Podcast Summary: Zane and Heath: Unfiltered — Ep. 318: Exposing Matt's Porch Pirate

Hosts: Zane, Heath, Matt, and guest(s)
Date: February 2, 2026
Theme: Catching up after a winter storm, pop culture rambles, reality TV, and the story of Matt’s porch pirate

Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Zane, Heath, Matt, and their friends reunite in the studio after time apart, swapping stories about winter storm survival, discussing reality TV obsessions, and sharing tales of small-time crime. The conversation hits everything from disaster preparedness and AI quirks to meme-worthy moments, with plenty of offbeat humor and shared nostalgia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Disney Skate Games & Mohawk Memories (01:00–03:00)

• The crew reminisce about a lesser-known Disney skateboarding video game, built on the code from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater.
• Mohawk hairstyles as childhood avatars:
  • “Any avatar I ever made as a kid, just the big Liberty Spike Mohawk one.” – Matt (01:46)

2. Winter Storm Survival & Generators (03:25–11:15)

• Matt recounts a harrowing snowstorm experience in Nashville—four days without power as a new dad:
  • “37 degrees in the house… Just trying to keep him warm.” – Matt (03:50)
• Running a fireplace for warmth, learning the limits of rechargeable gear, and buying a generator ($570 for a 3600-watt model).
• Discussion about whole-home generators and local businesses that remained open.
• Trees collapsing in the neighborhood due to ice; mass clean-up efforts.
• Family logistics: Matt’s parents step in to help Mariah and the baby during another power outage while he’s away.

3. Parenthood & Baby Pop Culture (12:45–14:36)

• Myth-busting: Even breastfed baby poop “stinks” (12:53).
• Talk of entering the Gerber Baby contest and confusion over Gerber family connections.
• Trivia: Gerber as a clothing brand and umbrella company.

4. Climate, Natural Disasters, and “Tornado Alley” (15:13–16:44)

• Joking about Tennessee joining Tornado Alley:
  • “Apparently, I think Tennessee’s becoming part of Tornado Alley.” – Matt (15:28)
• Speculation about storm-chasing tourism and expensive storm-chase experiences.
• Segue into animal encounter stories and contemplating human–animal “showdowns.”

5. Reality TV Deep Dive: ‘The Traitors’ (27:20–37:55)

• The group is obsessed with the show “The Traitors” (Peacock)—a mafia-style reality TV competition.
• Casting dreams:
  • “I never wanted to be on TV so bad in my life. I was like, I want to play this game.” – Matt (27:33)
  • Zane DM’d a casting agent (27:38).
• Breakdown of gameplay and why reality stars “lose themselves” even knowing they’re being filmed.
• Notable celebrity participants and critiques of their social gameplay.
• Inside jokes: Lisa Rinna’s habit of referring to herself by full name; Colton’s unnerving demeanor as a “villain.”

6. Matt’s Porch Pirate Saga (42:24–46:40)

• Matt’s packages were stolen while he was out of town; caught crystal clear on the Ring cam.
• The thief: sporting big shoes, no socks, neon green shirt—brazenly swiping packages in daylight.
• “How do you not know that there’s cameras everywhere? Like, your face is clear as day.” – Zane (43:27)
• Despite social media and Nextdoor posts, the thief hasn’t been identified.
• Speculation: Is the thief local? Suggestions to post photos at neighborhood bars and gyms.

7. Pop Culture Highlights: Free Soloing Taipei 101 (46:51–52:49)

• Discussion of Alex Honnold’s televised free solo climb of the Taipei 101 tower:
  • “It’s a modern day Evel Knievel and I… I love it.” – Matt (47:46)
• Debating the morality of broadcasting risky stunts live.
• Comparing Honnold to older daredevil climbers, including a 70-year-old who scales buildings in leather.
• Segue into architectural “climb-ability” and wild urban climbing stories.

8. Fun with AI Voices and Podcasting (60:47–62:32)

• The group reviews a viral TikTok of a student using AI text-to-speech to read notes—complete with organ music and robotic voice mods.
• “Who needs the organ to read to them? What?” – Matt (61:36)
• References to talk boxes and the Daft Punk aesthetic.

9. Sleep Hacks and Lifehacks (78:01–81:10)

• Matt shares a sleep trick: simulating REM by moving your eyes side to side when falling back asleep (78:13).
• Scheduling texts for the next morning is revealed as a group favorite productivity hack.

10. Nostalgia: Goosebumps, Hardy Boys, and Reading Habits (64:36–67:16)

• Obsessing over Goosebumps, Taco Bell tie-in toys, and memories of kids’ book series.
• “My mom wanted me to get into reading… We picked out, I’m not even kidding, 15 of those books. And I never read one.” – Heath (66:47)

11. RIP Tributes: Ms. Shirley & Catherine O’Hara (72:34–74:09)

• Sorrow over the passing of Ms. Shirley, beloved for giving food to the homeless on TikTok.
• Breaking news: Catherine O’Hara has passed away (confirmed about two hours before recording). The group reflects on her legacy and the timing of public vs. private struggles.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You gotta go mohawk, go mullet mohawk.” — Hosts joking about childhood style ambitions (02:11)
• “Every twig has a tube of ice around it.” — Matt describing the severity of the Nashville storm (10:11)
• “You just unlocked a memory.” — Collective nostalgia triggered by old video games (01:34)
• “I would be down to chase tornadoes, but it’s so risky, but I think it’s kind of beautiful.” – Zane (16:30)
• “If you refer to yourself as your name, automatically don’t like you.” – Matt, roasting Lisa Rinna (35:58)
• “Imagine seeing him on a night out, though. That would be exciting.” – On catching the porch pirate in the wild (45:29)
• “Getting old sucks.” — Matt, after a discussion on aging, illness, and random longevity (75:24)
• “My mom wanted me to get into reading … I never read one.” – Heath (66:47)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Disney Skate Game Nostalgia: 01:00–03:00
• Winter Storm/Generators: 03:25–11:15
• Gerber Baby Culture: 13:01–14:36
• Tornado Alley & Storm Chasing: 15:13–16:44
• Porch Pirate Caught on Camera: 42:24–46:40
• Traitors Reality TV Deep Dive: 27:20–37:55
• Alex Honnold’s Taipei 101 Climb: 46:51–52:49
• Sleep Hacks: 78:01–81:10
• RIP Ms. Shirley & Catherine O’Hara: 72:34–74:09
• Goosebumps Book Memories: 64:36–67:16

Tone and Language

The hosts maintain their signature casual, joking, and rapid-fire banter, blending nostalgic asides, pop culture commentary, and personal anecdotes. The humor is irreverent, the tangents many, and the atmosphere warm, even when discussing frustrations or sad news.

Conclusion

Episode 318 delivers everything fans expect: chaotic catch-ups, real-world mishaps, TV obsessions, and pure, unfiltered fun. Whether discussing freezing with a newborn, analyzing porch pirates' footwear, or gushing over reality TV strategy, the hosts keep energy and laughter high—reminding listeners why real friends make the best podcasts.