MrBeast | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

MrBeast and Beast Games

• MrBeast is a renowned content creator, entrepreneur, and YouTube personality who has generated immense energy and excitement in the world of giving back, and he has a new show called Beast Games where 1,000 people compete for a record-breaking $5 million prize (15s).
• Beast Games features a unique format with many twists and layers, allowing competitors to make choices that affect themselves and others, which is a departure from traditional game shows (1m38s).
• The show required a massive production effort, with over 100 people working on it, and resulted in over 100 years of footage, making it a logistical nightmare to set up and edit (2m6s).
• The show broke 40 Guinness World Records, including most contestants, largest cash prize, most cameras recording at once, and most money given away in the first episode (2m35s).

The Motivation and Psychology Behind MrBeast's Challenges

• MrBeast's motivation for creating the show is not explicitly stated, but it is implied that he derives joy from the manipulation and creativity involved in producing the show (3m56s).
• The show's production was so massive that it may have had the most people gathered in one place since a specific event, but this comment was later retracted and replaced with a humorous anecdote about a concert (3m1s).
• MrBeast's team had to work extensively to set up the cameras and edit the footage, which was a challenging task due to the show's scale and complexity (2m21s).
• The motivation behind giving away large sums of money is to create unique environments and observe how people react, which is a form of mass behavioral psychology, as well as to create great content that can't be found anywhere else (3m58s).
• This approach involves offering people money to eliminate others and seeing how much it takes for them to accept, which is a way to understand human behavior and psychology (4m29s).
• One experiment involved putting 100 people in a circle and offering half a million dollars to the last person to leave, which was done to see how long people would last and who would leave first (4m48s).
• The outcome of these experiments has shown that people are generally nicer than expected and tend to have integrity, even when offered large sums of money to screw others over (5m21s).
• In many cases, people have refused to take money that would harm others, which is a surprising and admirable display of integrity (5m42s).
• The integrity displayed by participants has been observed across various demographics, including different age groups and genders, although some seniors may not be able to participate due to the physical demands of the challenges (6m28s).
• The goal of these experiments is to create engaging content that tells a story and evokes emotions, which is not always possible in traditional YouTube videos (7m4s).

YouTube vs. Streaming Platforms and Content Creation Challenges

• YouTube content differs from streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video or Netflix, as users typically visit YouTube for shorter, quicker content rather than sitting down to watch a long series or show (7m13s).
• Building characters and evoking emotions is more challenging on YouTube due to the shorter video format, making it harder to develop a story and characters within a 20-minute video (7m43s).
• The goal was to create content that would evoke strong emotions in viewers, despite the challenges of the shorter format, and to build characters and create an emotional connection with the audience (7m50s).

Logistical and Financial Challenges of Beast Games

• The show features a large number of contestants, with 1,000 participants, which presents logistical challenges, including finding hotel rooms, feeding them, and recording their activities (8m29s).
• The production costs for the show are extremely high, with expenses including hotel rooms, food, and equipment, such as 1,000 cameras, 56 miles of cable, and a large team of camera operators (8m46s).
• The total budget for the show is not disclosed, but it is implied to be very high, with the host joking about the expense and the need to bleep out the actual figure (9m21s).
• The production involved building 1,000 towers with hydraulic press doors, safety features, and a custom software system to control the lights and cameras, making it a complex and expensive undertaking (9m57s).
• The set and equipment had to be taken down after filming, and the host does not own the property where the show was filmed (10m24s).
• A massive production was set up in Canada, utilizing six giant airport hangars and a nearby field to build a city and various sets, employing over 800 people to work on the city and 600 construction workers in the hangars, with a total of over 2,000 people on set at some points (10m28s).
• The production created a lot of jobs locally by working with two different unions and hiring people from the area (11m10s).

The Joy of Giving and MrBeast's Philanthropy

• The joy of giving away money and creating joyful moments for others comes from the fact that it's more fun than not doing so, and it makes the giver happier (12m38s).
• There's no deeper, more complex reason or a past experience that drives the desire to help people, it's simply that it's more enjoyable (12m31s).
• Publicists have suggested coming up with a more compelling story for why helping people is important, but the truth is that it's just more fun (13m1s).
• The idea of creating a more dramatic or touching backstory for helping others feels fake, and the simple truth is that it's more enjoyable to help people (13m22s).
• The giver's happiness and enjoyment are increased when helping others or giving away money, making it a more fulfilling experience (12m48s).
• Helping others is more enjoyable than not, and it's scary to think that people may compare their own situations to those who receive help, potentially creating unrealistic expectations (13m30s).
• A recent experience of giving money to people affected by a storm and flooding was eye-opening, but it's not comparable to the scale of other charitable efforts, such as building 100 wells in Africa (13m55s).
• The wells project was particularly impactful, as it involved traveling to remote areas with intense poverty and limited access to basic necessities like clean water and internet (14m6s).
• The experience highlighted the vast disparities in living conditions around the world and the importance of perspective in understanding these differences (14m28s).

MrBeast's Early Philanthropy and Financial Decisions

• The decision to start giving away finances was not dependent on achieving a certain level of wealth, as the first brand deal of $10,000 was given to a homeless person (14m58s).
• The approach to giving away money has been to match or exceed the earnings from each video or project, creating a cycle of giving and earning more (15m11s).
• The goal of giving away $5 million in a game show or reality show was set to beat the previous record of $4,560,000 from the show "Squid Game" (15m25s).
• In addition to the $5 million, over $15 million was given away throughout the show, demonstrating a commitment to doing good and making a positive impact (15m41s).
• This approach is seen as the opposite of traditional capitalism, where the focus is on making a profit rather than giving back (15m50s).
• The decision to give away large sums of money is expected to have an impact on the way other shows approach their cash prizes and charitable efforts (16m11s).

