Derek Stusynski: From Weird Kid to Community Builder | Pod Friends
RHAP: We Know Reality TV
Friends of Rob Has a Podcast
4.7 • 1.4K Ratings
🗓️ 11 January 2026
⏱️ 104 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Derek Stusynski: From Weird Kid to Community Builder | Pod Friends
This week’s Pod Friends guest is Derek Stusynski @DerekStusynski), a force behind the Rob Has a Podcast Patreon community and one of the quietly impactful people making RHAP possible. Joining Matt Scott (@MattScottGW), Derek shares how growing up feeling weird and out of place became the very thing that taught him how to build belonging for others.
Derek takes us from a farm in rural Minnesota to chasing his creative dreams through improv, web series, and independent films, even winning an episode of Wipeout, before landing behind the scenes at RHAP, where he now helps thousands of fans feel seen, welcomed, and connected. He also opens up about his work as a writer, actor, and filmmaker, including his upcoming film Snatched, starring drag icons like RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Nina West.
This special episode also features messages from members of the RHAP community — Grace, Alyssa, Laura, Kelly, Michael, Tommy Guam, Kim and Tim, Lisa, Mike, and Chantele — who share what Derek and the Patreon experience have meant to them, celebrating the power of chosen family and the magic that happens when people truly show up for one another.
If you have ever felt different, awkward, or alone, Derek’s story is a reminder that those very things can become your greatest strength.
Suggest a future guest: bit.ly/podfriendsnom
Leave a voicemail: speakpipe.com/podfriends
Email: podfriends@robhasawebsite.com
Follow on social media:
Twitter: @HeyPodFriends & @MattScottGW
Instagram: @MattScottGW
Bluesky: MattScottGW.bsky.social
Never miss an episode of Pod Friends:
LISTEN: Subscribe to the Pod Friends podcast feed
WATCH: Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Get closer to the magic this summer and step aboard our three or four-night Disney Cruise Line sailings from Southampton. |
| 0:08.0 | Dance with some of your favourite characters. |
| 0:10.0 | Be enchanted by West End-style shows. |
| 0:13.0 | Become immersed in imaginative dining experiences and more. |
| 0:18.0 | Create magical family memories that will last a lifetime. |
| 0:23.4 | Book now at Disneycruise.co.uk. |
| 0:26.6 | Subject to availability and conditions, see more on Disneycruise.co.com. |
| 0:30.7 | Derek. |
| 0:32.2 | Why should people... |
| 0:34.1 | Hey, thanks for addressing me. |
| 0:35.9 | Why should people listen to this episode of PodFriends |
| 0:39.0 | featuring you? I mean, I mean, if you're if you're this far in, if you've already clicked |
| 0:44.7 | play, I mean, you probably know who I am or you've heard my name and you're like, who is this |
| 0:49.0 | crazy weird clown guy? Uh, who is this interesting fool that everyone is talking about or that I've never heard about? |
| 0:58.4 | You know, you should listen because either you are already obsessed with R.J.P. |
| 1:03.7 | And you want to know more of the lore. |
| 1:05.6 | You want to know where I came from. |
| 1:07.3 | You want to know more about community, how to get involved in RHAP. |
| 1:14.7 | I'm assuming that's probably why you're here. |
| 1:18.1 | Or you're just a fan of Matt and you're a fan of our community. |
| 1:19.2 | You're a fan of this podcast. You're a fan of what RHAP is doing. |
| 1:21.8 | And you get to learn a little bit more about the inside workings of what's going on behind |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Friends of Rob Has a Podcast, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Friends of Rob Has a Podcast and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.