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This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

#624 - Sketch

Published November 13, 2025
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About This Episode

Theo Von talks with streamer and content creator Sketch about the realities of live streaming, his recent experiences touring college football stadiums, and the mental and physical toll the lifestyle can take. They discuss relationships, shame, therapy, and faith, including how Sketch handled a highly publicized leaked video and how it changed his dating life. The conversation also covers college and pro football culture, future creative ambitions like reality TV and treasure-hunt style content, and various comedic riffs about health, doctors, sexuality, and identity.

Topics Covered

Content creation Live streaming Mental health Relationships Romantic relationships Therapy Religion and spirituality College football Reality television Online fame

Disclaimer: We provide independent summaries of podcasts and are not affiliated with or endorsed in any way by any podcast or creator. All podcast names and content are the property of their respective owners. The views and opinions expressed within the podcasts belong solely to the original hosts and guests and do not reflect the views or positions of Summapod.

Quick Takeaways

  • Sketch has been building his streaming career around a college football tailgate tour, streaming from fields and enjoying the sport while turning it into his job.
  • He finds streaming mentally taxing because of the constant instant gratification loop from viewer numbers and attention.
  • Sketch lives with his girlfriend now and says the relationship surprised him because he had previously assumed he would be solo for life.
  • Theo feels some burnout from touring and is intentionally spending more time at home, wrestling with how much of his self-worth he ties to romantic relationships.
  • Sketch describes how a viral leaked video (which he calls "D-Day") initially rocked his life but ultimately made dating easier because he no longer felt he had to hide anything.
  • Both discuss shame and nervousness as largely useless emotions that mainly hurt the person feeling them rather than changing outcomes.
  • Theo credits therapy and ayahuasca with helping reduce deep-seated childhood shame and improve his self-worth.
  • They talk about the shifting culture of college and NFL football, including NIL money, quarterback development, and how fan bases and cities like Houston have changed.
  • Sketch enjoyed doing a Netflix-style reality show game where contestants lived in a prison-like environment competing for a million dollars, which reinforced his interest in more reality TV and hosting work.
  • They brainstorm show ideas like pitting influencers against blue-collar workers and doing geocaching-based treasure-hunt streams.

Podcast Notes

Introduction and catching up with Sketch

Theo introduces Sketch and sets the tone

Theo describes Sketch as a streamer, content creator, previous guest, and "America's little brother"[1:01]
Theo notes a lot has happened since they last hung out[1:25]

Sketch's college football streaming tour

Sketch has been doing a college tour: going to tailgates and streaming from the field[1:39]
• He says he just likes watching college football and is trying to make that his job
He compares what he wants to do to Pat McAfee "just doing whatever" on ESPN but as his own job[1:55]
Sketch admits he's in the middle of trying to figure out what's going on with his life and career[2:23]

Streaming as a career and its downsides

Getting into streaming

Theo recalls that last time they talked Sketch was considering getting into streaming and figuring out what it would be like[2:11]
Sketch says streaming has been a good experience overall and calls it a fun job where he hangs out with his friends and streams it[2:25]

Instant gratification and mental impact

Sketch says streaming can be mentally deteriorating because it gives so much instant gratification[2:29]
• He specifically mentions constantly seeing viewer numbers as a source of instant gratification
Outside of that downside, he reiterates that it's a fun job[2:45]

Physical quirks of streaming and hygiene humor

Body effects of long streams

Theo asks what tough things streamers deal with physically, like back pain or smell[3:07]
Sketch jokes that outdoor streaming leads to smelling bad, including "pit smell" and bad breath from talking all the time[3:25]
• He says he keeps his arms close because "the tighter I am the more I smell" and worries about how he smells when people come up

Irreversible reputation for bad breath

Sketch says you can't refute smelling bad on the internet[3:36]
• He explains that if there is a clip of someone reacting to your breath, people will think you have bad breath for the rest of your life

