Digest

This episode of the podcast features comedian Rachel Feinstein and actor Brett Gellman as guests. The host, Adam Carolla, discusses a variety of topics, including his distrust of the navigation app "Ways," his opposition to universal basic income, and his thoughts on "gentle parenting." He also shares anecdotes about his childhood, his family dynamics, and his experiences with dating apps. The episode includes discussions about the film "Billy Jack," the dating app Raya, and the practice of soldiers writing messages on bombs. The guests share their own experiences and perspectives on various topics, including the comedy world, social anxiety, and the importance of creative expression.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Guest Introductions, Pluto TV Summer of Cinema Advertisement, Birchham's Back - Daily Wire Plus Advertisement

The episode begins with introductions of the guests: comedian Rachel Feinstein and actor Brett Gellman. The host also introduces Sabrina Cosmos from PragerU, who will be covering the news segment. This segment is an advertisement for Pluto TV's "Summer of Cinema" promotion, highlighting free movie streaming options for the summer. This segment is an advertisement for the new animated series "Birchham's Back," created by Adam Corolla and available on Daily Wire Plus.

00:01:43

Ways App and Navigation Dilemmas, Cold Showers and Health Benefits

The host discusses his distrust of the navigation app "Ways" due to its reliance on user-submitted information, which he finds unreliable. He compares his anxiety about using Ways to the stress of a tumor biopsy. The host and his guest discuss the purported health benefits of cold showers, including increased alertness, improved mood, and potential weight loss. The host shares his personal experience with cold plunges and showers, emphasizing the immediate awakening effect.

00:28:37

Universal Basic Income Debate, Hood Ornament Incident and Parenting Styles

The host expresses his strong opposition to universal basic income, arguing that it creates dependency and doesn't effectively help the intended recipients. He draws parallels to past government programs that he believes have had negative consequences. The host discusses a news story about a 10-year-old boy who was struck by a Mercedes driver after messing with the car's hood ornament. The incident sparks a conversation about parenting styles, with the host advocating for discipline and questioning the effectiveness of "gentle parenting."

00:47:46

Riley Auto Parts Advertisement, Rachel Feinstein Interview

This segment is an advertisement for Riley Auto Parts, highlighting their friendly service, wide selection of parts, and free battery testing. The host interviews comedian Rachel Feinstein, discussing her stand-up special "Big Guy" on Netflix. They also touch upon the topic of self-esteem and the importance of managing expectations.

00:55:01

Oversharing Parents and Childhood Innocence, Billy Jack Movie and Racial Stereotypes

The host and his guest share anecdotes about their oversharing parents, highlighting the challenges of navigating personal boundaries and the importance of preserving childhood innocence. They discuss the impact of overly progressive parenting styles on children's development. The host and his guest discuss the 1970s film "Billy Jack," which they both watched with their mothers. They critique the film's portrayal of Native Americans and the way their mothers used it to reinforce their own views on racial injustice.

01:08:34

Grandstanding and Tokenism, Real-World Problems vs. First-World Concerns

The host criticizes the tendency of some people to use their association with marginalized groups for personal gain and attention. He shares anecdotes about his grandmother and her interactions with gay friends, suggesting that she used their identities for social currency. The host highlights the disconnect between the concerns of privileged individuals and the realities faced by people in impoverished communities. He uses the example of Anderson Cooper's concern about peanut allergies in Ethiopia to illustrate this point.

01:22:57

Parenting Advice and Personal Experiences, Family Dynamics and Personal Growth

Adam discusses his parenting style, contrasting it with advice from parenting videos. He criticizes the idea of avoiding the word "no" and shares his own experiences with his children. Adam reflects on his family's dynamics, describing them as fractured and each person focused on survival. He believes people generally don't change much over time, citing his own parents and high school friends as examples.

01:27:48

Childhood Experiences and Rebelliousness, The Renaissance Fair and Cheapness

Adam discusses his childhood, revealing he wasn't a good student and felt rebellious towards his parents. He saw their lives as a cautionary tale and aimed to avoid their mistakes. Adam recounts his family's trips to the Renaissance Fair, which he found humiliating due to his father's insistence on dressing them as lords to save money. He criticizes his father's cheapness and views the experience as confusing.

01:31:35

The Renaissance Fair: A Tits and Torso-Based Affair, Bumper Stickers and Personal Annoyances

Adam shares his humorous perspective on the Renaissance Fair, describing it as a place for "fat chicks" to show off their breasts and a "torso-based fair" with men in blouses and rings. He expresses his dislike for men wearing excessive jewelry. Adam recounts encountering a bizarre bumper sticker that read "If you're going to ride my ass at least pull my hair." He finds it perplexing and wonders about the person who would display such a sticker.

01:36:58

The Mystery of the Bumper Sticker Owner, The Importance of Being Successful and a Dick in Your Mouth

Adam continues to ponder the identity of the bumper sticker owner, speculating whether it's a man or a woman. He suggests calling a listener to get their opinion on the matter. Adam jokes about the idea of putting a dick in your mouth for a comedy central promo shoot, suggesting it might lead to success. He then transitions to discussing his guest, Brett Gellman.

