The Sketch Story Is Sad…

[@SteamPunkPrince]

tv: "his dark mysterious past" his past: consensual sex

[@samuelwhite8400]

It's disgusting that being gay/bi/trans is something to be "alleged" like he's a goddamned serial killer. I'm a queer dude. Sketch is part of our tiny little queer community. So basically he's my little brother. Don't fk with my little brother. Love to see the outpouring of support but the haters that nearly drove him to unalive make my blood boil.

[@Jaq-EmoRoux]

What's worse is people comparing him to a predator (dr disrespect)

[@Lesley_RedRhody]

Bravo for that incredibly epic first sentence! 👏🥲👏🥲👏🥲 As a fifty year old CIS, White Ghost Lady (I apologize for continuously bringing up that last bit. We get it, Lesley! Seán and Ethan read your “Bad Advice” question!)… Anyway as a… what I said up there… I will never personally know what that type of disgusting prejudice is like. But as Seán and Ethan pointed out in this episode, I wouldn’t even have the right to vote, as an American Woman, if hundreds of Suffragettes didn’t make that possible 104 years ago! The Future Is Inclusive, whether these bigoted assholes want to believe it or not!! *LOVE WINS, LEAKERS!!* 🧠👀🧠👀

[@Flarflemargle]

Awesome but idk if him saying he changed meant he wasnt gay anymore or if he still is i dont think well ever know i hooe he starts uploading soon tho

[@Arteemis3012]

I think putting him in a community you don't know he wants to be part of, is very complicated. He was outed, which means he might not know if he is ready to be called queer or be in our community. He's just a little guy who we all should support no matter what he has been, is or wants to be.

[@noonoolink6822]

I thought he wasn't gay just did gay corn which is common and lot of straight corn stars do gay corn because simply it pays more for some reason. Honestly when I heard about this I honestly thought nothing of it. It wasn't intell I found out what a bad head space this put him in that I started to pay atteniton. Regardless of what he identify as, this was a sh*t thing to do to someone. And unless he commits some crime (of the Dr. Disrespectful verity) it isn't any of our business.

[@stevenbinkley4429]

The guy who leaked it did it as a “teachable moment” for Sketch to be held accountable for all his internet activities. He did it as something to put on his resume. He defended it using an article saying LBGTQ community aren’t offing themselves off as much as they used to as a means of “he’ll be fine”. When in that article it said (paraphrasing) that people who do that do it because of the leaking information, people attacking their character, not being accepted and that’s exactly what happened with Sketch. The guy came out with an apology and said they didn’t think OUR story would make Sketch feel that way in the way it did basically surprised it took off the way it did. Really f*cked shii

[@georgieeee7647]

It’s insane that people are like “oh he was hiding it” like no? He has a past he wasn’t necessarily proud of and he wants to do something different that’s totally fine outing someone in the most graphic way possible leading to hate that has pushed someone to feel the way he felt all for clout (bc let’s be real it was most likely for clout and money) it’s disgusting and it’s insane

[@marthmallow7420]

that's fucked.

[@andrew_4747]

who was the guy who outed him?

[@moriahschoech9894]

I literally work in suicide prevention. IDC if the statistic has dipped, it's still significant enough to warrant its own training. And why did dude go looking for gay porn to then bash the person doing it?! What an absolute assh0le

[@marthmallow7420]

@@andrew_4747 fr i just wanna chat

[@Cashishereyt]

The people constantly bullying him for his past is insane

[@potatobotR2D2]

While excusing dr disrespect is so wild

[@woofnuggiez]

Thats how I feel like most of the world is and does already. :( People just need to leave each other alone unless it's a real issue like p3d0philia.

[@Cashishereyt]

@@potatobotR2D2 exactly there are much worse things going on why get stuck on something like this

[@Cashishereyt]

@woofnuggiez yeah the world just doesn't seem to care anymore and it's infuriating

[@Cake-rj3lt]

No they aren't insane. They are just sad and a joke. Even some insane people respect and wouldn't bully him

[@heyitsash7]

I'm so glad Sketch has a good support system around him to help him through this. Love to see the Faze guys and the rest of his friends stand by him so publicly and adamantly.

[@themonsterman3327]

honestly super surprising to see the Faze guys have staunch support have for him considering the people they surround themselves with, shoutout to them for keeping the dude safe

[@soupy_soup2]

I love hearing Sean say that progress is going to happen regardless of whether or not some people want it to

[@Konohachic]

As infuriating as it is to see so many people turn against Sketch, its been so heartening to also see the massive swell of love and support for him. I'm so glad his support network was there for him, and I hope he knows how loved he is and keeps being the funny guy he is

[@Septic-Hearts]

I regret coming out to most of the people I came out to, partially because I'm ace and I have to explain it, but also because people treat me differently now. I'm often infantalised, asked invasive questions, and told I'll find someone someday. I know aces who've been groped because it was 'good for them' whereas many people deny us and the discrimination we face. Coming out is tedious at best. I can't imagine how traumatic it is to be outed for the whole fucking world to see. Much love to Sketch, man, he didn't deserve the vitriol or 'controversy' this bs sparked, but at least he knows there's a lot of people on his side and he doesn't have to hide this part of himself anymore. I'm glad we have allies like you guys, at the least, you make me me feel that much safer and normal in the world.