A Childhood Anecdote

• A person shared a story about their childhood where a man would give kids $10 to look at his butt from a distance, and they would get the money after doing so (16m41s).
• The person was around 11-13 years old at the time and thought the man was cheap, but also a bit crazy (17m39s).
• It was suggested that the person should file a police report, but they didn't think it was necessary, and the man is no longer offering the $10 to kids (17m45s).

MrBeast's YouTube Channel Growth and the Downsides of Fame

• The person has a large YouTube channel with over 330 million subscribers, which is comparable to the population of America (18m34s).
• The person's YouTube channel has grown significantly over the past eight years, from being in high school to having a massive following (18m44s).
• Having a large subscriber count has its downsides, such as being recognized everywhere and having every move end up on the internet (19m28s).
• The person's fame has increased significantly over the years, with people now following them in their car and trying to find out where they live (19m37s).
• Even mundane tasks, such as going to a drive-thru, can become a big deal and end up on the internet (19m50s).
• When interacting with people, especially at drive-thrus or restaurants, there's a 10% chance the interaction will end up on the internet or be twisted, and this has become more frequent as popularity has grown (19m56s).
• An instance occurred at a drive-thru where the employee recognized MrBeast and attempted to take a photo, despite being asked not to, and multiple coworkers also appeared with their phones to record (20m16s).
• The incident was later shared on Reddit, but the part about asking not to be doxed was left out, showing how information can be distorted or incomplete when shared online (20m51s).
• Another time, someone paid for MrBeast's food at a restaurant, but the next day, it was reported online that he had stiffed the server and didn't leave a tip, which was not true (21m5s).
• As popularity grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to go back to being anonymous, and every interaction has the potential to be shared or twisted online (21m53s).
• To maintain some level of anonymity, MrBeast has found that wearing a beanie and glasses can significantly reduce the number of photos taken, as these items are not typically associated with his online persona (22m5s).
• Other methods, such as wearing a hood, are not as effective, as they can appear suspicious, especially in warm weather (22m28s).
• Using disguises, such as the beanie and glasses combination, can be an effective way to maintain a low profile in public (22m44s).

Navigating Social Situations and the Etiquette of Paid Meals

• When someone pays for food at a restaurant, there's an unspoken expectation to engage with the person who paid, which can be inconvenient if in a hurry or not interested in conversation (22m55s).
• There's no rule book for how to handle situations like this, so it's a matter of learning on the go and figuring out what to do when random people pay for food (23m31s).
• The etiquette for this situation seems to involve demanding a bill from the waitress to tip, then finding the person who paid to thank them (23m41s).
• Fame can be a blessing and a curse, and sometimes it's a side effect of what someone wanted to do, with popularity bringing both benefits and drawbacks (24m0s).

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MrBeast's Early YouTube Career and Struggles

• The name "MrBeast" originated from a random name generator on Xbox Live, which gave the name "Mr b6000," and later the "6000" was dropped, resulting in the name "MrBeast" (29m20s).
• MrBeast started making videos at the age of 11, but they were initially of poor quality, and it took several years for him to gain an audience, with no one watching his videos until he was around 15 years old (29m38s).
• MrBeast faced challenges in the early days of his YouTube career, including depressive mental breakdowns and a lack of knowledge about editing, cameras, and other essential skills, but he persevered and continued to learn and improve (30m9s).
• To pursue a career on YouTube, it was necessary to earn enough money by the time of high school graduation, as grades were not good and financial support was limited due to parents' financial struggles after the 2008 financial crisis (30m37s).
• Despite initial struggles, with no one watching videos, a turning point came when a month's earnings reached $20,000, allowing for independence and the ability to move out (32m25s).
• The decision was made to attend community college, but the desire to focus on YouTube led to dropping out after two weeks and instead working on videos in a car (31m28s).
• To make ends meet, expenses were kept low, with rent split and a modest car, allowing for any excess funds to be reinvested in video production (32m54s).
• The approach to video production was relentless, with a focus on creating the best content possible, and every dollar earned was seen as an opportunity to improve video quality (33m15s).
• Studying the YouTube algorithm and analyzing thousands of videos revealed a correlation between video quality and view count, with better videos consistently receiving more views (33m30s).
• A notable moment in the journey was when a video of counting to 100,000 gained traction, despite moments of semi-consciousness and mistakes, such as counting backwards (31m53s).
• The journey to success spanned 15 years, with a focus on reinvesting earnings and continually improving video content (32m35s).
• The ability to reinvest in oneself came naturally, as living below means allowed for excess funds to be poured back into video production (32m47s).

Unique Video Content and Global Adventures

• YouTube's algorithm favors content that goes above and beyond, which contributed to the growth in views from 100,000 to over 100 million per video, as people notice and appreciate the effort put into creating high-quality content (33m41s).
• A recent video featured a trip to an underground city in Romania, which was a mix of past and present, with a Ferris wheel and other modern amenities, despite being used for salt mining for over 1,000 years (34m23s).
• The underground city was a real location, but it felt like a fantastical or fantasy setting, making it hard to distinguish between what was old and what was new (35m8s).

