Join Electrik, Scrota, and Rebel on The HLS Podcast as they dive into a variety of topics, keeping things entertaining and lighthearted. After years of planning, the trio is finally taking the plunge and giving their podcast a shot. Tune in for a mix of humor, banter, and insightful conversations you won&#39;t want to miss!

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/10/26/2/3c01aeb6-14bb-48db-9210-459d5b27a8de_s2e37_-_fever_reducing.mp3

Can you trust anything you see online anymore?Between fake news, social media misinformation, conspiracy theories, political bias, and conflicting information from experts, figuring out what&#39;s actually true can feel impossible.In this episode of The HLS Podcast, Electrik, Scrota, and Rebel debate what it means to trust information, how to fact-check claims, and whether healthy skepticism can go too far.Electrik admits he&#39;s reached a point where he struggles to trust almost anything in the media. Scrota challenges him to explain how he decides what&#39;s true, while Rebel breaks down why corporate incentives, independent sources, and scientific evidence influence his thinking.Topics include:<ul><li>Why people are losing trust in news and social media</li><li>How to fact-check information and identify credible sources</li><li>COVID vaccines, scientific evidence, and public skepticism</li><li>The Tuskegee syphilis study and medical mistrust</li><li>Corporate greed and conflicts of interest</li><li>The difference between healthy skepticism and believing nothing</li><li>Conspiracy theories, aliens, and reptilian rumors</li><li>Overwatch toxicity and the importance of personal accountability</li><li>Teaching kids to practice, improve, and take responsibility</li><li>Smart locks, internet-connected appliances, and home security</li><li>American work culture and work-life balance</li></ul>And because it&#39;s HLS, a conversation about scientific evidence somehow turns into a debate about whether aliens walk among us and why Susan Dell looks different in old photographs.The big question: If you don&#39;t trust the media, experts, government, or internet, how do you decide what to believe?Join Electrik, Scrota, and Rebel for another episode of hilarious arguments, questionable detours, and surprisingly thoughtful conversations.🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode, subscribe to The HLS Podcast, and tell us in the comments: What&#39;s one source of information you actually trust?#TheHLSPodcast #Misinformation #FactChecking #MediaLiteracy #Podcast

We Got Your Podcast Right Here

Can you trust anything you see online anymore?

Between fake news, social media misinformation, conspiracy theories, political bias, and conflicting information from experts, figuring out what&#39;s actually true can feel impossible.

In this episode of The HLS Podcast, Electrik, Scrota, and Rebel debate what it means to trust information, how to fact-check claims, and whether healthy skepticism can go too far.

Electrik admits he&#39;s reached a point where he struggles to trust almost anything in the media. Scrota challenges him to explain how he decides what&#39;s true, while Rebel breaks down why corporate incentives, independent sources, and scientific evidence influence his thinking.

Topics include:

Why people are losing trust in news and social media
How to fact-check information and identify credible sources
COVID vaccines, scientific evidence, and public skepticism
The Tuskegee syphilis study and medical mistrust
Corporate greed and conflicts of interest
The difference between healthy skepticism and believing nothing
Conspiracy theories, aliens, and reptilian rumors
Overwatch toxicity and the importance of personal accountability
Teaching kids to practice, improve, and take responsibility
Smart locks, internet-connected appliances, and home security
American work culture and work-life balance
And because it&#39;s HLS, a conversation about scientific evidence somehow turns into a debate about whether aliens walk among us and why Susan Dell looks different in old photographs.

The big question: If you don&#39;t trust the media, experts, government, or internet, how do you decide what to believe?

Join Electrik, Scrota, and Rebel for another episode of hilarious arguments, questionable detours, and surprisingly thoughtful conversations.

🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode, subscribe to The HLS Podcast, and tell us in the comments: What&#39;s one source of information you actually trust?

#TheHLSPodcast #Misinformation #FactChecking #MediaLiteracy #Podcast

Why People Trust Anything: Social Media, News & Science | The HLS Podcast Episode S2E37

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/10/9/22/60b07a9d-58c6-4e5e-9608-9ad4cf8abc13_s2e36_-_first_date_sex.mp3

What do men really think about sex on the first date? Does making a man wait actually make him respect you more, or is that an outdated dating rule that can backfire?This week on The HLS Podcast, Electrik, Rebel and Scrota get into what men actually talk about when women aren&#39;t around and what men really want from dating and relationships. It starts with the stuff social media keeps trying to answer for men: Do guys notice when women flirt with them? Do men like when women make the first move? What small things make men feel appreciated? How much space do men really need in relationships? And are men actually having deep conversations with each other, or are we mostly talking sports, stocks and complete nonsense? S2E36 - What Men Talk AboutThen things get contentious.The conversation turns to sex on the first date and the idea that a woman might sleep with someone immediately if the relationship is casual, but make a man wait if she sees him as serious relationship material. Rebel thinks intentionally withholding sex to gain respect is based on a false narrative. Scrota argues that it&#39;s nowhere near that simple: people may wait because of safety, comfort, past behavior, personal boundaries or because they know some men absolutely do judge women differently afterward. Electrik gets caught somewhere in the middle as the argument turns into whether waiting protects respect, creates perceived disinterest, or shouldn&#39;t matter at all. S2E36 - What Men Talk AboutAlong the way, the guys get into missed flirting signals, making the first move, marriage, small gestures of appreciation, only-child life, pets, companionship, relationship peace and, somehow, “Perform Electrik.”So what do men really want?Apparently: peace, understanding, companionship... and depending on who you ask, a loyal nympho.

