Podcast Summary
Smosh team faces unexpected layoffs: The Smosh team, including Ian Hecox, Courtney Miller, and Shane Topp, were unexpectedly laid off from Defy in late 2021, leaving them to find new opportunities by January 2nd, 2022.
The Smosh team, including Ian Hecox, Courtney Miller, and Shane Topp, experienced unexpected layoffs from their parent company, Defy, in November or October of the previous year. The team had been through several rounds of layoffs over the past year and had been working with minimal resources. They received a 60-day notice and were given until January 2nd to find new employment. The news came as a shock, and the team was left scrambling to find new opportunities. The experience was a difficult one, leaving the team and their fans questioning the future of Smosh.
Layoff denial and chaos: Even during unexpected job losses and project ends, people may experience denial, a desire to hold on to the past, and chaos. Reflecting on the experience with nostalgia can help acknowledge achievements before moving forward.
Even in the face of unexpected job losses and the end of a long-term project, there can still be a sense of delirium and denial, as well as a desire to hold on to the past and the connections made during that time. This was evident during the speaker's experience of being laid off from Smosh, where despite the suddenness and finality of the situation, there was still hope and a party-like atmosphere as people tried to cope with the loss. However, the situation eventually turned chaotic, with some people resorting to destructive behavior. Despite the chaos, the speaker reflects on the experience with a sense of nostalgia, acknowledging that the group had achieved great success in the weeks leading up to the layoffs.
Lack of effective leadership hinders business success: Inept leadership can lead to a toxic work environment, low morale, and uncertain future for employees and the company
Poor leadership can significantly impact an organization, even if it provides resources for growth. At Defy Media, the lack of effective leadership resulted in a toxic work environment, low morale, and strained relationships with other companies. Despite the challenges, the Smosh team remained united and continued to create content. However, when Defy shut down unexpectedly, there was no clear guidance or support for the team, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and chaos. Ultimately, the absence of strong leadership hindered the success and stability of the business.
Rallying together during a crisis: Despite unexpected challenges and setbacks, staying resilient and adaptable can help you continue producing content and maintain a sense of camaraderie.
Even when faced with unexpected challenges and setbacks, it's essential to take matters into your own hands and keep moving forward. When the creators of Smosh found themselves without a team or structure during a business crisis, they rallied together, used their resources, and continued producing content. This experience reminded them of the early days of their channel and the sense of camaraderie and determination that had helped them succeed. Though it was difficult and required extra effort, they managed to keep producing videos using their iPhones, editing software, and the help of loyal collaborators. The experience was validating and showed them the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. It also highlighted the often unseen hard work and dedication that goes into creating content for platforms like YouTube.
Selling Smosh to Investors: A Reality Check: Securing funding for a creative project comes with pressure and risk, requiring clear communication of its value and identity to potential investors.
Trying to sell a creative project like Smosh to investors can be an eye-opening experience. It was exciting to receive validation from investors who recognized the value of the brand, but it was also a wake-up call to the harsh realities of business. The pressure to secure funding and maintain control was intense, and the risk of losing creative autonomy was daunting. Some potential buyers had misconceptions about the nature of Smosh, seeing it as a kids' channel or a simple format rather than a unique brand. It was essential to communicate the true essence of Smosh and protect its identity. Ultimately, the process taught valuable lessons about the business world and reinforced the importance of staying true to the creative vision.
The value of creative control and ownership: Having control over ideas and projects leads to more creativity, involvement, and overall success and happiness for a team.
Having creative control and ownership is crucial for the success and happiness of a team, as demonstrated by Rhett and Link's Mythical Entertainment. The roller coaster journey of trying to find a buyer for Smosh highlighted the importance of this lesson. The emotional ups and downs of potential deals falling through and the frustration of having ideas dismissed at their previous company made the team appreciate the value of being in control. The success of Rhett and Link's company, which they own entirely, served as an inspiring example. This experience taught the team that being in control allows for more creativity and involvement, leading to a more fulfilling work environment.