[@talawolf1491]

My best friend is Ace and I want to tell you the same thing I've told her. You are valid, being Ace is valid and real and a BIG part of the LGBTQA+ whether anyone else wants to admit it or not. Whatever anyone else says, you are this way and nothing will ever change it and there is nothing wrong with that. I understand the feeling though. I'm demi and I don't talk to hardly anyone about that. I've been told I'm just picky, or just want a fancy label so I can "fit in" and it hurts. A lot. You're valid, and so am I.

[@abbyb6958]

@@talawolf1491just wanted to add as an allosexual person that all of y’all are valid! Sexuality is a spectrum, asexuality is a spectrum, and no matter where you fall in the spectrum, you are valid. You are normal. You are loved❤

[@sarahlister868]

Ace solidarity handshake - I'm sorry some people are so cruel. 💜

[@rayncloud99]

Ace here as well and I know how that feels, especially since I'm in a relationship where we do have intimacy. I don't even bother telling people unless I know they won't ask me what asexual means because I don't always have the energy to explain it after coming out. I know that's part of getting people to know is by telling them, but I hate that I can say I'm trans and not have to explain what it means to most people unlike asexuality.

[@lapislazuli06]

Just here to say ur not alone Ace here 💜🖤🤍

[@Lesley_RedRhody]

I don’t know who Sketch is. I heard about this so-called “story” on Philip DeFranco’s Wednesday “Dive into the news.” What I do know is that consenting, grown-ass adults can do whatever the hell they want with each other and all the homophobic reactors can go pound sand!! Love you, Seán, Ethan and my Fellow Leakers!! 🧠 👀 🧠 👀

[@woofnuggiez]

I feel the same way and no it sadly is REALLY common still, especially out here in the south with all the white rap yee yee listeners, and whats sad, is the good ones i see trying to look away from all that and have a different mindset about it, are often swept back into a bad mindset about these things, because of friends and family. It really is horrible. Even talking about being bi, pan, or whatever around here to most people, will have a somewhat negative reaction, or at least them being defensive and saying that they can't get into all of the because of their mom, etc. :( Most of them have a one track mindset about something and don't like to learn differently. I hate it.

[@Lesley_RedRhody]

@@woofnuggiez Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 👏🥲 I have to keep believing that *THE FUTURE IS INCLUSIVE!* Whether this fifty year old lady lives long enough to see it or not is irrelevant. It’s going to happen! *LOVE CONQUERS ALL!!* And the reason it’s going to happen is because Seán, Ethan and all of you Lovely Leakers who are much younger than I am are never going to stop trying!! 👀🧠👀🧠

[@jaqsre]

i’m really glad you are always showing support for all kinds of people. i know it makes not only me feel safe and appreciated, but so many others too 💖

[@IvanKosovan]

Aww you found your safe space lol😂

[@deinodinosuchus]

@@IvanKosovanaww you didn’t 😂 get outta here with your fascist comments, they aren’t welcome here

[@jaqsre]

@@IvanKosovan considering the tone of this comment i’m gonna assume you don’t even follow sean and ethan. this is not welcome here ❤️

[@tana3875]

@@jaqsreWell, non-ironically, I’m glad you found your safe space 💕🌈 everyone deserves to hear words of support for who they are even though it should be the norm

[@strawberry_boicake]

​@@IvanKosovan fr lmao

[@ninjaraptor003]

As someone who has struggled with addiction, it broke my heart to see that people are so willing to tell stories that aren’t theirs to tell. There is an insane amount of shame that addicts feel. And the thing we are addicted to is never the problem. There is something about ourselves that we’re trying to escape from. It takes a lot to stand before the world and admit something like that. I’m glad sketch has a great circle of support and was able to find some peace in this hell that the internet has put him through

[@wolfiemuse]

And a lot of suspicion put on recovering addicts from nearly every aspect of life whether it’s doctors, friends, jobs - it’s a stain that just doesn’t remove itself

[@sarahlister868]

People were so awful to Sketch. I'm glad he had good people around him. Forcible outing is so cruel and sex work is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

[@bergie8342]

When Sean was talking about how he zones out when he’s reading about the details of a setting, and that he zones in on dialogue, I immediately thought of a scenario like: David walked into the castle, “I’m walking into this goliath castle entrance, placed at the north end. It’s covered in rusted chains that rattle as the door staunchly opens. What do you need, Steve?” David asked. “Hey David” said Steve. “I need you to put your sword down on the smithing table covered in dried blood and scraps of metal directly east of the castle entrance. I need to take a look at it” And then Sean is like, fuck yeah this dialogue is AMAZING

[@astro-porsche]

For anyone (Ethan included) looking to read more: go to your local library! It’s free and the librarians should absolutely be helpful in guiding you in some direction(s) of what you might enjoy reading. I think it’s very stress-free because there’s nothing wrong with not finishing a book or turning it early, and usually “timed” things make me nervous but I feel like the renewal system tends to be generous and knowing I don’t have forever actually helps me want to pick it up. TLDR; I’ve gotten lots of good recommendations from librarians! 10/10 suggest ur public libraries

[@heath6802]

Honestly never seen his content, but I got mad respect for him with his response

[@amyrose7326]

This is such a refreshing conversation from you guys! Don’t get me wrong I love the normal chaos ADHD bois but this was so nice and calming to listen to I felt like I was actually having a convo with you about real things

[@invaderaries7364]

I tried to go to college at some point in my life (I wanted to double major in computer science and psychology, and minor in biology because I wanted to make VR games that dealt with autism to raise awareness), but I only survived two years because my mental health took a dive due to my own past trauma catching up to me and biting me right on the ass

[@ughhbennnn]

Had a very similar experience, though for me it was years of general suppression catching up. Just so happened that the pandemic started in my second year too, shit was rough. Hope you're doing well now mate

[@hansvonheileger5791]

Past trauma brought on heavy Anxiety that I am only just going to Therapy to manage... never have managed to finish College as a result either.