What do men really think about sex on the first date? Does making a man wait actually make him respect you more, or is that an outdated dating rule that can backfire?
This week on The HLS Podcast, Electrik, Rebel and Scrota get into what men actually talk about when women aren&#39;t around and what men really want from dating and relationships. It starts with the stuff social media keeps trying to answer for men: Do guys notice when women flirt with them? Do men like when women make the first move? What small things make men feel appreciated? How much space do men really need in relationships? And are men actually having deep conversations with each other, or are we mostly talking sports, stocks and complete nonsense?    S2E36 - What Men Talk About
Then things get contentious.
The conversation turns to sex on the first date and the idea that a woman might sleep with someone immediately if the relationship is casual, but make a man wait if she sees him as serious relationship material. Rebel thinks intentionally withholding sex to gain respect is based on a false narrative. Scrota argues that it&#39;s nowhere near that simple: people may wait because of safety, comfort, past behavior, personal boundaries or because they know some men absolutely do judge women differently afterward. Electrik gets caught somewhere in the middle as the argument turns into whether waiting protects respect, creates perceived disinterest, or shouldn&#39;t matter at all.    S2E36 - What Men Talk About
Along the way, the guys get into missed flirting signals, making the first move, marriage, small gestures of appreciation, only-child life, pets, companionship, relationship peace and, somehow, “Perform Electrik.”
So what do men really want?
Apparently: peace, understanding, companionship... and depending on who you ask, a loyal nympho.

Should Women Make Men Wait for Sex? | The HLS Podcast S2E36

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/10/2/18/e0ebad88-a004-4faf-b6a8-a1f7ca980451_s2e35_-_them_thangs.mp3

Do you actually know where your last name came from? 👀We usually treat family names like they&#39;re these sacred pieces of our identity passed down through generations.Then Rebel started looking up where surnames actually came from...And apparently some of y&#39;all are named after blacksmiths, candle makers, arrow makers, slave owners, nobility... and dudes whose literal job was stomping sheep&#39;s wool in vats of piss. 😭This week on The HLS Podcast, we get into:🔹 Why last names became a thing in the first place🔹 Why names like Smith, Fletcher, Chandler, Tucker &amp; Walker exist🔹 Why Kim, Lee &amp; Park are so common in Korea🔹 Where many Black American surnames came from after slavery🔹 Why people historically changed their names for status and protection🔹 And whether your family name means what you THINK it meansYour ancestors might&#39;ve been royalty.They also might&#39;ve been Piss-Stomping Dave.🎙️ New episode of The HLS Podcast out now.

Do you actually know where your last name came from? 👀

We usually treat family names like they&#39;re these sacred pieces of our identity passed down through generations.

Then Rebel started looking up where surnames actually came from...

And apparently some of y&#39;all are named after blacksmiths, candle makers, arrow makers, slave owners, nobility... and dudes whose literal job was stomping sheep&#39;s wool in vats of piss. 😭

This week on The HLS Podcast, we get into:

🔹 Why last names became a thing in the first place

🔹 Why names like Smith, Fletcher, Chandler, Tucker &amp; Walker exist

🔹 Why Kim, Lee &amp; Park are so common in Korea

🔹 Where many Black American surnames came from after slavery

🔹 Why people historically changed their names for status and protection

🔹 And whether your family name means what you THINK it means

Your ancestors might&#39;ve been royalty.

They also might&#39;ve been Piss-Stomping Dave.

🎙️ New episode of The HLS Podcast out now.

Piss-Stomping Dave | The HLS Podcast S2E35

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/23/16/ad20e6e9-b2a5-4c2d-ab64-5ba002865db1_s2e34_-_remeber_the_alamo.mp3

What actually happened at the Alamo, and how much of the story we learned in school was simplified?After visiting the Alamo with his family, Rebel decides it&#39;s time for another edition of HLS history class and walks Electrik and Scrota through the Six Flags of Texas, Mexican Texas, American settlement, the Texas Revolution, the Battle of the Alamo, Goliad, San Jacinto and the eventual Republic of Texas. The conversation quickly gets more complicated than the heroic version of the story many Texans grew up hearing.Mexico encouraged foreign settlement in Texas through the empresario system, while tensions later developed around immigration restrictions, taxation, political control, slavery and Santa Anna&#39;s shift toward centralized government. Historians describe the causes of the Texas Revolution as complex, with several competing interpretations rather than one simple explanation. That sends the HLS crew down the rabbit hole:Why did Mexico invite American settlers into Texas in the first place? What agreements were those settlers expected to follow? Why did relations with the Mexican government deteriorate? How important was slavery to the conflict? Why did the Alamo become such a powerful Texas legend? And why does the story sound very different when you revisit it as an adult?The crew also stops mid-conversation to fact-check its own recollection and discovers that the real history is considerably messier than the version they remembered from Texas history class. Before any of that, naturally, HLS spends nearly 20 minutes talking about an AI bubble, Nvidia GPUs, whether gaming consoles are becoming unaffordable luxury items, FuncoLand, Babbage&#39;s, impossible 90s video games and Tupac.Because apparently history class starts whenever Rebel feels like starting the intro.Remember the Alamo. Just maybe remember the complicated parts too.

What actually happened at the Alamo, and how much of the story we learned in school was simplified?

After visiting the Alamo with his family, Rebel decides it&#39;s time for another edition of HLS history class and walks Electrik and Scrota through the Six Flags of Texas, Mexican Texas, American settlement, the Texas Revolution, the Battle of the Alamo, Goliad, San Jacinto and the eventual Republic of Texas. 

The conversation quickly gets more complicated than the heroic version of the story many Texans grew up hearing.

Mexico encouraged foreign settlement in Texas through the empresario system, while tensions later developed around immigration restrictions, taxation, political control, slavery and Santa Anna&#39;s shift toward centralized government. Historians describe the causes of the Texas Revolution as complex, with several competing interpretations rather than one simple explanation. 

That sends the HLS crew down the rabbit hole:

Why did Mexico invite American settlers into Texas in the first place? What agreements were those settlers expected to follow? Why did relations with the Mexican government deteriorate? How important was slavery to the conflict? Why did the Alamo become such a powerful Texas legend? And why does the story sound very different when you revisit it as an adult?

The crew also stops mid-conversation to fact-check its own recollection and discovers that the real history is considerably messier than the version they remembered from Texas history class. 

Before any of that, naturally, HLS spends nearly 20 minutes talking about an AI bubble, Nvidia GPUs, whether gaming consoles are becoming unaffordable luxury items, FuncoLand, Babbage&#39;s, impossible 90s video games and Tupac.