Theo's stories about bad breath

Theo tells a story about a friend with disgusting breath who liked having bad breath and would intentionally breathe on people[3:59]
• He nicknames him a "little duty sniper" who would blast people with his breath
Theo says the friend dated a girl with bad breath and they seemed to like it[4:30]
He lists positives of terrible breath: no need to brush teeth, people don't bother you, and a partner with the same issue might enjoy it[4:46]
Sketch shares that he once ate wasabi peas before bed without water and gave his girlfriend such bad morning breath that she reacted with visible disgust[5:12]
• He says that was the first time he saw a truly rancid reaction from her and felt it almost gave her "the ick"

Theo's "ham breath" ex-girlfriend story

Theo dated a girl whose breath occasionally smelled like ham[5:55]
• He says sometimes, especially outdoors, he liked it, but in a movie theater catching a hint of ham every few minutes made him nauseous
He notes you can't really tell someone "your breath smells like ham" without sounding crazy[6:30]

Style, jewelry, and hobbies

Fashion observations

Sketch comments on Theo's ankle-revealing pants and jokes he should have an ankle bracelet[6:41]
Theo notes Sketch's "swag" is up with chains[6:49]

Sketch's chain and Houston culture

Sketch says he went to Johnny Dang and bought a $30,000 chain[6:55]
• He frames it as a celebration and says in Houston everyone has jewelry; it's part of the culture

Theo's spending and hobbies

Theo says he doesn't really buy jewelry and mentions paying for two pairs of glasses on a buy-one-get-one deal[8:02]
Theo admits he doesn't collect anything and feels he needs better hobbies[7:15]
Both mention going to many football games as a current hobby[7:25]

Relationships, Lane Kiffin, and dating

Lane Kiffin interactions

Sketch says Lane Kiffin DM'd him after an Ole Miss game saying he should have said what's up[8:44]
Theo says Lane is one of a kind and describes Lane putting Theo and his ex-wife in a group chat to set them up[8:44]
• Theo recalls Lane saying "I'll leave you two alone" and exiting the group chat, leaving Theo and Lane's ex-wife to talk
Theo says he hasn't really pursued it because he doesn't want to jeopardize his friendship with Lane and thinks he and her might be best as friends[9:05]

Theo's search for love

Sketch asks if Theo is dating around and if he uses apps[9:31]
Theo says he is not on dating apps and jokes that 2025 was supposed to be the year he found a wife, but it hasn't happened[9:31]

Sketch's relationship status update

Sketch shares that he now has a girlfriend and they live together[9:38]
Theo recalls the last time he saw Sketch in Florida, Sketch looked dehydrated and was "glitching by the curtains" and Theo wanted him to drink water[10:04]

Health issues, hydration, and distrust of doctors

Kidney problems and lack of water

Sketch admits his kidneys still "suck" and he tends to feel kidney stone-like pain[11:33]
• He says he only has one kidney and every time he pees it feels hot and is dark-colored
Theo stresses Sketch needs to drink water, likening his body to a fish tank with only an inch of water[13:03]
Sketch says he doesn't like going to doctors and wonders if his issues are serious[12:38]

Online medicine and hormones

Theo says these days one online doctor can handle kidney, sexual health, TRT and even breath mints in a "one-stop shop"[12:54]
They discuss how in Mexico you can easily get HGH and even a cream form of it[13:29]
Sketch says he can't take HGH because he only has one kidney and expects to stay "skinny fat" with an awkward build[13:49]

Scoliosis checks and inappropriate doctors

They reminisce about school scoliosis checks and joke about doctors crossing lines[12:00]
Theo recalls a town doctor who would hold kids' penises while they coughed without explanation, which Sketch says is weird because they are supposed to check the nuts[12:38]
• Theo describes other invasive-feeling examinations from childhood and how being told about potential "lumps" made him paranoid

Testicular self-exam discussion

They pull up instructions for testicular self-exams, comparing it to shopping for avocados and jokingly calling it the "Johnny Manziel" motion[13:54]

College football fandom and tailgating

SEC stadiums and jersey allegiance

Theo praises Alabama's stadium atmosphere and calls many college venues great, mentioning Neyland Stadium (Tennessee) as a standout[14:50]
Sketch says he supports the home team everywhere he goes and jokes people call him a "jersey slut"[15:10]
• He notes he went to four schools and has no degrees, so he has no deep allegiance to any single college
They compare the vibe of college football to the NFL and agree that college is more fun and has a better atmosphere[15:41]