MrBeast's Personal Life and Acne Journey

• MrBeast has a girlfriend named Tia, but he prefers to keep his personal life private and doesn't refer to her as "Mrs. Beast" (35m14s).
• MrBeast's first girlfriend is not mentioned, but he recalls being incredibly awkward and having acne as a teenager, which made it difficult for him to talk to women (35m47s).
• His awkwardness and focus on YouTube actually worked to his advantage, as he was able to grind and work on his content from age 11 to 18 without distractions (36m11s).
• MrBeast took Accutane to treat his acne, which was successful in clearing up his skin, and he mentions that Accutane is a intense treatment that has been known to have serious side effects (36m27s).
• Taking Accutane helped clear up acne, and it was discovered through a dermatologist's recommendation after a friend's acne went away from taking the medication (36m49s).
• Accutane has intense effects, including drying out the skin and shrinking pores, which can cause blackheads to come out on their own (37m5s).
• The effects of Accutane can be so intense that it's probably for the better that it wasn't taken at a younger age, such as 15 or 16 (37m3s).
• Accutane changed life for the better, and the hope is to be an inspiration to others who are struggling with acne, just like a Call of Duty YouTuber was an inspiration (37m32s).
• The Call of Duty YouTuber shared a story about how Accutane fixed his acne, which was a life-changing moment (37m38s).
• Before taking Accutane, acne was severe, causing fear of smiling due to hard patches and the possibility of acne "squirt on somebody" (37m56s).
• Acne was also a source of insecurity, making it difficult to make certain faces or even leave the house due to fear of being seen with pimples (38m11s).
• The struggle with acne was frustrating, especially when seeing others with perfect, flawless skin despite not taking care of their skin (38m40s).
• Various products were tried to combat acne, including a green, blot-like substance that would stain clothing as it was sweated off throughout the day (38m56s).
• Other products like Proactive were also used, but the green substance was particularly memorable due to its staining effects (39m19s).
• The first experience with acne treatments was likely around the age of 11 or 12 (39m16s).

Childhood Memories and a Trip to India

• A childhood memory is shared about a girl who would play music on the back porch, specifically an Ice Cube song, and how this sparked a crush, despite some violence between their families in the past (39m43s).
• The girl's father, possibly a Raiders fan, would yell at her to play the song, and this experience left a lasting impression (40m43s).
• A trip to India is discussed, where the visitor had a magnificent experience working at a children's home in Madras, describing the people as beautiful and energetic (40m57s).
• The visitor's experience in India was intense, with a large crowd waiting at the airport, and a video of the arrival getting 20 million views in 10 hours, making it difficult to keep a low profile (41m37s).
• The visitor launched a product, a chocolate bar, at a mall in India, which attracted a huge crowd, causing the event to be cut short due to safety concerns (42m16s).
• Despite the chaos, the visitor met many Indian creators and Bollywood actors, and filmed some content, describing the experience as interesting and enjoyable (42m52s).
• A meet and greet was held with Bollywood actors' kids, which was a unique experience (43m1s).
• A recent visit to India was described, where numerous Bollywood stars were met, but their identities were unknown at the time, with one individual having 60 million followers on Instagram (43m6s).
• Many people in India have large followings on social media, particularly on Instagram, with some having 30 million followers, due in part to the country having twice as many Instagram users as the USA (43m47s).
• The ban on TikTok in India has led to increased usage of Instagram, making it a huge platform in the country (43m58s).
• Data analysis revealed that a large number of people use Instagram in India, with usage skyrocketing after the TikTok ban (44m14s).
• YouTube is also more popular in India than in America, with more people watching the platform in India due to the lack of competition from TikTok (44m21s).
• The large population of India, over a billion people, contributes to the huge market for social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram (44m31s).
• A visit to India was described as intense, with dozens of kids running alongside the car and following it, creating a feeling of being loved and cared for (44m42s).
• The energy in India was described as good and safe, with people being less concerned about personal space and more willing to approach and interact with others (45m3s).
• Cultural differences were noted, with people in India being more likely to run up and hug or get close to others, sometimes invading personal space (45m34s).
• In India, people often sleep on the side of the road, and it's common to see people lying down without pillows, with many others nearby. (45m51s)

Feasta Bles, Willy Wonka, and the Chocolate Factory Challenge

• Fans sent MrBeast Feasta bles, a type of cereal, which he enjoys, especially the peanut butter flavor, but having too much sugar in the middle of the night keeps him awake. (46m10s)
• The idea of doing a Willy Wonka-type event was discussed, where 10 golden tickets would be hidden in random bars, and the winners would compete in a chocolate factory. (46m35s)
• MrBeast actually built a chocolate factory and hid golden tickets in his chocolate bars, and the winners competed in a challenge, which included a chocolate river. (47m6s)
• However, the day before filming, the chocolate river disappeared due to a hole in the lining, and the team had to refill and redo the entire thing overnight. (47m24s)
• The chocolate factory challenge was filmed, and the video can be found on YouTube by searching "MrBeast Chocolate Factory." (48m22s)
• MrBeast has many crazy stories about the challenges and stunts he has done, including building a chocolate factory. (48m30s)
• A challenge involved contestants competing to win a chocolate factory, with the final challenge being to cook a dessert judged by Gordon Ramsay, who chose the winner of the factory (49m26s).
• Gordon Ramsay was compared to Charlie from the original Chocolate Factory, with a side-by-side photo comparison showing a resemblance (49m36s).
• Carl, a person mentioned, was also compared to a character from the original Chocolate Factory and found to have a similar appearance (50m1s).
• A shirtless photo of Gordon Ramsay was shown, with surprise expressed at his posing style (50m10s).