[@woofnuggiez]

It's really good to know others out there have my ideas, I can't really execute them because of education and as well as.. I don't want to explain my living situations and how hard it is rn, but thank you for your inspiration to make VR games that handle or help with autism!

[@lewis_zn5154]

Hope anyone seeing this is well.

[@roadrider720]

you too man

[@apexinstinct]

Likewise my guy

[@TheNothing7777]

Wild to me that people still care what others do in the bedroom

[@onestarlonestar]

As someone who is bisexual i was outed without my consent and knowledge... i came out when i was 13 to my cloest family and two friends. One of those people was my stepdads mom. We had a family thanksgiving party with family that ive met probably twice in my life at that point, include people ive never met... stepdads mom decided to take the thanksgiving speech to a place that horrified me...she outed me infront of a group of around 60 family members and friends and said that she " hopes that this sinning is a phase and that she is grateful god will fix me"... i was quite literally petrified... it really sucks that now its a common thing for people to out someone of the LGBTQIA+ community without consent as a joke...or in judgement or to get clout/attention... I really hope Sketch is okay mentally in the next coming months and i hope that all of the idiots that compare this situation with dr. Disrespect get some good life ruining ass karma. Thank you Seán and Ethan for welcoming such a warm community that excepts, loves, supports, and talks about the struggles and internet problems of LGBTQIA+ people💜

[@juicebox2000]

Don't know how long ago it was, but I hope you're doing better now 👍

[@onestarlonestar]

@@juicebox2000 i am thank you💜

[@AuroTJ]

I can't even imagine how terrified that must've felt. I hope you're doing better now and surrounded by people who love and respect you ❤

[@hanakize]

Man, I was also outted at 13 but it was my school principal that called my grandparents and it has burned a fear of relationships into my soul. I hope that you're doin' better and I hope that the entire concept of outting someone disappear soon

[@onestarlonestar]

@@hanakize i am doing better and i hope you are as well. I reall fuckim HATE it that so many peoppe can relate to me on my stroy due to outting someone being such a trend...

[@damnjean]

51:20 A lot of what Sean said about reading, I really resonated with. Really thought I was the only one who really felt this way. I went into the library for the first time in YEARS recently. I didnt want to get a young adult book, went straight into a difficult book for me and felt instantly discoraged. I REALLY suck at comprehension and staying focused on a book in general. I feel slow just because I'm terrible at remembering what I read right after I turn the page, but I still want to give it a try. I still feel really interested in reading. Overall, I needed this episode for comfirmation that I can still do this. Thank you 🥺

[@mossypebbles]

hey sean i really appreciate you talking about your experience with loved ones struggling with alcoholism. It runs in my family as well and have had two people pass from it. When I was living at home my sibling was struggling with it and it was really hard to see, I often had really vivid violent nightmares because of seeing them do that to themselves. Nowadays things are better but I personally don't drink much just smoke a lotta weed lol.

[@AlleyCatInks]

You guys have created such a kind and safe space here, i appreciate you both very much! Not that I’m surprised, because you are both great that way separately! But just wanted to share a bit of gratitude to you both in this specific space ❤ yall are the best!

[@allister8051]

This book is non-fiction so might not be what you're looking for, but it's 'How to leave the Mormon Church' by Alyssa Grenfell. As a person who has never been religious it's a really insightful but uncomfortable read. I think Grenfell writes well and with very illustrating language. Plus the book is targeted towards people struggling with leaving or thinking about leaving fundamental strict religions or cults. I think it's a really good and informative book. Loved reading it and hearing Grenfell tell me about her story in my head. She also has a KZbin channel where she talks about Mormonism and her experience.

[@AvidCat5000]

Starting to write a book is easy. Finishing them is tricky.

[@anironsidh]

Yeah 😅 coming up with ideas? Hell yeah! Actually finishing the story? Boo

[@pants6951]

A note to Sean if he sees this. I'm about half way through Blood Meridian. If you feel like picking it up again, personally I think it's easier to understand through an audio book because of the way it's written.

[@zaza_ink]

51:13 I absolutely loved “The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” it’s a sci-fi murder mystery timeloop plot and probably one of my favorite one off books I’ve ever read! I listened to it as an audiobook so can recommend audio or physical read is good either way!

[@staceynoir1988]

I hadn’t heard of sketch before this drama came out . I watched his response and it gave me so much respect for him , fair play to him . I hope hes doing ok and has plenty of support around him

[@juliabeard831]

Thanks for talking about Sketch's story, guys. Talking about this sort of stuff literally saves lives.

[@_Geist]

thank you for using your platform to talk about current issues that have that kind of misinformative potential. watering down speculation with realism is refreshing af.

