In the fast-moving world of social media, some creators rise and fade; others evolve, transform, and build new creative pillars. Jake Shane is one of the rare few who has moved skillfully from viral posts to a polished and influential podcast brand. In this post, we’ll trace how he got started, who he is, what he does today, why he’s become a notable figure in the creator space, and the ways he’s already impacted the influencer community.
Who Is Jake Shane?
Jake Shane (full name Jacob Shane Roshkow) is an American influencer, comedian, and podcast host. He has come to be known across multiple platforms for his comedic approach to serious topics, his vulnerability regarding mental health, and his knack for making listeners feel seen.
He holds a degree from the University of Southern California. Before his ascent in the creator world, he worked in music industry–adjacent roles, which afforded him early networking and exposure.
Shane is also open about living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), conditions he says have shaped how he views the world and how he interacts with his audience. His willingness to be vulnerable, especially across social media and podcasting, is a key part of how he connects with fans.
How Did He Get Started?
The Octopus Reviews
Jake Shane’s creator journey began in a rather unique niche: reviewing octopus. Using the handle @passthatpuss (a play on “pass that octopus”), he started posting about octopus dishes and sharing his candid reactions. Because the username “passthatpuss” was already taken on TikTok, he adopted @octopusslover8 (a riff on octopus and the fact they have 8 tentacles).
But soon, he began experimenting beyond food content. In early 2023, he posted TikToks that humorously reenacted historical events—like the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal or dinosaurs watching a comet—based on audience prompts. One early video went viral, accruing tens of thousands of followers overnight, which signaled a pivot in his creator path.
By March 2023, he had signed with WME as his follower count surged. By September 2023, he had also secured representation with United Talent Agency.
Jake Shane’s unique combination of humor, niche content, and willingness to discuss mental health allowed him to break out from a crowded TikTok space and become more than a meme or short-form creator.
What Does He Do Today?
Podcast: Therapuss with Jake Shane
One of Shane’s defining creative leaps was launching Therapuss in January 2024. Therapuss is a clever portmanteau (therapy + “puss,” referencing his octopus motif) and functions as a talk show where Jake takes on a kind of mock-therapist role—though with sincere vulnerability and introspection. In each episode, he partners with a guest and they respond to listener-submitted dilemmas, combining humor, empathy, and candid conversation.
From the get-go, Therapuss found traction: the debut placed its show at #3 on Spotify’s Top Comedy podcasts and #8 on Spotify’s overall rankings. Its guest roster is ambitious: interviews have included Tate McRae, Ed Sheeran, Snooki, Charli XCX, Ben Platt, and more.
The podcast’s format plays on a few of Shane’s creative strengths:
- Vulnerability & relatability: Instead of a polished “host vs guest” dynamic, he leans into his own anxieties, awkwardness, and flaws.
- Blend of humor and introspection: While there’s laughter, there’s often deeper emotional or psychological layering.
- Listener involvement: The show is partly structured around questions sent in by listeners, giving a participatory feel.
Because of this synergy, Therapuss doesn’t feel like just another celebrity interview show—it feels like a space where people can talk about messy life stuff, and maybe feel less alone.
Other Projects & Expansions
Beyond the podcast, Jake Shane has branched out in several notable ways:
- Live Tour: He launched Therapuss Live, bringing the podcast experience to in-person audiences across the U.S. Performing in front of a live crowd offers immediate feedback and energy he says he sometimes misses in remote recording.
- Comedy / Music Album: On November 22, 2024, he released a comedy album called Puss & Poems. The work blends his comedic voice with poetic sensibilities and features collaborations with known artists.
- Media Appearances & Acting: Shane has started branching into acting. Notably, he’s been cast in season four of Hacks. He also appears as a guest on other podcasts (for example, Overcompensating) to discuss broader cultural themes.
- Platform & Influence Roles: He has been a speaker at Cannes Lions under the banner of digital creative and growth. He’s built his personal brand “Pass That Puss Inc.” as his umbrella for content, podcasting, and creative projects.
Why Is He Famous — What Sets Him Apart?
It’s one thing to go viral. It’s another to translate that virality into a sustainable brand. What makes Jake Shane stand out among a sea of creators?
