Key Takeaways

• The podcast discusses the phenomenon of young, queer individuals, particularly those identifying as non-binary, being more likely to continue wearing masks, linking it to internet discourse, disability advocacy, and intersectionality.
• The conversation critiques the perceived hypocrisy of some conservatives and media figures who, while railing against ‘wokeness’ and ‘snowflakery,’ exhibit similar behaviors like policing language and engaging in identity politics.
• Brad Palumbo shares his personal journey from a liberal college environment to a conservative media career, highlighting his aversion to political correctness and his observations on the evolving media landscape and its incentives.
• The episode touches on the broader cultural and political climate, including the rise of ‘snowflake conservatives,’ the debate around free speech, and the use of ‘woke’ tactics by different political factions.
• The hosts discuss the nuances of language, slurs, and the impact of minority stress on behavior, while also acknowledging the performative aspects of online activism and political discourse.

Segments

Mask-Wearing and Queer Communities (~00:07:00)

• Key Takeaway: The podcast explores the observation that young, queer individuals, particularly non-binary people, are more likely to continue wearing masks, linking it to online disability advocacy and intersectional beliefs.
• Summary: The hosts discuss a Reddit question about why young, queer individuals seem to be the last holdouts of mask-wearing. They theorize this could be due to increased internet engagement, participation in disability advocacy circles, and a belief in intersectionality, viewing masking as an act of allyship.

Taylor Lorenz and DSA Tweet (~00:15:00)

• Key Takeaway: Taylor Lorenz’s tweet criticizing NYC DSA members for not masking at an event, while contrasting it with her own masking at an event with Nazis, is discussed as an example of the discourse surrounding masking and political affiliation.
• Summary: The conversation shifts to a Taylor Lorenz tweet about NYC DSA members not masking, which she contrasted with her own masking at an event with Nazis. This highlights the ongoing debate and differing perspectives on masking in various political contexts.

Minority Stress and Chronic Illness (~00:18:00)

• Key Takeaway: The potential link between chronic illness, mental health, and minority stress within queer communities is considered, though skepticism is expressed about its universal applicability.
• Summary: The hosts discuss the possibility that chronic illness, particularly mental illness, might be more prevalent in queer communities due to minority stress. However, they also acknowledge that individual experiences and living environments can influence this.

Brad Palumbo’s Media Strategy (~00:25:00)

• Key Takeaway: Palumbo explains his content strategy of using ‘woke’ or left-leaning cultural stories as clickbait to draw in an audience, before presenting his own critiques of both left and right-wing politics.
• Summary: Brad Palumbo discusses his approach to content creation on YouTube, where he uses sensational or controversial left-wing cultural stories to attract viewers. He aims to provide a balanced perspective by also critiquing Republican policies and figures, though he notes the difficulty of gaining traction with purely critical content.

The Rise of ‘Snowflake Conservatives’ (~00:35:00)

• Key Takeaway: The episode introduces the concept of ‘snowflake conservatives,’ individuals on the right who exhibit behaviors similar to ‘woke’ snowflakes, such as hypersensitivity to language and identity politics.
• Summary: Katie Herzog introduces the topic of ‘snowflake conservatives,’ expressing a sense of betrayal by the right’s adoption of tactics previously criticized in the left. This sets the stage for discussing specific examples of this phenomenon.

Trigglypuff and College Experiences (~00:37:00)

• Key Takeaway: The ‘Trigglypuff’ incident at UMass Amherst is recounted as an early example of student activism and ’triggering’ that shaped Palumbo’s aversion to political correctness.
• Summary: Palumbo shares the story of ‘Trigglypuff,’ a student who became a meme for her reaction at a controversial campus event featuring Milo Yiannopoulos. This experience, along with the generally left-leaning and socially justice-focused atmosphere at UMass Amherst, contributed to his contrarian stance.

Reverse Radicalization and Campus Culture (~00:45:00)

• Key Takeaway: Palumbo describes his ‘reverse radicalization’ in college, where exposure to Marxist economics and a repressive social atmosphere led him to adopt libertarian-conservative views.
• Summary: Palumbo details his college experience at UMass Amherst, where he found the economics department to be openly Marxist and the social environment to be repressive. He recounts incidents like the ‘dicks out for Harambe’ meme and the subsequent police involvement, which solidified his opposition to the prevailing campus culture.