[@frostyprince9601]

My book recommendations would be “Tender is the Flesh by Agustina bazterrica” it’s a dystopian novel about socially accepted cannibalism after animals got infected with a disease that infected humans. It’s from the pov of a factory farm owner that processes “special meat” aka human meat. Not for those with weak stomachs., it’s pretty graphic in explaining the whole factory farming process. “ Hunted by Darcy Coates” a mystery thriller where a group of young adults venture into a national park to look for their friend and end up being hunted by something unknown. Really great twist at the end I loved it!

[@RammerHammer]

If you're looking for book recommendations in the YA genre, Hunger Games is genuinely fantastic. And before you say anything, Suzanne Collins is a phenomenal writer and her works deserve to be read. She's incredible at believable worldbuilding based on historical events, the way she deals with trauma and mental illness is masterful, she excels at writing from a first person perspective because she rememebers that Katniss is a fully developed person with her own motivations, biases and reservations that makes her think certain things about people based on her experiences rather than what the reader would perceive, the romance plot is so well done that people are still talking about it to this day, I could go on and on about my love for the original trilogy. Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is also a must read, seeing the world from the perspective of the Capitol instead of the districts, especially right after a massive war, offers so much more context on how the people of Panem see each other, and how brainwashed and out of touch the people have become. It's also a fascinating character study on Snow that shows you just how despicable and disgusting he can be while also making it believable that he would one day end up the President. Not to mention there's a new book coming out next year alongside another movie so if youre planning to read them I would do it now so you have all the context you need to not be completely in the dark when Sunrise on the Reaping drops. Oh and also if you haven't seen the movies they're masterfully done. One of the best book to screen adaptations out there.

[@tyten_28]

I found that getting started reading was easier starting with a book about a movie I'd seen. It helped me stay involved.

[@kayden-blodgett9032]

SCARY STORY! 1:00:35 I was told that when I was about 4 or 5, my aunt was watching me for my mom. She came to her room to check on me and I was sitting cris cross facing the closet laughing. “What are you laughing at buddy?”, she asked. The funny dancing man” I replied. She then realized that the man who last lived in that apartment, hung himself in that very closet.

[@hellolili]

56:00 Being able to fully visualize something u read is an incredibly cool abillity to me. I've tried a lot to read but i just could never get interested since aside from ADHD i have a mild form of aphantasia where i can't form visual thoughts unless it's something i already have in my memory, so no matter how descriptve a book is, it's just tedious words for me edit: typo

[@slaak1x]

Im so happy to hear you guys talk about this ive been waiting on this

[@MRJarwson]

I love that we have a segments about reading/ books!!! Honestly for me books are a great escape and I love talking to other friends who read and recommend books and talk about books, doesn't matter if it's YA, classics, sci-fi, it's so joyous!! I also check the number of pages per chapter before starting to mentally prepare myself for how long to read haha 😅

[@Moxy1456]

We love you jack keep spreading positivity

[@Ruby_Ness]

30:16 as someone who's currently gender questioning, painting their nails for the first time as a guy and mentally preparing to start transitioning, THANK YOU both so damn much

[@Air377.]

No thumbnail gang

[@wartygourd]

fr

[@JonSkull03]

Sean you mentioned short horror stories and i wanted to recommend Uzumaki by Junji Ito. I just read it for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and i was a bit iffy on if it would be good, but it genuinely grabbed my attention immediately, the very 1st chapter. It's incredibly unsettling and creepy, and it's almost like a whole conspiracy that gets more and more intense. Best part, the ending does not disappoint! I had no idea how it was going to end and it definitely was a great one that stuck with me! When you mentioned wanting to read something short and maybe something horror, that's what jumped to my mind!

[@bagman1552]

I know you said to recommend books, but I want to shout out some cool indie comics. Here we go: Wytches, The Department of Truth, Extremity, Black Coak, Gideon Falls, Saga, It's lonely at the centre of the Earth, God Country, and Public Domain

[@GlitchedNovaSys]

ooh ok, sharing spooky stories! I'll try to make it quick, wasn't really much that happened anyway but I always think back to how weird and out of place it was. It's the morning, sun is comin through the curtains, I'm trying to wake myself up for school and I'm still groggy and tired. Not really a spooky setting, it was actually pretty serene. As I'm getting up though, I hear what sounds like a whisper right by me- and it kills me that I still don't remember what it said *exactly* but I remember it was either "It's coming" or "he's coming"- needless to say, instant chills and the serene atmosphere was shattered. And well. That's literally it- I tried to forget about it so I could focus on the school day, and ever since then I've never had a single experience that came close. Even though I'm a spiritual person, I chalked it up to just sleepiness but still, it fuckin rattled me to where I can still remember how it made me feel over a decade later.

[@ForeverxGone1]

I highly recommend The Dresden Files!!! If you want a great book series that’s easy to get into I highly recommend. The main character is a wizard in Chicago and it’s got all the old world legends in the modern era.

[@missblake4419]

I would recommend The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski, it's the first book in the Witcher series but the chapters are sort of short stories told by the witcher so they all are like short adventures with their own conclusions. As for the creepy story... I was staying at my cousin's house but we were alone, we were talking in her room and she went to the kitchen to start making dinner and I stayed for a moment in her room preparing the beds. I was going to join her in the kitchen downstairs when I saw in my aunt's room the clear silhouette of someone standing by the window but the room was dark and I could only see it because of the light coming from outside. It creep me out to see her just standing there in the dark so I called out from the entrance of the room and asked her what was she doing there and then I heard my cousin's voice from downstairs asking me who I was speaking to, so I turned in the direction of her voice and when I looked back there was nothing there. Of course I ran to my cousin and we spend the rest of the night with all the lights on. Thinking about it still creeps me out to this day.