Heavy drinking and lack of water at games

Sketch says at tailgates he drinks around 12 beers before getting into the stadium and usually drinks until he gets heartburn[18:32]
He arrived in Nashville at 9 a.m., couldn't check in until 4 p.m., and spent time on Broadway, contributing to his current heartburn[18:43]
Theo again pushes him to drink water, emphasizing he's "down to one bubbler" (one kidney)[18:50]

Birth assumptions, one kidney, and shame about appearance

Doctors' early assumptions

Sketch says that at birth, because he had one kidney and a certain look, a doctor told his parents there was a high chance he had Down syndrome[19:34]
• He connects this experience to his general distrust of doctors, saying that's why he doesn't believe half of what they say
Theo jokes about Sketch having "baby eyes" and "almond eyes" and comments on how such remarks can stick[20:01]

Appendix removal and catheter surprise

Sketch describes having his appendix removed and doctors testing by asking him to jump, which caused extreme pain[20:31]
He says he later learned they had inserted a catheter during the surgery without him realizing until after[2:49]
Theo reacts strongly to the idea of someone looking up his urethra and repeats that Sketch's lack of water is at the root of many issues[20:59]

Viral "hood" clip and safety while streaming

Background of the "wrong hood" clip

Theo references a viral clip of Sketch "standing on business in the hood" and asks about it[22:16]
Sketch explains he was at Russell Westbrook's old high school to buy basketball shoes and a moderator asked him to buy shoes for him as well[23:10]
When he left the store, a man told him he was in the wrong hood; seeing the man was overweight, Sketch decided to push back verbally[23:28]
In the clip, Sketch tells the man he doesn't care and gets into an Uber Black; he says he was honestly scared he might get shot in the back as they drove off[23:15]

Assessing the threat

Sketch now thinks the guy was likely joking because the man also had his phone out filming[23:28]
Theo jokes that the man's very pale skin for a Mexican made him suspicious and riffs on pale Mexicans[23:54]

Streaming fame, being recognized, and disassociation

Being filmed in public

Sketch notes that people recognize him in public more now, like someone approaching him while he was riding his bicycle[28:06]
Theo suggests that because streamers film people in public, it makes sense when others film them back[28:06]

Disassociation from online numbers

Sketch says a negative side effect of streaming is feeling dissociative about views and clips until real-life interactions remind him of the reach[28:46]
He finds it strange but not necessarily bad when people say they saw him in various clips and places[29:39]

Reality TV experience and "The Million Dollar Game"-style show

Netflix-style prison game show

Sketch talks about doing a Netflix reality competition where 12 people are locked in a prison-like setting competing for a million dollars[36:05]
• He explains that "commissary" items are high-priced upgrades to their lifestyle that come out of the prize pot
Participants had no phones for seven days, which Sketch says was cool because it let them lock into conversations[39:05]
He says the game itself made him feel almost schizophrenic: cut off from the world, with bad food and no sense of time[39:53]
• He notes you might be eating a muffin thinking it is breakfast when it is actually 1:15 p.m.
Sketch tried to get everyone who voted against him voted off, which led to him being voted out fairly quickly[39:57]
He enjoyed the experience but admits he is not good at making alliances because he talks too much and overthinks[39:36]

Alcohol limits and spending prize money

They were limited to two drinks a night, costing $5,000 each, coming out of the prize pot[42:01]
Sketch says he spent his money on drinks because it wasn't his money until he won[42:32]

Cast dynamics and Dwight Howard

Sketch lists fellow cast members like Dwight Howard, Brie Tiesi, and Mark Estes[36:05]
He recalls Dwight Howard once telling him he had nice feet, and Sketch warned him he might not want that clip online[36:36]
Sketch notes he enjoyed some drama on the show and mentions an online feud between Zach Justice and another woman that carried into the casting[37:00]
He praises Zach Justice as a great guy, interesting, and someone he wants to make a show with[37:28]

Burnout, touring, and Theo's relationship with work and home

Theo's break from projects

Theo says he turned down another reality-style show invitation and is taking a break from doing things because he's burnt out[3:51]
He explains that touring and traveling really took it out of him and he needed rest[39:43]