01:40:57

The Disappearance of Grass Stains, The Myth of Jealousy and Fear of Success

Adam and Brett discuss the decline of grass stains in modern times, attributing it to children spending less time outdoors and the rise of artificial turf. They reminisce about old detergent commercials featuring kids covered in mud. Adam and Brett debunk the idea that nerdy, introverted kids were envied by their peers. They argue that the real fear was not of success, but of the hard work it would take to achieve it.

01:45:55

Creative Expression and Social Anxiety, John Kuzak's Mental State and Raya

Adam discusses his childhood experiences with social anxiety and his desire to have friends. He admits to settling for "dickhead kids" due to his need for companionship. Adam and Brett discuss John Kuzak's apparent mental decline, speculating on how much crazier he'll become in the future. They then transition to talking about the dating app Raya, where Adam met his wife.

01:51:31

Raya and the "Pre-Resentment", Patty Stanger's Dating Advice and Stake Houses

Adam shares his experience with Raya, describing it as a celebrity dating app filled with beautiful women and "asshole" men. He expresses his "pre-resentment" towards anyone he matched with on the app. Adam recounts Patty Stanger's dating advice, which included baking a cake for a man on the second date and frequenting steak houses to meet men. He found her advice absurd but admits to trying it out.

01:55:16

The Gender Imbalance in Comedy and Riot, Brett Gellman's Book and Writing Process

Adam and Brett discuss the gender imbalance in the comedy world, noting that there's a greater demand for female comics. They also touch upon the dating app Riot, which they believe is more popular among male comics. Adam interviews Brett about his new book, "The Terrifying Realm of the Possible." Brett explains how he got a publishing deal and the process of writing the book, which involved deadlines and procrastination.

02:00:38

John Kuzak's Anti-Semitic Tweets and Mocking, The Bomb and Chalk Dust

Adam and Brett discuss John Kuzak's anti-Semitic tweets and Brett's wife's response, which involved mocking him on Instagram. They agree that mocking people who deserve it is acceptable. Adam and Brett discuss the practice of soldiers writing messages on bombs, comparing it to graffiti on walls. They debate whether it's appropriate and discuss the historical context of such actions.

02:10:30

Aces High and Nazi Planes, Swastikas on Planes and the Symbolism of War

Adam recounts a story about a friend who was obsessed with a war game called "Aces High" and had a Nazi plane as his screensaver. He found it disturbing and questioned his friend's respect for the integrity of the aircraft. Adam and Brett discuss the practice of World War II pilots putting swastikas on their planes for every German plane they shot down. They debate the symbolism and whether it was a motivating factor for soldiers.

02:13:57

Concentration Camps and the Symbolism of Freedom, Plugs and Wrap-Up

Adam makes a humorous but insensitive comment about seeing a swastika as a symbol of freedom after being freed from a concentration camp. He acknowledges the absurdity of his statement and clarifies his intention. Adam plugs Brett's book and his own upcoming stand-up shows. He thanks his guests and ends the episode.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the host's main concerns about the navigation app "Ways"?

  The host is concerned about the app's reliance on user-submitted information, which he believes is unreliable and makes him anxious about using it for important trips. He compares his anxiety to the stress of a medical procedure.

• What are the host's arguments against universal basic income?

  The host believes that universal basic income creates dependency and doesn't effectively help the intended recipients. He argues that past government programs have had negative consequences and that more government involvement in people's basic needs is not a good solution.

• How does the host feel about "gentle parenting"?

  The host is critical of "gentle parenting," believing that it can lead to a lack of discipline and boundaries. He advocates for a more traditional approach to parenting that includes discipline and consequences for misbehavior.

• What is the host's main criticism of the film "Billy Jack"?

  The host criticizes the film's portrayal of Native Americans, which he believes is stereotypical and reinforces harmful prejudices. He also points out the irony of his mother using the film to illustrate her own views on racial injustice.

• What is the host's main point about grandstanding and tokenism?

  The host believes that some people use their association with marginalized groups for personal gain and attention. He criticizes the tendency to use these identities for social currency and to create a sense of moral superiority.

• What is Adam's parenting style like?

  Adam describes himself as a messy parent who tries to be silly and fun with his daughter while still enforcing rules. He doesn't agree with some of the advice given in parenting videos, particularly the idea of avoiding the word "no."

• What is Adam's opinion on people changing over time?

  Adam believes that people generally don't change much over time, citing his own parents and high school friends as examples. He thinks people tend to stay true to their core personalities.

• What is Adam's experience with the dating app Raya?

  Adam met his wife on Raya, but he has a "pre-resentment" towards the app because he found many of the men he matched with to be "assholes." He believes the app is filled with beautiful women and successful men, but not always genuine connections.

• What is Adam's opinion on John Kuzak's recent behavior?

  Adam finds John Kuzak's recent behavior to be bizarre and believes he is going mentally insane. He jokes about how much crazier Kuzak will become in the future.

Show Notes