Because apparently history class starts whenever Rebel feels like starting the intro.

Remember the Alamo. Just maybe remember the complicated parts too.

The Real* Story of the Alamo | Texas History & the Texas Revolution | The HLS Podcast S2E34

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/19/5/70014106-8fb8-4755-9336-b2fedc0cf0d5_s2e33_-_adult_friends.mp3

The HLS crew starts with a throwback to the MySpace Top 8 and a simple question: if Top 8 still existed today, who would make your list? Somehow that turns into a much bigger conversation about friendship, loyalty, boundaries, and why building meaningful friendships gets harder as you get older. Electrik says adults simply don&#39;t have enough time. Scrota argues that adulthood removes many of the social structures that made friendships happen naturally when we were younger. School, sports, church groups, clubs and other activities repeatedly put you around the same people. As an adult, you actually have to seek those environments out, find someone you connect with, and somehow find time to turn that connection into a friendship. That leads into questions about blind loyalty. Does being family mean someone deserves unconditional loyalty? Are we sometimes more forgiving of toxic friends because replacing a longtime friendship feels impossible? And should every relationship have a line that someone can cross? Then Scrota provides perhaps the greatest possible evidence for why making friends as an adult is complicated by finally telling the story of moving to California, trying desperately to make friends, meeting another martial arts fan and slowly realizing:“…I&#39;m pretty sure I&#39;m on a ..... date.” Also somehow discussed: MySpace, terrible college poetry, AI jazz, the World Cup, aging athletes, Muay Thai, punching your friends in the face, relationship boundaries, Rebel apparently never making mistakes, and why shared interests absolutely do NOT mean you&#39;re about to become best friends.

The HLS crew starts with a throwback to the MySpace Top 8 and a simple question: if Top 8 still existed today, who would make your list? Somehow that turns into a much bigger conversation about friendship, loyalty, boundaries, and why building meaningful friendships gets harder as you get older. 

Electrik says adults simply don&#39;t have enough time. Scrota argues that adulthood removes many of the social structures that made friendships happen naturally when we were younger. School, sports, church groups, clubs and other activities repeatedly put you around the same people. As an adult, you actually have to seek those environments out, find someone you connect with, and somehow find time to turn that connection into a friendship. 

That leads into questions about blind loyalty. Does being family mean someone deserves unconditional loyalty? Are we sometimes more forgiving of toxic friends because replacing a longtime friendship feels impossible? And should every relationship have a line that someone can cross? 

Then Scrota provides perhaps the greatest possible evidence for why making friends as an adult is complicated by finally telling the story of moving to California, trying desperately to make friends, meeting another martial arts fan and slowly realizing:

“…I&#39;m pretty sure I&#39;m on a ..... date.” 

Also somehow discussed: MySpace, terrible college poetry, AI jazz, the World Cup, aging athletes, Muay Thai, punching your friends in the face, relationship boundaries, Rebel apparently never making mistakes, and why shared interests absolutely do NOT mean you&#39;re about to become best friends.

Why Is It So Hard to Make Friends as an Adult? | The HLS Podcast S2E33

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/10/14/c5d42368-2d12-4916-b7d3-6aebbffe7e95_s2e32_-_once_a_month.mp3

How often should married couples actually be having sex? And is once a month enough?What starts as a completely unrelated conversation somehow ends with Rebel discovering that some married couples are having sex once a month or less, and he absolutely cannot comprehend it.The HLS crew debates sexless marriages, intimacy, attraction, aging, communication, stress, and whether a couple that rarely has sex has basically become roommates. But Scrota raises the bigger question: is a lack of sex actually causing the problems in the relationship, or are couples having less sex because the relationship already has problems? And because this is HLS, it takes almost an hour to get there.Before that, the crew gets into an uncomfortable Reddit story about a husband using AI to create intimate images of his wife without asking her, leading to a discussion about consent, privacy, AI-generated images, and whether marriage changes the boundaries around someone&#39;s body or likeness. The answer gets increasingly obvious as they argue about it.Then it&#39;s difficult kids, parenting, discipline, martial arts, preparing your kids for “future you,” America&#39;s vulnerable infrastructure, what would happen if AI disappeared tomorrow, AI-generated code, whether AI is a tool or a crutch, AI filmmaking, people marrying AI companions, GPU arbitrage, stock trading and whatever the hell else happened along the way.The AI discussion gets particularly interesting when the crew asks whether society has actually become dependent on artificial intelligence. Scrota argues that AI still hasn&#39;t crossed the line from useful tool to essential infrastructure. Take away AI and some people are screwed. Take away electricity and everybody is screwed. Eventually, though, we arrive at the question that matters:Once a month?!At what point does a lack of physical intimacy signal a deeper problem? How much should attraction matter? Does sex disappear because couples grow apart, or do couples grow apart because the sex disappeared?And are y&#39;all married...or just splitting bills with benefits once every 30 days?

How often should married couples actually be having sex? And is once a month enough?

What starts as a completely unrelated conversation somehow ends with Rebel discovering that some married couples are having sex once a month or less, and he absolutely cannot comprehend it.

The HLS crew debates sexless marriages, intimacy, attraction, aging, communication, stress, and whether a couple that rarely has sex has basically become roommates. But Scrota raises the bigger question: is a lack of sex actually causing the problems in the relationship, or are couples having less sex because the relationship already has problems? 

And because this is HLS, it takes almost an hour to get there.

Before that, the crew gets into an uncomfortable Reddit story about a husband using AI to create intimate images of his wife without asking her, leading to a discussion about consent, privacy, AI-generated images, and whether marriage changes the boundaries around someone&#39;s body or likeness. The answer gets increasingly obvious as they argue about it.

Then it&#39;s difficult kids, parenting, discipline, martial arts, preparing your kids for “future you,” America&#39;s vulnerable infrastructure, what would happen if AI disappeared tomorrow, AI-generated code, whether AI is a tool or a crutch, AI filmmaking, people marrying AI companions, GPU arbitrage, stock trading and whatever the hell else happened along the way.