Fasting Challenges and Upcoming Video Projects

• Bobby F's daughter was mentioned as being beautiful and talented (50m27s).
• A separate video was filmed simultaneously, where one person did not eat food for two weeks, with the longest fast done being 14 days, resulting in a 20-pound weight loss (51m3s).
• The 14-day fast was done for a video to see what would happen, with the person experiencing energy drain after five or six days (51m10s).
• A dexa scan was done before and after the fast, showing a loss of six pounds of muscle, contradicting online information that claimed minimal muscle loss (51m30s).
• The person lost 13 pounds of fat and 7 pounds of lean mass during the fast, but found it depressing that the muscle loss was not regained after eating again (51m53s).
• A recent fasting experience was intense, with days 10-12 being particularly brutal due to a lack of energy, requiring a cane to walk around (52m12s).
• Despite the physical struggles, mental clarity did not improve, and there were no feelings of superhuman clarity or the ability to read people's minds (52m31s).
• Russell Okung, a former NFL tackle, lost over 150 lbs, including 100 lbs in 40 days, by fasting (52m47s).
• A new video project involves a person living in a weightlifting gym with a trainer and chef, aiming to lose 100 pounds within a year, with a cash prize at stake (53m0s).
• Another upcoming video features two newly licensed pilots living in a private jet for 100 days, with the goal of keeping the jet if they succeed (53m55s).

Video Production Challenges and the Importance of Ideas

• If forced to make one more video, the possibilities are endless, but the bottleneck is not ideas, but rather the resources and time required to execute multi-million dollar projects (54m51s).
• A bunker was built underground for a challenge where two people lived in it for 100 days to win half a million dollars, and the project took multiple months of building and preparation (55m15s).
• The challenge involved setting up the bunker, filming for 3 months and 10 days, having a camera crew and medic on site, and editing the footage afterwards, making it an 8-month long project (55m44s).
• The project cost around $4.5 million, including the bunker and the prize, and is an example of the kind of content that can be supported by YouTube (56m27s).
• To maintain a consistent upload schedule, multiple videos need to be worked on at the same time, with a team working on 6-8 videos simultaneously (56m40s).
• Ideas for videos are crucial, and the concept of a video can greatly impact its success, with some ideas being more engaging and view-worthy than others, even if they require the same amount of time and effort (57m9s).
• The importance of ideas has led to an obsession with coming up with crazy, cool, and original viral ideas, and brainstorming video ideas is a daily task (57m54s).
• The goal is to upload two videos a month, which requires a team effort and a constant flow of new ideas (56m36s).
• The team works together to come up with ideas, but the importance of the concept and setting of a video cannot be overstated, as it can make or break the video's success (56m54s).
• A Google sheet with 10,000 ideas was created to keep track of ideas, but due to the large number of ideas and limited time, people were hired to help come up with more ideas (58m7s).
• The key to coming up with original and creative ideas is to constantly intake new information and learn new things, as this allows for brainstorming around new concepts (58m51s).
• When hiring people to brainstorm ideas, it's essential to train them to watch a variety of different content, absorb new information, and listen to different podcasts to avoid repetitive ideas (59m43s).
• The goal is to control the "information diet" of the people helping with ideas, exposing them to various topics to generate unique ideas (1h0m6s).

The Importance of Unique Content and the "Purple Cow"

• A crucial factor in achieving 100 million views on a video is creating content that is new and unseen before, making it memorable and attention-grabbing (1h0m20s).
• The concept of a "purple cow" from a Ted Talk illustrates the importance of uniqueness in grabbing people's attention, as something new and unusual stands out and is remembered (1h0m30s).
• To make an impact on social media, it's essential to create unique and attention-grabbing content, referred to as the "Purple Cow," rather than blending in with ordinary content, like a regular cow, especially when introducing something new and unfamiliar to the audience (1h0m58s).
• The concept of the "Purple Cow" is inspired by Prince, a musician from Minnesota, known for his distinctive style and association with the color purple (1h1m7s).
• The importance of creating unique content is emphasized, as it can help individuals stand out on social media and make their ideas more noticeable (1h1m49s).

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Misconceptions About MrBeast's Work and the Pressures of Content Creation

• A common misconception about MrBeast's work is that he makes content for kids, but in reality, his content has evolved over time, and his newer videos have improved storytelling and character development, making them enjoyable for people in their 20s and 30s (1h5m52s)
• MrBeast's older videos may have come across as fast-paced or ADHD-like due to his lack of experience with storytelling at the time, but his content has leveled up significantly over the past three years, especially in the last 18 months (1h6m37s)
• Another misconception is that MrBeast's entertainment is still junior or only suitable for kids, but his content can be enjoyed by people of all ages, as seen in his high-quality and entertaining videos like the bunker video (1h7m25s)
• People often think that MrBeast's work is easy, but in reality, his projects are monumental and require a lot of effort to produce high-quality content that will be watched by over 100 million people, all within a short timeframe (1h8m4s)
• MrBeast Productions has hundreds of full-time employees who depend on the YouTube channel, creating a lot of pressure and stress to constantly produce content (1h8m34s).
• The company faces tight timelines and limited budgets compared to giant studios, making it difficult to produce videos (1h8m27s).
• MrBeast assumes that the YouTube algorithm will give his videos millions of views, which adds to the stress and pressure (1h8m57s).
• The business is not typical, as MrBeast's presence is crucial, and if he doesn't film, there's no video, making him irreplaceable (1h9m11s).
• MrBeast finds it challenging to balance the stress and pressure of his work with the desire to be happy and prioritize his well-being (1h10m35s).
• He is incredibly competitive and loves winning, which drives him to constantly produce content and push himself (1h10m56s).
• MrBeast believes that people can be motivated by multiple things, and it's not just one reason that drives him to do everything (1h11m13s).