Maintaining creative control is essential for content creators: Understanding and catering to audience preferences while staying true to authentic selves leads to content success
Maintaining creative control and authenticity is crucial for the success and satisfaction of content creators. Ian Hecox from Smosh shared an experience where they came close to losing creative freedom under a new parent company. He emphasized the importance of having the ability to create content organically and not being dictated by external creative directors. The experience also highlighted the importance of understanding and catering to their audience's preferences. The overwhelming success of their "Try Not to Laugh" challenge series, which was not initially supported by their parent company, proved that staying true to their authentic selves and creating content that resonated with their audience was key to their success.
Prioritizing diversity over creativity led to an unstimulating work environment: Creators at their new studio were able to focus on their interests and create stimulating content, while their old office prioritized diversity over creativity, limiting their freedom and leading to an unappealing work environment.
The creators of these shows prioritized having a diverse range of content to attract advertisers, rather than focusing on the creativity or audience interest first. This approach seemed to limit their creative freedom and led to an unstimulating work environment. In contrast, during their first week at their new studio, they were able to create content based on their interests, such as a dating show, without worrying about immediate sales. The new studio space also provided a more creatively stimulating and visually appealing environment. Additionally, they discovered perks like unlimited avocados and LaCroix, which they had previously rationed at their old office. However, their previous office in Beverly Hills was a significant drawback due to its high cost and inconvenient location. Despite their efforts to move to a more affordable and accessible area, they were unable to find a suitable alternative.
Ian's beard growth and Anthony's cuffed jeans: Ian's beard growth hinders his role as a teenager on The Goldbergs, while Anthony starts cuffing his jeans when single and keeps rolling them up higher.
Ian and Anthony from Smosh discussed various topics during their podcast, including Ian's growing beard and its impact on his roles in sketches, as well as his recent habit of cuffing his jeans. Ian joked about wanting to grow his beard out to a majestic level, but his commitment to playing a teenager on The Goldbergs prevented him from doing so. In contrast, Anthony started cuffing his jeans when he became single and found himself rolling them up higher and higher. They also reminisced about their experiences with bathrooms at different workplaces, with the one at Defy being particularly awkward and silent. Ian suggested adding a radio to make the silence less uncomfortable. Overall, the conversation was filled with humor and light-hearted banter.
Embarrassing bathroom encounters and inadequate facilities: Access to clean, adequate, and private bathrooms and the comforting presence of pets are essential for a comfortable work environment.
Public bathrooms can be an uncomfortable experience due to various reasons such as long waits, limited facilities, and awkward encounters. The speaker shared an embarrassing experience of making eye contact with a man while he was using the bathroom, which left him feeling uncomfortable and unable to look the man in the eyes again. Additionally, the speaker mentioned that Defy It, a former workplace, had inadequate bathroom facilities with only two toilets and urinals for a large number of employees, leading to long waits and discomfort. The speaker also mentioned that dogs in the office bring comfort and companionship, especially when one is missing their own pet. The speaker's experience highlights the importance of having access to clean, adequate, and private bathroom facilities and the comforting presence of pets during stressful or uncomfortable situations.
Living with a pet's anxiety can be emotionally draining: Despite best efforts, caring for a pet with anxiety can lead to guilt and stress. Finding a stable home environment or a low-maintenance pet may help alleviate these feelings.
Having a pet, especially a dog with anxiety, can be a challenging and emotionally taxing experience, especially for those living alone. The inconsistency and uncertainty of a pet's needs can lead to feelings of guilt and failure, even for those who are dedicated to providing the best care possible. The speaker's past experiences with sick and passing dogs added to her anxiety and determination to give her current dog, Django, an amazing life. Despite her best efforts, she felt she was not succeeding, leading to a great deal of stress and worry. The speaker's situation improved when she was able to find a loving home for Django with her mother, who had a large dog that became his friend. However, she still feels guilt about not being able to provide the constant care and attention her German Shepherd requires. The speaker's solution is to consider getting a low-maintenance pet, such as a cat, or to wait until she can provide a more stable home environment for a pet. The speaker also expresses an interest in air plants as a potential alternative to a live pet due to their low-maintenance nature.