The AI discussion gets particularly interesting when the crew asks whether society has actually become dependent on artificial intelligence. Scrota argues that AI still hasn&#39;t crossed the line from useful tool to essential infrastructure. Take away AI and some people are screwed. Take away electricity and everybody is screwed. 

Eventually, though, we arrive at the question that matters:

Once a month?!

At what point does a lack of physical intimacy signal a deeper problem? How much should attraction matter? Does sex disappear because couples grow apart, or do couples grow apart because the sex disappeared?

And are y&#39;all married...

or just splitting bills with benefits once every 30 days?

How Often Should Married Couples Have Sex? Sexless Marriages & Relationships | The HLS Episode S2E32

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/9/4/18/19adf361-0f52-4fe4-894c-c20f5f665358_s2e31_-_fake_friends_and_enabling.mp3

Is being nice the same thing as being fake? And when does supporting your friends turn into enabling their bullshit?This week, Dino Egg joins the HLS Podcast to talk about fake friends, toxic friendships, loyalty, and why some people continue hanging out with people they openly admit they don&#39;t even like.Dino brings the crew a real-life situation involving EJ, Salad, and TI, a college friend group where everybody seems to know somebody is problematic, everybody talks about it, but somehow the friendship keeps going anyway. That raises a bigger question: if you&#39;re constantly talking shit about somebody behind their back but voluntarily inviting them to dinner, taking trips together, and calling them when you&#39;re bored...why are y&#39;all still friends? The crew gets into the difference between being cordial and being fake, whether popularity and social status keep toxic friendships alive, knowing when to cut somebody off, and whether understanding why somebody behaves badly means you have to excuse their behavior.They also debate whether a real friend should call you on your bullshit, why sometimes adulthood means learning how to peacefully coexist with people you don&#39;t like, and the unfortunate reality that today&#39;s college asshole might become tomorrow&#39;s coworker...or your boss. Plus: the Rebel Rundown, the Large Hadron Collider turning lead into gold, chewing ice, Overwatch&#39;s increasingly complicated Beef Chart, Tupac&#39;s scorched-earth approach to conflict resolution, and Dino&#39;s passionate defense of Roblox Animal Hospital.Sometimes keeping the peace is maturity.Sometimes it&#39;s being cordial.And sometimes...you&#39;re just being fake as hell.

Is being nice the same thing as being fake? And when does supporting your friends turn into enabling their bullshit?

This week, Dino Egg joins the HLS Podcast to talk about fake friends, toxic friendships, loyalty, and why some people continue hanging out with people they openly admit they don&#39;t even like.

Dino brings the crew a real-life situation involving EJ, Salad, and TI, a college friend group where everybody seems to know somebody is problematic, everybody talks about it, but somehow the friendship keeps going anyway. That raises a bigger question: if you&#39;re constantly talking shit about somebody behind their back but voluntarily inviting them to dinner, taking trips together, and calling them when you&#39;re bored...why are y&#39;all still friends? 

The crew gets into the difference between being cordial and being fake, whether popularity and social status keep toxic friendships alive, knowing when to cut somebody off, and whether understanding why somebody behaves badly means you have to excuse their behavior.

They also debate whether a real friend should call you on your bullshit, why sometimes adulthood means learning how to peacefully coexist with people you don&#39;t like, and the unfortunate reality that today&#39;s college asshole might become tomorrow&#39;s coworker...or your boss. 

Plus: the Rebel Rundown, the Large Hadron Collider turning lead into gold, chewing ice, Overwatch&#39;s increasingly complicated Beef Chart, Tupac&#39;s scorched-earth approach to conflict resolution, and Dino&#39;s passionate defense of Roblox Animal Hospital.

Sometimes keeping the peace is maturity.

Sometimes it&#39;s being cordial.

And sometimes...

you&#39;re just being fake as hell.

Are You Being a Good Friend or Just Enabling Bad Behavior? | The HLS Podcast S2E31

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/20/16/8aeac27e-b0cf-4b05-a72b-dc73d4e5ef12_s2e30_-_strong_female_characters_dont_exists.mp3

What actually makes a female character well-written?Longtime HLS listener Ms Info joins Scrota, Rebel, and Electrik for a conversation about women in television and movies, realistic character development, relatability, and why audiences can have completely different reactions to the same character.The crew discusses characters including Claire Huxtable, Aunt Viv, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Daenerys Targaryen, Skyler White, and Jack Stewart, asking whether audiences need to personally relate to a character to appreciate them—and why deeply flawed women sometimes receive very different reactions from viewers than flawed male characters. But before any of that happens, Electrik discovers people threatening to uninstall ChatGPT just to see how their AI reacts, which turns into a completely different conversation about how differently people interact with AI. The crew compares ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok, including Ms Info&#39;s description of ChatGPT as the girlfriend who&#39;ll hype you up while Claude is the friend explaining exactly why your terrible idea is going to get you arrested. It&#39;s AI, television, representation, character writing, and the usual amount of HLS nonsense.

What actually makes a female character well-written?

Longtime HLS listener Ms Info joins Scrota, Rebel, and Electrik for a conversation about women in television and movies, realistic character development, relatability, and why audiences can have completely different reactions to the same character.

The crew discusses characters including Claire Huxtable, Aunt Viv, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Daenerys Targaryen, Skyler White, and Jack Stewart, asking whether audiences need to personally relate to a character to appreciate them—and why deeply flawed women sometimes receive very different reactions from viewers than flawed male characters. 

But before any of that happens, Electrik discovers people threatening to uninstall ChatGPT just to see how their AI reacts, which turns into a completely different conversation about how differently people interact with AI. The crew compares ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok, including Ms Info&#39;s description of ChatGPT as the girlfriend who&#39;ll hype you up while Claude is the friend explaining exactly why your terrible idea is going to get you arrested. 

It&#39;s AI, television, representation, character writing, and the usual amount of HLS nonsense.