Home vs. road and self-worth tied to relationships

Theo feels mixed about being at home versus on the road; being home can make him antsy to work[40:37]
He admits he ties a lot of his self-worth to whether a woman is interested in him[42:30]
• He says if he had a relationship to focus on, it would make being at home nicer because he could work on building a family
Since that's not happening right now, he sometimes feels like he should just go back on the road because there's nothing substantial at home[42:17]
He recognizes that constantly resorting to work is also a bit of a trap[42:50]
Theo mentions trying to enjoy things like SEC football games that he never had time for before; he has gone to around eight SEC games this season and plans three more[43:09]

Desire for a partner to share wins with

Sketch asks who Theo shares big successes with since he doesn't have a partner[43:33]
Theo says he has a tour manager and other comedians to bond with after shows, but when he gets home there's no one to ground him[44:04]
He misses having a sense of home and wonders if that will be part of his life[44:47]
Theo notes he wants a good fit, not just any relationship, and questions whether he can overcome his own hurdles enough to make it work[45:16]

Sketch's leaked video ("D-Day"), shame, and dating after scandal

Recounting "D-Day" and aftermath

Sketch calls the day his explicit video leaked "D-Day" and his apology stream the "Sketch of the Union address"[45:15]
He says he found out at night, tried to get to the airport but couldn't fly out because it was midnight in LA, and just wanted to get back to his family[45:40]
His management met with a PR person who suggested more traditional responses, but Sketch decided to go live for 10 minutes instead[46:06]
• That stream became his most-viewed broadcast ever with 100,000 concurrent viewers
He says he couldn't look at his phone because the clip was everywhere and friends were telling him to stay off his phone[46:34]

Impact on dating and openness

Sketch says since the leak, dating has been easier because he doesn't feel he has to hide anything[47:10]
He clarifies that he and his girlfriend don't "do crazy shit" but he feels more open because it's already out there[47:16]
Some people who initially talked badly about him have since retracted their comments because he didn't exploit the video himself[48:48]
He emphasizes he didn't post the clip on his own channels; it was leaked[48:56]

Connecting back to earlier prayer story

Sketch notes that during their first podcast, when he told Theo about a significant prayer experience, it was during the same period as the leak, but he couldn't talk openly then[49:31]
He says now he can talk openly about it, and he doesn't mind discussing it on air[49:31]

Shame, nervousness, therapy, and faith

Shame and nervousness as unhelpful emotions

Sketch says shame and nervousness are the two emotions he struggles with most[51:18]
He notes they are somewhat controllable through thoughts, but feeling them doesn't change outcomes[52:14]
• He points out that shame only really affects the person feeling it; the outside world often still shows him love regardless
He says if he wore shame 24/7 it wouldn't improve anything; he has moments, but tries not to live in it constantly[53:33]

Theo's childhood shame and healing

Theo shares that as a child he was deeply ashamed of himself, to the point of feeling embarrassed to even exist[53:00]
He attributes this to having very low self-worth and never being taught what self-worth was[53:46]
Theo says a lot of that shame has gone away with age, therapy, and ayahuasca[54:11]
• He mentions therapy and ayahuasca specifically as things that helped reduce his shame and improve his sense of self-worth

Letting things be and turning them over to God

Theo says he often romanticizes how he will meet someone, comparing it to feelings from when he was 13 or 17, which sets him up for disappointment[1:22:06]
He wants to turn the issue of finding a partner over to God and let the right person come to him rather than constantly searching[1:22:32]
He also wants to focus on being in love with the world and contributing to positive things beyond his own desires[1:24:05]
Later, Theo sums up that he needs to let things be, accept that God's got him where he is for a reason, and stop overplanning everything[1:42:23]
He notes he's working on soaking in the moment instead of only realizing good times after they pass[1:42:05]

Therapy experiences

Sketch says he's done therapy on and off but often ghosts therapists after three or four sessions when he feels better[54:11]
He mentions one therapist saw him on TV but couldn't tell his wife because of doctor-patient confidentiality[54:47]

Rizzler, lesbian jokes, and identity humor

Rizzler and online kids

Sketch talks about the Rizzler, saying he's six years old but has the confidence of a man[54:04]
Theo says the Rizzler once sent him a nice video during a tough week, which meant a lot to him[54:46]
Sketch imagines a huge YouTube video where the Rizzler does a college commitment-style announcement[55:24]

