threads debating their gender.
- Decide to “combine the two things that are truly us—deep conversation and deep voices.” (27:14, TP)
8. Pharrell, Manifestation & Finding Your Path
[27:17–45:12]
- The main segment explores Pharrell’s creative journey, as seen in the Netflix documentary and his approach to manifestation.
- TP unpacks Pharrell’s experience with being an “odd kid” and synesthesia, while Syd highlights his mother’s tough but loving academic discipline:
“She said he was brilliant and she didn’t feel like he was applying himself because she knew that he was brilliant. And that was so necessary…”
(29:54, Sid) - Discussion of the limits of traditional education for creative thinkers and importance of readiness for opportunities (“You don’t just automatically turn it on when you get that job title. The readiness you had is why you’re going to get that.” (35:21, TP))
- Pharrell’s trajectory from setbacks (Neptunes fallout, creative arrogance) to breakthrough hits (“Happy,” “Up All Night to Get Lucky”) and the spiritual inspiration of his grandma’s dream.
Memorable Moment:
Pharrell wrote “Happy” while bathing his son, after a career slump—symbolizing the importance of returning to what grounds you. “You can take away everything in the world… If I made the people around me proud… I wouldn’t trade that for anything.” (41:35, TP paraphrasing Pharrell)
9. Viewer Question: Birthday Work-Snub Revenge
[47:32–54:07]
- Listener Katie Ray writes in: her workplace celebrated every employee’s birthday except hers, possibly in retaliation for her reduced hours.
- The hosts gamely brainstorm poetic, dramatic ways to quit (“I think writing a poem that worked for Sid’s birthday… would really go out on top.” (50:36, TP)) and riff on paddle wheel birthday rituals in the WNBA.
- Extended anecdote about their own workplace/birthday antics, which cements their bond as co-hosts.
10. The Paddle Wheel Story: WNBA Birthday Tradition
[54:07–59:30]
- Syd narrates, in hilarious detail, her birthday “paddle wheel” ritual—teammates lining up to swat her as she walks (slowly) between them, savoring each moment.
- TP describes her “T-Rex arm” slap and calls out how the ritual is both team-building and, in their case, podcast-creating.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “Bring back listening and end stupidity.” (06:33, Sid)
- “Do you think trees are, like, in the forest, ‘oh I’m loving with that white tree, I don’t like that yellow tree...’? No! We’re much more similar than people think.” (21:26, Sid)
- On being present and kind: “It’s zero dollars to just be pleasant. So we should start bringing that back as well.” (45:54, TP)
- “If you want it with all your being, the universe finds a way to, like, let it happen for you.” (44:18, Sid (attributing to a friend))
- Full circle: “You never know what could happen... All you can do is try to be your best every single day. And if you do have these goals, strive for them. And also surround yourself with people that help you to do that.” (36:00, TP)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Opening banter, theme song talk: 00:01–01:38
- Trees & human connection: 02:06–06:41
- Full moon vibes & science: 05:22–06:41
- Terence Crawford & “tough love”: 07:54–12:01
- Emmy/Black moms/Tramell Tillman: 12:01–17:14
- Black history is living history: 17:14–21:26
- Vatican/Pharrell/Deep voices online: 22:44–27:17
- Pharrell, manifestation, documentary deep-dive: 27:17–45:12
- “Because I’m Happy” anecdote: 39:57–41:59
- Mailbag: workplace birthday snub: 47:32–54:07
- WNBA paddle wheel birthday story: 54:07–59:30
Tone & Language
The episode is marked by constant playful teasing, irreverent sidebars, and supportive, frank exchanges. Both hosts switch seamlessly between joking (“Just be pleasant… it’s zero dollars!”), passionate social analysis, and heartfelt advice. The dialogue stays authentic and lively, punctuated by inside jokes, references to queer culture in sports, and offbeat social observations.
Conclusion
“Deep Voices, Deeper Convos” is a classic Unsupervised ride: part therapy, part reality TV aftershow, with sincere nods to Black excellence, stories of resilience, and plenty of laughs. Whether unpacking internet gender trolls, gassing up each other’s paddle wheel skills, or tenderly examining what it means to find purpose and readiness, Syd and TP are as unscripted, perceptive, and hilarious as ever.
Listen for: A reminder to “touch grass,” to “bring back listening and end stupidity,” and to never underestimate the emotional power of a Lego documentary, birthday paddle wheels, or a very deep convo delivered in even deeper voices.