MrBeast's Motivations, Work-Life Balance, and Daily Schedule

• He acknowledges that it's tough to monitor the different parts of his brain, which want to do more or try new things, while also ensuring that he's okay and happy (1h10m10s).
• Friends from childhood work for him, and he doesn't want to fire them due to financial constraints, which motivates him to provide for those who risked everything to work with him (1h11m20s).
• He is also motivated by entertaining people, with his videos averaging 200 million views in the first year, and he wants to take advantage of this opportunity while it lasts (1h11m33s).
• Working is in his blood, and he doesn't know what else to do with his life; if he's not working on something stimulating, he gets depressed and feels unfulfilled (1h12m6s).
• He believes some people are hardwired to be like this, and he thinks it's essential to be who you are, even if it means not celebrating wins or having a work-life balance (1h12m38s).
• He advises against his lifestyle for most creators, as it involves too much stress and pressure, and he doesn't have a work-life balance (1h12m59s).
• His schedule is packed, with filming for multiple channels, including the main channel, Beast Philanthropy, TikTok, and Instagram, as well as networking and other tasks (1h13m7s).
• He has a person who helps him write down everything he wants to accomplish on a whiteboard, which takes up the size of a wall, and then schedules out every second of his time (1h13m30s).
• This helps him avoid being reactive and focus on his goals, but he sometimes falls into the trap of being reactive to the needs of his channels and other obligations (1h13m55s).
• As a creator, it's essential to be proactive and think outside the box to prioritize tasks correctly and maintain a visionary mindset (1h14m7s).

The Challenges of Building an Audience and Leading a Team

• Initially, creators work for themselves, but as they build an audience, they start working for the audience, which can be a significant shift in perspective (1h14m23s).
• Having an audience can be a double-edged sword, as creators feel a sense of responsibility to cater to their audience's expectations, which can affect their personal freedom (1h14m43s).
• Being a boss requires learning and growth, and one of the key lessons is the importance of showing up in a comfortable and approachable way to positively impact employees (1h15m19s).
• Effective communication is crucial in a leadership role, as employees may not always understand what is expected of them without clear guidance (1h15m28s).
• As a boss, it's essential to learn from mistakes and adapt to new situations, especially when scaling a business and hiring more employees (1h15m35s).
• The experience of hiring employees at a young age, around 18 or 19, can be challenging, and it's essential to learn from those early mistakes (1h15m45s).
• One approach to hiring employees is to look for people with relevant skills and experience, rather than relying on unconventional methods, such as hiring comedians from an open mic or employees from a local electronics store (1h16m16s).
• The importance of finding the right people for the job and building a cohesive team cannot be overstated, as it can significantly impact the success of a business or project (1h16m51s).
• People were hired from high school to make videos that gained views, and the goal was to give 3 million pennies to 3 million subscribers, but it was a challenging task due to a lack of experience and mentors (1h17m1s).
• The team initially consisted of inexperienced people, including laptop salesmen and comedians, but eventually, more experienced individuals were hired to help figure things out (1h17m21s).
• To find people with specific skills, places like Best Buy were visited to find individuals who could sell refrigerators and talk about iPods, but this approach did not yield high-quality employees (1h17m39s).
• One of the employees hired from Best Buy turned out to be a convicted felon, and background checks were not performed at the time due to a lack of knowledge about the hiring process (1h18m0s).

Early Hiring Mistakes and Financial Challenges

• As a teenager, there was no understanding of payroll, taxes, CFOs, or bookkeeping, and everything had to be learned through trial and error (1h18m14s).
• Despite the challenges, filming continued, and the team had to adapt to complicated and constantly changing situations, with about one in three videos being scrapped or not liked (1h18m35s).
• At one point, there was a significant financial setback, with a negative balance of $200,000, but the situation was eventually recovered from by reinvesting and being frugal (1h18m54s).

Financial Decisions, Family Dynamics, and Communication

• The importance of saving money was emphasized by a family member, who suggested putting away 20% of earnings, but the idea was initially rejected in favor of using the funds for video content (1h19m25s).
• Communication skills have improved over time, and it is now easier to explain the reasoning behind financial decisions, such as giving away large sums of money for video content (1h19m47s).
• Social skills were extremely poor, with a self-described rating of "negative 10,000", making it difficult to communicate effectively, especially with the mother, due to a huge language barrier (1h20m1s).
• The primary focus was on creating the best videos possible, which led to disagreements with the mother about spending money, as she wanted to save some, while the response was that saving would only limit the quality of the videos (1h20m26s).
• The mother's past experiences, including going bankrupt in 2008, caused her to be extremely cautious with finances, leading to intense arguments and her sometimes crying due to the fear of losing everything again (1h21m2s).
• Eventually, the mother came to trust the decision-making process, which greatly improved their relationship, as she began to stress less and believe in the ability to figure things out (1h21m30s).
• Despite being extremely busy, the mother is grateful to still be able to work together and do things, which serves as a bonding experience, as working on shared projects is genuinely fulfilling (1h22m13s).
• The mother enjoys working and is involved in managing the business, which has become less stressful over time, and now includes more enjoyable tasks, such as managing hundreds of employees with divvy cards and multiple bank accounts (1h22m44s).
• Trusting someone to manage master accounts is crucial, and having someone trustworthy like a mom can be beneficial in preventing fraud and ensuring account security (1h22m57s).
• Moms put 18 years of their life into raising their children, which is a significant investment, and it's a risk as humans can be unpredictable (1h23m25s).
• Being a human is a "shaky business," and parents take a risk by raising their children and eventually unleashing them into the world (1h23m40s).
• Spoiling one's mom is a way to show appreciation for the sacrifices they made, especially during difficult times, such as after 2008 when multiple jobs were necessary to support the family (1h23m58s).