Fox News Debut and Care Bears (~00:52:00)

• Key Takeaway: Palumbo’s early media appearance on Fox News discussing a ‘Care Bears’ poster in his dorm is presented as an example of his early engagement with media and his critique of campus ‘coddling.’
• Summary: The hosts play a clip of Palumbo’s appearance on Fox News discussing a poster in his dorm that used Care Bears to promote stress management. Palumbo reflects on the segment, acknowledging that while his message was valid, the national news coverage might have been an overreaction.

Resilience and Adversity (~01:00:00)

• Key Takeaway: Palumbo suggests that personal resilience, forged through overcoming adversity in his youth, contributed to his aversion to the perceived fragility of ‘snowflake’ students.
• Summary: Palumbo explains his aversion to ‘snowflake’ culture by contrasting it with his own upbringing, which involved significant personal adversity. He posits that this resilience made him less susceptible to the sensitivities he observed in his college peers.

The ‘R Slur’ and Language Policing (~01:08:00)

• Key Takeaway: The discussion touches on the use of the ‘R slur’ and the broader debate around language policing, with both hosts expressing reservations about the term and the practice.
• Summary: The hosts discuss the resurgence of the ‘R slur’ and the differing views on its use. While acknowledging the potential harm to individuals with Down syndrome, they also critique the practice of labeling terms as ‘slurs’ and the broader trend of language policing.

Gavin Newsom and ‘Rolling Over’ (~01:15:00)

• Key Takeaway: The segment analyzes Gavin Newsom’s comment that Greg Abbott ‘rolled over for Trump,’ and how conservative media, like Raymond Arroyo, interpreted it as an offensive jab at Abbott’s use of a wheelchair.
• Summary: The hosts examine a comment made by Gavin Newsom about Greg Abbott, which was interpreted by some conservative media figures as a mocking reference to Abbott’s wheelchair use. They discuss the validity of this interpretation and the broader context of political commentary and perceived microaggressions.

Tommy Lahren and Scott Pressler (~01:22:00)

• Key Takeaway: Tommy Lahren is criticized for her ‘snowflake’ reaction to Gavin Newsom’s office trolling Scott Pressler, a gay conservative, by comparing him to a woman, which Lahren deemed homophobic.
• Summary: The discussion focuses on Tommy Lahren’s criticism of Gavin Newsom’s office for trolling Scott Pressler, a gay conservative with long hair, by referring to him as a woman. The hosts find Lahren’s reaction hypocritical, given her past critiques of ’triggered liberals.’

Nancy Mace’s ‘Feminist Meltdown’ (~01:28:00)

• Key Takeaway: Congresswoman Nancy Mace is presented as a prime example of ‘Republican snowflakery’ for her defensive reaction to a reporter’s question about her voting record on an infrastructure project.
• Summary: The hosts analyze a clip of Nancy Mace having a ‘feminist meltdown’ when questioned about touting an infrastructure project funded by legislation she voted against. They criticize her for deflecting the legitimate question by framing it as a gendered attack.

The ‘Woke Right’ Debate (~01:35:00)

• Key Takeaway: The term ‘woke right’ is discussed, with the hosts noting its ambiguity and how it can be applied to various groups, including those who use similar tactics to the left or those with specific political stances on issues like Israel.
• Summary: The hosts debate the utility and meaning of the term ‘woke right.’ They acknowledge that it’s often used to describe right-wing individuals or groups who employ tactics similar to the left, or those with particular views on issues like Zionism and anti-Semitism.

Housekeeping and Merch (~01:40:00)

• Key Takeaway: The hosts discuss podcast merchandise, humorously praising the comfort of a competitor’s t-shirt while promoting their own show’s premium content.
• Summary: The podcast transitions to housekeeping, with a humorous anecdote about discovering how comfortable a Michael Hobbes (from ‘You’re Wrong About’) t-shirt is. They then promote their premium content and live video chats for subscribers.