Social Media & The Internet
344 episodes · 2018–2021 · 166 debates · 187 pieces of advice · 263 stories · 349 quotes
The Daily Talk Show — Australia’s daily podcast, hosted by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen — discussed social media & the internet across 344 of its 1,022 daily episodes between 2018 and 2021. This page collects what was actually said: 349 verbatim quotes, 187 pieces of advice, 263 stories told on air, 166 on-air debates, each linked to the exact moment in the episode and on YouTube.
Where they stand
Moments where the table disagreed, straight from the transcripts.
Argues the justice system is inconsistent, noting an ice importer who could cause many deaths might get 8 years while an intentional murderer or stabber sometimes gets less time than expected.
Notes the difficulty of conviction in he-said/she-said sexual assault cases and the risk of trivializing survivors when technicalities lead to acquittals despite strong public belief in guilt.
Finds value in it, saying it puts your own financial situation into perspective and that's why the content is compelling even if people watch partly to feel better about themselves.
Says the finance content itself isn't fun for him, but he enjoys the format and presentation style, like imagining himself hosting calls from a cockpit-like desk.
Is moving toward buying, actively house hunting, going through pre-approval, and starting to think about long-term details like courtyards and clotheslines.
Values flexibility and dislikes the competitive, drawn-out process of house hunting; has historically taken the first rental he finds and fantasizes more about a remote off-grid lifestyle than settling down in one house.
Says he's drawn more to the fun and process of work like Dude Perfect's, not the money itself, though he acknowledges money enables that fun.
Argues that chasing money/fame as the primary goal is often a distraction or 'hiding' from the real work, and that Josh has evolved away from a rich-and-famous mindset he had a few years ago.
usefulness of formal business plans
Ep 10007:25States The Daily Talk Show never had a business plan and believes it wouldn't have suited their way of testing and learning as they went.
Made a short business plan early on but found that actually following through was the harder and more valuable part, suggesting plans are a starting point rather than a fixed roadmap.
Reels content is generally 'the dumbest content on earth' and lowest common denominator, though skilled reel editors could redirect their effort into professional software like Premiere Pro to build something more substantial.
Reels has 'the vibe of regression' and is lowest common denominator content.
Admits to a long cycle of quitting and rejoining social media, framing repeated attempts as a necessary process rather than failure, and is actively trying to disengage by deleting apps and journaling privately.
Pushes back by questioning whether watching hours of videos about quitting social media without taking action is itself unproductive, and whether there's a deeper underlying issue being avoided.
Believes negative comments often stem from the commenter's own triggered experiences and that you need to learn to detach from absorbing others' negative energy rather than taking it personally.
Frames it around the risk of being misunderstood and suggests it's worth examining your relationship with being misunderstood rather than needing everyone to grasp your full context.
Finds the content compelling and likes seeing people who 'really needed it' get blown away by surprise cash gifts, viewing it as putting a prank format to good use despite some lingering unease about the format.
Dislikes the 'positive prank' format more than classic pranks because it involves invading strangers' personal space without consent (e.g., approaching with scissors or grabbing earbuds) under the guise of a surprise reward.
Cites other YouTubers' claim that thumbnails are so important you shouldn't make a video without knowing the thumbnail first.
Matt D'Avella
Disagrees, arguing the title is more important than the thumbnail because it represents the core idea/elevator pitch of the video.
Feels increasingly drawn to disconnecting from social media or even making the podcast a private, non-social feed, citing a successful day of avoiding it over the weekend.
More ambivalent, acknowledging the reward/dopamine of posting content but questioning what quitting would practically achieve and noting he's never fully committed to it before.
Views it as a demonstration of Facebook's unchecked corporate power ('they literally can just make their decisions'), acknowledges real harm to friends' businesses like Trevor Long's EFTM, but is skeptical that public outrage changes anything.
Doubts the ban is a long-term strategy and sees it as Facebook 'flexing the muscle' before likely reversing course; also questions how effective journalists' coverage of the issue has been, suggesting some don't fully understand it.
Advice from the show
all 187pieces →What was actually said, attributed and linked to the moment.
Is it worth switching from NBN/fixed broadband to 5G home internet?
Switching from a $330/month fixed broadband plan (Lightning Broadband) to a $90/month unlimited 5G plan with Optus can massively cut costs while still delivering solid speeds (around 229 Mbps down, 45 Mbps up), plus it can bundle in a Fetch TV box.
What should you check before buying a house if you work from home or care about connectivity?
Check internet connectivity in the area before putting in an offer, and consider solutions like a mesh network or point-to-point broadband for better coverage.
Is a formal business plan necessary when starting a business?
Crystal and the hosts agree that while a business plan can provide some initial direction, it's the ongoing process of testing and learning in practice that matters most, and a rigid plan may not reflect the unpredictable early stages of a new venture.
Is it safe to buy an apartment off the plan?
Off-the-plan buyers can get a discount and perks (like a free coffee table book or gym membership), but there's real risk: if the development goes under, buyers can lose their entire deposit.