Addressing Allegations and Managing a Large Team

• There have been attempts to poke holes in the company, but there is no validity to the allegations, and it's possible that other companies or outside interests may be trying to create negative buzz due to the company's success (1h24m39s).
• With hundreds of employees and contractors, it's impossible for there to be no negative issues, but the company has HR to address these problems, and any issues are blown out of proportion (1h25m22s).
• The company takes allegations seriously and has HR look into any reported issues to ensure they are addressed properly (1h26m9s).
• Managing a large team of people, including contractors, can be challenging, and it's unrealistic to expect that there will never be any issues, with hundreds or even over a thousand people working together for long hours (1h26m45s).
• When issues arise, it's best to bring in an outside third party to investigate and provide guidance on how to resolve the problem, rather than trying to handle it internally (1h26m15s).
• As a creator, it can be tough to scale a business while maintaining control over every aspect, and it's necessary to prioritize and delegate tasks (1h27m38s).

Philanthropic Efforts and Ethical Sourcing of Cocoa

• Philanthropic efforts have included removing plastics from the ocean, helping people with eyesight, and installing water wells in Africa, with a goal of 100 wells across Zambia (1h28m7s).
• A current focus is on addressing the unethical practices in the cocoa industry, particularly in West Africa, where 46% of labor on cocoa farms is child labor (1h29m15s).
• The majority of the world's cocoa comes from Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, with 70% of the world's cocoa supply originating from these countries (1h28m53s).
• The goal is to make a positive impact and create a better future through philanthropic efforts, with a focus on addressing specific issues and creating lasting change (1h28m27s).
• A significant amount of attention has been focused on sourcing cocoa for a product called febles, with the initial source being Peru due to its ethical sourcing and use of family-owned farms (1h29m25s).
• However, Peru does not produce enough cocoa to supply large chocolate companies, making it impossible for big companies to ethically source cocoa from there (1h29m42s).
• As a result, the supply chain was switched to West Africa, where it is challenging to ethically source cocoa, and efforts have been made to work with a reporter named Tony Chocolonely, who exposed the chocolate industry's child labor issues (1h30m3s).
• Tony Chocolonely started his own chocolate company to prove that it is possible to ethically source cocoa and has been working with him to figure out how to ethically source chocolate (1h30m32s).
• A supply chain has been built with Tony's company, ensuring that all farmers are fair trade certified and paid a living income to prevent child labor (1h30m52s).
• The living income reference price is used as a benchmark to ensure farmers can afford to hire adults and make a living, and a premium is paid if the market price is lower than this reference price (1h31m15s).
• Farm coaches are also provided to help farmers increase their yield and make more money, in addition to being paid a living income (1h32m9s).
• Many cocoa farmers struggle with income and use child labor as a result, making it difficult to simply tell them to stop using child labor without providing alternative solutions (1h32m23s).
• A recent trip to Ghana involved going through the entire supply chain, from working on a farm to seeing how the government does quality control on the beans, in order to figure out ethical sourcing (1h32m44s).
• Ethical sourcing is expensive, but teaching people how to have success in their own lives can be a big form of philanthropy, as one person can become a leader and teach others (1h33m16s).
• The goal is to make Feasts a big, ethically sourced, and profitable chocolate company, which can then be used to pressure other big chocolate companies to follow suit (1h33m34s).
• Currently, there are over a million kids in child labor on cocoa farms in West Africa, and while Feasts may not be able to get all of them out, it can aim to get tens of thousands out and use its platform to influence others (1h34m6s).
• The ultimate goal is to create a snowball effect that gets hundreds of thousands of kids out of child labor (1h34m22s).

Candy Preferences and YouTube Content Moderation

• There is a dislike for Three Musketeers, with a preference for Paydays, but only if they had more saltiness and nuts (1h34m30s).
• Paydays are not as good as they used to be, with the chewy stuff in the middle being overpowering (1h35m16s).
• Payday bars used to be a better product with more flavorful nuts, but now they lack flavor and salt, making them less enjoyable (1h35m20s).
• The conversation shifted to YouTube sanctions and content moderation, with a discussion on how bigger channels are reviewed before their videos go up to ensure they meet the standards of premium advertisers (1h35m45s).
• YouTube has a system in place for bigger channels, where they review content before it's uploaded to ensure it's suitable for premium advertisers, but this is not mandatory and is done to help creators get higher ad rates (1h36m9s).
• The platform is in a tough position, having to set parameters for different videos and considering the potential impact on certain people, but ultimately, it's up to the creators to decide what content to upload (1h36m47s).
• Brands that spend a significant amount on marketing have the right to dictate what type of content they want to advertise on, and YouTube accommodates this by giving creators the option to remove certain content or forgo higher ad rates (1h37m9s).