[@rottenteeeeeth]

When I was younger, reading was really hard for me. Then, in second and third grade, I read the Percy Jackson series, and i became so invested in it i learned to love books. each book and chapter are short enough to get thru quickly the story is really good, with good character growth and development. it is a little childish in some ways, but overall enjoyable for anyone. the second series: "Herod of Olympus" is also really good but definitely more challenging to get thru. each book is longer, the story is really drawn out in some parts, but i would still say its a rewarding read. another few books i always recommend are those by Angie Thomas: "The Hate U Give" , "Concrete Rose" and " On the Come Up". as a southern suburban white kid they offered me a very necessary lense into a life i was often shielded from. a world i thought was so different from my own. but was really the same. they helped me oepn my eyes and think about how i can be a better ally to the black community.

[@rottenteeeeeth]

not all of these are easy reads but i also recommend: Dorothy Must Die, Circe, Princess X, ( fantasy) The Poet X, ECHO, The Night Diary, and Love, Simon (all non-fantasy)

[@a_men_diet]

It's leak time baby

[@KawaiiKissable]

With the reading thing Sean was talking about, Ive had that same problem. The thing that I've noticed helped me is putting on music without any words. I personally put on a lofi version of songs i know so my brain recognizes the tempo but isnt distracted by the words. loFi with rain is a godsend honestly. Its helped me focus on reading so much better.

[@ChibiGrell]

As an adult with ADHD who had to work hard to get back into books, try audiobooks if you can! Also YA is a valid thing to start with. Personally I started reading through the Warrior Cats series to get back into it and it helped a lot! My current book recommendation though, especially the audiobook, is Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Even though I also rend toward fantasy and scifi, this nonfiction book is written so beautifully and it has a more poetic structure so chunks are smaller and easier to digest before getting distracted imo.

[@madlad29]

The Hatchet series Mistborn series The Last Lecture A Child Called "It" My favorite and most impactful books. The last two on my list are very heavy for very different reasons, but still worth the read.

[@athenaamazingly2647]

(51:18) Remarkably Bright Creatures- by Shelby Van Pelt is a good one, it’s a really cute story about an octopus that befriends an old lady that works at the aquarium. And the octopus helps solve the mystery of the her sons death.

[@maceyburch]

Related towards the later half of the video… Scientology is really just playing “honey I joined a cult” in real life😂

[@StruggleBus92]

I'd never heard of Sketch before, but I'm so glad he has an amazing support system. As someone who is a recovering addict, it's so heartbreaking to hear he got a ton of hate thrown his way. His sexual orientation is a non issue, nobody should even give a shit about that. It's his business, as well as his other struggles. And having the choice to make it public basically robbed from him is such a shitty thing, for someone to do and for someone to go through. So, its terrible that he's received a lot of hate, but it's amazing he has so much support to help him through this...

[@TheDeadAnimalInYourWalls]

Ethan! you should try reading the skeleton creek series :] They aren't too long or difficult to get through, and plus they are REALLY interesting, with stuff outside of the books to interact with! Like websites with codes so you can see spooky videos and such, that appear in the book itself its for younger audiences but its FUN

[@Stu1701]

Short, kinda-scary ghost story that happened to me. I had this weird dream once. It was a couple years ago, around mid 2022, I was sleeping in. In the dream, I was a little kid, probably two or three years old, at my grandparent's house. My grandma was sitting at the dining room table talking to someone I couldn't see because I was sitting on the floor doing whatever little kid nonsense I was doing. It was like I was experiencing a memory from when I was very young that I couldn't remember very clearly. As the dream went on, the perspective I was seeing it from changed. Instead of being the little kid sitting on the floor, it turned into a kind of out-of-body experience. I was no longer experiencing the memory, I was just watching it as present-day me. It was almost like an old home video recording but without a TV because I could see younger me on the floor and my grandma in the chair in the background, but I couldn't look around the room. I never saw my grandmother's face in the dream, and I'm not even sure if I really heard her talking with whoever she was sitting at the table with, I just somehow knew it was her. Suddenly, I was taken completely out of the experience, the dreamscape vanished as I felt a hand grab my shoulder and hear my grandma's voice say with absolute clarity, "What are you still doing in bed? It's after eight!" I immediately woke up. Normally I'm pretty slow to get out of bed in the morning (I'm not a morning person), but this freaked me out because my grandma died in December of 2017. Hearing her voice so clearly for the first time in years had me completely shaken. Not only that, I checked the time on my phone, it was almost quarter to nine. I'd never been a believer of ghosts, and I still wouldn't call myself one, but if it was a dream, how could my mind know it really was after eight? I didn't have an alarm set. The whole experience really stuck with me, it's been two years and I still think about it. It felt so real. I think part of that is because grandma coming back as a ghost just to wake me up is so on brand for her. She was funny like that.

