Soft Launch

Myspace, millennial cringe, social media, marriage, and a VERY questionable Netflix Funny AF audition. 😂 JC Mendoza and Samantha Santos take a trip down memory lane—and things get weird when the FEDS DID A SWEEP.

On this episode of Soft Launch, JC and Samantha talk about betting on yourself, turning down a new job, growing on social media, and the pressure of trying to build a creative career. They also dive into the glory days of Myspace, digital cameras, Photobucket, Top 8 drama, embarrassing old photos, and the uniquely chaotic experience of being a millennial who grew up online.

Plus, the two comedians talk about submitting for Netflix's Funny AF, the insane audition video JC created, how they decide what content makes it onto social media, and why some jokes are better left on the podcast. Then they introduce "Touching Grass," a new Soft Launch segment dedicated to ideas that were created with absolutely no supervision from logic or reason.

If you grew up with Myspace, digital cameras, AIM-era internet culture, or have ever experienced the particular horror of looking back at your teenage social media presence, this one's for you.

00:00 - Welcome Back to Soft Launch & Episode 152
00:49 - One Thing About We: Turning Down a New Job
13:38 - Betting on Yourself & Building a Career Through Social Media
19:54 - The Art of Making Social Media Clips
27:27 - Applying for Netflix's Funny AF
28:05 - The Wildest One-Minute Audition Video
34:59 - Why JC Is Edgier on the Podcast Than on Stage
40:59 - Touching Grass: Soft Launch's New Unhinged Segment
43:30 - Myspace Changed the World
44:19 - Millennial Cringe & Erasing Your Digital Past
45:38 - Digital Cameras, Photobucket & Embarrassing Photos
47:00 - FEDS DID A SWEEP
48:13 - The 5,000 Photos That Started the Investigation
51:45 - Teenage Privacy & The Ultimate Kitchen Table Reveal
53:52 - Myspace vs. Modern Social Media
55:20 - Myspace Top 8 & The Beginning of Millennial Anxiety
56:37 - Why Social Media Has Always Been Political
57:32 - How Myspace Top 8 Ruined a Relationship
59:45 - The Myspace "About Me" Era
01:03:52 - JC's Legendary Myspace Profile
01:04:38 - Wrapping Up

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🎙️ Soft Launch Podcast: [@softlaunchpodcast]📸 JC Mendoza: [peachfuzzpapi]📸 Samantha Santos: [makemelaughsam]🎟️ LIVE IN NYC 8/30: [https://newyorkcomedyclub.com/events/oscar-aydin-vannessa-jackson-jc-mendoza-chris-reiter-samantha-santos]

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Myspace, millennial nostalgia, millennial cringe, social media, Netflix Funny AF, Funny AF, digital cameras, Photobucket, Myspace Top 8, dating, relationships, marriage, comedy podcast, stand up comedy, JC Mendoza, Samantha Santos, Soft Launch Podcast

What do Bacardi, Hennessy, the Poconos, therapy, and a disastrous Nintendo job interview have in common? Somehow, they all end up in the same episode of Soft Launch.

On Episode 151, JC Mendoza and Samantha Santos revisit their worst drinking habits, from 151 and Bacardi to Hennessy, brutal hangovers, and the questionable decisions of their younger years. Samantha recounts a chaotic Poconos bachelorette party before the conversation turns to therapy, manual labor, cleaning out a disgusting garage, job hunting, and figuring out what comes next.

Then JC tells the story of his infamous Nintendo job interview — including the outfit, the group interview, the question about his favorite Nintendo game, and the catastrophic moment when he accidentally names a Sega game instead. Somehow, he still manages to win the Mario Kart portion of the interview.

Listen to Soft Launch wherever you get your podcasts.

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Episode Topics:

00:00 - Episode 151: The 151 Drinking Era02:09 - The Good Friday 2005 House Party03:27 - Why Bacardi Tastes Like Rubbing Alcohol05:41 - The Incredible Hulk, College Drinking & Suite 50307:11 - Hennessy, Hypnotic & the Infamous “Hudson River”09:31 - McFadden’s, College Bars & New York Nightlife10:29 - SantaCon and the 9AM Banger Debate12:35 - Samantha’s Poconos Bachelorette Party13:48 - Renting a Poconos Pool for the Weekend16:07 - Why Samantha Wants a House in the Poconos17:37 - FOMO vs. Hangovers: How Much Can You Drink?19:21 - The Coconut Water Drinking Hack21:24 - “Clubbing” in the Poconos22:17 - Bad Bunny Takes Over the Dance Floor25:34 - The Creepy Men at the Poconos Bar28:22 - Rural Pennsylvania’s Breakdancing Champion29:27 - The Bahamas Breakdancing Prank31:17 - Becoming a Reformed “Middle of the Circle Guy”33:32 - How “Cuz” Took Over Their Relationship34:54 - Why the Poconos Is Basically Disneyland35:08 - Is “The Poconos” Actually a Place?37:47 - JC Stays Home and Plays Single Father38:30 - Cleaning Out the Garage and Manual Labor40:07 - The Nastiest Garage Cleanup Story46:43 - Job Hunting, LinkedIn & Looking for Meaningful Work47:07 - JC’s First Job Interview at the Nintendo Store49:19 - The Nike Elite Socks Nintendo Interview Outfit50:23 - The Nintendo Group Interview Begins50:50 - “What’s Your Favorite Nintendo Game?”51:56 - The Nintendo Interview Disaster: Sonic vs. Nintendo53:22 - Winning Mario Kart After Blowing the Interview55:35 - “Isn’t It Your Job to Teach Me?”56:32 - JC’s Nintendo Revenge Tour58:15 - What the Nintendo Interview Still Means Today59:29 - The Soft Launch Future1:00:13 - In Rhythm, Motion Picture This & Final Thoughts