- A Unique Starting Point / Branding
The octopus motif was quirky, memorable, and differentiated him from typical social media fare. It gave him a throughline to tie back to—even when he pivoted into more general comedic content. - Creative Risk-Taking & Format Innovation
His historical reenactment skits turned comment sections into source material. Then, with Therapuss, he reinvented the talk/interview format by centering it on listener pain points and emotional transparency. - Emotional Honesty
Shane doesn’t hide his anxieties, OCD, or doubts. He often uses that vulnerability as fuel for his art and as a bridge to connect with audiences navigating similar struggles. - Access & Networking
From earlier roles in the music industry, he built bridges to influential personalities. Some fans speculate he had ties to Lucian Grainge and others in the music world before his influencer fame. Reddit Those relationships have helped him land big names on Therapuss and expand his reach. - Strategic Growth & Diversification
Rather than relying solely on TikTok, Shane has wisely diversified: podcasting, touring, music/comedy, media appearances—all with a consistent voice. - Community & Interactivity
He doesn’t treat his audience as passive viewers. His content often emerges from comments, questions, and shared vulnerability. That helps build loyalty and a co–creative dynamic.
Impact on the Influencer & Creator Community
Even though Jake Shane is relatively young in his creator journey, his influence is already being felt in several important ways:
Redefining Monetizable Vulnerability
Creators often face the tension between polished brand image and authenticity. Shane shows that openness about mental health, self-doubt, and emotional complexity can be a core strength rather than a liability. Many creators now cite authenticity as a path to deeper engagement—not just higher follower counts.
Encouraging Format-Blending
He didn’t choose between “funny TikToks” and “serious conversations.” He found a way to blend them, showing other creators that format boundaries can be bent. The “listener questions + therapeutic framing + celebrity guest” recipe has already sparked imitators and inspired creators to experiment with hybrid formats.
Raising the Bar on Podcast Production
Therapuss isn’t just a casual podcast—it’s slick, well-edited, strategically marketed, and concept-driven. This sets expectations higher for creators entering podcasting; good audio is no longer enough. You need a concept, brand continuity, and cross-platform integration.
Opening Doors for Queer Creators & Voices
Jake Shane’s openness about queerness and mental health helps expand representation in spaces that often reward surface-level aesthetics. He has become a relatable figure for many young queer creators navigating identity, fandom, and social media pressures.
Demonstrating the Power of Cross-Medium Growth
Creators often get siloed: “I’m just on TikTok,” or “I’m just a podcast person.” Shane’s trajectory shows how a creator can start in one space, build credibility, then branch confidently into adjacent modes. His move into touring, album release, acting, and media shows that a creator brand can be a creative umbrella, not a lane.
Challenges & Critiques
No growth comes without friction. Shane has faced the following:
- Vulnerability vs. Overexposure: Some critics argue that being “too open” on social media can invite backlash or mental burnout. Shane himself admits to feeling vulnerable filming or sharing.
- Guest Access Scrutiny: Because he books high-profile guests early, some question whether access (rather than platform or merit) is a key driver. Reddit threads speculate about his music-industry connections as a gateway.
- Scaling Community Intimacy: When a creator scales, there’s a risk the intimacy or authenticity that attracted early fans gets diluted. Maintaining that connection across millions is a common test.
- Balancing Comedy & Depth: Sometimes the tension between humor and deeper emotional work can be awkward; walking that line is an ongoing creative challenge.
The Road Ahead & Final Thoughts
Jake Shane is not just a story of viral fame—he’s an evolving creative entrepreneur. By launching Therapuss, touring live, releasing a comedy album, and exploring acting, he’s prototyping a multi-modal media presence under a coherent brand voice.
His trajectory offers lessons for other creators:
- Lean into what makes you weird or specific.
- Let audience interaction shape content.
- Don’t shy from emotional complexity—realness can be a differentiator.
- Diversify your creative arms (podcast, live, music, media) rather than double down on one.
- Use early industry connections—but don’t rely on them. Always deliver value.
In the grand arc from “posts to podcasts,” Jake Shane is a map of how to start small, be ambitious, and reinvent as you grow, all while staying true to a personal voice. Whether you’re a creator, marketer, or content fan, Jake’s journey is worth watching—and learning from.
Further Reading & Listening
- Therapuss with Jake Shane — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc. Apple Podcasts+2YouTube+2
- Jake Shane’s speaker profile and bio at Cannes Lions canneslions.com
- “Jake Shane Has Built a Brand as a ‘Therapuss’” — People magazine interview