Personal Preferences, Presidential Aspirations, and Interactions with Elon Musk

• The conversation also touched on personal preferences, with one person mentioning they don't drink alcohol due to an addictive personality and a goal to avoid it for their entire life, with a few exceptions (1h37m36s).
• A visit to a club resulted in a two-hour stay, despite initial reluctance, and led to trying a drink for the first time, which was not an enjoyable experience (1h38m22s).
• The experience of drinking was described as feeling "weird" and "dumb," and not a pleasant or enjoyable feeling (1h38m42s).
• There is a perception that drinking is becoming less popular, especially among the younger generation, who may view it as "dumb" (1h38m47s).
• A tweet from July suggested that if the age for president were lowered, there might be a consideration to run, but this was mostly a joke to gauge people's reactions (1h39m10s).
• If a run for president were to happen, it would likely be at an older age, around 50 or 60, after accomplishing business goals and gaining experience at the local and state levels (1h39m32s).
• Elon Musk and the individual have met briefly at the Super Bowl, where they discussed Twitter, but there have been no other collaborations or interactions (1h40m26s).
• There have been talks with people at SpaceX about potential ideas and collaborations, but nothing has been finalized (1h40m46s).
• An idea was floated to interview the astronauts on the SpaceX mission, which would be a unique and unprecedented opportunity (1h40m55s).
• Elon Musk's team offered to send a Starlink, which is an amazing product that provides internet access even in remote locations like Zambia and Antarctica (1h41m19s).
• Starlink is a phenomenal product that allows for internet access in the middle of nowhere, including Antarctica, which is the furthest point from human civilization (1h41m34s).

A Trip to Antarctica

• A trip to Antarctica involves flying to South America and then boarding a commercial plane, such as a Boeing 747, to reach the continent (1h42m0s).
• The plane lands on an ice runway, which is a sketchy experience, and passengers disembark using a janky ladder (1h42m29s).
• The research facility in Antarctica consists of three big tents for researchers and smaller tents for living quarters, with no actual terminal due to the extreme weather conditions (1h42m56s).
• The researchers have to pack everything up and leave during the intense winters, which last three or four months, and the facility is only accessible during the sunnier periods (1h43m5s).
• A snowstorm hit during the trip, forcing the team to wait it out in the research facilities instead of venturing out to set up a camp and try to survive for 50 hours (1h43m31s).
• The storm was intense, with one of the tents having its door flung open, and the team had to tie the door shut to prevent it from being blown away (1h43m50s).
• To protect their tents from the strong winds, the team had to build snow walls around them to prevent them from being swept away (1h44m12s).
• In Antarctica, it's normal to barricade oneself in a metal pole-reinforced tent with tin to protect against strong winds, and there's nowhere to run to when the winds pick up at night (1h44m19s).
• Due to environmental regulations, it's massively illegal to leave any waste behind in Antarctica, so all waste must be stored, carried, and flown back out, including human waste, which is stored in a "piss tank" (1h44m41s).
• The sun's reflection off the snow in Antarctica can cause snow blindness, so it's necessary to wear tinted glasses when going outside to avoid being blinded (1h45m1s).
• The landscape in Antarctica is vast and empty, with nothing in sight, no animals, no roads, and no signs of life, making it feel like being on a different planet (1h45m23s).
• After a snowstorm, it's possible to go skiing or walking in the vast, empty landscape, but there are crevasses and ravines that can be hidden by snow, making it necessary to use a device to scan for holes and mark safe areas (1h45m47s).
• To ensure safety, a perimeter is scanned and marked with flags, and it's essential to stay within the marked area to avoid falling into hidden holes (1h46m14s).
• A mountain in Antarctica with no recorded climbs was successfully climbed, and it was named "Shopify CU" in honor of the sponsor that helped make the expedition possible (1h46m39s).
• The experience of being in Antarctica, climbing the mountain, and setting up tents in the middle of nowhere was described as awesome (1h46m35s).

Antarctica's Research Facilities and Extreme Conditions

• There are research facilities in Antarctica, but no bars, no people, and no signs of life, leading to speculation about what might be happening in the research facilities (1h47m5s).
• The temperature in Antarctica can be extremely cold, but it depends on the time of year and the location (1h47m27s).
• A research facility was visited, and after leaving, a camp was set up, requiring goggles to be worn to prevent blindness due to the extreme environment (1h47m55s).
• The setup process involved a group of people, described as "a bunch of stupid kids," with a safety expert present, and it's surprising that no one got lost (1h48m17s).
• A mountain was climbed, and the views from the top were described as "gnarly" (1h48m52s).
• An ad read was done while climbing the mountain, specifically for Shopify, chosen as a time when people wouldn't click off (1h48m59s).

Geopolitical Considerations and Content Strategy

• The possibility of doing a video with Kim Jong-un is unlikely, as it would likely be seen as Western propaganda, and citizens might not be allowed to participate (1h49m10s).
• When posting videos in China, it was noticed that videos giving away money were not well-received, with comments labeling the content creator as an "American capitalist" (1h49m25s).
• As a result, the type of content posted in China was changed to challenge videos, which were better received (1h49m41s).