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Soft Launch Podcast, JC Mendoza, Samantha Santos, Poconos, Nintendo, Nintendo job interview, drinking stories, Bacardi, Hennessy, therapy, comedy podcast, bachelorette party, Pennsylvania, job hunting, college drinking, hangovers, New York comedians

What was supposed to be the perfect Puerto Rico birthday getaway quickly turned into a 12-hour JetBlue travel nightmare—and somehow still became one of our favorite vacations ever.

This week on Soft Launch, we're recapping our trip from New York to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, celebrating JC's birthday, surviving multiple JetBlue flight delays, getting stranded in Orlando, Florida, and finally discovering why Puerto Rico's west coast might be one of the best-kept travel secrets in the Caribbean.

We share everything from airport chaos and first-class drama to snorkeling with sea turtles, exploring Crash Boat Beach, Peña Blanca, Jobos Beach, hidden waterfalls, giant iguanas, shark empanadas, and the unexpectedly hilarious moments that only seem to happen when we travel together. We also talk about getting recognized by listeners on the beach, why Aguadilla completely changed the way we think about Puerto Rico, and how our most memorable moments came from slowing down instead of rushing through an itinerary.

Whether you're planning a Puerto Rico vacation, searching for Aguadilla travel recommendations, wondering if JetBlue delays are really that bad, or just looking for a funny relationship podcast to laugh along with, this episode has you covered.

In this episode we cover:

• JetBlue's 12-hour flight delay and getting stranded in Orlando
• Flying from New York to Puerto Rico for JC's birthday
• Why Aguadilla is our new favorite destination in Puerto Rico
• Peña Blanca, Crash Boat Beach, and Jobos Beach
• Hidden waterfalls, rope swings, and mountain driving
• Sea turtles, giant iguanas, and shark empanadas
• Getting recognized by listeners while on vacation
• Traveling as a couple and finding the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation
• Why this became one of our favorite trips ever

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Soft Launch on Spotify, leave us a 5-star rating, and share the show with someone who's planning a trip to Puerto Rico, loves travel stories, or enjoys comedy podcasts about relationships, vacations, and everyday chaos.

Keywords: Puerto Rico, Aguadilla Puerto Rico, JetBlue, JetBlue flight delays, Puerto Rico travel, Aguadilla beaches, Crash Boat Beach, Jobos Beach, Peña Blanca, Orlando Florida, New York travel, birthday trip, travel podcast, relationship podcast, comedy podcast, Soft Launch Podcast.

The World Cup, Argentina, Messi, Spain, Christopher Nolan, and The Odyssey — somehow, Samantha Santos and JC Mendoza manage to connect all of it in one episode.

On this episode of Soft Launch, Samantha and JC get into their very different relationships with movies, Christopher Nolan, and the upcoming The Odyssey. JC tries to convince Samantha to take cinema seriously, while Samantha explains why she has absolutely no interest in Christopher Nolan movies — until a gay man recommends The Odyssey and suddenly she's willing to reconsider. The conversation also takes a turn into comedy, fame, sexism, sexual harassment, and how the Me Too movement changed the comedy industry. Then, in Aight So Boom, they discuss the World Cup, Spain vs. Argentina, Lionel Messi, sports fandom, and why people can't seem to enjoy a soccer game without turning it into a political debate. Plus, they look back at the excitement of the World Cup taking over New York City before heading off on vacation.

In this episode:
• Christopher Nolan and The Odyssey
• Why Samantha hates Inception
• Getting your partner to watch movies they don't want to see
• Comedy, fame, and creepy behavior in the industry
• Women in comedy before and after the Me Too movement
• Spain vs. Argentina in the World Cup
• Lionel Messi and the politics of sports fandom
• Why everything online has to become a moral debate
• The World Cup taking over New York City
• Vacation plans and what's next for Soft Launch

🎧 Listen to Soft Launch wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow Samantha Santos: [makemelaughsam]
Follow JC Mendoza: [peachfuzzpapi]
Follow Soft Launch Podcast: [softlaunchpodcast]

If you enjoyed the episode, follow the podcast and leave a rating or review — it helps more people discover Soft Launch.