Family relationships shape who we become: Family dynamics, whether affectionate or not, significantly influence our personal growth and experiences
Our relationships with our families, whether they're affectionate or not, shape who we become. The speaker shared a story about their experience with a cactus and how it made them feel like a failure, contrasting it with the active presence of pets. They also discussed their family dynamics, revealing that their large family was close-knit but not very touchy-feely. The speaker then shared an unusual incident involving their sister Kourtney and her closeness with her family, which involved a provocative photo. Despite the unusual nature of the incident, the speaker expressed gratitude for their large family and the closeness they were forced to have growing up. Overall, the discussion highlights the unique ways in which our family relationships impact us and shape our experiences.
Questioning Introversion: Introversion and extroversion exist on a spectrum, and it's important to remember that everyone is unique and complex, with various needs for alone time and social interaction.
Our personality traits, such as introversion and extroversion, exist on a spectrum and are not strictly black and white. The speaker shared her experience of feeling isolated during a period of time, which led her to question her own introversion. She took a quiz, but felt unsure about the accuracy of self-reported answers. The speaker also emphasized that being shy or outgoing does not necessarily equate to introversion or extroversion. Instead, introverts recharge by spending time alone, while extroverts recharge by being around people. The speaker believes she might be an ambivert, as she needs both alone time and social interaction. Overall, it's essential to remember that everyone is unique and complex, and our personality traits are just one aspect of who we are.
Finding Comfort in Authentic Relationships: Value connections where we can be ourselves, introverts or extroverts, and navigate professional conversations with awareness of buzzwords and jargon.
Being comfortable and authentic in relationships is important. Whether you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert, having good friends where you can be yourself and not feel the need to entertain is key. For some, this comfort can lead to enjoying observing and listening to others, while for others it may mean not seeking the spotlight once they have it. It's important to remember that everyone has different social needs and comfort levels, and it's essential to find and value those connections where we can just be ourselves. Additionally, being aware of buzzwords and jargon in professional settings can help us navigate conversations and ensure that we're focusing on meaningful communication.
Jake Paul and Anthony Padilla's Feud Over Interactions with Fan Base: YouTubers Jake Paul and Anthony Padilla had a public feud over Paul's interactions with his fans and accusations of making videos to make Paul look bad. Padilla, a non-confrontational person, ignored past altercations but was called out by Paul on Twitter. They both criticized a movie on Valentine's Day and have different opinions on James Cameron's films.
Controversial YouTuber Jake Paul is feuding with former Smosh member Anthony Padilla over Paul's interactions with his young fan base. The argument started when Paul accused Padilla of making videos to make him and his fans look bad. Paul attempted to directly message Padilla about it but didn't receive a response, leading him to publicly call him out on Twitter. Padilla, who is known to be a non-confrontational person, has never been in a real fight and even admitted to accidentally punching Paul in the face and breaking his nose in the past. The two have had past altercations, but Padilla chose to ignore them. The conversation took place on Valentine's Day, and both were single at the time. Padilla tried to find love that day by watching Alita: Battle Angel but was not impressed. The dialogue in the movie was criticized by both. Despite their differences, neither Padilla nor the speaker have ever hated on someone for liking a movie they disliked. The conversation also touched on the speaker's past experience with James Cameron's movies and their reactions to them.
Appreciating the epic nature of Avatar despite its flaws: Despite weaker dialogue and story structure, fans are optimistic about potential improvements in future Avatar installments, like better bodysuits for fans, and enjoy the epic nature of the movies.
The speaker, who was excited about Avatar and its franchises, appreciates the epic nature of the movies despite their less-than-stellar dialogue or story structure. They acknowledged that there isn't a large fan base for Avatar, with no iconic costumes or characters like in other franchises. However, they are optimistic about potential improvements in future installments, such as better bodysuits for fans to wear. The podcast, called SmoshCast, will feature a rotating cast of hosts, including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson every other week, and they plan to invite guests from both Smosh and the YouTube community. The speaker expressed their happiness about the podcast's successful start and their love for the audience.