What skills matter most as technical/creative tools become easier to learn?
Don't just chase hard skills (like mastering editing software); develop soft skills such as communication, networking, and the ability to lead a team, since these are increasingly rare even among technically skilled young people.
How should you negotiate price when buying something secondhand (e.g. on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree)?
Offer a lower starting price than asking and expect the seller to counter slightly above it (e.g. if asking is $800, offer $650-700 and expect them to counter at $700-750); also always count the cash when a deal is made in person.
How should you handle online criticism or backlash?
Josh shares Derek Sivers' insight that when people criticize you online, they're reacting to a performed, 'paper cutout' version of you rather than your real self, which can help detach personal identity from public criticism.
How do you know if you've really figured out a habit change (like quitting smoking or social media)?
Josh argues that repeated failed attempts (e.g., quitting smoking 20 times before it sticks) are part of the necessary process toward eventual success, rather than evidence that the whole approach doesn't work.
How can you reframe negative events like layoffs or setbacks without being dishonest?
You can acknowledge a hard or negative event while also choosing to frame it in a way that serves your goals and future (e.g., seeing a redundancy as an opportunity for the other person), without denying the underlying truth of the difficulty.
How should a content creator deal with negative comments and feedback?
Look at feedback only in the first day or two when it's mostly from loyal, encouraging viewers, and avoid weighing negative comments equally against positive ones, while still using feedback to avoid making bad content.
How can a creator avoid burning out from checking their own content metrics?
Set a personal boundary by removing yourself from the upload/metrics process entirely — Matt has his brother upload his videos so he doesn't see view counts or analytics.
Should a creator worry about responding to every social media comment?
Tommy suggests reframing what success on social media means rather than chasing comment-response optics, and questions whether token emoji replies to comments are meaningful engagement at all.
What's a better response to disliking a company's practices than complaining online?
Rather than being an activist or whinging about a business you disagree with, take direct action by moving your money elsewhere — cancel the subscription or stop using the service.
Will quitting social media solve my feelings of addiction or inadequacy?
Quitting the platform alone won't fix underlying issues — you need to reconcile the internal need (ego, validation, fear of missing out) that the platform is being used to fill, otherwise the same patterns will show up elsewhere.
How do you successfully cut back on social media use?
Getting off social media only works long-term if you replace it with another good habit; smaller sustainable changes (like only listening to podcasts while walking or exercising, rather than lying down) are more effective than an abrupt full break.
Does locking your luggage actually protect your belongings while travelling?
Standard luggage locks don't really stop theft since a pen can be used to jam and separate the zip teeth; instead, use zip ties, which won't prevent tampering but will clearly show if the bag was opened.
How can you cut back on mindless social media and news checking?
Remove the apps or habitual checks entirely (e.g., stop opening Instagram, avoid clickbait news sites like news.com.au) rather than trying to moderate usage casually.
How do I stop compulsively scrolling social media apps?
Don't keep the tempting app installed at all, because moderating it in the moment rarely works — similar to not keeping junk food in the house, removing the option entirely is easier than constant willpower.
How should talent/influencers approach branded content deals?
Matty advises that branded content needs to give viewers something in return—either real informative value or genuine entertainment—since audiences have become savvy and turned off by purely promotional posts.
How can independent podcasters/creators protect themselves from over-reliance on big platforms like Spotify?
Diversify distribution rather than relying on one proprietary platform; consider building a direct-to-audience/listener support model so the show isn't entirely dependent on platform algorithms or ad-based monetization.
How can consumers avoid being overly controlled by algorithmic content recommendations?
Consciously avoid clicking on suggested/discovery content and be aware that even search results are algorithmically curated (e.g., searching an artist on Spotify surfaces Spotify Originals), so deliberately seek diversified sources rather than defaulting to the easiest algorithmic option.
How can I see how much money political campaigns or brands are spending on Facebook ads?
Visit facebook.com/ads/library and search for a page name (e.g., a politician or brand) to see ad spend, issues targeted, and the actual ad content being run in different regions.
How do you decide whether to engage in a time-consuming argument or distraction?
Ask each day what the best use of your time and energy is based on your values and goals — this creates clarity and helps you avoid wasting hours on unproductive arguments or distractions.
Is it worth auditing my subscriptions when payments fail?
Tommy suggests treating failed subscription payments as a natural prompt to audit whether you still need each service, as he did when deciding whether to keep YouTube Premium.