The Best and Worst Written Women on Television | The HLS Podcast S2E30

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/20/15/e4661fc9-1851-4bbe-b2b6-20263351d9ac_s2e29_-luxury_creep.mp3

What happens when you&#39;re making good money but still feel like you got nothing?This week, Electrik brings longtime friend Geo onto The HLS Podcast for a candid conversation about money, failure, entrepreneurship, debt, mental health, and what it actually means to build wealth.Geo talks about building a limousine business, watching Uber disrupt his industry, making money while piling up debt, expensive cars and vacations, destroying his credit, and eventually realizing that trying to look successful was keeping him from actually becoming successful.One moment changed everything: despite money still coming in, Geo realized he couldn&#39;t come up with $20 when his pregnant partner needed it. Not long afterward, years of financial pressure and keeping everything bottled up culminated in him pulling over in the Bronx and breaking down crying on a stoop.That experience eventually led him to cut his expenses, sell the Mercedes, rebuild his finances, enter real estate—and later confront another problem he&#39;d been ignoring: his mental health.The crew gets into lifestyle creep, debt, credit, entrepreneurship, therapy, anxiety, men&#39;s mental health, medication, physical health, and why having more stuff isn&#39;t necessarily the same as having a better life.Sometimes building wealth isn&#39;t about making more.It&#39;s about realizing what you&#39;re making money for.

What happens when you&#39;re making good money but still can&#39;t afford $20?

This week, Electrik brings longtime friend Geo onto The HLS Podcast for a candid conversation about money, failure, entrepreneurship, debt, mental health, and what it actually means to build wealth.

Geo talks about building a limousine business, watching Uber disrupt his industry, making money while piling up debt, expensive cars and vacations, destroying his credit, and eventually realizing that trying to look successful was keeping him from actually becoming successful.

One moment changed everything: despite money still coming in, Geo realized he couldn&#39;t come up with $20 when his pregnant partner needed it. Not long afterward, years of financial pressure and keeping everything bottled up culminated in him pulling over in the Bronx and breaking down crying on a stoop. 

That experience eventually led him to cut his expenses, sell the Mercedes, rebuild his finances, enter real estate—and later confront another problem he&#39;d been ignoring: his mental health.

The crew gets into lifestyle creep, debt, credit, entrepreneurship, therapy, anxiety, men&#39;s mental health, medication, physical health, and why having more stuff isn&#39;t necessarily the same as having a better life.

Sometimes building wealth isn&#39;t about making more.

It&#39;s about realizing what you&#39;re making money for.

The Ups and Downs of Chasing Money, Success, and Luxury | The HLS Podcast S2E29

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/14/22/87c81fd4-fd8c-4ce1-996f-784b474ecae8_s2e28_-_why_do_we_love_reaction_videos.mp3

Why do millions of people enjoy watching someone else watch something?This week on The HLS Podcast, Rebel shows up with a list of discussion topics. The crew makes it through approximately three of them.What starts as a conversation about reaction videos turns into a debate about fair use, lazy reaction channels, viral content, reality TV, and why an unpolished conversation between real people can sometimes be more entertaining than professionally produced media.Then things go completely off the rails.The crew gets into Conor McGregor&#39;s decline, Jon Jones, performance-enhancing drugs, the Enhanced Games, overtraining, fight cardio, personal trainers, Muay Thai, and why you should never underestimate the fat dude at the fight gym.Also: Juliet may or may not be a cheater, Blank Check was WAY weirder than we remembered, Scrota is still mad about a viral video he edited 20 years ago, and Rebel learns once again that bringing a list to HLS is an exercise in futility.Topics include:<ul><li>Why reaction videos are so popular</li><li>Fair use and reaction channels</li><li>Lazy vs transformative content</li><li>Why content goes viral</li><li>Reality TV and unscripted entertainment</li><li>Conor McGregor and Jon Jones</li><li>Performance-enhancing drugs in sports</li><li>The Enhanced Games</li><li>Overtraining and recovery</li><li>Cardio for combat sports</li><li>Muay Thai</li></ul>🎙️ The HLS Podcast — S2E28

Why do millions of people enjoy watching someone else watch something?

This week on The HLS Podcast, Rebel shows up with a list of discussion topics. The crew makes it through approximately three of them.

What starts as a conversation about reaction videos turns into a debate about fair use, lazy reaction channels, viral content, reality TV, and why an unpolished conversation between real people can sometimes be more entertaining than professionally produced media.

Then things go completely off the rails.

The crew gets into Conor McGregor&#39;s decline, Jon Jones, performance-enhancing drugs, the Enhanced Games, overtraining, fight cardio, personal trainers, Muay Thai, and why you should never underestimate the fat dude at the fight gym.

Also: Juliet may or may not be a cheater, Blank Check was WAY weirder than we remembered, Scrota is still mad about a viral video he edited 20 years ago, and Rebel learns once again that bringing a list to HLS is an exercise in futility.

Topics include:

Why reaction videos are so popular
Fair use and reaction channels
Lazy vs transformative content
Why content goes viral
Reality TV and unscripted entertainment
Conor McGregor and Jon Jones
Performance-enhancing drugs in sports
The Enhanced Games
Overtraining and recovery
Cardio for combat sports
Muay Thai

🎙️ The HLS Podcast — S2E28

Why Do We Love Reaction Videos? | Fair Use, Viral Content & Reality TV

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/7/19/b2a46f01-0584-4a37-ab86-de6339862509_27_-_black_billionaires__feat._frank_the_tank_.mp3

an Black billionaires really challenge the system—or does becoming a billionaire mean you&#39;ve already become part of it?This week, Frank joins Scrota, Rebel, and Electrik for a debate about wealth, power, representation, and what it actually means to “buck the system.”The conversation starts with Jay-Z, Bad Bunny, Roc Nation, and the NFL. Was putting Bad Bunny on the Super Bowl halftime stage a meaningful cultural statement, or was it simply good business involving one of the biggest artists in the world? From there, the argument gets much bigger: What would meaningful change from a billionaire actually look like? Is representation enough? Can someone redistribute wealth and power while remaining a billionaire? And are we expecting wealthy Black people to somehow dismantle a system they had to master to reach the top?

an Black billionaires really challenge the system—or does becoming a billionaire mean you&#39;ve already become part of it?