Lesbian appearance jokes

Theo and Sketch joke about Sketch looking like a lesbian softball coach and what kind of tramp stamp or slogans would fit that persona[56:28]
They riff on overalls, tattoos, and bumper-sticker phrases like "love is love" as potential tattoos[56:37]
They imagine an alternate universe where both are lesbians, joking they'd be highly sought-after and could "get a lot of chicks"[57:51]

Discussion of "wiggers," athletes, and cultural labels

Who counts as a wigger

Theo and Sketch debate which public figures qualify as "wiggers," mentioning Bailey Zimmerman, Jake Paul, Rob Kardashian, Chris "Birdman" Andersen, Machine Gun Kelly, Travis Kelce, Kevin Federline, and Diego Pavia[1:14:31]
Sketch says he just likes streetwear and rap and is from Houston, while Theo insists wiggas can be from anywhere, not one region[1:15:33]
They jokingly argue that some historical explorers like Lewis and Clark might have had wigger energy or lesbian vibes[1:18:57]

Chains and NIL culture

Theo describes holding Maxx Crosby's chain at a WNBA event and how impressive it was[1:19:02]
They look at Diego Pavia's chains and discuss NIL money and how players present themselves[1:19:35]
Theo jokes that a big chain with "This Past Weekend" on it would likely get him robbed[1:20:36]

College and NFL quarterbacks, NIL, and drafting

Shédeur Sanders and ownership of content

Sketch is impressed with Shédeur Sanders, calling him not cocky but confident and saying all he cares about is football[1:19:42]
He notes Shédeur documents everything he does and could sell that to HBO as his full experience if he becomes a star[1:19:44]
Sketch advised Shédeur to livestream his pro day to own his content rather than giving it to big networks[1:21:07]

Value of sitting and learning vs. starting immediately

Theo thinks it's good Shédeur isn't playing this year; it lets hype wash away and gives him time to be in a facility and learn before starting[1:21:23]
They compare this with quickly cycling quarterbacks in and out, mentioning Baker Mayfield as someone who might have been moved on from too fast[1:22:11]

Arch Manning and Ty Simpson

Theo and Sketch speculate on how Arch Manning might have had a crazier stat line at a smaller school, like in the Big Ten[1:22:42]
Theo praises Alabama QB Ty Simpson for stepping into the job and is surprised how fast Alabama turned things around this season[1:23:08]

NIL money and program strength

Theo thought NIL money might shift power to academic schools like Stanford, but Alabama is still dominant in football[1:23:45]

Houston Texans, Oilers history, and blue-collar fan culture

Cam Jordan, Joe Burrow, and NFL players

Sketch calls Cam Jordan one of the coolest and realest guys he's met in the NFL and says they have had multiple meaningful conversations[1:32:05]
He compliments Joe Burrow as cool as well[1:32:32]

Houston's changing fan base

Sketch says Houston lost its blue-collar vibe; oil money and big companies bought most tickets and often don't attend unless the team is very good[1:32:28]
He notes tickets end up in the hands of opposing fans or go unused, unlike cities like Pittsburgh or Green Bay[1:33:42]
He brings up the Oilers leaving Houston, adding to the city's football scars[1:34:31]

Bitter playoff and Super Bowl memories

Sketch says the Oilers went to the AFC Championship three times and lost to the Bills each time, and then the Bills lost the Super Bowl three times[1:34:49]
They recall the Titans' Super Bowl loss on Kevin Dyson's last-second reach against the Rams and how painful such near-misses are[1:35:28]

Sketch's relationship and how he met his girlfriend

Meeting and early dates

Sketch says a friend introduced them; she didn't know who he was and he didn't know her[1:28:25]
They went out, he got her number, and their first major date was horseback riding[1:28:33]
He fell off the horse trying to get off, but otherwise riding was easy[1:28:33]
Since then, they have hung out almost every day and now live together[1:29:55]

Why the relationship works for him

Sketch says she understands him, is kind, and holds him accountable[1:29:36]
He describes her as a genuine partner and says he previously ruled out having a relationship and thought he'd go solo his whole life[1:30:58]
He says he kind of stumbled upon the relationship and feels lucky[1:31:22]