Favorite TV Shows and the Making of Beast Games

• The current TV show being watched is "Penguin" on HBO, although it hasn't been started yet (1h50m3s).
• Another favorite show to watch is "Beast Games," with a particular episode being watched around 100 times to give notes and for enjoyment (1h50m13s).
• It's also enjoyable to watch other people watch the show, with around 30 people's reactions being watched so far (1h50m26s).
• Beast Games is a project that has been in the works for over a year, with a significant amount of time, effort, and money invested in it, and it's something that everyone can enjoy, not just children (1h50m46s).
• The project has 10 episodes filmed, and it's a mature and aged-up content that is different from the usual YouTube videos (1h51m5s).
• The project involves building a thousand individual platforms, 3,000 hydraulic presses, 1,000 foam pits, 1,000 crash pads, and rigging up lighting and 1,000 GoPros (1h51m30s).
• The project also involves building a city with housing for 500 people, a sports facility, two massive five-story towers, a helipad, and a wall (1h52m6s).
• The closest comparison to the project is the Angola Prison Rodeo, where prisoners participate in a rodeo event once a year (1h52m17s).
• The Angola Prison Rodeo is an event where prisoners are put in a circle and if they leave the circle, bulls are sent through, and the prize for participating is unknown (1h52m47s).
• The project's creator is excited to see people's reactions to the project and feels that it will blow their minds (1h51m15s).
• The project's creator is also aware of other competition, such as the TV show "Hands on a Hard Body," where contestants keep their hands on a car to win it (1h53m15s).
• The project's creator has not seen the documentary "Hands on a Hard Body" but has heard of it, and is aware of a musical adaptation of the show (1h53m26s).

Competition and Inspiration

• A person lost a million dollars in cash after 18 hours of having their hands on it, as they started to lose focus and reached for something else, losing their grip on the money (1h54m0s).
• Meeting certain individuals can change one's perspective on what is possible, and spending time with them can be inspiring (1h54m25s).
• Relationships, including romantic ones, can be challenging to navigate when spending a lot of time working, as it can be difficult to balance work and personal life (1h54m35s).
• A past traumatic experience in high school, where someone criticized an obsession with YouTube, led to difficulties in forming relationships and feeling like an outcast (1h55m14s).
• The realization that it's not necessary to change who you are, but rather to surround yourself with like-minded people, was a turning point in overcoming relationship struggles (1h56m18s).
• Relationships with people who don't share similar goals or ambitions can be challenging, but connecting with individuals who are driven to achieve something extraordinary can lead to meaningful connections (1h56m27s).
• Spending time with someone who is building a business or working on something cool can lead to engaging conversations and a sense of camaraderie (1h56m40s).

Relationships and Personal Growth

• Relationships, including romantic ones, can be challenging to navigate when spending a lot of time working, as it can be difficult to balance work and personal life (1h54m35s).
• A past traumatic experience in high school, where someone criticized an obsession with YouTube, led to difficulties in forming relationships and feeling like an outcast (1h55m14s).
• The realization that it's not necessary to change who you are, but rather to surround yourself with like-minded people, was a turning point in overcoming relationship struggles (1h56m18s).
• Relationships with people who don't share similar goals or ambitions can be challenging, but connecting with individuals who are driven to achieve something extraordinary can lead to meaningful connections (1h56m27s).
• Spending time with someone who is building a business or working on something cool can lead to engaging conversations and a sense of camaraderie (1h56m40s).
• Surrounding oneself with the right kind of people is crucial, as they are rare and can be found by being diligent, which has helped greatly in personal and professional growth (1h56m45s).
• Having a supportive partner, like the current girlfriend, is essential, as she understands the demands of growing a channel and creating great content, and they communicate well (1h56m59s).
• Building an ethical supply chain and working on various projects can be challenging, and having a supportive partner helps in managing stress and avoiding burnout (1h57m4s).
• Taking time off and spending time with loved ones is necessary, as it helps in decompressing and avoiding mental breakdowns, and consistently spending time with the girlfriend has been beneficial in this regard (1h57m44s).
• Connecting with people and having meaningful relationships is important, as it helps in putting things into perspective and avoiding mental health issues (1h58m40s).

Future Collaborations and Gratitude

• Meeting people who are admired can sometimes lead to disappointment, but in this case, the conversation has been inspiring and exciting, and there are plans to collaborate in the future (1h58m52s).
• There are plans to do a show in North Carolina, and the invitation will be extended to the person being spoken to (1h59m14s).
• The person being spoken to is excited to see what the future holds and appreciates the content and entertainment provided, and believes that it inspires a lot of people (1h59m25s).
• MrBeast expresses gratitude for being on the podcast, complimenting the host on their exceptional skills, good questions, and welcoming environment, and appreciates the small gestures like having his preferred drink, Celsius, available (1h59m31s).

Handling Compliments and Future Aspirations

• MrBeast shares that he feels uncomfortable when people talk about him in a positive manner, and has had to train himself to sit through the compliments without changing the subject (2h0m6s).
• He mentions that his default response used to be to change the subject instantly, but now he has practiced accepting compliments (2h0m20s).
• The conversation shifts to the topic of Celsius, a drink that was provided for free, and MrBeast mentions that his goal is to create his own water brand one day (2h0m53s).
• MrBeast shares his vision for a wellness facility for people recovering from addiction, where the facility would be self-sustaining by employing the people in recovery to help create a product, such as water, which would be sold to support the facility (2h1m3s).
• He notes that the government has not effectively combated the opioid epidemic, and his idea is to create a product that everyone needs, which is clean water, and use the proceeds to help people get clean (2h1m31s).
• The conversation takes a humorous turn, with the idea of putting former addicts to work selling drugs, but MrBeast quickly dismisses this idea and reiterates his plan to create a water brand (2h1m43s).