This week, Frank joins Scrota, Rebel, and Electrik for a debate about wealth, power, representation, and what it actually means to “buck the system.”

The conversation starts with Jay-Z, Bad Bunny, Roc Nation, and the NFL. Was putting Bad Bunny on the Super Bowl halftime stage a meaningful cultural statement, or was it simply good business involving one of the biggest artists in the world? From there, the argument gets much bigger: What would meaningful change from a billionaire actually look like? Is representation enough? Can someone redistribute wealth and power while remaining a billionaire? And are we expecting wealthy Black people to somehow dismantle a system they had to master to reach the top?

Black Billionaires Save the World | The HLS Podcast S2E27

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/25/0/cb5d5675-62c8-4780-a3f4-1f1df6ded8de_sp2_-_40_acres_and_a_mic.mp3

It&#39;s time for the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Special.With Scrota, Rebel, and Electrik &#34;too busy celebrating Juneteenth, the World Cup, and the Knicks championship,&#34; honorary hosts Ketty Wap and Brizzy B hijack the HLS studio to review the biggest debates, hottest takes, funniest tangents, and most ridiculous arguments from Season 2.Who actually made the strongest arguments?Who had the biggest cap?Who deserves the prestigious Underground Railroad 40 Acres &amp; A Microphone Heavyweight Belt?This episode revisits some of our biggest conversations including:<ul><li>Dating your friend&#39;s ex</li><li>Men vs women in modern dating</li><li>Free speech vs hate speech</li><li>The FAFO Law</li><li>Government punching centers 🤦🏿‍♂️</li><li>The BS Heat Check</li><li>Lifetime Achievement in Missing the Point</li><li>Trust Me Bro Science</li><li>The season&#39;s funniest self-owns</li><li>The official HLS Debate Champion</li></ul>If you&#39;ve missed Season 2, this is the perfect recap.

It&#39;s time for the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Special.

With Scrota, Rebel, and Electrik &#34;too busy celebrating Juneteenth, the World Cup, and the Knicks championship,&#34; honorary hosts Ketty Wap and Brizzy B hijack the HLS studio to review the biggest debates, hottest takes, funniest tangents, and most ridiculous arguments from Season 2.

Who actually made the strongest arguments?

Who had the biggest cap?

Who deserves the prestigious Underground Railroad 40 Acres &amp; A Microphone Heavyweight Belt?

This episode revisits some of our biggest conversations including:

Dating your friend&#39;s ex
Men vs women in modern dating
Free speech vs hate speech
The FAFO Law
Government punching centers 🤦🏿‍♂️
The BS Heat Check
Lifetime Achievement in Missing the Point
Trust Me Bro Science
The season&#39;s funniest self-owns
The official HLS Debate Champion
If you&#39;ve missed Season 2, this is the perfect recap.

Juneteenth Special II: 40 Acres and a Mic

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/25/0/fd17853f-b836-41c1-acf5-1b713f217495_s2e26_-_who_owns_the_internet.mp3

Who actually owns the internet?Is it governments?Big Tech?Internet providers?Or is it the algorithms deciding what you see every day?This week on The HLS Podcast, the crew dives into one of their deepest technology discussions yet, covering internet infrastructure, AI anxiety, social media addiction, online privacy, VPNs, cloud computing, censorship, influencers, and who really controls the digital world.In this episode we discuss:<ul><li>• Who actually owns the internet</li><li> • AWS, Azure and Google&#39;s control of cloud computing</li><li> • Government censorship vs Big Tech censorship</li><li> • Why Electrik deleted all social media</li><li> • AI anxiety and information overload</li><li> • Are VPNs actually private?</li></ul>It&#39;s one of the most philosophical technology episodes the HLS crew has recorded.

Who actually owns the internet?

Is it governments?

Big Tech?

Internet providers?

Or is it the algorithms deciding what you see every day?

This week on The HLS Podcast, the crew dives into one of their deepest technology discussions yet, covering internet infrastructure, AI anxiety, social media addiction, online privacy, VPNs, cloud computing, censorship, influencers, and who really controls the digital world.

In this episode we discuss:

• Who actually owns the internet
 • AWS, Azure and Google&#39;s control of cloud computing
 • Government censorship vs Big Tech censorship
 • Why Electrik deleted all social media
 • AI anxiety and information overload
 • Are VPNs actually private?
It&#39;s one of the most philosophical technology episodes the HLS crew has recorded.

Who Really Controls the Internet? | HLS Podcast S2E26

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/17/22/511d337e-002b-49e5-ae5e-983e47f4d7a3_2e25_-_the_real_reasons_womens_sports_struggle.mp3

Why aren&#39;t women&#39;s sports as popular as men&#39;s?Is it the level of competition... or is something else going on?This week on The HLS Podcast, what starts as a conversation about UFC quickly evolves into a surprisingly deep debate about youth sports, competitiveness, gender expectations, marketing, and why women&#39;s athletics still struggle to attract the same audiences as men&#39;s sports.In this episode we discuss:<ul><li>Why people think women&#39;s sports are &#34;boring&#34;</li><li>Women&#39;s UFC vs. men&#39;s UFC</li><li>WNBA vs. NBA</li><li>Women&#39;s soccer, tennis, track and softball</li><li>Marketing vs. athletic ability</li><li>Why girls and boys are socialized differently in sports</li><li>Can competitiveness be taught?</li><li>Youth athletics and parenting</li><li>The Knicks championship</li><li>UFC at the White House</li><li>A completely unnecessary debate about Overwatch robots</li></ul>Do women&#39;s sports deserve more attention?Or are audiences simply watching what they&#39;ve always been told to watch?Let us know what you think in the comments.

Why aren&#39;t women&#39;s sports as popular as men&#39;s?

Is it the level of competition... or is something else going on?