This week on Soft Launch, we're talking about everything that's made this season unforgettable: Jay-Z's Yankee Stadium residency, the Love Island USA Season 8 finale, and why New York City has been buzzing all summer long.

We also get personal as Samantha shares why she's heading back to therapy, we laugh through the realities of getting older, obsess over our rescue dog Evie (who has us performing full comedy sets just to get her to eat), and debate whether JC should be allowed to sing his way through the streets of NYC.

It's pop culture, relationships, marriage, mental health, reality TV, and the completely unhinged conversations you'd expect from two comedians who happen to be married.

New episodes of Soft Launch drop every week. Follow the show and join the conversation.

🇺🇸 USA ALL THE WAY | World Cup Fever, Fourth of July Chaos & Bootleg Jerseys That Changed Our Lives 😂 | Soft Launch Podcast

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The World Cup, Independence Day, and our marriage collide in one of our funniest episodes yet as we celebrate America's 250th birthday, debate Fourth of July traditions, and accidentally become obsessed with bootleg USA jerseys.

From rooftop fireworks to relationship chaos and World Cup fever, this episode of Soft Launch proves that nothing brings people together quite like the Fourth of July... and questionable street vendors.

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This week on Soft Launch, Samantha and JC recap their unforgettable Fourth of July weekend, including rooftop fireworks, edible-fueled adventures, hilarious relationship moments, and the bootleg USA soccer jerseys that unexpectedly converted them into full-blown World Cup fans. They dive into why the United States Men's National Team has them emotionally invested, share stories from family gatherings, and react to one of the wildest engagement stories on the internet. If you love comedy podcasts, New York stories, sports culture, relationships, and unfiltered conversations, this episode is for you.

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⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome Back & Happy 250th Birthday, America

01:00 – One Thing About We: Fourth of July Weekend Recap Begins

05:06 – Edibles, Brunch & Becoming Day Drinkers

07:22 – The Bootleg USA Jersey That Changed Everything

16:10 – Fourth of July Rooftop Fireworks in NYC

16:38 – Samantha's Family BBQ & Teaching Her Niece to Swim

25:05 – World Cup Fever Takes Over the Podcast

27:39 – Watching the World Cup in Spanish is Elite Entertainment

41:28 – Aight So Boom: Empire State Building Proposal Goes Viral

46:45 – Is Fancy Rice Pudding Actually Worth It?

52:35 – Random Questions, Marriage Banter & Relationship Chaos

59:00 – Final Thoughts & Outro

Join the Softies as they talk the New York Knicks Championship Parade, the Maternal Instinct documentary on Netflix, and Orgasm Inc !!

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Shirts by @donwuan06 check out his Instagram!

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NYC Come see us do standup comedy Sunday 6/28 at New York Comedy club! Link here: https://newyorkcomedyclub.com/events/in-rhythm-comedy-ft-andre-kim-farzin-moradi-eva-evans-jc-mendoza-samantha-santos

THE NEW YORK KNICKS ARE YOUR 2026 NBA CHAMPIONS!!!! JOIN US AS WE DISCUSS IT FOR AN HOUR LOL...Come see us do standup comedy Sunday 6/28 8pm at New York Comedy Club! Tickets here: https://newyorkcomedyclub.com/events/in-rhythm-comedy-ft-andre-kim-farzin-moradi-eva-evans-jc-mendoza-samantha-santos

The Knicks are in the playoffs, Love Island is back, and our emotional stability is hanging on by a thread.

This week on Soft Launch, Samantha and JC dive into the chaos of watching sports with your wife during a historic Knicks playoff run, navigating watch parties, playoff superstitions, and the very real effects of mamba mentality on millennial men. We break down why the Knicks in playoffs have completely consumed our lives and whether any of us are handling it in a healthy way.

We also react to Jennifer Lopez's viral Subway Takes appearance and her hot take about what makes someone a true New Yorker, plus discuss why the internet seems determined to be mad at JLO no matter what she says.

And with Love Island USA officially back, we're talking about watching reality TV with your partner, how we'd react inside the villa, relationship dynamics, crash outs, bombshells, and whether a happy relationship could actually survive Love Island.

If you love comedy podcasts, New York sports, reality TV, pop culture, relationship conversations, and listening to a married couple spiral together in real time, this episode is for you.

Join the Softies as they talk Love Island drama, controversial transgressions, and JC's movie premiere!!!

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Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content at www.patreon.com/softlaunch

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Come see us do standup comedy in NYC on Sunday June 28th at 8pm! Ticket info here: https://newyorkcomedyclub.com/events/in-rhythm-comedy-ft-andre-kim-farzin-moradi-eva-evans-jc-mendoza-samantha-santos