[@thiel_spencer]

Okay, but reading young adult books is so real, lmao. I'm dyslexic but I like to read despite how frustrating and exhausting it can get sometimes. So, I've found to make reading easier, I go through cycles where I read a few books that are generally more my style and "heavier" (I lean toward a lot of political, historical, and/or queer reads), then take a breather to read something "lighter" like young adult books or something fictional and world-build-y. Highly recommend! Not every book has to be serious and intellectual

[@agnosticprimate3838]

Jack: "We are the greatest apes" Gigantopithecus looking down from heaven: "Wtf u mean???"

[@TipTheDuck]

Ranger’s Apprentice Series, still one of my all time favorite book series!

[@Beemy0s]

EDIT: Book recommendation for anyone who hasn't read it "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton. I have the same problem as Ethan (and I'm dyslexic and can hate reading). I started reading it for school in 6th grade and didn't finish it at the end of the school year (we started reading groups like a month before the end of the year) and I was so bummed and into the book I went to target and bought it to finish it. It's probably the only Chapter book (novel??) I've finished, unless we were reading as a class, since then and I'm going into college now. I had to read The Road by Cormac McCarthy for IB Ela and it was so bad and I didn't even read it at all and bs'ed am essay about it and got a 90.

[@georgia2321]

Amazing that in 2024 Sketch had to go through *ANY* of that or that his past was something that needed to ”be exposed” for some people. Obvs happy for all the wonderful people like these leaky dudes who have used their platform to be a voice for good. Things gotta get better.

[@geeks4squeaks622]

Book recommendations: anthologies- after not reading forever, it's hard for me to pick up a full book, but being able to read several short stories and feel accomplished but also just being able to pick it up anytime and leave it anytime is super nice

[@goldstepsXIII]

Jack & Ethan!! Please talk about the Tana Mongeau and Cody Ko stuff that is going on!!!

[@wartygourd]

beautiful message at the end

[@SynthSaturn]

SPOOKY SCARY STORY TIME 1:00:30 it was late november when snow suddenly fell during the night. i hopped on my bike and went to the nearby forest for a snowy hike. it was beautiful, yet so quiet due to the snow. both eerie and calming. after a lovely hike i reached the heart of the woods, a small campsite in a clearing. i sat down at a table and started drawing in my sketchbook but as i was drawing, i noticed odd noises around me. birds were gathering in the trees surrounding the clearing and they were all chirping loudly. chirping in warning. they all sounded panicked and the chorus grew louder and louder. it started freaking me out, so i decided to pack my stuff and leave but as i took a few steps towards the trail, all noise ceased at once. the forest was dead quiet. then it hit me. this searing feeling of eyes on me. this feeling of being watched by something that hated. i've never felt anything like it. i froze mid step and looked around frantically, but i couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. i decided to continue calmly down the trail and hope everything would be fine. the crunch of the gravel path under my boots was deafening in the silent forest. the eyes were still drilling into my very soul but i just kept walking and hoping. it felt like forever but i think it was just a few seconds before a couple came walking the opposite way and as soon as they appeared, the eyes vanished. the sounds returned. all was normal again. i realized it was all the signs of a large predator moving through the forest, but you must understand, we have no large predators where i live. absolutely none. i have no clue what happened and no rational explanation. safe to say i've returned many times to that campsite. i've found weird carvings in the trees and one of my friends swears she heard footsteps right next to her as she was there but there were no one else there. spooky spooky campsite c:

[@De_Vegi]

Book recommendation is Red Rising by Pierce Brown. Its sci-fi, and to put it simply, a story of revolution. I LOVE this trilogy, its incredible.

[@YeetThins]

in my interpretation he apologized for almost killing himself. in reference to him almost doing that he says "i f-ed up" "shoutout banks shout out my parents" I don't think he actually apologize for the act which he should never have to

[@Maxwellish]

I’d like to think that, but I don’t think he is. Specifically because he said “I f*cked up, but I’m changed.” Seems like he’s deffo referring to his past.

[@YeetThins]

@@Maxwellish i see what you mean and tbh that seems clear ngl... breaks my f-ing heart that he feels a need to apologize for that. i have addiction history too.. ive done some stuff.... but im proudly bisexual. and he felt the need to apologize i get apologizing for people having seen something they didnt wanna bc of pocketbook, but were all human. he should never have to apologize for what he does begind closed doors. his character speaks volumes

[@FrogCake0328]

This is why I love Sean and have always we stand with you sketch :))

[@Deryoil]

thank you for the awesome commentary on how people view others elden ring playthroughs and summons, it's been weighing on me pretty heavily that i should get good or play some static way, but i find more enjoyment from how i want to play, and people telling me that i play bad, or differently sort of bummed me out. seeing jack talk about how he likes to play lightened my mood a lot and gave me a little more perspective on how i see it myself, cheers.

[@imac5177]

Shaun, Sabriel by Garth Nix is an incredible series of books I highly recommend and I'm so happy you mentioned it :) I haven't heard anyone talk about it in so long but its so good and the fantasy world it takes place in is definitely one of my favourites. Some of the books that are small additions to the main series (which is 5 books) are out of print but I've been able to hunt some down through second hand shops! I really hope you find time to read them :))

[@ShockerGames82]

THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS IS AT 6:40pm FOR ME RIGHT NOW YALL ALWAYS UPLOAD AT 4AM

[@mikkoamour]

Read the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown! It's a sci-fi dystopian series with like an old roman theme to it. There's a lot of action and backstabbing and twists and an emotional rollercoaster. It's so good.