This week on The HLS Podcast, what starts as a conversation about UFC quickly evolves into a surprisingly deep debate about youth sports, competitiveness, gender expectations, marketing, and why women&#39;s athletics still struggle to attract the same audiences as men&#39;s sports.

In this episode we discuss:

Why people think women&#39;s sports are &#34;boring&#34;
Women&#39;s UFC vs. men&#39;s UFC
WNBA vs. NBA
Women&#39;s soccer, tennis, track and softball
Marketing vs. athletic ability
Why girls and boys are socialized differently in sports
Can competitiveness be taught?
Youth athletics and parenting
The Knicks championship
UFC at the White House
A completely unnecessary debate about Overwatch robots
Do women&#39;s sports deserve more attention?

Or are audiences simply watching what they&#39;ve always been told to watch?

Let us know what you think in the comments.

The Real Reason Women's Sports Struggle: Men vs. Women's Athletics | HLS Podcast S2E25

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/9/16/5a13ef8a-c43d-4648-99ea-c0c8ea5e925a_s2e24_-_fifa_fafo_pot_pourri.mp3

With Scrota out sick, Electrik and Rebel take over for a classic HLS potpourri episode.The conversation begins with the FIFA World Cup bringing international visitors to America and quickly turns into a discussion about why American food, barbecue, ranch dressing, and oversized portions leave such an impression on first-time visitors.From there, the hosts discuss improving gut health, eliminating dairy and gluten, and how diet affects energy levels before shifting gears into investing, GameStop, SpaceX, SanDisk&#39;s incredible stock run, and Elon Musk briefly becoming the world&#39;s first trillionaire.The episode closes with a conversation about Meta&#39;s privacy changes, WhatsApp encryption, social media addiction, and why stepping away from social media might be one of the healthiest things you can do.

With Scrota out sick, Electrik and Rebel take over for a classic HLS potpourri episode.

The conversation begins with the FIFA World Cup bringing international visitors to America and quickly turns into a discussion about why American food, barbecue, ranch dressing, and oversized portions leave such an impression on first-time visitors.

From there, the hosts discuss improving gut health, eliminating dairy and gluten, and how diet affects energy levels before shifting gears into investing, GameStop, SpaceX, SanDisk&#39;s incredible stock run, and Elon Musk briefly becoming the world&#39;s first trillionaire.

The episode closes with a conversation about Meta&#39;s privacy changes, WhatsApp encryption, social media addiction, and why stepping away from social media might be one of the healthiest things you can do.

World Cup Culture, Elon Musk, Investing & Social Media Privacy | HLS Podcast S2E24

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/19/22/876038be-fac7-4ed3-8adc-1fb279b46269_s2e23_-_relationshits.mp3

Anonymous Relationship Questions: Cheating, Dating Advice, Workplace Harassment &amp; Secret Affairs﻿The HLS Podcast tackles anonymous relationship questions submitted by listeners and Discord communities.This episode covers:• A boyfriend trying to dress his girlfriend like his ex• A workplace harassment situation that gets way more complicated than expected• A woman realizing she waited too long to find a relationship• A secret affair with a boyfriend&#39;s father• Whether a hidden bisexual past should be disclosed before marriage• Communication, trust, cheating, red flags, and relationship boundariesJoined by special guest ThicMom, the crew brings very different perspectives to some truly wild situations.Who was right? Who was wrong? What would YOU do?Drop your thoughts in the comments.#RelationshipAdvice #DatingAdvice #Cheating #Relationships #Podcast #HLSPodcast #MarriageAdvice #RedFlags #Dating

The HLS Podcast tackles anonymous relationship questions submitted by listeners and Discord communities.

This episode covers:

• A boyfriend trying to dress his girlfriend like his ex
• A workplace harassment situation that gets way more complicated than expected
• A woman realizing she waited too long to find a relationship
• A secret affair with a boyfriend&#39;s father
• Whether a hidden bisexual past should be disclosed before marriage
• Communication, trust, cheating, red flags, and relationship boundaries

Joined by special guest ThicMom, the crew brings very different perspectives to some truly wild situations.

Who was right? Who was wrong? What would YOU do?

Drop your thoughts in the comments.

#RelationshipAdvice #DatingAdvice #Cheating #Relationships #Podcast #HLSPodcast #MarriageAdvice #RedFlags #Dating

Your Relationship Questions: Unhinged | The HLS Podcast S2E23

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/12/17/76c7b8f4-304e-4875-9e4d-e68cb8a52a57_s2e22_-_potpouri.mp3

The crew kicks things off discussing sleep apnea and CPAP machines before quickly derailing into a horrifying conversation about flight attendants allegedly washing underwear in hotel coffee makers.From there, Rebel introduces a new &#34;Facts&#34; segment featuring bizarre phobias, strange scientific discoveries, and random trivia that somehow spirals into discussions about anal tanning, cults, cyanide, antifreeze murders, Walmart&#39;s digital pricing plans, meteor explosions, fear of flying, and whether crows hold lifelong grudges.The result is one of the most random episodes in HLS history.Which means it&#39;s probably one of the funniest.

The crew kicks things off discussing sleep apnea and CPAP machines before quickly derailing into a horrifying conversation about flight attendants allegedly washing underwear in hotel coffee makers.

From there, Rebel introduces a new &#34;Facts&#34; segment featuring bizarre phobias, strange scientific discoveries, and random trivia that somehow spirals into discussions about anal tanning, cults, cyanide, antifreeze murders, Walmart&#39;s digital pricing plans, meteor explosions, fear of flying, and whether crows hold lifelong grudges.

The result is one of the most random episodes in HLS history.

Which means it&#39;s probably one of the funniest.