Future creative ambitions: reality TV, movies, and geocaching content

Dream roles and formats

Sketch enjoyed hosting the Streamer Awards and likes hosting and reality TV[1:36:24]
His dream is to be in a movie or TV show with an improv-heavy, comedic ensemble vibe like The Office or Step Brothers[1:36:40]
• He specifically cites Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, and Kenny Powers-type energy, enjoying how their blooper reels show them just shooting the breeze

Influencers vs. real-world jobs show idea

Sketch pitches a show where influencers are matched against real workers at tough or dirty jobs to settle debates like "is streaming harder than a real job"[1:38:34]
• Examples include climbing and changing a wind turbine for someone afraid of heights, or doing sewer work against a professional

Geocaching and treasure-hunt streams

Sketch explains geocaching as a GPS-based real-world treasure hunt where people hide containers and others find them using coordinates and clues[1:39:01]
He says items can range from money to poems to positive affirmations, and the culture encourages taking something and leaving something[1:38:57]
He and Theo briefly imagine how annoying it would be to find only a positive affirmation after spending time and gas to reach a cache[1:39:38]

Closing reflections: letting things be and mutual support

Theo's current mindset

Theo reiterates that he needs to step back, let things be, and trust that God has him where he needs to be[1:41:51]
He aims to spend less time overplanning and more time soaking in the current moment[1:42:50]

Mutual appreciation and future collaboration

Sketch tells Theo he's there for him if he needs anything, and Theo says he appreciates Sketch checking in with positive energy[1:46:59]
Theo says he loves seeing Sketch thriving and believes Sketch will do a lot of creative work in the world[1:48:03]
They plan to grab dinner and for Theo to join Sketch on a stream to make some fun content together[1:49:04]

Lessons Learned

Actionable insights and wisdom you can apply to your business, career, and personal life.

1

Chasing instant gratification, whether through streaming metrics or public attention, can be mentally corrosive; intentionally creating boundaries and offline anchors helps protect your mind.

Reflection Questions:

  • • Where in your life are you most hooked on instant feedback or numbers, and how does it affect your mood day to day?
  • • How could you introduce specific offline rituals or time blocks that reduce your dependence on real-time reactions from others?
  • • What is one digital metric you could stop checking so often this week to give yourself more mental space?
2

Shame and nervousness rarely change external outcomes; they mostly punish you, so it is more effective to acknowledge them and act according to your values anyway.

Reflection Questions:

  • • What is something you currently feel ashamed or overly nervous about that isn't actually changing anyone else's behavior?
  • • How might your choices look different if you focused on what you can control instead of on feeling bad about yourself?
  • • What is one small situation this week where you can show up as you want to be, even if the shame or nerves are still there?
3

Owning your story-including your mistakes or scandals-can reduce fear and make future relationships and decisions simpler because you no longer have to hide.

Reflection Questions:

  • • What part of your past do you still feel you have to hide from others, and how is that limiting your relationships?
  • • How could being more transparent about a specific mistake or weakness actually make you feel freer and more confident?
  • • Who is one trusted person you could share a more honest version of your story with in the coming weeks?
4

Letting plans and outcomes "be"-turning them over to something bigger than yourself instead of micromanaging-can reduce burnout and open space for better opportunities and connections.

Reflection Questions:

  • • In what area of your life are you trying hardest to force a specific outcome, and how is that pressure showing up physically or emotionally?
  • • How might your strategy change if you assumed that timing and alignment matter as much as effort for that goal?
  • • What is one concrete step you can take this week to do your best, and then consciously let go of the result?
5

Intentionally building supportive relationships-romantic, professional, or platonic-gives you someone to share wins and losses with, which can ground you when work or public life becomes overwhelming.

Reflection Questions:

  • • When you experience a big win or setback, who do you naturally want to call first, and what does that reveal about your current support system?
  • • How could you invest more intentionally in one or two relationships so they become a more stable "home base" for you?
  • • What specific action-such as a call, visit, or shared project-could you take this week to deepen a relationship that already feels healthy?

Episode Summary - Notes by Jordan

#624 - Sketch
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