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Well, what am I thankful for on Thanksgiving? We do this every year. It's a new tradition. There are a lot of names I'm thankful for, but the problem with the names is once you forget one of them, then that person feels like you're not thankful for them. So I'll just do the gestalt. The bigger picture of what I'm thankful for, I'm thankful that we're year 16 of this and this is my job. I don't know that you could wish more for someone you liked, family member, son or daughter, than they got to do what they wanted and get paid to do it. I think you would wish more. Let me think about this. I would wish more that my son and daughter, let's say, if I had a wish for them, and you said to me, well, let's just talk about professions and providing and money and paying your bills. Okay, what would you wish? Well, I want them to pay their bills. I want them to provide. I want them to make their money and be able to take care of their family. I would say that. I would if you said, let's just say my son, because that's the way the world works. If you said, what would you wish for your son? I'll give you two options. He will get a million dollars a year for the rest of his life. No questions asked, can never be turned off. It's not going to be one big lump. It's just going to be $1 million a year for the rest of life. And by the way, he could work, do whatever he wants, get a job at the Home Depot, I don't know, be a dog walker. But he will get $1 million a year guaranteed. Or he will get $100,000 a year, 1/10 $100,000 a year doing what he wants to do. But he has to do it full time. He's gonna have a full time job. He's gonna go to work every single day, maybe even a few weekends in there. But it'll be doing what he wants. But he's gonna be taking a haircut. He's gonna go from 1 million to. And by the way, 1 million doesn't mean he's gonna be a drug addict. It's just 1 million guaranteed versus 100,000. But it's going to be doing what he wants every day. I would take the 100 grand doing what he wants every day. That is how important this is. And the fact that you guys make it possible is never forgotten by this podcaster. So I am thankful to you who listen and share and watch this stuff on YouTube and comment and anyone who participates. Again, it's a dream job. It never existed. And it's what I do full time and it pays all my bills and I have lots of good employees. And we come to a place where people want to go to for work and, you know, there's work involved. There's some trials and there's some tribulations, but I don't know that you could want any more than that. And coming from where I come from and starting out how I started out, it is the greatest blessing of all. So enjoy your Thanksgiving. And what I'm thankful for is you guys. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Adam Carolla Show.
Episode Title: Happy Thanksgiving from Adam Carolla
Date: November 27, 2025
Podcast: Adam Carolla Show
In this Thanksgiving-themed episode, Adam Carolla reflects on gratitude, tradition, and what truly matters in life and work. Instead of reading a long list of names, Adam focuses on the "bigger picture," sharing heartfelt thoughts on the value of meaningful work, supporting family, and appreciation for his listeners and team. The episode offers an introspective side to Carolla’s signature candid humor and conversational style.
Longstanding Thanksgiving tradition: Adam opens by acknowledging the show's yearly tradition of sharing what he’s thankful for, noting the challenge of singling out names without leaving anyone out.
"There are a lot of names I'm thankful for, but the problem with the names is once you forget one of them, then that person feels like you're not thankful for them." (00:12)
Broadening the focus:
Rather than specific individuals, Adam expresses gratitude for the overall success and longevity of the show.
"I'm thankful that we're year 16 of this and this is my job." (00:23)
Wishing more for loved ones:
Adam contemplates what he’d wish for his children:
"I don't know that you could wish more for someone you liked, family member, son or daughter, than they got to do what they wanted and get paid to do it." (00:29)
Thought Experiment:
Adam poses a hypothetical scenario: If he could choose for his son to either earn $1 million a year doing anything or $100,000 a year doing what he loves full time, he’d choose passion over money.
"I would take the 100 grand doing what he wants every day. That is how important this is." (01:33)
He adds nuance, clarifying that guaranteed money isn’t negative, but fulfillment is paramount.
Expressing Thanks:
Adam credits the show's success and his ability to live his dream job to the support of listeners, viewers, and participants.
"The fact that you guys make it possible is never forgotten by this podcaster. So I am thankful to you who listen and share and watch this stuff on YouTube and comment and anyone who participates." (01:44)
Gratitude for the Work Environment:
Adam expresses pride in the community and work culture they've built:
"We come to a place where people want to go to for work ... there's work involved. There's some trials and there's some tribulations, but I don't know that you could want any more than that." (02:12)
Humble Reflection:
He reflects on his humble beginnings, emphasizing how meaningful his current life is considering where he started:
"Coming from where I come from and starting out how I started out, it is the greatest blessing of all." (02:29)
"So enjoy your Thanksgiving. And what I'm thankful for is you guys. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Adam Carolla Show." (02:35)
True to Adam Carolla’s style, the episode blends humor, candor, and heartfelt gratitude. His straightforward, conversational language draws the listener in and leaves them with both a sense of appreciation and an invitation to value meaningful work and community.
This Thanksgiving message from Adam Carolla is a short yet memorable tribute to gratitude, meaningful work, and the audience that makes his career possible. With his signature blend of humor and directness, Adam both celebrates past achievements and recognizes the importance of fulfillment, passion, and community support in creating a truly rewarding life.