Weird Phobias, Meteor Explosions, Flying Fears & Random Facts | The HLS Podcast S2E22

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/5/21/14fef9ba-9634-4be3-af35-a113feed153d_s2e21_-_just_do_it.mp3

The crew tackles one of the internet&#39;s favorite questions:<blockquote>&#34;Why don&#39;t people just eat less?&#34;</blockquote>What begins as a discussion about weight-loss medication turns into a deeper exploration of discipline, motivation, depression, accountability, and the invisible barriers people face when trying to improve their lives.Scrota shares a vulnerable story about losing his sense of identity after moving from California to Texas and how that affected his mental health. Rebel argues for &#34;weaponized laziness&#34; and using inertia to your advantage. Electrik shows up late and immediately defaults to &#34;just do it.&#34;Together they wrestle with a complicated truth:Sometimes people know exactly what they need to do.Doing it is the hard part.

The crew tackles one of the internet&#39;s favorite questions:

&#34;Why don&#39;t people just eat less?&#34;
What begins as a discussion about weight-loss medication turns into a deeper exploration of discipline, motivation, depression, accountability, and the invisible barriers people face when trying to improve their lives.

Scrota shares a vulnerable story about losing his sense of identity after moving from California to Texas and how that affected his mental health. Rebel argues for &#34;weaponized laziness&#34; and using inertia to your advantage. Electrik shows up late and immediately defaults to &#34;just do it.&#34;

Together they wrestle with a complicated truth:

Sometimes people know exactly what they need to do.

Doing it is the hard part.

Motivation and Willpower vs Reality: Weight Loss, ADHD & Mental Health | HLS Podcast S2E21

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/28/17/f71e5fdb-8dea-49e2-a6a7-a22cd7cf43e6_s2e20_-_dont_drink_the_kool-aid.mp3

In this episode of The HLS Podcast, the crew dives into one of the biggest modern culture debates: Can you separate art from the artist? We break down celebrity worship, cancel culture, morality, and why people continue supporting famous public figures after serious allegations or criminal behavior. Topics include: <ul><li>R. Kelly and separating music from morality</li><li>Michael Jackson allegations and public perception</li><li>Chris Brown, Rihanna, and redemption</li><li>Bill Cosby and cultural legacy</li><li>Kanye West and fan loyalty</li><li>Jonathan Majors controversy</li><li>Ryan Reynolds &amp; Blake Lively backlash</li><li>Toxicity vs talent</li><li>Cancel culture and moral consistency</li><li>The “cult of personality”</li><li>COVID misinformation and accountability</li><li>Steam/Valve controversy and corporate hypocrisy</li></ul> The crew debates whether talent should excuse bad behavior, how much evidence people need before turning on public figures, and why fans struggle to let go of celebrities they admire.This episode gets funny, uncomfortable, philosophical, and brutally honest.🎧 Tap in and ask yourself:Where do YOU draw the line?

In this episode of The HLS Podcast, the crew dives into one of the biggest modern culture debates:

Can you separate art from the artist?

We break down celebrity worship, cancel culture, morality, and why people continue supporting famous public figures after serious allegations or criminal behavior.

Topics include:

R. Kelly and separating music from morality
Michael Jackson allegations and public perception
Chris Brown, Rihanna, and redemption
Bill Cosby and cultural legacy
Kanye West and fan loyalty
Jonathan Majors controversy
Ryan Reynolds &amp; Blake Lively backlash
Toxicity vs talent
Cancel culture and moral consistency
The “cult of personality”
COVID misinformation and accountability
Steam/Valve controversy and corporate hypocrisy


The crew debates whether talent should excuse bad behavior, how much evidence people need before turning on public figures, and why fans struggle to let go of celebrities they admire.

This episode gets funny, uncomfortable, philosophical, and brutally honest.

🎧 Tap in and ask yourself:

 Where do YOU draw the line?

Celebrity Worship, Cancel Culture & Moral Double Standards

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/14/15/9e672b27-e3f0-4f05-a942-97653f0ec966_s2e19_-_the_colbert_questionaire.mp3

In this episode of The HLS Podcast, the crew takes on the legendary Colbert Questionnaire… and things immediately spiral into chaos.We somehow go from:<ul><li>the best sandwich ever made</li><li>old rappers still dropping music</li><li>why skunks are biological war crimes</li><li>favorite smells</li><li>terrifying animals</li><li>Japanese culture</li><li>action movies</li><li>celebrity encounters</li><li>what happens after death</li><li>and why moose are apparently demons</li></ul>…all in one episode 😭The conversation gets surprisingly deep as the crew talks about:<ul><li>morality</li><li>legacy</li><li>the afterlife</li><li>whether life is some kind of cosmic simulation</li><li>and how people will remember you after you’re gone</li></ul>Meanwhile:<ul><li>Scrota passionately defends the Reuben sandwich</li><li>Electrik tells an incredible story about meeting Michael Rooker with his son</li><li>Rebel explains his theory of the afterlife like it’s cosmic Google</li><li>everybody gets hungry halfway through the episode</li><li>and somehow the number 47 becomes destiny</li></ul>One of the funniest and weirdly most personal HLS episodes yet.

In this episode of The HLS Podcast, the crew takes on the legendary Colbert Questionnaire… and things immediately spiral into chaos.

We somehow go from:

the best sandwich ever made
old rappers still dropping music
why skunks are biological war crimes
favorite smells
terrifying animals
Japanese culture
action movies
celebrity encounters
what happens after death
and why moose are apparently demons

…all in one episode 😭

The conversation gets surprisingly deep as the crew talks about:

morality
legacy
the afterlife
whether life is some kind of cosmic simulation
and how people will remember you after you’re gone

Meanwhile:

Scrota passionately defends the Reuben sandwich
Electrik tells an incredible story about meeting Michael Rooker with his son
Rebel explains his theory of the afterlife like it’s cosmic Google
everybody gets hungry halfway through the episode
and somehow the number 47 becomes destiny

One of the funniest and weirdly most personal HLS episodes yet.

The Colbert Questionnaire: Life, Death, Favorite Foods & Deep Questions

We Got Your Podcast Right Here...

Join Electrik, Scrota, and Rebel on The Habitual Line Steppers Podcast as they dive into a variety of topics, keeping things entertaining and lighthearted. After years of planning, the trio is finally taking the plunge and giving their podcast a shot. Tune in for a mix of humor, banter, and insightful conversations you won't want to miss!