Stories told on air
While Tommy and Josh are in the middle of discussing the serious news of the show ending, Jess sends a message about a viral McDonald's hack combining a thick shake and espresso shot, prompting a bit about 'reading the room,' which resurfaces at the end of the episode.
told by Tommy Jackett and Jess Lucas
The show received a complaint email accusing GM Jess Lucas of claiming credit for someone else's screenplay. Josh and Tommy work out the complainant actually confused her with an unrelated, more famous actress also named Jessica Lucas.
told by Josh and Tommy
Tommy recounts setting up the Kids YouTube app on Apple TV for his son Bodhi and blasting the volume because he assumed loud content would impress him; Josh adds that Bodhi cranks the volume to 21 each morning. This leads into Josh's enthusiastic discovery of the YouTube group Dude Perfect through Bodhi's viewing.
told by Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen
The Real Story Behind 'Bad Pork Roll'
Ep 100012:49While trying to find why an old episode was called 'Bad Pork Roll,' Josh reveals he and Tommy recorded it after Tommy's Bali trip fell through and Tommy was visibly upset, though the two now aren't sure if the title really referred to food poisoning or just mood.
told by Josh Janssen and Tommy Jackett
Josh describes seeing a man at Bulling Plaza with a cardboard cutout and a QR code claiming the pandemic is smaller than reported; he scanned the code and joined the associated Telegram group, run by an economist who quit his government job over pandemic policy.
told by Josh Janssen
Josh describes going from deciding to buy golf clubs to actually purchasing a secondhand set from a stranger in Glen Waverley within 12 hours, including an awkward cash handover and a weak negotiation that only knocked $20 off the asking price.
told by Josh Janssen
Josh describes searching the Internet Archive for his old websites, leading Tommy to read aloud an embarrassing 2008 blog post by Josh about chocolate addiction and gym motivation, plus a 2009 post about why people need their own blog instead of relying on Facebook.
told by Josh Janssen and Tommy Jackett
Josh describes a YouTube video about a man who bought an entire California mining ghost town, where the underground water pump had been broken for about 14 years before recently being repaired.
told by Josh Janssen
Jess sent Tommy an automated-looking LinkedIn anniversary graphic at night, which Tommy initially assumed meant her account had been hacked; they then recount how they met professionally exactly a year earlier.
told by Jess Lucas and Tommy Jackett
A viewer named Margot left a comment accusing the hosts of only presenting their own self-serving version of events when discussing the difficult decision to let go of producer Mr. 97, prompting a detailed response and reflection on storytelling and subjectivity.
told by Tommy Jackett
Matt describes making a video literally titled 'I Have Anxiety' after experiencing a severe anxiety episode where he thought he was being poisoned by carbon monoxide, which he attributes almost entirely to self-imposed YouTube pressure.
told by Matt D'Avella
Tommy recounts having worked for news.com.au, Pedestrian TV, 7-Eleven and radio station Facebook pages, building up large followings that were wiped out overnight by the news ban.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy describes physically separating Josh's messy pile of newly bought books into ones Josh wants to keep and ones to discard, framing it as an act of care rather than obligation.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy explains that his old 'Tommy Jacket TV' Snapchat/YouTube videos were an exercise in telling linear stories without editing, like a stitched-together short film, and that none went viral but the practice built a storytelling skill he still uses.
told by Tommy Jackett
Tommy describes making and editing daily travel vlogs through Paris, Tel Aviv, Mykonos, Santorini and Sorrento during his honeymoon, while Amy was unwell, and how rewatching them years later gives a rosier memory than how the trip actually felt.
told by Tommy Jackett
Josh bought an expensive mechanical keyboard as a birthday gift for his home office during remote work, loved the sound and feel, but once back in a shared office the noise became a workplace nuisance and he was banned from using it.
told by Josh Janssen
Jess recounts her amateur boxing fight, including knocking out an opponent's false eyelashes, fighting without headgear, and deciding to go through with the match because she believed she could win against her specific opponent.
told by Jess Lucas
Tommy shows off a homemade vanilla protein mousse he's eating as a healthier Fat Friday treat after weeks of disciplined dieting and outdoor workouts, while Josh reacts with disgust at its appearance.
told by Tommy Jackett
In their words
“People have committed murder intentionally and got less years.”
“It makes the phone look stupid. Like it makes you feel like it's a smartphone, but it's actually a dumb phone.”
“It just seems counter, sort of some sort of Human Centipede situation where I'm just like buying them and then selling, like giving them back.”
“You know TJ's getting dirty when he starts mentioning your hex debt.”
“I just need an outdoor area, as Josh said— George said.”
“I mean, I wouldn't mind to have the, uh, 12.79 billion views and the money that got and the fun that they're having.”
“I said yesterday that if George is anxious about an edit, it's going to be a fucking good edit.”
“It's the dumbest content on earth.”
“Mainstream meaning popular? Yeah. The Trumps. The Trump family.”
“This is why I hate Facebook Marketplace though. Why does everyone need to negotiate?”
“what people are talking about and to a paper cutout version of me, it's not me.”
“If you say you hate water, take a look at yourself in the mirror. It's thanks to water.”
“I literally thought you got hacked.”
“Even your own truth isn't truth. Even your own truth is a version, or there's a high likelihood that it will mould over your lifetime.”
“if you're gonna swing your dick, you gotta joke joke about it.”
“If you don't pay for the product, you are the product.”
“The only thing you can control is what you do. If you don't like a business, you could— there's no point whinging about it. There's no point like being an activist, like just show with your money.”
“If I was Facebook, I would do the same thing.”