[@bruhnniebruh]

This comment is too funny! I just had a waiter recommend this series to me at lunch last week but all I wrote down was Red Rising, not the author, so thank you for giving me the author!

[@mikkoamour]

@bruhnniebruh There's currently 6 books and I'm getting the 6th book this weekend! I overlooked the series for so long because I'd never heard anyone talk about it before. It's definitely a hidden gem.

[@mikkoamour]

@bruhnniebruh apparently there's a prequel comic book series too.

[@karmakapri1018]

"Wonky fruits need love too" It's me 🥹🥹🥹

[@Weldarion]

Terry Pratchett is great reading. Discworld is fantasy, but it's funny fantasy with social commentary and really witty dialogue. I'd start with something like the Watch books; they're mystery/crime stories and Vimes is such an excellent character. Wikipedia has an entire bit on the Discworld article about which books are part of with series.

[@lapislazuli06]

Sad that it happend the way it did, but I'm glad it showed who his true family/friend are, and see his support ❤💔 Hope he is doing well ❤️‍🩹

[@elementneon]

@ETHAN - The secret to reading, for people like us, is find some chore you need to do (cleaning, laundry, cooking) or a long drive in traffic. Then beforehand get an audiobook of the book you want to read and queue it up on audible or your favorite phone app to listen to while doing the braindead work that needs to get done. If it does not require much thinking, mostly automatic to you, its perfect for audiobooks. And its easy to skip back a a minute or two anytime you get distracted or your mind wanders. Once you get good maybe you can follow along with a physical book as the voice talent reads. This advice comes from another ADHD kid that had a list of books he was never able to get through until discovering audiobooks. I have been able to read all 5 thick game of thrones books start-to-finish at least 6 times. My recommendation for you is start easy, the Harry Potter book series is always a joy to read.

[@planetaryg0]

fr it's been 10 yrs since i first read it as a kid but i still stand by my opinion that harry potter is genuinely the best series ever written😭

[@rowlet3385]

brain leak thursday, no thumbnail, vid unlisted/not showing up on feed, but a leak is a leak ig gang 😔

[@SIurmp]

If we're recommending a book series to read, might I suggest the Pendragon series by D.J. MacHale. It's 10 books total, a light fantasy series, and none of the books are super massive. Would highly recommend it as it's my favorite book series to date.

[@itsAllexnotalex]

Is that the series that genshin impact is based on?

[@plagueyboy018]

With the book thing, I hope you know that i am obsessed with this one! GALLANT is a book about a mute, orphaned girl who gets a “note” from her uncle to go back to her family home. When she gets there, she finds something much different than what she wanted. The only three family members that are there with her keep telling her to never go around the back wall or through the gate, and she doesnt know why. As the story progresses, she learns many things about her parents, why she cant speak, and why the dilapidated wall should never be crossed. (PLEASE ANYBODY READ THIS ITS SOOOO GOOD!!!!!) ✨✨

[@neilconroy444]

when sean talked about how when he reads and comes up with how the setting looks in his head, he can't follow along with the actual description of the setting, i felt that

[@jordanvb575]

in terms of books, I’d highly recommend trying audiobooks as a form of consuming literature!! as someone with adhd who really can’t lock into physically reading, I love that audiobooks are like a podcast / someone reading to me bc I can multitask (do chores, listen on my commute etc.) OR even follow along whilst reading the actual book,, it’s awesome :)

[@ThumbWar2012]

53:28 Sabriel mention...! Love those books, especially the magic and world they built. Evelien has excellent taste. 💕 Hope it's a book ya like too Sean. Also, seconding YA for getting back into reading. And digital/audiobooks. There are plenty of hreat YA titles out there, and the ease in which you can slip into them really helps you fall back into the reading rhythm. ❤

[@EchodaGhost98]

Hey so not really a “book” recommendation here but I’ve recently been listening to the “8th Doctor adventures” a collection of dr who Big Finish Audiodramas on Spotify and they’re genuinely incredible. It’s got that classic sci-fi/horror adventure novel feel that you’d get from reading something like “the call of Cthulhu” or “war of the worlds” and still retains the traditional flair of Doctor Who. Would definitely recommend it!

[@MrrRoopants]

51:57 Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman is a fantastic dark fantasy. Super easy and fun to read. Also super videogamey. Big from soft and the Witcher vibes

[@meganwooten1498]

I'm so glad Sketch has so many people who came up to support him - it's unfortunate that it happened and should've not happened to him, but I'm glad he's doing okay. It hurt to hear he struggled with addiction - ive seen it first hand on what it does to people, but im glad that he's gotten through it and that he's still doing well despite it all happening. Book recommendations Eye of Minds - a series by James Dasher - Trilogy - sci-fi - and has to deal with video games (VR) and getting trapped in the VR world. The characters have to figure out how people are getting stuck in the games and how to get them out -- It's the same author as The Maze Runner -- honestly it's a good series the books aren't too long from what I remember The Testing - a series by Joelle Charbonneau - Trilogy - Sci-fi / dystopian - similar to the Hunger Games and to the divergent series - Main character (and other chosen kids) are tested to see who becomes the next generation leaders but there's twists and the books aren't too long either

[@Saberyy]

Ghost Story: Awhile back I watched the movie Paranormal Activity in theaters. Going into the movie I didn't believe in ghosts at all. After watching that movie, that same night, I was laying in bed watching TV trying to go to sleep, at the EXACT SAME TIME my television randomly shut off, and the poster beside my TV fell off the wall. AT THE SAME TIME!!!! Terrified me to my core, and have been open to the existence of ghosts/spirits ever since!! (For context, the poster was a wicked God of War Ascension poster).

[@teena9587]

Scary Stories to tell in the Dark is the best spooky story book. (Also for book recs recently Freida McFadden has been super popular for mystery/horror)

[@TobyGarcia-fj2ed]

I have so many ghost/paranormal stories from my childhood but this one actually spooked me the most When I was like 6 ot 7 years old I was sleeping with my mom on the couch and I woke up to dishes being washed in the kitchen so I walked in there and see my mom washing dishes but when I looked over to the couch my mom was sleeping. And I remember just looking back and forth confused and scared I didn't do anything or say anything so I just went back to the couch and went back to sleep. As I was trying to sleep I could still hear plates being washed. When I woke up I told my mom but she called me crazy lmao

[@DemonFromMel]

Some books for Ethan/anyone that likes horror/mystery/thriller: Carrie- Stephen King (quick, interesting format, like the movie but differs a lot in good ways) Firestarter- Stephen King (a little longer but characters and story pull you in and hold you) Misery- Stephen King (my favorite book of all time, thrilling and horrific, could not put it down) The Butcher and The Wren- Alaina Urquhart (short crime thriller with a knowledgeable author) The Haunting of Hill House- Shirley Jackson (classic book and short read, keeps you uneasy) I'm a huge horror fan and love a horror novel but I also have ADHD so reading can be tough for me, I've personally found audiobooks to help a lot and have read a lot more in the past year than I have in the previous 10.

[@LottaTrees]

Ghost story: Lived in a trailer park years ago, people would circulate in and out of ‘em pretty regularly after a year or so of living in them. I get sleep paralysis once in awhile. Woke up at about 3am to the sliding glass closet door slowly screeching open, I was in paralysis. Once fully opened, it rattled, and then slammed shut. After slamming, I (for the only time in my life) pulled myself out of paralysis, flopped outta bed, and stayed at a friend’s for the night. Had the place cleansed, asked around and apparently someone was “slaughtered” in the bathroom a few renters ago. Few other occurrences in that place before I moved out.

[@acec0s895]

one great fantasy book series is called Fablehaven, i love it so much, when i was younger my older sister showed it to me cause i wasnt much of a reader but this was a book series that i enjoyed alot and it actually kept me captivated

[@juliadzwonkowska1139]

Right now im reading "Who Fears Death" and I couldn't recommend it enough. Beautiful book, beautiful storyline, descriptive imagery that makes it a less challenging read, and so different from anything ive ever read. It tells the story of a young African woman and her journey of navigating "magic" powers that she's acquired as a result of her circumstances. Its really not what it sounds like and a million times better than anything i could say to describe it, highly recommend!!!!!

[@slowdance2softrock727]

Highly recommend Sphere by Michael Crichton. It is a hard sci-fi but Crichtons writing style is done in such a way that things are well explained. The characters are well written with personalities and brilliant banter between each other. The story and mystery is deeply intriguing, the twist about 3.5/4 of the way through is incredible. Definitely a must read for any sci fi enjoyer

[@ditdah]

Hah! I suggested Jurassic Park and Andromeda Strain, then said there was lots more of they liked those. Was specifically thinking about Sphere and also Terminal Man and Congo. Hes great.

[@21Michichi]

"Scientology and The Aftermath" from A&E was eye opening and terrifying. Its so much worse than most people imagine. Book: Humans are Weird I Have the Data by Betty Adams. Super easy and cute.

[@Iceyowns]

The Sabriel series by Garth Nix is so good! I was literally going to post it as my suggestion for Ethan.

[@drakeling870]

For Ethan I recommend the Eragon series. The author released another book for it somewhat recently, and it's one of my favorite book series.

[@JackStoneOffline]

Same! It was the series that hooked me to reading growing up, his syfy is really good too

[@feliciaroseantonia]

Makes me think of how Avril Lavigne released a new lyric video (or something of the sort) for her song Keep Holding On, which was featured in the soundtrack for the movie adaptation of the first book, back around the time the song originally came out!!!

[@_Sailor_Moon_1]

I only knew sketch through caseoh and I saw what case said about the situation and it genuinely made me tear up he's such a good friend. Then I saw sketch's short stream and it made me so mad that people where all up in flames about something like that.

[@BecxCozyCorner]

As a 29 year old, I still read a lot of YA, it's a sense of nostalgia for me now as a kid and teen that read a lot of YA :)

[@ergoanteros]

I didn't see enough people on the subreddit complaining about the late upload(jk don't do that), was constantly refreshing. (The minute I'm not is when it drops ofc) Very good episode guys👍🏻 Ethan, you should read the Percy Jackson series or at least the first one, feels good for the adhd brain and they even talk about it. Got me through being an undiagnosed student suffering my academic career without help starting in fifth grade💪🏻

[@catarina7]

On the topic of books to pick up. I love the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown. It's high sci fi based on a futuristic Mars. The first book grabbed me right away and I just couldn't put the books down. Such great story telling and he writes really good characters that you grow to love.

[@dreaye7535]

My absolute favourite book that I've reread too many times to count is Wind in the Willows. I can't recommend it enough. I think it's a book that everyone should read.